Podcast Summary: Armstrong & Getty On Demand – Episode: "That Makes You A Sap"

Release Date: July 7, 2025
Host: Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty
Platform: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In the episode titled "That Makes You A Sap," hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into a range of topics spanning historical analysis, contemporary patriotism, education, personal anecdotes, and political discourse. The episode intertwines thoughtful discussions with personal experiences, providing listeners with both insightful commentary and relatable stories.

Ken Burns on the American Revolution

The episode opens with a discussion on Ken Burns' forthcoming documentary about the American Revolution. Jack Armstrong shares his enthusiasm for Burns' portrayal, highlighting a key quote from Burns:

“The American Revolution is the most important event since the birth of Christ in all of world history.”
[00:58] – Ken Burns

Jack expresses appreciation for Burns' positive depiction of the Revolution, contrasting it with what he perceives as recent "wokeness" in historical interpretations. He remarks:

“People still think this...after the last, you know, four or five years of wokeness, it kind of was a little like knocked me down.”
[01:46] – Jack Armstrong

The Significance of the American Revolution

The hosts and their guest delve deeper into the importance of the American Revolution. Ken Burns emphasizes the creation of the concept of "citizen" and its global ripple effects:

“We had created in this moment a very brand new thing called a citizen.... And that has had powerful effects. It's going to set in motion revolutions for the next two plus centuries all around the world...”
[03:26] – Ken Burns

Jack and Joe discuss the Revolution not merely as a rebellion against the Crown but as a foundational experiment in self-governance and democratic principles. Joe adds:

“It instituted on earth an experiment in self governance and a lot of other incredibly important fundamentals like free speech...”
[04:24] – Joe Getty

Modern Historical Narratives and Patriotism Decline

The conversation shifts to contemporary historical narratives, critiquing movements like the 1619 Project and their impact on patriotism. Jack criticizes the focus on negative aspects of American history:

“The idea that, no, the revolution was to found slavery and make sure we could keep the whole slavery thing going... was the point of the revolution.”
[05:00] – Jack Armstrong

Joe references Jonah Goldberg's perspective on the American founding, underscoring its global significance and the success of its democratic experiment:

“The birth of the United States of America was not merely the most important geopolitical event since the fall of Rome...”
[05:19] – Joe Getty

They discuss recent Gallup polls indicating a decline in American patriotism, particularly among Democrats and Generation Z. Joe highlights:

“Only 36% of Democrats say they're extremely or very proud of America. The lowest number ever recorded...”
[15:04] – Joe Getty

Jack agrees, attributing the decline to a cultural shift where expressing pride in the U.S. is met with shaming:

“We've created a culture, especially at our schools, where you should be shunned or embarrassed to feel good about the United States.”
[15:29] – Jack Armstrong

Education’s Role in Shaping Patriotism

The hosts emphasize the critical role of education in fostering patriotism. Referencing Ronald Reagan's farewell address, they stress the importance of teaching history based on significance rather than current trends:

“We've got to teach history based not on what's in fashion, but what's important... Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”
[18:21] – Joe Getty

Jack echoes the sentiment, advocating for conversations at home to instill American values:

“Tomorrow night in the kitchen, I hope the talking begins. And children, if your parents haven't been teaching you what it means to be an American, let them know...”
[18:56] – Joe Getty

Personal Anecdotes: Vacation Adventures

Interspersed with serious discussions, Jack shares entertaining stories from his recent vacation to Florida and New York. Highlights include:

• Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Concert:
  Jack recounts attending Ozzy Osbourne's tribute concert, noting the presence of iconic figures like Metallica, Aerosmith, Dolly Parton, and Sir Elton John:

  “40,000 fans packing a British soccer stadium for Ozzy Osbourne... at the end thanking fans for decades of support.”
  [20:23]

• Jet Ski Mishap and Chess Hustler Encounter:
  Jack narrates a humorous yet eventful experience involving flipping a jet ski, sustaining a knee injury, and meeting a peculiar chess hustler named Henry in Washington Square Park:

  “Henry walked away from it saying, this is the coolest thing I've ever done in my life... Part of the deal, you sign.”
  [29:05]

Political Discourse: The "Big Beautiful Bill"

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing the "big beautiful bill," presumably a major legislative package championed by former President Trump. The hosts discuss its implications, funding allocations, and criticism from various quarters:

• Economic Impact:
  Jack critiques the bill's financial repercussions, particularly its contribution to the national debt:

  “Including the number that's constantly thrown out of how much this is going to add to the deficit.”
  [32:58] – Jack Armstrong

• Diverse Reactions:
  The discussion includes perspectives from economic experts and commentators, highlighting both praise and concern:

  “Newt Gingrich... an enormous policy bill about taxes, regulatory processes, badly needed reforms and spending cuts.”
  [35:14] – Jack Armstrong

  “Larry Summers... the biggest rollback in the social safety net in our history... grotesque.”
  [35:41] – Michael

• Partisan Perspectives:
  The hosts examine how the bill is perceived across the political spectrum, noting bipartisan reactions and potential long-term effects on the country's fiscal health.

Closing Remarks

Jack and Joe wrap up the episode by reflecting on the day's discussions and teasing future topics. They reiterate the importance of understanding history, fostering patriotism, and engaging in meaningful political discourse to shape the nation's future.

Notable Quotes:

• Ken Burns on the Revolution's Importance:

  “The American Revolution is the most important event since the birth of Christ in all of world history.”
  [00:58]

• Joe Getty on Patriotism Decline:

  “Only 36% of Democrats say they're extremely or very proud of America. The lowest number ever recorded...”
  [15:04]

• Ronald Reagan’s Influence on Education:

  “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”
  [18:21] – Joe Getty

• Jack Armstrong on Cultural Shifts:

  “We've created a culture, especially at our schools, where you should be shunned or embarrassed to feel good about the United States.”
  [15:29]

This episode of "Armstrong & Getty On Demand" offers a blend of historical analysis, commentary on current societal trends, personal storytelling, and political evaluation, providing listeners with a comprehensive and engaging experience.