Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona: July 17, 2025

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

1. Morning Chat and Charity Initiatives

The episode kicks off with John Holmberg introducing the day's slight deviation due to the presence of the station's owners in town. He mentions that the temperature will soar to 100 degrees, leading to a more subdued show to avoid scrutiny from the owners.

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the ongoing Operation Hydration, a charity drive supporting the Phoenix Rescue Mission. John proudly announces that the team has raised over 500,000 bottles of water so far and aims to reach 1 million bottles by Labor Day. He emphasizes the collective effort and encourages listeners to contribute:

"We are halfway to a million bottles. If we can get to 500,000 from here till Labor Day, bam, we do this, we get a million bottles."
[Release Date: 21:38]
— John Holmberg

Brett Vesely provides updates from the field, reporting substantial donations and thanking contributors:

"We got envelopes showing up like crazy. Somebody from some lady from the city of Tempe dropped by 10 cases for us."
[Release Date: 22:02]
— Brett Vesely

2. Interactive Segment: "What's That Sound?"

The hosts engage in their popular game, "What's That Sound?" where listeners guess peculiar noises. In this episode, the sound was humorously identified as someone trying to extract the last bits of mustard from a jar. The segment is filled with playful banter and laughter:

"Somebody trying to get the last little bits of mustard out of the jar."
[Release Date: 08:00]
— John Holmberg

3. Relationship Advice: Navigating Friends with Benefits

John reads an email from a listener, Marcus, seeking advice on managing a friend with benefits relationship that’s getting complicated. The discussion navigates the challenges of setting boundaries and the emotional turmoil involved:

"A friend with benefits is somebody you can say out loud, that's enough. We're done. Go."
[Release Date: 12:06]
— John Holmberg

Brady adds insights on maintaining boundaries:

"You gotta play by the rules. And if you start seeing a Neil Armstrong situation, it's time for a talk."
[Release Date: 14:21]
— Brady Bogen

4. Skepticism Towards Paranormal Claims

The hosts express their disbelief and critique of paranormal activities, particularly targeting the infamous Annabelle doll. They debunk myths and question the validity of ghost-induced incidents:

"A ghost has been responsible for absolutely zero deaths."
[Release Date: 32:23]
— John Holmberg

"Psychics aren't real. Life coaches are thieves. People who chase ghosts for a living are idiots."
[Release Date: 35:30]
— John Holmberg

5. Giant Babies and Social Media Trends

A humorous yet critical discussion ensues about the resurgence of "giant babies" as a social media trend. The hosts reminisce about similar phenomena from the past and express skepticism about their authenticity and societal impact:

"You can go check it out. I think that's the same one I'm looking at. Is it okay? The football, the fat babies, the giant babies are back now."
[Release Date: 52:33]
— John Holmberg

"They're back, and there was like a whole thing yesterday, and you click on one and you get 25 different stories about."
[Release Date: 53:34]
— Brady Bogen

6. Health Awareness: The Dangers of Choking on Steak

An informative segment discusses the "Steakhouse Syndrome," highlighting the risks of choking on steak, especially among the elderly and young children. John shares anecdotes and emphasizes the importance of proper chewing:

"Chew your food thoroughly or just skip the steak altogether."
[Release Date: 46:48]
— John Holmberg

"It's incredibly dangerous. And I can tell you from experience of what I do deal with."
[Release Date: 46:51]
— John Holmberg

7. Critique of the ESPYs and Sports Awards

The hosts critique the significance and execution of the ESPY Awards, questioning their relevance and the authenticity of the awards. They express frustration with the show's format and the perceived disconnect between sports excellence and entertainment:

"Nobody, no sports fan I know wants to watch that."
[Release Date: 72:03]
— John Holmberg

"Simone Biles getting best. Like, do you think that she won that gold medal and said, I'm definitely getting an ESPN."
[Release Date: 73:35]
— Brady Bogen

8. Casual Banter and Listener Interactions

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage in light-hearted and often irreverent banter. They discuss personal anecdotes, poke fun at each other, and interact with guest Mike Vecchion, who updates on the charity efforts and shares his experiences at Safeway:

"It's a lot for Brett. This is truly what charity looks like."
[Release Date: 82:03]
— John Holmberg

"We got envelopes showing up like crazy. Somebody from some lady from the city of Tempe dropped by 10 cases for us."
[Release Date: 82:03]
— Brett Vesely

9. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

As the show wraps up, John reiterates the importance of the charity drive and thanks the listeners for their contributions. The hosts emphasize their commitment to Operation Hydration despite the chaotic and humorous nature of the show.

"We're running through Operation Hydration this year. And you guys have really jumped in that Saya group just dropped off another giant truck of water here in our lobby."
[Release Date: 133:13]
— John Holmberg

Notable Quotes:

• "We are halfway to a million bottles. If we can get to 500,000 from here till Labor Day, bam, we do this, we get a million bottles."
  — John Holmberg [21:38]

• "A ghost has been responsible for absolutely zero deaths."
  — John Holmberg [32:23]

• "Chew your food thoroughly or just skip the steak altogether."
  — John Holmberg [46:48]

• "Nobody, no sports fan I know wants to watch that."
  — John Holmberg [72:03]

• "You're still doing adult stuff."
  — John Holmberg [110:07]

Conclusion

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness blends charity work with humorous and candid discussions on various topics, from relationship dilemmas to critiques of paranormal beliefs and sports awards. The hosts maintain an engaging and entertaining dynamic, ensuring listeners are both informed and amused throughout the show.