Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Episode: Signed, Non Crazy People
Date: November 14, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Episode Overview
In this episode, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty take a wide-angle look at a range of current events, highlighting pressing issues such as economic uncertainty, affordability struggles, the end of the penny, job layoffs, protest culture, and technology’s relentless march forward. The conversation swings from national to personal, punctuated by sharp wit, skepticism, and candid assessments of politicians, cultural trends, and modern life.
Main Themes and Discussion Points
1. The State of the Economy: Confusion and Precariousness
-
The hosts dissect media coverage of the stock market and economic trends, highlighting how news reports often link market moves to whatever story is hot, without real evidence.
-
Key Point: The increasing role of algorithmic trading makes understanding market swings more complex and, in many respects, unknowable.
- “[Economic reporting]… all your economic report reporting…they don’t say ‘because’, they just say ‘as’—so this happened as…” —Jack Armstrong [02:00]
- “...they're just guessing. Obviously those are two very different stories, whether AI is not all what it's cracked up to be or the whole interest rate thing.” —Jack Armstrong [03:12]
-
The duo notes notable declines in major tech stocks, such as Nvidia, tying this to concerns over the so-called "AI Bubble" and tech companies’ promises of massive future spending.
- “...I think people are starting to reckon with the spectacular obligations... the various tech companies are making towards spending incomprehensible amounts of money..." —Joe Getty [04:18]
-
The hosts repeatedly return to the theme of general uneasiness and economic “precariousness” permeating the news and people's lives.
- “...the word of the year should be precarious. Yeah, everything feels precarious." —Joe Getty [18:23]
2. Affordability and Insurance Costs
-
The conversation zeroes in on spiraling costs for average Americans, particularly car and homeowners insurance, which have far outstripped regular inflation.
- “...the thing that's killing them is homeowners insurance going up, car insurance going up as much as it has. And that is true. Man, that is a chunk of money.” —Jack Armstrong [05:44]
-
Politicians’ focus on high grocery prices is contrasted with the practical financial burden of insurance costs.
- “How come I haven't heard any politicians bring that up? I constantly hear about the price of eggs, but not the price of insuring my 2015 Honda Accord. That has tripled...” —Jack Armstrong [06:20]
-
Discussion of government ineffectiveness in regulating industries like health and insurance.
- “He said the government is not involved where it's bitterly needed and is overly involved where it shouldn't be.” —Joe Getty (paraphrasing Stephen Brill) [06:53]
-
The hosts forecast that affordability will be the central issue in the upcoming election, with both parties maneuvering for voter sympathy.
3. The End of the Penny and Small Change Economics
-
The U.S. Mint’s discontinuation of penny production sparks reflections on psychological pricing and the future of cash transactions.
- “The U.S. Mint yesterday ended production of the penny after 232 years. Well, still not the worst thing that ever happened to Lincoln.” —Jack Armstrong [09:31]
- “Goodbye, Penny. You'll be missed. Nope. Hated carrying [you] around my whole life. And you're really worthless now.” —Jack Armstrong [09:59]
-
Questioning whether the convention of .99 pricing will end, and noting the declining relevance of cash.
- “Who pays cash anyway, right? Who are you paying cash for anything?” —Jack Armstrong [10:57]
4. Job Market and Economic Weirdness
-
Job market tightening highlighted: major companies (like Verizon) announce significant layoffs; lack of government data during shutdown creates uncertainty.
- “Verizon announced they’re going to cut about 15,000 jobs...” —Jack Armstrong [11:22]
- “Worst market for college grads in four years”—discussed as an underwhelming headline [12:08].
-
The duo jokes about using the national lottery to pay down government debt [12:54].
5. Headlines in Brief – News Rundown with Katie Green
A rapid-fire review of topical stories ranging from China’s new aircraft carrier to robotic crime-fighting:
-
China's new supercarrier vs US dominance [14:10]
-
US military presence near Venezuela [14:39]
-
TSA bonuses following shutdown [14:56]
-
Elon Musk’s claim about robotic security [15:47]
- “...Tesla’s Robot could follow people around to stop crime.” —Katie Green
-
Study on sitting and standing for back pain [16:43]
-
ABC’s continued coverage of the Epstein scandal [17:03]
-
Satirical headlines: Nancy Pelosi and ‘outsider trading’ [17:28]
6. Protest Culture, Extremism, and Coverage Double Standards
-
Joe Getty sharply critiques left-wing protestors who disrupted a Turning Point USA event at Berkeley, drawing analogies to right-wing extremism and criticizing uneven media scrutiny.
- “...the mob outside appeared set on menacing anyone suspected of being a ticket holder…attendees scattering as a car was apparently made to backfire to create the illusion of gunshots.” —Joe Getty (paraphrasing Andrew Doyle) [24:44]
-
Hassan Piker ("swagged out white boy" leftist influencer), is taken to task for both his rhetoric and the American left's acceptance of extreme figures, unlike notorious fringe influencers on the right.
- “He is...a toxic anti-Semite who’s argued landlords should be mass slaughtered until the streets soak in their red capitalist blood.” —Joe Getty [24:18]
7. Technology: Home Robots and Everyday Automation
-
Elon Musk’s push into humanoid robotics and skepticism about their near-term home utility.
- “...you remember when like the dishwasher showed up or the microwave...Will the robot be like that?” —Jack Armstrong [29:51]
-
Debate whether consumers would pay thousands for a multitasking home robot—or even a laundry-folding robot.
- “If you could dump a load of laundry straight out of the dryer into a machine and it would fold everything perfectly and neatly. They would sell out..." —Joe Getty [31:03]
-
Russian robotics demo gone awry provides comic relief.
8. Listener Mailbag & Quick Takes
-
Listener opinions on insurance price hikes.
-
Discussion on public sector unions and whether current survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes get adequate attention.
-
Housing affordability and the lack of new starter homes, tied to municipal policies and the rental market.
-
Satirical jabs at Seattle politics and unconventional family arrangements.
- “In almost every municipality I'm aware of, the mandated affordable housing is almost exclusively rental properties...” —David, general contractor, read by Joe Getty [35:13]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “All your economic report reporting...they just say ‘as’— so this happened as—so...” —Jack Armstrong [02:00]
- “The word of the year should be precarious. Yeah, everything feels precarious.” —Joe Getty [18:23]
- “Goodbye, Penny. You'll be missed. Nope. Hated carrying around my whole life. And you're really worthless now.” —Jack Armstrong [09:59]
- “Man, that's a problem. I don't know what's going to be done about that. The whole affordability thing...” —Jack Armstrong [07:24]
- “But there are gazillions of pennies out there. How long will they be in circulation?” —Jack Armstrong [10:12]
- “The mob outside appeared set on menacing anyone suspected of being a ticket holder..." —Joe Getty (paraphrasing reporting) [24:44]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Stock Market Dissection & Media Skepticism: [01:35–04:46]
- Affordability & Insurance Costs: [04:46–08:19], [13:18–13:49]
- Penny Discontinued & Cash Observations: [09:31–11:12]
- Job Market & Layoffs: [11:22–12:08]
- Rapid News Review with Katie Green: [14:10–17:28]
- Clips of the Week (Humorous/Absurd News): [18:46–21:28]
- Protest Culture & Double Standards: [23:33–27:39]
- Home Robots & Technological Automation: [28:32–32:38]
- Mailbag – Listener Reactions & Unfiltered Opinions: [32:50–36:52]
- Final Quick Takes – Housing & Local Politics: [36:28–37:03]
Episode Tone
A blend of sarcasm, gallows humor, skepticism towards institutions (media, politicians), and concern over political polarization—with the occasional detour into absurdity and nostalgia.
For Further Listening
The hosts encourage listeners to hear the full show for deeper dives and more context, as well as to check out posted videos and links at their website. The episode closes with teases for more audience input, affordability stories, and policy discussions in upcoming segments.