Podcast Summary: Holmberg's Morning Sickness – Entertainment Drill (08-21-25, w/Dale Hellestrae)
Podcast: Holmberg’s Morning Sickness on 98 KUPD
Episode Date: August 21, 2025
Guests/Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo, guest Dale Hellestrae
Overview
This episode of the HMS podcast features the usual crew joined by former NFL player Dale Hellestrae. The show foucses on the day’s entertainment news, sports talk, and their trademark irreverent banter, including reactions to the sudden death of Mastodon’s guitarist, discussions about the NFL preseason’s value, recent Diamondbacks drama, pop culture stories, and a comedic preview of changes in Brady's lifestyle following upcoming kidney surgery.
Main Topics & Key Discussion Points
1. Mastodon Guitarist’s Passing & Helmet Use (01:49–03:15)
- The team reacts to the news that Mastodon's guitarist Brent Hinds died in a motorcycle accident.
- Dale asks about helmet use, launching into a riff about the abrasiveness of Mastodon’s music and country music.
- Notable quote, Dale: "Yeah. If I listen to this every day, I would be a mass murderer." (03:02)
- Brady jokes: He’d rather endure dangerous, uncomfortable things than listen to country music.
2. NFL Preseason Critique (04:06–07:46)
- Extended discussion about the pointlessness of NFL preseason games.
- Owners prioritize regular season over preseason due to the big revenue difference.
- Fans pay regular-season prices for lesser games, while players receive fractional pay.
- Most roster spots are locked before preseason; only a few are up for grabs.
- Coaches have historically had players fake injuries to stay on reserve lists.
- Dale: "Each week of a regular season is almost a big billion dollars." (04:46)
- On roster spots, Dale: "Going in, you’ve got 49 or 50 of your guys already vested." (05:51)
- Re: injury faking: "Nobody’s good at faking injuries. Rooked sons of bitches... limping on your left ankle. Bastards have been lying to us the whole time." (07:33)
3. Diamondbacks and Ketel Marte Drama (07:54–09:32)
- The group discusses the Diamondbacks' underwhelming season and drama involving Ketel Marte.
- Marte took time off, had his house broken into at the All-Star break, then traveled to the Dominican Republic without informing the team.
- Debate over whether Marte should have been traded.
- Dale: “It made absolutely no sense.” (09:13)
- Third base coach removed after a tough year.
- Team is still hovering around .500.
4. Entertainment Drill and Pop Culture Roundup (12:49–14:25)
- Sean William Scott (Stifler):
- Going through a divorce, listed substantial income and assets.
- Hosts joke that a new “American Pie: Adult Edition” will be needed to restock his fortune.
- Paris Hilton’s Children’s Show:
- Debuts "Paris and Pups" on YouTube, met with ridicule and jokes about her on-camera personality.
- John on Paris’s infamous video: “It’s better than her porn video. No matter how bad it is, it’s sexier to watch her pet puppies.” (13:53)
5. Dolly Parton's Coca-Cola, Nashville Stories (14:28–16:31)
- Dale shares news: Dolly Parton gets her own Coca-Cola flavor for Dollywood’s 40th anniversary, available only at the park.
- Humorous stories about Nashville and gullible tourists.
6. Comedy & Music—Favorite Bands, Nostalgia (16:39–18:34)
- Dale is quizzed on his knowledge of comedians and rock musicians like Bob Odenkirk, Pantera, and Vinnie Paul.
- Cowboys nostalgia: Longtime Cowboys player Dale reflects on the bittersweet experience of watching the franchise struggle in the modern era.
- Dale: "It's a weird feeling... the further away it gets, just don't care." (18:16)
- Discussed never having lost to the Steelers in his playing days.
7. Brady’s Health/Surgery and Group’s Well-Wishes (18:41–20:34)
- Light-hearted, supportive discussion about Brady’s upcoming surgery and mandated diet changes for kidney health.
- Dale (to Brady): “You have two ways to handle these situations… you can either deal with humor or you can go, yeah, be the saddest guy in the world.” (20:05)
- Jokes about hospital bedside encounters and post-surgery dietary sacrifices.
8. Plugging Upcoming Events & Shows (10:51; 20:34–21:33)
- Frank Caliendo performing locally.
- Native Grill & Wings Hot Wing eating contest—“Handle the Heat.”
- Shane Gillis presale code info and Phoenix arena show.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
-
On music preference:
"I'd rather have a guy go in dry on me than listen to country music." – Brady (03:35) -
On NFL preseason games:
"But in preseason, they charge you regular season prices. They don't give you a discount on beer…And they only have to pay the players like 2,500 bucks a week." – Dale (04:50) -
On faked injuries:
"Rooked sons of bitches... limping on your left ankle. Bastards have been lying to us the whole time." – Dale (07:33) -
On Ketel Marte's behavior:
"It made absolutely no sense." – Dale (09:13) -
On country music and Mastodon:
"If I listen to this every day, I would be a mass murderer." – Dale (03:06)
"Anything's better than country music. So how dare you disparage Mastodon?" – Brady (03:59) -
On supporting friends through medical issues:
"You have two ways to handle these situations…. I would deal with anything with you." – Dale (20:08)
Handy Timestamps
- Helmet/Mastodon news & music riffing: 01:49–03:52
- NFL preseason & roster talk: 04:06–07:46
- Diamondbacks & Ketel Marte: 07:54–09:40
- Entertainment news (Sean William Scott, Paris Hilton): 12:49–14:25
- Dolly Parton/Coca-Cola, Nashville stories: 14:28–16:27
- Comedy/music/cowboys nostalgia: 16:31–18:34
- Brady’s surgery/support: 18:41–20:34
- Ticket contest/shows plug: 10:51 and 20:34–21:33
Episode Tone
The episode remains light-hearted, irreverent, and quick-witted throughout, blending honest sports insights with playful jabs at each other and pop culture. Dale’s presence adds an ex-athlete’s realism to the football conversations, balanced with the crew’s established chemistry.
For New Listeners
This episode is a characteristic mix of local sports, national pop culture, and inside-joke heavy comedy. Dale brings old-school NFL stories and perspective, while the regular hosts riff off everything from music genres to dietary restrictions—with warmth, unfiltered honesty, and constant humor. If you’re into the intersection of sports, music, and group camaraderie, it’s a lively, engaging listen.