Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Episode Summary

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host: Dan Bernstein with Matt Abbatacola
Date: December 31, 2025
Episode Theme: The hiring of Ben Johnson as Chicago Bears head coach – the defining Chicago sports story of 2025, year-end reflections, notable sports media developments, college sports changes, and lighter moments.

Episode Overview

On the final day of 2025, Dan Bernstein and producer Matt Abbatacola reflect on the most significant Chicago sports stories of the year, with a focus on the Chicago Bears’ hiring of head coach Ben Johnson. The episode also delves into Dan Bernstein’s own journey as a major Chicago sports media figure, broader changes in the sports landscape, personal growth, and the evolution of their podcasting venture. The conversation is punctuated with wit, banter, and candid reflections.

1. The Biggest Chicago Sports Story of 2025: Ben Johnson Hired by the Bears

[03:37]

• Dan Bernstein identifies the Bears’ hiring of Ben Johnson on January 21, 2025 as the city’s signature sports story.
• Bernstein and Abbatacola reflect on the lead-up to Johnson's hiring, the skepticism around whether the Bears could land him, and the energy his arrival brought to a struggling franchise.
• Johnson’s impact transcended the typical “winning the offseason” sentiment often attached to the Bears. His opening press conference impressed everyone:

  “He knocked it out of the park that opening press conference. No notes. The guy did everything. He was confident. He was also a little vulnerable. He was honest.” – Dan Bernstein [05:36]

[06:49]

• The Bears, after a rocky 0–2 start in the division (including brutal, demoralizing losses), made a stunning turnaround to win the NFC North.
• Bernstein credits Johnson’s leadership for the team’s resiliency and culture change:

  “They won the division in large part because of this guy, because of their coach.… Ben Johnson mania, the whole good, better, best thing, and the wiener circle and him taking off his shirt.” – Dan Bernstein [07:10]

• The pair note that Johnson elevated not just the team, but GM Ryan Poles, CEO Kevin Warren, and rookie QB Caleb Williams.

[11:02] Notable Quote:

“Without Ben Johnson, the Bears aren’t where they are right now. It's the Ben Johnson factor that has propelled them to take the division in his first year as the head coach.” – Matt Abbatacola

2. The State of Chicago Sports – 2025 in Context

[08:35] Chicago’s Other Teams:

• White Sox: Stepping out of their "deepest wilderness," showing some stability and continuity but still have a ways to go.

  “They set up a camp. They've got a fire going.… They may be nourishing themselves a little bit… I think their arrow's pointed up.” – Bernstein [08:42]

• Cubs: Made the playoffs and won a series but suffered a painful exit; rivalry drama with Milwaukee highlighted.
• Blackhawks: Flashes of promise but a disappointing finish.
• Bulls: A continual source of frustration and mediocrity.
• Sky: Off-court “mishigas” involving Angel Reese, but didn’t move the needle like Bears.

[10:40] 2025's hierarchy: Bears/Johnson at the top, Cubs' playoff run a distant second.

3. Personal and Professional Reflections

[12:15] Bernstein’s Own Story

• Dan candidly discusses his own journey as a top Chicago sports media story—his exit from traditional radio and the tumult at the start of 2025, subsequently launching the podcast network.

  “It gets me sort of contemplative and reflective about 2025.… I wouldn't change a damn thing because I couldn’t be more excited, optimistic, pleased with what we’ve been doing…” – Dan Bernstein [15:02]

• Emphasizes the difference in working for a family-owned company (Hubbard Chicago) and building a podcast network from scratch.
• Acknowledges Matt Abbatacola’s partnership and the growth of their team, highlighting new projects like "From the 50".

[18:48]

• Matt brings up the importance of processing regret and growth, referencing Brene Brown’s book Atlas of the Heart:

  “Regret, when used constructively, regret is a call to courage and a path to wisdom.”
  – Matt Abbatacola [19:59] Quoting Brene Brown

• Both share how personal and professional challenges have fueled growth and connection with listeners.

4. Building the Podcast, Community & Mental Health

[27:26]

• Bernstein discusses learning to adjust from daily radio to podcasting; enjoying the different pace, interaction, and audience relationship.

• Both reflect on unexpectedly becoming a forum for open, vulnerable conversations, particularly around men’s mental health:

  “It’s been a really fascinating, surprising, and satisfying, fulfilling byproduct of what we do is having the number of people say thank you or just in some ways even gruffly appreciating the fact that this forum is here…” – Dan Bernstein [28:44]

• Listeners from diverse backgrounds have reached out expressing gratitude for open discussions beyond sports.

[31:56]

• Matt encourages listeners to embrace vulnerability and take change "one day at a time" in the new year:

  “If there’s something you want to change or do differently in 2026… start with January 1st. Then get through January 1st. And then when January 2nd comes, do it again…” – Matt Abbatacola

5. Lighter Moments & Banter

[22:26] Laughs over Elton John lyrics:

• The duo debate (and Google) the lyrics to “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” by Elton John and Kiki Dee, joking about clown references and spinning it into a dark bit.

[35:12] College Football Bowl Games:

• An extended riff on the day's bowl games, misnaming the “Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl” and taking the joke to absurdist lengths with imagined narratives about Tony the Tiger’s fictional son.

6. College Sports Lawsuits & Eligibility

[36:23] Diego Pavia v. NCAA

• The hosts discuss the antitrust lawsuit led by college QB Diego Pavia, challenging eligibility restrictions for JUCO transfers.

  “The NCAA is… a slave labor cartel, period… The NCAA is essentially a toothless organization and there’s a massive power and authority vacuum.” – Dan Bernstein [37:39]

• Bernstein argues NCAA authority is waning, welcomes paying athletes, but wonders how college sports will change if eligibility rules are loosened.
• Matt predicts only a small percentage of older players will extend eligibility, keeping most of college sports culture intact.
• They joke about increasingly older college athletes, referencing the 28-year-old Heisman winner Chris Weinke.

7. Year-End Losses – In Memoriam

[49:35] Notable Passings:

• Two recent deaths noted:
  • Pat Finn (Chicago Second City alumnus, TV actor)
  • Isaiah Whitlock (Memorable for HBO's "The Wire")
• Matt shares personal connections with Finn and expresses sadness over losing both men, while lamenting the lack of progress on cancer cures.

[47:13] Oscars In Memoriam Tangent:

• Playful speculation on “who gets the last spot” in the Oscars In Memoriam: Robert Redford or Rob Reiner.

8. Odd News: Stolen Lobster Story

[54:36] $400,000 of Costco-bound Lobster Stolen

• A shipment stolen via a scam mimicking a freight carrier, highlighting the rise of organized criminal networks targeting perishable goods.

  “For a mid sized brokerage like ours, a $400,000 loss is significant. It forces tough decisions and ultimately drives up costs across the supply.” – Dylan Rexing, cited by Bernstein

• The story morphs into a discussion about dubious street sales in Chicago, including socks and warm, vacuum-packed meat.

9. Closing Banter

[61:41] Socks & Slides:

• Lengthy, lighthearted talk about hole-ridden socks, kids’ habits, and footwear trends among sports families.

[64:47] Bernstein’s Dramatic Duet Acting:

• Bernstein reveals a past as a high school dramatic-speaking state finalist, surprising Matt and inspiring playful ribbing.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Ben Johnson hire:

  "The defining story of Chicago sports in 2025 happened in January, and it kept perpetuating." – Dan Bernstein [07:10]

• On regret and growth:

  "Regret, when used constructively, regret is a call to courage and a path to wisdom." – Matt Abbatacola [19:59]

• On the shift to podcasting:

  "It’s a different relationship… more than anything else. I think it fits where I am better." – Dan Bernstein [27:26]

• On men’s mental health & community:

  "It’s more than okay. It’s important… If in fact something we’ve said… has helped you, that makes it all so much bigger…” – Dan Bernstein [28:44]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:37 – Ben Johnson’s hiring as Bears’ head coach
• 06:49 – The Bears’ dramatic season turnaround
• 12:15 – Bernstein’s own journey as a media story
• 19:59 – Discussion of regret (Brene Brown quote)
• 27:26 – Reflections on podcasting & mental health
• 35:12 – College football bowl games banter
• 36:23 – NCAA/junior college eligibility lawsuit
• 49:35 – Year-end in memoriam (Pat Finn, Isaiah Whitlock)
• 54:36 – Stolen Costco-bound lobster heist
• 61:41 – Sock/footwear debate
• 64:47 – Bernstein’s drama competition revelation

Summary Conclusion

In their unvarnished style, Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola close 2025 by shining a light on the impact of Ben Johnson’s tenure with the Bears, the state of Chicago sports, the evolution of their own careers, and the tight-knit, authentic community they’ve built around their podcast. Their blend of insight, humor, and vulnerability delivers a satisfying capstone to the year for Chicago sports fans.