Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona Podcast Summary Episode Date: August 7, 2025
Host: 98 KUPD | Hubbard Radio
Episode Title: Ryan Emails That He's Been At His Job 7 Months And They Have Called Him Brian The Whole Time - Brady Announces He Has Kidney Disease And Is Having A Tumorous Kidney Removed

1. Listener’s Personal Struggle: Ryan vs. Brian

Timestamp: [03:05] – [10:08]

The episode opens with a poignant listener email from Ryan, who has been mistakenly called "Brian" at his workplace for seven months. This misnaming has significantly impacted his self-esteem and sense of self-worth. Ryan shares his frustration and seeks advice from the hosts on whether to continue tolerating the error or to confront his coworkers to have his name corrected.

Notable Quotes:

• Ryan: “[...] for the last seven, I've been working at a new place and I'm essentially the office manager. I haven't made any friends yet. My name is Ryan.” [03:05]
• Larry McFeely: “Ryan, Brian. What's his name? Ryan or Brian. I forgot. I gotta look again. It's Ryan.” [06:04]
• David: “Somebody's holding a deep seated hate for all the Ryan's there at this company. I guarantee you there's five other Brian Ryan's there.” [15:12]

The hosts engage in light-hearted yet supportive banter, encouraging Ryan to assert his true name to regain his self-esteem and improve his workplace interactions. They discuss the psychological aspects of being persistently misnamed and the importance of self-advocacy.

2. Brady’s Health Announcement

Timestamp: [37:49] – [58:43]

Midway through the episode, Brady, a key member of the show, breaks the news about his kidney disease. He reveals that he has a sizable, treatable tumor on his right kidney and will undergo surgery to have the affected kidney removed on August 20th. This announcement brings a serious and emotional turn to the episode, contrasting the earlier humorous exchanges.

Notable Quotes:

• David: “I have a tumor on my right kidney. Cancer softball size tumor on my kidney. The good news is it's treatable. Yeah, I have to get my kidney removed.” [37:49]
• Larry McFeely: “We're all taking that week off in support and unity of Brady having to go through this.” [38:01]
• David: “I also have cysts on my kidneys which is called polycystic kidney disease. [...] but I'm saying you don't. You could.” [39:12]

The hosts express their solidarity and support for Brady, discussing their own experiences with health issues to provide empathy and understanding. They touch on various aspects of dealing with cancer, including the emotional toll, treatment processes, and the importance of community support during such challenging times.

Support and Solidarity:

• The team plans to take the week off to support Brady during his surgery, emphasizing the importance of unity and compassion in the face of personal health battles.
• They share personal anecdotes about their own health struggles, creating a space of shared vulnerability and mutual support.

3. Emotional and Humorous Balance

Timestamp: [10:30] – [22:57]

Throughout the episode, the hosts balance serious topics with humor, maintaining the show's characteristic entertaining and light-hearted tone even when discussing heavy subjects like cancer and personal struggles.

Notable Quotes:

• Larry McFeely: “He doesn't seem to balk at it. The IT guy's gonna go. What?” [13:00]
• Ryan: “John, I have prostate cancer, chronic lymphatic leukemia and multiple myeloma. It's a heavy load most days.” [33:01]
• Larry McFeely: “You're a dying man. They need to find each other, make some sort of suicide pact. Don't say that. Brian Ryan will do it.” [35:52]

The hosts use humor as a coping mechanism, making light of their situations to maintain morale and keep the conversation engaging. This approach helps in addressing difficult topics without making the conversation entirely somber, allowing listeners to connect on both an emotional and entertaining level.

4. Community and Listener Interaction

Timestamp: [24:27] – [51:53]

The episode highlights strong community interaction, with multiple listener emails and supportive messages being read and discussed. The hosts encourage listeners to share their own stories and support each other through shared experiences.

Notable Quotes:

• Ryan: “Tell Ryan Brian that the next time someone in the office starts getting a little too chummy with them, tell him to call them by the wrong name to let them know that he doesn't really care about them either.” [17:27]
• David: “She was falling in love with. That's. What is. That's not Munchausen's.” [61:05]

The hosts foster a sense of belonging and mutual support among listeners, addressing personal issues and encouraging open dialogue about mental health and personal challenges.

5. Conclusion and Upcoming Plans

Timestamp: [57:08] – [61:56]

As the episode draws to a close, the hosts discuss upcoming plans, including taking the week off to support Brady during his surgery. They reflect on the resilience of their community and the strength they draw from each other in facing personal and collective challenges.

Notable Quotes:

• Larry McFeely: “We are taking that week off because in solidarity, there's no way I could do this show while Brady's getting his kidney removed.” [56:53]
• Ryan: “Brady, I wish you luck. My husband had a tumor on his kidney bigger than his kidney in 2020. [...]” [48:17]

The episode ends on a hopeful note, with the hosts reaffirming their commitment to each other and their listeners, promising to return stronger after supporting Brady through his medical journey.

Key Takeaways:

• Personal Struggles: The episode poignantly addresses personal struggles with identity misnaming at work and serious health issues like kidney disease and cancer.
• Community Support: Emphasizes the importance of community support and solidarity in overcoming personal challenges.
• Humor as Coping: Utilizes humor to balance and cope with heavy topics, maintaining an engaging and relatable atmosphere.
• Upcoming Changes: Hosts express plans to take time off to support a member undergoing surgery, showcasing the show's commitment to its community.

Overall, this episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness masterfully intertwines humor with heartfelt discussions on personal and health-related struggles, fostering a strong sense of community and support among its listeners.