Podcast Summary

Podcast: Holmberg's Morning Sickness (98KUPD)
Episode: 12-26-25 - BR - MIX - Study Of Nicest And Rudest Regions - Sci News On Uranus - BO
Date: December 26, 2025
Main Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo

Overview

In this episode, the HMS crew brings their trademark irreverence to a rapid-fire mix of regional studies, oddball science news, and classic Arizona banter. From debates over cheap friends and who should pay for game tickets, to a breakdown of “nicest” and “rudest” regions in America, and finally a humorous dive into science headlines (with ample Uranus jokes), the conversation is lively, sarcastic, and at times, surprisingly insightful. The show closes with lighthearted discussions on quirky household storage habits and collectible beer cans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New Year's Resolutions and Pet Peeves

[02:06 – 03:58]

• The episode kicks off with a survey: 33% of Americans have made a New Year's resolution, and 16% plan to.
• John Holmberg expresses disdain for “cheap people,” sharing a personal anecdote about a friend inviting him to a Suns game and then asking for ticket payment afterward:

  “No more dealing with cheap people... Inviters are the payers, unless previously discussed.” (John Holmberg, 03:12)

• The group riff on midwestern niceness versus big city rudeness, with the consensus that being cheap is the ultimate social faux pas.

2. Study of U.S. Regions: Friendliest, Rudest, Best Weather

[03:58 – 05:23]

• Brady Bogen introduces a survey on American regional stereotypes:
  • Rudest: The Northeast—especially Boston.
  • Friendliest: The South, followed by the Midwest, West, and Northeast.
  • Worst Weather: Midwest tops the list.
  • Best Weather & Cost of Living: West has the best weather and highest cost of living.
• Comedic takes on these rankings stress how little these perceptions have changed since the ‘80s.

3. The World’s Fattest and Thinnest Countries

[05:41 – 08:18]

• Brady presents global obesity rankings:
  • Pacific island nations like Samoa and Tonga top the list with staggering rates above 75%.
  • The U.S. ranks 15th.
• Holmberg notes the physical size and strength of Samoans, jesting, “Still wouldn’t want to push them around because they’re also strong. They’re fat and strong.” (John Holmberg, 06:38)
• Discussion turns to world’s thinnest countries: Vietnam, India, African nations, with jokes about how cuisine and poverty factor in.

4. Bigfoot Sighting Hoax

[08:20 – 09:54]

• Wintergreen, VA: Recent “Bigfoot” sightings caught on Ring cameras revealed to be a hoax—just a guy in costume.
• The public still takes it seriously, prompting police announcements.
• Holmberg delivers the exasperated viewpoint:

  “If you see a Bigfoot in the woods, somebody’s pulling your chain, or it’s a bear.” (John Holmberg, 09:13)

• The crew is baffled by people’s willingness to believe in Bigfoot over common sense.

5. Science News with Professor Brady

[10:20 – 23:25]

The Infinite Monkey Theorem

[10:22 – 12:21]

• Brady explains the theory: Monkeys typing randomly for infinite time could write Shakespeare.
• Recent study: It’s practically impossible; even typing "bananas" in one chimp’s lifetime is just a 5% chance.
• Holmberg points out the futility: “There is no link. Any baby could do it too. Just hammer out a typewriter…” (John Holmberg, 11:27)

Mars Eclipses & Uranus Headlines

[12:36 – 13:59]

• Perseverance rover captured a tiny Martian moon partially eclipsing the sun.
• Gizmodo headline: “Astronomers found something cold and wet near Uranus.” The crew can’t resist juvenile jokes.
• Speculation that Uranus’s moons could have deep, possibly life-hosting oceans:

  “If it is, there could also be life orbiting Uranus.” (Brady Bogen, 13:32)

• Holmberg mocks the obligatory Uranus news, “I’ll make it through my life for another one of those.” (John Holmberg, 13:52)

Cancer, Fruit Aromas, and Dairy Tangent

[16:05 – 18:24]

• Claim: Smelling fruit may help prevent cancer.
• Hosts are skeptical—Holmberg quips, “If he’s right, they’re out of ideas for fixing cancer. Just go smell the fruit.” (John Holmberg, 16:35)
• Brady’s explanation derails into yogurt and diacetyl, prompting confusion and mockery.

Food Sensors, Pork Consumption, World Demand

[18:29 – 19:46]

• New sensor tech can determine freshness of meat.
• Holmberg notes pork’s massive global demand, especially in Asia, riffing on cultural differences.

Moon Lander “Odysseus” and Robot Advances

[19:54 – 22:46]

• Despite a rough lunar landing, the Odysseus lander is sending back data, “It just tipped over…like a fat person and a rascal…” (John Holmberg, 20:18)
• Boston Dynamics new robot: The hosts react to its creepy, humanlike movements, predicting a robot future:

  “I, for one, bow down to our new overlords.” (John Holmberg, 22:46)

6. Christmas Tree Buyers — The Six Types

[22:54 – 23:58]

• Brady recounts statistics on when people buy real Christmas trees.
• Best time: Early December. Early buyers struggle with dried-out trees.
• The hosts joke about their own laziness with artificial trees—Holmberg admits he now moves his pre-lit tree into storage fully assembled.

7. Garage & Storage Hoarding Debate

[23:58 – 28:38]

• Roundtable ribbing about Brady’s crowded garage and off-site storage, crammed with holiday decor and beer cans.
• Holmberg mock-intervention, “You have an issue.” (John Holmberg, 24:19)
• The group trades remarks about the value (or lack thereof) of Brady’s 700+ beer can collection, organizational skills, and the logic of paying rent for extra space.
• Standout moment: Holmberg compares Brady’s garage to a “miracle of ingenuity and construction…there should be a prize in the middle if you find it through the maze…” (John Holmberg, 26:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On cheap friends:

  “$245 to never hang out with that guy again…and I’m not paying you.” (John Holmberg, 03:12)

• On endless Bigfoot hoaxes:

  “He’s not gonna waste the millennia he’s been hiding on a Ring doorbell.” (John Holmberg, 09:36)

• On the infinite monkey theorem:

  “A baby could do it too…just hammer out a typewriter for a while…” (John Holmberg, 11:27)

• On science tangent confusion:

  “Science News should shut your pants. Skipped this one. There’s too many big words in it for you.” (John Holmberg, 17:25)

• On the Boston Dynamics robot:

  “That’s awful…its hips are 360, its arms are 360. I, for one, bow down to our new overlords.” (John Holmberg, 22:46)

• On storage hoarding:

  “You officially have a problem. You have an issue.” (John Holmberg, 24:19)
  “A miracle of ingenuity and construction…like you could hide in there for days.” (John Holmberg, 26:26)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Time | |-----------------------------------------|-------------| | New Year’s resolutions & cheap friends | 02:06–03:58 | | Regional friendliness/rudeness discussion| 03:58–05:23 | | Fattest & thinnest countries | 05:41–08:18 | | Bigfoot sighting hoax | 08:20–09:54 | | Science News (monkey theorem, planets) | 10:20–13:59 | | “Smelling fruit cures cancer” claim | 16:05–18:24 | | Meat sensors & pork consumption | 18:29–19:46 | | Lunar lander & robots | 19:54–22:46 | | Christmas tree buyer types | 22:54–23:58 | | Garage/stuff/beer can collection debate | 23:58–28:38 |

Tone & Style

The hosts maintain a tongue-in-cheek, buddy-comedy style, ribbing one another while poking fun at news stories and pop science. Banter is fast-paced, with frequent derails and quick transitions from genuine wonder to utter sarcasm. The show’s hallmark is irreverence—sometimes descending into juvenile humor (especially Uranus jokes)—but balanced by relatable crankiness and clever insights on American culture.

Recommended For

Listeners who enjoy a blend of pop culture, science oddities, and relatable morning show hijinks, with plenty of Arizona personality and self-deprecating wit. If you appreciate conversations that veer from serious to absurd, you’ll find this episode especially entertaining.