Holmberg's Morning Sickness (98KUPD)

Episode: 10-16-25
Date: October 16, 2025

Episode Overview

The hosts (John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo) discuss recent viral moments stemming from sports fandom, specifically centering on a Milwaukee Brewers' fan who lost her job after an altercation with a Dodgers fan during the NLCS. The episode blends social commentary on outrage culture, the pitfalls of modern fandom, and the hazards of viral shaming. The show also segues into a comedic exploration of relationships and male psychology, capped with the hypothetical of "Would guys rather have money or a BJ as a game show prize?" as well as some inside-radio industry talk about ratings.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Outrage Culture & The Digital Age (01:43–04:10)

• The Problem with Always-Online Outrage:
  John laments how we're living in an era where everyone has something in their phone that could offend someone if it leaked.
  • "Everybody's got something in their phone. That would offend some group. So let's pull the sticks out of our asses and stop going after everybody for that kind of stuff." (01:58)
• Auto-deleting Threads:
  Holmberg jokes that if you're in a group chat with the likes of "Brady, Brett, or Doug… delete every night before bed." (02:36)
• Social Media Impact:
  The hosts discuss how public shaming and viral videos are weaponized, making private disputes into national news.

2. Brewers vs. Dodgers Fan Incident Breakdown (03:43–09:37)

• Recap of the Event:
  A Brewers fan, Susan Kobalarchik, was taunted by a Dodgers fan, and in response, made an "ICE" comment on camera, leading to her job loss.
  • "The only reason she lost her job is because people at her. And she also had to retire from her position at the Make a Wish Foundation." (04:23)
• Consequences & Fairness:
  The hosts stress that it's excessive to lose your job for losing your cool at a sporting event.
  • "You can't do it. So an apology would have worked." (05:26)
• Fandom as 'Tribal' and Irrational:
  John rationalizes the irrationality of sports fans, suggesting sporting events are heightened environments and we should expect some venting.
  • "You don't screw with people's tribal fandom. We're irrational. You are an irrational person." (04:50)
• Strategic Silence Advice:
  Dick Toledo chimes in with practical wisdom:
  • "Got the argument and the scoreboard. Yup. You don't fight back when your road guy is winning." (07:54)
• Judging by Looks & Stereotypes:
  The show tongue-in-cheek references the woman's "Karen haircut" and how visual appearance often primes audiences for outrage.
  • "Her look doesn't help her at all. It's a trap. Your haircut makes you – back to judging a book by its cover, which works 95% of the time." (09:09)

Notable Quotes

• On escalation and entrapment:
  • John: "It's a trap. I'll be honest with you. It's a trap. I don't think it's fair. Yeah, you got akbarred on that one. That is a massive trap in a huge way." (09:06)
• On women vs. men fandom:
  • John: "Of course it's a woman will do it because men fandom is usually physical. Women fandom is — I'm going to say a horrible thing. She lost her job, she lost her position." (08:51)
• The Camera Rule:
  • John: "If a dude is filming something and trying to get your goat and you fall for it, you're going to get fired. Responding's your worst option." (07:20)

3. Sports, Stereotypes & Social Satire (11:00–12:16)

• On Dodgers Fans & ICE Jokes:
  The hosts riff satirically about Dodger games being an "ICE hot spot", parodying both the stereotype and law enforcement sting operations.
  • "If ICE wanted big numbers, they just hang out at Chavez Ravine." (11:47)
  • Holmberg is quick to note the non-malicious intent, but skewers the absurdity of the outcomes.

4. Relationships & The 'BJ Game Show Hypothetical' (14:26–21:18)

• BJ as the Ultimate Male Prize:
  John reads a message from listener Casey and embarks on a hilarious (and earnest) riff: if BJs were a game show prize, men would have tough choices to make.
  • "If blowjobs were a prize on game shows and you were on Wheel of Fortune and they gave you the option of playing for money or a blowjob from Vanna, it would be a decision you'd have to think about." (14:51)
  • "We’re a simple creature. Quit reading self help books, ladies… He’ll listen if you – all you have to [is give a BJ]." (15:35)
• Monetary Thresholds for a BJ:
  The hosts debate the point at which cash outweighs the story of a BJ from Vanna White. Keeping the tone light and irreverent, Holmberg lands here:
  • "I think if I got that [$45,000], I would take it over the Vanna BJ. But anything less than that, I'd consider the BJ and the car." (19:40)

5. Radio Industry Inside Baseball – Ratings & Demographics (18:02–19:08)

• Radio Ratings Quirkiness:
  Discussion about how listener demographics are "weighted" in ratings. Listeners from certain backgrounds or platforms can count much more, affecting the station’s numbers.
  • "If somebody was Gutierrez and they listened to kupd, you’d get the equivalent of like five white people." (18:41)
  • "With the app...it only helps little bits of things. It doesn’t help, like, actual rate. It’s very difficult system." (18:20)
• Headphones Don't Count:
  Advice to listeners: stop listening on headphones if you want ratings to count; "Turn it up. Make other people hear it too." (19:06)

Memorable / Comedic Highlights

• "You got Akbarred on that one"
  Referencing Admiral Ackbar’s famous "It's a trap!" to describe being baited in public altercations. (09:06)
• "When you cut your hair like that, you’re pretty close to losing your job anyway..."
  Holmberg’s roast on the “Karen” archetype (09:37)
• "If blowjobs were prizes on game shows... it would be questionable to be on a game show, like, even the Deal or No Deal, and you walk out of there with a couple hundred grand. And then all the models with the suitcases came in and said, we'd like to blow you for that money. You're like, yeah, I'm gonna have to think about that." (15:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:43 – “Sticks up your ass” rant & the universality of offensive phone threads
• 03:43 – Breakdown of the Brewers-Dodgers ICE incident and fallout
• 07:20 – Advice: if someone’s filming you, do not engage
• 09:06 – “It’s a trap”: The existential risk of responding in the viral age
• 11:47 – ICE and Dodger fan satire
• 14:51 – BJ as a game show prize and the psychology of the straight male brain
• 18:00 – Radio industry demographic weighting and listening habits
• 19:40 – "Vanna White BJ” vs. “$45k cash" analysis

Tone & Takeaways

With irreverent humor and pointed social criticism, Holmberg and company dissect how public shaming, digital virality, and cancellable moments distort both sports and social reality. The panel's tone is candid, self-effacing, and often outrageous, blending pop culture riffing with real talk about sports, relationships, and how easily anyone can get ensnared by a trap of their own passions.

If you missed the episode:
Expect laughter, snark, and unpredictable (but sharp) takes on sports fandom, viral shaming, blowjobs-as-tension-solvers, and why radio ratings are as weird as ever.