Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona
Episode: BEST OF HMS PODCASTS - FRIDAY - May 23, 2025
Title: Our Blind Emailer Confuses Us By Using Emojis - May 2024
Release Date: May 23, 2025

Introduction

In this standout episode of "Holmberg's Morning Sickness" (HMS) on Arizona's #1 Morning Radio Show, host John Holmberg, alongside Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo, delves into a particularly memorable and humorous segment from May 2024. Titled "Our Blind Emailer Confuses Us By Using Emojis," the episode revisits the antics and challenges faced by the team when interacting with a blind colleague named Jason, whose unconventional use of emojis in communication leads to a series of confusing and comical situations.

Main Discussion: The Story of Jason

1. Introducing Jason and His Unique Challenges

The conversation kicks off with Colin recounting his experiences with Jason, a blind intern at the station. Jason's blindness stems from a severe childhood condition where his eyeballs were surgically removed due to tumors caused by infantile cancer treatments.

• Colin (02:25): "Jason is still... because his eyeballs fell out. You got no eyes. That's blind."

Jason's condition not only rendered him blind but also affected his physical development, leading to further personal challenges.

2. Jason's Persistent Presence and Impact on the Show

Colin and his friend recount how Jason became an incessant presence during their overnight radio shifts, making their work environment both challenging and humorous.

• Colin (03:35): "Jason caught wind of it. He wouldn't leave us alone and he would just hang out there. He never slept."

Jason's inability to gauge time and light led to amusing scenarios where he would remain awake far past regular hours, disrupting the hosts' routines.

3. The Burrito Incident: A Comical Mishap

One of the most memorable anecdotes involves Jason's struggles with eating a bean burrito, a simple task that became a source of frustration and laughter for the team.

• Colin (05:23): "You've never lived until you've seen a dude with no eyes try to eat a bean burrito. It's brutal."

Jason's lack of visual cues caused him to mishandle the burrito, leading to spills and a mess inside the Jeep, much to the annoyance of Colin and Larry.

4. The Emotional Toll and Attempts at Assistance

Despite the humorous elements, the hosts touch upon the emotional strain of dealing with Jason's persistent behavior and physical limitations.

• Colin (12:19): "Never say I had cancer as a baby in an entertainment show ever. Rule number one when trying to be entertaining, leading with, I had infantile cancer."

This segment highlights the delicate balance between humor and sensitivity when dealing with personal hardships on air.

5. Jason's Personal Struggles and Relationships

The discussion also delves into Jason's personal life, including his relationships and the impact of his medical history on his social interactions.

• Colin (15:03): "He did not perform oral sex on the dog. That's why the dog was biting him."

This crude humor underscores the exaggerated storytelling style of HMS, blending absurdity with real-life challenges.

Key Insights and Reflections

1. Navigating Disabilities with Humor and Sensitivity

The episode showcases how HMS uses humor to navigate and discuss sensitive topics like disabilities. While the banter between hosts leans into comedic territory, it also sheds light on the everyday challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.

• Jason (17:04): "There’s other stuff you can do."

This line hints at underlying empathy and the efforts to find constructive ways to support Jason despite the chaotic interactions.

2. The Role of Communication in Understanding

Jason's use of emojis, although not explicitly detailed in the transcript, serves as a metaphor for communication barriers. The confusion arising from his communication style emphasizes the importance of clear and accessible methods when interacting with individuals with disabilities.

• Colin (18:17): "That's gotta be tough, too, because your other senses are heightened smell."

This observation touches upon the compensatory mechanisms individuals with disabilities often develop, further complicating interactions for those unfamiliar with their experiences.

3. Balancing Workplace Dynamics and Personal Relationships

The hosts illustrate the complexities of maintaining professional relationships in a workplace setting where personal quirks and challenges intersect.

• Colin (19:07): "Never say I had cancer as a baby in an entertainment show ever."

This reflection underscores the tension between being entertaining and maintaining respect for personal histories.

Conclusion

This episode of "Holmberg's Morning Sickness" offers a blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and reflections on communication and disability. Through the story of Jason, the hosts navigate the fine line between comedy and sensitivity, providing listeners with both laughs and moments of introspection. The memorable interactions and candid discussions make this episode a standout, encapsulating the essence of HMS's aim to entertain, question, and occasionally disturb its audience in equal measure.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin (05:23): "You've never lived until you've seen a dude with no eyes try to eat a bean burrito. It's brutal."
• Colin (12:19): "Never say I had cancer as a baby in an entertainment show ever."
• Jason (17:04): "There’s other stuff you can do."
• Colin (18:17): "That's gotta be tough, too, because your other senses are heightened smell."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key moments and discussions from the episode, providing a clear and engaging overview for those who haven't tuned in. The inclusion of notable quotes with timestamps offers a glimpse into the dynamic interactions between the hosts and their guest, ensuring the essence of the original broadcast is effectively conveyed.