Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona
Episode: June 5, 2025
Host: John Holmberg
Co-Hosts: Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Release Date: June 5, 2025

1. Charity Spotlight: Operation Hydration

[00:51 – 04:57]

John Holmberg kicks off the episode by highlighting the ongoing charity initiative, Operation Hydration, aimed at distributing water to those in need across Phoenix. Brett, one of the show's team members, is actively involved in this effort, stationed at 83rd Avenue and Camelback near Safeway.

• John Holmberg emphasizes the non-competitive nature of charity efforts:

  "Charity has no competition. I don't care who else is doing this. [...] If KSLX has a great water drive and you'd rather give to that, do that."
  (02:50)

• Dick Toledo adds assurance about the transparency of the donations:

  "We know where the water goes."
  (03:21)

The team discusses the importance of supporting local charities like the Phoenix Rescue Mission, emphasizing that regardless of which organization receives donations, the collective effort benefits the community. Brett's dedication is highlighted as he hands out water without expecting anything in return.

• John Holmberg shares a personal commitment:

  "I will personally hand deliver it. I'm a good person, Brady. Deep down."
  (03:48)

2. Power Pole Safety Story

[04:00 – 08:18]

The conversation shifts to a recent news story covered by Channel 3 about safety measures in case a power pole falls on a vehicle during a storm. John expresses skepticism and criticism towards the safety advice provided by the news.

• John Holmberg questions the practicality of leaving the car during such incidents:

  "If your tires are on the ground, you stay put and just thank your lucky stars that a power pole didn't hurt you."
  (06:01)

• Dick Toledo concurs with staying inside the vehicle:

  "I always thought that's what they said to that, like, if you can stay in the car and wait for the utility company to come out or whatever."
  (08:18)

The hosts debate the effectiveness of the advice, with John sharing an anecdote comparing it to the Miracle on the Hudson—where clear instructions might not have been followed in a crisis.

"Nobody sat and said, we might need these. Remembered that their seats are flotation devices because the water was like 2 degrees. It was January."
(07:50)

3. Greta Thunberg and Operation Hydration

[12:00 – 16:00]

The discussion veers into environmental activism, specifically critiquing Greta Thunberg. Brett's efforts with Operation Hydration are humorously likened to Greta's activism, suggesting that while Greta advocates for global changes, Brett is directly involved in local community support.

• John Holmberg jestingly remarks:

  "When they tear down the statues, you lost your minds. Indians probably hate Columbus more than anything in the world."
  (21:13)

• Bret Vesely counters with a sarcastic take on renaming naval ships:

  "The Trump Admin Announces It's Renaming Naval Ships."
  (The topic is discussed around the 16-minute mark)

The hosts mock the administration's decision to rename ships previously honored with names of liberal heroes, including Harvey Milk and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, labeling it an extension of "cancel culture."

"When you see it, there's a lot of man kissing. And I think the Navy's been trying to avoid that reputation for years."
(16:00)

4. Trump Administration Renaming Naval Ships

[16:00 – 28:00]

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to critiquing the Trump administration's decision to rename several naval ships that were previously named after prominent liberal and historical figures.

• John Holmberg expresses strong disapproval:

  "It's exactly what they're doing now. The Harvey Milk boat is hilarious to me, but if somebody, yes, that's Milk."
  (19:27)

• Dick Toledo adds:

  "He can't find a job."
  (11:27)

The hosts argue that this renaming is a direct attack on historical figures who contributed positively to society but are targeted due to modern political shifts. They liken the removal of these names to the controversial removal of Confederate statues, suggesting a double standard.

"Harriet Tubman can have a boat. Harvey Milk can have a boat. And you're just like, ugh. You don't have to like everybody who's got a boat named after him in the Navy."
(20:24)

Additionally, the hosts humorously suggest renaming all naval vessels after prominent gay figures to further mock the administration's policy.

"Navy gay boats. I mean, if I was in the Navy, I'm like, you're on the Harvey Milk, God damn it."
(26:57)

5. Listener Interaction: Wanda's Email on Men's Porn Consumption

[28:00 – 38:44]

Listener Wanda reaches out with questions about men's porn consumption habits, sparking a candid and humorous discussion among the hosts.

• Wanda's Inquiry:

  "How often does the average guy watch porn or short clips of porn?"
  (29:17)

• John Holmberg responds with his perspective:

  "Men watch porn or porn clips a few times a week. I'm in my 50s."

(30:03)

• Bret Vesely (likely meant to be Brad Bogan, given the context) chimes in:

  "Not all women. Women like porn."
  (30:23)

The conversation highlights differing viewpoints on the role of porn in relationships, societal impacts, and personal habits. They discuss the evolution from traditional magazines to digital platforms and the accessibility of porn through modern technology.

• John Holmberg muses on technology advancements driven by porn:

  "They transitioned from flip phones to smartphones so they could watch porn. That's exactly it."

(30:22)

The hosts share anecdotes about their experiences with porn, including past segments like "Pause and Toss," where they reviewed movie scenes for their adult content.

"The reason that I invented that was the movie Jade, right, with Angie."
(40:04)

They humorously explore the challenges and personal reflections on maintaining healthy relationships amidst the prevalence of accessible porn.

6. Other Discussions

[38:44 – 53:46]

Beyond the main topics, the episode includes a variety of additional discussions and humorous exchanges:

• Crying and Emotions:
  The hosts delve into societal perceptions of men showing emotions, referencing Rocky III and public figures like Sly Stallone to illustrate their points.

  "Crying shows a lack of control."

(10:47)

• Local News Satire:
  John criticizes the local news's unconventional weather presenters, specifically mocking a news anchor with lobster hands, blending absurd humor with commentary on media practices.

  "They had a lobster girl. Just come up with the machinery to get people's interest."

(51:30)

• Movie References and Anecdotes:
  The hosts recount personal interactions with celebrities and humorous takes on movie scenes, blending personal stories with broader societal commentary.

  "She was like, how did you lose your virginity? And she more than happily told us the story of what a wonderful experience."

(40:04)

• Promoting Local Businesses and Events:
  Ads and promotions for local businesses like Wise Coatings, Stand Up Live, and Action Ride Shop are interspersed throughout, maintaining the show's local engagement.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• John Holmberg on Charity:

  "Charity has no competition. [...] If everyone’s doing good, it doesn't matter whose banner is over it."
  (02:50)

• Dick Toledo on Donation Transparency:

  "We know where the water goes."
  (03:21)

• John Holmberg on Power Pole Safety:

  "If your tires are on the ground, you stay put and just thank your lucky stars that a power pole didn't hurt you."
  (06:01)

• John Holmberg on Renaming Ships:

  "Harriet Tubman can have a boat. Harvey Milk can have a boat."
  (20:24)

• John Holmberg on Men's Porn Habits:

  "Men watch porn or porn clips a few times a week. I'm in my 50s."
  (30:03)

• John Holmberg on Local News Satire:

  "They had a lobster girl. Just come up with the machinery to get people's interest."
  (51:30)

Conclusions and Insights

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness encapsulates a blend of local community support through Operation Hydration, sharp critiques of media and political actions, and candid discussions on sensitive topics like pornography and emotional expression. The hosts leverage humor and personal anecdotes to engage listeners, offering both entertainment and social commentary. Their interactions highlight a commitment to local issues, support for charitable causes, and a willingness to address controversial topics with a mix of seriousness and levity.

For those not familiar with the podcast, this episode offers a snapshot of community-oriented discussions, sharp political satire, and open conversations about personal and societal challenges, all delivered with the signature wit and dynamic interplay of the 98KUPD team.