Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona | Episode: May 5, 2025

Released on May 5, 2025

Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Special Guest: Katie Hobbs, Governor of Arizona

1. Interview with Governor Katie Hobbs

The episode kicks off with a lively and humorous interaction between the hosts and their special guest, Governor Katie Hobbs.

• Banter and Introductions:

  • John Holmberg welcomes Katie Hobbs, expressing excitement about the episode's beautiful weather in Arizona: “Here in paradise we have a lovely, beautiful, glorious day ahead of us. In the high 70s, mid 70s, low 70s... fantastic” (02:10).

• Discussion on Recent Events:

  • Katie Hobbs shares her experience attending the recent You Fest, mentioning being backstage but staying in the background due to a "big eclipse" that obscured visibility: “I couldn't see. There was a big eclipse backstage. No one could see around it” (02:45).

• Humorous Exchanges:

  • The hosts engage in playful teasing about Bret’s flat tire incident at the show. Katie jokes about helping but ultimately decides against it, leading to a series of light-hearted jabs: “Why didn't you?” and responses like “I figured if you were gonna put that thing back in the car, your tire's just gonna go flat again” (03:06).

• Closing Remarks:

  • Despite the teasing, Katie Hobbs appreciates the show and expresses hope for future improvements: “I had a good time at the show... I hope that they can get the concrete workers in to fix all the cracks in the ground before the terrorists kick in because they're gonna” (04:12).

2. John Holmberg's Waymo Incident

John Holmberg narrates a frustrating encounter with an autonomous vehicle service, Waymo, highlighting the challenges of relying on automated systems.

• The Attempt to Help a Senior Citizen:

  • John recounts attempting to assist a 94-year-old woman with using a Waymo vehicle: “I ordered up a Waymo and said, meet at Butterfly Wonderland... Her name is Paula, let's go. We got like two minutes getting in the car” (06:17).

• Technical Difficulties:

  • He describes the complications with the car’s location and a passerby interfering by closing the trunk prematurely, resulting in the vehicle leaving without them: “Some jackass gets out of his car... So I'm in the parking lot. I can't. It's over there” (07:43).

• Outcome and Frustration:

  • The incident ends with John expressing his displeasure towards the individual who sabotaged the process: “Oh, man. You prick bastard. So long story short, F you to that guy” (08:04).

3. Cinco de Mayo Poll and Cultural Insights

Nina introduces a poll about Cinco de Mayo, sparking a discussion on public perceptions and historical accuracy.

• Poll Results:

  • Nina shares the poll findings: “39% of Americans say it's Mexican Independence Day... 26% say it's celebration of margaritas... 13% say it's a fun excuse to drink, and another 13% have no clue” (09:04).

• Historical Context:

  • John Holmberg provides a humorous take on the historical backdrop, emphasizing that Cinco de Mayo is often misunderstood: “They beat up the French, right?... the Mexicans knocked them back” (09:15).

• Cultural Commentary:

  • The hosts joke about international relations, particularly between Mexicans and the French, adding a comedic twist to historical events: “Nobody wanted the part they kept. But even Canadians beat the snot out of the French ones” (10:24).

4. TSA Real ID Requirements and Public Frustration

A heated discussion ensues regarding the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) new Real ID requirements.

• Announcement Overview:

  • Nina informs listeners about the TSA’s mandate: “If you don't have the real ID by Wednesday and you're flying, get to the airport at least three hours early and shop” (15:00).

• Hosts' Rant:

  • John Holmberg vehemently criticizes the policy, labeling it a “money grab” and questioning its efficacy in enhancing security: “Why are we not mad about this starting Wednesday?... It’s the biggest scam I’ve ever seen” (14:03).

• Implications:

  • The conversation underscores frustration with bureaucratic inefficiencies and added costs for citizens without perceivable benefits: “We're blowing it by making you guys have 34-year licenses... We screwed that up” (14:14).

5. Movie Discussion: "Conclave"

The hosts delve into their thoughts on the movie "Conclave," critiquing its portrayal of the Catholic Church.

• Initial Impressions:

  • John Holmberg shares his evolving opinion on the film, initially finding it dull but later appreciating its critical stance: “I fell asleep the first time I watched Conclave and then the second time I watched it, I liked” (15:42).

• Thematic Analysis:

  • They discuss the movie’s critique of hypocrisy within the Catholic Church and its narrative arc: “It's good because it's the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church and they basically beat the hell out of the Catholic Church” (15:57).

• Humorous Observations:

  • The hosts humorously compare the movie's special effects to their own skills: “...it looks like some of Brett's videos... some dude taking a pipe and trying to fit it over another one” (16:16).

6. Crime Stories in Florida

A segment dedicated to recent criminal activities in Florida, highlighting bizarre and humorous offenses.

• Cans and Corn Chaos:

  • Nina reports on an arrest involving a man throwing cans of food into people's homes: “He was going around the neighborhood throwing cans of food through people's houses” (19:07).

• Naked Drunkenness:

  • Another story covers an individual arrested for being intoxicated and excessively naked while shopping: “He was drunk... walking around parking lot wearing only a T-shirt, no pants” (20:26).

• Discussion and Speculation:

  • The hosts speculate on the identities and backgrounds of the offenders, adding comedic remarks: “Probably Haitian... He's so Haitian that, that the picture of him can get you sick” (20:03).

7. Innovations in Fireworks: Drone Shows

The hosts express awe over the integration of drones in modern fireworks displays, showcasing technological advancements.

• Visual Spectacle:

  • Nina shares a video of a drone-based fireworks show, likening it to scenes from "King Kong": “This is so great to watch... it's the neatest thing I've seen ever” (24:37).

• Technical Milestones:

  • They discuss the mechanics of drone fireworks, highlighting the lack of concussive reactions and the precision of the displays: “Thousands of... they fire fireworks from the drone. Oh, my God. It's the greatest time to be alive” (24:37).

8. Controversial "Cripples Fight" Segment

In a controversial and sensitive segment, the hosts critique and mock a fictionalized depiction of disabled individuals engaging in boxing.

• Description of the Fight:

  • John Holmberg narrates a fabricated fight scene featuring individuals with disabilities: “These are crippled people in a boxing ring... he's throwing a knee into the midget” (27:34).

• Hosts' Commentary:

  • The discussion is laced with inappropriate humor and derogatory remarks about the participants, reflecting insensitivity towards disabilities: “This is awful, you know. Still working those knees” (31:04).

• Comparison to Mainstream Sports:

  • They contrast the segment with professional fights, criticizing actual matches for lack of activity: “Canelo Alvarez and Skull fight on Friday broke a record... I'd rather watch those cripples fight” (30:57).

• Ethical Considerations:

  • The episode's portrayal raises concerns about the respectful and ethical representation of individuals with disabilities, highlighting a need for more considerate content.

Conclusion

Holmberg's Morning Sickness delivers a mix of lighthearted banter, insightful discussions on current events, and controversial segments that provoke varied reactions. From engaging interviews with political figures like Governor Katie Hobbs to critical takes on public policies and entertainment, the episode embodies the show's aim to entertain and challenge its Arizona audience.

Notable Quotes:

• John Holmberg: “Why are we not mad about this starting Wednesday?... It’s the biggest scam I’ve ever seen” (14:03).
• Katie Hobbs: “I had a good time at the show... I hope that they can get the concrete workers in to fix all the cracks in the ground” (04:12).
• John Holmberg: “This is the most unbelievable thing I've ever watched. We have this kind of technology” (25:20).

For more episodes, visit 98KUPD or tune in weekdays from 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM.