Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona

Episode: 05-20-25
Release Date: May 20, 2025

1. Introduction to the Episode

John Holmberg kicks off the episode with brief mentions of sponsors and upcoming local comedy events, setting the stage for a mix of entertainment, current events, and light-hearted discussions.

2. ReactDefense Promotion

Timestamp: [01:12]

John Holmberg introduces ReactDefense, promoting their tactical black self-defense training. He emphasizes the importance of being prepared and physically fit, highlighting a special offer:

"Two months of personal training... it's only $199 bucks for two months." - John Holmberg

3. International Popularity and Ratings Discussion

Timestamp: [02:00 - 07:09]

The team delves into an unexpected surge in the podcast's popularity in African countries, specifically Cameroon and Djibouti. Brett expresses surprise:

"You’re killing every show here in Arizona to be number one." - Brett

They humorously speculate on reasons behind this trend, mentioning connections through someone named Janny who distributed KUPD merchandise in Africa. John raises concerns about potential data manipulation or view inflation:

"It tells me either it's been infiltrated and your information is at risk, or we did what Pratt did... buying views and clicks." - John Holmberg

Larry McFeely adds context by comparing it to previous experiences with fake social media growth:

"Dave Pratt had that thing where he was trying to brag about his social media going from like a thousand to ten thousand in a day." - Larry McFeely

4. Comedy Events in the Valley

Timestamp: [07:11 - 08:54]

Brady Bogen promotes local comedy shows:

"Get up north to Desert Ridge to see comedy sets from Leo Gonzalez and Tempe at the Improv... downtown at Stand Up Live, Gary Owen entertains." - Brady Bogen

Listeners are encouraged to visit specific websites for tickets:

• StandUpLive.com
• DesertRidgeImprov.com
• TempeImprov.com

5. National Observances and Fun Facts

Timestamp: [08:54 - 10:18]

Larry McFeely brings up National Streaming Day and National High Heel Day, sharing quirky facts such as:

"The seaside village of Carmel, California, bans wearing high heels more than 2 inches in height without a permit to prevent tripping over uneven pavement." - Larry McFeely

Brett humorously comments on high heels, relating it to personal experiences.

6. Least Paying Jobs by Degree

Timestamp: [13:27 - 15:28]

Larry discusses a Fortune.com report listing the top 10 college degrees with the lowest starting salaries. Key points include:

• Communications and Teaching dominate the least paying degrees.
• Median incomes for these jobs are between $40,000 to $42,000 annually.

Brett and Larry debate the merits and frustrations of pursuing these fields, with Brett advocating for leaving underpaid teaching jobs.

"If you go to college to teach, you don't complain about your money. It's not a paying job." - Brett

7. Workplace Productivity and AI Integration

Timestamp: [15:28 - 17:22]

Larry cites a Microsoft study highlighting workplace interruptions:

• Employees are interrupted every two minutes by meetings, emails, and other notifications.
• 60% of meetings are ad hoc and called spontaneously.

Suggestions include:

• Blocking out productive time.
• Implementing AI assistants to handle routine tasks.

"Pick the time of the day that you're most productive and block out that time to not be interrupted." - Larry McFeely

8. Poll: Sending Back Restaurant Food

Timestamp: [17:35 - 19:31]

A discussion on restaurant patrons returning or not returning food:

• 40% have never sent food back.
• 49% rarely send food back.
• Only 7% frequently return their meals.

Larry clarifies the poll:

"28% said they would send it back if it tasted bad, while 80% would return it if they received the wrong order." - Larry McFeely

Brett humorously emphasizes personal reluctance to return food unless it's entirely incorrect.

9. Cat Drug Smuggling Incident in Costa Rica

Timestamp: [19:31 - 22:33]

An unusual incident where prison officials in Costa Rica caught a cat attempting to smuggle drugs:

• The cat was found with 236 grams of marijuana and 68 grams of heroin strapped to its back.
• Speculation on the method’s feasibility and the challenges of training cats for such tasks ensues.

"Cats are hard to train. You can’t teach it to walk somewhere, climb a fence, and drop something." - Brett

They discuss alternative smuggling methods like pigeons but doubt their practicality.

10. Guinness World Record: Smurfs in France

Timestamp: [26:52 - 28:49]

A small town in France sets a Guinness World Record by gathering 3,076 people dressed as Smurfs:

• The event succeeded on the third attempt after previous efforts fell short.

Brett shares his frustration with the French attempts and humorously recounts his own group's failed attempts to replicate the record.

"We blew ourselves again and went out. And this time, success." - Brett

11. Introduction of a New Flying Car

Timestamp: [28:49 - 33:05]

The team discusses Klein Vision's new mass-produced flying car set to launch next year:

• Price: Starting at $800,000, up to $1 million with additional features.
• Features include retractable wings and a propeller, transforming into an airplane in under two minutes.

They debate its practicality, noting the necessity of runways and pilot licenses:

"You still need a Runway... you need a pilot's license." - John Holmberg

The consensus is skepticism about its feasibility and immediate usefulness.

12. Incident Reports: Bull Riding and Cliff Diving Accidents

Timestamp: [33:04 - 38:59]

Bull Riding Accident:

• A rider’s foot gets stuck on the bull, resulting in a chaotic and dangerous situation.

"The guy's foot got stuck. Yikes." - Brett

Cliff Diving Accident:

• A diver slips, hits the rocks face-first, leading to severe injuries.

"He hits his face first. Oh, my God. That's horrible." - Brett

These segments highlight the inherent dangers in extreme sports and activities.

13. Listener Interaction and Humorous Banter

Timestamp: [38:59 - 44:50]

The hosts engage in playful exchanges, sharing personal anecdotes and humorous critiques:

• Brady's Reading Skills:

  "Brett trying to get through that story was brutal. I didn't know Brett couldn't read either." - John Holmberg

• Creosote Bush Facts:

  "It's basically the smell of tar." - Larry McFeely

The conversation showcases the camaraderie and spontaneous humor among the hosts.

14. Final Promotions and Closing Remarks

Timestamp: [44:50 - 48:06]

John Holmberg and Doug Hopkins promote MMP Guns, highlighting their extensive inventory, competitive pricing, and current discounts:

"MMP Guns has over 400,000 products for sale daily. All new firearms are 10% off." - Doug Hopkins

Additionally, Brett promotes Turf Monsters and their involvement with Lost Our Homeless Pet Rescue, urging listeners to support their efforts.

Key Takeaways

• Entertainment Mix: The podcast blends local event promotions, humorous banter, serious discussions on societal issues, and listener interactions.
• International Reach: Unexpected popularity in African countries sparks humorous and speculative conversations about audience demographics.
• Practical Advice: Discussions on workplace productivity and handling underpaid jobs provide listeners with relatable content and actionable insights.
• Humor and Camaraderie: The hosts maintain a light-hearted and engaging dynamic, ensuring the content remains entertaining and personable.

Notable Quotes

• "If you go to college to teach, you don't complain about your money. It's not a paying job." - Brett [13:43]
• "Cats are hard to train. You can't teach it to walk somewhere, climb a fence, and drop something." - Brett [21:26]
• "You still need a Runway... you need a pilot's license." - John Holmberg [30:00]

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness offers a diverse array of topics, wrapped in humor and insightful commentary, making it a compelling listen for both regular followers and new audiences.