Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona Episode Release Date: July 17, 2025
Host: John Holmberg
Co-Hosts: Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Radio Station: 98 KUPD (97.9 FM)

Episode Overview

In this episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness on Arizona's #1 Morning Radio Show, host John Holmberg and his co-hosts—Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo—navigate a day marked by the presence of corporate executives ("owners") in town. This presence influences the tone and content of the show, leading to a more sanitized and restrained broadcast. Despite these constraints, the team engages listeners with games, listener emails, and updates on their charitable initiatives.

1. Introduction and Corporate Oversight

Timestamp: 00:00 - 05:45

The episode begins with John Holmberg promoting a partnership with Doug Hopkins for home purchases, a commercial break that is swiftly followed by John greeting listeners with typical morning banter.

• John Holmberg: "Good morning, everybody. Hello there. Welcome to Thursday. For crying out loud. Here we are on Thursday already. It's 5:45."

John announces a significant change for the day:

• John Holmberg: "We're not gonna do too much today. We're not going to do much of a show today because when the owners are in town, they look at you and they watch and they nitpick... It's gonna be a real bland show this morning."

This sets the stage for a more subdued and controlled broadcast due to the oversight from higher management.

2. Traffic and Weather Updates

Timestamp: 05:45 - 07:00

The hosts provide brief traffic updates, emphasizing caution on the roads:

• John Holmberg: "What's traffic look like this morning? Traffic's out there this morning. All the roads have cars on them. Be careful. Watch out for other cars."

Despite the mundane nature of traffic reports, the team injects humor and light-heartedness to keep listeners engaged.

3. Introduction to "Guess That Sound" Game

Timestamp: 07:00 - 10:00

To compensate for the limited show content, the hosts introduce a game segment:

• John Holmberg: "To appease this morning, we're gonna play a game. What was that noise anyway?"

This interactive segment aims to entertain listeners by guessing everyday sounds, fostering audience participation.

4. Listener Email: “Friend with Benefits”

Timestamp: 10:00 - 30:00

A significant portion of the episode revolves around a listener's email about managing a "friend with benefits" relationship. Bret Vesely reads and discusses the email, providing humorous yet insightful advice.

• Listener’s Email:

  "I have my friend with benefits here at the house right now as we speak... She won't leave this morning so I can go to work."

• Bret Vesely: "Well, first off, when you want to put your foot down and you say, hey, you gotta go and she doesn't leave... You just gave her the green light to stick around."

The discussion highlights the complexities and humorous aspects of casual relationships, emphasizing clear boundaries and communication.

5. Charity Spotlight: Phoenix Rescue Mission

Timestamp: 30:00 - 45:00

The hosts shine a spotlight on their ongoing charitable efforts, specifically the Phoenix Rescue Mission. They celebrate reaching the halfway mark of their goal to collect one million bottles of water by Labor Day, having already collected over 500,000 bottles.

• John Holmberg: "We're over 500,000 bottles of water for the Phoenix Rescue Mission... The fifth largest city in the nation should never have people who can't get a glass of water."

This segment underscores the show's commitment to community service and encourages listeners to contribute to the cause.

• Brady Bogen: "We are halfway to a million bottles. It's insane. We'll do it."

The hosts express heartfelt gratitude towards their listeners and partner organizations, reinforcing the importance of collective effort in charitable endeavors.

6. "Guess That Sound" Continues

Timestamp: 45:00 - 60:00

Returning to the interactive segment, the hosts delve deeper into the "Guess That Sound" game, sharing humorous interpretations of everyday noises.

• Brady Bogen: "This guy says it's Brady after a 12 pack of Taco Bell chalupas in a hotel bathroom with a 16-year-old girl in the bed."

The playful banter and wild guesses keep the segment lively and entertaining, maintaining listener interest despite the earlier announcement of a more subdued show.

7. Brady's Taco Bell Story

Timestamp: 60:00 - 75:00

A particularly amusing and exaggerated story unfolds as the hosts narrate Brady's experience with Taco Bell, involving a late-night bathroom visit and humorous mishaps.

• John Holmberg: "Brady, after a 12 pack of Taco Bell chalupas... That has to be explained."

• Brady Bogen: "It was risky, but it's fine. It comes flying out. That's why he left the casino so early the other night."

The story showcases the hosts' chemistry and their ability to entertain with personal anecdotes, even under corporate scrutiny.

8. Closing Remarks and Future Plans

Timestamp: 75:00 - End

As the episode draws to a close, the hosts reiterate their charity goals and tease future segments.

• John Holmberg: "We got to do 500,000 from here till Labor Day, bam, we do this, we get a million bottles."

• Brett Vesely: "That's a pretty nice feeling of yay, we did it."

They conclude with a light-hearted note, ensuring listeners are left with a sense of community achievement and anticipation for upcoming shows.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• John Holmberg (05:45): "We're not gonna do too much today... It's gonna be a real bland show this morning."

• Bret Vesely (22:15): "You just gave her the green light to stick around."

• John Holmberg (35:30): "Fifth largest city in the nation should never have people who can't get a glass of water."

• Brady Bogen (62:45): "It was risky, but it's fine. It comes flying out."

• Brett Vesely (74:00): "That's a pretty nice feeling of yay, we did it."

Conclusion

Despite the presence of corporate overseers requiring a more sanitized broadcast, John Holmberg and his team adeptly balance restraint with their trademark humor and engaging content. From interactive games and listener emails to heartfelt charity updates, the episode delivers a comprehensive and entertaining morning show experience. Listeners are kept informed, amused, and motivated to contribute to meaningful community efforts, embodying the spirit of Holmberg's Morning Sickness on 98 KUPD.