Armstrong & Getty On Demand — “You're A Slut For Baked Goods”
Episode Date: October 23, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Episode Overview
This episode covers several hot-button news stories with Armstrong & Getty’s trademark mix of sharp wit and direct analysis. Major topics include Trump’s new Russia sanctions and his foreign policy approach, an NBA gambling scandal involving mafia ties, declining transgender identification among teens and the politics of trans athletes in sports, and a thought-provoking discussion on snobbery versus enthusiasm in media and culture. The hosts mix news commentary, humor, and debate, making the episode engaging for listeners looking for news analysis and a dose of personality.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump’s Russia Policy & Sanctions
[01:02–07:41]
- Trump Cancels Putin Meeting:
- Trump canceled a planned meeting with President Putin, expressing it “just didn’t feel right,” leaving open the possibility for future talks. [01:02]
- Major Oil Sanctions:
- Armstrong & Getty break down Trump’s move to sanction Russia’s two largest oil companies—stepping up pressure despite previous hesitancy and criticisms that he was “Putin’s stooge.”
- Joe Getty notes: “This is the most uncovered major story of the current news cycle... serious pressure on Putin economically to come to the table and end the war.” [01:48]
- Debate Over Trump's Motives:
- Jack Armstrong expresses frustration at Trump’s seemingly slow realization of Putin’s true nature.
- Armstrong: “The thing that bothers me is not that Trump is Putin's stooge, but that he's been inexplicably slow in waking up to who Putin is.” [03:15]
- Joe Getty suggests Trump’s approach may be psychological—trying to “presume closeness” with Putin.
- Jack Armstrong expresses frustration at Trump’s seemingly slow realization of Putin’s true nature.
- Ukraine Aid & Weaponry:
- Discussion that the US is allowing Ukraine new, longer-range missile capabilities (excluding Tomahawks, which require extensive training and are logistically challenging). [04:07–05:08]
- Sen. Markwayne Mullin's Take:
- The only way to bring Putin to the table is to hit the economy hard: “If you start damaging their economy even farther, I believe this is what will bring Putin to the table.” [05:43]
2. Russian Losses and Ukraine War Impact
[06:23–08:15]
- Hosts highlight the staggering Russian losses (“they lose as many guys in a month as they lost during their 10 years in Afghanistan” [06:23]) and the borderline “suicidal” nature of Russia’s invasion, suggesting it may become a historical turning point.
- Memorable Moment: A comic aside about Putin—“he scored six goals against NHL players”—showcases the hosts’ ability to inject humor when discussing grim topics. [08:15]
3. NBA Gambling & Mafia Scandal
[09:02–11:50], [21:06–27:37]
- Scandal Details:
- Major FBI bust: 31 arrests (including coaching staff and players) exposed an NBA gambling ring with mafia ties.
- Chauncey Billups, Portland Trailblazers head coach, is arrested; connections detailed with illegal poker games, inside information for betting, and “face cards” used to lure high-value “fish” (victims).
- Game Rigging & Celebrity Lure:
- U.S. Atty. Joseph Nacella explains:
- “The scheme targeted victims known as ‘fish’... lured to play alongside former professional athletes known as ‘face cards’... what the victims didn’t know is everyone else at the poker game... was in on the scam.” [24:04]
- Some victims lost upwards of $1.8 million individually, over $7 million collectively. [26:42]
- U.S. Atty. Joseph Nacella explains:
- Addiction Discussion:
- Joe Getty reflects on the psychology of gambling addicts, referencing Norm MacDonald’s insights: “It’s that feeling between the bet and the result, that is the... tickles your fancy in a way that doesn’t tickle other people’s fancy.” [27:41]
- Cultural Commentary:
- Armstrong & Getty ponder why highly paid NBA people would risk everything, pointing to gambling addiction overpowering rational financial sense.
4. Transgender Athletes & Cultural Shifts
[08:42–19:00]
- Decline in Transgender Identification:
- Armstrong: “The number of teenagers identifying as transgender is in free fall... been cut in half in two years.” [13:46]
- Trans Athlete Case:
- Discussion of a California high school “storied transgender athlete” (AB Hernandez) who excelled in multiple girls' sports, sparking lawsuits and debate over fairness.
- The hosts criticize the continued support for biological males in girls’ sports in the state legislature.
- Armstrong, sarcastically: “…every single Democrat in California voted in favor of boys beating the crap out of girls in girls sports.” [17:13]
- Social Contagion & Parallels:
- Jack and Joe draw parallels to past social contagions like anorexia and “recovered memories.”
- They mock woke culture’s tendency to label opponents “transphobes” or compare them to Nazis, referencing an Assembly member’s remarks.
5. Snobbery vs. Enthusiasm in Culture & Media
[31:32–36:49]
- Armstrong reads from a Kevin Williamson piece, distinguishing snobs (who care about others’ tastes to feel superior) from true enthusiasts (who simply enjoy what they enjoy).
- “A critic is interested in music. A snob is interested in what his choice of music says about him.” [34:14]
- Insightful Point: Snobbery, rather than informed enthusiasm, has come to dominate much modern journalism and cultural criticism—leading to incuriosity and superficiality.
6. Comic Moments & Show’s Tone
- Regular interplay of humor and self-deprecation, e.g., Armstrong’s crack about being a wine enthusiast, or the closing baked-goods confessions (“I once cheated at Yahtzee to get some baked goods from my brother.” — Michael [38:39]).
- Hosts poke fun at themselves and the personalities in the news (Putin as a “lucky guy,” trans debates in California, and the music tastes of random party guests).
- Final Thoughts encourage listeners to “be an enthusiast, not a snob.” [39:41]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Trump’s Sanctions:
- “Anybody who thinks that says Trump is a stooge of Putin is just going with a tired, too stupid story because these are very serious sanctions.” — Joe Getty [02:55]
- On Putin’s Mentality:
- “He has a megalomaniac’s goal to restore the glory of the Soviet empire.” — Jack Armstrong [05:20]
- On Gambling Addiction:
- “It’s that feeling between the bet and the result…that’s why you do it…the winning and then you got to get onto your next thing.” — Joe Getty, referencing Norm MacDonald [27:41]
- On Snobbery & Journalism:
- “A critic is interested in music. A snob is interested in what his choice of music says about him.” — Kevin Williamson (read by Jack Armstrong) [34:14]
- On the Trans Athlete Debate:
- “Every single Democrat in California voted in favor of boys beating the crap out of girls in girls sports.” — Jack Armstrong [17:13]
- On Being an Enthusiast:
- “Be an enthusiast, not a snob.” — Jack Armstrong [39:41]
Key Timestamps for Segments
- Trump & Russia Sanctions: 01:02 – 07:41
- Putin, Russian Losses: 06:23 – 08:15
- NBA Gambling Scandal Intro: 09:02 – 11:50
- Trans Athlete & Social Contagion Discussion: 13:46 – 19:00
- NBA Scandal Explainer & Law Enforcement: 21:06 – 27:37
- Gambling Psychology, Addiction: 27:37 – 29:45
- Snobbery in Culture & Media: 31:32 – 36:49
- End-of-show Musings & Baked Goods: 38:39 – 39:41
Summary
Armstrong & Getty break down hard news and cultural trends with equal parts analysis and irreverence. This episode covers Trump’s new hardline on Russia, unpacks the complex (and shady) NBA gambling scandal, dives into the cultural debate over trans athletes as the political winds shift, and finishes with a fun yet incisive discussion about what makes someone a snob versus an enthusiast. True to form, the show is peppered with alive banter, pointed critiques, and moments that make you both think and laugh.
If you missed this episode, you’ll come away understanding not just the stories but the shifting cultural winds—and why Armstrong & Getty call you to be an enthusiast, not a snob.