Armstrong & Getty On Demand – “You Are Soft On Awfulness”

Date: February 12, 2026
Hosts: Jack Armstrong, Joe Getty, Michael
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this episode, Armstrong & Getty wade into the tumultuous headlines surrounding the ongoing fallout of the "Epstein files" in both the U.S. and U.K., the political theater involved, and media narratives. The hosts offer a skeptical look at the enduring conspiracy theories, highlighting evidence (or lack thereof) and media cynicism. After this extended segment, they pivot sharply to lighter and sometimes quirky discussions about pies at hardware stores, before tackling serious recent news of a Canadian school shooting involving a transgender perpetrator and broader commentary on gender transition and youth. Other topics touched on include Olympic scandals, anti-drone technology at airports, and odd dining experiences.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Epstein Files” Political Circus

• Pam Bondi Hearing (“Verbal Judo”) – The episode opens with clips and reenactments from an intense Congressional hearing featuring former AG Pam Bondi, who is grilled by Democrats about Epstein’s crimes and the government’s failure to prosecute key figures. The exchange quickly devolves into personal attacks and grandstanding (00:28–05:00).
• Both parties implicated:
  • Michael: “This information has been around for a very long time. Both parties have had the opportunity to take a look at this...when they controlled every branch of government and they didn't, for whatever reason.” (01:48)
  • Jack Armstrong: “I think the whole Epstein thing is a treasure map in which the treasure doesn't exist and both sides pretend the other side is intent on hiding the...reverse treasure which is...a scandal that will bring them down.” (02:53)
• Skepticism on Actual Scandal:
  • Citing a Barton Swaim piece from The Wall Street Journal, the hosts summarize how multiple federal investigations have found no evidence of a blackmail ring or trafficking conspiracy as often claimed. (06:47–11:55)
  • Michael: “They found no evidence in Epstein's residences and bank accounts of a trafficking ring or sex videos supposedly used for blackmail. This finding has the force of cogency...contradicting...the earlier conspiratorial claims.” (06:47)
• Why Conspiracies Persist:
  • Jack Armstrong: “The reason this keeps going the way it is is it's fuel for whatever fire you're intent on spreading. ...Again, the pot of gold is empty. All it is is Assorted Pervo and his networking.” (10:39)
• On the futility of further debate:
  • “If you're not satisfied by that, there is no satisfying you. And I'm through. I'm done with the discussion...There's no point in continuing this.” – Jack Armstrong (11:55)

2. Skeptical Take on Media Narratives

• Critique of sensationalist news coverage and partisan showmanship, as seen in the Epstein/Bondi hearing and continued speculation despite substantial investigative memos clearing widespread wrongdoing.
• Michael: “[Virginia Giuffre] just is unreliable as a witness...and she's all kinds of damage. That's how she ended up in that situation. And then taking advantage of what predators look for.” (08:55)
• Joe Getty: Remarks on anti-misinformation crusaders ignoring wild Epstein conspiracy claims made by both left and right (09:48).

3. Quick Pivots: Pies at Hardware Stores

• Suddenly shifting gears, the hosts share lighthearted amazement and bewilderment over the proliferation of homemade-style pies at Ace Hardware stores. This spirals into a string of jokes about hardware stores diversifying into baked goods, seafood boils at auto parts stores, and the concept of “impulse pie buyers.” (13:18–16:17)

4. Serious Topics: Gender, Trans Issues, and Mass Shootings

• Canadian School Shooting:
  • A tragic shooting incident in Tumbler Ridge, Canada, allegedly perpetrated by a transgender teenager with a long history of mental health issues. Discussion on rising cases where shooters have transgender identities, and whether media/national dialogue is avoiding obvious questions out of political correctness. (18:07–21:34)
  • New terminology: “gun person” replaces “gunman” on Canadian news broadcasts, leading to a brief aside on language and wokeness. (23:25–24:33)
• Youth Gender Transitions and Regret
  • The hosts read extensively from an opinion piece by Soren Eldako (Wall Street Journal), a young adult suing providers over gender transition procedures undertaken as a minor and their negative aftereffects, framing it as a warning about affirming approaches and coming malpractice lawsuits. (24:33–29:09)
  • Jack Armstrong: “You're mutilating confused adolescents with experimental sex change surgeries — yeah, sometimes they go terribly wrong. It's probably worth considering.” (24:33)

5. Olympic Drama: Love & Regret

• Coverage of Norwegian biathlete Sterla Holm Lagrid’s on-air Olympic apology for infidelity—a moment hosts deride as narcissistic and self-indulgent, dragging private heartbreak into public medal ceremonies. (31:02–31:53)
• Katie: “This is a narcissist at its finest. The love of my life. Then don't cheat on her. How about that?” (31:22)

6. El Paso Airport Anti-Drone Snafu

• Anecdote about the Trump administration’s Customs & Border Protection deploying an anti-drone laser and accidentally shutting down El Paso airport after shooting down a misidentified birthday balloon. The hosts riff on the chaos and lack of mature decision-making. (32:49–34:19)
• Jack Armstrong: “Anti-drone technology as it exists right now is really problematic around airports. And the evildoers probably know that.” (34:20)

7. Lighter Closer: Smelly Restaurant Mishap

• Michael describes dining at a new restaurant with his sons only to find the smell reminiscent of a porta-potty, ultimately attributing it to cultural differences in cuisine—ending the episode on an amused but perplexed note. (34:31–end)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Congressional Grandstanding:

  • Jack Armstrong: “You're a washed up loser lawyer. You're not even a lawyer.” (03:26)
  • Pam Bondi (as quoted): “You don't tell me.” (00:54; 03:43)

• On Fake Scandals & Media Fuel:

  • Jack Armstrong: “The reason this keeps going the way it is is it's fuel for whatever fire you're intent on spreading. ...Again, the pot of gold is empty.” (10:39)

• On Trying to Have Rational Dialogue:

  • Jack Armstrong: “If you're not satisfied by all that evidence from every direction...there is no satisfying you. ...I'm done with the discussion.” (11:55)

• On the Transgender Mass Shooter Media Blackout:

  • Jack Armstrong: “Let’s admit it, believing you’re the opposite of your biological sex is simply not a normal or neutral position. It’s quite likely often a sign of some kind of psychological distress…” (21:10)

• On Language Shifts:

  • Michael: “Our executive producer... picked up one broadcast in which they said the gun person, which was the first time any of us had ever heard that term, instead of gunman...” (23:25)

• On Gender Transitions in Youth:

  • Soren Eldako (reading her piece): “There’s no way to be born in the wrong body at all.” (27:49, paraphrased by hosts)

• Pie at the Hardware Store:

  • Michael: “Are they gonna start selling socket sets at the pie store now?” (14:17)
  • Jack Armstrong: “Impulse pie buyer. ...I'm not against it, I'm just flabbergasted by it.” (15:19)

• Airport Chaos:

  • Jack Armstrong: “...the Customs and Border Protection blasted this birthday balloon out of the sky, the FAA was so pissed off, they said, we're closing the airport in nearby airspace for 10 days. Which are maniacs. Yeah, yeah, yeah.” (33:57)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Epstein Files hearing, partisan posturing – 00:28–05:00
• Political/media criticism, Wall Street Journal excerpts – 06:47–11:55
• Pie at the Hardware Store segment – 13:18–16:17
• Canadian transgender shooter discussion – 18:07–21:34
• Youth de-transition lawsuit, broader gender dysphoria commentary – 24:33–29:09
• Olympic heartbreak confessional – 31:02–31:53
• El Paso airport/anti-drone laser incident – 32:49–34:19
• Stinky restaurant cultural mishap – 34:31–end

Tone & Style

• Tone: Sardonic, irreverent, quick-paced; a blend of skepticism, humor, outrage, and earnest concern—especially with hot-button social issues.
• Language: Reflects the hosts’ conversational, occasionally exasperated, and analytical style, swinging swiftly between serious news commentary, pop culture mockery, and personal anecdote.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a microcosm of Armstrong & Getty’s particular brand of news analysis and commentary: ambivalent toward both political parties’ grandstanding, contemptuous of unexamined conspiracy theories, and deeply skeptical of the media’s priorities. The episode mixes heavy news—political hearings, questions of justice and rumor— with offbeat humor (e.g., pies at hardware stores) and emotional topics (gender dysphoria, mass shootings). New listeners should expect quick pivots, unvarnished opinions, with both moments of real empathy and biting wit.