03-31-25 - John Was On Listener's Podcast Called Felonious Friends - Guadalupe Replay

Summary

Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona: Episode Summary (03-31-25)

Episode Title: John Was On Listener's Podcast Called Felonious Friends - Guadalupe Replay
Release Date: March 31, 2025
Host: John Holmberg
Co-Hosts: Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Podcast Platform: 98KUPD | Hubbard Radio

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1. Introduction to the Episode

In this episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness (HMS), host John Holmberg delves into his recent experience appearing on a listener's podcast titled Felonious Friends. Co-host Brady Bogen and the team engage in a lively discussion about podcasting, listener interactions, and personal motivations. The episode also features a segment called the Guadalupe Replay, highlighting quirky observations about local businesses.

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2. John Holmberg’s Appearance on Felonious Friends Podcast

John Holmberg shares his unexpected involvement with a listener's podcast, Felonious Friends, hosted by Swiftbert and his friends. The experience begins when a long-time listener requests John to join their podcast, prompting John to accept despite his initial reservations.

Key Points:

• Initial Hesitation: John expresses skepticism about joining a random listener's podcast, fearing potential risks.
• Meeting the Hosts: Upon arrival, John meets Swiftbert and his friends, TJ and RJ, who were formerly incarcerated. They bonded over shared experiences in prison, which inspired them to start the podcast.
• Podcast Environment: Contrary to John's fears of encountering hostile or dangerous individuals, he finds the hosts to be friendly and engaging. The podcast setup impresses him with its professional equipment and aesthetic appeal, likened humorously to scenes from Bill and Ted's.

Notable Quotes:

• John Holmberg [01:23]: "I could be driving right into a stolen kidney trap that's all I could think of is, they're gonna swipe my kidneys."
• Brady Bogen [03:16]: "So you're at a squatter's palace."
• John Holmberg [04:24]: "They were actually very nice guys. So I don't know if it's good or bad or how it was. It was fun. They were nice guys."

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3. Listener Interaction and Personal Motivation

The discussion shifts to the impact of the radio show on listeners, highlighting a heartfelt message from a listener named Chris Paras. Chris credits HMS for inspiring him to pursue his passion in aviation and entrepreneurship.

Key Points:

• Listener Appreciation: Chris Paras shares how the show motivated him to transition from a stable job to running his own aviation maintenance business.
• Encouragement and Empowerment: John emphasizes that listeners have the capacity to achieve their dreams without relying solely on external validation or educational credentials.
• Overcoming Self-Imposed Limitations: The conversation underscores the importance of self-belief and taking proactive steps towards personal and professional growth.

Notable Quotes:

• Chris Paras (via John Holmberg) [06:19]: "I want to thank you again for listening to this, Brady. I want to thank you again for the inspiration to get my business going and earn the living that I want."
• John Holmberg [06:50]: "Trust me, if anybody can, I can keep a paycheck going for 25 years without interruption. You can too."
• Brady Bogen [07:39]: "If you're gonna get held back. Get held back at a place where you want to be held back."

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4. Guadalupe Replay Segment

In the Guadalupe Replay, John and Brady reflect on a humorous discovery about local donut shops. They uncover that many Asian-owned donut establishments excel at their craft, a revelation sparked by Brady's insights.

Key Points:

• Cultural Excellence in Donuts: The hosts jest that Asian-owned donut shops set themselves apart in quality and taste.
• Community Observations: This segment serves as a lighthearted appreciation of local businesses and the diverse talents within the community.
• Engagement with Listeners: The replay encourages listeners to notice and celebrate the unique strengths of various local establishments.

Notable Quotes:

• Brady Bogen [10:18]: "Brady's the one who brought us the idea that all Asians are great with donuts."
• John Holmberg [10:42]: "It just went off the rails. And just know that Brady's the one who brought us the idea that all Asians are great with donuts."

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5. Conclusion and Closing Remarks

John wraps up the episode by reiterating the inspirational messages from listeners like Chris Paras and emphasizes the accessibility of podcasting for anyone interested in sharing their voice. The segment concludes with a playful nod to 98 KUPD as Arizona's leading rock radio station.

Key Points:

• Accessibility of Podcasting: John encourages listeners to explore podcasting, emphasizing that formal education is not a prerequisite for success in this medium.
• Community and Support: The episode fosters a sense of community, highlighting the mutual support between the show and its listeners.
• Final Shout-Out: Acknowledgment of 98 KUPD solidifies the station's prominent position in Arizona's radio landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• John Holmberg [05:10]: "Anybody can do this now. Anybody... You just go buy some stuff and start talking. It works out."
• John Holmberg [10:42]: "It's 98, Arizona's most powerful, powerful rock radio station."

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6. Key Takeaways

• Embrace Opportunities: Stepping out of comfort zones can lead to unexpected and positive experiences, as evidenced by John’s podcast appearance.
• Listener Impact: HMS plays a significant role in motivating listeners to pursue their ambitions and overcome personal barriers.
• Community Appreciation: Celebrating local businesses and diverse talents strengthens community bonds and fosters mutual respect.
• Accessible Content Creation: Podcasting is presented as an accessible platform for anyone willing to share their story, demystifying the process of content creation.

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This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness offers a blend of personal anecdotes, listener stories, and community observations, all delivered with the show’s characteristic humor and candidness. Whether you're a regular listener or new to the show, this episode provides valuable insights into the power of community and the importance of pursuing one's passions.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

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[John Holberg]

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[Brady]

You thought that was funny? You were laughing like a hyena when he said it. What the hell is wrong with you?

[John Holberg]

Monday morning, final day of March going into April. Here comes the heat, here comes the fun. I have to say, Brady, you're on deck on this one. Perhaps I rubbed elbows with the unwashed on Saturday. I was asked a little bit ago if I would just do a random listeners podcast. And as much as it sickened me to think of doing this, I said, you know what? Why not? Let's see what people are doing here with podcasting. Switbert, who's been a listener for a long time, is doing some podcast called Felonious Friends. Magic Man. Magic Man. Brady didn't know his name, so he called him the Magic man because he at one point did card tricks for us. So swiftbird asked a while ago, and I'm like, sounds awful. He's going to your house and stuff. And so I, you know, halfway driving to his house because he gave me directions and all that Saturday morning, and I'm like, God, I. I could be driving right into a stolen kidney trap that's all I could think of is, they're gonna swipe my kidneys. There's no question. So I hopped in there, and it's him and his friend. There's TJ and rj and, yeah, they have, you know, all this stuff. I don't remember which one was what, but they met in jail when Swift Burt was driving along and had, like, hundreds of pounds of marijuana in the back of his car. And then the other kid started to say that he was in jail because he shot at a cab, and he was saying that it was someone else's fault. Did you shoot the gun at the cab? Well, yeah, but the guy was coming at me, like, in the cab. No, she just shot his car. Yeah, I had to scare him. I'm like, did it work? No, he got madder. I'm like, yeah, that's it. Then a couple weeks later, they threw him in the joint. Anyway, they met in the. They met in prison and then started a podcast together. So I did that, and they asked me if I would. I know. So I went over to his house, which he doesn't currently legally live in.

[Podcast Host]

So you're at a squatter's palace.

[Brady]

I am very impressed.

[John Holberg]

Thank you. I decided to venture out, and I went into his house and. And all that stuff, and he bought a bunch of Coke Zero for me, which was nice. So I had, you know, and so I did Swiftbert's podcast in his house with his buddies, and they were actually very nice people. It was a. It was a lot of fun. I don't know if that their show is anything special. I don't know. No one was. It seemed like they were just dudes talking, but I think that's what podcasts are. His girlfriend was there and all that. So I just want to say thanks, Felonious, I believe it's called. And he said, what would it take for me to get you to talk about this on the air? I'm like, oh, I'll talk about it. I was in some strange Listeners home, and it was, you know, they had Avenged Sevenfold banners as curtains in the room I was in. So that's where. That's how, you know.

[Podcast Host]

Sounds like Bill and Ted's.

[John Holberg]

Yeah, it was kind of. It was exactly that. And then. But they had, like. They had as good as equipment as we've got in here. Like, that room was beautiful. Like, their setup was awesome. So, Swiftburg, thank you for allowing me.

[Brady]

Swiftburg, I want to apologize.

[John Holberg]

He said he's. Yeah, he said he tried to get.

[Brady]

You and you back in March 20, he's been asking, and I forgot to respond.

[John Holberg]

Well, he told me that they were asking you because there was no possible way I'd do it. Yeah, I said you weren't gonna show up. Brady says yes for food. So if they just had some food, you'd go to somebody's house. But again, that starts to sound a little bit like a murder. Like. Like they're trapping you, like you're walking into a web. And I did feel that way. Pulling into the house, I'm like, oh, yeah, this is. I'm gonna def. I'm gonna end up in an ice tub without any organs. But that didn't happen. They were actually very nice. So I don't know if it's. If it's good or bad or how they. It was fun. They were nice guys. The one Kai tries to do a bunch of impressions, I was just giving him guff the entire, how do you do? I listen to the flonies friends.

[Brady]

Howdy, do you listen to the colonies friends.

[John Holberg]

You'll enjoy. You'll enjoy my reaction because I was very honest with him.

[Brady]

No, I just kept, like, the theme, the flow.

[John Holberg]

They were friends from felonies.

[Brady]

Yeah.

[John Holberg]

And they went with that. So I don't know. I don't know how to find it. It says the episode will be up today on Spotify and YouTube this afternoon at. Right, at 12. So if you're interested, write it down. Listen to a bunch of listeners. Anybody can do this now. Anybody? Yeah, there's nobody who has. You don't used to have to go to school for stuff like, come on. I don't think if anybody's proven that that's unnecessary. It's this show right here. Brady went to college for this. Kind of a meat sticker. You thinking that you had to pay to be part of this? We're all idiots. You just go buy some stuff and start talking. It works out. So it was nice to do that. Also saw a guy named Chris Paras, and we've known him for a while. He's come to a few events, but he said, I saw him Saturday at the baseball game. He said, I want to thank you again for listening to this, Brady. I want to thank you again for the inspiration to get my business going and earn the living that I want. That's right. I did that.

[Podcast Host]

Was he a teacher before?

[John Holberg]

No, I listened in the morning. And the shenanigans that get you. That get into dropping money on the things you want, not as a status thing, but because you Want to and you can. And it motivated me. Instead of listening and watching you and others, I started thinking, I can do this. I got to take control. Being in business, aviation and a seasoned A and P, I don't know what that is. Airlines and stuff. He fixes airplanes. He said, I've made a name for myself, and now I maintain four aircraft and possibly adding another with my new company. Thank you for. Thank you and the crew for the motivation and the laughs. And the invitation is here if you want to come by and walk my aircraft. Scottsdale airplane guy. Chris, how about that? If it wasn't for us being snobbish and talking about things that we have, that guy would have just sat back and continued to be poor and miserable. But no, he realized if those jackasses can have things, I can too. And he's right. None of you are being held back. I mean, maybe a fear. I don't know. There's a possibility some of you are being held back. Yeah, there's stupid. Like, there's a few of you that are holding yourselves back, but it's all you. Trust me, if anybody can, I can keep a paycheck going for 25 years without interruption. You can too.

[Brady]

If you're gonna get held back. Get held back at a place where you want to be held back.

[John Holberg]

Right? Exactly. Yeah. 20. I mean, 20. Oh, somebody says was the house of the podcast and the Avenues. Oh, no, I'm not ready to do that. I was gonna say it was in Mesa, which was enough, but I know the area, so I was comfor comfortable. A new escape routes and stuff.

[Brady]

Your old hood?

[John Holberg]

Yeah, it was my old hood.

[Podcast Host]

It wasn't by Westwood or nothing, right?

[John Holberg]

Well, I was getting a little too close for Westwood, for comfort. It was between. It was over by Roosevelt Elementary.

[Podcast Host]

So north of the 60 a little bit.

[John Holberg]

Yeah. North of Southern. Just a little. Yeah, I know, but I knew the canal and I knew escape routes. If I was on the Avenues, I'd end up escaping and I'd be living on the Blade. I wouldn't. I wouldn't know where to go. I'd be on this point. I'd be stuck on the blade for years. But in Mesa, I'm comfortable because if the crap hits the fan, I know where to go. I know where the McDonald's is. I know where the safe house is. I know what I know. I know my way around, but it was fun, so. Yeah, but the other guy, Chris, just listening to the show, said these guys seem to have stuff they, like, quit working for the man. So he's doing that now. He maintains aircraft with his own company. Good for you, Chris. Everybody can do it. You can all do it. Not all of you. Most of you can do it. Some of you are kind of our words. But outside of that, and you know, if you are or not, ask your parents. At a certain point, your parents stop believing in you. I know a couple people who have kids and they talk about that. I'm like, how's your son doing? Who? Which one? And I'm like, the oldest one. Oh, Robbie. Yeah, He's a janitor at high school. Like, oh, really? Is that what he wants to do? It's like, that's about as far as that kid's going to go. Like, oh, you gave up on him, huh? At a certain point, you just have to recognize the Peter principle is in play. He's not getting any higher.

[Brady]

Do it before you leave to work this morning. Do it to your parents. You're probably living at home. Yeah, ask your parents now.

[John Holberg]

Well, look, if you're living at home, don't ask your parents. You know, there's no need for a query here. You don't have to go to Reddit to find answers. If you have to, ask your parents, hey, do you guys still believe in me? And you're listening to this show.

[Brady]

For 40 years, we've believed in you, son.

[John Holberg]

We're never taking that away from you. Someday this is all going to work out and your mushroom field is going to turn into a great big wealth of money and dreams. Now, not so much. But if you have to ask your parents, hey, do you believe in me? If you're old enough to do that, recognize it, and you're still living there.

[Podcast Host]

You can't handle it.

[John Holberg]

Don't ask. Just don't ask. It's time for the Guadalupe replay. Friday we had learned through Brady's knowledge of food and owners of pretty much any place that serves food, he'll talk to the owner of everything. We learned that most of the donut places in. I don't know if it's America or.

[Brady]

Just here, I'm not sure.

[John Holberg]

Asian owned and operated. And then when Brady said that, we thought maybe they excel at donut donuts. I didn't know this until Friday. We learned it Friday. And it became a thing. And then so it became a square. And so today's Guadalupe replay, the little description underneath on my screen says, asian donut Brady.

[Podcast Host]

This one's great.

[John Holberg]

Brett says it's great. You know what's wrong with it? If Brett says It's great. So I give you last Friday's Guadalupe replay. It just went off the rails. And just know that Brady's the one who brought us the idea that all Asians are great with donuts. That's all you have to know. It's 98, Arizona's most powerful, powerful rock radio station.

[Brady]

Yes.

[John Holberg]

A U P D.