Podcast Summary: Holmberg's Morning Sickness (12-23-25)

Episode Theme Overview

This lively episode explores the awkward nuances of family gatherings, holiday etiquette, and movie theater misadventures. The hosts—John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo—blend storytelling with their signature sharp banter, focusing on Brady's attempt at a Thanksgiving “pop-in” and a cinema experience gone awry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Thanksgiving “Pop-In” Debacle

• The Setup: Brady recounts his attempt to drop by relatives' homes on Thanksgiving, only to be met with silence and the realization that past invitations don’t guarantee a standing welcome.
• Etiquette of Being Invited: The hosts debate whether it’s ever acceptable to show up uninvited at a family gathering, highlighting how assumptions can lead to awkward interactions.
  • Brady learns “You realize that you were invited maybe four years ago. That doesn't extend to every Thanksgiving.” (Brady, 02:07)
• Family Tensions: References to old family drama—including physically combative cousins and someone being “doped up”—add colorful background to why some doors stayed closed.
  • “So the fist fight was with one of the two a few years ago. This is the other twin?” (Brady, 03:14)
• Paranoia and Self-Awareness: Holmberg points out the self-involvement of assuming ongoing invitations.
  • “You got a high sense of self to assume you're invited no matter if they call or not. That's a lot. I would never do that.” (Brady, 06:44)
• Memorable Moment: Past holiday chaos is relived:
  • “Ronnie and her cousin got a baby. Yeah, they had a fight on Thanksgiving. Everybody had to clear house.” (Brady, 03:24)
  • “The sliding door in the backyard. You might want to grab Kirby and leave now.” (Ronnie, 03:37)

2. Recurring Themes in Family Gatherings

• Gift of Absence: The group bonds over the relief of not being obligated to attend certain family events.
  • “That euphoria when you find out you're not, it's unmatched. We don't have to do anything with anyone. This is great.” (Brady, 09:21)
• Unintentional Exclusion: The story about the family’s dog ruining the Thanksgiving meal and only then being invited elsewhere—out of necessity, not desire—underscores reluctant hospitality.
  • “If you're being asked on Thanksgiving to come over, they didn't want you there.” (Brady, 08:34)

3. Movie Theater Fiasco: Etiquette and Farts

• Brady's Movie Night: A recount of attending Shutter Island at an AMC theater morphs into a hilarious critique of public decorum, as Brady sits near a trio of women who brazenly pass gas.
  • “Here comes three larger… they look like three zeros… blobs bubble.” (Brady, 14:51)
• Open Farting & Social Norms: The hosts riff on double standards and why certain behaviors, like group farting, remain taboo for women.
  • “Guys can go out, joke around and fart and stuff. But if the ladies start feeling comfortable with this, everything's gonna change. We cannot make them feel comfortable.” (Brady, 15:42)
  • “If ‘Sex and the City’ taught us one thing, it's that farting never happened on that show.” (Brady, 17:28)

4. Indian Restaurant Encounter and Local Celebrity

• Dining Adventures: Brady shares an anecdote from dining at a local Indian spot, featuring a photo of WWE wrestler The Great Khali on the wall, leading to musings about star encounters.
  • “All of a sudden, I look on the wall and there's a picture of you, the owner of the restaurant, with the Great Khali.” (Brady, 18:40)
  • “His trainer has a condo right over there… He comes in every week, every time he's in town.” (Brady, 19:07)
• Brady’s Social Quirks: More gentle ribbing ensues about Brady’s penchant for seeking conversations with staff and being the only person in odd restaurants.

5. The Unwritten Rules of Friendship and Dating

• Double Standards: The show closes this segment with a rule: women farting publicly destroys attraction, backed up by high school tales and personal anecdotes.
  • “I had interest in you until just then. And now you are the grossest pile of human garbage.” (Brady, 21:46)
  • “There's a double standard, but the double standard exists. It's just disgusting. That's gross.” (Brady, 21:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 02:07 | “You realize that you were invited maybe four years ago. That doesn't extend to every Thanksgiving.” | Brady | | 03:24 | “Ronnie and her cousin got a baby. Yeah, they had a fight on Thanksgiving. Everybody had to clear house.” | Brady | | 06:44 | “You got a high sense of self to assume you're invited no matter if they call or not. That's a lot. I would never do that.” | Brady | | 08:34 | “If you're being asked on Thanksgiving to come over, they didn't want you there.” | Brady | | 09:21 | “That euphoria when you find out you're not, it's unmatched. We don't have to do anything with anyone. This is great.” | Brady | | 14:51 | “Here comes three larger… they look like three zeros… blobs bubble.” | Brady | | 15:42 | “Guys can go out, joke around and fart and stuff. But if the ladies start feeling comfortable with this, everything's gonna change. We cannot make them feel comfortable.” | Brady | | 17:28 | “If ‘Sex and the City’ taught us one thing, it's that farting never happened on that show.” | Brady | | 18:40 | “All of a sudden, I look on the wall and there's a picture of you, the owner of the restaurant, with the Great Khali.” | Brady | | 21:46 | “I had interest in you until just then. And now you are the grossest pile of human garbage. You're a landfill.” | Brady |

Important Segment Timestamps

• Thanksgiving Pop-In & Etiquette: 01:07–11:00
• Movie Theater Fart Story: 13:53–17:46
• Indian Restaurant & The Great Khali Anecdote: 18:40–20:20
• Double Standards on Public Behavior: 20:40–21:59

Final Thoughts

Delivering their trademark blend of sarcasm, candor, and Arizona flavor, the hosts turn mundane holiday encounters into comedic gold. Whether dissecting social boundaries or reflecting on personal gaffes, the HMS crew keeps the episode brisk, relatable, and brimming with quotable moments. The take-home message: always wait for an invitation, ladies shouldn’t fart in public (according to them), and Brady’s life is a goldmine for awkward family comedy.