Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: "Taking Whatever Pill Is Appropriate"

Date: September 29, 2025
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off a new week with Armstrong and Getty’s signature blend of news analysis, cultural commentary, and comedic banter. The hosts discuss a mix of weighty issues—ranging from mass violence and suicides to Middle East peace negotiations—while keeping the show lively with tangents on modern etiquette, social media culture, and notable current events. Highlights include commentary on the motivations behind high-profile violence, skepticism about political “peace plans,” debates about terminology and gender, and the perennial punchlines about politics and pop culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Uncertainty of Life and the Week Ahead

[03:20–05:06]

• The hosts open with the unpredictability of life, playfully riffing on how each week could bring good or bad surprises—like meeting “Ms. Right” or losing a job.
• Conversation turns into a humorous and somewhat confused discussion about the current "politically correct" terms for addressing women in modern society.
  • Quote:
    • Jack: "You're supposed to say Miss for everyone."
    • Joe: "I don't freaking know. Nor do I." (04:29)
• They poke fun at generational confusion and political correctness, inviting listeners to clarify via their text line.

2. Mass Violence and the Psychology of High-Profile Acts

[05:07–08:52]

• Armstrong and Getty delve into the trend of publicized acts of violence and suicide, emphasizing that suicidality is often the driving force, and these acts become about garnering attention.
  • Insight:
    • "The suicide is the point. And for whatever reason we've crossed into a time where when people want to commit suicide, they find a way to do it in an exciting way that gets a lot of attention." — Jack (05:25)
• They connect this to the social media age—paralleling these violent acts with “elaborate gender reveal” parties and the compulsion to seek validation or attention online.
  • Joe: "It's a natural impulse, but it's been distorted in such weird ways in the modern age." (08:22)
  • Jack: "Hey, look at me is at a higher level than it's ever been in the history of humanity." (08:47)
• They muse on the possible endgame of this attention-seeking culture, wondering if people will eventually get bored of it.

3. Cynicism About Government Shutdown ‘Hysteria’

[10:11–11:42]

• The hosts laugh at the media fuss over looming government shutdowns, arguing that average Americans don't worry about it; it’s mainly a media and Washington elite concern.
  • "Hey, Joe, what do you think about the looming government shutdown? Said no one ever." — Jack (10:49)
  • Joe sarcastically exaggerates the consequences to illustrate the panic-mongering.

4. Politics: New York Mayor Race & U.S. Political Theater

[11:48–12:29]

• Discussion of Eric Adams dropping out of the NYC Mayor race, with Armstrong and Getty lampooning the field as a choice between “criminals” and “communists.”
  • Joe: "That may be the perfect encapsulation of the moment we're living in." (11:42)

5. A World That Feels Upside Down

[12:30–12:52]

• Joe muses on the sense that the world has become a “giant conspiracy to see if we can be driven completely insane,” and Jack jokes about "simulation" theories and conspiratorial thinking.

6. Taking 'Whatever Pill Is Appropriate': Modern Cynicism

[12:52–13:15]

• The title phrase emerges as the hosts riff on modern malaise, referencing “the black pill or the red pill or the green pill” (a Matrix reference), underscoring the bewilderment and detachment many feel amid today’s news cycles.

7. Middle East Politics: Trump, Netanyahu, and ‘Peace Deal’ Skepticism

[13:02–14:10, 27:12–30:29]

• Extended speculation on Trump and Netanyahu meeting for a "Middle East peace deal":
  • They express strong doubt any real progress will be made, suggesting instead it’s “kabuki theater” meant to demonstrate that Hamas doesn’t actually want peace.
    • Joe: "The purpose being to illustrate once and for all to the entire globe Hamas has no interest in peace because they don't." (28:10)
  • Jack recalls Bill Clinton’s frustration with failed peace efforts:
    "They walked away because they don't want that. They want Israel to go away. That's from Bill Clinton, for crying out loud." (28:32)
  • They ridicule the recent move by some European countries to recognize a Palestinian state, calling it empty “virtue signaling.”

8. Selective Outrage and College Protests

[30:29–32:07]

• The hosts play and discuss a Bill Maher clip contrasting intense campus activism over Gaza with indifference to extremist violence against Christians in Nigeria.
  • Bill Maher: "This is so much more of a genocide attempt than what is going on in Gaza...Where are the kids protesting this?" (30:56)
  • Hosts agree on the inconsistency and selectivity in campus activism and media coverage.

9. Conspiracy Theories and Anti-Semitism in Social Media Spheres

[32:21–33:42]

• Jack describes a disturbing vein of anti-Semitic conspiracy among certain "right-wing" or MAGA-adjacent pundits, specifically referencing wild claims by Tucker Carlson.
  • Joe: Calls Tucker’s eulogy for Charlie Kirk a “dog flute concerto” for anti-Semitic signaling. (33:15)

10. Language & Gender: The ‘Mrs.’ Debate

[17:24–19:04]

• Listeners weigh in via text: “Mrs.” is considered a relic of misogyny in some workplaces.
  • Jack relays being "attacked" for using “Mrs.” in a school setting.
  • Joe and guest voice humor and sarcasm about terms like “assigned female at birth.”

11. Leads & Headlines with Katie Green

[19:04–22:52]

• Rapid-fire reactions to the day’s headlines:
  • Gaza negotiations (skepticism)
  • Government shutdown alarmism
  • Birthright citizenship challenge
  • Pentagon missile production
  • NYC mayoral shakeup
  • AI pushing youth to blue-collar trades
  • Ryder Cup fan abuse (“uglier atmosphere than ever”)
  • Texas cop finishing an Uber Eats delivery after driver arrest
  • The trend of leg-lengthening surgeries
  • Satirical “Trump to demolish UN for UFC arena”
  • Bad Bunny announced for Super Bowl halftime (hosts unimpressed)

12. Freedom, Legacy, & Education

[41:30–45:41]

• “Freedom-loving quote of the day” segment muses on gratitude and legacy (“Being grateful for the shade of a tree is not nearly as honorable as planting a tree.”)
• Rants about the uselessness of the FCC (prompted by listener email), reflecting deep government cynicism.
• Discussion on education reforms (“Mississippi Miracle” apropos basic reading and math) and the trend of families opting out of public schools as discipline declines.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The suicide is the point. And that's what we need to take a look at." — Jack Armstrong (05:25)
• "It's a natural impulse, but it's been distorted in such weird ways in the modern age." — Joe Getty (08:22)
• "Hey, Joe, what do you think about the looming government shutdown? Said no one ever." — Jack Armstrong (10:49)
• "Taking whatever a pill is appropriate." — Joe Getty, on the episode title and modern coping mechanisms (12:52)
• "It's all about the value something has is directly related to how many people see it and hear about it and like it or, or, or heart it or whatever." — Joe Getty (07:00)
• "Is Ms. Right Latinx? Is she a 'whim mix?'" — Joe Getty, satirizing the shifting landscape of PC gender language (04:17)
• "That may be the perfect encapsulation of the moment we're living in." — Joe Getty, mocking the NYC mayoral race (11:42)
• "The purpose being to illustrate once and for all to the entire globe Hamas has no interest in peace because they don't." — Joe Getty, on the expected purpose of upcoming “peace” talks (28:10)
• "Where are the kids protesting this?" — Bill Maher, on Nigeria’s genocide and selective outrage (31:29)
• "It's a subset of MAGA." — Joe Getty on the anti-Semitic fringe in right-wing politics (32:55)
• "You could have all your important documents in one place. Bank level encryption..." — Jack Armstrong, segueing from “kissing your sister” idiom to estate planning (36:03)
• "No matter how excellent the instruction is, if children arrive at school utterly undisciplined, even the best instruction will face massive headwinds." — Listener “School Marm” email, reflecting on education crisis (47:22)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |:-----------------------------------------------|:---------------| | Week overview, "Ms. Right" debate | 03:20–05:06 | | Attention-seeking violence, social media | 05:07–08:52 | | Gov't shutdown mockery | 10:11–11:42 | | NYC mayoral "criminal/communist" riff | 11:48–12:29 | | Feeling of global insanity | 12:30–12:52 | | "Whatever pill is appropriate" conversation | 12:52–13:15 | | Gaza "peace plan" speculation | 13:02–14:10, 27:12–30:29| | Political language, "Mrs." as outdated | 17:24–19:04 | | Headlines with Katie Green | 19:04–22:52 | | Selective outrage, Bill Maher on Nigeria | 30:29–32:07 | | Anti-Semitic conspiracies on the right | 32:21–33:42 | | Education, classroom discipline crisis | 41:30–45:41 |

Tone & Style

The conversation is lively, alternately sardonic and earnest, with plenty of asides and comedic riffs—even on serious topics. Armstrong & Getty’s signature “everyman skepticism” prevails throughout, targeting political actors, media, and cultural trends with equal parts exasperation and humor.

For New Listeners: What You Missed

This episode offers a broad sample of Armstrong & Getty’s style: irreverent, quick-moving, and full of cross-talk—but also capable of insightful commentary on current events and cultural trends. Notable moments include their critique of both right- and left-wing conspiracy theories, skepticism of performative activism, and a recurring motif about modern society’s relationship with attention and validation.

If you’re tuning in for news, laughs, and a dose of “what the hell is happening in the world?” skepticism—delivered with authentic chemistry—you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this episode.