Holmberg’s Morning Sickness – Arizona’s #1 Morning Radio Show

Episode: 09-11-25 - FULL SHOW - THURSDAY
Date: September 11, 2025

Overview

This emotionally charged episode centers on the aftermath of the shocking assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk, reflecting not only the shock and grief felt locally but also the deeper anxieties roiling American society. John Holmberg and the full team (Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo, and Lisa) use their signature blend of candid, sometimes irreverent conversation, humor, and frank audience interaction to process the news—focusing on free speech, division in America, the psychological impacts of violence (especially as imagery spreads online), and how to move forward as individuals and a society. The episode also features listener calls, personal stories, lighter segments, and a visit from comedian Keegan Tindall.

Main Discussion: Processing the Assassination of Charlie Kirk

1. Impact and Reactions to the Event

[00:00–10:50]

• John opens the show expressing how the previous day's events "knocked me on my ass," reflecting the impact of witnessing the assassination from multiple angles via circulated videos.
• Multiple hosts discuss the emotional toll of seeing such violence, referencing how news and internet culture amplify these events, leaving people demoralized and anxious.

Notable Quote:

“Yesterday knocked me on my ass. I kept getting people to send me videos and... it was awful.”
— John [01:07]

• John compares his feelings to post-Columbine and 9/11—a fundamental sense of societal vulnerability and the difficulty of returning to ‘normal’ banter in the aftermath.

Notable Quote:

“I called my boss and said, we should probably take tomorrow off. It’s going to be hard to do a morning show when everybody’s got this black cloud. Plus it’s 9/11.”
— John [06:57]

2. Free Speech, Open Dialogue, and Campus Culture

[02:02–06:57, 16:23–18:57, 33:14–35:09]

• John praises Charlie Kirk’s debate skills — even as someone who doesn't always agree with him — and warns against the rising inclination to cancel speakers or suppress opposing viewpoints, particularly on college campuses.

Notable Quote:

“If anything comes out of this, to me, as people who are well-spoken... more of you need to speak, not less. I already saw yesterday that college campuses are canceling speakers and seminars... that is the exact opposite of what must go down.”
— John [02:41]

• The team reflects on the danger of silencing dissent and how “Truth loves scrutiny.”

• The relationship between emotional (as opposed to logical) responses and violence is explored, including the observation that anger at others’ words often signals insecurity in one’s own position.

Notable Quote:

“If you feel... angry, that’s always meant to me that you don’t have an opinion, you have a thought.”
— John [04:24]

3. The Role of the Internet and Media Exposure

[14:50–18:57, 38:20–39:39]

• Widespread distribution of the assassination video is seen as not only traumatizing for those directly affected but also “normalizing” such violence for the public.
• Concerns raised for younger generations—kids and teens are exposed with no filter, which may have lasting psychological impacts.

Notable Quote:

“In today’s world, a nine-year-old kid just watched Charlie Kirk get half his head blown off on Instagram... What is this psychologically doing to regular people?”
— Listener Jeremy (read by John) [38:20]

• Brady, as a parent, discusses the difficulty of protecting his daughter from such content and the importance of talking about these events as a family.

4. Division in America and Historical Parallels

[11:50–16:11, 141:01–142:34]

• The team discusses how 9/11, initially a unifying event, ultimately exacerbated political and social divisions—a pattern echoed in today’s violence.
• John notes the cyclical nature of outrage and polarization, warning that “the domino trickle effect from that very day [9/11] I think... divided and divided and divided.”

Notable Quote:

“We built a new building. We didn’t win that. That was a big L. And it remains a big L. And stuff like yesterday, I think, the domino trickle effect from that very day.”
— John [14:20]

5. The Unintended Weight of Public Commentary

[06:01–07:50, 60:49–61:16]

• John opens up about his own anxieties as a public figure, feeling vulnerable to threats simply for expressing opinions on air.
• The assassination feels chillingly close to home for those in the ‘arena’ of public discourse.

Notable Quote:

“I live in that world... It weighs on you because that one person... might just say ‘I don’t like that he says things I disagree with.’”
— John [06:01]

6. Callers’ Perspectives & Fireside Chat

[44:41–51:31]

Listener calls add immediacy and depth, including:

• Donovan (Veteran): Warns about the dangers of “othering” and recounts his traumatic experience in Iraq, arguing that glorifying violence leads only to tragedy and loss of faith.
  “If people saw what I saw, we would all be a lot calmer... there is nothing glorious about it.” — Donovan [46:01]
• Tank (Call-in): Pushes back on jumping to conclusions about motive, cautions about assumptions; discusses how with free speech comes responsibility and consequences, drawing a line at true incitement.
  “As an American, yes, we have the freedom of speech, but it doesn’t mean you can say whatever you want.” — Tank [47:52]
• Mike (Late-life Christian): Offers his faith perspective, saying that his turn to God improved his life, but reaffirming the importance of respectful dialogue.
  “I had a blood work done... prayed to God... That was a turning point... I got baptized soon after and left the sport of bodybuilding... I’m a better person because of it.” — Mike [54:43]
• Jake (Caregiver): Struck by the video’s violence, expresses his own sense of fragility and the shock he and his young friends feel—“that can just happen in an instant.” [57:16]

The hosts emphasize letting all viewpoints air out—without shouting others down.

7. Living With Difference — The Crew’s Personal Code

[30:04–32:20, 33:14–35:09]

• John and Brady discuss the foundation of their 30-year friendship: profound disagreement on faith that never devolved into anger or disrespect.
• The capacity to “hear” and even respect—but not necessarily agree with—opposing views is depicted as a key social value.

Notable Quote:

“We’ve been friends for 30 years... I’ve never been like, ‘I can’t hang out with him.’ That’s dumb. Dumb people do that.”
— John [31:46]

8. The Power (and Dangers) of Viral Video

[66:02–68:15]

• The group ponders whether catastrophic events would feel as poignant or divisive without repeated exposure to violent videos.
• Parallels are drawn to historical events (Kennedy assassination, Ray Rice incident): seeing violence has an outsized impact compared to only hearing about it.

“You see it... and it changes things. It changes your perception on what you saw.” — John [66:09]

9. Audience Emails: Free Speech, Gun Rights, Blaming “Sides”

[38:20–41:50, 41:50–44:13]

• Listeners write in various viewpoints:
  • Defending Kirk’s past pro-gun stance, even as some conflate it with the manner of his death.
  • Pushing back against the "both sides" narrative, demanding John name right-wing shooters.
  • Others thank the show for acknowledging the pain and divisiveness, but urging that people’s right to openly celebrate or condemn should still be protected—as long as it remains non-violent.

Lighter Segments & Comic Relief

10. Surreal Arizona Localism & Humor

[74:37–79:50, 81:22–84:44]

• A blend of news-of-the-weird (e.g. Chinese bathroom toilet paper dispensers that require you to watch ads), office bathroom “butt crushers,” public pooping etiquette, and more.
• Local in-jokes (Phoenix traffic, office characters) and relentless friendly ribbing between crew members.

11. Special Guest: Keegan Tindall, Comedian

[108:15–130:55]

• Keegan, in his first time west of Texas, entertains with stories about his Philadelphia family (including his dad’s roommate “Bones”), being a burn survivor after a horrific accident, and how trauma shaped his comedy.
• Even in heavy weeks, the show maintains its tone: dark comedy, self-deprecation, and warmth.

12. “Fireside Chat” Rules and Tone

[33:14–35:09, 51:31–62:11]

• Holmberg’s policy: listeners are welcome to express any viewpoint as long as it’s calm—whether it’s “I’m glad he’s gone,” grief, or something else.
• The show provides catharsis by being a (slightly) safer room than the internet. “If you got something to say, say it. You’re not going to get shouted down here.” [33:14]

Reflection, Moving Forward, and Closing Messages

[67:05–70:03, 167:58–171:40]

• John urges listeners to self-reflect before firing off angry responses online or in public.
• Affirms the show’s basic contract with its audience: “laugh or turn it off.”
• Encourages everyone to “start with exhaling,” respect differences, and realize how volatile and fragile society currently is—for better and worse.
• On “taking sides”: John closes by rejecting the idea that “the shooter represents the left,” instead demanding we see madness for what it is: “He does not represent that side of America.” [72:09]

Notable Quotes and Moments

• “Truth loves scrutiny.”—John [04:24]
• “Freedom of speech is freedom to say things other people don’t like.”—John [09:28]
• “The day after we all make sense... and then it starts all over again.”—John [25:53]
• “Remember September 12, 2001... Everybody was like, 'I gotta do something about it.' And then you just... didn’t do a thing.”—John [64:06]
• “What the f is wrong with us? ... He was just talking.”—Listener Email [39:20]
• “If you feel angry, that’s always meant to me you don’t have an opinion, you have a thought.”—John [04:24]
• “Allow it. Somebody emails me mad, I’ll email them back... You can still be mad. That’s fine. It doesn’t bother me.” — John [22:47]

Key Timestamps

• 00:00–10:50: The Charlie Kirk assassination and societal aftermath
• 10:51–18:57: Internet exposure, generational effects, free speech as a principle
• 38:20–41:50 & 44:41–51:31: Listener emails and calls – grief, fear, and debate on sides and responsibility
• 51:31–62:11: Fireside chat, callers, and processing
• 74:37–79:50: Local humor and community stories
• 108:15–130:55: Guest segment with comedian Keegan Tindall
• 167:58–171:40: John’s refusal to let Dale’s wife go to dinner with him—closing signature banter

Final Thoughts

In a uniquely difficult moment—both for the nation and for the show—the hosts of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness demonstrate how local radio can serve as a lightning rod for grief, debate, venting, and ultimately, community solidarity. Through their humor, honesty, and commitment to airing even uncomfortable views, they model the kind of dialogue America strives for but often struggles to achieve.