Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona Episode: May 9, 2025
Title: Rather Be Pope's Brother Or Famous Criminal's Brother - We Take Issue w/DBacks Celebrating Other Teams' Players On Heritage Nights - Brady's Russian Drinking Story From His Celebration of Life Event

1. Opening Remarks and Introductions

The episode kicks off with host John Holmberg reintroducing the show's primary topics for the day, setting the stage for a lively and engaging discussion with his co-hosts Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo.

2. The Hypothetical Dilemma: Pope's Brother vs. Criminal's Brother

John Holmberg poses a thought-provoking question to the group:

John Holmberg [02:00]: "What would you rather be—the brother of the Pope or the brother of a famous criminal like the BTK killer?"

The conversation delves into the societal perceptions and personal implications of being associated with either a revered religious figure or a notorious criminal. The hosts humorously debate the perks and pitfalls of each scenario, emphasizing the challenges of living in the shadow of such prominent figures.

Brady Bogen [03:36]: "I'd rather be the BTK Killer's brother because I'm still the best one in the family."

3. Critique of Arizona Diamondbacks' Heritage Nights

The discussion shifts to sports, specifically addressing the Arizona Diamondbacks' approach to Heritage Nights. John expresses frustration over the team's attempts to honor Japanese heritage by celebrating players from opposing teams, rather than their own roster.

John Holmberg [10:00]: "They’re celebrating Shohei Ohtani, who’s a Dodger, during Japanese Appreciation Night. It’s like celebrating the opposing team, which is counterproductive."

The hosts critique the superficial execution of these events, highlighting instances where the Diamondbacks failed to authentically honor the intended heritage, often defaulting to generic and ineffective gestures.

John Holmberg [19:14]: "They should have had every time the camera hit the crowd, it should have been themed appropriately, not just randomly featuring Japanese individuals."

4. Dogs and Their Quirks

Interspersed within the main topics, the hosts enjoy a lighter segment discussing border collies and their intelligence. They share anecdotes about the overexcitement these dogs can exhibit, especially in high-energy environments like dog parks.

John Holmberg [09:03]: "Border collies are super smart. They'll start doing math if you let them."

5. Brady's Russian Drinking Story from a Celebration of Life Event

Brady shares an entertaining and exaggerated tale from a recent celebration of life event, where attendees engaged in a vodka shot contest with former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Brady Bogen [24:32]: "We got into a vodka shot contest, and Gorbachev tapped out at seven shots, but another guy kept going to twenty."

John humorously questions the authenticity of the story, suggesting it's embellished for comedic effect.

John Holmberg [25:38]: "Why was Gorbachev involved in a drinking contest? It sounds like a scene from 'Raiders of the Lost Ark.'"

The hosts laugh over the improbability of the events, agreeing that such stories add a legendary flair to personal anecdotes shared during significant life moments.

6. Listener Interaction and Community Stories

The episode also includes brief interactions with listeners, sharing heartwarming stories about pets from the Lost Our Home Pet Rescue and promoting community engagement through various sponsored segments.

John Holmberg [28:50]: "This week's Pick of the Litter is Jep, a special project looking for a forever home."

7. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events

As the episode wraps up, John encourages listeners to engage with the show’s sponsors and tease upcoming topics, maintaining the show's signature blend of humor, controversy, and community focus.

Notable Quotes:

• John Holmberg [02:00]: "What would you rather be—the brother of the Pope or the brother of a famous criminal like the BTK killer?"

• Brady Bogen [03:36]: "I'd rather be the BTK Killer's brother because I'm still the best one in the family."

• John Holmberg [19:14]: "They should have had every time the camera hit the crowd, it should have been themed appropriately, not just randomly featuring Japanese individuals."

• Brady Bogen [24:32]: "We got into a vodka shot contest, and Gorbachev tapped out at seven shots, but another guy kept going to twenty."

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness offers a blend of humorous hypotheticals, sharp critiques of local sports teams, engaging community stories, and entertaining personal anecdotes, all while maintaining the show's characteristic edge and wit. Whether you're a regular listener or tuning in for the first time, this episode provides insightful and amusing content that captures the essence of Arizona's #1 Morning Radio Show.