Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona Episode: Watching Too Many Murder For Hire Crimes Shows Got John Thinking How We Never Hear About The Ones That Complete The Task and Brady's In Denial Ronnee Would Take Him Out
Release Date: February 5, 2025
Host: John Holmberg
Co-Hosts: Brady Bogan, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo, Ronnie

1. Listener Emails on Glendale Protests

The episode kicks off with John Holmberg addressing listener emails concerning the protests in Glendale. One notable email from Craig commends John for questioning the motives behind the Mexican protests, stating:

"My Mexican wife was delayed in getting home for like an hour and get dinner forever. She worked a 12-hour day and came home furious F off protesters. Exactly. You blocked a hard-working one of your own from getting home and making her white husband dinner."
[00:35] John Holmberg

Another listener, identifying as Mexican, expresses confusion over the waving of the Mexican flag at protests, questioning its purpose when the protesters are already present in the United States. This sets the stage for a broader discussion on cultural and societal tensions.

2. The Influence of Murder For Hire Crime Shows

John transitions into his main topic, revealing how binge-watching murder for hire shows has sparked a contemplative yet humorous paranoia about real-life relationships. He shares his experience of watching three consecutive episodes on the ID Channel, all revolving around individuals hiring hitmen to eliminate spouses. He observes:

"They all got caught pretty similar ways that the hitman kind of chickened out and told one of them, told a friend..."
[02:05] John Holmberg

This leads him to ponder the success rates of such crimes, questioning whether there are numerous unreported cases where hitmen successfully complete their tasks, thus never making it to television.

3. Hitman Hiring: Success Rates and Reality

The discussion delves deeper into the logistics of hiring hitmen, with Bret Vesely seeking statistics on actual success rates:

"I need statistics on this, Brett. How often does it work?"
[04:07] John Holmberg

Brady Bogan responds skeptically, emphasizing the elusive nature of accurate data:

"You'll never know."
[05:12] Brady Bogan

John highlights a real-life case involving Tim Lambesis, the lead singer of Austrian Death Machine, who attempted to hire a hitman but ultimately failed. This example underscores the risks and often the moral dilemmas faced by those attempting such acts.

4. The Reality vs. TV Portrayal of Murder For Hire

Brett Vesely adds another layer by questioning whether these crimes are more successful than depicted on TV:

"How often does somebody just go, great job. You give them the other half, nobody ever speaks of it again, and it's over."
[05:29] Brett Vesely

John elaborates on the mechanics of these crimes, explaining that involving too many intermediaries often leads to failure. He muses on the unseen cases where crimes were executed flawlessly, leaving no trace and no public awareness.

5. Personal Paranoia: Suspecting Spouses

The conversation takes a humorous yet introspective turn as John and the co-hosts begin to suspect their own relationships might be fraught with underlying threats. John jokes about his marriage, citing:

"Everybody at work thinks my wife died of poisoning. Like, she..."
[07:43] Ronnie

Ronnie responds playfully, acknowledging the jest:

"Yeah, I told him I'd keep it quiet."
[07:45] Ronnie

This leads to a series of banters where each host humorously contemplates the possibility of their spouse plotting against them, reflecting the absurd influence of the crime shows they've been watching.

6. The Psychological Impact of Violent Media

John expresses concern over how excessive consumption of violent crime shows can distort one's perception of personal relationships. He notes:

"Morning sickness. I got real. Like Kuklinski. That. The iceman..."
[10:17] John Holmberg

This segment serves as a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the potential desensitization and irrational fears that can arise from continuous exposure to such media content.

7. NFL's Anti-Racism Campaign: A Side Topic

Around the 33-minute mark, the discussion shifts briefly to critique the NFL's attempts at promoting anti-racism messages. John shares his skepticism about the effectiveness of such initiatives, pointing out instances where players reacted inappropriately during games despite the displayed messages:

"I have no idea what it is. I thought for sure Painting that on a football field would be the end of it..."
[33:08] John Holmberg

This tangent underscores John’s broader skepticism towards institutional efforts to address societal issues, paralleling his doubts about the portrayed success of hitman cases.

8. Closing Banter and Musical Segment

As the episode winds down, the hosts continue their playful paranoia about marital distrust, integrating humor with their earlier discussions. John suggests:

"You should write a book. The key to a happy marriage is always assume there's a hitman."
[23:05] John Holmberg

This leads to more humorous exchanges about personal safety and marital dynamics, culminating in a promotional segment for Action Ride Shop, where Brady Bogan announces their upcoming event:

"The new store is open... McDowell and Power Road."
[40:24] Brady Bogan

The episode wraps up with the hosts light-heartedly discussing music tracks, maintaining the show's signature blend of humor, irreverence, and candid conversations.

Notable Quotes

• John Holmberg, [02:05]:
  "They all got caught pretty similar ways that the hitman kind of chickened out and told one of them..."

• Brady Bogan, [05:12]:
  "You'll never know."

• John Holmberg, [10:17]:
  "Morning sickness. I got real. Like Kuklinski. That. The iceman..."

• John Holmberg, [23:05]:
  "You should write a book. The key to a happy marriage is always assume there's a hitman."

Conclusion

In this thought-provoking and humor-laden episode of "Holmberg's Morning Sickness," John Holmberg and his co-hosts explore the unsettling blend of media influence and personal paranoia. Through candid discussions and witty banter, they dissect the often unreported success rates of murder for hire cases and humorously project these fears onto their own marriages. The episode not only entertains but also subtly critiques societal issues, making it a compelling listen for those intrigued by the intersection of media, psychology, and personal relationships.