Podcast Summary: Holmberg's Morning Sickness – "The Return of Charorism" (12-02-25)

Episode Overview

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness, hosted by John Holmberg with Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo, revolves around two main themes: the social awkwardness and guilt associated with charity solicitors (“charity terrorism”) outside stores during the holidays, and a discussion about a survey connecting early smartphone use (before age 13) in children to depression and other mental health issues. John delivers his perspectives with signature sarcasm and irreverence, sparking lively banter among the crew.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. "Charity Terrorism": Guilt-Based Giving During the Holidays

• Defining "Charity Terrorism"
  • John riffs on the proliferation of people soliciting for charities outside stores, often using QR codes or payment apps, escalating the pressure to give.
    • "Charity is a great thing. I’m not hating on all. I’m hating on the opportunity that every store I go to now I feel guilty leaving or going in because there’s someone from something asking me for money..." (03:02)
  • He describes this as a form of "terrorism," where tactics lean on guilt rather than goodwill.
• Personal Experience and Frustration with Solicitors
  • John shares recent encounters, such as a man outside Walgreens with a bucket and QR code, as well as stories about aggressive fundraisers.
    • "It must be stopped. There is not a soul on the planet that feels good about what they donate into the terrorism drop offs. The buckets are terrible..." (03:44)
• On Guilt Versus True Charity
  • The team questions whether anyone genuinely enjoys giving under duress.
    • "It’s not charity. It’s guilt. There’s a difference. It’s a massive difference. And you should give because you want to, and you should feel good after you do." (05:13)
  • Brady raises an example with Salvation Army and the Dallas Cowboys’ tradition of jumping into the donation bucket. John calls it "a good ad for the Salvation Army" but says the whole setup is still a ploy.
• Local Legislation and Societal Response
  • John references Scottsdale and Tempe posting “do not give” signs to curb panhandling and the effectiveness of removing direct solicitation.
    • "Where they don’t have the signs is where there’s like three in a corner. Terrorism for the holidays." (12:28)
  • He coins "It's the taking season. It isn't giving." (12:41)
• Memorable Anecdotes and Rants
  • John’s stories include being berated by panhandlers, aggressive sales pitches outside stores (including for kid’s trips and backpacks), and unique responses:
    • “My Scottish friend Thomas... ‘You got any money?’ ‘Oh, I got loads of it, but none for you.’” (07:25)
  • Recounting when he and others were forced to collect donations with Sheriff Joe Arpaio at a mall parking lot:
    • "Sheriff Joe was standing there with his hand out, stopping cars... I thought I was in trouble. That’s the idea... I’m forcing you to do this." (20:22–21:19)
• Conclusion on Charity
  • John urges, “Give your money to something you love. Don’t feel forced into it. Once Humane Society lost her home pet rescue. Plenty of pet rescues. I give to them constantly.” (16:58)

2. Survey: Smartphones and Childhood Depression

• Recent Study Findings
  • Discussion of a study showing a high correlation between kids given smartphones before age 13 and depression/suicidal behaviors.
    • "If you give a kid who’s under 12 a smartphone, it’s like a 99% chance he’s gonna be depressed, try to kill himself. That’s a fact." (29:45)
  • The negative consequences include depression, obesity, lack of sleep, and attention deficit disorder.
    • "They were all obese. They were all depressed as hell. They were on medicine, and they had attention deficit disorder..." (30:20)
• Age as a Factor
  • The risk drops after age 13, but issues persist:
    • "If you wait till they’re 13, the number drops way down, but that’s still really high. So now you’re at 50%." (30:24)
• Parental Role and Societal Trends
  • Panel discusses how handing over devices is often about parental convenience.
    • "Every time I see a parent hand a kid an iPad, it’s like they’re done with them. They don’t want them here. It’s an admission." (36:01)
  • John jokes about parents would have used TVs to keep their kids quiet at restaurants if possible.
• Supporting Data
  • Cites UC Berkeley and Columbia studies – “51% of children got one [smartphone] when they were under 8 years old and were pretty much unmonitored. And they were just like it is. It ruined them.” (32:52)
  • Emphasizes most parents won’t admit the negative outcomes, but the research is clear.
    • “If you got a kid and you gave him a smartphone when it was like eight, that one goes in the dumpster. Start again because it’s done.” (33:13)
• Brady’s Personal Take
  • Briefly mentions his daughter Kirby’s experience, noting some regulation in their home, but highlighting the challenge for modern parents.
    • "You gotta teach him to have it, but you gotta, like, stay on top of it. It's just not worth it." (37:14)
• Long-term Implications
  • Commentary on how this creates socially inept adults who may live at home longer, tying it back to ongoing societal trends.
    • "That’s why kids live at home 'til they’re 30. They’re socially unadapted weirdos." (36:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• John Holmberg:
  • "Charity is a great thing. I’m not hating on all. I’m hating on the opportunity that every store I go to now I feel guilty leaving or going in..." (03:02)
  • "It’s not charity. It’s guilt. There’s a difference... You should give because you want to, and you should feel good after you do." (05:13)
  • "It isn’t giving. It’s the taking season. That’s different." (12:41)
  • "If you give a kid who’s under 12 a smartphone, it’s like a 99% chance he’s gonna be depressed, try to kill himself. That’s a fact." (29:45)
  • "If you got a kid and you gave him a smartphone when it was like eight, that one goes in the dumpster. Start again because it’s done. It’s toast. Columbia said so. Facts." (33:13)
• On Parental Strategies:
  • "Every time I see a parent hand a kid an iPad, it’s like they’re done with them. They don’t want them here. It’s an admission." (36:01)
• Brady, on generational change:
  • "You gotta teach him to have it, but you gotta, like, stay on top of it. It’s just not worth it." (37:14)
• Sheriff Joe Anecdote:
  • "Sheriff Joe was standing there with his hand out, stopping cars... I’m forcing you to do this. Maybe if you don’t do it, I’ll get your license plate number." (20:22–21:19)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------| | 01:23–13:35 | Discussion on charity solicitation “terrorism,” guilt, and social pressure outside stores | | 14:50–19:14 | Anecdotes about aggressive fundraisers, tables outside stores, and break down of parent-driven charity sales | | 20:16–22:00 | Sheriff Joe anecdote: collecting money in a parking lot, forced participation | | 29:38–30:56 | Introduction of new study on smartphones and childhood mental health | | 32:52–36:45 | Impact of early smartphone use; parental strategies and social consequences | | 36:45–End | Long-term cultural implications, “kids living at home til 30,” wrap-up with humor |

Tone and Style

The episode features irreverent, sarcastic banter (typical of John Holmberg and crew), mixing comedic exaggeration with real observations on societal issues. The mood is lively, sometimes abrasive, but always high-energy and honest—a blend of critique, humor, and commentary.

For New Listeners

If you missed this episode, you’ll get a mix of pointed humor and genuine societal critique about holiday giving culture and the dangers of technological convenience in raising modern kids. Expect blunt, funny rants, personal anecdotes, and a solid dose of skepticism toward both charity marketing and “technological parenting.”