Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: New Age Crap!

Date: January 27, 2026
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty tackle the theme of "New Age Crap!", exploring the proliferation of self-help fads, the culture of protest in modern universities, and the increasing organization behind social activism. The hosts take a humorous and irreverent tone as they dissect current events—particularly protests in Minneapolis—against a backdrop of political polarization, the role of activist nonprofit networks, and a dense web of progressive mobilization in America. The episode is peppered with classic cultural references, contemporary news analysis, and the duo’s trademark banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Legacy of Pop Psychology & Self-help Fads

• Jack & Joe begin by mocking the book “I’m Okay, You’re Okay” from the 1970s, dismissing it as part of a long legacy of "new age crap."
  • Quote:
    Joe Getty [03:47]: “That's before the world caught on to that. Those sort of scams, sort of crap. New age crap. Wow.”
  • They discuss how such pop psychology and self-help movements set the stage for credulity around new ideological trends.

2. Protest Culture on College Campuses

• [04:06 – 06:27] The hosts delve into the culture of protest in universities, referencing commentary from Jonah Goldberg.

  • Discussion centers around the idea that modern universities actively teach protest as a core civic virtue—primarily through a progressive lens—rather than as something spontaneous or universally applied.
  • Quote: Joe Getty [05:43]: "None of the protests, of course, included like the Tea Party or anything Right. Leaning. It was all, you know, progressive protests."

• They discuss the “cosplay” nature of student protest, the social reward system among like-minded students, and the disconnect when students graduate, expecting protest to be the norm in adulthood.

3. The Organization and Funding of Protests

• Jack Armstrong [07:21]:
  • Expresses frustration that most Americans don't recognize how organized many protests are, being seemingly spontaneous but in fact orchestrated by well-funded ideological groups.
  • Mentions the “Marxist groups are financing it and printing the placards and, you know, shipping the bricks…”
  • Quote: Jack Armstrong [08:54]: “This wasn’t like, well, it's a lot of liberal professors and I guess their view is kind of, you know, the students latched on them. No, it's a deliberate plan to turn schools and universities into ideology mills.”
• Joe Getty [09:21]: “...the greatest trick the left has ever played is convincing most of America that, oh, these are just grassroots protests of local residents who are up in arms. I think it is.”

4. The Role of Media & Coverage

• [09:21 – 13:03] The conversation highlights how media often underplays the organized elements behind protests, buying into or passively perpetuating the idea of spontaneous local uprisings.

5. Light-hearted Interlude: The Chuck Norris Meme

• [11:25 – 13:14] A humorous segment where Jack and Joe riff on the Chuck Norris meme with classic jokes, prompted by explaining it to Joe’s son, lightening the episode's otherwise serious mood.
  • Quotes:
    • Joe Getty [11:25]: “Chuck Norris can divide by zero.”
    • Jack Armstrong [13:11]: “Chuck Norris doesn’t listen to Armstrong and Getty.”
    • Joe Getty [13:14]: “Armstrong and Getty Listen to Chuck Norris.”

6. News Roundup and Headlines

• Lead Story with Katie Green [17:09 – 22:09]
  • A rapid-fire tour of current news items, including developments in Minneapolis protests, international stories, economic headlines, and a satirical Babylon Bee item about the WNBA and protests.
  • Notable coverage includes:
    • Reactions to Trump administration policy changes regarding border enforcement and replacement of officials in Minneapolis.
    • The scale of violence in Iran and government suppression.
    • Organized protests in American cities and the law enforcement/media response.
    • Light-hearted stories (e.g., the Babylon Bee & WNBA).
  • Quote: Katie Green [21:03]: “Study finds babysitting the grandkids slows cognitive decline. Especially for grandma.”

7. Deep Dive: The Institutionalization of Activism

• [28:11 – 37:18]

  • Jack presents detailed examples and headlines illustrating how protests are not only organized but also often tied to larger, well-funded networks with explicit political agendas:
    • The Democratic Socialists of America's ties to Chinese ruling party officials ([30:15] and [31:58]).
    • Newsweek’s reporting on the DSA avoiding topics sensitive for Beijing.
    • Barton Swaim’s Wall Street Journal op-ed on the progressive donor class funding activism, naming Soros’ Open Society, Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation as key benefactors.
  • The hosts note how protests are rarely organic but engineered through moneyed interest networks.
  • Quote: Joe Getty [32:15]: “The anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis are not primarily, or maybe at all, the spontaneous uprisings of an outraged citizenry. ... Activists do those things.”

• Discussion of dangers and tactics:

  • Jack and Joe explain that the “activist class” seeks out drama and even violence to further their cause—referring to the “tank” metaphor for protestors who deliberately place themselves in harm’s way.

8. Historical Parallels & Government Response

• [35:19 – 46:12]

  • Joe points out historical paranoia concerning Soviet influence on the 1960s civil rights movement, highlighting the difficulty of distinguishing genuine grassroots activism from foreign agitation.
  • Jack advocates for “open investigation” according to the law when foreign or violent actors are suspected.
  • They mention Andy Ngo’s reporting on fundraisers for armed actions and far-left groups mobilizing for violence.

• Quotes:

  • Joe Getty [36:03]: “The reason the FBI was spying on all those civil rights leaders was they were afraid this was all orchestrated by the Soviet Union...”
  • Jack Armstrong [37:11]: “They want death. Yeah, a death is, is perfect for them. That's why they encourage people to do such dangerous things.”

9. Reflections on Decline of Social Norms & Activism as Identity

• Additional correspondence from listeners suggests that protest culture now extends to “cosplay” and Dungeons & Dragons metaphors, with protest "classes" such as "Tank," "Healer," or "Wizard."
• Concerns are raised about increasingly radical activism involving young people and the political exploitation of children, shifting red lines in societal behavior, and the weaponization of identity in activist circles.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That's before the world caught on to that. Those sort of scams, sort of crap. New age crap. Wow.”
  – Joe Getty [03:48]

• “None of the protests, of course, included like the Tea Party or anything Right. Leaning. It was all, you know, progressive protests.”
  – Joe Getty [05:43] (on the selective way protest is taught and valorized)

• “It is a deliberate plan to turn schools and universities into ideology mills. And they've been very successful.”
  – Jack Armstrong [08:54]

• "The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing the world he didn't exist. Is the greatest trick the left has ever played is convincing most of America that, oh, these are just grassroots protests of local residents who are up in arms."
  – Jack Armstrong [08:57]

• “Chuck Norris can kill two stones with one bird. Death once had a near Chuck Norris experience.”
  – Joe Getty [11:25]

• “The anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis are not primarily, or maybe at all, the spontaneous uprisings of an outraged citizenry. ... Activists do those things.”
  – Joe Getty [32:15]

• “I just say investigate openly and according to the laws of the United States and if you find groups, for instance Andy Ngo’s reporting far left extremists... are encouraging comrades to go to Minneapolis as delegates for an armed uprising against the United States government.”
  – Jack Armstrong [36:03]

Timestamps: Important Segments

• 03:33 – Satirizing “I’m Okay, You’re Okay” and the 1970s self-help boom.
• 04:06 – 06:27 – Deep-dive on protest culture in universities and its modern ramifications.
• 07:21 – 09:21 – Discussion on protest orchestration and hidden funding networks (“ideology mills”).
• 11:25 – 13:14 – Chuck Norris meme riff.
• 17:09 – 22:09 – Katie Green’s news roundup: Minneapolis, Iran, WNBA satirical protest, cognitive health, etc.
• 28:11 – 37:18 – Detailed breakdown of protest funding, orchestration, and the institutional activism network, referencing major American philanthropies and political actors.
• 35:19 – 46:12 – Analysis of parallels with Cold War–era suspicion, modern left activism, and calls for open lawful investigation.

Tone & Language

• The tone is frequently sardonic, questioningly critical, and conspiratorially humorous, with Joe and Jack often pointing out absurdities in media coverage, activist rhetoric, and political doublespeak.
• Their skepticism toward mainstream narratives is couched in a kind of irreverent banter, interspersed with cultural trivia, listener emails, and back-and-forth riffing.

In Summary

This episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand scrutinizes the origins, organization, and propagation of protest culture in America, arguing that much of what is represented as grassroots activism is actually organized and funded by ideologically driven nonprofits. The hosts express concern about the lack of awareness in the wider public and media, poke fun at cultural fads (both old and new), and provide a news summary that highlights both the gravity and the absurdity of current events. Listeners are left with a picture of a society in which activism and outrage are increasingly industrialized, and where skepticism—and humor—are essential tools for navigating our times.