Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: Stiff Arm Him Right In The Beard
Date: September 23, 2025
Podcast: Armstrong & Getty On Demand (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty tackle a lively range of topics blending news analysis, cultural commentary, and signature A&G banter. The episode covers the general incompetence of the United Nations, late night television's faded significance, a discussion about public safety and urban homelessness, world geopolitics concerning the Palestinian state, Tylenol/autism news, workplace discrimination controversies, the sprawling Disney corporate empire, and more. They also touch on some lighter news including Fat Bear Week, and close with commentary on societal divisions and attitudes in the workplace.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. United Nations and "Productivity"

(04:00–05:10)

• Joe declares the U.N. the “general manager” of the day for its “greatest ratio of expense to productivity in the history of mankind.”
  • "The United Nations—the greatest ratio of expense to productivity in the history of mankind." —Joe Getty (04:31)
• Jack echoes, quoting Bush calling the U.N. a “meaningless debating society.”
• Widespread skepticism is expressed about the effectiveness and purpose of the body.

2. Late Night TV's (Ir)relevance

(05:10–06:05)

• Discussion on Jimmy Kimmel's return and why late night talk shows still generate media coverage despite low viewership.
  • "I’ll never understand why the late night talk shows get so much conversation at all... it's a hangover from when those shows mattered." —Jack Armstrong (05:25)
• Jack points out that many shows have similar or larger audiences but garner zero attention.

3. The Street Person Moral Dilemma

(06:05–09:16)

• Jack recounts an early-morning incident: a homeless man outside his building, undecided whether to let the man in or block him.
• The crew weighs responses, from direct confrontation to subtle avoidance:
  • “I stiff arm him right in the beard,” jokes Jack on dealing with the threat physically. (08:05)
  • Joe: “Bums and junkies everywhere in America. You can have this, too. Vote Gavin Newsom in 2028.” (08:28)
• The exchange highlights the everyday anxieties urban dwellers face regarding public safety and the limits of personal responsibility.

4. Geopolitics: Palestinian State Recognition

(09:23–11:40)

• Jack and Joe discuss Trump’s speech at the U.N. and the trend of world leaders supporting a Palestinian state—portrayed here as largely symbolic posturing meant to “punish Israel” or appease domestic constituencies.
  • "All these recognitions of a Palestinian state... is purely a gesture of disapproval toward Israel, it is purely a punishment of Israel." —Joe Getty (10:00)
• They question the sincerity and practical details of such recognitions.

5. Mass Shooter Psychology

(11:40–12:24)

• Jack teases an insightful podcast he listened to about mass shooters and "spectacular killings," promising to dive in later.
• Joe found it equally enlightening.

6. ChatGPT, AI, and College Students

(22:02–22:33)

• News report: ChatGPT boosted college student test scores, but writing skills suffered.
• Joe mentions a small subculture refusing AI tools in favor of “old school” learning: “they will run the world.”

7. Workplace Discrimination and Compelled Speech

Case: Office Depot Refusal to Print Charlie Kirk Poster

(23:41–37:17)

• They contrast the firing of a copy shop worker refusing to print a Charlie Kirk memorial poster to the Colorado bakery refusing to bake a cake for a gay wedding.
  • Joe details the distinction:
    • Creative acts (cakes, songs, art) can be protected speech; pressing ‘print’ on a copy machine is not.
    • "Pressing go on a copy machine is not the same as painting a portrait, writing a song, painstakingly decorating a cake." —Joe Getty (32:56)
• The hosts defend the firing, saying employment in a corporate environment brings an expectation to follow orders, not impose personal politics:
  • "I think in general, I think it should be easier to fire people. Just in general. Yeah, I don’t like, I don’t like your attitude." —Jack Armstrong (34:46)
• The conversation segues into free speech, compelled speech, and employee–employer rights.

8. Disney's Ubiquity and Boycotts

(27:22–29:33)

• Discussion about attempts to boycott Disney due to political issues (e.g., ABC cancelling Kimmel).
• Joe remarks on how deeply entrenched Disney is in media, hospitality, and consumer life:
  • "The mouse is not a mouse. He’s an 800-pound gorilla…giant soul-crushing, just calculating corporation." —Joe Getty (29:05)
• They express grudging admiration for Disney’s ability to maintain a “family-friendly” image amidst their corporate sprawl.

9. Miscellaneous Headlines with Commentary

(19:08–22:47)

• Kimmel’s show returns—Jack: “Oh, whoop dee doo.” (19:13)
• Iranian diplomats banned from Costco (“You can’t buy in bulk here.”), drone incidents in Denmark and Norway, Chinese threats in space, Connecticut banning first cousin marriages, and more.
• The hosts interject rapid-fire wisecracks on each.

10. Listener Email & Audience Engagement

(46:53–49:36)

• Jack and Joe answer emails covering Jack’s “happy face” vs. “resting bitch face,” nearly being killed by a bear, Mrs. Kirk’s forgiveness of her husband’s shooter (and the political implications), and more.
• Interwoven throughout is their usual irreverent humor and self-deprecation.

11. Fat Bear Week Returns

(45:40–46:07)

• Annual bracket-style contest to vote on the “fattest bear” returns, celebrated with mild confusion and amusement.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you’re Jimmy Kimmel, you’re dumb as a dog.” —Jack Armstrong (05:10)
• “I stiff arm him right in the beard.” —Jack Armstrong (08:05)
• “Bums and junkies everywhere in America. You can have this, too. Vote Gavin Newsom in 2028.” —Joe Getty (08:28)
• “Who flipping cares? ... Johnny Carson has passed and will not return.” —Joe Getty (05:58)
• “The mouse is not a mouse. He’s an 800-pound gorilla…giant soul-crushing, just calculating corporation.” —Joe Getty (29:05)
• “Pressing go on a copy machine is not the same as painting a portrait or writing a song.” —Joe Getty (32:56)
• “I think in general, I think it should be easier to fire people. Just in general.” —Jack Armstrong (34:46)
• “Fat Bear week. We’ll have to come up with a link for that...” —Jack Armstrong (46:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 04:00 – U.N. as general manager; governmental inefficiency
• 05:10 – Debating the cultural relevance of late night TV
• 06:05 – Homeless person at the office door: what’s your responsibility?
• 09:23 – World leaders and symbolic recognition of Palestinian statehood
• 11:40 – Upcoming discussion on mass shooter psychology
• 22:02 – AI, ChatGPT, and education
• 23:41 – Worker refusing to print a Charlie Kirk poster; bakery “free speech” case
• 27:22 – Disney boycotts and corporate sprawl
• 45:40 – Fat Bear Week discussed
• 46:53 – Listener emails: happy face, surviving bears, workplace jerks

Episode Tone & Style

• Consistently irreverent, sometimes biting, with rapid banter but thoughtful and nuanced takes on current events
• Willingness to satirize both the powerful (U.N., Disney, late night hosts) and the petty (office disputes, workplace martyrs)
• Underlying skepticism of media narratives, government gestures, and over-politicization of daily life

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is classic Armstrong & Getty: a fast-moving, engaging blend of hard news, light-hearted asides, and bitterly funny cultural critique. If you want thoughtful, independent analysis with laughs and the occasional philosophical tangent, this episode delivers. Noteworthy for its spirited debates on free speech in the workplace and a wry look at both the follies of world leadership and everyday urban dilemmas.

If you love media deconstruction, debates about the practical realities of big government, and a show that isn’t afraid to call out stupidity (on all sides), “Stiff Arm Him Right In The Beard” is a must-listen.