Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona Episode: August 12, 2025
Host: John Holmberg
Co-Hosts: Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Release Date: August 12, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness on Arizona's #1 Morning Radio Show, John Holmberg, along with Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo, delves into a variety of engaging and provocative topics. The episode covers the emergence of a new app that allows couples to sell tickets to their weddings, the rising trend of adult pacifiers, and two gripping stories involving Italian individuals linked to crossbows and attempted murder. The hosts blend humor, critical discussion, and listener interaction to entertain and inform their audience.

1. Family Estrangement and Middle Child Day [04:40 - 07:35]

Discussion Highlights:

• Middle Child Day: The hosts explore the concept of Middle Child Day, a day dedicated to acknowledging the unique challenges faced by middle children in families.
• Family Estrangement: John Holmberg and Brady Bogen discuss the increasing rates of familial estrangement, emphasizing that 24% of Americans are estranged from at least one sibling.

Notable Quotes:

• Brady Bogen: “A poll found that 24% of Americans are estranged from at least one sibling.”
• John Holmberg: “If family is somebody you wouldn't hang out with if they weren't family, why do you keep doing it?”

Insights:

• The conversation underscores the emotional complexities of family relationships and challenges societal norms that pressure individuals to maintain connections regardless of personal well-being.
• The hosts advocate for setting healthy boundaries, even within family structures, to preserve mental health.

2. Origins of "Nazi" and "Nacho" [09:09 - 09:55]

Discussion Highlights:

• Etymology: The hosts delve into the linguistic roots of the words "Nazi" and "Nacho," tracing them back to the Latin name "Ignatius."
• Cultural Evolution: They discuss how "Ignatius" evolved into different forms in German and Mexican contexts, leading to the modern terms.

Notable Quotes:

• Brady Bogen: “The words Nazi and Nacho both come from the same Latin word. Ignatius.”
• John Holmberg: “Nacho. He was awesome. Ignacio. It's a great name.”

Insights:

• The segment provides an educational exploration of language evolution, illustrating how names can transform culturally and linguistically over time.
• It highlights the often unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated terms.

3. New Wedding Ticket Selling App [09:55 - 12:11]

Discussion Highlights:

• App Introduction: The hosts introduce a new European app that allows couples to sell tickets to their weddings, aiming to reduce the average wedding cost of $33,000.
• Critical Reception: John Holmberg expresses strong criticism of the concept, questioning the practicality and social implications of selling wedding tickets to strangers.

Notable Quotes:

• John Holmberg: “What’s wrong with people? Nobody wants to go to those anyway.”
• Brady Bogen: “It's not for invited guests, family, and friends. They offer it to strangers.”

Insights:

• The discussion touches on societal pressures surrounding weddings and the commercialization of personal events.
• The hosts argue that selling tickets to strangers undermines the intimate and personal nature of weddings, portraying the app as a misguided solution to high wedding costs.

4. Adult Pacifiers Trend [14:16 - 15:07]

Discussion Highlights:

• Trend Examination: The segment explores the emerging trend of adults using pacifiers, originating from China and spreading globally.
• Health Concerns: The hosts discuss potential health implications, including dental issues like buck teeth, and the psychological aspects of oral fixations.

Notable Quotes:

• John Holmberg: “I have veneers. I can’t. So I could use it all day.”
• Brady Bogen: “As an adult and you're sucking on a pacifier, you've got an oral fixation. You’re the most popular girl at the bar. You’re also crazy.”

Insights:

• The hosts critically analyze the trend, balancing between humorous takes and genuine concerns about the physical and mental health effects of adults using pacifiers.
• They highlight the social stigma and potential behavioral implications associated with this unusual trend.

5. Stories Involving Italian Individuals and Violent Incidents [15:39 - 18:44]

a. Crossbow Incident in Italy [15:39 - 16:50]

Story Summary:

• An Italian man named Ignacio was found lying in his bed with a crossbow bolt piercing his head. Remarkably, he remained coherent for two days before seeking medical attention.

Notable Quotes:

• Brady Bogen: “An identified Italian man living in Kona was found by a family member lying in his bed with a crossbow bolt through his head. He fired the old crossbow into his head.”
• John Holmberg: “I didn't know that. Is it new?”

Insights:

• The hosts express astonishment at the severity and unusual nature of the incident, discussing the physical and psychological factors that could lead someone to such a drastic action.

b. Tennessee Shooting Incident [17:15 - 18:44]

Story Summary:

• Decarlo Pitchford, a 51-year-old man in Tennessee, shot his wife after an altercation where he felt blocked from leaving the house. Despite the violence, he took his wife to the hospital, although he delayed aid by stopping for a beer.

Notable Quotes:

• Brady Bogen: “He drove her to the hospital. And he took his time because he stopped for a beer on the way.”
• John Holmberg: “Cutting delays the seriousness of the situation. I love Italians. The more I hang out with Brady, the more I'm like, they're right.”

Insights:

• The narrative explores themes of domestic violence, responsibility, and the sometimes counterintuitive actions individuals take following violent incidents.
• The hosts dissect the psychological state and decision-making processes of the perpetrator, highlighting the complexities involved in such crimes.

6. Additional Internet Stories and Viewer Submissions [21:00 - 31:36]

Discussion Highlights:

• Odd Videos: The hosts review and react to various bizarre internet videos, including a man in the Philippines catching a giant squid and a violent encounter involving a crossbow.
• Humor and Shock: These segments are characterized by a mix of humor, shock, and disbelief as the hosts navigate through the strange and often gruesome content.

Notable Quotes:

• John Holmberg: “You don't want to look at your beep. You won't miss the phone.”
• Brady Bogen: “That's a big mess for Haley Panthers. It just went all wrong.”

Insights:

• These segments serve as light-hearted interludes amidst the more serious discussions, showcasing the hosts' chemistry and ability to entertain while processing unusual content.
• They provide a window into the often chaotic and unpredictable nature of viral internet videos.

7. Brady's EKG Appointment and Health Talk [33:00 - 37:46]

Discussion Highlights:

• Health Concerns: A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Brady Bogen's upcoming EKG appointment, with John Holmberg expressing skepticism about Brady’s health status and the necessity of his surgery.
• Personal Interaction: The hosts engage in a personal and somewhat contentious dialogue about Brady’s health decisions, medications, and lifestyle choices.

Notable Quotes:

• John Holmberg: “They’re making sure that your insides can handle getting knocked out without dropping dead from that.”
• Brady Bogen: “I need to know, will Brady be back tomorrow? This. Tell me this isn't the final Brady.”

Insights:

• This segment adds a personal and dramatic element to the show, highlighting the hosts' camaraderie and willingness to confront each other on sensitive topics.
• It underscores the show's dynamic nature, blending personal anecdotes with broader discussions.

8. Conclusion and Final Remarks [38:27 - End]

Discussion Highlights:

• Comedy Events Promotion: The hosts promote upcoming comedy shows featuring Carlos Mencia, Funny Marco, and Annie Letterman at various venues in the Valley.
• Home Services Ads: Brief mentions of services like Patrick Riley Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, and Drains are included, promoting discounts and emergency services.

Notable Quotes:

• John Holmberg: “They make an offer for your house, cash. As is...”
• Brady Bogen: “Hot and stuck.”

Insights:

• The episode wraps up with a blend of advertisements and event promotions, maintaining the show's characteristic mix of content and sponsorships.
• The hosts maintain their engaging and lighthearted tone, ensuring listeners are left with information about upcoming local events and services.

Conclusion

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness effectively balances humor, critical discussion, and personal interaction to engage listeners. From dissecting societal trends like family estrangement and adult pacifiers to unraveling quirky etymological histories and recounting dramatic personal stories, the hosts deliver a comprehensive and entertaining broadcast. Notable for their candid conversations and dynamic chemistry, John Holmberg and his co-hosts ensure that listeners are both entertained and informed throughout the episode.

Tune in or visit 98KUPD weekdays from 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM to catch more episodes of Holmberg's Morning Sickness and stay updated with Arizona's favorite morning radio show.