Podcast Summary: Holmberg’s Morning Sickness – “11-28-25 – BR – MIX – 6x – Man Gets Charged For Driving 25k Miles In Rental Car”
Date: November 28, 2025
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogan, Brett Vesely, Byron, Scott
Episode Theme:
The crew explores a variety of viral news stories, relationship trends, sports fan controversies, and quirky science facts, all delivered with their characteristic irreverent banter and playful Arizona-centric sarcasm.
Main Topics & Key Discussion Points
1. Driving 25,000 Miles in a Rental Car – Viral Hertz Story
[02:24 - 03:56]
- Story Recap:
- A man went viral on TikTok after putting 25,000 miles on a Hertz rental in a month. The contract claimed "unlimited miles," but the company tried to bill him $10,000.
- The story led to corporate Hertz apologizing and reinforcing the “unlimited means unlimited” promise.
- Hosts’ Take:
- The hosts riff on what a ridiculous feat 25,000 miles is for a single month—equating it to driving around the world.
- John Holmberg [02:37]: “Oh man, was that around the world once?”
- Discussion of possible motives: delivery driving, money-making side hustles, or just a stubborn impulse to exploit the loophole.
- Brady Bogan [03:21]: “There could be… he was doing it, mind your business.”
- Byron [03:53]: “Let that guy show my kid how to earn some money.”
- The hosts riff on what a ridiculous feat 25,000 miles is for a single month—equating it to driving around the world.
- Memorable Moment:
- Banter over what Hertz will do next: “There’s gonna be a clause in the new contract though.” — Brett Vesely [03:12]
2. Using ChatGPT to Settle Couple Arguments
[04:03 - 06:05]
- Trend Highlight:
- New couples are turning to ChatGPT as a neutral “therapist” or referee when their arguments hit a wall.
- Hosts’ Commentary:
- Skepticism about the efficacy, suspecting biased question-phrasing will inevitably skew results.
- John Holmberg [04:43]: “You have to both agree. I mean, you’re in a fight, but you have to both agree what to put into ChatGPT to settle the mess.”
- Potential for this hack to make things worse (“could create another argument”).
- Brady Bogan [05:31]: “But it could create another argument.”
- Holmberg shares a personal story about exes preparing counterarguments PowerPoint-style.
- John Holmberg [05:35]: “Like, I’m arguing with the paper… she’s just sitting there watching NYPD Blue.”
- Skepticism about the efficacy, suspecting biased question-phrasing will inevitably skew results.
3. Florida Man Steals Lap Dance: “What Color is This Crime?”
[06:05 - 08:14]
- News Item:
- A 27-year-old man arrested for refusing to pay a lap dance fee at a strip club.
- Signature Bit – Guessing the Criminal’s Background:
- Wild (and borderline-offensive) speculation among the hosts as each guesses the man’s ethnicity.
- John Holmberg [07:00]: “Stealing a lap dance. Arab.”
- Byron [07:10]: “I’m going full on whitey.”
- Brett Vesely [07:27]: “I’m going black.”
- The conclusion? “White trash.” — Brady Bogan [07:35]
- Wild (and borderline-offensive) speculation among the hosts as each guesses the man’s ethnicity.
- Memorable Banter:
- A rollicking series of jokes about mugshot lineups, cultural stereotypes, and “Mr. Orange.”
- John Holmberg [07:52]: “You put 18 other faces around him and you’ve got 9/11.”
4. Sports Mascot Scandals: When the Costume Outlives the Person?
[08:21 - 13:41]
- Debate:
- Can a sports team or fandom bounce back when their mascot or superfan crosses a line, or does the costume itself have to be retired?
- Examples Discussed:
- “Mr. Orange” for the Suns, Dallas Cowboys’ cowboy super-fan, Jets’ Fireman Ed, “Big Nut” at Ohio State.
- John Holmberg [09:41]: “If it’s the gorilla or Sparky the Sun Devil...”
- John Holmberg [10:54]: “If any of the mascots do it and they’re team sponsored, the suit lives on. But if it’s just a dude dressed as Mr. Orange… the outfit doesn’t live. The dude in it ruined it.”
- “Mr. Orange” for the Suns, Dallas Cowboys’ cowboy super-fan, Jets’ Fireman Ed, “Big Nut” at Ohio State.
- Notable Quote:
- John Holmberg [10:07]: “He not only is like Hitler’s mustache, he wrecked that thing forever.”
- Light vs. Dark Sides:
- The fate of costumes when the persona becomes tainted, compared to famous sports fans and their anonymity or lack thereof.
5. Weird News: Rowing a Pumpkin & Science Bits
[13:41 - 16:45]
- Rowing a Pumpkin 45 Miles:
- Oregon man sets world record by rowing in a giant pumpkin almost 46 miles.
- Brady Bogan [13:48]: “Pumpkin is the size of the studio… picture of him in it’s pretty cool.”
- John Holmberg [14:04]: “He started growing the pumpkin since 2011?!”
- Oregon man sets world record by rowing in a giant pumpkin almost 46 miles.
- Discussion:
- Marveling at the logistics, joke speculation about pumpkin longevity and the wind’s help.
- Scott [16:47]: “Delicate vessel. And I had to check its maritime properties.”
6. Superfan Bank Robberies & Mascot Crimes
[16:54 - 18:07]
- Chiefsaholic Superfan Bank Robberies:
- Discussion about a Kansas City Chiefs superfan known as “Chiefsaholic” committing bank robberies.
- Which crimes can be “absorbed” by a team mascot versus those done by independent superfans.
- John Holmberg [17:02]: “That wasn’t the actual wolf. No, he’s superfan.”
- More banter about cartoon vs. “dark” mascots.
- Byron [17:47]: “Wiley coyote.”
- Brady Bogan [17:49]: “He’s got a creepy fanny pack.”
7. Science News with Professor Brady Bogan
[18:17 - 24:41]
- SpaceX Starship & Wooden Satellites:
- SpaceX’s “chopstick” technology (giant arms to catch rockets mid-land).
- John Holmberg [18:33]: “That is so sci-fi… in five years from now… they’re just chucking matchsticks [rockets].”
- First-ever wooden satellite to be tested for eco friendliness.
- Brady Bogan [18:54]: “…won’t damage the ozone layer.”
- SpaceX’s “chopstick” technology (giant arms to catch rockets mid-land).
- Pluto News:
- Still not a planet; hints another “planet nine” might exist in the Kuiper belt.
- Vampire Bats on Treadmills:
- New study: Vampire bats can run on treadmills at surprisingly high speeds.
- Brady Bogan [20:07]: “Researchers made vampire bats run on a tiny treadmill…”
- John Holmberg [20:36]: “A bat can run 11 miles?”
- Ongoing banter about animal behaviors, bat sightings, and Brady’s “cute” Walt Disney-esque retellings.
- New study: Vampire bats can run on treadmills at surprisingly high speeds.
- Fun Quotes:
- John Holmberg [24:01]: “Wasn’t scampering. It was running for its life. You make everything cute; Walt Disney got him out.”
8. Piracy – “Smalley” vs. Somali Pirates
[26:09 - 28:26]
- Pronunciation Gaffe:
- Brady Bogan is ribbed for pronouncing “Somali pirates” as “Smalley pirates,” triggering a running gag.
- Brady Bogan [26:18]: “Some smally pirates coming out of…”
- John Holmberg [26:32]: “You always go, well, yikes… Smalley Pirates was your fault.”
- Continuing the gag by imagining “Smalley” pirates are cute marshmallow-themed bandits.
- Brady Bogan is ribbed for pronouncing “Somali pirates” as “Smalley pirates,” triggering a running gag.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On Mileage Limits:
- “Now we don’t mean you can circumnavigate the globe!” – John Holmberg [03:14]
- On Technology & Relationships:
- “You have to both agree. I mean, you’re in a fight, but you have to both agree what to put into ChatGPT to settle the mess.” – John Holmberg [04:43]
- On Sports Mascot Scandals:
- “He not only is like Hitler’s mustache, he wrecked that thing forever.” – John Holmberg [10:07]
- On Unconventional Vessels:
- “Pumpkin is the size of the studio… picture of him in it’s pretty cool.” – Brady Bogan [13:53]
- On Somali Pirates:
- “We’ve killed those smallies.” – John Holmberg [28:26]
- On Bats Running:
- “Never once seen a bat run around. I’m going back ever.” – John Holmberg [23:09]
- “It’s my way. And you throw it out there like a fact.” – John Holmberg [25:35]
Segment Timestamps
- [02:24] – Hertz rental 25,000 miles story
- [04:03] – Couples use ChatGPT as argument referee
- [06:05] – Florida man/lap dance theft, “What Color is This Crime?”
- [08:21] – Mascot identity scandal, “Mr. Orange” and more
- [13:41] – Pumpkin boat world record feat
- [16:54] – Chiefsaholic superfan bank robberies
- [18:17] – Science news (SpaceX, wooden satellites, Pluto, bats)
- [26:09] – Smalley vs. Somali pirates and the running gag
Conclusion
This episode of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness darted through viral oddities (the ultimate road trip in a rental car), weird legal disputes, the intersection of AI and relationships, bizarre animal research, and the world records that only Americans seem to set. The hosts’ sardonic perspectives, riffs, and constant in-house gags (especially Brady’s “smalley pirates”) make the show a blend of topical weird news and locker room comedy.
Perfect for listeners who enjoy off-the-wall news with a heavy side of Arizona-born snark.
