Podcast Summary: "Holmberg's Morning Sickness" – February 5, 2026

Episode Theme:
A return of the "Ask an Italian" segment spurred by a hilarious email about childhood gambling, plus heartfelt details about the upcoming Super Bowl party benefitting the Humane Society—hosted at Copper Blues, Downtown Phoenix.

Main Discussion Themes

• Ask an Italian Segment: Can a 5-year-old start a gambling ring at school? (Tongue-in-cheek banter about Italian-American culture, family, gambling, and the lessons we pass on to kids.)
• Super Bowl Party Preview: Announcement for their downtown charity party, with heartfelt context dedicated to the host’s aging dog, Frankie, and a range of prizes for attendees.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Ask an Italian" Segment Returns

[01:02 - 04:03]

• Setup: John Holmberg introduces the segment after receiving an email asking if it’s okay for a five-year-old to start gambling at school, especially at Italian-themed Super Bowl parties.

  • "We play the game every once in a while... It's time to play Ask the Italian guy." (John Holmberg, 01:02)

• Banter & Advice:

  • Bret (the token Italian) gives mock advice on the acceptable age to start gambling, veering rapidly into jokes about how, as an Italian, you should teach the kid to take bets instead of placing them.
    • "If he's gonna be in the box, he should know how betting works.” (John Holmberg, 01:49)
    • “He should be taking the bets... The money man… He's the bank, right?... Not making the bets. Taking the action.” (Brett & Host, 02:21–02:30)

• Comic escalation:

  • Joking about recruiting other young kids ("a couple six year olds on the payroll to take care of kneecaps") in a hyperbolic mafia style.
  • “I have a couple six year olds on the payroll to take care of some kneecaps and stuff. You know, those first graders out there.” (Host, 02:38)

• Personal Story:

  • A guest remembers his own Italian childhood, finding cash left at a golf club poker table, and taking it—tying in the theme of kids, gambling, and Italian family hijinks.
    • “I was about five or six…they’re playing poker. They leave the table… money everywhere. We go to the table and… payday for me.” (Guest, 02:47–03:23)
    • “Like, dad, look at this! You left all that.” (Guest, 03:25)

• Movie Reference:

  • A nod to iconic Italian-American movies: Bronx Tale and early lessons about throwing dice, furthering the episode’s playful stereotype humor.
    • “Remember in the Bronx Tale when he was teaching him how to throw dice; was he 5? I think he was like 10 or something like that.” (Host, 03:46)

• Final Stance (Tongue-in-Cheek):

  • “No. The answer is totally not. Gamble away five. And if he has a problem, text next step to 5, 3, 3, 4, 2 on his little Mickey Mouse phone, and we'll be just fine.” (John Holmberg, 04:03)
  • Satirical take on disclaimers about kid gambling, "if you have a child with a gambling problem that's kindergarten age, we disagreed with the problem." (John Holmberg, 04:17)

Notable Quotes

• “He’s got to learn sometime.” — Host (02:04)
• “Teach a little Yogi Falcon first…The right way. Collect. Yes, then bet.” — Brett (02:32–02:35)
• “You're a bear of a small mind. Give me a honey pot.” — Brett (03:39)

2. The Super Bowl Party & The "Frankie Bowl"

[06:01 - 09:42]

• Announcing the Event:

  • The hosts announce a Super Bowl watch party at Copper Blues, benefiting the Humane Society. The event is code-named “The Frankie Bowl,” after John Holmberg’s aging dog, Frankie.
  • “We're doing a Super Bowl get together on Sunday...Copper Blues and we're gonna donate a bunch of money to the Humane Society.” (John Holmberg, 06:22)

• Frankie's Story:

  • John shares emotional reflections on his dog Frankie’s last days, underscoring the party’s charitable aim toward helping animals in need.
    • “My boy Frankie is...he’s 15 years old and we’re awfully darn close...he’s been through all of it. Megan and I have agreed; there’s no more pulling needles in and out of him.” (John Holmberg, 06:02–06:41)

• Party Details & Prizes:

  • Attendees can win an arcade system, a Capita snowboard, gift cards (Mo Money Pawn, Raising Cane's, Crazy Girls Cabaret), new mattresses, and more—through simple drawings and trivia.
    • “Gift cards that will total up into the thousands... just going to be drawings, literal drawings.” (John Holmberg, 07:37–08:00)

• Emotional Call to Action:

  • John urges listeners to support animals while he copes with a personal loss.
    • “No bad days. That’s my rule. So it’s the Frankie Bowl...let’s make Frankie Bowl a big success for future Frankies, for all of you guys.” (John Holmberg, 08:53)
    • “They just make the world better. Get you through an awful lot of stuff.” (John Holmberg, 09:26)

Notable Quotes

• "He made my life better for the last 14 and a half years, just like those dogs tend to do." — John Holmberg (08:47)
• “He’s lost his sight, he’s lost his hearing, and he’s just walking around getting a bite to eat now and again at best he can. He’s just not, you know…” — John Holmberg, on Frankie (09:03)

Memorable Moments

• [02:38]
  • Satirical mafia references about grade-school “kneecap collectors.”
• [03:23]
  • Childhood memory of raiding a poker table for loose cash.
• [06:02–06:41]
  • Vulnerable, heartfelt update about Frankie's health and the pain of pet loss.

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 01:02 – "Ask an Italian" Segment starts (should you let your five-year-old gamble?)
• 03:46 – Movie references add to the Italian-American comedic riff.
• 06:01 – John begins heartfelt monologue about his dog, Frankie.
• 06:22–09:42 – Super Bowl party details and call for Humane Society donations.
• 08:53–09:26 – Emotional capstone about the impact of pets.

Tone & Language

• Style: Irreverent, playful banter with affectionate ribbing; sharp and fast-paced.
• Recurring Tone: Light-hearted satire on cultural stereotypes, mixed with authentic, sentimental moments—especially regarding the Super Bowl charity drive and John’s love for his dog.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode deftly blends sharp, satirical comedy (with the crew riffing on Italian-American stereotypes and childhood ‘gambling rings’) and real emotion (dedicated to host John Holmberg’s beloved, aging dog Frankie). The tone shifts naturally from jokes about five-year-olds running book at Super Bowl parties to a sincere plea to support the Humane Society at their big “Frankie Bowl” watch party. The camaraderie between hosts, the absurdity of some of the advice, and John’s heartfelt tribute to his pet make for a dynamic and memorable listen.