Holmberg’s Morning Sickness (98 KUPD) – Arizona

Episode: 02-02-26 – FULL SHOW – MONDAY
Date: February 2, 2026
Host(s): John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Special Guest: Zach Ray (son of Suns announcer Kevin Ray)

Episode Overview

This episode is a lively, often irreverent Monday edition packed with birthday celebrations, wild weekend tales, pop culture tangents (especially on the Grammys and the Super Bowl), ribald hypotheticals, local sports talk, and the infamous "Brady Gro" birthday trivia game. With John’s unfiltered humor steering the show, the crew explores everything from third boobs to Groundhog Day, protest etiquette, and the logistics of milking a donkey. The episode also features Zach Ray sitting in as a proxy for his dad, Kevin Ray, adding a "nepo baby" twist to the proceedings.

Main Themes:

• Birthday shenanigans and weekend recaps
• Pop culture/award show criticism (Grammys, Super Bowl halftime, political rants)
• Absurd hypothetical debates (extra breasts, animal trivia)
• Local sports with insider conversations
• The "Brady Gro" Birthday Game, integrating listeners
• Classic Morning Sickness unpredictability and laughs

Key Topics, Segments & Memorable Moments

1. Brady’s Big Birthday and Wild Weekend Recap

Time Stamp: 02:11–09:00

• The show opens with John congratulating Brady on his birthday and recounting the previous weekend’s debauchery, including a Suns game “rah rah room” party and a mind-blowing Nothing More concert.
  • "There's no reason to be seen in public with me. It could be a problem." – John (03:20)
• John shares a story about ordering champagne, staying up until sunrise, and the perils of being someone else's "brand liability."
• Brady describes his tamer weekend involving the zoo, animal encounters, and mild drinking despite kidney concerns.

2. Generational Music vs. Political Fatigue at the Grammys

Time Stamp: 09:25–20:45

• Recap and critique of the Grammys, celebrity fails (Cher announcing the wrong winner), and the show’s political overtones.
  • "Stop that. Stop the relevance. It's always them. Remember Elizabeth Taylor? They drug her ass out..." – John (14:24)
• John rants about old celebrities being trotted out at award shows; the group discusses Cher's mistakes and the viral aftermath.
• Discussion about musicians seeming more outspoken on political issues, specifically ICE, and John’s desire for escapism in music award shows.
  • "You can't have flippant fun anymore without somebody going up, 'By the way, reminder, there's a lot of awful things going on.'" – John (17:54)
• Debate about whether they continue to watch these events or catch up later selectively via internet clips.

3. Groundhog Day and Silly Traditions

Time Stamp: 20:08–23:29

• Banter about Groundhog Day accuracy and the rivalry between Punxsutawney Phil and lesser-known imitators (like Buckeye Chuck).
• Playful regional ribbing between John and Brady (Ohio vs. Arizona).
• Jabs at silly traditions and copycat events, questioning their relevance.

4. Absurd News & "Third Boob" Hypothetical

Time Stamp: 23:31–33:39

• John shares a genuinely bizarre news story: a woman grows a functional third breast after childbirth.
• Entertaining panel debate: Would you be into a surprise, armpit-located breast? Is all “extra” good?
  • "What's better than just a surprise breast? A brand new one you didn't have to pay for." – John (25:23)
• Multiple one-liners and callbacks to Total Recall, Adam West’s secret Batcave, and armpit BO.
  • "If a girl lifted her arm up, it's like, smell here. And like, well, there’s a boob in there." – John (28:13)

5. Protest Etiquette & Social Observations

Time Stamp: 36:40–42:34

• John describes seeing a protester, ironically well-dressed, waiting for the crosswalk, and how this undercuts the image of guerrilla activism.
• Satirical comparison between protesting and going to a ball game or showing up at a wedding dance floor.
  • "If you're really furious, you just put whatever’s closest and run out..." – John (40:01)
• Speculation that protest gatherings may just be a new form of socializing, not actual angry activism.

6. Genetic Sexual Attraction (Mother-Son Relationship) Shocker

Time Stamp: 52:55–58:40

• John tells the true story of a man who met his biological mother as an adult and they developed a romantic/sexual relationship—provoking both horror and fascination from the hosts.
  • "What should have been an emotional meeting between mother and son immediately turned sexual." – John (53:37)
• The group explores the “genetic sexual attraction” phenomenon, implications for the ex-wife, and why such stories are less criminalized for women.
  • "If it was a dude, immediately going to jail…" – John (58:03)

7. Brady and Zach Ray: Age-Gap Dating Confessions

Time Stamp: 62:36–66:36

• Zach Ray, on-air, admits to dating a 42-year-old woman when he was 20, leading John and Brett into playful ribbing about “cougar” encounters and the universality of age in relationships.
  • "Tell us all... she was just recently divorced." – John
• Zach handles the pointed, sometimes awkward, questions with wit and humor.

8. Sports & Local Updates (Cardinals, Suns, Boxing, Weaves & Toupees)

Time Stamp: 47:35–77:14

• Cardinals hire new (but not play-calling) offensive coordinator; analysis of team prospects.
• Stories about Suns games, announcer call catchphrases (the “boom room”), and the social media culture around catchphrases.
• John discusses witnessing a boxing match where a hairpiece (toupee) was knocked off, leading to comparisons with WNBA weave malfunctions.
  • "A man’s hair falls off on pay-per-view… and there he is with his arms in the air, smiling, like 'You can have it.'"
• Relating this to how men vs. women handle embarrassment in sports.

9. Animal Facts Debunked & Hilarious Debates

Time Stamp: 91:01–98:49

• Brady claims you can hear a blue whale’s heartbeat from two miles; John and the group enthusiastically mock the dubious “zoo keeper facts.”
• Similar challenge to the claim that a lion’s roar can be heard for five miles.
  • "No, you can't. I've been in rooms with lions…” – John (95:50)
• Brady’s wrong answers and overconfident animal trivia become a running punchline for the rest of the episode.

10. Brady Gro: Birthday Trivia Game w/Call-Ins; Prizes

Time Stamp: 120:03–170:24

• Annual tradition: call-in birthday game show with Brady, Zach Ray, and listeners as a team.

• Trivia covers general knowledge, geography, animals, food, and drink. Callers are often… colorful.

• Incorrect answers, slow debates, and technical mishaps (plus John’s impatience) provide extended comedy.

  Highlights:

  • Failing to determine the longest-tongued animal (Brady guesses blue whale instead of giraffe)
  • Debates over cheese made from donkey milk (pule), Japanese food presentation (incorrect guesses: sushi), and the snake in The Jungle Book (Brady: “Khan,” answer: “Kaa”)
  • Winning and losing as a “team” and poking fun at how little everyone knows despite claiming expertise (esp. Brady on animals and food)

11. Entertainment Drill & Fast Takes

Time Stamp: 172:53–181:38

• News bits: NHL tickets up due to the (supposedly) sexy gay Netflix hockey documentary; predictions about the lasting cultural impact of Fast & Furious movies (“Fast Forever”, #11);
• Elon Musk’s take on Helen of Troy casting, Molly Ringwald's defense of not remaking John Hughes movies, Deftones selling music rights, and commentary on Bill Belichick’s relationship with a 24-year-old.
  • "He’s getting that donkey milk all day…” – John

12. Super Bowl Viewing Party Event Plug

Time Stamp: 181:38–end

• John plugs KUPD's upcoming Super Bowl event:
  • Giveaways: arcade system, gift cards, snowboards, a mattress, and more.
  • All to benefit the Humane Society.

Notable Quotes

• John Holmberg:
  • “You can’t have flippant fun anymore without somebody going up, ‘By the way, reminder, there’s a lot of awful things going on.’”
  • “What’s better than just a surprise breast? A brand new one you didn’t have to pay for.”
  • “Stop with the bad copycats of things… there’s one!”
• Brady Bogen:
  • “I think the lion roar is the loudest one.”
  • “Has anybody ever had donkey cheese?”
• Zach Ray (on age-gap dating):
  • “There’s been a 42-year-old… I was 20. The Ray Killers.”
• On mother-son genetic sexual attraction:
  • “If you’re not nauseous, just drive your car off a bridge immediately and get off my planet.” – John (61:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Brady’s Birthday Weekend Review: 02:11–09:00
• Grammys Recap & Rant: 09:25–20:45
• Groundhog Day Traditions: 20:08–23:29
• Third Boob Hypothetical: 23:31–33:39
• Protest Etiquette: 36:40–42:34
• Genetic Sexual Attraction Story: 52:55–58:40
• Zach Ray Cougar Tale: 62:36–66:36
• Animal Fact Debates: 91:01–98:49
• Brady Gro Game: 120:03–170:24
• Entertainment Drill: 172:53–181:38

Tone and Language

• Fast-paced, freewheeling, frequently irreverent
• Lots of playful, sometimes edgy banter and ribbing
• A blend of pop culture satire, blue-collar humor, and local Arizona flavor
• Unafraid to tackle taboo or “cringe” topics with tongue in cheek

For New Listeners

If you like morning shows that are equal parts wild unscripted humor, Arizona sports, and hot takes on pop culture with a generous helping of absurd “what if” debates, Holmberg’s Morning Sickness delivers. This episode is a particularly “classic” edition loaded with laughs, running gags, and unpredictable detours (with a local twist and a birthday party vibe). The team’s chemistry is on full display, and special guest Zach Ray gives a peek behind the Suns’ media curtain—and into the world of accidentally dating women twice his age!

(Time-stamped quotes and topics per listener request; sections skip over commercials and non-content sections; intact with original speaker tone and humor.)