Armstrong & Getty On Demand – "Try Planting a Lawn" (March 19, 2026)

Podcast by iHeartPodcasts
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the hosts’ skeptical (and often sardonic) examination of California’s latest infrastructure oddity: the $100M+ Wallace Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, jokingly dubbed the “Butterfly Bridge.” Armstrong & Getty dissect the motivations, spiraling costs, and logic behind the project, expanding into broader critiques of government boondoggles and California’s climate/energy policies. The latter portion pivots to global conflict commentary, particularly the Iran war escalation and its worldwide reverberations. Rounding out the hour: a lighthearted analysis of viral CEO “eating the food” videos, including a close look at the Costco hot dog tradition.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Butterfly Bridge Boondoggle

[03:34–12:37, 43:08–44:28]

• Project Background:

  • The state of California is building a massive vegetated overpass (the Wallace Annenberg Wildlife Crossing/Liberty Canyon Wildlife Crossing) across the 101 freeway to connect habitats and prevent roadkill.
  • “It’s about an acre. The overpass is an acre. If you can picture an acre, it’s pretty damn big, making it the world’s largest wildlife crossing. You know why? Because nobody else has done this dumb idea…” – Jack Armstrong [05:44]

• Cost Overruns and Skepticism:

  • Started with $54 million in public funding, now ballooned to ~$114 million due to inflation, tariffs, and other “unexpected” costs.
  • “The total cost has risen to about $114 million with $21 million in overruns and increasing state funding. But that’s always the so far.” – Jack Armstrong [08:07]
  • The hosts mock the idea that animals will "understand" the bridge and use it:
    • “Now, you see, because we’re animals and we understand roads and the dangers of roads, so we wouldn’t try to pass here when we know—word of mouth or beak—that there’s an overpass down there. I mean, the whole concept is so silly.” – Jack Armstrong [10:18]
  • Getty riffs about cougars needing “Chardonnay stations” on the bridge [04:43], and they lampoon the inclusion of butterflies and other fliers as supposed “beneficiaries.”

• “Jobs Program” and Do-Gooder Critique:

  • A seed scout for the project waxes poetic about the “sacred solitude” of gathering native seeds; the hosts sardonically call this the “poet job,” taxpayer-funded with suspect value.
    • “So somebody told this poet dreamer, we’re going to give you a salary to go roam the mountains and hunt for seeds … like she’d won the lottery. Because she did.” – Jack Armstrong [09:43]
  • “It’s a money spigot for cronies. That’s what it is. Every project, never mind what they call it, it's a money spigot.” – Joe Getty [08:22]

• Memorable Satirical Quotes:

  • “The lizard carnage has been unspeakable.” – Joe Getty [08:54]
  • “Didn’t you read the animal newsletter, Jim? There’s an overpass.” – Joe Getty [10:15]
  • “It’s a land bridge for animals that fly. Oh boy.” – Joe Getty [12:31]
  • “Makes the bullet train seem like cancer research in terms of spending taxpayer dollars.” – Jack Armstrong [43:45]

2. Gavin Newsom and California's Climate Alarmism

[16:55–23:43]

• Media & Political Spin:

  • The hosts lampoon NY Times for blaming LA’s restaurant woes on “existential threats” like climate change while ignoring crime, high wages, and regulatory costs.
    • “It’s like a cult. … No, it’s climate change that’s making it tough to run a restaurant in LA. Unbelievable.” – Joe Getty [17:45]

• Debunking Climate Narratives:

  • Relaying analysis by Bjorn Lomborg, Armstrong & Getty challenge Newsom’s climate change rhetoric:

    • Newsom claims repealing certain federal climate policies will “trigger more deadly wildfires and more extreme heat deaths.”
    • In fact, data show minor heat deaths (90 over decades) are far offset by reduced cold-related deaths (5,000/year).
      • “By more than 5,000 a year. My God.” – Jack Armstrong [19:27]

  • Global satellite data reveal that, contrary to alarmist messaging, the proportion of land burned by wildfire has dropped >25% over 25 years.

    • “The interesting thing about climate change, especially at this point, is … we have plenty of facts and figures to refute it with, like you’re just doing. But nobody ever gets into those.” – Jack Armstrong [21:08]

  • The hosts note a recurring political pattern: cherry-picking inconvenient truths and ignoring broader contexts.

3. War in Iran – Escalation & Geopolitics

[27:06–39:27]

• Latest Developments:

  • Iran’s missile barrages on regional capitals and ongoing tit-for-tat with Israel.
  • U.S. (per Pete Hegseth): 7,000+ targets struck in Iran, with “overwhelming force.”
  • Stakes rise as European and East Asian partners (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Japan) issue joint statements to keep Strait of Hormuz open.
  • There’s speculation about China using the distraction to act on Taiwan; hosts discuss the potential global chip crisis and economic impacts.

• Candid Military Assessment & Quotes:

  • “Just as the Gulf foreign ministers … were gathering in Riyadh, the heaviest ballistic missile barrages on the capital since the war began. Yeah, Iran upped its game yesterday.” – Jack Armstrong [27:06]
  • “If China moved on Taiwan, that would cause a brutal worldwide chip shortage and probably a global recession bordering on depression, which would be devastating to China right now. So I don’t think they dare do it.” – Joe Getty [30:05]

• On Israel’s Role & U.S. Decision-Making:

  • Debunking conspiracies that Israel “got us into” the Iran war:
    • “Netanyahu has been pushing for an Iran war with every American president for many decades. Doesn’t make Israel responsible for a decision made solely by the US Commander in Chief.” – Jack Armstrong, quoting Ian Bremmer [32:26]
  • The hosts debate strategic motivation and whether regional attacks are just a push to escalate energy prices.

• Armchair Strategy & Realpolitik:

  • “In life, there are many things that go very, very well that are still extremely difficult. Building a career, raising a kid, that sort of thing. … Even if this effort continues to go quite well from virtually any vantage point, it could still be incredibly difficult.” – Joe Getty [34:36]
  • Observations that despite “9,000 targets” struck, Iran retains offensive capacity—indicating the messiness of real-world warfare.

4. Lighter Segment: CEO Food Viral Videos & The Costco Hot Dog

[44:28–45:56]

• The New CEO Trend:

  • Following a viral video of the McDonald’s CEO eating a burger, the CEO of Costco does his (more genuine) version with the legendary Costco hot dog.
    • “He kind of looks like a regular guy, a little fat really, actually enjoying his Costco hot dog the way I enjoy them as opposed to the McDonald's guy who had just reeked of, 'you've never eaten a burger at McDonald's, have you?’” – Jack Armstrong [45:10]
  • Armstrong & Getty contrast the authenticity (or lack thereof) in these marketing attempts.

• Signature Moment:

  • “Hot dog price will not change as long as I’m around.” – Costco CEO, via Jack Armstrong [45:01]
  • “Give me some onions.” – Joe Getty [45:56]

5. Final Thoughts & Wrap-up

[46:03–47:54]

• Light banter & reflections:
  • Re-hashing comedic horror at the butterfly bridge.
  • Humorous confessions about mustard spills at Costco.
  • Sarcastic speculation about Markwayne Mullin's future as DHS Secretary and anticipated congressional drama; jab at Rand Paul’s committee chairmanship.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “It’s a giant overpass that they’re gonna grow stuff on.” – Jack Armstrong [03:43]
• “It’s a money spigot for cronies. That’s what it is. Every project, never mind what they call it, it's a money spigot.” – Joe Getty [08:22]
• “You ever try to plant a lawn? Just spread out some dirt, and you’ll have all the native plants you can use within about two weeks.” – Joe Getty [09:31]
• “Now, you see, because we’re animals and we understand roads and the dangers of roads… I mean, the whole concept is so silly.” – Jack Armstrong [10:18]
• “The lizard carnage has been unspeakable.” – Joe Getty [08:54]
• “Makes the bullet train seem like cancer research in terms of spending taxpayer dollars.” – Jack Armstrong [43:45]
• “California governor vows to sue the feds... declaring carbon dioxide a pollutant, in essence is what it did. Mr. Newsom claims the reversal will trigger more deadly wildfires and more extreme heat deaths.” – Joe Getty [18:21]
• “By more than 5,000 a year. My God.” – Jack Armstrong [19:27]
• “You're just going to punch everybody in the face.” – Joe Getty [33:50]
• “History is going to judge Pete Hegseth completely based on how this war turns out and maybe Donald Trump, even…” – Jack Armstrong [38:15]

Important Timestamps

• 03:34 – Initial dive into the Butterfly Bridge and its budget issues.
• 08:07 – Discussion of cost overruns, skepticism of wildlife usage.
• 09:31 – Seed-collecting “dream job” satirized.
• 16:55 – Pivot to climate change narratives and Newsom’s rhetoric.
• 27:06 – Update on Iran conflict escalation, international response.
• 34:36 – Realpolitik reflections on war complexity.
• 44:28 – CEO-culture segment, Costco hot dog authenticity.
• 46:03 – Final thoughts and episode wrap-up.

Tone & Style

Armstrong & Getty’s treatment is brisk, satirical, and occasionally biting, blending statistical debunkery with deadpan, semi-absurdist humor. The hour is packed with government skepticism, barbed critiques of “do-gooder” culture, and a thread of world-weary sarcasm, all punctuated by earnest concern over taxpayer waste and real-world policy impacts.

Perfect for listeners seeking:

• A critical and comedic take on California politics, infrastructure, and climate debate
• Insights into the intersection of local government follies and broader geopolitical challenges
• Cultural commentary on viral trends, with a populist, relatable touch

Episode title reference: “Try Planting a Lawn” – an ongoing riff on the impractical, overcomplicated approaches to natural restoration vs. just letting nature do its thing.