Holmberg’s Morning Sickness – Episode Summary

Episode: 12-23-25 – Brady Explains The Blood Moon Nonsensically – Religions w/Odd Rules
Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Podcast: Holmberg’s Morning Sickness – 98KUPD, Arizona

Overview

This episode is quintessential “Holmberg’s Morning Sickness,” blending irreverent humor and unscripted banter as the crew stumbles through two primary themes: their utter confusion about lunar events (specifically, the blood moon and eclipses) and an exploration of peculiar rules and oddities in various religions. John, Brady, Brad, and the rest poke fun at their ignorance about astronomy, then segue into a lively and sardonic critique of strict religious customs—sprinkled with pointed jokes, cultural observations, and a bit of absurdity.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Crew vs. Astronomy: “Blood Moon Nonsense”

Timestamp: 01:19 – 08:14

• Opening Confession of Ignorance:
  John admits right off that he doesn’t understand lunar phenomena, particularly the difference between a half moon, an eclipse, and the infamous “blood moon.”

  • John: “I am so naive or ignorant or just flat stupid when it comes to where the earth and the shadows… I just don't get how a crescent moon is different than any eclipse.” (01:19)

• Failed Explanations and Space Mascara:
  Brady, Brad, and John volley increasingly bizarre theories about the moon's appearance:

  • Brady suggests, “Maybe we need a blood moon specialist.” (02:26)
  • Brad jokes, “I think it might be space mascara on the moon.” (03:28)
  • John extends the bit: “So you think it’s just space makeup?” (04:01)
  • Brad attempts more “science”: “Well, it’s the sun coming off the rotation of the Earth all of a sudden, the moon has to catch the sun on a different flex…” (04:04) – met with ridicule for using “all of a sudden” in space science.

• Absurdity Escalates – Antarctica on Fire & Ice Giants:
  Brad proposes a fire at the Earth’s tip (Antarctica) is making the moon glow red; John and Brady riff on this, introducing “ice giants” as more plausible than Brad’s science:

  • Brad: “Maybe it’s a giant fire that has started on tip the Earth.” (04:55)
  • John: “Ice cap is on fire?” (05:05)
  • John, sarcastically on Brad’s imagination: “It’s actually kind of dull and scary sad.” (06:03)

• Listener Attempt at Explanation:
  Someone emails to finally clarify the difference, but the hosts quickly gloss over it, maintaining their schtick of willful ignorance:

  • John (summarizing listener): “The shadow you normally see in the moon is just the side of the moon not currently facing the sun. But how does a crescent moon work?” (07:13)

• Big Mars Announcement Teaser:
  John notes NASA is due to make a big announcement about Mars at 11:30 a.m.—the team jokes about Matt Damon being involved, playing off pop-culture references:

  • John: “Turns out that we’ve got him. And that is not a movie, that is a documentary. Matt Damon is on it.” (08:01)

2. Religions With Odd Rules: A Comedy of Faith

Timestamp: 12:04 – 19:40

• March Madness and “Cheating Jesus”:

  • John relays a joke about a listener making a bumper sticker: “Jesus cheats,” after a game show segment (12:04–12:43).

• Alcohol and Catholicism:
  The hosts latch on to the drink-friendly nature of Catholicism, comparing it to stricter denominations:

  • John: “That’s one good thing about the Catholic religion. They encourage tons of drinks, beer and wine. Tons and tons of drinking.” (12:45)

• Jehovah’s Witnesses: No Birthdays, No Fun:
  The conversation focuses on former NFL player Jason Worilds quitting a $13 million contract for his faith:

  • John: “He decides to say, you know what? I’m leaving the Steelers and the NFL for a higher calling…It’s Jehovah’s Witnesses. Doesn’t make any sense. That one doesn’t pay back. They don’t even let you have birthdays.” (12:53)
  • The hosts lampoon the party restrictions, especially the “no bounce house rule”:
    • John: “I condemn the Jehovah’s Witnesses because of no bounce houses for kids rule.” (14:54)
    • Brad: “No birthdays.”
    • John: “What kind of religion has a no bounce house for kids rule? No petting zoos. I mean, what kind of people are you?” (15:00)

• Other Strict Faiths – Christian Science and Medical Care:
  Brad brings up faiths like Christian Science that don’t permit modern medicine:

  • Brad: “The real faith tester is the Christian Scientist…It's a faith that your kid's sick, and it's like, oh, no medication.” (17:41)
  • John shares a story about a colleague whose kids were raised with no medicine, and survived:
    • John: “She was fascinating…her kids are fine. Never gave them medicine. They got sick. It’s God’s plan. If he crops, he crops. That’s the deal.” (18:01–18:14)
    • John: “How do you do this?...His fever get up like 102 and just have to sit back and go, all right. I hope this works.” (18:55)

• Mormons at Parties:
  Quick skit about Mormons being the awkward sober guests, delivering jokes and breaking the party mood.

  • Female Guest: “But I tell you what I will do is tell jokes. Oh, good. What do you call—” (14:09)
  • John: “Now, I know that’s either your wife or one of your 11 daughters. I’m walking away.” (14:15)

• Catholic Priests & Bounce Houses – Pushing the Limits:
  The crew satirically suggests a TV channel for Catholic priests:

  • John: “That’s a Catholic channel. It’s a kids bounce house channel. The real, you know, that’s for the priests. You get the kids bounce house channel for Father Dave and Dale.” (15:50)
  • Brad (darkly): “This week on Father Bop…”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• John Holmberg (on astronomy confusion):
  “Don't waste your finger time on your keyboards. I don't get it. It's like algebra. It doesn't go in my ears. It doesn't register with my—my brain as a rock spot where that's supposed to sit, and it bounces out.” (02:06)

• Brad (mock ‘science’):
  “It's the sun coming off the rotation of the Earth all of a sudden, the moon has to catch the sun on a different flex…” (04:04)

• John (brutal honesty):
  “I will. I'll call that frightening that your brain did that to you. Sad.” (06:03)

• John Holmberg (religion & bounce houses):
  “What kind of religion has a no bounce house for kids rule? No petting zoos. I mean, what kind of people are you?” (15:00)

• Brad (Christian Science):
  “The real faith tester is the Christian Scientist. I mean, that would be so hard to say. You know, it's a faith that your kid's sick, and it's like, oh, no medication.” (17:41)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|:-------------:| | Blood moon confusion and wild moon theories | 01:19–08:14 | | NASA Mars announcement jokes | 07:51–08:14 | | “Cheating Jesus” & March Madness | 12:04–12:43 | | Alcohol and religion (Catholic rules) | 12:45–12:53 | | Jehovah’s Witnesses, bounce house critique | 13:30–15:15 | | Mormons, parties, and religion skits | 13:52–14:36 | | Faiths and medical care (Christian Science) | 17:41–19:12 |

Tone and Language

Playful, sarcastic, and, at times, intentionally ignorant for comedic effect. The hosts delight in clowning on themselves and one another. No topics are off-limits in their pursuit of laughter—whether mocking their astronomical illiteracy or poking fun at the quirks of organized religion.

Takeaway

This episode is a comedic romp through confusion—about science, spirituality, and human behavior. The hosts exemplify how to mine everyday ignorance and cultural weirdness for humor, all while maintaining an affable chemistry and a healthy disregard for taboos. If you enjoy irreverent, observational comedy mixed with Arizona’s local flavor, this episode is essential listening.