Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Episode Summary

“Chicago Bears fans, stop whining!”

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host: Dan Bernstein, Co-host: Matt Abbatacola
Date: October 15, 2025
Duration: ~1 hour

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dan Bernstein and executive producer/co-host Matt Abbatacola tackle the grumbling of Chicago Bears fans about the team’s media coverage and discuss why local sports fans need to stop seeking validation from national broadcasters. They dive into the psychology behind “homer” expectations from TV/Radio calls, reflect on the Ben Johnson regime, the Bears’ optimistic 3-2 start, media narratives, public funding for a new stadium, and the pressures of public jobs (in and outside of sports). Lighthearted stories and local sports banter round out the episode, along with quick news and restaurant tips.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Chicago Bears Fans & National Media:

• Bernstein is exasperated by Bears fans’ complaints about national sports broadcasters being insufficiently positive or “homerish” (01:22 – 05:10).
  • “You gotta stop bitching about what a national broadcaster thinks about a game that’s going on in front of him. That it’s his job to describe that.” – Dan Bernstein [02:55]
• Criticism of fans who expect national media to love the Bears as much as they do, especially upset over broadcast opinions on players like Caleb Williams versus Jaden Daniels.
  • “A guy having an opinion about your team that doesn’t rise to your level of fanboying and optimism is just not a legitimate reason. It’s a bad, small-time look.” – Dan Bernstein [03:45]
  • “Jaden Daniels was without a doubt the better player last year. As a rookie quarterback, he took his team to the NFC Championship. That’s why the Bears were 5 and 12.” – Matt [05:17]
• Advice: Earn respect through performance, not through demanding positive coverage.
• Call for fans to stop obsessing over external validation, “If you need a homer cast…listen to the radio. You may want to mute the television.” – Co-host [07:17–07:26]

2. Bears’ Outlook & Ben Johnson Era:

• Cautious optimism for the Bears under coach Ben Johnson.
  • “You’ve got all sorts of tangible reasons to be excited and optimistic. They’re maybe better than you thought… They’re setting all kinds of franchise records, which all of their franchise records for offense should be completely obliterated.” – Dan Bernstein [01:22–02:55]
• Emphasis on realistic expectations and patience for development.

3. Broadcast and Sports Media Critique:

• Defends national broadcasters Troy Aikman and Joe Buck.
  • “I think Aikman’s really good in general. I think he calls the game in front of him... I don’t think he gives any quarter to favorites. He is unflinchingly honest.” – Co-host [06:53]
  • “If you need everybody to love your precious players as much as you do, listen to the radio.” – Dan Bernstein [07:26]
• Wider commentary on fan tendency to “hate-watch” or seek out things just to complain about them.
  • “Some people need to hate things to feel alive…and there’s nothing wrong with –” – Co-host [10:05]
  • “Well, that’s not healthy, though, Dan. That’s not healthy.” – Dan Bernstein [10:11]
• Bernstein says he avoids pandering or populism:
  • “It would be real easy for me to pander. It’d be real easy to play populist and surf the wave. Yeah, screw Troy Aikman. Go Chicago. I’m not here to do that either.” – Dan Bernstein [12:51]

4. What Fans Want from the Media:

• Discusses fans’ desire for broadcasts and news to be “positive” or pro-local team, and why that’s “your job, not theirs.”
  • “All a national broadcast wants to do: they love complimenting people. They love it. They can’t wait. There’s no larger agenda against your team.” [12:02]
  • “If in a football game someone is not positive enough or rooting hard enough for your team, that’s a you problem. That’s your job. Do your job.” – Dan Bernstein [15:14]
• Makes analogy to negative news:
  • “You don’t report a plane landed safely. You report the plane crashing…The day the news is positive, we are in a dystopian hellscape.” [14:23, 14:45]

5. Chicago Bears Stadium Deal and Public Funding:

• Bernstein critiques the Bears’ proposed tax incentive deal for a new stadium as rushed, under-scrutinized, and too broad (43:43 – 29:44).
  • “It’s a bad bill…it’s undercooked, underdeveloped, [and] under sunlighted. This is a no for the Bears…” – Bernstein [43:43]
  • Supports targeted infrastructure funding but opposes excessive tax breaks for wide-ranging “mega projects.”
  • “It’s okay to have some public money…[for] infrastructure. It shouldn’t be building stuff to enrich private business.” [29:52]
  • Advice to legislature: “Slow your roll.” [31:53]

6. Sports Broadcasting Quality:

• Praise for specific national broadcasters, critique of others (e.g., Collinsworth “corn pone”, John Smoltz “bad at his job,” etc.)
  • “I have to tell you all day. I think John Smoltz is bad at his job. He says things that are wrong.” – Bernstein [02:55]
  • “I generally like Chris Collinsworth…didn’t like the stupid stuff he was saying about Tyson Bagent last year.” – Bernstein [12:51]
• Banter about game show host wardrobes and old TV credits. [16:45–18:33, light segment]

7. Health, Football Injuries, and Medical Humor:

• Bears’ WR DJ Moore’s groin injury and speculation about medical issues (testicular torsion, sports hernia), with light banter about doctors and physicals.
  • “You get a twisted nut.” – Dan Bernstein [24:19]

8. Mental Health, Pressure and Threats in Sports:

• Discussion of Padres manager Mike Schilt’s resignation due to physical and mental health:
  • “I can tell you I was sick a lot…I just wasn’t feeling good. I was run down. I wasn’t sleeping. It’s nobody’s fault. It’s just day-to-day stress, you know, just unhealthy, man. And sometimes you gotta take care of you, you know?” – Mike Schilt (read by Co-host) [38:35]
  • Commentary on the increase of threats against players and sports professionals due to gambling, social media, and public scrutiny.
  • Dan recounts his own (and show colleagues’) experiences getting threats for taking stand on hot topics (Penn State, Dale Earnhardt), not being told by management of threats at events [41:24–43:43].

9. Other Notable Sports News and Banter:

• MLB notes: Dodgers’ Yamamoto complete game; speculation on potential Alex Bregman free agency, discussion of Cubs prospects [49:27–51:33].
• New York sports fans’ suffering due to bad runs by Mets, Yankees, and Rangers (NHL record for home scoreless streak to start season) [51:46–53:30].
• Podcast updates: Organizations Win Championships Chicago Bulls podcast returns, and news on new YouTube channel [47:03–49:17].
• Betting tips, responsible gambling reminders, and in-jokes (e.g., “He who gambles lives in shambles” – Doug) [35:48].

10. Personal Stories and Chicago Life:

• Warm anecdotes about Italy (Florence, Rome), family trips, and local restaurant recommendations (Tanuda’s Italian market in Kenosha, Il Latini in Florence) [55:05–61:19].
• Shout-outs to friends (Brendan McCaffrey, his expected second son, his trip to Florence) [55:05].

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You gotta stop bitching about what a national broadcaster thinks...it’s his job to describe that.” – Dan Bernstein [02:55]
• “A guy having an opinion about your team that doesn’t rise to your level of fanboying and optimism is just not a legitimate reason. It’s a bad, small-time look.” – Dan Bernstein [03:45]
• “If you need a homer cast, if you need everybody to love your precious players as much as you do, listen to the radio. You may want to mute the television.” – Co-host [07:17]
• “It is not Troy Aikman’s fault for anything that you’re dumb.” – Co-host [15:55]
• “If in a football game someone is not positive enough or rooting hard enough for your team, that’s a you problem. That’s your job. Do your job.” – Dan Bernstein [15:14]
• On media haters: “Some people need to hate things to feel alive...that’s not healthy.” – [10:05–10:13]
• On Bears stadium funding: “Slow your roll.” – Dan Bernstein [31:53]
• “You don’t report a plane landed safely. You report the plane crashing.” – Dan Bernstein [14:23]
• On the Padres’ Schilt: “I just wasn’t feeling good. I was run down. I wasn’t sleeping…Just unhealthy, man. And sometimes you gotta take care of you, you know?” – Mike Schilt via The Athletic [38:35]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |---------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:22–05:10 | Bears fans' complaints about national broadcasters | | 07:17–09:58 | Advice: Listen to local radio if you want pro-local-team commentary | | 09:58–10:17 | “Hate-watching/listening” and fans’ anger with media | | 12:02–15:14 | National broadcasts, positivity, and “it’s your job to root for your team, not theirs” | | 29:44–31:53 | Bears stadium deal/politics; call for transparency in public funding | | 35:48–36:18 | Gambling banter, responsible play advice | | 38:35–39:47 | Mike Schilt resigns for health: reading from The Athletic | | 41:24–43:43 | Death threat stories in sports radio; lack of communication from producers | | 47:03–49:17 | Organizations Win Championships (Bulls podcast) relaunch; YouTube, Apple Podcasts update | | 49:27–51:33 | Dodgers pitching; speculation on Alex Bregman free agency; Cubs’ Matt Shaw | | 51:46–53:30 | New York sports woes: Mets, Yankees, Rangers NHL record, Jets and Giants | | 55:05–61:19 | Italy anecdotes, shout-outs; restaurant recommendations (Florence, Kenosha) |

Closing Thoughts

This episode delivers the classic Bernstein blend of sharp sports critique, Chicago fan real talk, and candid storytelling. Dan and Matt urge fans to take pride in their team’s progress, stop fussing over national narratives, and demand more substance from public policy. Interwoven are humorous medical discussions, firsthand radio war stories, and affectionate restaurant tips—offering both sage local wisdom and the breezy banter that defines their show.