Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: "This Isn't a Petting Zoo!"
Date: November 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lighthearted episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand, the hosts and regular contributors dive into the unexpectedly hilarious and often awkward social encounters that come with pregnancy, personal boundaries, and the quirks of human interaction. The discussion is spurred by Katie's recent experiences while expecting, leading to a candid conversation about unsolicited touching, intrusive questions, and the bewildering behavior people display around pregnant women. The episode balances humor with genuine reflection on social etiquette, peppered with witty banter and memorable personal anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Dangers of Pregnancy Comments

• Embarrassing Moments: A host recounts an unfortunate college experience where he commented on a fellow performer looking pregnant, only to find out she wasn’t wearing a pregnancy pillow yet.
  • Quote: “Wow, you really look pregnant.”
    • Response: “I haven’t put the pillow in yet.”
  • (03:52 – 04:17)
• Lesson: Sometimes, mistakes lead to lasting embarrassment, with the host admitting, "There's no coming back from that." (04:26)

2. Pets and Petting Zoos – The Inspiration for the Title

• Dogs with Too Much Attention: One contributor notes how the family dog, Baxter, has gotten used to constant attention from contractors working in the house. As the house empties post-renovation, he’ll likely feel “so down” and “need extra walks.” (05:05 – 06:05)
• Pug Problems: Another tells of owning a mostly blind pug who barks at its own owner, prompting daily explanations: “It’s me. I live here. I pay the rent. My name's on the deed. Stop barking at me.” (06:15)

3. Katie’s Pregnancy: “This Is Not a Petting Zoo!”

• Unsolicited Touching: Katie describes the awkwardness of acquaintances—and even quasi-friends—touching her belly and hair without permission.
  • Quote (Katie, 08:12): “Barb, I’m not an animal at a petting zoo, okay? I totally flashed on her.”
• No Filter: The offenders often ask intrusive questions (“Is your belly popping yet?”), and one even starts touching her hair, escalating the discomfort. (06:35–08:57)
• Memorable Analogy: The hosts joke about the checklist of inappropriate progressions: belly rub, hair touch, “Oil check is next. Where is she going with this?” (08:51)
• Dealing with Future Incidents: Katie’s solution: “If I even see a remote reach, I’m gonna be like, wax on, wax off, you know?” (09:14)

4. Why Do People Think This Is Okay?

• The “Sisterhood” Excuse: The team speculates that some women justify this behavior as part of a “club” of shared experience, losing sight of boundaries.
  • Quote: “She believes you are now part of the same club of having performed the miracle of creating life.” (Pregnancy Commentator, 10:05)
• Double Standards: Even mothers who disliked being touched seem oblivious when they do it to others (10:25–10:43).

5. Classic Pregnancy Comments and Reactions

• You Look Tired: Katie vents about being told she looks tired. “Thank you so much.” (11:00–11:42)
• Body Commentary: Jokes about how the next step will be people checking her breast size, or speaking directly to her stomach.
  • Quote: “Somebody’s going to come up to your stomach and they’re going to start talking to it…” (Pregnancy Commentator, 11:52)
  • Katie: “They’re going to catch a knee to the chin.” (11:55)
• Terminology Pedantry: The group jokes about using “abdomen” instead of “stomach," since “if the baby was in the stomach, it would be digested.” (12:04)

6. Humor in the Face of Irritation

• Shared Frustration: The hosts swap stories about people referring to “eating the baby,” reflecting on the absurdity of common pregnancy comments.
• Closure: By the end, the conversation winds down with everyone recognizing how laughter helps process the awkwardness and irritation these situations inevitably provoke.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mortifying Comments:
  “You really look pregnant.”

  • “I haven’t put the pillow in yet.”
    — Pregnancy Storyteller and woman, (03:52 – 04:17)

• On Personal Boundaries:
  “Barb, I’m not an animal at a petting zoo, okay? I totally flashed on her.”
  — Katie, (08:12)

• On the ‘Sisterhood’ Mindset:
  “She believes you are now part of the same club of having performed the miracle of creating life.”
  — Pregnancy Commentator, (10:05)

• On Unsolicited Belly Touching:
  “If I even see a remote reach, I’m gonna be like, wax on, wax off, you know?”
  — Katie, (09:14)

• On the Dangers of Baby Talk:
  “Somebody’s going to come up to your stomach and they’re going to start talking to it…”
  — Pregnancy Commentator, (11:52)
  “They’re going to catch a knee to the chin.”
  — Katie, (11:55)

• Pedantic but Funny:
  “If the baby was in the stomach, it would be digested.”
  — Pregnancy Commentator, (12:04)

Segment Timestamps

• [03:08] – Episode begins with Katie's remark: "Ma'am, this is not a petting zoo. It's one more thing."
• [03:36 – 04:31] – Mortifying story about a mistaken pregnancy comment.
• [05:05 – 06:05] – Dogs and humans: Unusual petting and attention.
• [06:35 – 09:14] – Katie’s litany of pregnancy intrusions: from belly rubs to unwanted hair checks.
• [09:14 – 10:49] – Group analysis of why people behave this way; the “sisterhood” rationale.
• [11:00 – 12:16] – Discussion of other irritating comments (“you look tired,” “boobs have gotten huge”); anticipating more as pregnancy progresses.
• [12:16 – 12:37] – Closing with jokes over typical pregnancy misunderstandings.

Tone & Style

• Casual, wry, and self-deprecating humor.
• Conversations flow conversationally—banter, laughter, and improvised jokes.
• Hosts and contributors openly share personal anecdotes and vent with comedic flair.

Takeaways

This episode is a playful-yet-pointed look at the often-overlooked social boundary issues pregnant people face, all delivered with the trademark Armstrong & Getty irreverence.
Perfect for listeners who enjoy real talk, comedic storytelling, and social commentary—all with a side of empathy.