Armstrong & Getty On Demand — A&G Replay Thursday Hour One

Date: August 28, 2025
Podcast: Armstrong & Getty On Demand (iHeartPodcasts)
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty

Episode Overview

In this "replay" edition of the Armstrong & Getty Show, Jack and Joe dive into a wide range of topics: the limitations and unexpected quirks of artificial intelligence (AI), shifting standards in medical diagnosis (with a special focus on blood pressure), marathon running and its health impacts, and a substantial segment dissecting Hunter Biden’s recent podcast comments about U.S. politics, the Bidens, and Democratic party intrigue. The tone is brisk, irreverent, and at times sharply sarcastic, faithful to Armstrong & Getty’s signature blend of satire, skepticism, and cultural commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Problem with AI "Hallucinations" (00:57–09:41)

Summary:

• AI Quirks: Jack and Joe muse on AI models, particularly “Elsa,” the FDA’s AI tool, and its tendency to “hallucinate” (generate convincing but false information).
• Loyal Listener Interaction: Listener Mike tests ChatGPT with Armstrong & Getty quotes, finding that AI not only remembers but imitates Jack and Joe’s style—often with amusing or questionable accuracy.
• Ongoing Issue: Both hosts highlight that all major AI systems share the hallucination problem, inventing data, studies, or legal cases when uncertain.
• AI’s “Personality”: The tendency of AI to be "cheerful and enthusiastic," which, Joe observes, becomes problematic if users are vulnerable or delusional.

Notable Quotes:

• On AI making things up:
  “Elsa was making stuff up and it took them a while to figure this out...it goes so far as to like make up studies with all the data.” — Jack Armstrong (04:11)
• On AI’s endearing but dangerous agreeableness:
  “I'm including when you're delusional and heading toward a mental breakdown. No, you're right. You are smart. It's the other people who are crazy.” — Joe Getty (07:05)

Timestamps:

• [00:57] Introduction to AI "Elsa" at FDA
• [01:32] Listener experiments with ChatGPT
• [03:18] AI hallucination parallels to child behavior
• [04:50] Dangers of fabricated data and studies
• [05:24] AI fabricating court cases
• [06:09] AI encourages user delusions

2. Medical Standards & Skepticism (10:52–14:54)

Summary:

• Rising Medical Interventions: Discussion with a medical expert about lowering the threshold for hypertension diagnosis from 140/80 to 130/80 and the implications for patient care and pharmaceutical profits.
• Jack is skeptical: He challenges the new thresholds as potentially profit-driven, noting “billions and billions… to be made over the next many decades if you get that number lowered just a little bit.”
• Personal Anecdotes: Katie, a team member, shares her nephrologist’s push for even lower blood pressure numbers.

Notable Quotes:

• “I'm always cynical about this sort of thing, and I know it's not always warranted, but, man, there's a tremendous amount of money to be made if you lower that number.” — Jack Armstrong (11:36)
• “But no, you're right... there's so much money to be...” — Joe Getty (11:49)

Timestamps:

• [10:52] Changing definition of hypertension
• [11:36] Jack expresses skepticism about motives
• [12:22] Katie’s nephrologist pushes for lower numbers
• [12:54] Further discussion on health and medical profit

3. Exercise, Ultramarathons & Unexpected Risks (12:54–17:25)

Summary:

• Marathons & Cancer?: Jack shares a new study suggesting ultramarathoners may be at higher risk for colon cancer, a perplexing association that has scientists stumped.
• Anecdotes abound: The hosts share stories about exercise, endurance sports, and their producer's family’s connections—including a reference to "the world's strongest man."
• Insight into Endurance: A deep dive into heart rate management for optimal performance and avoiding lactic acid buildup; discussion on the folk wisdom behind "slow and steady wins the race."

Notable Quotes:

• “Ultra marathoners... have a higher likelihood of the rectal cancer, colon cancer, than regular people. And they don't exactly know why.” — Jack Armstrong (12:54)

Timestamps:

• [12:54] Intriguing cancer studies on ultramarathoners
• [14:11] Family anecdotes, Ulysses & the "great Sandow"
• [15:28] Heart rate, lactic acid, and optimal exercise strategy

4. Hunter Biden’s Podcast Dissected (18:46–32:57)

Summary:

• Hunter’s Wild Rant: Jack and Joe react to Hunter Biden’s frank commentary from a recent podcast, where he talks alcohol, drugs, the George Clooney/Biden spat, and Democratic party machinations.
• Entitlement & Victimhood: Both hosts lay into Hunter for what they see as delusion and a “victim” complex, especially when he claims the Democratic “intelligentsia” forced his father out of the presidential race.
• Debate Night Defended?: Hunter blames the president’s debate performance on travel, scheduling, and Ambien, which prompts skepticism and laughter from the hosts.
• Progressive Politics: Armstrong & Getty note Hunter’s embrace of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, questioning whether Biden was always that left-leaning or just responded to political winds.
• Final Take: Both conclude Hunter’s worldview is deeply skewed by privilege, denial, and detachment from ordinary reality.

Notable Quotes:

• “Give me an effing break. Who gave 52 years of his life to the Country. Is that what he was doing as he ended up with like nine homes, all right. And ungodly wealthy. It was public service. Yeah. He really, really gave a lot.” — Jack Armstrong (20:17)
• “He is delusional.” — Joe Getty (23:49)
• “God, he is so entitled and a victim and just like the worst kind of character you can imagine. I wouldn't want to be involved with him in any way.” — Jack Armstrong (29:19)
• “You're crazy if you think Joe Biden staying in the race he would have won. I mean, you're absolutely deluded. Maybe that helps you sleep at night.” — Jack Armstrong (31:59)

Timestamps:

• [18:46] Hunter Biden opens up on addiction and the perils of alcohol
• [20:00] Hunter’s rant about George Clooney’s criticism of Biden
• [22:15] Hunter’s perspective on Biden dropping out and campaign intrigue
• [24:16] Jack & Joe fact-check Hunter’s view of Democratic Party politics
• [27:08] Hunter blames debate flop on Ambien and travel
• [31:17] Armstrong & Getty question Biden's real ideology and the family's alignment

5. More AI Oddities: Celebrity Lookalikes & Future Dangers (34:13–38:11)

Summary:

• Fun with AI Images: Katie and Joe experiment with ChatGPT’s “find my celebrity lookalike” and “therapist Harry” personalities. Joe’s picture is likened to a mix of “Nick Nolte in his later years” and “Kurt Russell in the Hateful Eight.”
• Popularity of Astrology AI: The hosts are amazed that astrology is the number one requested AI “bot,” musing about humanity’s never-ending love for the mystical.
• AI Theorists Warned: Jack and Joe react with skepticism to AI godfather Geoffrey Hinton’s idea that future AI systems should be programmed to treat humans as “babies” to safeguard humanity, questioning whether such benevolence could ever be guaranteed.

Notable Quotes:

• “If somebody looked like you, they wouldn't be a celebrity.” — Joe Getty (35:07)
• “The fact that the number one use for AI for Dunderpates is astrology. It's amazing that you're combining like the most cutting edge, advanced thing human beings have ever come up with with the most old timey, dumbest from 100,000 years ago.” — Jack Armstrong (36:15)
• “We need to imbue them with genuine concern for human well being. Otherwise, it could be really...” — Joe Getty (37:53)

Timestamps:

• [34:13] Trying AI's therapist and "celebrity lookalike" functions
• [36:15] Observing AI bot popularity—astrology is #1
• [37:40] AI “godfather” proposes robots should care for us like babies

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On AI’s fabrications:
  "It just makes this crap up." — Jack Armstrong (04:52)

• On the new hypertension guidelines:
  "I'm always cynical about this sort of thing...billions…to be made." — Jack Armstrong (11:36)

• On Hunter Biden's worldview:
  "God, he is so entitled and a victim and just like the worst kind of character you can imagine." — Jack Armstrong (29:19)

• On AI's leading use-case:
  "The number one use for AI...is astrology...the most old timey, dumbest [thing] from 100,000 years ago." — Jack Armstrong (36:15)

Episode Timeline / Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic / Segment | |---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:57 | AI (FDA’s Elsa, ChatGPT, hallucination problem) | | 10:52 | Hypertension diagnosis thresholds, medical profit skepticism | | 12:54 | Ultramarathons and health impacts | | 18:46 | Hunter Biden on addiction, George Clooney/Biden feud | | 22:15 | Hunter Biden on campaign, victimhood, and party intrigue | | 27:08 | Hunter's explanations for Biden’s debate flop | | 34:13 | Playing with AI bots: therapist, celebrity comparison | | 37:40 | Geoffrey Hinton’s AI safety proposal & reflections |

Final Thoughts

This hour of Armstrong & Getty delivers a broad, skeptic, and often satirical look at AI, health, endurance sports, and the psychological gymnastics of Hunter Biden. The hosts balance humor with concern—whether discussing the risks of AI “hallucinations," the profit motives in healthcare, or the delusions of political elites—while never losing their irreverent edge.

For further info, links, and highlights from the show, visit:
armstrongandgetty.com