The Word Weeds

Summary

Podcast Title: Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
Episode: The Word Weeds
Release Date: May 30, 2025

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Introduction

In the latest episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand, hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty, alongside co-host Katie Green and executive producer Michaelangelo, delve into a range of pressing topics from geopolitical tensions to personal psychology. This detailed summary encapsulates the episode's key discussions, insights, and conclusions, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

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1. Geopolitical Tensions: Trump’s Stance and the Putin Factor

The episode opens with a deep dive into recent statements made by former President Donald Trump regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin. Michaelangelo discusses Trump's ambiguous ultimatum to Putin, stating:

"I didn't know if that was like an ultimatum. I mean he, in usual Trumpian fashion was kind of vague on that." (03:13)

The hosts explore the implications of Trump's "two weeks" statement, analyzing whether it signifies a firm deadline or simply a rhetorical device. They discuss the potential actions the U.S. might take, such as backing additional sanctions or increasing support for Ukraine, and the uncertainty surrounding these decisions.

Katie Green emphasizes the historical weight of such statements:

"With perhaps, you know, historical significance. I mean, like serious historical significance significance." (04:16)

The conversation shifts to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with discussions on its escalating intensity and the broader impact on global stability.

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2. Listener Feedback and Show Appreciation

At around the 09:00 mark, Katie Green shares positive feedback from a listener named Timothy Sandifer. Timothy praises the show for being "political without being angry and overbearing," highlighting its ability to avoid "echo chamber sloganeering BS." This segment underscores the hosts' commitment to balanced and thoughtful discourse.

"But Jack and Joe are absolutely the best and I'm glad they're still out there." (08:03)

Katie Green responds with gratitude, reassuring Timothy that the show's self-awareness of its flaws contributes to its ongoing success.

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3. Psychological Insights: Personal Responsibility in Relationships

A significant portion of the episode (from 09:37 to 13:08) delves into the psychology of personal responsibility. Michaelangelo shares his introspection on always attributing relationship failures to his own actions:

"Every relationship that's ever failed in my life, I have only ever looked at or thought about the things that I did that caused it to go bad." (09:23)

Katie connects this to a lesson from her daughter's college professor, emphasizing the impact of personal accountability:

"The only commonality in all of your failed relationships is you." (11:06)

This discussion highlights the importance of self-reflection and understanding one's role in personal dynamics, promoting healthier interpersonal relationships.

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4. In-Depth Essay Discussion: "Why Americans Don't Understand Vladimir Putin" by Constantine Kissen

One of the episode's standout segments occurs from 27:20 onwards, where Katie Green introduces an essay by Constantine Kissen that explores the cultural and historical misunderstandings between Americans and Vladimir Putin.

Kissen argues that American presidents have consistently underestimated Putin, driven by an American psyche that values openness and cooperation. He writes:

"Americans are widely regarded around the world as extremely friendly, welcoming, proactive and constructive. But every coin has two sides." (30:26)

The essay contrasts American and Russian historical experiences, detailing how Russia's history of invasion, occupation, and internal turmoil has shaped its cultural emphasis on strong leadership and order. Kissen points out:

"The open, welcoming and positive attitude that is the default setting in America is widely regarded in many parts of the world as evidence of gullibility, unseriousness and naivete." (31:48)

Michaelangelo and Katie discuss how these differing cultural backgrounds make diplomatic engagements between the U.S. and Russia particularly challenging. They emphasize that understanding these deep-seated historical contexts is crucial for meaningful dialogue and effective policy-making.

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5. AI and Creativity: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Songwriting

The episode takes a lighter turn with a segment on artificial intelligence's role in creative processes. Hansen, the executive producer, shares AI-generated songs about Joe Getty and himself. Michaelangelo humorously comments on the experience:

"I did not use the recommendation. But, like, what is the point?" (42:28)

Katie Green reflects on the essence of creativity, arguing that the satisfaction derived from creating something from scratch is irreplaceable:

"It's because the process is so satisfying. You start with silence and you end up with a complete song and arrangement and everything. And sounds good, at least in my ears." (45:17)

The hosts ponder the future implications of AI in creative fields, questioning whether AI-generated content can truly capture human emotion and artistic intent.

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6. Final Thoughts and Current Events

In the concluding segment, the hosts share their final reflections on current events. Michaelangelo expresses frustration over a CBS News headline covering Harvard's president receiving a standing ovation for criticizing the Trump administration, without mentioning the institution's own controversies:

"What are you talking about?" (47:38)

Katie Green reiterates the episode's central theme regarding Putin's consistent nature:

"The claim that a normally reasonable, rational and pragmatic Putin with whom we can do business has suddenly become a different person and gone crazy is insane in itself. Putin is what he is and has always been." (48:31)

The episode wraps up with a reaffirmation of the show's commitment to addressing meaningful and impactful topics, leaving listeners with much to ponder.

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Notable Quotes

• Michaelangelo on Personal Responsibility:
  "Every relationship that's ever failed in my life, I have only ever looked at or thought about the things that I did that caused it to go bad." (09:23)

• Katie Green on Cultural Misunderstandings:
  "The open, welcoming and positive attitude that is the default setting in America is widely regarded in many parts of the world as evidence of gullibility, unseriousness and naivete." (31:48)

• Constantine Kissen's Insight:
  "Americans prefer at least pretend to believe because it pretends them from having to face the reality of who Putin has always been and what that means for America in the West." (29:00)

• Katie Green on AI and Creativity:
  "If that was just handed to you, well, then what are we doing here?" (46:05)

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Conclusion

Armstrong & Getty On Demand offers a compelling blend of political analysis, psychological insight, and cultural commentary in this episode, "The Word Weeds." The hosts navigate complex topics with nuance and engage listeners in thoughtful discussions about the state of global affairs and personal growth. Whether exploring the intricacies of U.S.-Russia relations or contemplating the future of creativity in the age of AI, Armstrong and Getty provide a rich and engaging listening experience.

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For more insights and detailed discussions, visit armstrongygetty.com.

Transcript

[Jack Armstrong]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Joe Getty]

Colgate Total may make your favorite toothpaste, but it's also a science innovator committed to oral health. For instance, the Colgate Total Active Prevention System with a cutting edge toothbrush, refreshing antibacterial mouthwash and a reformulated toothpaste. With a technology so innovative it won the 2024 Edison Patent Award, the Colgate Total Active prevention system is 15 times more effective at reducing bacteria buildup to fight the root cause of oral health problems in six starting from week one compared to a non antibacterial fluoride toothpaste and flat trim toothbrush. Talk about science. Get the Colgate Total Active Prevention System today so you can be dentist ready. Shop now by visiting shop.colgate.com total.

[Katie Green]

Step into the world of power, loyalty and luck.

[Michaelangelo]

I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.

[Katie Green]

With family. Cannolis and spins mean everything.

[Michaelangelo]

Now you want to get mixed up.

[Katie Green]

In the family business. Introducing the [e-mail] test your luck in the shadowy world of the Godfather slots.

[Michaelangelo]

Someday I will call upon you to.

[Katie Green]

Do a service for me. Play the Godfather [e-mail] Welcome to the family. No purchase necessary VGW Group void We're prohibited by law 21 + terms and conditions apply.

[Jack Armstrong]

For some of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves, loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call home, and the causes we hold in our hearts. At Thrivent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind. Because even though our business is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much more. Thrivent, where money means more. Connect with [e-mail].

[Hansen]

You know, some people say that Odoo business management software is like fertilizer, the way it promotes growth and all. But other people say Odoo is like a magic beanstalk because it grows with your company and is also magically affordable. And there's some people who would even say Odoo's individual software programs come together to build the perfect suite. Like building blocks. Well, Odoo is all of these things. Fertilizer, magic beanstalk building blocks for business. So sign up [e-mail] o d o.

[Katie Green]

O.Com @amica insurance, we know it's more than just a house. It's your home. The place that's filled with memories. The early days of figuring it out.

[Joe Getty]

To the later years of still figuring.

[Katie Green]

It out for the place you've Put down roots Trust, Amica Home Insurance, Ameca. Empathy is our best policy. Broadcasting live from the Abraham Lincoln Radio Studio at the George Washington Broadcast Center, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty. Armstrong and Getty. Now here's Armstrong and Yeti.

[Michaelangelo]

Yesterday we tried to decipher what Trump was saying Wednesday. I think when he talked about two weeks, Putin's got two weeks. I didn't know if that was like an ultimatum. I mean he, in usual Trumpian fashion was kind of vague on that. But a number of news organizations have pointed out since then he has said two weeks at least four different times in the last since he took office about Putin's got two weeks and then we'll know as like a deadline. So I guess it doesn't necessarily mean anything, although what the rubber meets the road in that we are either going to back the sanctions in Europe and or add on to them like 82 senators want to do or, and, and continue to arm Ukraine and give them intelligence. Or we're not. And that decision is going to be made at some point.

[Katie Green]

Right, right. With perhaps, you know, historical significance. I mean, like serious historical significance significance. Not like people throw it around all the time.

[Michaelangelo]

That term, the term.

[Katie Green]

This is history making a historical day.

[Michaelangelo]

Because Katy Perry went up near space.

[Katie Green]

Exactly. Yeah. For instance, Katy Perry, Gail King and others been up in the air for a little bit. This is a historic day. Yeah. No, a real one.

[Michaelangelo]

I'm sad.

[Katie Green]

So a lot to squeeze into the last hour of the week. Can't wait to get started. Let's do it. It's the Friday tradition. A fond look back at the week that was. It's cow clips of the week.

[Michaelangelo]

But in moment this morning, Moca Strato Frappuccino.

[Hansen]

I've never heard that.

[Katie Green]

This is cow foots of the week.

[Michaelangelo]

And I don't know what the hell happened to Putin. I've known him a long time and something happened to this guy and I don't like it.

[Katie Green]

I don't think Putin has changed. I don't know what the President's talking about.

[Jack Armstrong]

Medvedev writes, I only know of one really bad thing.

[Katie Green]

World War Three.

[Michaelangelo]

I think this war is about to.

[Katie Green]

Get a lot dirtier now.

[Hansen]

It looks as though the war in.

[Katie Green]

Gaza is raging on a level that.

[Michaelangelo]

We haven't seen President posting on Truth Social, that he may take, quote, $3 billion of grant money away from very anti Semitic Harvard.

[Katie Green]

The staggering setback for President Trump's aggressive trade agenda. The White House rebuking the court, saying it is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency. I think a bill can be, can be, can be big or it can be beaut. I don't know if it could be both.

[Jack Armstrong]

Republicans on the House Oversight Committee are readying subpoenas.

[Katie Green]

We want to ask them, who gave you the authority to use Joe Biden's signature? We never got somebody that said we should never have done this. I can't believe we did it. Yeah, there's gradations of honesty. Video of President Macron and his wife Brigitte pushing his face is going viral.

[Michaelangelo]

To Gay Spice de Los there. Stay away you loser. Get dressed.

[Hansen]

We're going to kill Kid Cudi, clark.

[Katie Green]

Recalled Combs telling her. But the rapper wasn't home at the.

[Jack Armstrong]

Time, and prosecutors say that John Welch proceeded to essentially torture him, demanding that.

[Katie Green]

He give up his bitcoin password. I'm about to lay down, bro. I'm about to get in the bed. I just want to call and tell.

[Michaelangelo]

You good night, bro. Sweet dreams.

[Katie Green]

Why are you telling me good night? What's going Are you good?

[Michaelangelo]

Power can change the definition of the words we use to describe real Shut up.

[Hansen]

Your word is a Claire C Small.

[Jack Armstrong]

A Claire C Small E C L.

[Katie Green]

A I R C I S S E M E N T A fishy small. That is correct. Stomping the joy out of life. Armstrong and Getty, right? Yes.

[Michaelangelo]

If you missed our segment stomping, stomping the joy out of the spelling bee. That was an hour one you can find the podcast, Armstrong. You get it on demand.

[Katie Green]

To quote an American Idol contestant from many years ago, actually it was the mother of a contestant where he from? French. What are they giving eclairs? Simon it's an English spelling bee for Indian kids. What are you doing with French words?

[Michaelangelo]

Well, because they all study 15 hours a day all summer long rather than have a childhood, you have to get, you know, pretty deep into the weeds on words to finally get enough people to miss.

[Katie Green]

Do you get a champion the word weeds? Waste of time. Anyway, consult hour one.

[Michaelangelo]

So first this a little self aggrandizement from Timothy, Timothy Sandifer, our friend Tim, the lawyer who we had on yesterday with an excellent segment, as always, about a number of things re the law he was responding to. So he, he, he tweeted out his segment on the Armstrong and Getty show. Somebody had responded to him saying that they gave up on political radio years ago and Tim responded with I sympathize. But at risk of giving my friends Jack and Joe big heads what makes Their show special is that it's political without being angry and overbearing and just a bunch of echo chamber sloganeering BS to which that person responded. The same person. Fully agree. It was more the overall news cycle becoming absurd. But Jack and Joe are absolutely the best and I'm glad they're still out there. So.

[Katie Green]

Oh, thanks. It's very kind of you. Thank you.

[Michaelangelo]

Made me feel like I'm not completely wasting my time getting up, getting dressed and coming to work.

[Katie Green]

As I often feel to reassure Tim. I think we are both so constantly and acutely aware of our failures. The big head thing is just not a danger.

[Michaelangelo]

Not worried about that happening.

[Katie Green]

I can hardly take in my creative output because all I can see are the flaws. So don't worry about that. That. That overstates it. That overstates it. But I'm. I'm very aware of them.

[Michaelangelo]

I know this for a fact. Psychologically, people tend to be one of two directions. And then it's a. It's a continuum. So you might be like way out there. I am way out there on one of them, I think. But you tend to be either a person that thinks everything that happens in your life is your fault or a person that thinks nothing in your. That happens in your life is your fault. It's somebody else's fault or circumstances. And then you're somewhere in between on that continuum. And I lean pretty far toward everything that happens is my fault. And I hadn't considered this until I came across this premise. Every relationship that's ever failed in my life, I have only ever looked at or thought about the things that I did that caused it to go bad. As if they had no role whatsoever or it couldn't possibly be something they did or they have any flaws. I've never even considered the other side. It's always been me. And just. So I lean way toward that for some reason.

[Katie Green]

Huh. Interesting.

[Michaelangelo]

I don't know why.

[Katie Green]

Yeah. My. My daughter, my youngest. She had a college professor who used to like to hit them with pithy thoughts right before they started exams. I have no idea why. It was just his thing. And remember. And he'd lay something on him and. And at one point, what he laid on them was, remember, the only commonality in all of your failed relationships is you. Anyway, get started.

[Michaelangelo]

So where I look at everything. Yeah.

[Katie Green]

And because Delaney really liked this teacher.

[Hansen]

She.

[Katie Green]

She connected with him for a coffee or something down the road and said, boy, that really stuck with me. And he said. I said that. That's a terrible thing.

[Michaelangelo]

To say I really said that. Wow, that's funny.

[Katie Green]

Yeah.

[Michaelangelo]

Someone, a friend of mine hit me with that the other day because there was a point where all three cars that I own had a dent in them, which is incredibly low rent.

[Katie Green]

I mean, why did the things that happened to stupid people keep happening to me?

[Michaelangelo]

And they said what is the common fact?

[Katie Green]

Yes, Michael, just take it from me. Once you start blaming others, Jack, you'll feel very comfortable. It makes it easier and easier. Yeah, that's interesting.

[Michaelangelo]

Speaking of pithy thoughts, I was on the shower thoughts Reddit thread yesterday and grabbed just a couple because most of them sucked. I don't know if we've run out.

[Katie Green]

Of good shower thoughts, but we did this as a feature on the show for a long time.

[Michaelangelo]

It's fun. These are.

[Katie Green]

They start to suck. Yes.

[Michaelangelo]

Yeah, these are. I think one of them's funny, but maybe but they're just kind of interesting. I didn't know this were every this has been true of May and May is almost over because we so you missed out. But every day for the next 10 days was going to be same the same backwards or forwards and this was true during 52025 through 5 2925. So it all ended yesterday. The fun ended yesterday. You missed it while it was true. But so forward or backwards 52025 or read it backwards 52025 and then the same way for 521-255-2125 isn't that fun? And you missed out on it. It ended.

[Katie Green]

Damn it.

[Michaelangelo]

When people yearn for a simpler worry free time, they don't yearn for an actually simpler time, but for a time when they were kids and their parents did the worrying for them. That is often true.

[Katie Green]

A lot of truth there.

[Michaelangelo]

You know why it was a simpler time? Because I didn't have to worry about the bills or anything else. Interest rates. I wasn't thinking about any of that stuff. Yes.

[Katie Green]

Yeah, yeah.

[Michaelangelo]

That was a sigh of on deep.

[Katie Green]

On we I well I was just thinking back to the period of my life when that truth hit the most powerfully. Yes, yes. Very challenging.

[Michaelangelo]

And then this one I definitely not carefree. No, I thought this was really a good one and very true. If you're walking around thinking with Israel and Hamas and Ukraine and you know, China on the rise or whatever it is. All that stuff that we talk about whooping off.

[Katie Green]

What still getting over it.

[Michaelangelo]

I wonder if I'll have this for the rest of my life.

[Katie Green]

No. No you will not.

[Michaelangelo]

I won't.

[Katie Green]

I'VE got a friend with the long Covid. Holy cow. He's corresponded with a couple of doctors who've been recommended by friends who are connected to medicine. And they've all said, look, all of my patients have gotten better, but sometimes it takes a couple of years.

[Michaelangelo]

That's interesting.

[Katie Green]

Oof.

[Michaelangelo]

The world isn't falling apart. It's merely exiting from the odd, most peaceful era of human history and returning to long term normalcy. That is very much true.

[Katie Green]

Returning to the mean.

[Michaelangelo]

It is returning to what it has been throughout world history. We had a lucky period here partially because the United States was so dominant that it could keep world order where that might be going away. And then it's just back to, you.

[Katie Green]

Know, the way the world always was.

[Michaelangelo]

Which doesn't make it. Which isn't comforting as the bombs rain down or whatever happens.

[Katie Green]

But yeah, convincing people who've grown up in liberty and affluence that this is incredibly delicate and we need to protect it or it's going to go away. It's very difficult to convince a lot of people of that truth.

[Michaelangelo]

It's also apparently almost impossible to convince people of some. We have it great. Other countries or people would happily take this from us if we don't stop them. Yes, that has always been true.

[Katie Green]

Right.

[Michaelangelo]

They don't care. You know that whole. I built this house on the land once owned by these so and so Indians that can come back again very easily and somebody might someday. I built this house on the land that once was California but now is a Chinese province.

[Katie Green]

Right. Or whatever.

[Michaelangelo]

Like they would care anyway. We got more on the way. Stay here.

[Jack Armstrong]

Armstrong and Getty.

[Joe Getty]

Colgate Total may make your favorite toothpaste, but it's also a science innovator committed to oral health. For instance, the Colgate Total Active Prevention system with a cutting edge toothbrush, refreshing antibacterial mouthwash and a reformulated toothpaste. With a technology so innovative it won the 2024 Edison Patent Award, the Colgate Total Active Prevention system is times more effective at reducing bacteria buildup to fight the root cause of oral health problems in six weeks starting from week one. Compared to a non antibacterial fluoride toothpaste and flat trimmed toothbrush. Talk about science. Get the Colgate Total Active Prevention System today so you can be dentist ready shop now by visiting shop.colgate.com total.

[Jack Armstrong]

For some of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves. Loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call home and the causes we hold in our hearts. At Thrivent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind. Because even though our business is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much more. Thrivent, where money means more. Connect with [e-mail] hi, I'm Cindy Crawford and I'm the founder of Meaningful Beauty. Well, I don't know about you, but like, I never liked being told, oh, wow, you look so good for your age. Like, why even bother saying that? Why don't you just say you look great at any age, Every age. That's what Meaningful Beauty is all about. We create products that make you feel confident in your skin at the age you are now. Meaningful Beauty. Beautiful skin at every age. Learn [e-mail].

[Katie Green]

Hey everybody. So when you get asked, what is Odoo? What comes to mind? Well, I'll tell you. Odoo is a bit of everything. Odoo is a suite of business management software that some people say is like fertilizer because the way it promotes growth. But you know, some people also say that Odoo is like a magic beanstalk because it grows with your company and is also magically affordable.

[Hansen]

Oh, but then again, you could look at Odoo in terms of how its individual software programs are a lot like building blocks. Whatever your business needs, manufacturing, accounting, HR programs, you can build a custom software suite that's perfect for your company. So what does Odoo? Well, Odoo is a bit of everything. Odoo is a fertilizer. Magic beanstalk. Building blocks for business. Yeah, that's it.

[Katie Green]

Which means that Odoo is exactly what every business needs. Learn more and sign up [e-mail] that's O D. At Ameca Insurance, we know it's more than just a car.

[Joe Getty]

It's the two door coupe that was there for your first drive.

[Katie Green]

The hatchback that took you cross country and back, and the minivan that tackles the weekly carpool for the cars you couldn't live without. Out trust Amica Auto Insurance.

[Joe Getty]

Amica empathy is our best policy.

[Michaelangelo]

It was December 28th. 28 year old Cameron McDougall, a Canadian.

[Katie Green]

Citizen, allegedly assaulted someone on a Copa.

[Michaelangelo]

Airlines flight from Panama City, Panama to Toronto.

[Katie Green]

Authorities say he was taken off that flight but not arrested and allowed to book on another airline. He was back at Miami International Airport the next day. He passes through security and hides behind a wall before he's seen punching a man walking by. Then he storms back to the TSA checkpoint where security cameras catch him throwing Several punches at TSA officers until he's knocked down over a luggage cart and.

[Michaelangelo]

Pinned down until law enforcement arrives. McDougal has pleaded guilty in federal court.

[Katie Green]

To assaulting TSA officers.

[Michaelangelo]

Oh, the end of the story is the important part. He like, what, in December beat up passengers and air waitresses on a plane? And he didn't go to jail. He was still out. Then he attacks people yesterday. It's a. Yet another example of somebody showing you who they are. And we think it's a one off or let's give them a second chance or whatever the hell.

[Katie Green]

Just these bizarre utopian notes. Notions of justice. Right. Are so popular. Yeah.

[Michaelangelo]

So obviously a freaking nut job. Should have been in jail before.

[Katie Green]

Yeah. Don't we need more jails, not fewer? So I'd like to congratulate Florida man who after, you know, a bit of a down period, I mean, Florida man really led America in aberrant behavior for a long time. But in recent days, California junkie or Louisiana inmate has really kind of seized the mantle. But here's a good comeback attempt. Here's a Florida man way whacked out on meth. Okay. Again, going back to the things that made Florida man Great. Meth. 42 year old Timothy Schultz.

[Michaelangelo]

Dance with the drug that brung you.

[Katie Green]

Exactly. He first came to the attention of folks in his part of Florida because he was swinging, swimming across a lake. I don't know if you know much about Florida or the Deep south in general. There's a saying, if you want to know if there's a gator in the lake, stick your finger in it, bring your finger out. If your finger is wet, there's a gator in it. So he's swimming across a lake, and the neighbors are like, hey, dude, there's a gator next to you. So they call the authorities. The authorities show up, this guy's swimming across, he gets out of the lake. His arm has obviously been chewed up by an alligator. Ooh, that of very little interest a Florida man who hardly even noticed he's so methed out. And he arms himself for some reason with some clipping shears that somebody was using in one of the yards by the lake and, and starts, oh, one of the bystanders threw him a life preserver. He ignored that. He emerges with his gator chewed arm, he grabs a pair of garden shears, then tried to break into a vehicle by throwing a brick. According to the sheriff, when deputies arrived, they say they jumped out of the vehicle, saw Mr. Schultz walking between homes with a set of shears. Then he charged at the deputy and attempted to trim them. Oh, they tried to de escalate and tased him twice. But he continued to be aggressive, all methed up and everything. Then he jumped in the passenger seat of a running patrol vehicle and tried to grab the shotgun out of it. Oh, wow. At which point, unfortunately Jack Florida man met his end.

[Michaelangelo]

Yeah, you got to shoot him at that point.

[Katie Green]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Michaelangelo]

Well, it gives you an idea how difficult it is for cops dealing with or anybody dealing with a method up person. If the gator chewed arm and being tased twice doesn't slow him down. That's you remember that if you ever get in a fight or might get in a fight with somebody who's on meth, you ain't got no, you ain't got a chance.

[Katie Green]

Coming up next segment. Absolutely brilliant essay. Why Americans don't understand Understand Vladimir Putin. Really good. Cool.

[Michaelangelo]

I want to hear that myself.

[Jack Armstrong]

Armstrong and Getty.

[Joe Getty]

Colgate Total may make your favorite toothpaste, but it's also a science innovator committed to oral health. For instance, the Colgate Total Active prevention system with a cutting edge toothbrush, refreshing antibacterial mouthwash and a reformulated toothpaste. With a technology so innovative it won the 2024 Edison Patent Award, the Colgate Total active prevention system is 15 times more effective at reducing bacteria build to fight the root cause of oral health problems in six weeks starting from week one. Compared to a non antibacterial fluoride toothpaste and flat trimmed toothbrush. Talk about science. Get the Colgate Total Active Prevention System today so you can be dentist ready. Shop now by visiting shop.colgate.com total.

[Jack Armstrong]

For some of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves, loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call home, and the causes we hold in our hearts. At Thrivent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind. Because even though our business is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much more. Thrivent where money means more. Connect with [e-mail] hi, I'm Cindy Crawford and I'm the founder of meaningful beauty. When Dr. Sabah and I decided to do a skincare line together, he said to me, we are going to give women meaningful beauty. And I said, that's exactly right. We want to give women meaningful beauty, which means each and every product is meaningful. It has a reason to exist. It's efficacious. You're going to get results and then you just go out and live your life. Meaningful beauty. Confidence is beautiful. Learn [e-mail].

[Katie Green]

Hey everybody. So when you get asked, what is Odoo? What comes to mind? Well, I'll tell you. Odoo is a bit of everything. Odoo is a suite of business management software that some people say is like fertilizer because of the way it promotes growth. But you know, some people also say that Odoo is like a magic beanstalk because it grows with your company and is also magically affordable.

[Hansen]

Ooh. But then again, you could look at Odoo in terms of how its individual software programs are a lot like building blocks. Whatever your business needs, manufacturing, accounting, HR programs, you can build a custom software suite that's perfect for your company. So what does Odoo? Well, Odoo is a bit of everything. Odoo is a fertilizer, magic beanstalk building blocks for business. Yeah, that's it.

[Katie Green]

Which means that Odoo is exactly what every business needs. Learn more and sign up [e-mail] that's o d o o dot com. At Ameca Insurance, we know it's more than just a car.

[Joe Getty]

It's the two door coupe that was there for your first drive.

[Katie Green]

The hatchback.

[Joe Getty]

That took you cross country and back.

[Katie Green]

And the minivan that tackles the weekly carpool for the cars you couldn't live without. Trust Amica auto insurance.

[Joe Getty]

Amica empathy is our best policy.

[Michaelangelo]

I pay a tremendous amount of attention to although Ukraine, Russia, war. I check in on the Telegraph, the London newspaper, their daily Ukraine podcast, at least part of it every single day for an update, mostly on the diplomacy stuff. They also do a great update on the military part, if you care about that. It's a. Russia's losing 1500 men a day, killed or wounded, but off the battlefield, 1500 a day. That's a stunning number.

[Katie Green]

So on that topic, look, I'm gonna read part of a an essay I've come across by Constantine Kissen. Do you know Constantine? He is. He's most often described as a comedian. He got does commentary, He's a commentator, he's a podcast host. He's a thinker and a writer. He is a Brit. He is of Russian extraction. I think he may have immigrated as a child, but he's absolutely a first generation Brit who's also an American file, as you'll, you'll hear. But he goes into how prompted by the wave of missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian towns, Trump said what he said, I've always had a good relationship with Putin but something's happened to him. He's gone absolutely crazy. And the other things he said. So that's what Putin's writing about? I'm sorry, Not Putin. Kissing. Kissing. That's what he's writing about. Why Americans don't understand Vladimir Putin. Uh, that's an interesting theory. Before we examine it in detail, it's worth pointing out that numerous American presidents have attempted to believe Putin could be reasoned with. And then he goes through the George W. Bush looked into his eyes, saw soul, Bill Clinton, Obama, just the reset, all of it. Um, U.S. presidents prefer @ least pretend to believe because it pretends them from having to face the reality of who Putin has always been and what that means for America in the West. But far more importantly, this belief is also a product of the American psyche, which makes even the most cynical US politicians susceptible to manipulation by those who operate within a different moral framework. You'll not find a bigger fan of the United States than me, he writes. Spending time in the US is always a joy. One cannot help but be inspired by the culture of openness, cooperation and positivity. The story of America is that anything is possible, especially when good people get together to do business, make money, and thrive. While most Americans take these cultural traits as given, the reality is that they are rare and are in no small part the foundation of America's success. Americans are widely regarded around the world as extremely friendly, welcoming, proactive and constructive. But every coin has two sides. The trade off of this business focused, open minded, good faith, let's make money approach is a consistent failure to contend with the reality that not all cultures and not all people are like this. An extremely important point in my education, learning this stuff. Not just my formal education, but education in general. I think my Western friends often say that I come across as intense, unsmiling, and even angry in interviews. By American standards, they're certainly right. Which is why they're always surprised when I tell them the story of showing a Russian family member a school photo of mine. Why have you all got that idiotic American smile? She asked. Asked.

[Michaelangelo]

Wow.

[Katie Green]

The open, welcoming and positive attitude that is the default setting in America is widely regarded in many parts of the world as evidence of gullibility, unseriousness and naivete. It is seen, sometimes justifiably, as an attitude that leaves people vulnerable to deception. Not because Americans are stupid, because. But because their desire to believe in the good of others makes it harder for them to recognize when others are not in fact, good, and to fully grasp the cultural chasm between Russia And America. You need to understand the history of the two countries. I will summarize this. Though it is fabulously written, the US Is a nation of people who conquered a continent. It is filled with the descendants of those who left their homelands to seek a better life on the other side of the world. Goes through the hardships, the triumphs, the centuries of newcomers, the work hard, go get it mentality, a high trust, collaborative society. We have no comparable genetic memory of being invaded by powerful enemies. The Great Depression was merely a precursor to the country's explosion into an economic and manufacturing superpower. Pearl harbor was followed by overwhelming victory in World War II and then the period of American dominance. That's what's formed us as a people. Anything is possible, Problems are challenges to be solved, and the future is bright. Now, Kissen writes, consider the history of Russia. One of the founding experiences of the Russian nation is being occupied by the Mongols. The descendants of Genghis Khan wiped out anyone who resisted and subjugated everyone else. Those are horrors equivalent to your country being invaded by ISIS or Khal Drago from the Game of Thrones. They butcher, rape and torture their way through every major city and force everyone else to bend the knee.

[Michaelangelo]

Yeah, we don't have that experience. I think about that a lot, even without getting into Genghis Khan. Just like we. We've never had been invaded by Nazis like France or been bombed like England or lots of different places that have, you know, been attacked like that.

[Katie Green]

We have not in Russia. This period is called the Tetra Mongol yoke. A yoke being a device joined like oxen to pull a load. That period of time lasted around 240 years, as long as the entire history of the US to this day. The Russian language contains many Mongolian words, especially those related to tax, weaponry and war. Another formative period in Russian history is called the Smuta, or times of trouble. Ivan the Terrible, infamous for killing his only viable heir in a fit of rage, passed down his crown to a feeble and incapable son. When that son Fyodor died without an heir, Russia was thrust into 15 years of chaos in which a succession of usurpers and false claimants battled over the throne. Combined with famine, disease, and a series of foreign invasions, a series of foreign invasions, the times of trouble saw at least a third of Russia's population wiped out in 15 years. One of the key conclusions Russians drew from this is that whatever else he is, a ruler must be strong to maintain order. A weak ruler leads to chaos, and chaos is to be avoided at any Cost. How poorly this is understood in the west is ironically and perfectly encapsulated in the different names Russians and English speakers have. For Ivan the Terrible, the word terrible is a telling mistranslation. His moniker in Russian is much more accurately translated as fearsome.

[Michaelangelo]

That's awesome. That's really interesting. I'm surprised I haven't come across that before, all the Russia stuff I read. But yeah, that, that's. Yeah, if you, if you have chaos and gangs running the street and it's like Haiti or Russia during that period, you'd be happier in hell to have a dictator come along if it restored order. So at least you could like, you know, work your job and have your kids go to school.

[Katie Green]

Yeah. We have through the years on this show discussed at length the concept of liberty or compassion versus order, and how order without compassion is fascism and brutality and compassion without order is chaos and ugliness. And so Russians culturally are extremely fond of order. I mean, can you imagine being slaughtered like the Mongols did and then still the same people in same country? Sort of. I mean, obviously not the same governmental structure, but the same cultural people being slaughtered again, 2/3 of them, because of weak leadership. And then kissing gets into. In the centuries since that crap happened, Russia's repeatedly been invaded by its western neighbors, including the Swedes, Lithuanians, Poles, Finns, and famously Napoleon Bonaparte and then Adolf Hitler. While these attacks were ultimately repelled, they left deep scars in the Russian psyche. There is little triumphalism about defeating Napoleon, whose invasion saw Moscow burned to the ground.

[Michaelangelo]

While victory, war and peace, if you want to know what that was like.

[Katie Green]

Oh yeah. And while victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Russian name for wwii, is much celebrated and came around the. It came at the cost of around 20 million lives. By contrast, we, the United States lost just over 400,000 people in the same conflict, 20 million to 400,000. And then he goes into the revolution.

[Michaelangelo]

Civil wars and not on our turf with our homes going along with the lives being lost and everything.

[Katie Green]

Right, Right. Then compare also the revolutions and civil wars which took place in the two countries. Russian Revolution which sparked the Russian Civil, resulted in the installation of a tyrannical, murderous communist regime which exterminated its enemies, expropriated private property and instituted a decades long reign of terror, ending in economic collapse and cold war defeat in 1991. Meanwhile, the American Revolution is a story of a successful fight for independence, while the American Civil War, although bloody and painful, is seen as the price of progress on the path to ultimate unification. And I wish we had more time for this, but you get the idea. Let me skip to his concluding paragraph. In his long telegram, George Keenan, the great American diplomat, famously wrote that Russia was, quote, impervious to logic of reason and is highly sensitive to logic of force. This is why I had high and so far false, false hopes for Trump's ability to end the war. I assumed he would understand the obvious, that bringing Putin to the negotiating table would require a carrot and a stick. So far, dangling only the carrot of ending the killing and sending a starry eyed, historically and geographically illiterate lawyer to be bamboozled for hours in the Kremlin has predictably produced nothing. That's Trump's friend, what's his name, who's in charge of the Russia negotiations and the Middle East. It's a complete waste of time. By the way, the only way Trump will get serious negotiations going is to threaten Putin with ramping up not only sanctions, but high grade, extensive military aid to Ukraine. As long as that option is not on the table, Putin will keep calling America's bluff.

[Michaelangelo]

Yeah, Trump will. Putin will stop when he's forced to the end.

[Katie Green]

Yeah, yeah.

[Michaelangelo]

You know, the. A good summary of that long piece would be wake up or grow up.

[Katie Green]

Grow up. America's great failing is that we assume everybody thinks like us over and over and over again. That was George Bush's, George W. Bush's great failing. Like, we'll just give them democracy and tell them how great it is, then they'll do it.

[Michaelangelo]

Yeah. We hate the idea of a culture where the strong can just take from the weak whenever they want. There are a lot of cultures that think that's awesome. The weak get what's coming to them.

[Katie Green]

Is the only conceivable choice.

[Michaelangelo]

Right.

[Katie Green]

Like anything else is an interesting thought experiment if maybe you're stoned or something. But let's be realistic. The strong do what they will, the weak do what they must.

[Michaelangelo]

Okay, we had. I leave time for this. So Hansen, our executive producer, crafted an AI tune about Joe earlier in the show. We'll play a little of that for you.

[Katie Green]

Smash hit rocketing up the charts. Yeah.

[Michaelangelo]

And now he's crafted a song about me, which I have not heard and I'm not looking forward to that Is coming up next, Armstrong and Gettysburg.

[Joe Getty]

Colgate Total may make your favorite toothpaste, but it's also a science innovator committed to oral health. For instance, the Colgate Total Active Prevention System with a cutting edge toothbrush, refreshing antibacterial mouthwash, and a reformulated toothpaste With a technology so innovative it won the 2024 Edison Patent Award, the Colgate Total Active prevention system is 15 times more effective at reducing bacteria buildup to fight the root cause of oral health problems in six weeks starting from week one compared to a non antibacterial fluor toothpaste and flat trim toothbrush. Talk about science. Get the Colgate Total Active Prevention System today so you can be dentist ready. Shop now by visiting shop.colgate.com total.

[Jack Armstrong]

For some of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves, loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call home, and the causes we hold in our hearts. At Thrivent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind. Because even though our business is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much more. Thrivent, where money means more Connect with [e-mail] hi, I'm Cindy Crawford and I'm the founder of Meaningful Beauty. Well, I don't know about you, but like, I never liked being told, oh, wow, you look so good for your age. Like, why even bother saying that? Why don't you just say you look great at any age, Every age. That's what Meaningful Beauty is all about. We create products that make you feel confident in your skin at the age you are now. Meaningful Beauty. Beautiful skin at every age. Learn [e-mail].

[Katie Green]

Hey, everybody. So when you get asked, what is Odoo? What comes to mind? Well, I'll tell you. Odoo is a bit of everything. Odoo is a suite of business management software that some people say is like fertilizer because of the way it promotes growth. But, you know, some people also say that Odoo is like a magic beanstalk because it grows with your company and is also magically affordable.

[Hansen]

Ooh. But then again, you could look at Odoo in terms of how its individual software programs are a lot like building blocks. Whatever your business needs. Manufacturing, accounting, HR programs, you can build a custom software suite that's perfect for your company. So what is Odoo? Well, Odoo is a bit of everything. Odoo is a fertilizer magic beanstalk. Building blocks for business. Yeah, that's it.

[Katie Green]

Which means that Odoo is exactly what every business needs. Learn more and sign up [e-mail] that's o d o o dot com. At Amica Insurance, we know it's more than just a car or a house. It's the four wheels that get you where you're Going. And the four walls that welcome you home. When you combine auto and home insurance with Amica, we'll help protect it all. And the more you cover, the more you can save Amica. Empathy is our best policy.

[Michaelangelo]

Oh, my God. I just got my final thought from a CBS News headline I saw. Okay, that'll be my final thought. So earlier we were talking a and got on the topic of, like, songwriting, for one thing, because I. I asked Chat GPT a question about a song I was writing last night, which makes me feel horrible. I'll never do that again in my life. And I did not use the recommendation. But, like, what is the point? Any WHO executive producer Hansen decided to craft a few songs through AI and crafted one about Joe that goes something like this.

[Katie Green]

And you just crank this up a little bit. This is my favorite kind of music. He gets up every morning, tell me.

[Michaelangelo]

Whenever everybody dedicated grand parson his craft.

[Katie Green]

His hallmark is fairness. That's right. Everyone loves to hear him laugh. Let's all laugh. He's a master of metaphor and a.

[Michaelangelo]

Wordsmith supreme but don't ask him to.

[Joe Getty]

Work too hard that's right.

[Katie Green]

Cause of leisure he's the king.

[Michaelangelo]

There you go.

[Katie Green]

Another chorus. Come on, Joe Getty, Joe Getty.

[Michaelangelo]

Oh, that's great stuff.

[Katie Green]

Oh, man.

[Michaelangelo]

That could have been a hee haw.

[Katie Green]

Ah, beautiful.

[Michaelangelo]

So that was Joe's song, which earlier I have not heard. Anything we need to know about this answer. I went with a more contemporary feel. Okay. But I think the music is something that you'll dig.

[Katie Green]

All right. He's a true all American A patriot, a father gentleman he's well red he.

[Joe Getty]

Digs the stylish shoes you never finding.

[Katie Green]

Him drinking booze A family man, a hard working man he grew up in a heartland he's no fool he won't be fighting no bad boom but the whooping cough might get him Unless he stops eating that greasy food Jack Armstrong. Unless he starts eating that greasy. What was that line before the chorus about it? He knows better than to fight an ape Unless he stops eating that greasy food. Jack.

[Michaelangelo]

There you go. That is a very modern country song. Whooping cough might get him.

[Katie Green]

Wow. Hanson.

[Michaelangelo]

With one of the points being that, like, how long did that whole thing take you once you wrote the lyrics, which you could have had AI write the lyrics, but once you wrote the lyrics, how long did it take? That graph?

[Katie Green]

It was seconds, and it gave me two versions.

[Michaelangelo]

There's another version, but we like that one better. That is just amazing.

[Katie Green]

Yeah. And the irony, as we were chatting about earlier. So AI is going to free us up from having to work so we can write songs or whatever. What the hell's the point? The AI is doing that too.

[Michaelangelo]

Right.

[Katie Green]

Which will free us up to what? Grow tomatoes or.

[Michaelangelo]

Well, right. I. I was compelled by an emotional situation to want to write a song Yesterday, and then one, I'm going to have ChatGPT write it. The whole artistic expression thing is generally to. I mean, what are you doing?

[Katie Green]

You're letting it out, Right?

[Michaelangelo]

Right. Yeah. Hey, Chat GPT, could you ruminate on my life for a while while I scroll through Twitter?

[Katie Green]

You know, I've talked to people a lot through the years about. About, you know, why I bother writing and producing songs that, you know, few people will hear. It's because the process is so satisfying. You start with silence and you end up with a complete song and arrangement and everything. And. Sounds good, at least in my ears. And. And if that was just handed to you, well, then what the. What are we doing here?

[Michaelangelo]

Right? Or substitute writing. Same sort of thing. If ChatGPT can then, you know, fix your poem in a way that you can't, well, then what is the point?

[Katie Green]

Look what I wrote, kind of sort of, but I didn't.

[Michaelangelo]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Katie Green]

I got a bad feeling about this.

[Michaelangelo]

Yeah, well, so does that. That one book I read, which was deep and thorny. What was the name of that book I had for you earlier? Deep Utopia by Nick Bostrom. I mean, if you're really into this topic, he goes really deep on, and the meaning of mankind and how this could possibly disrupt it and how rough it's going to be if we don't need to work. He's assuming the sort of worst case scenario, although plenty of people think it's best case scenario, which I think you're nuts. The people out there who think best case scenario is AI can produce better than we ever could, will provide enough GDP, and we can all stay home and, you know, play the guitar and write poems and grow tomatoes.

[Katie Green]

Our only purpose will be pleasure. That'll be great, right?

[Michaelangelo]

There's no chance that works out.

[Katie Green]

Oh, speaking of great songs. Oh, yeah. Rock it.

[Michaelangelo]

Here's your host for final thoughts, Joe Getty.

[Katie Green]

So flaccid. Hey, let's get a final thought from everybody on the crew to wrap things up for the week. There he is, our technical director, Director Michelangelo Michael. Final thought. Well, I'm on my way to a college graduation and I'm going to be sitting on bleachers for several hours, so.

[Michaelangelo]

Outside. Outside, it's 102 today.

[Katie Green]

I know. We're gonna see how this goes.

[Michaelangelo]

Oh my God. People will literally be passing out.

[Katie Green]

Hi, Karamba. Wow. Katie Green is off this week. Can't wait till she's back on Monday. Jack, a final thought for us.

[Michaelangelo]

Speaking of graduations, the thing that made me so angry was I just saw the CBS headline about how the Harvard president speaking to the Harvard graduating class yesterday got a one minute standing ovation from the class for his blasting the Trump administration. No mention in the CBS News headline that Harvard finished last this previous year in terms of academic freedom by the people who ranked. That sort of thing. And their own report about themselves showed them to be discriminatory and anti Semitic. Semitic?

[Katie Green]

Yeah. No, that didn't. Well, they didn't have time to mention that in the news.

[Michaelangelo]

You're one minute standing ovation. What are you talking about?

[Katie Green]

My final thought. The claim that a normally reasonable, rational and pragmatic Putin with whom we can do business has suddenly become a different person and gone crazy is insane in itself. Putin is what he is and has always been.

[Michaelangelo]

Armstrong and Getty wrapping up another grueling four hour work workday.

[Katie Green]

So many people. Thanks. A little time. Go to armstrongygetty.com Great pleasures await you.

[Michaelangelo]

God bless America.

[Katie Green]

He's no fool. He won't be fighting no baboon. But the whooping call might get him. I get him. Unless he stops eating that greasy food. Jack Armstrong whooping cough. My ghetto, my ghetto. Unless he stops eating that greasy food. Jack Armstrong whooping cough My get him hot and unless he stops eating that grease.

[Joe Getty]

Colgate Total may make your favorite toothpaste, but it's also a science innovator committed to oral health. For instance, the Colgate Total active Prevention system with a cutting edge toothbrush, refreshing antibacterial mouthwash and a reformulated toothpaste. With a technology so innovative it won the 2024 Edison Patent Award, the Colgate Total Active prevention system is 15 times more effective at reducing bacteria buildup to fight the root cause of oral health problems in six weeks starting from week one. Compared to a non antibacterial fluoride toothpaste and flat trim toothbrush. Talk about science. Get the Colgate Total Active Prevention System today so you can be dentist ready shop now by visiting shop.colgate.com total.

[Jack Armstrong]

For some of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves. Loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call home and the causes we hold in our hearts. At thrivent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind, because even though our business is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much more Thrivent, where money means more Connect with [e-mail].

[Hansen]

You know, some people say that Odoo business management software is like fertilizer, the way it promotes growth and all. But other people say Odoo is like a magic beanstalk because it grows with your company and it's also magically affordable. And there's some people who would even say Odoo's individual software programs come together to build the perfect suite. Like building blocks. Well, Odoo is all of these things. Fertilizer, magic beanstalk, building blocks for business. So sign up [e-mail], o d o.

[Jack Armstrong]

Millions of people have turned to Claude, the AI assistant from Anthropic because it just feels different. Where other AIs often sound a little robotic, Claude has been designed with special research that informs its character, meaning that Claude just gets it when it comes to empathy and emotional intelligence. That's why Claude has become the if you know, you know choice for dating advice, career coaching, gathering your thoughts for those important life decisions, and more. Give Claude a try for free at Claude.com that's C-L-A-U--E.com and let us know how you feel the difference.

[Katie Green]

Did you know that parents rank financial literacy as the number one most difficult.

[Joe Getty]

Life skill to teach?

[Katie Green]

Meet Greenlight, the debit card and money app for families. With Greenlight, you can send money to.

[Joe Getty]

Kids quickly, set up chores Automate allows.

[Katie Green]

And keep an eye on what your kids are spending with real time notifications. Kids learn to earn, save and spend wisely, and parents can rest easy knowing their kids are learning about money with guardrails in place. Try Greenlight Risk free [e-mail] iheart this.

[Jack Armstrong]

Is an iheart podcast.