Holmberg's Morning Sickness – Arizona

Episode: 02-23-26 - BBTL - Break 3 - Travel Warning Issued For Mexico - Stories Of Our Time In Guadalupe

Date: February 23, 2026
Host & Crew: Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo, et al.

Episode Overview

This segment from Arizona’s #1 Morning Radio Show dives into the recent U.S. government travel warning for Mexico, specifically addressing concerns for Arizonans who frequent popular border destinations like Rocky Point. Prompted by escalating cartel violence, the hosts discuss official shelter-in-place notices, swap stories from their own travels and misadventures in Guadalupe near the old KUPD offices, and reminisce about wild times in their early radio days. The mood is classic HMS: irreverent, candid, and full of the insider banter fans love.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Travel Warning for Mexico

• [04:27] The team reports on the American advisory to “shelter in place” for those already in Mexico due to cartel violence erupting across the country, including spots like Jalisco, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, and Tulum.

  • Quote:
    • E: “The government said if you’re an American in Mexico currently, either on vacation or if you’re spending time there, shelter in place. Because traveling as an American right now is risky, because, like Brett said, they’re burning the whole thing down.” [04:39]
  • The hosts mention local listeners possibly being affected and joke about how their RV circle, known for trips to Mexico, is currently avoiding travel south.

• Economic & Social Impact:

  • [05:21] C: “All this destruction’s going on because…that is, you know, a big part of the economy. It’s hurting their own people more than anything.”

  • The group reflects that cartels seem cognizant about keeping violence from resort towns, but it's not guaranteed.

2. Guadalupe and Old KUPD Days: Unfiltered Memories

• Guadalupe’s Grit:

  • Stories flow about the old KUPD building in Guadalupe, including celebratory gunfire on holidays, bullet holes in their trailer, and the general sketchiness of the area.
  • [06:31] D: “I remember on a New Year’s Eve once, I was leaving Guadalupe, driving out. Who’s out there in the middle of the road? Bunch of folks shooting guns in the air.”
  • [06:51] E: “They used to count the holes in the trailer from being shot at from the locals there. Like every day they did a count…The whole side of it was riddled with bullet holes.”

• Wacky Workplace Antics:

  • The crew shares how they killed time in the rough environment:
    • Throwing oranges at the Insight building’s billboard ([07:21]).
    • Riding motorcycles, setting up “slalom” courses with styrofoam cups in the parking lot ([09:12]).
    • Hiding meth-heads caught by police in ditches by the lot ([07:44-08:14]).
    • Listeners occasionally crashing cars through the fence; abandoned vehicles became targets or local legend ([11:24-12:14]).

• Nostalgia & Attachment:

  • Despite its roughness, there’s a real fondness for those days:
    • D: “What a. It was a dump. But it was our dump, G. It was hard. It was our dump.” [11:13]
    • Memorable stunts: Monster truck events, food trucks almost run over, and “white trash picnics” all mentioned with glee ([09:45-10:34]).

3. Fun with Yiddish: Throwback to Studio Gags

• [13:07] A: “Replace one Jew for another. Well, we couldn’t even tell the difference.”
  • Refers to tongue-in-cheek jokes about swapping show hosts and recurring Yiddish word bits.
• The crew recalls their Yiddish word of the day tradition, landing on “maven,” meaning someone very skilled, and, for today: “balabusta” (homemaker) ([13:35-14:20]).
  • D: “She’s one Balabusta Busta. Yeah.” [14:30]

4. Listener Requests & Show Rituals

• Requests pile in for “Best of Guadalupe Squares”—a beloved game-show parody segment ([14:38-15:06]). Special mention of classic requests (the “Diet Pepsi” bit).

5. Classic Rock Radio Culture & Celebrity Encounters

• Reminiscing about hosting rock stars and off-the-wall guests in their unconventional studio environment, including Peter Steele of Type O Negative (noting his intimidating presence and famed Playgirl spread) and some awkward interviews ([15:13-17:03]).
  • D: “We pulled out the Playgirl and we started flipping through it and talking to him. Hey, did you see this? Did you see the Peter Steele? Look at that crank. Oh, man, that is…big and purple.” [16:34]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the old office vibe:
  • D: “It was our own little frat house. And we ran it. Well.” [08:56]
• On cartel violence:
  • C: “All this destruction’s going on because that…is a big part of the economy. It’s hurting their own people more than anything.” [05:21]
• On RVers in Mexico:
  • A: “That s-hole to the ground, man.” [04:58]
• On wild stunts:
  • E: “With his flying truck. Yeah. And miked me up and I sat shotgun with him…He hits out two wheels. I just remember I’m screaming and he looks over at me one handed…‘Pretty cool, isn’t it?’ As on two wheels going about 60 miles per hour.” [09:53-10:14]
• On nostalgia:
  • D: “What a. It was a dump. But it was our dump, G. It was hard. It was our dump.” [11:13]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:27] Travel warning for Mexico, “shelter in place” order
• [06:31] Wild stories of Guadalupe: gunfire on holidays
• [07:51] Old KUPD trailer: bullet holes and meth head encounters
• [09:45] Parking lot shenanigans: monster trucks and motorcycles
• [11:13] Reflection: “It was a dump, but it was our dump”
• [13:07] Yiddish word of the day / show host jokes
• [14:38] Guadalupe Squares listener requests
• [15:13-16:34] Interview stories: Peter Steele, rock star guests

Overall Tone & Style

The discussion is casual, irreverent, and packed with in-jokes; the hosts’ familiarity and Arizona pride shine through. Listeners get a blend of real-world warnings, riotous station lore, and a taste of the distinctly raucous, blue-collar energy that sets HMS apart in morning radio.

Summary

This episode segment exemplifies HMS at its best—important local news (travel safety), wild workplace history, signature humor, and fan engagement, all delivered in the group’s unique, unfiltered style. If you’ve ever wondered what it was like “back in the day” at Arizona’s rock radio HQ—or if you miss that classic blend of bold jokes and brotherhood—this is a can’t-miss break.