Armstrong & Getty On Demand – Episode: "To Be Honest, I Hate Your Dishonesty"

Release Date: July 28, 2025

In this engaging episode of the Armstrong & Getty On Demand podcast, hosted by iHeartPodcasts, Armstrong, Getty, and Jack delve into the intricate dynamics of honesty within romantic relationships. Titled "To Be Honest, I Hate Your Dishonesty," the episode explores the profound impact that genuine honesty can have on relationship satisfaction and emotional well-being, backed by recent psychological research.

1. Opening Discussion: Arrest on a Plane

The episode kicks off with a brief yet riveting narrative shared by Armstrong regarding a startling incident involving a pilot's arrest upon landing in San Francisco.

• Armstrong (01:19): “Plane lands in San Francisco. As soon as it lands, federal agents rush into the plane and grab one of the pilots and take him off in cuffs... waiting for him to land in the United States.”

Jack and Getty express their astonishment and analyze the scenario humorously, highlighting the unexpectedness of such an arrest occurring right in front of passengers.

• Getty (01:59): “I guess it's kind of odd they did that in front of the passenger.”

• Jack (02:07): “That's pretty good. Santa plane. Yeah. I can't think of any better place to arrest somebody though.”

This segment serves as a light-hearted introduction before transitioning into the main topic.

2. The Power of Honesty in Relationships

Jack introduces the central theme of the episode by referencing a study from the University of Rochester that underscores the benefits of brutal honesty between partners.

• Jack (03:29): “So your relationship can handle way more honesty than you think it can. As I often respond, how do you know what I think? In a new study from the University of Rochester... being brutally honest with your partner benefits both of you even if things get uncomfortable.”

Armstrong expresses curiosity mixed with skepticism, pondering the practical applications of such honesty.

• Armstrong (03:47): “I can't wait to hear the examples... Maybe they’re going to say that you should tell them you look fat as a hog in that.”

Jack elaborates on the study's methodology, providing a comprehensive overview of how honesty was measured and its effects analyzed.

3. Study Methodology and Findings

Jack meticulously breaks down the research process, ensuring listeners grasp the validity and implications of the findings.

• Jack (04:09): “Researchers brought these couples into a laboratory and began jabbing them with sharp sticks... had them discuss something one partner wanted the other to change, the kind of conversation most people dread having.”

He explains that couples privately wrote down their desired changes before discussing them openly, allowing researchers to assess the level of honesty based on the alignment between private thoughts and spoken words.

• Jack (06:19): “Now they brought the couples into the lab, had them discuss something... then researchers compared what people wrote in private to what they actually said out loud during the recorded conversations.”

The study revealed that honesty led to immediate improvements in emotional well-being and relationship satisfaction, even if the partners perceived the conversations differently.

• Jack (07:13): “When people were more honest about requesting changes from their partners, both people in the relationship reported better emotional well-being and higher relationship satisfaction immediately after the conversation.”

4. Practical Examples and Personal Anecdotes

To illustrate the study's findings, Armstrong and Getty share humorous and relatable scenarios, enhancing the discussion's relatability.

• Armstrong (08:35): “If somebody told me that just be, oh, well, I need to change things. I need a brush, I need to get a mint... But I wouldn't be personally hurt, really.”

Jack supports this with a more serious example related to sexual intimacy, emphasizing that honest conversations can address deeper issues constructively.

• Jack (09:29): “It could be a sexual thing... people could put it in a more gentle way, but it could certainly be something like that.”

Getty adds a touch of humor while reinforcing the importance of moral honesty.

• Getty (08:46): “That's more like moral. The honesty aspect of it, like just coming out and saying what you feel.”

5. Long-Term Benefits of Honesty

The hosts discuss the study's longitudinal aspect, highlighting that the benefits of honesty extend beyond immediate emotional boosts.

• Jack (09:16): “Researchers found that the couples did not need to share the same reality about the conversation for both people to benefit from it. What mattered more was that people were actually being honest and that their partners perceived them as honest.”

Three months post-discussion, couples who practiced honesty continued to report enhanced emotional well-being and observed positive changes in their partners.

• Jack (10:15): “Three months later, many benefits persisted. People who had been more honest during the initial discussion reported better emotional well-being and were more likely to see positive changes in their partners over time.”

This enduring impact underscores honesty's foundational role in fostering healthy and resilient relationships.

6. Conclusion: Embracing Honesty

Wrapping up, Armstrong and Getty reiterate the significance of honesty, encouraging listeners to integrate these findings into their own relationships for lasting benefits.

• Jack (09:29): “It could be a sexual thing... honesty proved beneficial.”

• Getty (10:43): “That's what you're like. Wow. So perfect.”

Their blend of humor and insightful analysis offers a balanced perspective, making the episode both entertaining and enlightening.

Notable Quotes:

• Jack (03:29): “Being brutally honest with your partner benefits both of you even if things get uncomfortable.”

• Armstrong (07:51): “Sometimes you just gotta take a step back so they can't hit you and say an uncomfortable thing.”

• Jack (07:46): “What mattered more was that people were actually being honest and that their partners perceived them as honest.”

• Jack (10:15): “Three months later, many benefits persisted.”

Final Thoughts

"To Be Honest, I Hate Your Dishonesty" offers a compelling exploration of how honesty, even when uncomfortable, can strengthen romantic bonds. Through a blend of scientific research, personal anecdotes, and witty banter, Armstrong and Getty provide listeners with actionable insights into fostering more genuine and fulfilling relationships. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to enhance their interpersonal connections through the power of honesty.