Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Episode: Sensei & The Dog
Release Date: May 27, 2025
Host/Authors: Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty
Description: The official, On-Demand podcast of The Armstrong & Getty Show! Accept no substitutes!
1. The Ukraine Conflict and U.S. Foreign Policy (00:28 - 13:08)
Overview:
Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into the deteriorating hopes for a ceasefire in Ukraine amid escalating Russian airstrikes. The discussion centers around former President Donald Trump's volatile remarks about Vladimir Putin and the implications for U.S. foreign policy.
Key Points:
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Trump's View on Putin:
Joe Getty highlights Trump's fluctuating stance, mentioning Trump's recent statement where he criticized Putin, saying, “he’s killing a lot of people” (03:16). However, Trump also insinuated that Putin might be “suffering an emotional overload” (00:28), suggesting a personal dimension to their relationship. -
Impact on Policy:
Jack Armstrong expresses concern over the notion that the President’s personal feelings towards Putin could drive U.S. foreign policy, stating, “I find it incredibly troubling that the President having to take it personally is what's required to motivate policy of American foreign policy” (01:07). -
Chronological Breakdown of Events:
The hosts trace Trump's recent involvement, noting his late-breaking statements about not wanting U.S. involvement in Ukraine (“this isn't my war”) (01:20) and his subsequent push for a ceasefire which coincided with intensified Russian attacks (02:57). -
Brit Hume’s Analysis:
The segment includes insights from Brit Hume, who critiques Trump’s understanding of Putin, asserting, “The President has always had a very odd conception of Vladimir Putin” (05:12). -
Shift in U.S. Weapon Supply Policies:
The discussion touches upon changes in weapon supply restrictions to Ukraine, with German Chancellor Frederick Mertz announcing the removal of range restrictions, potentially allowing Ukraine to target deeper Russian positions, including Moscow (07:45). -
Future Outlook:
Joe Getty references David Ignatius of the Washington Post, who warns that the war could escalate into a "much nastier phase of dirty war," involving sabotage and assassination operations (09:57). The hosts speculate on potential future escalations, including the possibility of missile strikes targeting key Russian figures (11:00).
Notable Quotes:
-
Joe Getty on Putin and Trump:
“I find it incredibly troubling that the President having to take it personally is what's required to motivate policy of American foreign policy.” (01:07) -
Donald Trump:
“I'm surprised. I'm very surprised. We'll see what we're going to do. What am I going to tell you? You're the fake news, aren't you? You're totally fake.” (03:38) -
Brit Hume on Putin:
“He’s always been a particularly brutal dictator, willing to take whatever measures he thought necessary to advance his interests.” (05:12)
2. Heroic Defense by a Teenager (14:04 - 16:00)
Overview:
The podcast shifts focus to an inspiring story of a 13-year-old girl in Carmel by the Sea, California, who bravely defended herself against an attempted assault, thanks to her jiu-jitsu training with Sensei Blackburn.
Key Points:
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Incident Details:
A man attempted to assault the young girl between parked cars. Utilizing her training, she effectively subdued the attacker, resulting in severe injury (15:09). -
Sensei Blackburn’s Account:
Sensei Blackburn describes the girl’s defense: “She punched him, she wrapped it, got him in the headlock, kneed him a couple of times, spun him around, threw him on the ground and she had stepped on his foot doing all this...” (15:09). -
Community Impact:
Armstrong and Getty commend the girl's courage and the value of self-defense training, emphasizing the importance of preparedness in dangerous situations.
Notable Quotes:
- Sensei Blackburn:
“She did exactly what she was supposed to do.” (15:09)
3. Crypto Crime and Legal Consequences (20:36 - 27:38)
Overview:
Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty discuss a high-profile case involving the kidnapping and torture of a wealthy crypto entrepreneur for his cryptocurrency passwords, highlighting the vulnerabilities inherent in digital currencies.
Key Points:
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Case Overview:
John Waltz, a Kentucky-based crypto millionaire, was arrested for allegedly kidnapping Michael Valentino, an Italian crypto investor, to extract his Bitcoin password (21:02). -
Torture Methods:
The perpetrators employed extreme measures, including tasering, physical restraints, and threats with chainsaws, emphasizing the lengths to which individuals might go to seize digital assets (22:55). -
Escape and Aftermath:
Valentino managed to escape the ordeal, leading to a manhunt in Manhattan (21:08). -
Implications for Crypto Security:
The hosts discuss the ease of transferring cryptocurrency compared to traditional banking, making it a prime target for such crimes. Armstrong notes, “cryptocurrency is so easily transferred and then is gone forever” (26:38).
Notable Quotes:
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Joe Getty on Crypto Theft:
“Cryptocurrency is so easily transferred and then is gone forever. And there are so few...” (26:38) -
Jack Armstrong on Torment Tactics:
“If you’re gonna use a chainsaw on my arms and legs and also pee on you, you can maybe changes his mind.” (23:11)
4. Dog Behavior and Emotional Responses (29:31 - 36:22)
Overview:
The hosts explore scientific studies on dog behavior, particularly focusing on tail wagging as an indicator of a dog’s emotional state.
Key Points:
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Study Findings:
Research indicates that humans struggle to accurately interpret a dog’s emotions without context. When presented with videos of dogs wagging their tails against a black backdrop, participants could not reliably determine the dog's feelings (32:15). -
Directional Wagging:
Further studies revealed that dogs exhibit a rightward wagging bias when interacting with their owners or unfamiliar humans, signaling positive emotions, and a leftward bias towards unfamiliar dogs, indicating caution or fear (34:34). -
Physiological Responses:
Dogs exposed to left-wagging tail videos showed increased heart rates, correlating with anxiety and perceived threat (35:50). -
Practical Advice:
Armstrong advises dog owners to pay attention to the direction of their dog’s tail wagging and not to make assumptions based solely on the wag itself: “Right tail wag. Good. Left tail wag, beware.” (36:22).
Notable Quotes:
-
Jack Armstrong on Tail Wagging:
“Right tail wag. Good. Left tail wag, beware.” (36:22) -
Joe Getty on Interpretation Challenges:
“They were absolutely terrible in saying, oh, that dog is happy.” (32:25)
5. Additional Highlights
Celebrity News:
A brief segment discusses Miley Cyrus’s vocal condition, Reinke's edema, attributing her distinctive voice to both overuse and smoking. Cyrus opts against surgery to preserve her unique sound (16:17).
Humorous Interlude:
Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty engage in a comedic exchange with a transgender individual, highlighting miscommunications and social dynamics. This segment adds a lighter, humorous touch to the episode (19:06).
Final Thoughts on Passion vs. Paycheck:
The hosts debate the age-old adage “Do what you love and the money will follow,” sharing personal insights on balancing passion with financial stability. They advocate for maintaining hobbies alongside careers to sustain personal fulfillment (36:42).
Conclusion
In this episode, Armstrong and Getty navigate through a range of topics, from geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and the complexities of U.S. foreign policy to inspiring acts of bravery, the vulnerabilities of digital currencies, and the nuanced understanding of canine emotions. Their blend of serious analysis, real-life stories, and humor provides listeners with a comprehensive and engaging experience.
For more insights and detailed discussions, listen to the full episode on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.
Timestamp Reference
- 00:28 - 13:08: Ukraine Conflict and U.S. Foreign Policy
- 14:04 - 16:00: Heroic Defense by a Teenager
- 20:36 - 27:38: Crypto Crime and Legal Consequences
- 29:31 - 36:22: Dog Behavior and Emotional Responses
- Other Notable Timestamps:
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Joe Getty:
“I find it incredibly troubling that the President having to take it personally is what's required to motivate policy of American foreign policy.” (01:07) -
Donald Trump:
“I'm surprised. I'm very surprised. We'll see what we're going to do. What am I going to tell you? You're the fake news, aren't you? You're totally fake.” (03:38) -
Brit Hume:
“He’s always been a particularly brutal dictator, willing to take whatever measures he thought necessary to advance his interests.” (05:12) -
Jack Armstrong:
“Right tail wag. Good. Left tail wag, beware.” (36:22)
This summary captures the essence and key discussions of the "Sensei & The Dog" episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the topics covered.