Armstrong & Getty On Demand: Episode Summary – "Poets Getting Paid"

Release Date: July 22, 2025

Overview

In the "Poets Getting Paid" episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand, hosts Joe Getty and Jack Armstrong delve into a variety of pressing topics, ranging from political controversies to the integrity of the literary publishing industry. This detailed summary captures the essence of their discussions, highlighting key points, insightful commentary, and notable quotes with timestamps for easy reference.

1. Political Intelligence and Russian Collusion (00:02:29 - 00:08:10)

The episode kicks off with a heated discussion about the CIA's role in the Russian collusion narrative surrounding the 2016 U.S. election. Joe Getty references Tulsi Gabbard's investigations, emphasizing discrepancies in intelligence assessments.

• Joe Getty (02:29): "The CIA has reviewed this and noted that the key judgment... was given a higher confidence level than was justified."

• Unknown Guest (04:31): "By nonsense he means the Epstein files."

The hosts critically examine the dismissal of dissenting intelligence opinions by CIA Director John Brennan and the potential political motivations behind such actions.

2. Canadian Nurses' Code of Ethics (00:08:36 - 00:12:16)

Shifting focus, the conversation turns to recent changes in Canada’s nursing ethics code, which now mandates the denouncement of "white European-centric" foundations in modern medicine.

• Unknown Guest (09:57): "The Canada Nurses Association 2025 Code of Ethics for nurses denounces what it calls white European centric foundations of modern medicine."

• Joe Getty (10:15): "They need to align their conduct as nurses with a detailed set of political values... climate activism."

The hosts express concern over the intertwining of professional duties with specific political agendas, questioning the practicality and implications of such mandates.

3. Medicaid's Effectiveness and Federal Spending (00:16:03 - 00:19:29)

The discussion pivots to healthcare, specifically critiquing Medicaid's impact on public health and federal expenditure.

• Joe Getty (17:54): "If Medicaid were a drug... the FDA demands at least one, but usually two successful randomized control trials."

• Unknown Guest (19:11): "But how many billions dollars does cost taxpayers for no discernible improvement?"

The hosts analyze Michael Cannon's arguments on Medicaid's inefficiency, highlighting the lack of substantial evidence supporting its health benefits despite massive federal investment.

4. Decline of Late-Night Television (00:22:11 - 00:25:16)

Addressing the shifting landscape of media, Getty and Armstrong discuss the struggles of late-night TV shows amidst changing financial models and audience behaviors.

• Unknown Commentator (20:57): "Late night TV is a struggling financial model... when CDs stopped selling they didn't just go oh well music, it's been a good run."

• Joe Getty (23:09): "In that 33 years run, the world has changed completely."

They speculate on the future of iconic shows like Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert's program, considering external influences such as political pressures from figures like Donald Trump.

5. Main Topic: Integrity in Poetry Publishing (00:26:19 - 00:35:08)

Aligning with the episode's title, the hosts delve into a controversial revelation about the literary world’s susceptibility to identity manipulation. A white Canadian man, under various pseudonyms, posed as a gender-fluid member of the Nigerian diaspora to publish subpar poetry across numerous indie literary magazines.

• Joe Getty (26:28): "He writes intentionally bad poems... got published 47 times."

• Unknown Guest (29:02): "He got published 47 times. I gotta believe the me. As a white, straight old man, it'd be almost impossible to get published."

The hosts critique the literary community's emphasis on diversity, exploring how it may inadvertently lower publication standards and prioritize identity over merit. They highlight specific examples, including poems filled with excessive punctuation and emojis, underscoring the disconnect between authentic creative expression and institutional expectations.

• Joe Getty (29:34): "The author told me so. The public. The poem was originally published with a very crude title..."

• Unknown Guest (33:43): "How much luck had he had when he was just a white guy trying to publish poems?"

The segment raises questions about the authenticity of diverse voices in literature and the potential consequences for genuine writers facing similar systemic hurdles.

6. Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up (00:35:08 - 00:40:13)

Concluding the episode, the hosts share final remarks on the various topics discussed, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and vigilance against systemic biases.

• Joe Getty (39:24): "So many people. Thanks. So little time."

• Unknown Guest (40:08): "Get ready, pal. Thank you."

They encourage listeners to stay informed and engaged, hinting at ongoing issues within media, politics, and professional fields.

Conclusion

"Poets Getting Paid" offers a multifaceted exploration of contemporary issues, seamlessly weaving political analysis with cultural critiques. The standout discussion on the manipulation within the poetry publishing sector serves as a poignant commentary on broader societal trends prioritizing identity over competence. Through engaging dialogue and incisive observations, Joe Getty and Jack Armstrong provide listeners with a thought-provoking narrative that challenges conventional perspectives.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Joe Getty (02:29): "The CIA has reviewed this and noted that the key judgment... was given a higher confidence level than was justified."

• Unknown Guest (09:57): "The Canada Nurses Association 2025 Code of Ethics for nurses denounces what it calls white European centric foundations of modern medicine."

• Joe Getty (17:54): "If Medicaid were a drug... the FDA demands at least one, but usually two successful randomized control trials."

• Unknown Commentator (20:57): "Late night TV is a struggling financial model... when CDs stopped selling they didn't just go oh well music, it's been a good run."

• Joe Getty (26:28): "He writes intentionally bad poems... got published 47 times."

• Unknown Guest (33:43): "How much luck had he had when he was just a white guy trying to publish poems?"

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the "Poets Getting Paid" episode, providing an informative overview for both regular listeners and newcomers alike.