Podcast Summary: Holmberg's Morning Sickness - "Frank Is Joining John As Moderators For William Shatner Khan Tour Next Month Here In PHX - w/July Interview Replay"

Date: October 15, 2025
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo
Guests: William Shatner (interview replay, originally recorded July 2025)
Main Theme: Announcing John Holmberg and Frank Caliendo as moderators for the upcoming William Shatner "Wrath of Khan" event in Phoenix, and an in-depth conversation with William Shatner about his tour, experiences in space, and his perspective on Earth and aging.

Overview

This episode celebrates John Holmberg and comedian Frank Caliendo co-hosting William Shatner’s "Wrath of Khan" tour event on November 12th in Phoenix. The show features an engaging and thoughtful replayed interview with William Shatner—originally recorded in July—where he discusses the upcoming show, his experience in space, perspectives on the environment, and his ongoing motivation to perform.

Key Discussion Points

1. Modern Radio, Apps, and Data Tracking

• Hosts discuss the push for listeners to download radio apps, expressing skepticism about corporate motives.
• Key Insight: Traditional radio is unique in that it doesn’t track users, unlike streaming apps.
• "Radio is the only thing that doesn't follow you around all the time. And we're abandoning it as radio...But now we can't because we got that app." — John [03:15]

2. Health Chat – Vaccines & Shingles

• Listeners share advice about shingles vaccines; hosts consider their own health laziness.
• "I know this is going to end me with shingles because I keep going, 'Oh, I need to do that.' And it’s not because I’m trying to fight the good fight, I’m just too lazy." — John [05:11]

3. Announcement: William Shatner Event Moderated by Holmberg & Caliendo

• Confirmed: John Holmberg and Frank Caliendo will co-host William Shatner’s "Wrath of Khan" event at the Orpheum Theater, Phoenix, November 12.
• Frank will join with humorous reenactments of Shatner's anecdotes (e.g., meeting Stephen Hawking and Terry Bradshaw).
• Tickets available at 98kupd.com.

William Shatner Interview Highlights

[08:42–09:02] Opening Banter & Show Name

• Shatner’s humor: Questions the podcast/show name "Morning Sickness"
  • "If I were to choose a name for a show...the last name I would think of using is Morning Sickness. What is a vomitus kind of tinge to the morning sickness?" — Shatner [08:42]

[09:17–10:15] John’s Tenure & Staging with Shatner

• Shatner jokes about John "Original Homburg" still being alive.
• Reminisces on prior event together; Shatner playfully dodges authority over event invitations.

[10:15–11:21] Squirrel and Dog Interlude

• Memorable moment: Shatner breaks from the interview to shoo away a "fearsome squirrel" with his dogs.
• "It's a squirrel. And it's a fearsome squirrel. Mac. Hey, hey, hey." — Shatner [10:15]

[11:23–13:21] The Key to Happiness: A Good Mattress

• Shatner reiterates his advice: “The key to happiness in life is a good mattress.”
• Jokes about the perils of sleeping in hotels and touring with a band.
• "Have a good mattress, and watch out for the 14 guys. That's success on the road." — Shatner [13:15]

[13:21–17:50] Shatner on His Space Flight & The Fragility of Earth

• Reflects on his emotional experience after returning from space—crying unexpectedly, later attributing it to grief for the planet.
• Discusses ecological vulnerability, environmental responsibility, and the interconnectedness of all life—particularly the parallel between humans and trees.
• "When I exited the spaceship, I found myself weeping... I realized that's why I was weeping. I was in grief for our planet." — Shatner [13:47]
• "We're more alike than unlike a tree." — Shatner [17:35]
• "Everything is interconnected in this beautiful thing we call Earth, and we take it for granted and throw a plastic bottle in the roof." — Shatner [17:41]

[17:50–19:54] Littering, Global Warming & A Call for Awareness

• Shatner is appalled by the state of litter on highways, especially in California.
• Offers a stark warning about the consequences of environmental neglect.

[19:54–21:21] Shatner's Motivation for Touring

• On why he still tours: validation as an entertainer, a need to feel alive, keep working, fear of irrelevance and mortality.
• "So the more I can do what I do, the more alive I feel." — Shatner [21:21]

[21:21–22:08] Closing & Thanks

• John thanks Shatner for his legacy; Shatner promises to try for John’s co-moderator spot, says the film will be in a restored state.

Notable Quotes

• On cynicism and hope for the future:
  "There are a large number of people striving to mitigate those effects, but we're being overwhelmed by people who don't believe." — Shatner [15:29]

• On the beauty of Earth:
  "In that moment, when I saw this little blue dot in the middle of this blackness, I thought, the beauty of life, the stuff that we look at every day, we take for granted." — Shatner [15:15]

• On entertainment as validation:
  "It validates me...the more I can do what I do, the more alive I feel." — Shatner [20:43, 21:21]

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:00 – 03:15: App promo, listeners’ questions, and radio vs. app tracking discussion.
• 03:10 – 07:44: Health (shingles, vaccines), prepping for William Shatner event, event announcement.
• 07:44 – 08:42: Context for interview, setting up Shatner replay.
• 08:42 – 22:08: William Shatner Interview — humor, advice, environmental activism, space reflections, philosophy on aging, and tour plans.

Tone and Style

The episode blends irreverent morning show banter with deep, thoughtful moments—especially in Shatner’s interview, which oscillates between humor, introspection, and impassioned calls for environmental consciousness. The hosts maintain their playful edge while giving space for serious topics.

Conclusion

This episode serves as a dual celebration: a milestone in Holmberg’s career (hosting again with Shatner) and the wisdom of a legend. Shatner’s personal reflections and advocacy add gravitas, well-balanced by light comedic moments. Listeners are left entertained, informed, and perhaps newly inspired to care more for their world—and their mattresses.