Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona
Episode Title: Revisiting Why We Had Sales Hitler In On Friday And The Poster That Spawned It - Mormon Wife Says She's Frightened To Have Sex So Is Letting Husband Get It Elsewhere
Release Date: July 21, 2025
Host/Authors: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo
Broadcasted On: 98 KUPD (97.9 FM), the 98KUPD app, or www.98kupd.com
Air Time: Weekdays 5:30 AM - 10:00 AM
1. Office Controversy: The 'Hitler' Motivational Poster
The episode kicks off with John Holmberg addressing a peculiar office issue that has been stirring unrest. He references a controversial motivational poster that some staff members mistakenly perceive as resembling Adolf Hitler. Holmberg explains:
“They're still defending it this morning... it's Hitler at first glance.”
— John Holmberg (00:03:38)
Holmberg recounts how the poster, intended to inspire with phrases like "effort" alongside whimsical images, inadvertently sparked confusion and discomfort. Scott Taylor attempts to defend the poster, suggesting:
“Sorry. Yeah, it just, it's going to look that way.”
— Scott Taylor (00:03:38)
However, Holmberg remains unconvinced, arguing that the imagery, especially with the straight arm pointing and the iconic mustache, unmistakably resembles Hitler:
“At first glance... it completely looks like Hitler.”
— John Holmberg (00:04:14)
The discussion highlights the challenges of workplace communications and the unintended interpretations that can arise from seemingly innocuous materials.
2. Bathroom Sabotage and Workplace Tensions
Shifting gears, the hosts delve into ongoing bathroom issues within their office. Holmberg vents his frustrations about the broken bathroom facilities:
“My toilet's been broken for a month, and nobody seems to want to get on that...”
— John Holmberg (00:05:23)
He accuses Scott Taylor of intentionally damaging the bathroom, suggesting it's a vendetta aimed at forcing him to quit:
“Taylor's been here for hours... stay home and take a dump.”
— John Holmberg (00:20:11)
Brett Vesely chimes in with humorous remarks about the situation:
“We need a plumber.”
— Brett Vesely (00:05:59)
The conversation underscores the strain and absurdity of office politics, blending genuine frustration with lighthearted banter.
3. Unity Through Dislike: The Coldplay Incident
Holmberg reflects on a recent event where the team found common ground in their disdain for a particular incident involving Coldplay:
“We all got on board making fun of that poor CEO and that HR lady at the Coldplay show. That was a uniting moment.”
— John Holmberg (00:07:35)
This segment illustrates how shared negative experiences can foster camaraderie, even in a politically divided environment. Scott acknowledges the impact:
“Strong weekend.”
— Scott Taylor (00:08:11)
Holmberg further elaborates on the human tendency to bond over common adversaries rather than unified positive experiences:
“When we all unite to dislike something, we are the strongest this nation can be.”
— John Holmberg (00:07:45)
4. The Struggle with Religious Sexual Repression
A significant portion of the episode delves into a sensitive and poignant topic: the effects of religious upbringing on sexual health and marital relationships. Holmberg narrates the story of a Mormon wife grappling with severe sexual repression:
“She was raised to believe that that kind of pleasure... she was afraid of penises.”
— John Holmberg (00:10:20)
The wife’s fear, rooted in her strict Mormon beliefs, has led to an inability to consummate her marriage, causing emotional distress and marital strain. Scott adds context to the predicament:
“You're still... (implying the continuous state of repression)”
— Scott Taylor (00:10:56)
Holmberg critiques the religious doctrines that enforce such repression, emphasizing the need for a balance between moral guidance and personal freedom:
“Sexual repression is religion's fault. The reason people have hang-ups is because religion...”
— John Holmberg (00:12:35)
The hosts advocate for a reevaluation of religious teachings that impose undue restrictions on personal sexuality, highlighting the detrimental impact on individuals and relationships.
5. Humor Amidst Frustrations: Scott Taylor’s Antics
Throughout the episode, lighthearted humor is interspersed to alleviate the tension from more serious discussions. A recurring joke revolves around Scott Taylor’s peculiar behavior at work, particularly his obsessive early morning bathroom visits that lead to further office mayhem:
“He's making my argument for me. Stay home an extra 15 minutes and take a dump.”
— John Holmberg (00:20:16)
Brett adds to the jest, suggesting playful solutions:
“He’s got an iPad. Do it at home.”
— Brett Vesely (00:20:25)
This segment showcases the hosts' camaraderie and their ability to find humor in workplace frustrations.
6. Concluding Thoughts and Upcoming Segments
As the episode nears its end, the hosts touch upon the need to address dysfunctional office dynamics and encourage a healthier work environment. Holmberg wraps up with reflective thoughts on the importance of overcoming religious constraints to foster personal well-being and fulfilling relationships.
He teases the audience about the next segment:
“We got a what would Brady do? Coming off in just moments.”
— John Holmberg (00:20:45)
The episode concludes with the hosts reaffirming their commitment to entertaining and challenging their listeners, hinting at more engaging discussions to come.
Notable Quotes
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John Holmberg (00:03:38): "Nobody points straight arm. The second you point straight arm and you've got a mustache pointing his hand sideways. Yeah, he even said it was like upside down at one point. Like, no, look at it again. It's Hitler at first glance."
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John Holmberg (00:05:23): “My toilet's been broken for a month, and nobody seems to want to get on that...”
-
John Holmberg (00:07:45): “When we all unite to dislike something, we are the strongest this nation can be.”
-
John Holmberg (00:10:20): “She was raised to believe that that kind of pleasure... she was afraid of penises.”
-
John Holmberg (00:12:35): “Sexual repression is religion's fault. The reason people have hang-ups is because religion...”
-
John Holmberg (00:20:16): “He’s making my argument for me. Stay home an extra 15 minutes and take a dump.”
-
Brett Vesely (00:05:59): “We need a plumber.”
-
Scott Taylor (00:08:11): “Strong weekend.”
This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness deftly balances humor with serious discourse, tackling contentious workplace issues and deep-seated personal struggles influenced by religious beliefs. Through engaging dialogues and candid reflections, the hosts invite listeners to reflect on the impact of office culture and societal norms on individual well-being.
