Armstrong & Getty On Demand: "This Cult Sucks!"

Podcast by iHeartPodcasts • September 15, 2025

Episode Overview

In this thought-provoking episode, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty dive deep into the psychological underpinnings of cult-like thinking—both in literal cults and in today's ideological echo chambers. Using the notorious "Seekers" UFO cult of the 1950s as a jumping-off point, the hosts explore why people cling to debunked beliefs, drawing connections between historical cults, conspiracy theories, cognitive dissonance, and radical political subcultures. The conversation is anchored in the recent assassination of controversial conservative figure Charlie Kirk and the surrounding political and cultural fallout, including the role of online communities, social identity, and reactions to the event across the media and social platforms.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Cult Mindset and Cognitive Dissonance

[06:01 – 14:36]

• The "Seekers" UFO Cult:
  Jack recounts the story of the Seekers, a 1950s cult convinced aliens would save them from a world-ending flood on a specific date. When the flood failed to materialize, most upped their commitment instead of abandoning the belief—rationalizing that their faith had saved the world.
  • Classic example of cognitive dissonance: holding contradictory beliefs (faith vs. reality) and the psychological need to resolve the discomfort, often by doubling down on belief.
• Rationalization vs. Repentance:
  Jack summarizes Festinger’s findings:

  "Over and over again the majority of people go with the rationalization. And one of the key aspects of that is that the new explanation is non-falsifiable, but it’s just less painful." (09:47)

• Analogy to Modern Conspiracy Theories:
  • Jack draws a parallel to QAnon and political enthusiasts of all stripes—moving goal posts and elaborate rationalizations when prophecies fail.
• Social Lock-In and Identity:
  • Being socially tied to the group is often stronger than the ideology itself; over time, the group’s beliefs become core to personal identity, making exit emotionally and interpersonally costly.
  • Jack:

    "At the point when the cult defines your identity and your sense of virtue and self worth, you’re deep in and it’s hard to escape." (11:08)

• Punishment for Defection:
  • Defying the group leads to social and psychological punishment, sometimes administered by the person who is now defecting.

2. Frameworks of Rationalization in Extremist Groups

[14:36 – 16:38]

• From Harmless Beliefs to Harmful Actions:

  • The hosts discuss why the more personally invested or culpable (i.e., the more you’ve done “in service” of a belief), the more people are motivated to rationalize further, even in the face of harm.
  • Jack notes:

    "When being in the cult or being convinced of its truth causes you to do terrible things, that makes your need to rationalize even stronger." (14:36)

• Contemporary Examples:

  • The discussion veers into fraught terrain: for example, parents approving medical procedures for their children based on certain ideological beliefs and how unbearably difficult it would be to later admit fault.

3. The Charlie Kirk Assassination & Online/Media Fallout

[20:34 – 43:15]

• The Crime & Suspect:

  • Breakdown of law enforcement’s pursuit of the alleged perpetrator, including how the father recognized his son from news images and urged him to turn himself in.

• Transgender & Ideological Connections:

  • Hosts discuss conjecture over the suspect’s roommate and romantic links to trans communities and whether this had any direct role in the killing, noting the surge of speculation on social media.
    • Jack:

      "I think it absolutely might play a role in the reason for killing the guy." (24:13)

• Online Radicalization:

  • Hosts examine the role of online ideological subcultures, echo chambers, and celebratory responses to the murder found on platforms like Blue Sky and Facebook.
  • Cites journalist Nellie Bowles’ critique of polarized media coverage and the New York Times obituary:

    “A man is murdered in public... and the paper of record decides that this must be the perfect moment to do some fact checking about hydroxychloroquine.” (31:22)

• Media Framing & Double Standards:

  • Differences in how right/left-wing activism and violence are described in mainstream outlets.
  • Observations about the New York Times' obituary labeling Kirk a "right wing provocateur" instead of activist (29:23).

• Social Media and Threats Against Journalists:

  • Mention of prominent journalists and opinion writers receiving threats; increased hostility deterring good people from public service (37:25).
  • Michael:

    "She gets death threats all the time. People send her pictures of her house with a bullseye over it. ... I could not get used to that." (37:47)

4. Societal Impact and The Cycle of Vilification

[34:59 – 43:15]

• Polarization & Political Violence:

  • Discussion of increasing political violence, normalization of vilification, and concerns that this trend will make politics and journalism even less attractive to well-intentioned people.
    • Jack:

      "This is going to accelerate that trend of good people not wanting to get into politics, which was already way down the road." (36:45)

  • Remarks on "the assassin's veto" replacing the "heckler's veto."
    • Michael:

      "It's the assassin's veto. Not good." (36:33)

• Comparative Reaction to Political Violence:

  • Jack shares a social media quote comparing leftist and rightist responses to violence:

    "When George Floyd died, they burned down cities. When Charlie Kirk died, we pray and host vigils. We are not the same." (42:43)

• Haters, Threats, and Social Media’s Role:

  • The panel reflects (both seriously and in jest) on the culture of online hate, the necessity of thick skin, and generational adaptation to online hostility.
    • Jack:

      "That person who posts something just horrible online, that's entirely about them. It's not about me at all. It's a pathetic, sad, angry person. I hope they get help." (40:38)

5. Light-hearted Closers & Crew Banter

[47:06 – 51:09]

• A palate cleanser with lighter anecdotes about neighborly gestures (Jack giving donuts), awkwardly charitable moments ("here, have my used tennis balls"), and dreams of opening a taco stand, providing a tonal shift from the heavy discussion.

• Classic Armstrong & Getty ironic wit in the "Final Thoughts" segment:

  • Jack:

    "It's Final Thoughts. Armstrong & Getty. Get ready with Katie Green and Michael Angelo. It's Final Thoughts. Armstrong & Getty." (48:44)

Notable Quotes

• On Rationalization

  • Jack Armstrong:

    "Over and over again the majority of people go with the rationalization. And one of the key aspects of that is that the new explanation is non-falsifiable, but it's just less painful." (09:47)

• On Social Identity and Cults

  • Jack Armstrong:

    "At the point when the cult defines your identity and your sense of virtue and self worth, you're deep in and it's hard to escape." (11:08)

• On Political Violence & Cultural Effects

  • Michael Angelo:

    "It's the assassin's veto. Not good." (36:33)

• On Media Double Standards

  • Jack Armstrong (citing Nellie Bowles):

    "A man is murdered in public in the middle of the day while practicing his First Amendment rights, and the paper of record decides that this must be the perfect moment to do some fact checking about hydroxychloroquine." (31:22)

• On Online Hate

  • Jack Armstrong:

    "That person who posts something just horrible online, that's entirely about them. It's not about me at all." (40:38)

• On Generational Perspective

  • Jack Armstrong:

    "It was my son who first said to me, dad, haters are going to hate. Don't worry about it. And I thought, oh, that's a bit of wisdom there." (40:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Why cult beliefs persist after being disproved: 06:01 – 14:36
• The role of identity and rationalization in cults and ideologies: 11:15 – 16:38
• Charlie Kirk shooting: suspect and socio-political context: 20:34 – 24:39
• Media and social reaction to assassination: 29:17 – 34:59
• Online hate and threat culture: 37:25 – 41:13
• Societal consequences, polarization, and final thoughts: 41:13 – 43:15
• Final banter and closing: 47:06 – 51:09

Tone and Style

• Candid, unsparing, and often wryly humorous—even when covering sensitive and controversial topics.
• Balances analysis of grim topics (political violence, cult thinking) with trademark irreverent humor and lighter off-topic asides.

Summary

Armstrong & Getty use the story of an infamous UFO cult to illuminate why people double down on debunked beliefs, with comparisons to modern political fanaticism and conspiracy movements. They connect these psychological tendencies to current events—the assassination of Charlie Kirk—discussing the interwoven dynamics of online echo chambers, identity, and media response. The hosts argue that partisans on all sides increasingly rationalize and escalate, making compromise rare and public life more fraught and dangerous. The episode closes with signature banter, offering listeners both incisive commentary and moments of levity amidst the cultural gloom.