Podcast Summary: Holmberg's Morning Sickness – Arizona

Episode: 11-12-25 - BR - WED – List Of Whitest States In The Country / List Of Hobbies Where People Are Most Pretentious
Date: November 12, 2025
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo, Trip
Theme: Fun with U.S. demographics, pretentious hobbies, quirky news, banter, and wild internet finds

Episode Overview

This episode of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness blends sharp-witted banter and observational humor as the crew dives into U.S. demographic oddities—most notably, which are the "whitest" states in the country—and pokes fun at the hobbies they believe attract the most pretentious folks. With signature irreverence, the team delivers bizarre news stories, listener interactions, and plenty of riffs on everything from Maine’s population makeup to competitive pickleballers.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. App Promotion & Listener Engagement

• [01:14–04:01] John encourages listeners across the nation (especially in North Carolina, thanks to a big listener at the Cummins plant) to download the 98KUPD app, jokingly plotting to “confuse the Bobs” (station execs) with unexpected spikes in out-of-state listenership.
• The “Bobs” are a running joke: office execs who allegedly don't really know what’s going on.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “Bob's shut up. You don't know what you're doing or you'd be doing this.” (John, 04:01)

2. Fun Facts & Day Recognition

• [05:35–06:09] Brady delivers quick hits:
  • Living near the ocean may add a year to your life—“Not true if it’s a lake, pond, or other inland body.”
  • “National Happy Hour Day” and “Chicken Soup for the Soul Day.”

3. The Whitest States in America

• [06:22–09:39] The team dissects a list of states ranked by their white population percentage:
  • Top three:
    • Maine is #1 (90.2% white)
    • Rhode Island is #2
    • Vermont and West Virginia tied at 89.1%
  • Hawaii is the least white (21.6%).
• They ponder why anyone of color would willingly move to Maine and joke about the state’s lack of diversity.
• Memorable Quotes:
  • “Even the clan’s like, this is no fun.” (John, 07:01)
  • “If I was black, I wouldn’t live there. What’s the point? Gotta be something weird.” (John, 08:23)

4. Pretentious Hobbies List

• [09:49–13:00] Brady reads an online list, team adds commentary:
  • Most pretentious hobbies according to the group/listeners:
    • Engineer cycling, meditation, disc golf (“Calm down, bro, you’re throwing a Frisbee in the woods.”), audiophile obsession, yoga/Pilates, pickleball, wine tasting, CrossFit, luxury watch collecting, being wealthy, charcuterie boards (“It’s an adult Lunchable. Get over yourself.”)
  • John’s take: “Anytime you add the word 'aficionado' at the end of what you like, you’re a jerk.” (13:37)
• Group’s gripe: Pickleball communities are cliquish, “super late 60-year-olds getting really competitive.”
• Memorable Reaction:
  • “Readers, you’ve lost your way...stop pushing it.” (John, 11:43)

5. Crime and Curiosities

• [15:02–16:12]
  • The crew discusses a porch pirate in Mississippi/Alabama (Todd Bond) who dressed as a woman to steal packages, only to be caught thanks to home security cameras.
  • John dubs the culprit “Silence of the Lambs.”
• [16:12–17:43]
  • Guinness world record: A Hungarian man, “Grasshopper,” played Dance Dance Revolution for 144 hours, beating the previous record by six hours.

6. Absurd Innovations

• [18:43–19:23]
  • Brock’s Candy releases a $5 “cane opener” for unwrapping candy canes—a sign of peak laziness.
  • Hosts marvel at how unnecessary this invention is:
    • “You’ve got diabetes so bad, you can’t get that little piece of cellophane off a candy?” (John, 19:08)

7. Viral and Bizarre Videos

• [19:44–26:12]
  • Light Rail Incident:
    • Footage of an engineer falling asleep on the San Francisco light rail, resulting in a wild curve at high-speed.
    • “Relax! Relax! Relax! We didn’t crash.” (John, acting out the engineer, 21:07)
    • The hosts riff on the ethnicity of train passengers and laugh at the chaos.
  • Indian Farmer Video:
    • Brady presents a viral clip of a severely deformed Indian man farming while laying on the ground. The group reacts with equal parts shock, discomfort, and dark humor.
    • “That’s where nightmares are born.” (John, 26:12)
    • Extended riff on whether the man is truly a farmer or just attempting to go “Indian viral.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Making fun of Maine’s lack of diversity:
  • “If you’re a black guy and you want some chubby white girls...might I suggest Kenny Bunkport?” (John, 12:01)
• Wine and charcuterie pretension:
  • Brady: “Boss, it’s an adult lunchable. Get over yourself and pass the Swiss.” (13:40)
• On competitive pickleball:
  • “Nothing funnier than a group of late 60-year-olds getting really competitive.” (Trip, 10:54)
• On the Indian viral video:
  • “It's like leaving one of those Halloween skeletons in the sun and it starts to melt a little.” (John, 24:26)
• Listener engagement bit:
  • “We’re gonna make them work finally on something that might matter and they’re going to overreact and it’s going to be hilarious.” (John, 03:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Topic/Segment | |----------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:14 | App download campaign, confusing “the Bobs” | | 05:35 | Brady’s news, fun facts, “Happy Hour Day” | | 06:22 | Whitest states in the USA | | 09:49 | List of pretentious hobbies and animated group reactions | | 15:02 | Porch pirate dressed as a woman, caught on camera | | 16:12 | Guinness record: Dance Dance Revolution marathon | | 18:43 | Candy cane opener innovation | | 19:44 | Bizarre light rail crash video discussion | | 22:20 | Indian “farmer” viral video and escalating gross-out humor |

Language and Tone

• The entire episode is packed with irreverent, fast-paced sarcasm and regional humor.
• The banter is playful, sometimes edgy, leaning on cultural references and in-jokes (like “the Bobs”).
• Audience: Fans who enjoy off-kilter, unscripted comedy with social commentary.

Final Remarks

Listeners looking for a mix of odd facts, biting takes on everyday pretension, and plenty of off-the-rails laughter will enjoy this episode. Highlights include their breakdown of U.S. demographics, the roast of hobby snobbery, and their no-holds-barred takes on internet oddities and offbeat news items. If you're curious about which state to move to for peak "whiteness," why pickleball is a breeding ground for snobbery, or what happens when train engineers nap on the job, this is a must-hear.

End of summary.