Podcast Summary
Episode Overview
Title: 10-10-25 - Sam Tallent - Tempe Improv - In Studio
Podcast: Holmberg's Morning Sickness – Arizona (98KUPD)
Date: October 10, 2025
Host(s): John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Guest: Sam Tallent (Comedian, performing at Tempe Improv)
This episode features comedian Sam Tallent, known for his sharp wit, storytelling, and irreverent humor. He joins Holmberg and crew live in studio to talk about his comedy career, background, perspectives on small-town life, football, marriage, and the quirks of contemporary culture—all with the fast-paced banter and playful edge that defines HMS.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Sam’s Touring Life & Arizona Connections
- (00:18) Sam immediately jumps into banter with the crew about being at Tempe Improv and his working relationship with opening comedian Alex Souza.
- Jokes about being Alex’s “life coach or life partner,” riffing on the odd-couple dynamic of comics on the road.
- Quote:
- “I like to think life partner.” – Sam (00:57)
- “You guys live in Arizona. That’s a long history. The Mormons do that?” – Sam (01:09)
2. Small Town & Mormon Culture
- (01:15–02:35) The audience is taken into Sam’s upbringing in rural Colorado, his experience with Mormons, and jokes about “soaking” and Pacific Islander football players at BYU.
- Recalls wild stories of secretaries’ school for Mormon women and football camp culture.
- The crew trade exaggerated and irreverent jabs at various cultures.
- Quote:
- “Those girls have to go to secretary school before regular school. And boy, boy, did they need a ride back from the church…” – Sam (01:27)
- “I played offensive line. I had many...” – Sam (02:42)
3. Football Aspirations and Identity
- (02:45–07:03) Sam details his trajectory as a would-be college football player, getting derailed by a knee injury.
- Was recruited by CU Boulder, weighed 325 lbs, had to drop to 275 for wrestling.
- Candid about the emotional hit from losing his football dream.
- Nostalgia and self-deprecation around being a massive third-grader; affectionate anecdotes about his supportive dad.
- Quote:
- “In third grade, I was like, 5 foot 6 and, like, 180 pounds. They had to make special rules for me where you could line up over center because I would just crush the center into the quarterback...” – Sam (06:06)
- “No, I was broke. It. I was ripped wide open. It was my whole identity.” – Sam (06:59), on the devastation of losing football.
4. Improv, Comedy & The Sad Kid Origin Story
- (08:29–09:03) Sam’s mom signed him up for improv classes after his football career ended, sparking his journey into comedy.
- Reflects on the healing power of comedy and, jokingly, on how improv can be pretty nihilist when you’re sad.
- Quote:
- “My mom got me improv classes for my 18th birthday.” – Sam (08:32)
- “Nothing better than putting a sad kid in improv.” – Holmberg (08:38)
- “There’s no yes anding. There’s a lot of ‘What? No. What’s the point?’” – Sam (08:43)
5. Weight Loss and Medical Humor
- (09:18–13:02) The tone shifts to discuss Sam’s significant weight loss (85 lbs since their last meeting), with the conversation quickly veering into dark comedy about health, HIV medications (Big Tarvy), and pharmaceutical ads.
- Plays with the absurdities of medical TV commercials; uses disease and medication as comic fodder.
- Quote:
- “Yeah. I’m very sick. ... It’s HIV right now.” – Sam (09:21)
- “You get big tarvy and a flower…” – Holmberg (09:35)
6. Love, Marriage & Selfishness
- (11:23–12:09) Sam and the hosts riff on marriage and the choice not to have kids.
- Both men express contentment with their family situations; Sam declares he’s “so selfish” and enjoys not having children.
- Light-hearted barbs about youth, aging, and hip replacement surgeries.
- Quote:
- “I love being married. I love my wife.” – Sam (12:03)
- “I’m so selfish.” – Sam (11:34)
7. Promise Keepers & Growing Up in Conservative Towns
- (12:08–12:23) The hosts and Sam recall interactions with Promise Keepers and the awkwardness of religious rituals during formative moments (e.g., praying at a graduation party).
- Quote:
- “He made us pray before we cut the cake. And I was like, this is a graduation cake. What’s this?” – Sam (12:23)
- Quote:
8. Absurdity, Dark Humor & Vibing Off Each Other
- Through the episode: The crew and Sam milk every opportunity for irreverent, boundary-pushing jokes—from revisiting your mom’s womb to getting “positive” tattooed on your forehead as an HIV joke.
- The recurring riff: “With Big Tarvy, you can love whatever you want.”
- Quote:
- “You should get positive on your bald head.” – Sam (12:48)
- “He’s a winner. I might want HIV now. I think Sam just sold it. It sounds more fun.” – Holmberg (12:53)
9. Sam’s Philosophical Closer
- (14:06–14:48) John prompts Sam to “fix the planet.” Sam gets sincere, advising listeners to cherish simple moments, value physical experience, and live more in the real world—not on phones.
- Quote:
- “I think that everyone needs to just hold their loved ones dear and find the nutrition and the simple things of life... Our phones have replaced the world. Yeah... get off your phone and get into the touch and the taste and the smell and hearing experiences of life.” – Sam (14:16)
- Quote:
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Time | Speaker | Quote / Moment | |---------|------------|-----------------| | 00:57 | Sam | "I like to think life partner." (on helping opener Alex Souza) | | 01:27 | Sam | "Those girls have to go to secretary school before regular school." (on Mormon culture) | | 06:06 | Sam | “In third grade, I was like, 5 foot 6 and, like, 180 pounds.” | | 06:59 | Sam | "I was ripped wide open. It was my whole identity." (on losing football) | | 08:32 | Sam | "My mom got me improv classes for my 18th birthday." (origin of comedy career) | | 09:21 | Sam | “Yeah. I’m very sick. ... It’s HIV right now.” (dark comedic riff on weight loss) | | 12:03 | Sam | "I love being married. I love my wife." | | 12:23 | Sam | “He made us pray before we cut the cake. And I was like, this is a graduation cake. What’s this?” (on Promise Keepers) | | 14:16 | Sam | "Hold your loved ones dear... get off your phone and get into the touch and the taste and the smell and hearing experiences of life." (podcast close) |
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:18–01:15: Opening banter, introductions, and jokes about life partnerships.
- 01:15–02:35: Mormon culture, soaking, and football camps with Samoan players.
- 02:45–07:03: Young Sam's football career, injury, and identity struggle.
- 08:29–09:03: Shift from athlete to comic; the healing power of improv.
- 09:18–13:02: Weight loss, body image, and medical dark humor.
- 11:23–12:09: Discussion on marriage, selfishness, and choosing not to have kids.
- 12:08–12:23: Life in small towns and awkward religious upbringings.
- 14:06–14:48: Sam's philosophical take on how to fix the world—embracing real life over screens.
Overall Tone & Takeaways
The episode is pure, kinetic HMS: quick-witted, fearless, warm, and mischievous. Sam Tallent fits right in, blending candid storytelling with outrageous humor, and a surprising moment of sincerity at the end. The group jumps from edgy laughs to real moments of vulnerability, making for an engaging listen even for those unfamiliar with the podcast or guest.
If you enjoy comedy podcasts that mix irreverence, honesty, and a dose of heartfelt advice, this is a perfect snapshot of what Holmberg's Morning Sickness does best.