Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona
Episode: July 30, 2025
Host: John Holmberg
Co-Hosts: Brady Bogan, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Release Date: July 30, 2025

1. WNBA Marketing Ideas: The "Green Dildo" Campaign

[01:08 - 04:25]

The episode kicks off with an engaging and humorous brainstorming session about innovative marketing strategies for the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team delves into the concept of using unconventional items to capture audience attention, particularly focusing on a "green dildo" themed promotion.

• Caitlin:
  "The WNBA needs to jump on this green dildo thing. My emails are exploding with green dildo. Like this is the most attention they've ever gotten."
  [01:30]

• Eli:
  "You definitely want to wrap it in a T-shirt for a softer landing."
  [02:06]

The hosts discuss wrapping the promotional items in T-shirts to make the giveaway both fun and compliant with league rules. They propose offering prizes such as an annual WNBA player salary of up to $7,500 for fans who successfully catch the "green fairy" T-shirts during games.

• Caitlin:
  "If your T-shirt has a dick in it and you unwrap, then it's the prize. Then you get an annual salary of a WNBA player, which is upwards of $7,500. That's pretty amazing."
  [02:14]

The conversation evolves into playful banter about incorporating elements like free hot dogs with the promotional items and tying the campaign into LGBTQ+ events, highlighting their creative and irreverent approach to marketing.

2. Fun Facts on Evel Knievel

[06:10 - 07:16]

The hosts shift gears to share intriguing and lesser-known facts about Evel Knievel, the legendary stunt performer.

• Eli:
  "Evel Knievel was fired from his mining job after high school for attempting a motorcycle type wheelie and a large earth mover. In the process, he accidentally hit the main power line for Butte, Montana, causing a citywide power outage."
  [06:10]

• Brett:
  "That was a field trip we took in school. We got to go see Butte. Evel Knievel's house."
  [06:29]

They reminisce about a school field trip to Evel Knievel's house in Butte, Montana, emphasizing the lasting impact of Knievel's legacy on their childhood memories.

3. Poll of Popular Pet Names Reveals Brady's "Winky" Nickname

[09:25 - 13:53]

A discussion ensues about a recent poll involving 25,000 Americans and their preferred pet names for their partners. The poll reveals that traditional pet names like "Honey" and "Babe" are declining in popularity.

• Eli:
  "Honey is still popular, but trending down. Sweetheart was number four. Love is number five."
  [09:34]

• Caitlin:
  "Do you guys do it, Honey? You do it, darling. Honey, sweetheart, sticky biscuit. Do you call her? Do you have a name? No, I don't. You don't call her like baby butts? Honey? No, no, nothing."
  [09:54]

The conversation takes a personal turn as Brady is teased about his unique nickname, "Baby Winky," leading to lighthearted teasing and camaraderie among the hosts.

• Caitlin:
  "Can you imagine if someone called you 'Baby Winky'? That's hilarious."
  [10:45]

This segment highlights the hosts' playful dynamics and personal anecdotes related to the topic of pet names.

4. Tarantula Migration Underway in the Southwest

[18:00 - 25:12]

The hosts delve into an alarming natural phenomenon: the massive migration of tarantulas across the Southwest United States. This segment provides listeners with both factual information and humorous takes on dealing with the influx of these large arachnids.

• Eli:
  "We have 29 described individual species of tarantulas in the United States. Arizona has a brown transfer tarantula and another one with a red belly."
  [19:11]

• Caitlin:
  "If you wake up with a tarantula in your bed, I'm gonna take the biggest I've ever taken in my life. You want to talk about hemorrhoids? Ain't got nothing on me."
  [21:17]

The discussion covers identification of tarantula species, their behavior during mating season, and personal strategies for handling unexpected encounters, blending biological insights with the hosts' signature humor.

5. The Closing of Phoenix's Last Sizzler

[28:37 - 29:51]

In a poignant segment, the hosts mourn the closure of Phoenix’s last Sizzler restaurant, reflecting on its significance in the community and sharing nostalgic memories.

• Eli:
  "Sad, sad day in Phoenix yesterday. The last Sizzler closed."
  [28:37]

• Caitlin:
  "John Gordon won't have anywhere to take his lady."
  [28:45]

They recount notable locations of former Sizzler restaurants and lament the loss of a beloved local establishment, underscoring the emotional connection listeners may have with such community staples.

6. Miscellaneous Discussions and Listener Interactions

[30:43 - 41:51]

The latter part of the episode is a mix of current events, listener interactions, and light-hearted banter:

• Cryptocurrency Scam:

  • Eli:
    "A pastor from Denver named Eli Religallo and his wife Caitlin have been accused of running a cryptocurrency scam, soliciting $3.4 million for Index Coin, which has zero value. Investors lost all their money, and the couple used most of the funds for personal expenses."
    [29:51]

• Alien Footage in Compton:

  • Eli:
    "A woman in Compton shared a video allegedly capturing an alien, but many believe it's just a rabbit misidentified on camera."
    [31:48]

• Wild America Segment:
  The hosts react to various Wild America clips, including encounters with wildlife and extreme scenarios, infusing their trademark humor and skepticism.

• Flipper the Dog:

  • Caitlin:
    "Flipper just wandering on his own... He's doing Desert Ridge, I think, on the weekends."
    [41:02]

Throughout these segments, the hosts maintain a lively and humorous tone, engaging listeners with a variety of topics ranging from scams to alleged alien sightings.

Notable Quotes

• Caitlin on WNBA Marketing:
  "Make lemonade. WNBA. Have some fun with this."
  [03:09]

• Eli on Tarantula Handling:
  "If you think about hiking or camping in the Southwest right now, in our area... It's the Southwest Tarantulas."
  [18:01]

• Caitlin on Pet Names:
  "Pet names are the worst. Do you guys do it, Honey?"
  [09:54]

• Brady's "Winky" Nickname Tease:
  "You're up to something. What was it?"
  [13:12]

Conclusion

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness offers a blend of creative marketing discussions, fascinating trivia, relatable personal anecdotes, and humorous takes on current events. The hosts' chemistry and engaging dialogue ensure that listeners are entertained while being informed on a variety of topics. Whether brainstorming wild marketing ideas for the WNBA or sharing fun facts about Evel Knievel, the show maintains its reputation as Arizona's #1 Morning Radio Show by balancing humor with insightful conversations.