Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: She's Chunkin' Up
Date: November 10, 2025
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of Armstrong & Getty covers the fallout from the recent government shutdown, the political dynamics among Democrats, the role of media during the shutdown, and a heated (and controversial) discussion about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In the second half, the hosts tackle trends in decluttering, the results of the New York City mayoral race, generational divides in politics, and grade inflation's impact on young voters. The conversation concludes with a brief look at Trump, BBC scandals, and the culture of media manipulation.

1. Government Shutdown’s End & Political Fallout

[03:27–10:51]

• Shutdown Ending: The hosts discuss how the prolonged government shutdown is about to end after eight Democratic senators crossed party lines to reopen the government without securing their initial demands.

  • “The shutdown is going to end this week. Government workers will be back to work Thursday." – Jack Armstrong [03:43]
  • "Eight senators, Democrats crossed and said we’ll vote to end this thing without getting any of the stuff that we’re demanding for the past 40 days." – Jack Armstrong [03:37]

• Impact on Air Travel: Staffing issues have led to significant flight delays; there’s concern over air traffic controller shortages as many retired during the shutdown.

  • “A whole bunch of air traffic controllers retired during the shutdown, which seems weird to me.” – Jack Armstrong [03:56]

• Political Blame & Resentment: The hosts critique Chuck Schumer for leading Democrats into a no-win situation. They anticipate long-term resentment from moderates within the party.

  • “Chuck Schumer, Nosferatu Schumer, has absolutely screwed himself because the people who caved…they’re pissed off at him forever…” – Joe Getty [05:39]
  • "He's up against Ocasio Cortez and actuary tables. He's got both of them bearing down." – Katie [06:16]

• Shutdown in Media: The “Sunday talk shows” are called out for overhyping the shutdown as a major crisis, despite general public indifference unless directly affected.

  • “Most of the Sunday talk shows—that, God, I hope you don’t watch them. What a waste of time.” – Katie [04:56]

• Intra-party Criticism: The progressive wing is portrayed as outraged by Senate Democrats giving in, with notable figures like AOC and Gavin Newsom being mentioned.

  • “Ocasio Cortez was horrified that they gave in and how this is affecting people’s lives.” – Katie [10:21]

2. Notable Exchange: George Stephanopoulos vs. Scott Bessant

[06:28–08:41]

• The hosts recount and lampoon a combative exchange on TV between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant and journalist George Stephanopoulos over the filibuster, past shutdowns, and alleged hypocrisy.
  • “You basically called the Republicans terrorists and you said that it is not the responsible party that keeps the government closed.” – Katie [07:18]
  • Stephanopoulos tries to focus on current issues but is pressed with past quotes:
    “I got all your quotes here, George.” – Katie impersonating [07:48]
  • The hosts marvel at the repetitive nature and posturing of such political old games.

3. Controversial Segment: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez “Chunkin’ Up”

[10:51–13:25]

• Body-Shaming Controversy: In a contentious and arguably misogynistic segment, the hosts remark on AOC’s physical appearance and its alleged role in her political rise.
  • “AOC’s chunking up, Katie.” – Joe Getty [10:59]
  • “I haven’t noticed.” – Jack Armstrong [11:16]
  • “She’s maturing, Jack. As a young woman. She’s moved into her 30s and still hasn’t legislated…” – Joe Getty [11:18]
  • “There’s one of the only reasons I comment on the fact that she’s chunking up is…what percentage of her getting elected had to do with her looks?...90%.” – Katie [11:38]
  • Joe Getty distances himself from the body-shaming as the conversation continues:
    • “I disassociate myself from this. A word from our friends at Simplisafe Home Security.” – Joe Getty [12:34]
• Self-Awareness/Pushback: Joe repeatedly calls the discussion “objectionable” and “sexist.”
  • “I find this entire discussion objectionable. Sexist, Ableist, Sizest. I don’t even know these words. I see them now and again.” – Joe Getty [14:23]

4. News & Trends: Decluttering & Household Organization

[14:31–24:53]

• Hot Decluttering Trends: The team discusses internet-popular organizing methods for fall/holiday prep:
  • The 9090 Rule ("If you haven’t used it in the last 90 days and you don’t think you’re going to use it in the next 90 days, it’s gotta go." – Katie [19:38])
  • The 80/20 Rule: Keep space 20% empty for flexibility.
  • The 20/10 Rule: 20 minutes cleaning, 10 minute break (rejected as impractical).
  • The 12-12-12 Challenge: Toss, donate, or put away twelve items each.
  • The Four Box Method: trash, donate, keep, relocate—praised for usability.
  • The Core Four Method: Clear out, categorize, cut out, contain.
  • Two-Minute Rule: Do quick tasks immediately.
  • “Waiting, waiting. Plus the rogues gallery at the Zoran Mumdani victory party…” – Joe Getty [14:46]
• Personal Experiences:
  • Jack and Joe share difficulties with clutter and the futility of certain rules.
  • Joe’s “room-to-room song” for picking things up: “Go room to room and pick s--- up…just go from room one room to the other and pick s--- up.” – Joe Getty [22:13]

5. NYC Mayoral Election & the “Trust Fund Communist” Debate

[28:04–33:15]

• Election Results: Zoran Mamdani, characterized as a “trust fund communist,” is elected mayor of New York City, largely supported by college-educated elites rather than the working class.

  • “Zamdani…promised to improve the lives of working people by giving away free stuff, which explains why some of his biggest margins were among voters with advanced degrees.” – Joe Getty [29:49]
  • “He won the elite. And there are enough elite in New York for him to be the mayor. He lost the working class.” – Katie [32:03]

• Victory Party “Rogue’s Gallery”:

  • The hosts spotlight controversial figures at Mamdani’s celebration, including Mehdi Hassan, Hassan Piker, and Mahmoud Khalil, critiquing the far-left and anti-Israel sentiments.
  • “An avowed pro Soviet communist...Piker said, this is a country that defeated the ussr, unfortunately.” – Joe Getty [32:54]

• Hypocrisy in Political Identity:

  • Despite appeals to working-class roots, elite support and over-educated yet underemployed voters drove Mamdani’s win.
  • “In his speech about ‘I stand up for the immigrant this and the working class that.’ No, you didn’t get their votes.” – Joe Getty [32:06]

6. Discussion: Grade Inflation, Over-educated Youth & Capitalism

[33:15–41:51]

• Alicia Finley's Editorial: The podcast extensively discusses Alicia Finley’s theory that grade inflation and higher ed subsidies have bred a class of unemployable, entitled college graduates who are now driving leftist, anti-capitalist politics.

  • “Colleges are graduating hordes of young people who lack hard or even soft skills. Even as employers complain about the dearth of qualified workers, a growing college educated proletariat can't find jobs. They want to work. They believe their degrees aren't adequately rewarded by the free market, and they blame capitalism.” – Joe Getty reading Finley [35:18]
  • “For Gen Zers, work is now more depressing than unemployment. Dwell on that headline for a minute.” – Katie [37:36]
  • “Students pretend to do their work and academics pretend to grade them.” – Joe Getty reading Finley [39:36]

• Boomers, Trades, and Labor Shortages:

  • Massive college output unaccompanied by real-world skills, labor shortages in trades, and societal stigma around blue-collar work.

• Societal Commentary:

  • “You can’t blame the kids, though. I mean, we adults created this world…they didn’t raise themselves.” – Katie [41:05]
  • Critique of modern universities as customer service businesses more than academic institutions.

7. Brief Notes: Trump, The BBC, and Manipulated Media

[46:18–50:03]

• Trump at Sporting Events: Light segment on Trump attending a football game and reflecting on his high school athletic prowess and love for headlines.
  • “I realized at that moment, having your name in the headlines is good. And he did that for the rest of his life and still does.” – Katie [46:55]
• BBC Scandal: The hosts report on top BBC executives resigning after being caught editing a Trump speech, making it appear more inflammatory regarding January 6th.
  • “You got caught fabricating something completely. I mean, that is just outrageous.” – Katie [49:56]
  • “The world’s largest and oldest broadcaster.” – Joe Getty [49:59]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Political Performances:
  • “Candidates give you an extra, like, shiny, nice, acceptable version of themselves during the election.” – Joe Getty [29:25]
• Grade Inflation & Entitlement:
  • “Their life experience has taught them that they don’t need to work hard. A recent Harvard report found that A’s account for 60% of the grades, compared with 25% just two decades ago.” – Joe Getty [38:54]
• Regarding AOC:
  • "She's got eyes like a Disney princess and is built like a brick..." – Joe Getty [12:14]
    (Shows the blend of tone: irreverent, sometimes biting, and often bordering on inappropriate.)
• On Decluttering:
  • “If it'll take me less than a minute, I do it right then.” – Joe Getty [23:05]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Shutdown Fallout & Staffing [03:27–06:28]
• Stephanopoulos Exchange [06:28–08:41]
• Democrats’ Internal Critique [09:19–10:51]
• AOC Segment [10:51–13:25]
• Decluttering Trends [14:31–24:53]
• NYC Election & Elites [28:04–33:15]
• Grade Inflation & Labor Market [33:15–41:51]
• Trump, BBC, & Media Manipulation [46:18–50:03]

Tone and Style

• The hosts maintain their signature sarcastic, sometimes acerbic banter, occasionally veering into controversial or politically incorrect territory (particularly in the AOC segment).
• The conversational format is fast-paced, loaded with cultural references and asides.
• While tackling weighty topics (politics, economics, media criticism), humor and skepticism of political theater pervade the tone.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode dives deep into the real and performative aspects of the recent government shutdown, internal Democratic dynamics, the performative nature of politics, and the troubling effects of grade inflation and higher education on American youth’s politics and prospects. The NYC mayoral race becomes a vehicle for discussing leftist elite hypocrisy and how frustrated, highly-educated-yet-underemployed young people fuel this political shift. Listeners get practical tips on decluttering their homes with a dose of self-aware, relatable failure. The episode closes with a critical eye toward media manipulation, the resignation scandal at the BBC, and the cult of modern celebrity in politics.

Note: Some segments, especially regarding public figures' appearance, include language that could be considered offensive or inappropriate; the hosts at times acknowledge this.