Holmberg’s Morning Sickness – Arizona

Episode Summary: September 2, 2025

Episode Title: Brady's Back Following His Kidney Surgery; Toledo's Back After His Mom's Passing; John's Coyote Sighting and Tire Woes

Overview

In this engaging and candid episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness, the team—John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo—reunites after major personal events: Brady’s kidney removal surgery and Toledo’s mother’s passing. The group dives into coping with health issues, family loss, and the absurdities of everyday life. Alongside honest health talk and dark humor, John recounts a bizarre coyote mating encounter in his front yard, explores possible symbolic meanings, and shifts into classic football banter as the NFL season nears.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Brady Returns After Kidney Surgery

• Health Update & Recovery:
  • John marvels at Brady's improved appearance, noting, "Your skin's a better color. Like you look ... I didn't realize you may not have looked healthy before" (05:55).
  • Brady describes the changes post-surgery: less swelling, improving mobility, and feeling more alert.
  • The removed kidney had a sizable tumor (“meatball”)—a fact recounted with classic Morning Sickness irreverence: “He sent me a picture of the kidney, something you'd send back at a restaurant” (03:38).
  • Regarding future steps: Brady will have to meet with doctors for ongoing monitoring and may eventually require a transplant; where they'll place a new kidney is still up for discussion.
  • Discussion about wearing (or not wearing) compression stockings after surgery, questions about post-op care, and commentary on weight loss as a key health goal.

    “A healthy weight makes it a lot easier on that single kidney. And then the new kidney gets introduced to this beautiful new house. It's gonna be great.” — John (11:32)

• Food Talk and Adjustments:
  • Hilarious and slightly mocking descriptions of hospital food:

    "It was boiled chicken. And I opened the top of it, and it was untouched. This guy's not touching that." — John (08:57)

  • Transition to healthier foods at home, monitored by his wife Ronnie, and the pressure (mostly joking) from his cohosts to stick with veggies and low salt.

2. Toledo’s Return After Family Loss

• Personal Loss & Grieving:
  • Toledo shares the experience of his mother’s passing, describing the emotional complexity:

    “It’s weird, the sense of... relief and the little sense of guilt... I was so happy that she was gone.” — Toledo (15:32)

  • He recounts the surreal and exhausting moments at her passing, his stepfather’s characteristic bluntness, and darkly comedic family dynamics.
  • John and the others balance sympathy with signature irreverent ribbing.

3. John’s Tire Troubles and Coyote Sighting

• Everyday Frustrations:

  • John humorously contrasts his cohosts’ life-changing events with his own “crisis” — a persistent low tire pressure warning.
  • The hosts turn the mundane into comedy, poking fun at each other’s priorities.

• Coyotes Mating Incident:

  • After a monsoon, John observes two coyotes copulating in his front yard, leading to awkward attempts to shoo them away and some philosophical musing on omens.

    “And there’s just two coyotes just banging away in my front yard... The one on the bottom looks over at me like, ‘Hey, pervert.’” — John (19:43)

  • The team riffs on Native American symbolism and the possibility of the incident portending an uninvited houseguest.

    “That turns me on, baby... The symbolism is that someone will be moving in at your place.” — Brady (21:52)

  • They elaborate further with imagined coyote-porn scenarios—riffing on how long the animals stayed, their positioning, and speculating about the “meaning” of the event.

4. Football Banter and Dallas Cowboys Drama

• NFL Season Anticipation:
  • Excitement builds for the NFL season kickoff, with back-and-forth between John and Brady about quarterbacks, game readiness, and preseason hype.
  • Critique of preseason college football rankings as empty spectacle:

    “How do you have the number one team in the country, have a quarterback you’ve never seen play at all?” — John (30:20)

  • Cowboys documentary, Jerry Jones’ decisions, and the economics of the NFL salary cap are discussed at length, with scathing assessments and plenty of jokes.

    “He’s a functioning alcoholic. That was a big takeaway.” — John, about Jerry Jones (35:27)

• Sports Hot Takes:
  • John’s rant on hating “old people doing well in sports,” referencing Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson, drawing laughs.

5. Camaraderie, Humor, and Coping

• Despite the serious health and grief topics, the tone is ultimately supportive but full of the show’s trademark dark, irreverent banter.
• Quick pivots between somber reflection and off-color jokes, e.g., dark humor about euthanizing pets and poking fun at each other’s ailments or situations.
• Even after deep discussions, John is quick to redirect to more trivial or ridiculous content, keeping the energy up.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "He sent me a picture of the kidney, something you'd send back at a restaurant." — John (03:38)
• “A healthy weight makes it a lot easier on that single kidney. And then the new kidney gets introduced to this beautiful new house. It's gonna be great.” — John (11:32)
• “It’s weird, the sense of... relief and the little sense of guilt... I was so happy that she was gone.” — Toledo (15:32)
• “She was holding my hand, and I kind of looked at my stepdad, and I'm like, that's it. I think she's gone. It's so surreal.” — Toledo (15:59)
• “If she was a dog, I would have taken her out back and shot her.” — Toledo, quoting his stepdad (16:30) (dark humor)
• “And there’s just two coyotes just banging away in my front yard... The one on the bottom looks over at me like, ‘Hey, pervert.’” — John (19:43)
• “That turns me on, baby... The symbolism is that someone will be moving in at your place.” — Brady (21:52)
• “How do you have the number one team in the country, have a quarterback you’ve never seen play at all?” — John (30:20)
• “He’s a functioning alcoholic. That was a big takeaway.” — John, about Jerry Jones (35:27)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Brady’s Health & Surgery Discussion: 02:44 – 14:44
• Toledo’s Grief After Mother’s Passing: 14:45 – 18:52
• John’s Tire Issue: 17:57 – 18:56
• Midnight Coyote Mating in the Yard: 19:42 – 26:49
• Football/NFL/Cowboys Discussion: 28:04 – 35:48
• Documentary Recommendations/Final Banter: 35:48 – 37:01

Conclusion

This edition of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness stands out for the depth and honesty with which personal setbacks are discussed, while never shying away from dark humor and absurdity. The crew’s chemistry shines as they balance real talk with relentless ribbing, moving from health scares and family loss to the comfort of sports season rituals and the strangely profound appearance of rutting coyotes. Fans and new listeners alike will be reminded why this show remains an Arizona institution: honest, human, and always hilarious.