Armstrong & Getty On Demand - Episode: "Just A Couple of Things" (Released June 24, 2025)

Introduction

In the "Just A Couple of Things" episode of the Armstrong & Getty On Demand podcast, hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into two main topics: a special message from Representative Hank Johnson and the evolving dynamics of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Through engaging discussions and insightful commentary, the duo explores the intersection of politics, sportsmanship, and media portrayal in contemporary sports.

Segment 1: Representative Hank Johnson's Musical Attempt

The episode opens with Jack Armstrong introducing a clip from Representative Hank Johnson, a Democrat from Georgia, who shares his personal endeavor of learning to play the guitar.

• [00:12] Jack Armstrong: "It's Representative Hank Johnson, Democrat, Georgia. Have you listened to it already?"
• [00:29] Joe Getty: "I have. He introduces it himself."

Hank Johnson's Musical Commentary: Representative Johnson humorously admits his novice status in guitar playing while attempting to perform a rendition of the classic song "Hey Joe."

[00:33] Hank Johnson: "I hate to hurt your ears and everything, but I'm just learning to play guitar... where you going with that gun in your hand? Hey, Trump, where you going with that gun in your hand?"

The hosts lightheartedly critique his performance:

• [01:17] Jack Armstrong: "Had you considered tuning your guitar?"
• [01:19] Joe Getty: "Yeah, I was gonna say missed the part of the lesson where you'd learn to tune the M."

Jack emphasizes the importance of mastering the basics before advancing, drawing a parallel to teaching his son guitar.

Segment 2: The WNBA's Shift Towards Aggressiveness

Transitioning from politics to sports, Armstrong and Getty discuss the recent trends in the WNBA that mirror the aggressive style of the early 1990s NBA.

• [01:44] Joe Getty: "I like to get no satisfaction from it."
• [02:00] Jack Armstrong: "Somehow the WNBA... has turned into the men's NBA of the early '90s, when people would beat the crap out of each other."

Highlighting Sophie Cunningham as the WNBA Enforcer

The conversation centers around Sophie Cunningham, a WNBA player who has taken on the role of an enforcer to protect her teammate, Caitlin Clark.

Play-by-Play of Sophie Cunningham's Protective Actions: Jack describes video clips showcasing Cunningham's aggressive defense tactics, including putting opponents in headlocks and taking them to the floor.

• [03:12] Sophie Cunningham:

  "Hello, everyone. I'm Sophie Cunningham. I don't start trouble, but I'm never afraid of it... You want to come at me, go ahead, but you better check with your bones first."

Analysis of Cunningham's Speech: Joe Getty reflects on the clinical and composed nature of her declaration, comparing it to the assertive rhetoric of 80s and 90s NBA players.

• [05:25] Joe Getty: "Her speech... I was a huge fan at the time. And a guy would say something like, 'I'm going to end it. You come up against me and MJ, you're going to know what time it is.'"

Jack points out the unique blend of toughness and poise that Cunningham brings to the WNBA.

• [06:10] Jack Armstrong: "Except for that one line. Check with your bones."

The Persona and Impact of Sophie Cunningham

The hosts discuss Cunningham's physical appearance and its influence on her role as an enforcer.

• [06:14] Sophie Cunningham: "You know, we kind of downplayed how hot this chick is."
• [06:24] Jack Armstrong: "She's like runway model material."

This combination of attractiveness and combativeness challenges traditional perceptions of female athletes in the league.

Segment 3: Comparisons to the 90s NBA and Future Implications

Armstrong and Getty draw parallels between current WNBA trends and the NBA's past emphasis on physicality and conflict.

• [04:36] Jack Armstrong: "It's like, do you want to put butts in the seats and have big ratings, we got to have a couple of fights."

They speculate whether the WNBA might increasingly feature on-court altercations to boost viewership, similar to how the NBA capitalized on rivalries and physical play to attract fans during the 90s.

• [06:33] Jack Armstrong: "From our text... that's an interesting aspect of the whole thing. Also, I don't know if this is going to end up being like the bread and butter for the WNBA where they just everybody figures out, boy, if you want to put butts in the seats and have big ratings, we got to have a couple of fights."

Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, Armstrong and Getty reflect on the potential future of the WNBA and the role of players like Sophie Cunningham in shaping its identity.

• [07:13] Joe Getty: "My bones are fine with it. Trust me, they're enthused."
• [07:20] Jack Armstrong: "Well, I guess that's it. This is an iHeart podcast."

The hosts leave listeners pondering the balance between athletic skill and physical entertainment in modern sports, particularly within women's leagues striving for recognition and viewership.

Notable Quotes

• Sophie Cunningham:

  "You want to come at me, go ahead, but you better check with your bones first."
  [04:17]

• Joe Getty:

  "I don't be the only one who's completely struck by the nature of her. Her speech there."
  [05:25]

• Jack Armstrong:

  "She's runway model material."
  [06:24]

Key Takeaways

1. Representative Hank Johnson's Musical Endeavor: Highlights the human side of politicians, showcasing their personal interests beyond politics.
2. WNBA's Shift Towards Aggressiveness: Reflects broader trends in sports where physicality is emphasized to enhance entertainment value and viewership.
3. Sophie Cunningham as an Enforcer: Represents a strategic move within the WNBA to protect star players and potentially boost the league's appeal by introducing elements of rivalry and defense.
4. Comparative Analysis with 90s NBA: Suggests that the WNBA might be following a similar path as the NBA did in the past, focusing on creating memorable and dramatic sports moments through physical confrontation.

This episode offers listeners a nuanced exploration of how sports leagues evolve and adapt to changing audience preferences, emphasizing the delicate balance between maintaining athletic integrity and embracing entertainment-driven strategies.