Holmberg’s Morning Sickness – Arizona
Episode: 11-27-25 – FULL SHOW – THANKSGIVING THURSDAY
Date: November 27, 2025
Host(s): John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Podcast: 98KUPD | Hubbard Radio
Episode Overview
This Thanksgiving episode of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness serves up the show’s signature blend of edgy, irreverent humor alongside topical Arizona (and national) chatter. While Thanksgiving gets a few mentions, this episode is a showcase of the crew’s rapid-fire opinions about controversial news stories, modern scandals, generational culture gaps, the absurdities of American politics, and more. Expect everything from pointed jabs at corrupt organizations to off-beat philosophical rules for relationships, AI-driven infidelity, and even a deep dive into the dangers of unexpected clowns.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Political Scandal, NAMBLA, and Weaponized Endorsements
(Starts ~00:33 | Ends ~10:20)
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NAMBLA (North American Man/Boy Love Association) is back in the news, with fake campaign signs in Phoenix/Scottsdale falsely alleging local Democratic candidates were endorsed by the group.
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The crew riffs on how any mention of NAMBLA “endorsing” a candidate is a surefire way to tank a campaign, and how accusations like this are weaponized during election season.
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John Holmberg is uncompromising in his condemnation:
“If you are a member of NAMBLA, hang yourself immediately, please. I don’t say that with any sort of joking tone in my body.” (05:15)
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The group debates First Amendment “rights” vs. organizational legitimacy, drawing comparisons to hate groups (“it’s like being in the Klan…”).
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Spoofed campaign manager riff:
“Great news. We got NAMBLA, Proud Boys, and goons.” – Toledo (03:40)
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Memorable Moment:
The crew jokes about what fake political endorsements they might accept, riffing on the old “football phone” mail-in offers, and concludes with a unifying call to sanity:“We as Americans can all agree: NAMBLA, no matter what their political leanings, don’t represent anyone.” – Holmberg (07:30)
2. Sliding Scale for Age of Consent & Relationship Rules
(10:20 – 17:30)
- Holmberg introduces his “sliding scale” age of consent idea, citing his own awkward late-teen years and what he sees as flaws in the current system.
“If you’re under 18, you should only be allowed to date under 18-year-olds. If you’re, like, 19, you should be able to date, like, 16 and up. …I think it should move with you…” (11:20)
- They riff on high-profile examples, like Stephanie Seymour and Roman Polanski.
- The crew also discusses “alimony rules”—if you’re collecting, you can’t date someone younger until you’re done; if you break this, you lose alimony.
“If someone’s paying you alimony, you can’t have a young twink a treat!” – Holmberg (15:00)
3. Accidental On-Air Language & The Michelle Beadle 'Nuggets' Incident
(18:48 – 33:32)
- The show dissects sportscaster Michelle Beadle’s viral mishap, where she misspoke “Nuggets” and it almost turned into a racial slur during a live sports podcast, and the ensuing social media calls for her firing.
- Holmberg and Toledo explain the anxiety broadcasters have over “danger” words and share stories of near-misses and actual on-air mistakes.
- Quote:
“If you’re talking live, your brain goes, ‘don’t say the wrong thing’—and sometimes your mouth just puts the worst possible word right there.” – Holmberg (21:30)
- They lampoon cancel culture and bemoan the lack of grace for unintentional mistakes, noting that even “the apology will kill you faster than the actual mistake.” (33:32)
- Holberg calls out the absurdity in linguistic tightropes (e.g., “Nuggets,” “Dinger,” “Knickerbockers”) and the dangers for live broadcasters.
- Notable segment:
"If you’re a card-carrying NAMBLA member...I don’t want to be a member anymore. I’m done. I’m out on anything NAMBLA’s in on.” (08:30)
4. AI Lies & Modern Relationships
(42:37 – 53:02)
- Holmberg presents a news story of a US Marine whose image was used in global romance scams, leading to his wife receiving calls from all over the world accusing him of infidelity.
- The group jokes about how AI gives cheaters a new excuse: “It wasn’t me. It’s AI.”
“Now it’s AI and you can say, ‘Oh my god, these videos of me having sex…That’s your car—it’s AI!’” – Holmberg (47:02)
- They lampoon the (implausible) scenario of one guy being used for so many scams, with tongue-in-cheek advice for those facing similar “problems.”
- Running gag: If random international bombshells call and claim to have slept with your Arizona husband, just blame deepfakes.
5. Fan Fashion at the Suns Game & Observational Riffs
(~53:00 – 59:30)
- Post-game observations: Holmberg attended the Suns game versus Philadelphia and provides colorful descriptions of outlandish or revealing fan attire and the strange cultural contrasts between fans.
“Philadelphia fans are a special group of really ugly people.” (53:04)
- Detailed (and explicit) breakdowns of standout female fan attire.
- Riffs segue into food at the arena and chicken tender comparisons.
6. Science, Apocalypse, and Last-Minute Decisions
(60:56 – 66:00)
- Science fact: If the Sun exploded, we’d have 8 minutes and 20 seconds before earth is vaporized. The group debates what they'd do with that time, landing mostly on gallows humor, raunch, or thinly veiled anxiety.
“If you can maintain an erection during the sun exploding, I think you got something else on your mind. If you can, I’m impressed.” – Holmberg (63:05)
- Ridicule of “what would you do in last 8 minutes?” clichés.
7. Baby Name Trends & Generational Culture
(68:12 – 70:55)
- The crew mocks the concept of a “baby name consultant.”
“If you need help naming it, you’re not gonna do too well raising it.” – Holmberg (71:06)
- A rundown of hot new trends: “grandpa” names for girls like Max, Lenny, Teddy and naming reversals.
8. Secret Service Code Names & Presidential Trivia
(72:09 – 77:06)
- Detailed segment listing Secret Service code names for presidents and family members (“Lancer” for JFK, “Renegade” for Barack, “Mogul” for Trump, etc.), interspersed with speculation and more irreverent jokes about each.
- Notable for humor around the nicknames and the institutional quirks of American government.
9. Bizarre Home Repairs & Unexpected Discoveries
(78:05 – 80:31)
- Canadian couple discovers 110 stuffed animals used as insulation in their home’s walls.
- This leads to a sidetrack about childhood toys, nostalgia, and unrelated TikTok tangents.
10. Hall of Shame: Eating Flypaper & Personal Revulsion
(82:10 – 83:54)
- Toledo shows a video of a girl eating flies off flypaper. It becomes the most viscerally revolting segment the hosts have experienced.
- Holmberg:
“We found my button. I didn’t know that, just now discovered it after some of the stuff we’ve seen…” (83:35)
- Off-mic, the crew nearly loses composure, and Holmberg ends up gagging.
11. Election Anxiety, Apocalypse Talk, and Passive-Aggressive Relatives
(85:12 – 92:34)
- The hosts discuss family group texts, doom-laden religious relatives, and the performative nature of modern “end-of-the-world” fears—be it hurricanes, presidential elections, or viral prophecy.
- They lampoon every election’s “most important ever” framing.
“Every single one of ‘em is the most important election of our lifetime. …They’ve said that every four years I’ve been alive.” – Holmberg (90:57)
- Satirical takes on TV personalities, voting for candidates based solely on looks, and regional ballot confusion.
12. Crime Segment: The ‘Killer Clown’ Murder
(104:13 – 115:08)
- Discussion on a notorious Florida murder: A woman disguised as a clown shot her romantic rival in the face and got away with it for 27 years, eventually serving a light sentence and being released.
- Crew agrees women often get lighter sentences for murder, especially for “crazy” crimes like clown killings.
- PSA from Holmberg:
“Do not, I repeat, do not answer the door for a clown you don’t expect.” (104:51)
- Entertaining rants about “rogue clowns,” childhood clown terror, and types of gigs that should be suspected.
“Clowns are evil. Always will be.” (110:32)
13. Toledo’s Kid & Gen Z Hustle
(120:15 – 133:05)
- Ongoing saga: Will Toledo’s son pay rent or have to move back in with his parents?
- The gang jokes about raising rent money, selling plasma, or reluctantly starting OnlyFans—culminating in discussion over "anonymous D-pics."
- Holmberg:
“What do I care if some dude in some other city is beating off to me...? If you were broke and you had a gaggle of gays that wanted to see your wiener and it would have paid rent, you’d have done it!” (129:11)
14. Entertainment Drill: Jason Kelce, Robots, Movie Picks, & TV Lists
(137:56 – 148:55)
- Jason Kelce smashes a fan’s phone after a homophobic slur about his brother.
- Trump’s Mar-a-Lago is now patrolled by robotic police dogs, not Secret Service canines.
- They breakdown movies (“Heretic”; “Elevation”) and mock the premises, especially illogical science fiction elements.
- Longevity list: Celebrities still kicking at 90+ (Yoko Ono, William Daniels, Barbara Eden, Clint Eastwood, William Shatner, etc.)
- Best TV shows of the 21st Century (Top 5):
- Mad Men
- The Sopranos
- Succession
- 30 Rock
- The Wire
- Holmberg: “Sopranos is arguably the greatest of all time. I put Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad in that argument.” (148:42)
Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)
- “If you are a member of NAMBLA, hang yourself immediately, please. I don’t say that with any sort of joking tone in my body.” – John Holmberg (05:15)
- “Now it’s AI and you can say, ‘Oh my god, these videos of me having sex…That’s your car—it’s AI!’” – Holmberg (47:02)
- “If you’re broke and you had a gaggle of gays that wanted to see your wiener and it would have paid rent, you’d have done it!” – Holmberg (129:11)
- “Do not, I repeat, do not answer the door for a clown you don’t expect.” – Holmberg (104:51)
- “Clowns are evil. Always will be.” – Holmberg (110:32)
- “Every single one of ‘em is the most important election of our lifetime. …They’ve said that every four years I’ve been alive.” – Holmberg (90:57)
Memorable Moments & Humor Beats
- Holmberg’s hardline, dark comedic stance on NAMBLA.
- Recurring “dealbreakers” in politics and dating.
- Running jokes about “football phone” mail-in promos and fictitious campaign endorsements.
- Group recounts moments of on-air cursing—honest, self-deprecating broadcaster stories.
- AI-fueled marital alibis and fantastical sexcapade coverups.
- Visceral reaction to the video of a woman eating flypaper.
- Ongoing pay-rent-or-move-home wager on Toledo’s son, leading to wild schemes about selling plasma or feet pics.
- Bizarre clown murder story raising existential questions of true crime, gender, and Florida weirdness.
Episode Summary
This Thanksgiving episode of "Holmberg’s Morning Sickness" is a loopy, fast-paced, and unfiltered journey through current events, hypothetical dilemmas, and jaw-dropping oddities. With its signature blend of crass observational wit, cultural commentary, and anything-goes satire, the show lampoons everyone from nefarious lobbying groups and phony political scandals to relationship scammers, AI cheaters, and serial killer clowns. The chemistry among the crew—Holmberg’s sharp provocations, Brady’s gullible enthusiasm, Rich’s exasperated realism, and Toledo’s steady straight-man energy—keeps the show unpredictable, hilarious, and never, ever safe for brunch with grandma.
Don’t listen for wholesome Thanksgiving comfort—listen for a raw, unfiltered look at the week’s news and the weirdness that is Arizona life, delivered 100% in the voice and spirit of the morning crew.
