Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode Title: Zombie Grandma
Date: November 14, 2025
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty

Episode Overview

This episode delves into society’s growing entanglement with artificial intelligence, especially in the realm of relationships and “bringing back” lost loved ones through AI avatars. Jack and Joe debate the psychological and ethical implications of new technologies—like AI chatbots for romantic partners and digital “resurrections” of deceased relatives—mixing their characteristic wit with sincere concerns about the blurring of life’s boundaries. The show also touches on California’s proposed billionaire tax, the national conversation on affordability, a Mafia-linked sports betting scandal, and the persistent controversy around the Epstein files.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. AI Relationships and "Zombie Grandma" (00:28 - 10:27)

AI Romantic Partners

• Joe notes the New York Times’ coverage of people in relationships with AI chatbots, calling it “heartbreaking” and joking about being left for "Jeeves" (00:28).
• Jack emphasizes how troubling the phenomenon is:

  "A lot of people have brought that up to me. Troubling. Very troubling." (00:49)

The “Two Way” App—AI and the Deceased

• Joe introduces Two Way, an app that builds AI avatars of deceased loved ones using video and voice samples:

  “They would make an AI of [my dad] so I could talk to him. An avatar, yeah … talking to you in their voice and the facial expressions and all of it.” (01:22)

• The hosts play an example and react:

  "Thanks, Robot Granny. ... It creeped the hell out of me." (02:24, Joe)
  “Is this for you and do you feel like you’ve got a connection with your grandma, or does that just make you extra sad that she’s not around? I don’t get that at all.” (04:03, Jack)

Ethical, Psychological, and Social Implications

• Joe suggests these tools interfere with the "basic rhythms of life" (04:35), comparing them to how “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” lost its specialness when available year-round.
• Jack is especially concerned about exposing children to such technology:

  "They should take your kids away from you. If you're gonna have fake grandma talk to your little kid ..." (05:01)

Black Mirror & Public Response

• Joe references the Black Mirror episode "Be Right Back" (05:40), noting public backlash describing the technology as “nightmare fuel” and “demonic”.

Hosts’ Consensus (with Humor)

• Both conclude simulating lost loved ones feels more disturbing than comforting and that using such tech with young children is irresponsible.
• Joe jokes about a future where a robot version of Grandpa comes back only to do chores:

  “You look out into your front yard, and there’s your old dead grandpa raking leaves.” (07:03, Joe)

Skeptical Yet Self-Aware

• Jack ponders if they are outliers or whether there's really an appetite for “zombie grandma” apps:

  “Are they presenting this to people and people are saying, ‘Oh, that’d be so fantastic that my son who never got to meet my dad, grandpa could have an interaction with him?’ Are people doing that?” (08:02)

• Joe adds nuance: the idea of an AI speaking in a deceased loved one's voice, saying familiar things, might be “kind of nice”—but not pretending the relative is alive or interacting in real time:

  "But no, I don’t want it pretending to wonder how my day went.” (09:22)

Historical Figures as AI: A Different Appeal

• The pair agree that AI interactions with historical figures (like “Living Lincoln”) would be interesting and fundamentally different:

  “That I would do. That is very, very cool.” (10:12, Jack)

2. Society, AI, and Human Behavior (11:36 - 13:18)

The Prevalence of “Weirdness”

• Jack asserts that society contains far more people with “unconventional” desires than one might think, cautioning against underestimating how technology—like AI partners and relatives—might catch on:

  "So I need to keep that in mind with the percentage of people that might fall in love with chatbots or want AI grandma ..." (11:36)

Potential Societal Consequences

• Joe wonders, semi-seriously, if this is a kind of Darwinian thinning:

  “Those people are not going to reproduce." (13:06)

3. California’s Proposed Billionaire Tax (14:44 - 18:06)

Overview of the Proposal

• California considers a one-time 5% tax on net worths over $1 billion, targeting stocks, IP, and artwork.
• Jack critiques it as a move to drive out successful innovators:

  "It almost seems like it's designed to make whoever hasn't gotten gone to Texas yet ... leave California" (15:49)

• Joe and Jack question the underlying ideology, noting California’s significant billionaire population and suggesting a reasonable value-added tax as an alternative (17:20).

4. The National Conversation on Affordability (18:16 - 24:22)

Political Posturing and Real Costs

• The conversation shifts to affordability, with both hosts noting Washington is now tying inflation and cost-of-living issues to illegal immigration—a new rhetorical angle.
• They highlight the lived experience of high prices (e.g., $65 for a family dinner at Denny’s) and the increasing burden of insurance costs:
  • Car insurance for a 19-year-old: $560/month (22:23)
  • Bare minimum coverage for a 13-year-old Honda Fit: $187/month (23:09)
• Jack:

  "Eggs schmegs. Quit talking about the price of eggs. My car insurance is killing me." (24:11)

5. Viewer Feedback & The Epstein Files Debate (24:22 - 32:43)

Increased Criticism Within the GOP

• Discussion about Marjorie Taylor Greene and rising intra-party criticism regarding the Epstein files and other issues.

Listener Emails and the Nature of Accusations

• Hosts defend their “nothing burger” stance regarding what’s been made public about the Epstein files, while distinguishing between true prosecutable offenses and conspiratorial thinking:

  "Are you talking about the giant child pedo ring that all of Hollywood is involved in ... You're nuts. None of that happened or is happening." (30:43, Jack)

  • Joe alludes to the dangers of publicizing names without real evidence, and both express openness to being proven wrong if substantial evidence arises.

6. Mars Missions, Sports Betting Scandal, and AI Legal Risks (32:51 - End)

Blue Origin Rocket Launch

• Brief coverage of Blue Origin’s Mars mission and the mile-high club joke about Katy Perry (33:19).

Sports Betting Mafia Scandal

• Fourteen indicted in a Mafia-tied betting operation centered on college sports, including wrestlers and an NBA agent:

  "Forget about it. You put him in a fireman's carry in the third period..." (34:15, Jack, in a Mafia pastiche)

Legal Risks of AI Hallucinations

• A Minnesota company suffers “cancellation” after AI-generated misinformation. Jack and Joe question whether existing slander laws can keep up with AI mistakes.

  "This could end the whole AI thing. Depending on the court rulings, might be the end of AI..." (36:11, Jack)

Upcoming Topics Teased

• Future segment: Republican healthcare platform issues.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On AI Avatars of Deceased Loved Ones:

  “It's not for grandma. Grandma's dead and that ain't grandma talking.” (04:03, Jack)

• On Societal Rhythms:

  "It's like when Rudolph the red nosed reindeer became available year round ... You're blowing up the rhythms that make life worth living." (04:35, Joe)

• On Introducing “Zombie Grandma” to Kids:

  “They should take your kids away from you. If you're gonna have fake grandma talk to your little kid who doesn't have the ability to really understand what the hell is going on here." (05:01, Jack)

• On AI and Real-Life Utility:

  "I've got ... a perfect replica robot of [Grandpa] killing two birds with one stone." (07:03, Joe)

• On Societal Appetite for Weird Technology:

  "There are way more crazy people than you ever thought ... there might be way more of them than I think. Way more." (11:36, Jack)

• On California’s Wealth Tax:

  "It's just, you're super rich and have a bunch of stuff so we're going to take 5% of it." (15:33, Joe)

• On Affordability:

  "Eggs schmegs. Quit talking about the price of eggs. My car insurance is killing me." (24:11, Jack)

• On Epstein Files Conspiracies:

  "Are you talking about the giant child pedo ring that all of Hollywood is involved in ... You're nuts." (30:43, Jack)

• On AI and Legal Challenges:

  "This could end the whole AI thing. Depending on the court rulings, might be the end of AI..." (36:11, Jack)

Segment Timestamps

• AI and “Zombie Grandma”/Two Way App: 00:28 – 10:27
• Society, AI, and Human Weirdness: 11:36 – 13:18
• California Billionaire Tax: 14:44 – 18:06
• Affordability Discussion: 18:16 – 24:22
• Epstein Files, Listener Emails: 24:22 – 32:43
• Mars Mission, Sports Scandal, AI Legal Dilemma: 32:51 – End

Final Thoughts

Jack and Joe bring humor, skepticism, and a little unease to the conversation about AI’s encroachment on personal and societal boundaries. Their honest, unscripted reactions, especially regarding the use of AI to simulate dead loved ones (“Zombie Grandma”), bring up profound questions about grief, reality, and the potential for technology to both comfort and disturb. The episode’s tonal shifts—from deadpan jokes to genuine philosophical pondering—make the discussion thought-provoking and, as always, entertaining.

For more engaging—and unsettling—takes on current events and technology, tune in to Armstrong & Getty On Demand.