Holmberg’s Morning Sickness - Episode Summary

Podcast: Holmberg's Morning Sickness 98 KUPD
Air Date: October 9, 2025
Cast: John Holmberg (Host), Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo

Episode Overview

In today's episode, Holmberg and crew deliver their signature irreverent, comedic banter, covering everything from technical issues in the studio to hot sports takes, WNBA finals side bets, Ozempic side effects, haunted hotels in Vegas, bizarre medical stories, celebrity mishaps, and the usual saucy blend of local Arizona flavor. The full team is back—Brady returns from Ohio, leading to a celebration of his “two day work week” and a lot of friendly jabs.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

Studio Woes & Tech Rants

Timestamps: 00:15–07:30

• The show opens with Holmberg and the gang lamenting the sorry state of their studio equipment—broken computers, malfunctioning boards, and unreliable phones:
  • John claims makeshift engineer status, “I'm a f**king engineer at this point... my technique is punching the equipment and then lying about it later.” (02:14)
  • Hilarious anecdotes about engineers, including "Super Queen" the gay engineer whose penchant for new equipment is openly praised, and “Ray,” notable for arriving drunk at 3am (04:29).

WNBA Bets & Sports Commentary

Timestamps: 07:26–13:00

• Holmberg’s on-air promise to tattoo the Mercury logo on his bald head gets escalated as Phoenix Mercury spiral out of contention:
  • On air: “If they win the championship, I’ll grow out my hair and braid it like Brittney Griner... I will have Brittney Griner's predator hair.” (08:57)
  • The bit spirals as listeners text in, leading John to jokingly offer to get breast implants matching the Mercury’s biggest player if they win four games straight: “If the Mercury come back, I will have breast implants put into my body... Girl power, we'll call it.” (12:07)
  • The Mercury are firmly down 0–3 to the Vegas Aces, making these stunts a "safe" bet.

Memorable Moment:

• “You know what it took to make people interested in the WNBA? A man doing fun things.” – John Holmberg (11:04)

Ozempic, Weight Loss Drugs, and Unexpected Consequences

Timestamps: 13:00–21:55

• Extended riff on Ozempic and similar diabetes drugs now used for weight loss. The crew skewers users who’d rather risk bizarre side effects than exercise.
  • Side effects run from "sulfurous burps" (mistakenly called "bumps" at first) to “surprise pregnancies,” drawing out incredulous laughter and plenty of disgusted jokes.
  • “You know what never causes a surprise pregnancy? Working out.” – John Holmberg (13:12)
  • Sulfurous “bumps” and rotten-egg body odors become a recurring joke (“I look good, but I smell like an ashtray!” – 20:55)

Memorable Quote:

• “Would you take that chance of unwanted babies? Jowls, whatever. Unexpected pregnancy? Yeah, I'm out.” (14:54)

Ghost Stories, Vegas Hotels & The Skeptic’s Take

Timestamps: 36:28–47:31

• The El Cortez in Vegas is offering $5,000 to stay and hunt ghosts for a weekend.
  • John’s all in: “I am one who does not believe in ghosts... statistically I will stand on this forever—zero accounts of humans ever being harmed by ghosts, ever.” (37:32)
  • The team roasts the hotel décor, the idea of “sulfurous” hauntings, and ghost hunters in general.
  • Hilarious segue to Disneyland’s haunted house: “A lady dropped dead in the haunted house yesterday... but the Haunted House will remain open through the holiday!” (47:06)
• The crew’s conclusion: Ghosts cause zero harm, and John pitches a new career as a “Ghost Exterminator” for rich retirees.

Accidental Celebrity Encounters

Timestamps: 54:17–66:01

• Gene Simmons of KISS passed out and hit a parked car after leaving an Arizona appearance (fictionalized for humor).
• Extended bit: What celebrity would you pick to crash into your car? Is it worth $5,000? The crew fantasizes about meeting stars via fender benders.
  • On meeting Margot Robbie: “Well, if you want to keep this off insurance and out of the paper, since you ran me, I get to ram you.” (68:42)

Wild Medical & Internet Stories

Timestamps: 94:30–108:17

• Discussion about medical oddities: A man arrives at a Florida hospital with a full-size thermos lodged in his rectum. “I've seen the capabilities of the human anus multiple times. Thank you, Mr. Ve. And this no longer shocks me.” (95:17)
• The crew riffs on internet gross-out videos (pole-vault gone wrong, cyst and abscess removals, breastfeeding oddities), challenging each other's stomachs.

Kellen Erskine Interview (Comedian Guest)

Timestamps: 110:11–129:57

• Kellen Erskine (standup comic) joins for a breezy interview about performing for therapists, AI fears, and life as a bald man.
• Holmberg asks about AI and art, and Kellen shares worries about creative theft via AI and TikTok (“...someone took the audio and lip-synced themselves, like in their bathroom. You think that guy had an audience of 300 people laughing at him?” –125:07).
• The guys riff on hot air balloon stand-up gigs in Albuquerque and the joys (or horrors) of family time.
• Kellen’s Words of Wisdom: “Unplug AI and go outside... right after you come see my show.”

Football Talk with Dale Hellestre (Analyst, ex-Cowboys)

Timestamps: 130:20–167:41

• Football analyst Dale Hellestre joins for signature argumentative banter with John.
• Heated debate over Cardinal’s coach Gannon hitting a player after a blown play—a punch, a “grab,” a necessary coaching move, or a fireable blunder? The guys are split, lobbing insults (“You’re too stupid to have a nuanced conversation with a grownup” – John, 157:39) and defending old-school coaching vs. modern sensibilities.
• Bets, picks, and more trash talk about the Bengals, Cowboys, Packers, and more.
• Closing: “Let’s see how smart you are... Brett, he should have paid the money as a matter of fact.”

Notable Quotes

On Sports Bets:

• “If they win it all, I'll have Brittney Griner's predator hair. If they come back, I’ll get breast implants as big as the Mercury’s biggest player.” – John Holmberg (08:57, 12:07)

On Ozempic Side Effects:

• “You look good but you smell like an ashtray!” – Holmberg (20:55)
• “Would you take that chance of unwanted babies? Jowls, whatever. Unexpected pregnancy? Yeah, I'm out.” (14:54)

On Ghost Hunting:

• “Statistically, zero accounts of humans being harmed by ghosts.” – (37:32)
• “Five grand? Yeah, I’ll hunt your ghosts. I’ll trash the room and tell you a ghost did it.” (38:23)

Best Skewering of Celebrity Encounters:

• “If you want to keep this off insurance and out of the paper, since you ran me, I get to ram you.” – (68:42)

On Modern Football Culture:

• “You’re too stupid to have a nuanced conversation with a grownup.” – John to Dale (157:39)
• “Nobody’s ever hurt by a ghost—it’s like being afraid of lightning bugs!” – (45:00)

Episode Highlights by Timestamp

• 00:15 – 07:30: Tech trouble stories, engineer rants
• 07:30 – 13:00: WNBA bets, Mercury finals, escalating side bets
• 13:00 – 21:55: Ozempic, weight loss drugs, wild side effects
• 36:28 – 47:31: El Cortez ghost hunt promo, skepticism, haunted house at Disneyland
• 54:17 – 66:01: Celebrity car crash fantasy, Gene Simmons bit, who would you want to hit your car?
• 94:30 – 108:17: Medical oddities, gross-out videos, “what fits in my ass” jokes
• 110:11 – 129:57: Comedian Kellen Erskine in-studio, AI discussion, hot air balloon comedy riff
• 130:20 – 167:41: NFL picks, Cardinals coach controversy, Dale and John’s “punch” debate
• 171:39 – end: Entertainment news, celebrity tipping stories, Dolly Parton health update and jokes

Tone & Style

The episode is irreverent, playful, sharply satirical, and peppered with insults, quick-witted banter, and graphic descriptions. Much of the episode’s impact comes from the crew’s chemistry and improvisational style—the humor is rapid-fire and references roam freely from local Arizona color to pop culture, sports, and internet trends. If you like your mornings with a heavy dose of mayhem, this is your show.

For listeners who missed it:
This episode is a prime example of why Holmberg’s Morning Sickness is Arizona’s #1 morning show—utterly unpredictable, sometimes gross, brilliantly funny, and never afraid to hit taboo or controversial subjects head-on (often making fun of themselves in the process). From sports bar farce to celebrity fender benders, rebellious humor rules.