Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona Episode: July 17, 2025 Host: John Holmberg Guests: Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo Release Date: July 17, 2025

1. Opening Banter and Light-Hearted Conversations (00:00 - 05:48)

The episode kicks off with the usual light-hearted banter among the hosts. John Holmberg introduces a humorous segment about a song titled "Mud Shovel," sparking a playful debate about its age. Bret Vesely humorously guesses the song's age, leading to a comical revelation that "Mud Shovel" is 29 years old, surprising everyone (00:00 - 01:13).

John Holmberg jokes, "Holy smokes, that song's 30. I just look at that and see that. Holy Moses." (00:45)

The conversation swiftly transitions to discussing morning routines and the challenges of early mornings, setting a relaxed and engaging tone for the episode.

2. Operation Hydration Update (03:05 - 05:48 & 35:54 - 37:03)

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Operation Hydration, a philanthropic effort spearheaded by Bret Vesely. John praises Bret's dedication, highlighting the success of the campaign so far.

John Holmberg states, "Operation Hydration ... halfway through the year ... 500,000 bottles donated." (03:19)

Bret provides an update from the field at Safeway on Broadway and Rural, emphasizing the overwhelming support and donations received:

Bret Vesely: "We got pretty much the truck, the bed full. I'm working on the cab next. We've been getting slammed out here. A lot of people rolling in." (35:54)

The team expresses gratitude towards sponsors like Safeway, Albertsons, Learner Row, and Amco, acknowledging their crucial role in the campaign's success. They aim to reach a million bottles of water by the end of the year, celebrating the collective effort and community support.

3. Fun Facts and Trivia Segment (11:17 - 18:29)

Brady introduces a segment filled with intriguing and amusing facts:

• Dog Waste: "The average dog creates 274 pounds of poop a year." (13:06)

  The hosts engage in a humorous debate about the implications of this statistic, with John exaggerating the potential accumulation to 2,196 pounds annually (17:51).

• Probability of Dice Rolls: "If you rolled 1000 dice, the odds of rolling exactly 500 even numbers and 500 odd numbers is only 2.5%." (11:56)

• Baseball Trivia: Brady shares an astonishing fact about Mike Baxik Sr. and Mike Baxik Jr., who each faced legendary home run hitters in their careers, connecting past and present baseball milestones (12:18).

Brady: "A pitcher named Mike Baxik senior pitched against Hank Aaron ... his son threw the pitch where Barry Bonds hit his record-breaking 756th home run." (12:20)

4. Poll Discussion: Financial Incentives and Personal Choices (19:02 - 23:38)

The hosts delve into a thought-provoking poll discussing whether individuals would make significant life changes for financial gain:

• Leaving a Partner for $1 Million: 43% of Americans would consider it, though they acknowledge the complexities involved in divorce finances.

  John Holmberg reflects, "I get 33 million and I can leave. That's fair." (19:35)

• Real-Life Squid Game Participation: 46% would join despite a high death rate for a million dollars. The hosts debate the morality and feasibility of such a choice.

• Giving Up Sex or Technology for Money:

  • 41% would forgo sex entirely for $1 million.
  • 59% would abandon technology and live off the grid for the same amount.

• Framing a Friend for a Crime: 15% would do so for $1 million, raising ethical concerns.

• Parental Control Over Money: 54% would reject money if parents controlled it, highlighting the importance of financial autonomy.

This segment is filled with humorous yet introspective exchanges, allowing listeners to reflect on personal values and financial motivations.

Brady: "43% of Americans said they would leave their partner for a million dollars." (19:02)

5. Baby Name Trends (24:16 - 25:36)

Brady and John discuss recent trends in baby names, noting the popularity of classic names like Olivia, Liam, Emma, Noah, Hayden, and Caden. They share a humorous anecdote about an unconventional baby name suggestion:

A woman considers naming her child "Vaseline" but decides to modify it to "Vaselineia" after her mother's suggestion, leading to playful mockery.

Brady: "A lady shared a text online where her older cousin told her she settled on a baby name for her girl. Vaseline." (24:35)

6. Love Triangle Story from West Virginia (25:36 - 28:58)

The hosts narrate a dramatic and bizarre love triangle involving two women, Clarissa Moser and Maggie Denham, and a man named Chaz Suarez in West Virginia. The situation escalates when one woman claims to be pregnant, causing tension and leading to a confrontation involving threats and a concealed pink Glock.

Brady explains, "They all three hooked up at one time. And then the one girl says she's pregnant. That angered the other girl and Chaz as well." (25:58)

The story unfolds with accusations, physical altercations, and police involvement, ultimately resulting in charges of murder and wanton endangerment.

John Holmberg humorously summarizes the situation: "They were in cahoots to pin down the hot girl and say, get rid of that pee on this thing." (27:34)

7. Miscellaneous News Stories (28:58 - 33:47)

The episode features a variety of short, entertaining news snippets:

• Serial Butt Slapper in Boise, Idaho: Police are on the lookout for a mysterious individual attacking women with his dirt bike, described as wearing dark clothing and ski masks (29:20).

  Brady: "Police in Boise, Idaho are looking for a serial butt slapper." (29:20)

• AI Ordering at Taco Bell: A humorous experiment where ordering a large, absurd number of items (1,000 bottles of water) at Taco Bell's drive-through reveals the presence of actual human workers behind the AI system.

  John Holmberg: "A real worker. In the window. Oh, I thought you were one of those AI guys." (31:07)

• Construction Site Fight in Malaysia: A violent altercation between employees at a construction site in Malaysia, resulting in injuries due to a head impact (32:15).

  Brady: "In Malaysia, all the hard hats and sticks ... one guy got thrown down on his head." (32:15)

• Donkey Riding Mishap: A comical incident where a rider loses control of a donkey, leading to a harmless but funny collision (33:13).

  John Holmberg: "He had a plan. Oh, donkeys are so much smarter than we give him credit for." (33:30)

These stories add variety and humor to the episode, keeping listeners engaged with a mix of local and international news.

8. Final Operation Hydration Push (33:47 - 37:03)

Returning focus to Operation Hydration, John and Bret provide a final update, reiterating the campaign's momentum and the importance of community involvement. Bret shares real-time success stories, including significant donations from individuals and businesses.

Bret Vesely: "I'm working on the cab next. We've been getting slammed out here. A lot of people rolling in." (35:54)

John emphasizes the campaign's goal of ensuring no one in Phoenix goes thirsty, highlighting the collective impact of the community's generosity.

John Holmberg: "And it’s just standing that swampy weather. But he's ... he's killing it." (05:44)

The episode concludes with heartfelt appreciation for the listeners' support and a call to action for continued participation in Operation Hydration.

Notable Quotes

• John Holmberg: "Holy smokes, that song's 30." (00:45)
• Brady Bogen: "43% of Americans said they would leave their partner for a million dollars." (19:02)
• Bret Vesely: "We got pretty much the truck, the bed full. I'm working on the cab next." (35:54)
• John Holmberg: "Grab some water, donate. It's all for a good cause." (36:35)

Conclusion

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness masterfully blends humor, community engagement, and thought-provoking discussions. From updates on philanthropic efforts like Operation Hydration to intriguing trivia and entertaining news stories, the hosts maintain an engaging and dynamic atmosphere. Notable interactions and memorable quotes add depth and relatability, making the episode both informative and enjoyable for listeners.

Whether you're a regular follower or new to the show, this episode offers a comprehensive look into the hosts' diverse range of topics, all while emphasizing the importance of community support and generosity.