Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: "We Light Candles & Hold Hands"

Date: October 3, 2025
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty

Overview

In this episode, Armstrong & Getty dive into a characteristically wide-ranging discussion touching on current events, pop culture, artificial intelligence, media bias, and major industry news. The hosts set a lively, irreverent tone as they reflect on the government shutdown, the cultural and business phenomenon of Taylor Swift, the latest in artificial intelligence and its societal implications, and a seismic shakeup in legacy media with Bari Weiss’s move to CBS News. The episode is peppered with offbeat humor and candid skepticism about mainstream narratives, making for a show that’s both informative and entertaining for regular listeners and newcomers alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tone-Setting & General Manager Nominee (00:41–01:19)

• The hosts set their trademark sardonic mood, naming “Global Anti-Semites” as their tongue-in-cheek general manager. Armstrong shares his concern about increasing global anti-Semitism, noting, “Europe aflame with this sort of thing, people getting stabbed and run... our disaster.” [00:48]
• Getty tries to pivot, joking about the new Taylor Swift album also being a suitable general manager. The conversation shifts briskly between headlines and personal anecdotes, setting an eclectic pace for the episode.

2. The Taylor Swift Phenomenon (01:12–05:08; 13:35–14:38)

• A heartfelt analysis of Swift’s appeal transcends age and genre boundaries. The hosts note her uncanny ability to write songs that are deeply relatable for young women (and women well into their 30s), despite leading a life starkly different from her fans.
  • Quote: “Taylor Swift... can write songs that average teenage girls say, ‘That’s exactly what I’m feeling.’ That’s a talent right there.” – Getty [02:49]
• Interesting comparison with past music icons and the business acumen that sets Swift apart.
• Further banter in the segment with Katie Green, highlighting Swift’s dominance and contemporaneous mass engagement: “In the modern world of music, having music come out and you have people conversing about the songs within hours of its launch…” – Getty [13:56]

3. Government Shutdown – Media vs. Public Interest (05:08–07:07)

• The hosts lampoon media hysteria over the government shutdown, contending that, in reality, few Americans care.
  • Quote: “Get on a bus, go to a real town, sit in a diner, see how many people are talking about the government shutdown." – Getty [06:41]
• Satirical asides (“We form a circle, hold hands, and sing ‘We Shall Overcome’ during commercial breaks.” – Armstrong [05:53]) poke fun at the performativity of political theater.

4. Artificial Intelligence & Bubble Warning (07:07–12:27; 33:41–38:33)

• The episode features a deep dive into recent AI news, especially OpenAI’s soaring valuation ($500B) and questions about a looming tech bubble.
  • Discussion of so-called “Artificial Super Intelligence” (ASI) and its potentially existential risks.
  • Quote: “AI could treat us the way we treat ants when we build a building.” – Getty [10:50]
  • Armstrong interjects humor: “What if [superintelligent AIs] just obsess over tennis... and you can't play tennis anymore because there's robots on every court?” [12:03]
• Brief sidebar on AI-generated social networks and the oddities that arise from current AI training practices (e.g., watches always showing ‘10:10’ in generated images).

5. Media Landscape: Bari Weiss to CBS News (18:08–31:04)

• Breaking news: Bari Weiss appointed as Editor-in-Chief of CBS News, with CBS/Paramount acquiring her Free Press venture for $150 million.
  • Quote: “This could be a major moment in [the media’s leftward tilt] being rolled back. Where it ends, nobody knows. But it's intriguing.” – Getty [29:04]
• The hosts explore what this means for legacy media, the prospects (and challenges) of reforming CBS’s credibility, and the significance (or imminent irrelevance) of mainstream news outlets compared to emerging platforms.
• Discussion about the increasing separation between “bigfoot” media (with vast resources for international investigative reporting) and new media (Substacks, podcasts), underscoring the tension between reach and credibility.

6. News Headlines with Katie Green (Lead Story) (14:38–18:04)

• Major political, cultural, and oddball headlines:
  • Trump’s declaration of “war” with drug cartels; skepticism from Congress.
  • White House memo suggesting Democrats’ proposal for $200B health care spend for unauthorized immigrants.
  • Satirical or eyebrow-raising campus happenings (e.g., University of Delaware TV network controversy).
  • Dave Chappelle’s controversial statement: “I have more free speech in Saudi Arabia than in the United States.” – [16:30–17:03]
  • Research on aging, “Human mind actually peaks at age 60.”
  • Lighthearted story: “Egyptian wrestler pulls 700 ton ship with only his teeth.”
  • Babylon Bee parody: “Chimps honor Jane Goodall with 21 Pooh Salute.”

7. Media Bias, Censorship & Generational Divide (35:24–37:55)

• Listener email about the difficulty for high school students to access balanced or conservative viewpoints, especially using school-provided devices. Conservative sources were actively blocked while researching for a class.
  • Quote: “Google’s AI... never gave any actual information as to the Republican viewpoint. Instead, they mainly gave the Democratic viewpoint and then the Democrats’ view of what the Republicans think.” – Listener email, quoted by Armstrong [36:12]
• Armstrong and Getty reflect on the dangers of siloed media and the challenge of nuanced information-seeking in a polarized landscape.

8. Quick Hits & Lighter Notes (31:04–32:38)

• Sports: NFL and MLB recaps, including personal confessions about missed games and comical takes on umpiring errors.
• The running gag about AI encroachment in unexpected places (“That’s a good argument for the computers coming in, I guess.” – Armstrong [32:20]).
• Tease of further segments: campus culture wars, campus “madness updates,” and broader commentary on the state of education.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “But Taylor Swift, with her life [which] has got to be more different than practically any life on earth outside of like maybe Elon Musk and Mick Jagger, can write songs that average teenage girls say, 'That's exactly what I'm feeling.' That's a talent right there.” – Getty ([02:49])
• “You got people in masks outdoors alone in the blue areas of the country who still, in a weird way, worship Covid as their God.” – Armstrong ([08:12])
• “AI could treat us the way we treat ants when we build a building... we're just, you know, kind of an in the way afterthought.” – Getty ([10:50])
• “Get on a bus, go to a real town, sit in a diner, see how many people are talking about the government shutdown.” – Getty ([06:41])
• “This could be a major moment in [the media’s leftward tilt] being rolled back.” – Getty ([29:04])
• “In my opinion... CBS is completely irrelevant compared to the Free Press. And if it isn't true today, it will be in five years.” – Armstrong ([27:03])
• “Google’s AI... never gave any actual information as to the Republican viewpoint... [It] mainly gave the Democratic viewpoint and then the Democrats’ view of what the Republicans think.” – Listener email, quoted by Armstrong ([36:12])
• Humor and self-deprecation throughout, e.g., “Oh my God, I've given up trying to swim against these currents. I'm just going to float downstream and take in the scenery.” – Armstrong ([10:19])
• Sports banter: “If we lose all that and everybody and it's all just people alone in their apartments typing away, I don't know if that's the best thing.” – Armstrong ([30:10])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:41–01:19: Opening banter, “general manager” of the day
• 01:12–05:08: Taylor Swift album review and cultural impact
• 05:08–07:07: Government shutdown lampooned
• 07:07–12:27: OpenAI, AI bubble risk, ASI fears
• 13:35–14:38: Katie Green joins on Taylor Swift’s business phenomenon
• 14:38–18:04: "Lead Story" headline rundown with Katie Green
• 18:08–31:04: Bari Weiss/CBS News shakeup, legacy media vs. new media
• 31:04–32:38: NFL/MLB recaps; light banter
• 33:41–38:33: AI in media, censorship in schools, listener mailbag

Final Thoughts

The episode showcases Armstrong & Getty’s unique tone: skeptical, sharp-witted, and unafraid to blend serious topics with comic relief. Whether skewering political groupthink, marveling at pop culture phenomena, or breaking industry news, the show delivers fast-paced, context-rich commentary that gives listeners both news they can use and moments to chuckle over—candles, hand-holding, and all.