Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: Notes Of Chocolate With A Raspberry Finish
Date: December 10, 2025
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

In this episode, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty dive into recent news highlights and social commentary with their signature irreverent humor. They cover topics ranging from political scandals and economic inequality to America’s drug crisis and cultural attitudes about weight loss and marriage. The show pivots between sharp observations, personal anecdotes, and critique of media narratives, maintaining its typical conversational and sardonic style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nancy Mace’s Airport Incident & Privilege Dynamics

Timestamps: 01:28–03:34

• The hosts react to a report detailing South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace’s alleged tirade against airport security.
• They highlight her denial of the remarks caught on video and explore the theme of powerful individuals behaving badly.
• Personal story: Joe recalls witnessing similar privileged behavior decades ago, where wealthy individuals berated police and faced no real consequences.

Quote
"She's half a nut job, that Nancy Mace." – Jack Armstrong (02:19)

Analysis:
The hosts use the incident to discuss how power and privilege can shield people from accountability, both in small-town America and within the halls of Congress. Joe’s anecdote reinforces the idea that certain people expect – and receive – different treatment from law enforcement.

2. Economic Inequality & the “K-Shaped” Recovery

Timestamps: 07:16–11:29

• Discussion of how retail sales data and consumer spending reflect growing inequality.
• They critique the overuse of the “K-shaped” term for economic recovery and highlight that the wealthiest Americans are driving spending and investment.
• Large tech companies (“the magnificent seven”) now dominate market capitalization, potentially forming a dangerous economic bubble.

Quote
"You got seven companies accounting for more than a third. That sets out of whack. You got to get it back in whack. Oh, no, it's. Oh, it's a bubble." – Jack Armstrong (11:29)

Memorable Moment:
Jack lampoons the “K-shape” cliche, noting it conveniently ignores the “vertical line in the K.”

3. Columbia University, Academia, and Free Speech

Timestamps: 11:40–12:04

• Quick mention of Columbia University’s antisemitism task force reporting that among Middle East faculty, none are pro-Israel.
• Hosts critique this outcome as unbalanced for a prominent university.

Contextual Insight:
Used as a segue, this segment underscores concerns about ideological conformity in academia.

4. Open-Air Drug Crisis: Kensington Ave, Philadelphia

Timestamps: 14:21–20:11

• Jack and Joe discuss a report on Philadelphia’s infamous Kensington Ave open-air drug market.
• The conversation highlights the evolution from heroin to fentanyl (“fetty”), animal tranquilizer xylazine (“tranq”), and now a new, even more potent sedative, medetomidine (“med”).
• Real-life stories from users depict extreme addiction and suffering. The protagonists note the blend’s branding with “notes of chocolate and a raspberry finish” as a biting satire on the horrifying realities addicts face.

Quote
"Christine, a 41 year old Philadelphian who doesn't look a day over 70. She's got more scabs than I have eyelashes." – Jack Armstrong (17:29)

Memorable Moment:
Joe mockingly characterizes the drug blend, saying, “I get … sunshine. I'm getting notes of caramel and then it’s got a chocolatey finish.” (18:10)

5. America’s Weight Loss Obsession & GLP-1 Drugs

Timestamps: 20:42–32:12

• Joe introduces an article about new GLP-1 weight-loss drugs (like Ozempic, Wegovy), exploring their benefits and the media backlash.
• Discussion covers past diet culture fads, including extreme and unhealthy behaviors (like eating cotton balls dipped in juice), and societal expectations around body image.
• Weighs the risks of new drugs against the much greater health dangers of obesity compared to rare eating disorders.

Quote
"You cannot regulate 95% of society based on the needs of the 5% who are too dumb to help or crazy." – Jack Armstrong (29:44)

Insight:
While hosts acknowledge eating disorders are serious and heartbreaking, they frame the broader issue as one of proportionality: obesity is a much bigger public health concern, and backlash to weight-loss drugs is overblown.

6. Social Media Ban in Australia & Changing Marriage Attitudes

Timestamps: 32:18–36:48

• Australia is banning all social media for users under 16.
• Transition to a Pew Research report indicating a shift: high school boys are now more likely to want marriage than girls, reversing the trend from three decades ago.
• The hosts connect this to broader cultural forces discouraging marriage and family among women, possibly rooted in “war on boys” narratives.

Quote
"Boys plans for marriage really haven't budged … but the girls have gone from 83% to 61% in that time." – Jack Armstrong (33:23)

Memorable Segment:
Emily Jashinski’s line: “I was a university student surrounded by rudderless men with bubbling anger.” (34:53)

7. Teen Mental Health and Antidepressants

Timestamps: 35:32–36:48

• Discussion briefly turns to new research suggesting that antidepressant use among teen girls may suppress sexual development and desire, potentially intersecting with changing attitudes about relationships.

Memorable Moment:
Hosts roll their eyes at articles that begin with irrelevant personal anecdotes, but Joe finds this one impactful.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Privilege and the Law:
  "Man, they were so brutal to this cop … he feels like he’s got to take this level of S from these two dudes because their mom owns half the county." – Joe Getty (05:07)

• Economic Bubble:
  "If it is a bubble, when it pops, it's going to be noticeable." – Joe Getty (11:12)

• Drug Crisis Satire:
  "I get ... sunshine. I'm getting notes of caramel and then it's got a chocolatey finish." – Joe Getty, satirizing street drug branding (18:10)

• Societal Regulation:
  "You cannot regulate 95% of society based on the needs of the 5% who are too dumb to help or crazy." – Jack Armstrong (29:44)

Final Thoughts & Closing Banter

Timestamps: 37:07–38:31

• The hosts and crew give their lighthearted wrap-ups, with stories about See’s Candy and Black Bear Diner.
• Jack quips, "Yeah, I don’t think people getting too skinny is really our biggest problem." (38:03)
• Show closes with characteristic self-deprecating humor and a parody song about shopping at their store.

Important Timestamps

• Nancy Mace incident and privilege discussion – 01:28–05:34
• K-shaped economy, economic inequality – 07:16–11:29
• Columbia antisemitism task force – 11:40–12:04
• Kensington Avenue drug crisis – 14:21–20:11
• GLP-1 weight loss drug debate – 20:42–32:12
• Australia’s social media ban & Pew marriage trends – 32:18–36:48

Style & Tone

• Irreverent, sardonic, and occasionally biting.
• Mix of personal anecdote, social critique, and riffing on media cliches.
• Candid and dismissive of overhyped news narratives.

Useful For

• Listeners interested in current events with a comedic, skeptical twist.
• Those curious about cultural trends, politics, and economic issues as filtered through a Gen X/Millennial lens.
• Anyone wanting both a summary of major discussion points and a sense of the show’s personality.