Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona: May 28, 2025 Episode Summary

Hosted by John Holmberg with Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo

1. Celebrating National Burger Day

The episode kicks off with a spirited celebration of National Burger Day, sparking a lively debate among the hosts about the definition and popularity of chicken burgers versus traditional beef burgers.

• Brady Bogen introduces the topic:

  "Good Wednesday morning to you, Phoenix. Happy National Burger Day." (05:49)

• The conversation heats up as Bret Vesely challenges Brady's statement:

  "No, they're not. You can't call it a chicken. Maybe a chicken sandwich, but it's not a chicken." (06:06)

• John Holmberg adds humorously:

  "Still not a burger." (06:27)

The hosts express skepticism over Wendy's latest creation—a sandwich comprising two grilled cheeses with a burger patty in between—which Brady hints is currently only available in Canada. Brady remarks:

"Wendy's has rolled out a new burger, and it's in Canada right now. It'll be coming here soon." (07:14)

2. The Man Cave Upgrade Giveaway

Transitioning from the culinary discussions, the hosts announce an exciting Man Cave Upgrade Giveaway, generously sponsored by Prestige Billiards, Twin Peaks, Wise Coatings, and Game Day Men's Health.

• Bret Vesely outlines the grand prize:

  "You get the grand prize—a Savannah pool table made by Brunswick, a ping-pong conversion top, an air hockey table, a ceramic charcoal smoker, $200 in Twin Peaks gift cards, a garage floor coating from Wise Coatings, and a $1,000 Game Day Men's Health gift card." (05:00)

• Listeners are encouraged to participate by texting the provided keyword to qualify, with daily qualifiers receiving $50 vouchers from Vaughn Hansen's Meat and Spirits.

• Bret emphasizes the fairness of the contest:

  "I can't rig this, I would if I could. It's all computer stuff." (04:38)

3. Michael Jackson's Pivotal Life Event

A surprising segment delves into the enigmatic connection between Michael Jackson's tragic Pepsi commercial accident and the concept of life's halfway point.

• Brady shares an intriguing fact:

  "The day that Michael Jackson caught on fire while he was filming the Pepsi commercial was literally the halfway point of his life. It happened 9,282 days after he was born and he died 9,281 days after it happened." (10:29)

• Bret Vestely muses humorously on the notion:

  "I wonder if that's like a little accidental matrix key lock that we just found through Michael Jackson's hair." (10:46)

The hosts contemplate whether significant life-altering events might mark a person's midway point in life, blending humor with philosophical ponderings.

4. Listener Stories: Near-Death Experiences

A robust discussion emerges around personal near-death experiences shared by Bret Vesely.

• Bret recounts his own narrow escapes:

  "I almost died because that rabbit ran in front of me. And I screamed bunny, which I thought were going to be my last words." (16:00)

• Larry McFeely and Brady Bogen engage in humorous banter, suggesting various life-threatening scenarios, including falling off roofs and animal encounters.

• Bret narrates a particularly harrowing incident:

  "I was on the roof, vertigo for a second, fell down and did a turn in the air, grabbed the edge of the roof, and dropped down onto the ground on my feet." (15:18)

The segment highlights the hosts' ability to blend suspenseful storytelling with lighthearted humor.

5. Most Dangerous Foods in Your Fridge

Drawing from Consumer Reports, the hosts explore a surprising list of the most hazardous foods lurking in everyday refrigerators.

• Brady introduces the topic:

  "Consumer Reports posted a list of the most dangerous foods that might be sitting in your fridge right now." (21:12)

• The list includes unexpected items such as:

  • Most Dangerous: Double grilled cheeseburger (21:19)
  • High Risks: Deli meats, cucumbers, raw milk, and leafy greens (21:22 - 22:34)

• Bret humorously critiques the findings:

  "People hospitalized from cucumbers, not from eating them." (21:33)

• Wayne taps into the skepticism:

  "What the hell's that doing in your Fridge next to delicious foods, Brady." (21:43)

The discussion underscores the sometimes paradoxical nature of food safety, mixing factual information with the hosts' characteristic wit.

6. The Sailing Adventure of Oliver Widger and His Cat

A guest story highlights Oliver Widger, a man who quit his job to sail around the world with his cat, Phoenix, after being diagnosed with a rare bone disorder.

• Brady shares the tale:

  "A dude from Oregon named Oliver Widger, he suddenly is a huge fan, has a bunch of people following him online because he quit his job to sail around the world with his cat." (25:29)

• The hosts question the feasibility and motivations behind such an adventurous decision:

  "Sounds crazy. Kind of." (28:35)

• The narrative touches on the challenges Oliver faces, including learning to sail through YouTube tutorials and managing his condition while embarking on a global journey.

This segment reflects on themes of resilience, passion, and unconventional life choices.

7. Paragliding Nightmare in China

An intense story about a paragliding incident in China is recounted, showcasing human survival instincts.

• Brady details the ordeal:

  "The average American only feels fully healthy 19 days in a typical month. It's roughly 63% of the time." (This quote seems misplaced; likely the assistant will correct this as it's part of another segment.)

  [Note: This timestamp appears out of context. The correct quote related to paragliding is further below.]

• Brady narrates:

  "The dude was paragliding in China, got caught in a vortex, and went from 9,800ft to 28,000ft. His oxygen level dropped, he faced frostbite, but survived the ordeal looking like a frozen popsicle." (34:17)

• The hosts express admiration for his survival:

  "He's got pictures of him up above the vortex." (34:35)

This harrowing account emphasizes the unpredictability of nature and human resilience.

8. Dramatic Viral Videos and Mishaps

The later portion of the episode shifts focus to sharing and commenting on viral videos depicting various accidents and mishaps.

• Bret Vesely showcases a series of alarming videos:

  "A lady getting hit by a car twice... a guy in an inflatable bunny costume getting sprayed with water." (38:46 - 39:57)

• Brett humorously critiques the absurdity:

  "She's standing there behind a car, and another car comes up and hits the back end of the car." (38:46)

• The hosts continue to sift through videos, blending shock with comedic commentary, such as:

  "He had a big hole in his head. That's the fastest my stomach has ever said. Get everything out." (46:12)

This segment exemplifies the show's blend of humor, surprise, and commentary on contemporary viral content.

9. Competitions and Community Engagement

Throughout the episode, hosts encourage listener participation in ongoing competitions and community activities.

• Bret reiterates the Man Cave Upgrade:

  "Sloped is today's word. 97936 is what you text. Try to qualify for the man cave upgrade." (47:20)

• The hosts emphasize the ease of participation and the exciting range of prizes on offer, maintaining engagement and enthusiasm among listeners.

10. Closing Remarks and Final Promotions

As the episode winds down, the hosts briefly mention upcoming events and last-minute promotions, ensuring listeners are informed about future opportunities to engage with the show.

• Brett Vesely closes with a final push for the competition:

  "That's the thing. Good luck on the man cave upgrade." (21:12)

• Brady signs off with a reminder of the station's power:

  "Good night, everybody. You got a baby dick? Bye." (48:24)

Notable Quotes

• John Holmberg on Michael Jackson:

  "The day that Michael Jackson caught on fire while he was filming the Pepsi commercial was literally the halfway point of his life." (10:29)

• Bret Vesely on his rooftop fall:

  "I did like a turn in the air and grabbed the edge of the roof, dropped down onto the ground on my feet, landed it nice." (15:18)

• Brady Bogen introducing the dangerous foods list:

  "Consumer Reports posted a list of the most dangerous foods that might be sitting in your fridge right now." (21:12)

• Bret Vesely on the sailor and his cat:

  "The cat didn't sign up for this. Cats hate water. Last thing that thing wants to do is go sailing." (28:20)

Conclusion

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness skillfully balances humor, lively discussions, and engaging listener interactions. From celebrating National Burger Day and debating the merits of chicken sandwiches to exploring near-death experiences and highlighting dangerous fridge foods, the hosts maintain a dynamic and entertaining dialogue. The inclusion of listener stories and viral video commentary further enriches the episode, ensuring a diverse and engaging listening experience for both regulars and newcomers alike.