Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona Episode: May 30, 2025 - Big Rob Rodriguez - Stand Up Live - In Studio

Host: John Holmberg
Guest: Big Rob Rodriguez
Release Date: May 30, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness on 98 KUPD, host John Holmberg welcomes comedian and entrepreneur Big Rob Rodriguez for an in-depth and entertaining in-studio conversation. The discussion spans Big Rob's personal journey, professional endeavors, comedy career, and social observations, delivering both humor and heartfelt insights for listeners.

Weight Loss Journey

One of the primary topics is Big Rob's significant weight loss and the factors contributing to his transformation.

• Initial Weight and Motivation: Big Rob shares that he once weighed around 270 pounds, noting, “Back when you guys first met me, I'd be about 270” (02:55).

• Medical Intervention: He discusses the role of his doctor’s advice in kickstarting his weight loss: “she said, you know, if you want to make a change, make a change” (02:16).

• Achievements: Rob highlights his progress, stating, “I went down to probably about almost 180” (03:56), and further mentions maintaining a healthier weight at 195 pounds (04:00).

• Health Concerns: John Holmberg expresses concern, “So something life altering had to happen. There's nobody just drops weight like that” (04:09), to which Rob reassures, “I'm in good health. I'm a diabetic, but that's good health” (02:28).

Personal Life and Relationships

The conversation delves into Big Rob's personal life, including his friendships and living situations.

• Friendship with Doug Hopkins: Rob reminisces about his time with Doug in their shared apartment, mentioning, “That's from your company?” (08:24), and humorously recalls the messy departure: “your mattress was coated in blood” (05:45).

• Living Arrangements: Rob discusses his current living situation, referencing his apartment and the challenges of moving furniture: “I'm still really out of. I got, you know, here's the big” (05:15).

Comedy Career and Tour with Gary Owen

Big Rob provides insights into his comedy career and his ongoing tour with fellow comedian Gary Owen.

• Tour Experiences: He shares anecdotes from their performances, including a memorable event at the Kentucky Derby: “It was the last dance at the Titanic. Because white people really dress stupid for this” (09:00).

• Gary Owen’s Personal Life: Rob updates listeners on Gary’s recent divorce and new fatherhood: “He just had twins” (18:32), highlighting the personal growth both comedians are experiencing.

• Upcoming Projects: Big Rob mentions working on a new comedy special slated for the fall, stating, “I'm signing now to shoot my new comedy special this fall” (24:02).

Business Ventures

Beyond comedy, Big Rob discusses his entrepreneurial ventures.

• Furniture Company: He introduces his furniture business, TotalAZ.com, emphasizing its wholesale offerings and resilience against tariffs: “We have a wholesale. So I buy from manufacturer Beautiful” (16:34).

• Merger and Expansion: Rob explains a recent business merger that helped save his company from a hostile takeover, remarking, “I had to survive that” (16:30).

Health and Social Observations

The duo explores broader social topics, particularly focusing on health and societal changes.

• HIV Commercials: A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the portrayal of HIV in modern media. Big Rob humorously critiques an HIV commercial: “I'm looking for the story. I want to see what the room, what kind of furniture they have” (07:50).

• Perceptions of HIV: John Holmberg adds, “At this point. Yeah. We kind of cured AIDS and nobody celebrates it by talks about” (13:00), sparking a conversation on societal attitudes toward the disease.

Personal Anecdotes and Humor

The exchange is laced with humorous stories and lighthearted banter.

• Finger Injury: Big Rob shares a funny yet painful story about his thumb: “How do I do it? You go like this” (21:02), illustrating his rough experiences from playing lacrosse.

• Gym Experiences: Both hosts joke about gym culture and stereotypes, with Big Rob mocking barista interactions: “I just want a freaking milk in my freaking coffee” (19:55).

• Stand-Up Challenges: Rob candidly discusses the pressures of maintaining originality in comedy, saying, “I have to have my own original thoughts” (26:13).

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Big Rob reflecting on his personal growth and future aspirations. He emphasizes the importance of health, resilience, and maintaining a positive outlook despite past hardships: “I live a great life. I have some great friends” (18:52). John Holmberg expresses his support and concern, highlighting the genuine camaraderie between them.

Listeners are left with a blend of laughter and meaningful insights, showcasing Big Rob Rodriguez's journey both on and off the stage.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Big Rob Rodriguez: “I went down to probably about almost 180” (03:56)
• John Holmberg: “Something life altering had to happen. There's nobody just drops weight like that” (04:09)
• Big Rob Rodriguez: “I'm in good health. I'm a diabetic, but that's good health” (02:28)
• Big Rob Rodriguez: “It's a straight, yeah, it's healthy and be funny” (25:36)
• John Holmberg: “We kind of cured AIDS and nobody celebrates it by talks about” (13:00)
• Big Rob Rodriguez: “I learned when I was 15. Had a little jagged nail. So we just cut it off because it wouldn't grow back” (21:13)
• Big Rob Rodriguez: “I actually saw. I'm signing now to shoot my new comedy special this fall” (24:02)

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness offers a compelling mix of humor, personal stories, and thoughtful discussions, making it a must-listen for fans of engaging and authentic radio conversations.