Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Episode Title: Is Your Baby Going To A Whore House?!
Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty (with Katie Green)
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts
Episode Overview
This episode covers the latest news with Armstrong & Getty’s signature irreverent humor and insightful banter. The main thread explores Australia’s new law banning social media for those under 16, parenting in the digital age, current economic anxieties in the U.S. (including inflation and interest rates), and societal implications of screen time. Other topics include political news, viral stories, and playful audience engagement.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Australia Bans Social Media for Minors Under 16
Main Discussion:
Australia’s new law prohibits anyone under 16 from accessing social media, marking the strictest policy of its kind. The team discusses the rationale, practicality, implications for the U.S., and the global response.
- Why the focus on Australia?
Joe: “Australian teenagers! How come they've been banned from social media until the age of 16? I guess it's an interesting experiment...” (02:18) - Will it work?
Jack: “...some stories, states have done it with porn already where you have to do age identification. But I don't know, have we done that with social media anywhere? And if not, why not?” (02:48) - Can enforcement succeed?
Joe: “It's pretty easily evaded...all these imperfect solutions, maybe we layer them, we experiment, we see what works and what doesn't.” (03:04) - Comparing to U.S. regulations
Katie details similar policies in Nebraska, Utah, Texas, Louisiana, and New York, but notes effectiveness is unclear. (22:26)
Notable Quote:
Joe: “The beauty of having a smaller country is it's almost like an individual state does have kangaroos.” (21:20)
Jack: “Is that a benefit?” (21:28)
Timestamps:
- Australia social media ban topic opens: 02:18
- U.S. state laws comparison: 22:26
- Tech company compliance and user verification: 24:12
2. Parental Anxiety & The Impact of Screen Time
Main Discussion:
The trio delves deep into concerns about how screens and social media affect children’s mental health, learning, and development.
- Personal Experimentation:
Joe shares: “We are pretty overjoyed about it,” citing parents enforcing their own no-phone rules (26:11) - Clinical Perspective:
Dr. Victoria Dunkley (audio clip): “No matter what they come in with...the first thing we do is just take them off all screens for four weeks and then see what's left. So their symptoms might disappear completely.” (26:38) - Academic research:
Joe references studies showing a direct link between increased screen time and lower academic performance: “The more time students spent on screens at school, the further their scores fell. And...it is absolutely uniformly clear the more screen time, the lower the scores.” (27:25)
Notable Quotes:
- Jack: “If you wonder if your kid's addicted to a phone, if they have a phone, take it away from them for a while, see how they act. That's classic addiction behavior.” (35:37)
- Dr. Dunkley: “They start going to bed earlier, their mood is better...So a lot of these symptoms that look like they have ADHD or anxiety or depression go away completely.” (26:58)
Timestamps:
- Clinical testimony: 26:38
- Research on screens in schools: 27:25
- Memory and physical books vs. screens: 29:08
3. U.S. Economic Woes & Personal Anecdotes
Main Discussion:
The show’s signature blend of personal, political, and economic commentary is on full display.
- Interest Rates and Inflation:
Jack expresses skepticism about today's expected Federal Reserve interest rate cut:
“I'm not jazzed about this interest rate cut because I, I'm more worried about inflation than a quarter a point on my credit card.” (04:51) Joe adds: “Inflation is like interest compounding...3% more than the inflated number of last year, and the next year will be 4% more...” (07:21) - Personal Costs:
Jack: “Henry and I went to Black Bear Diner last night...It was $44. Gee money, $44. Holy cow.” (07:30)
Notable Exchange:
Jack: "Every single time you get hit with a grocery bill or you're out to eat, you're like, What? It was 44 for a couple of pancakes, bacon and you know, a breakfast for two." (08:08)
Joe: “Crazy.” (08:22)
Timestamps:
- Interest rates, inflation worries: 04:51-07:12
- Diner cost anecdote: 07:30
4. News Headlines & Pop Culture
Main Discussion:
Katie Green rattles off major headlines, showcasing their news-of-the-day approach:
- Boat Strike Investigation:
“House panel plans to end its boat strike probe...” - Trump & Economy:
“Trump says Americans are doing great even as views on the economy sour...”
Jack notes: “He gave himself an A plus plus plus plus for his handling of the economy.” (16:15) - Tech & Social Media:
“Instagram gives users control of their algorithms...” (16:56) - Outrageous Stories:
“Doordash driver accused of pepper spraying customers’ Arby’s order resulting in the wife falling ill.” (17:18) - Sleep & Life Expectancy:
“Getting less than seven hours of sleep is linked to shorter life expectancy...” (18:40)
Notable Quote:
Jack (joking): “I’m legally dead.” (18:50)
Timestamps:
- News rundown: 15:21-19:04
5. Language, Political Correctness, and Social Commentary
Main Discussion:
A comedic riff on “the R-word,” language police, and societal sensitivities.
Joe: “People who treat language like it’s magical incantations. Please grow up.” (20:16)
Jack: “Try that line on HR this afternoon when you're in the meeting about this.” (20:16-20:21)
6. Mailbag & Listener Interactions
Main Discussion:
Listener email highlight:
- Debate on non-binary gender options in federal paperwork and gun purchase background checks (37:32)
- "Percentage Doom" and "Percentage Salvation" regarding AGI/AI risk (38:54)
7. Humor, Banter, and Signature Moments
The episode is laced with classic Armstrong & Getty sarcasm, dad jokes, and playful arguments:
- Aerosol deodorant debate:
Jack: “Do they still have aerosol? I didn't realize it. Well, I should start using that.” (14:44) - Miami pig pardon:
Jack: “You can't just say, Miami does the pig pardoning...How kind of a sentence is that?” (18:22) - Chainsaw at the Boy Scout Christmas tree lot: Jack and Joe riff on “liability” and “insurance at the lot.” (11:24-12:12)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“If you tell your kids it’s against the law to go on social media, some kids anyway are not gonna go on social media because it’s against the law.”
— Jack Armstrong (03:18) -
“Inflation is like interest compounding. You’re 3% more than the inflated number of last year, and the next year will be 4% more of that extra inflated number...”
— Joe Getty (07:21) -
“No matter what they come in with...the first thing we do is just take them off all screens for four weeks and then see what’s left. So their symptoms might disappear completely.”
— Dr. Victoria Dunkley (clip, 26:38) -
“People who treat language like it’s magical incantations. Please grow up.”
— Joe Getty (20:16) -
“You can't just say, Miami does the pig pardoning.”
— Jack Armstrong (18:22)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Topic | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------------------------- |:----------:| | Australia bans social media for <16 | 02:18, 20:30-25:59 | | U.S. state approaches to social media, youth impact | 22:26 | | Screen time research & impact on youth | 26:38-29:08| | Inflation & economy anecdotes (Black Bear Diner) | 04:51-07:30| | News headlines with Katie Green | 15:21-19:04| | Language/“R-word” debate | 19:33-20:21| | Mailbag and listener emails | 35:29-38:56|
Conclusion
In their inimitable style, Armstrong & Getty dissect the complexities of modern parenting amid new digital bans, the anxiety over a stubborn economy, and headline news, mixing serious insights with relentless humor. For listeners concerned about the impact of technology on youth, the nature of U.S. economic woes, or simply seeking a spirited take on the day’s topics, this episode delivers a fast-paced, thoughtful, and hilariously honest ride.