Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona | Episode: February 21, 2025

Host: John Holmberg
Co-Hosts: Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Broadcast: 98 KUPD | Hubbard Radio
Duration: 5:30 AM - 10:00 AM Weekdays

1. International Hockey Showdown: USA vs. Canada

Timestamp: [00:39] - [10:00]

The episode kicks off with an enthusiastic discussion about the recent international hockey series between the United States and Canada. John Holmberg expresses his admiration for the intense rivalry and the potential for such matchups to boost viewership and national pride.

• John Holmberg: "Could you imagine a seven-game series between Canada and the United States? What the ratings would be like... it's the perfect video game. 99 versus 99."

The hosts debate the feasibility and entertainment value of pitting these two nations against each other in a high-stakes tournament. They ponder the idea of integrating national pride into sports, suggesting scenarios where the outcome could influence political or economic relationships between the countries.

• Brady Bogen: "They did a pretty good job [hosting the game]."

• Bret Vesely: "We really need them that bad."

John contemplates the impact such series could have on the sports industry, including potential financial benefits and increased viewership. The conversation highlights the passionate nature of sports fans and the lengths to which hosts believe could elevate the sport's status nationally.

2. Glendale Murder Case: A Twisted Tale of Betrayal and Crime

Timestamp: [17:00] - [25:00]

The discussion takes a dark turn as the hosts delve into a high-profile murder case from Glendale. Kimberly Lacount is accused of masterminding the murder of her trans husband, Alex (formerly Alice), with the assistance of her secret lover, Kipling Harris. The crime resulted in the deaths of Alex and Alex's parents, Peggy and Bob Kuhn.

• John Holmberg: "She's being prosecuted. She could get the death penalty for masterminding this murder."

The hosts dissect the case details, emphasizing the complex relationships and the motivations behind the crime. They explore the societal and personal factors that may have contributed to Kimberly's actions, including the challenges faced by transgender individuals in relationships.

• John Holmberg: "How in the world have we not wrapped our arms around this in the state of Arizona?"

Bret Vesely questions the timing and public awareness of the case, highlighting its sensational nature akin to "80s soap operas."

• Bret Vesely: "This is straight out of like 80s soap operas. You can't come up with this stuff. It's truth is fiction is reality."

The conversation also touches upon the legal complexities of the case, such as determining the sequence of events during the shootings, and speculates on potential media portrayals of the incident.

3. The Role of Social Media in True Crime Documentation

Timestamp: [25:00] - [38:00]

John Holmberg shifts the focus to the influence of social media and personal video footage on true crime documentaries. He argues that the abundance of personal videos and social media content has revolutionized how such stories are told, making it easier for documentarians to piece together narratives.

• John Holmberg: "Future murder documentaries... you've got so much footage of yourself, everything. It makes the documentaries great."

The hosts discuss the ethical considerations of using personal footage in documenting crimes, referencing cases like Gabby Petito, where AI was used to recreate the victim's voice from diary entries.

• John Holmberg: "They used AI to read it as her. They even said so. They're like, look, we're gonna read the parts of the diary that are read are in Gabby's voice through to artificial intelligence stuff."

Brady Bogen and Bret Vesely contribute to the conversation by highlighting how mundane or personal content can inadvertently become valuable in reconstructing events surrounding a crime. They also touch upon the privacy implications and the voyeuristic tendencies of audiences seeking such content.

4. Critique of Hosts' Own Social Media Presence

Timestamp: [38:00] - [45:00]

In a self-referential segment, the hosts humorously critique their own and each other's social media content. John Holmberg specifically targets Brady's Instagram, suggesting that without sensational events, the content remains uninteresting.

• John Holmberg: "Brady's IG would be too boring for the doc."

The banter continues with playful jabs at each other's personal lives and social media habits, reflecting the show's signature humorous and sometimes abrasive style. The discussion underscores the show's theme of questioning and challenging norms, even within their own circle.

• John Holmberg: "Nobody wants to see a bunch of videos of my kids standing there. No. Not a soul outside of you is interested in that."

Brady Bogen and Brett Vesely respond in kind, maintaining the light-hearted but critical tone as they navigate the conversation about personal privacy versus public interest in the digital age.

5. Closing Remarks and Final Banter

Timestamp: [45:00] - [44:00]

The episode wraps up with continued light-hearted banter, reinforcing the camaraderie and comedic dynamic among the hosts. They joke about future episodes, potential content, and tease each other regarding their on-air personas and personal antics.

• John Holmberg: "Nobody wants to see that broken out at all."

The hosts conclude by promoting the show's connection to their listeners and teasing upcoming content, ensuring the audience remains engaged and entertained.

Notable Quotes:

• John Holmberg [00:39]: "Could you imagine a seven-game series between Canada and the United States? What the ratings would be like... it's the perfect video game. 99 versus 99."

• Bret Vesely [25:00]: "This is straight out of like 80s soap operas. You can't come up with this stuff. It's truth is fiction is reality."

• John Holmberg [38:00]: "Brady's IG would be too boring for the doc."

Conclusion

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness offers a blend of intense sports commentary, a deep dive into a dramatic local crime case, and a meta-discussion on the impact of social media on media consumption and true crime documentation. The hosts' dynamic interplay ensures that listeners are both informed and entertained, maintaining Arizona's #1 morning radio show's reputation for engaging and provocative content.