Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Episode: We Can Just Eat Your Misery
Date: January 29, 2026
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Overview
This episode covers the Armstrong & Getty show's signature blend of biting media criticism, analysis of current events (especially regarding recent protests, police shootings, immigration, and U.S. foreign policy), and comedic personal anecdotes. The hosts, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty, push back against political and ideological narratives in the media, discuss the challenges facing law enforcement and immigration authorities, and share stories that highlight both bureaucratic absurdities and the perils of social media culture. Special guest military analyst Mike Lyons provides an in-depth look at the risks and geopolitics of possible U.S. conflict with Iran.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Media "Red Meat" and Political Pandering
(00:14 - 02:47)
- Jack and Joe discuss how their show avoids “red meat” content—pandering solely to the audience’s biases.
- Jack critiques late-night comedy (Kimmel, Colbert, SNL) for embracing easy, politically-charged jokes that flatter their audience:
"You got an audience there of lefties and you throw out a 'Trump's dumb' and everybody claps... How do you sleep at night?" —Jack (01:19)
- They mock Michelle Obama’s statements about Black women “not being allowed to articulate their pain,” suggesting she has been widely platformed and compensated to share her experiences:
"Ma’am, I have literally never seen a clip of you talking in which you are not complaining." —Unnamed commenter cited by Jack (01:49)
2. Police Shooting of Alex Preddy and Media Narratives
(02:48 - 07:18)
- The hosts analyze ABC’s sympathetic portrayal of Alex Preddy, a Minneapolis nurse shot by federal agents, highlighting how media cherry-picks background facts to fit a particular narrative.
- They present recently surfaced video and reporting showing Preddy aggressively confronting officers, spitting, and kicking police vehicles while armed.
- Both hosts clarify they don’t believe this justifies Preddy’s shooting but criticize media omission of these facts:
"If it matters what kind of guy he was, now we’re telling you what kind of guy he also was." —Jack (04:47)
- Joe: "Your hobby is fighting cops in the streets." (05:32)
- They stress the dangers and legal implications of physically confronting police while armed.
3. Law Enforcement Challenges & Immigration Policy
(07:18 - 12:25)
- The conversation shifts to Tom Holman, now leading federal law enforcement efforts in Minnesota to manage protest-related unrest:
- Holman's credentials and bipartisan recognition are highlighted.
- Holman’s emphasis on practical cooperation with local law enforcement to handle dangerous non-citizens is featured:
"All we want is to talk to the person that local and state law enforcement authorities locked in a jail cell. They chose to lock this person up. That's who we want to talk to. The public safety threat... It's a bunch of crap, crap, crap." —Tom Holman (09:09)
- The ineffectiveness and dangers involved when local authorities refuse to cooperate are discussed.
- Getty underscores the necessity for balance—enforcing immigration laws while maintaining public and political support.
4. Public Opinion on Education and Political Trends
(11:49 - 12:25, 34:39 - 36:18)
- Joe shares polling data suggesting Democrats have lost their historical advantage as the “most trusted” on education; Republicans now lead in national trust polls.
- In the closing hour, they preview more polling showing public opinion is overwhelmingly against “progressive” policies like boys participating in girls’ sports.
5. Personal Story: Shipping Nightmares & Bureaucratic Indifference
(12:25 - 17:11)
- Jack tells his story of how FedEx lost his expensive luggage and the infuriating, unhelpful responses from both the shipper and the courier.
- Observations on the false sense of security provided by shipping insurance:
"If you can provide receipts... for everything in the bag... Maybe you're more organized than I am." —Jack (13:29) "Sir, let me make this clear to you. We took your money. Now we have your money. We're keeping your money. Click." —Joe (17:01)
- Listener tips include using AirTags and skepticism about purchasing shipping insurance.
- The title of the episode is referenced:
"We can just eat your misery." —Jack on shipping companies' attitude (16:04)
6. Foreign Policy & Risk of War with Iran (w/ Mike Lyons)
(17:19 – 30:16)
- Military analyst Mike Lyons joins to discuss escalating U.S.-Iran tensions.
- Iran’s missile capabilities and the risk of U.S. military escalation are detailed:
"Iran is the weakest they've ever been, but they're not completely defenseless... an estimated 2,000 mid-range ballistic missiles." —Jack (17:43)
- Lyons warns about "decapitation strike" strategies and the problem of lacking a post-strike plan:
"There's no military solution that's going to get regime change in Iran... As hard as it is for me to say that." —Mike Lyons (26:44) "As a superpower... there are some problems you don't fix, you just manage them." —Joe (26:44)
- Discussion of U.S. military innovation, mentioning “black projects” and cyber-warfare tools.
- China’s military capacities compared to the U.S. in creativity and innovation:
"China doesn't innovate anything, it just copies." —Mike Lyons (28:22)
- Emotional undertones as Jack notes Lyons probably has lost friends due to Iranian proxy violence, yet still opposes a war.
7. Culture, Social Media, and Real-World Consequences
(32:26 – 34:39)
- Viral story: Nurse fired for posting on social media about jabbing ICE agents with paralytics. Both hosts agree this is “not cancel culture,” but sensible:
"You've got a nut job working for you." —Jack (32:44)
- Broader point: Online outrage and “cosplay activism” lead to people underestimating real-world consequences.
- Joe ties it to experiences with listeners crossing lines online, police involvement, and the general delusion that online acts lack impact.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Media Pandering:
"How do you sleep at night? I mean, that's just so embarrassingly red meat. Easy." —Jack Armstrong (01:24) -
On Michelle Obama’s Comments:
"Ma’am, I have literally never seen a clip of you talking in which you are not complaining." —as relayed by Jack Armstrong (01:49) -
On Shipping Companies:
"Sir, let me make this clear to you. We took your money. Now we have your money. We're keeping your money. Click." —Joe Getty (17:01) -
On Approaching Police While Armed:
"You are playing a dangerous game." —Jack Armstrong (05:39) -
On Immigration Enforcement:
"It's a bunch of crap, crap, crap." —Tom Holman on sanctuary arguments (09:09) -
On the Limits of U.S. Power:
"There are some problems you don't fix, you just manage them." —Joe Getty (26:44) -
On Corporate Apathy:
"We can just eat your misery." —Jack Armstrong on the attitude of shippers/insurers (16:04)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Media Pandering & Michelle Obama commentary: 00:14 – 02:47
- Police Shooting / Alex Preddy narrative: 02:48 – 07:18
- Tom Holman on law enforcement & immigration: 07:18 – 12:25
- Polling: Republicans trusted more on education: 11:49 – 12:25
- Shipping Fiasco & the limits of “insurance”: 12:25 – 17:11
- Mike Lyons on Iran, military innovation, and U.S. strategy: 17:19 – 30:16
- Nurse fired for TikTok threats & social media consequences: 32:26 – 34:39
- Polling on education/social issues wrap-up: 34:39 – 36:18
Tone and Style
The episode features Armstrong & Getty’s trademark irreverence, directness, and skepticism—especially toward mainstream narratives, bureaucracy, and the culture of online outrage. Jokes, analogies, and sarcasm proliferate, but the discussion is substantive, especially in the segments with expert guest Mike Lyons.
For New Listeners
This summary captures the main arc of the episode: a skeptical look at media narratives, the complex realities underlying current protest and law enforcement controversies, first-hand stories of bureaucracy-gone-mad, and a sobering expert analysis of U.S.-Iran tensions—all leavened with humor and bluntness. If you appreciate critical, funny, and sometimes contrarian takes on the news, plus serious policy discussion, this episode is representative Armstrong & Getty.