Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: "It's Got Nothing To Do With Your Genitalia"

Date: January 13, 2026
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Contributors: Katie Green

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode focuses on two core topics:

• The ongoing crisis and violent repression of protests in Iran.
• The U.S. Supreme Court’s consideration of cases concerning transgender athletes’ participation in sports, examining the legal and cultural implications surrounding gender identity.

Additional segments touch on current political infighting, viral social media events, and the influence of lobbying in the digital age.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Iran: Crackdown on Protests & International Response (00:55–03:50, 13:54–15:41)

• State of the Uprising:
  The hosts discuss the Iranian government’s deadly crackdown on protestors, noting reports of over 12,000 deaths, internet blackouts, and comparisons to Tiananmen Square.
• Role of Technology:
  Elon Musk’s Starlink is blocked at the ground level by authorities to prevent internet access, curbing protest organization and international awareness.
• US Foreign Policy:
  Trump is deliberating potential U.S. intervention; the hosts question if assistance is feasible or if the regime has already “weathered the storm.”
• Western Hypocrisy:
  Comment on the lack of solidarity protests at U.S. colleges, especially given the oppression of Iranian women and minorities.
  • “Where are the demonstrations? Show me one from the plucky little college.” – Joe Getty [14:36]
• Cynicism About Numbers:
  The editorial board of Iran International is cited, but discussed skeptically due to possible exaggeration for political purposes.

2. Supreme Court & Transgender Athlete Cases (00:34–11:41)

• Nature of the Cases:
  The Supreme Court is hearing two cases concerning state bans on transgender girls competing in girls’ sports and broader Title IX/Title VII issues.

  • Some analysts expect a narrow "states’ rights" ruling, while others predict a deeper debate on biological sex and gender malleability.

• Legal and Cultural Arguments:

  • Joe rejects the phrase “biological man/woman” as redundant:
    • “That’s like saying astronomical star. It doesn’t make sense. There are men, there are women, there’s men’s sports, there’s women’s sports, we’re done here.” [03:58]
  • Both express skepticism that the Supreme Court would rule in favor of allowing trans athletes in girls’ sports, citing public opinion polls (70-30, possibly 90-10 against).
  • The hosts discuss whether the Court will wade into the science of trans athletes’ advantages.

• Memorable Clip:

  • They play a quote from a young trans athlete imploring others to “educate themselves,” but the hosts dismiss this as a child’s perspective guided by parents and not legally relevant:
    • “That was very silly and completely irrelevant—in the words of a child.” – Joe Getty [06:53]

• Broader Impacts:

  • Armstrong speculates trans adults may wish the sports debate would disappear, as it undermines broader trans acceptance:
    • “If I’m a trans adult, I want this whole high school sports thing to go away.” – Jack Armstrong [09:33]

• Pushback Against Activism:

  • Joe argues activist voices are out of step with the overwhelming majority:
    • “Nobody else believes that. It’s a tiny percentage of loud activists who have a disproportionate megaphone.” [10:53]

3. Viral Stories & Fake Outrage (17:23–20:50)

• Youth Hockey “Brawl” Goes Viral:
  • Discuss a widely shared video of eight-year-olds fighting in a hockey game, initially framed as a sign of decaying social norms and absent parenting.
  • Later revealed to be a staged comedy, with parents in on the joke—but the video was misrepresented as real in media and fueled national outrage.
• AI Deepfake News:
  • Armstrong speculates that the AI-generated news report covering the event may mark a new era of “triple layers of fake,” calling it potentially “the most important thing today.”
    • “Every single aspect of it is fake and was taken completely seriously and generated fake outrage for like a cup of coffee and a half.” – Joe Getty [20:40]

4. Current Political Battles & Infighting (13:13–16:43, 21:22–23:51)

• Trump vs. Fed Chair Powell:
  • Trump is attempting to remove Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve Chair, through criminal investigation related to office remodeling, a move widely criticized—even by Republicans.
  • Hosts discuss the risks of subjecting central bankers to political whims:
    • “You can’t have politicians involved with interest rates because they’re always going to go for maximum growth and inflationary pressure… It’s a terrible idea.” – Joe Getty [22:29]
  • Speculation that Powell could be pressured to resign through legal intimidation.
• Democratic Party Infighting:
  • Hosts mention Trump's criticism of Pam Bondi, referencing it as “one battle after another” in politics.

5. Social Media Influencers As Lobbyists (26:22–28:13)

• Rise of Paid Online Influence:
  • Discussion of social media personalities being paid hundreds of thousands by interest groups or foreign governments (e.g., Qatar) to influence U.S. attitudes and policy through seemingly authentic posts.
  • Armstrong is shocked by the willingness of influencers to take money for controversial views:
    • “With your up with fundamentalist Islam? Because somebody’s paying you. That’s unbelievable.” – Jack Armstrong [27:58]
  • They joke about their own “sell-out” price.

6. Mailbag & Listeners’ Responses (32:05–36:35)

• Quoting Lenin:

  • Reflect on the long-term implications of youth indoctrination:
    • “Give me just one generation of youth and I’ll transform the whole world.” – Vladimir Lenin, quoted by Joe Getty [32:23]
  • Debate over whether U.S. cultural shifts in education and ideology are reversible.

• Listener Feedback:

  • Read and debate a listener email critiquing the male-centric perspective of their show and arguing that women’s political unhappiness stems from “the patriarchy.” Joe and Katie Green (the show’s female contributor) reject this, calling the listener a “nut job”—in a characteristic, colorful style.
    • “You’re a nut job and I’m a woman.” – Katie Green [35:04]

• Political Discontent:

  • Another listener bemoans the lack of appealing choices in American politics and skepticism about the rise of a viable third party.

7. Additional Light Moments & Pop Culture (25:13–26:22, 31:53–32:05)

• Boxing, Pop Culture, and Humor:
  • Discussion of a recent high-profile boxing match (Jake Paul), jokes about retirement after a big payday, and frequent references to the movie "One Battle After Another"—Armstrong's new catchphrase.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Transgender Sports:
  • “That’s like saying astronomical star. It doesn’t make sense. There are men, there are women, there’s men’s sports, there’s women’s sports, we’re done here.” – Joe Getty [03:58]
  • “I know. It’s an argument so idiotic, I can’t even like inhale deeply enough to counter it.” – Joe Getty [07:28]
• On Influence of Activists:
  • “Nobody else believes that. It’s a tiny percentage of loud activists who have a disproportionate megaphone.” – Joe Getty [10:53]
• On Viral Fake News:
  • “Every single aspect of it is fake and was taken completely seriously and generated fake outrage for like a cup of coffee and a half. Unbelievable.” – Joe Getty [20:40]
• On Paid Influencers:
  • “I’m telling you, half the stuff you see about Israel or Qatar or the Middle East… is sponsored by the Qataris. And they buy people off.” – Joe Getty [28:13]
• On Youth Indoctrination:
  • “Give me just one generation of youth and I’ll transform the whole world.” – Quoting Vladimir Lenin [32:23]
• Listener Feedback:
  • “You’re a nut job and I’m a woman.” – Katie Green [35:04]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Iran Protests & Crisis: [00:55–03:50, 13:54–15:41]
• Supreme Court Trans Athlete Cases: [00:34–11:41]
• Viral Hockey Fight & Fake Outrage: [17:23–20:50]
• Trump vs. Fed Chair Powell: [21:22–23:51]
• Paid Online Influence: [26:22–28:13]
• Mailbag and Listener Response: [32:05–36:35]

Tone and Style

The episode is marked by Armstrong & Getty’s signature mix of irreverent humor, blunt skepticism, and sharp-edged commentary. They move rapidly between news, cultural critique, and playful banter—often using sarcasm and rhetorical exaggeration to emphasize their viewpoints.

For New Listeners

This episode provides a spirited, opinion-driven overview of two major stories—the suppression of dissent in Iran and America’s debate over gender identity in sports—layered with cultural meta-analysis, comedic detours, and a healthy skepticism of trending outrage, both real and manufactured. You’ll also hear spontaneous reactions to breaking news, pop culture, and audience feedback, giving you a clear sense of Armstrong & Getty’s unfiltered style and perspective.