Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Special Episode: Sunday Morning Live

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host: Dan Bernstein
Co-host: Matt Abbatacola
Date: September 28, 2025
Produced by: 312 Sports

Episode Overview

This special Sunday morning live episode of Dan Bernstein Unfiltered brings the signature unfiltered takes and banter from Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola to an unscheduled live stream. The show, brimming with the duo's humor and sharp sports analysis, covers a grab-bag of Chicago sports topics and national headlines, recaps a chaotic Saturday in sports, and previews a pivotal Sunday in MLB and NFL action. The hosts mix in lively personal stories, engage with live commenters, and offer their candid reactions to everything from youth football bee stings to the “embarrassment” that is the Ryder Cup.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Stories: Matt’s Bee Sting & Stink Bug Saga

• Matt recounts his first-ever bee sting—on his tongue, during a homecoming parade (00:34). Dan gives practical advice about healing but mostly finds the situation “brutal.”

• The story ends with a trip to immediate care, Benadryl-induced drowsiness, and Matt securing a prescription for an EpiPen (02:30).

• Matt also shares his household’s current battle against a sudden invasion of stink bugs, culminating in the amusing (and somewhat grisly) solution of turning on the fireplace (04:47).

  “I had my first bee sting in my entire life, pal, and it’s on my tongue.” – Matt Abbatacola (00:51)

2. Movie Plans & Live Audience Chatter

• Dan discusses sneaking off to see “One Battle After Another” at a matinee (05:42), followed by Matt revealing he saw it the night before; both agree to postpone a full review for the next episode.
• Playful ribbing of negative live commenters:

  “You guys are awful. I went out of my way to sit in front of a computer and watch you because you suck.” – Dan Bernstein, mocking detractors (07:19) “If you hate it that you—that’s a you problem.” – Matt Abbatacola (07:46)

3. MLB Final Day: Postseason Scenarios and “Roller Coaster” Cubs

• The entire slate of MLB games starts in sync on this final day (07:51).
• Matt runs through various clinching scenarios for the American and National League, highlighting the razor-thin margins and tiebreaker complexities, especially for the Reds and Mets (17:49).
• Dan reflects philosophically:

  “The Cubs ended up exactly where they were predicted… and through all of the silliness and all the roller coaster… look at larger trends and roll with it and you’ll get where you should be.” (16:06)

• Craig Counsell’s management is praised for adapting after injuries to key starters (17:05).
• They discuss the “anticlimactic” way the Guardians clinched with a walk-off hit by pitch (18:16), referencing both Simpsons and “The Art of Fielding” (18:46, 19:09).

4. NFL and College Football: Players & Performances

• Live updates on the ongoing Steelers–Vikings game.
• Frustration at over-categorization of “NFL Europe history.”

  “Our brains are fried enough that the last thing we need is to keep track of records of games played there rather than here.” – Dan Bernstein (09:04)

• Breakdown of Saturday’s notable college performances, strong opinions on QBs including Garrett Nussmeier and emerging names like Trinidad Chambliss and Diego Pavia (09:32).
• Discussion of Oregon’s uniforms vs. tradition, and admiration for freshman Dante Moore (11:22).
• Diego Pavia's stat line is hailed as “spectacular,” with debate about his actual height (13:06).

5. Baseball Player Watch & Awards Race

• Matt analyzes the NL and AL stat leaders in hits, average, home runs, and RBIs; notes Nico Hoerner won’t catch the leaders, but points out multiple positive Cubs performances (35:01 onward).
• The playoffs preview includes match-ups: Brewers as NL #1 seed, Blue Jays/Yankees rivalry in the AL, and the Cubs’ looming test against the Padres (21:13).

6. Notable Injuries & Playoff Pitching Woes

• Breaking news: Cubs pitcher Kate Horton is on the 15-day DL with a broken rib, casting doubt on a postseason return (37:17).

• The hosts try to sketch out the Cubs’ makeshift rotation, echoing the anxiety of many Chicago fans (37:51).

  “This is not the way you want it lined up. No, not at all.” – Matt Abbatacola (38:24)

7. Ryder Cup Rant: “An Absolute Embarrassment”

• Dan and Matt lambast the atmosphere at the Ryder Cup—criticizing the organizers for awkward MC attempts and fans for “classless, jingoistic” behavior (33:17).

  “Not just the golf. What they’re doing… it is so cringe… just over the top. Just classless, jingoistic embarrassment. Yes. Perfect for where we are right now. Gross.” – Dan Bernstein (34:45)

• Discussion of crowd hostility, inappropriate chants, and the President’s presence is used as a punchline (34:43).

8. Player Spotlight: Alex Harkey, Oregon RT

• Dan singles out Oregon’s #71, Alex Harkey, for his size and dominance in run blocking.

  “That dude is a menace.” – Dan Bernstein (27:13)

• Analysis includes scouting commentary and a comedic exchange on Harkey’s supposed tendency to “fall dramatically on the ground” (28:30; 31:19).
• Dan predicts Harkey will be drafted higher than most prognosticators believe (29:00).

9. Personal Asides: Food, Sleep, and Twix

• The show features a relatable segment about late-night eating—Dan describes making Waffle House-style T-bone steak and hash browns, topped off by “an entire bag of fun-sized Twix bars” (46:33).
• A recurring thread explores how much Matt prepares for the show versus Dan’s off-the-cuff style.

  “I haven’t really looked at [the show notes], but thanks for doing the work.” – Dan Bernstein (48:36)

10. Podcast Plans, Award Shows & Future Segments

• The two riff on the idea of doing a red carpet Oscars special, fashion preview, and more live, unscheduled episodes (43:48 – 44:01, 47:34).
• They joke about the evolution of coaches’ and referees’ physiques in baseball and other sports (41:05).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Bee Stings & Homecoming:
  “If I collapse on the sidelines, here’s the reason why.” – Matt Abbatacola (03:10)

• On Cubs’ Consistency:
  “Another reason don’t ride the roller coaster. Look at larger trends and roll with it.” – Dan Bernstein (16:06)

• On the Ryder Cup:
  “It was quintessentially American right now. Just over the top… classless, jingoistic embarrassment.” – Dan Bernstein (34:45)

• On Ridiculous Sports Stats:
  “Our brains are fried enough… the last thing we need is to keep track of records of games played there rather than here.” – Dan Bernstein (09:04)

• On Draft Prospects:
  “He came from the pits of hell. That dude is a menace.” – Dan Bernstein on Alex Harkey (27:13)

Timestamps for Key Sections

• 00:34 – Matt’s bee sting story, Libertyville parade, and EpiPen prescription
• 03:35 – Dan’s hypothetical “do it for coach” motivational tactics
• 04:47 – Matt’s stink bug invasion and the fireplace solution
• 05:42 – Dan saw “One Battle After Another”; movie plans
• 07:51 – MLB’s dramatic final day rundown
• 16:06 – Cubs roller coaster season, Craig Counsell praise
• 18:16 – Guardians clinch via walk-off HBP; literary and Simpsons references
• 21:13 – MLB playoff snapshot: seedings, scenarios, and predictions
• 33:17 – Rant on Ryder Cup cringe, fan behavior, and American sporting culture
• 37:17 – Injury update: Cubs’ Kate Horton out with broken rib
• 38:24 – Handwringing over Cubs playoff rotation
• 46:33 – Dan’s late-night meal: steak, hash browns, and a bag of Twix
• 43:48 – Plans for Oscar fashion and red carpet coverage

Tone & Language

The conversation is candid, irreverent, and laced with Chicago-centric humor. The hosts keep it quick, occasionally self-deprecating, and freely share personal stories and strong opinions on sports, pop culture, and life’s little crises. Good-natured ribbing, inside jokes, and audience engagement cut through the sports talk, creating an off-script, friendly vibe that appeals to loyal listeners.

For First-Time Listeners

This episode is lighter on deep-dive analysis and heavier on quick hits, sports miscellany, and the hosts’ infectious chemistry. Perfect for Chicago sports fans looking for a few laughs, relatable anecdotes, and sharp, honest hot takes on the day’s sports news.

Next Episode Highlights

• Full reviews (with spoilers) of “One Battle After Another”
• Forward Progress Bears-Raiders postgame show
• Potential launch of an Oscars live red carpet episode

Listen to Dan Bernstein Unfiltered for sharp debate, old-school radio chemistry, and the best of Chicago’s unfiltered sports talk.