Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona Episode: March 19, 2025 Host: John Holmberg with Brady Bogen, Brett Vesely, and Dick Toledo
Introduction and Building Concerns
The episode kicks off with John Holmberg addressing a persistent issue affecting the show's team: unexplained allergic reactions within their workplace. Throughout the past two weeks, Holmberg and his co-hosts have experienced severe sneezing and sniffing bouts, leading them to speculate about the source.
John Holmberg [00:43]: "There's something in this building... It's in the building. Brady and I both for the last two weeks would come in here just fine. I just sneezed for about 45 minutes."
Brady Bogen and Brett Vesely engage in a dialogue that delves deeper into possible culprits, ranging from asbestos dust to black mold, and even humorously blaming the building's construction materials on "cancer and agent orange."
Brett Vesely [01:56]: "This black mold."
The conversation highlights concerns about prolonged construction activities adjacent to their office, suggesting that the extended grinding and demolition might be releasing harmful substances into their environment.
Personal Anecdotes on Construction and Hidden Secrets
John Holmberg transitions into sharing personal stories from his father's construction background, drawing parallels between past and present building projects. He reminisces about his father's involvement in building the Superdome and the unexpected discovery of treasure chests during construction delays.
John Holmberg [04:17]: "We went... first week we was on it, we uncovered some treasure chests. It delayed the progress on the building so much."
Holmberg contrasts these experiences with the current mysterious construction next door, where instead of uncovering historical artifacts, workers seem to be hiding something more sinister.
John Holmberg [02:14]: "They ground that building up for four years. There's a reason they didn't just tear the building next to us down."
The hosts humorously discuss the inefficiencies and oddities of modern construction practices, lamenting the lack of transparency and the prolonged nature of the current project.
JFK Assassination Files Released
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the recent release of 80,000 pages of JFK assassination documents by the Trump administration. John Holmberg expresses skepticism about the public's ability to digest and interpret such a voluminous release.
John Holmberg [12:11]: "80,000 pages unredacted. Released yesterday by the Trump administration."
Holmberg critiques the likelihood of anyone thoroughly reading the documents, comparing their significance to religious texts like the Bible or Quran, which many also rarely read in entirety.
John Holmberg [12:55]: "Nobody will... It’s the Bible... Everybody just waits for somebody to tell them what it means."
The discussion touches on conspiracy theories surrounding JFK's assassination, with Holmberg debating the notion of Lee Harvey Oswald acting alone versus being influenced by others. He underscores the public's reluctance to engage deeply with the released materials, fearing the complexity and potential implications.
John Holmberg [14:22]: "Nobody reads it. It should have been exciting. Not a soul, not a soul took the time to go... AI could just break it down in a couple of sentences."
The hosts collectively express frustration over media interpretations and the general public's disengagement from critically analyzing the released information.
Returning Astronauts and Space Technology Achievements
Shifting gears, the episode celebrates the successful return of stranded astronauts, highlighting it as a remarkable feat of modern technology. John Holmberg praises NASA's precision in landing capsules and the advancements in space travel.
John Holmberg [19:22]: "They have the technology now to bring something back unmanned and float it back right to the exact spot soft as a feather and place itself in Florida."
The hosts discuss the physiological effects of long-term space travel on astronauts, such as changes in bone density and vision, referencing recent news about Scott Kelly and other astronauts' experiences.
John Holmberg [22:01]: "His heart changed size... He was taller... It's amazing."
Holmberg laments the public's lack of enthusiasm for space achievements, contrasting it with historical awe and suggesting a societal shift towards skepticism and indifference.
John Holmberg [25:18]: "It's an airplane that goes out of the... and burns back up and comes back, and we could use it over and over again. It's 3,600 degrees coming back into the planet, and this thing can take multiple shots. We manage this constantly, and everybody's like, I don't care."
He envisions a future where technological advancements will revolutionize daily life, lamenting the current underappreciation of such milestones.
Execution and Last Meal Discussion
Towards the episode's conclusion, the hosts broach the topic of the latest execution in Arizona, blending it with humorous banter about last meal preferences. They discuss the often overlooked aspects of the execution process and the impersonal nature of the state's handling of such matters.
John Holmberg [28:22]: "This might be it. Yeah. They lethally injected a dude last night for murdering folks in 2002. His name's Ted Price. We killed him last night."
The conversation shifts to speculative and comedic scenarios about inmates' last meal requests, interspersed with light-hearted jokes and personal anecdotes.
Brett Vesely [31:22]: "Yeah, they limit it. You're not gonna sit next. You can get a big breakfast."
Holmberg emphasizes the impersonal and procedural aspects of executions, questioning the depth of the public's engagement with such events.
John Holmberg [28:40]: "He was talking about that because he was up there for almost a year and he came back and it took him months to reacclimate. He was taller... His heart changed size."
Conclusion
John Holmberg wraps up the episode by reflecting on the day's discussions, from workplace health hazards and historical construction tales to significant national releases and space exploration triumphs. He teases an upcoming humorous segment involving an email from a listener, promising laughter and entertainment.
John Holmberg [34:32]: "We got this one email that's just for Brett. You're gonna like this. And we're going to get a wake up song. 585-9800. A good one and we'll scream it together."
The episode concludes with the hosts maintaining their signature blend of humor, skepticism, and insightful commentary, leaving listeners anticipating future discussions and engaging segments.
Notable Quotes:
- John Holmberg [00:43]: "There's something in this building... It's in the building."
- Brett Vesely [01:56]: "This black mold."
- John Holmberg [12:55]: "Nobody will... It’s the Bible... Everybody just waits for somebody to tell them what it means."
- John Holmberg [19:22]: "They have the technology now to bring something back unmanned and float it back right to the exact spot soft as a feather and place itself in Florida."
- John Holmberg [28:22]: "This might be it. Yeah. They lethally injected a dude last night for murdering folks in 2002. His name's Ted Price. We killed him last night."
Conclusion for New Listeners
In this episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness, listeners are treated to a blend of investigative curiosity, personal storytelling, and critical analysis of current events. From unraveling mysterious construction activities and delving into historical conspiracies to celebrating technological advancements in space travel and discussing societal issues like executions, the show offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of diverse topics. Holmberg and his co-hosts skillfully balance humor with depth, making complex subjects accessible and entertaining for both regular followers and newcomers alike.
