The Bert Show: Vault — What Does It Mean To Repeatedly Have The Same Nightmares?

Air Date: February 10, 2026
Cast: Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy & call-in listeners

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the phenomenon of recurring nightmares and what it might mean when you experience similar dreams over and over. The cast shares personal stories about their own nightmare experiences, discusses theories behind recurring dreams, and even takes calls from listeners about their dream issues. The conversation is lively, candid, and sprinkled with the Bert Show’s signature humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recurring Nightmares: Personal Experiences

• Initiating Story (01:39):

  • One cast member (D) shares that they've been plagued by “really crazy nightmares” that are not only vivid but feel familiar while dreaming, yet become “completely erased” upon waking except for one described scenario:

    “It’s like I am trying to save this homeless woman and her daughter... almost like this adventure movie.” (02:30, D)

  • These recurring nightmares cycle through “two or three themes” but are almost impossible to remember fully on waking, which is a source of frustration.

• Relating Experiences:

  • Other cast members (C, E) relate to the struggle of remembering dreams:

    “It’s so vivid when you wake up that you’re like, ‘I’ll remember this, no problem.’ ...and it’s gone completely.” (03:26, C)

  • They touch on how the brain might intentionally make it difficult to recall nightmares, speculating this could be a protective mechanism.

2. Themes of Recurring Dreams

• Being Attacked:

  • Bert (E) reveals a two-year pattern of nightmares during daytime naps, always involving being attacked — by dogs, sharks, or random people, although not in his regular night sleep:

    “I’m being attacked... Dobermans will attack me in one dream. The next day... sharks are attacking me... I could be in a mall and I’m getting mauled by a bunch of guys.” (04:43, E)

  • He’s kept notes for a week and finds the attack theme consistent.

• Dream Analysis:

  • The cast discusses potential reasons behind these dreams, linking them to personal stress and daily pressures:

    “Is there a responsibility you feel... this feeling of you being the lead in things and having all this responsibility and other people trying to take it away from you or compete?” (05:50, F)

  • Bert admits to chronic stress about work-life balance and not reaching his goal of being done with work by 5PM, though he can’t directly connect this to the “being attacked” dream theme.

• Symbolic Interpretation:

  • The cast reminisces about past interviews with dream analyst Carol Cummings, referencing popular interpretations (e.g., losing teeth = loss of control). They agree that dream symbols are general and it’s up to the dreamer to make direct associations (07:17).

3. Techniques for Remembering Dreams

• Listener Call-In — Banana Tip (08:16):
  • Caleb, a caller, suggests eating a banana before bed to improve dream recall:

    “If you eat a banana before you go to bed, your dream will be more vivid and your ability to remember it at the... when you wake up will be, you know, infinitely better.” (08:29, G)

  • The tip piques interest, with the cast expressing intent to try it as a playful solution.
  • The hosts also talk about the common experience of waking from a dream and being certain you'll remember it, only to have it vanish minutes later.

4. Dream Continuation Attempts & Embarrassing Confessions

• Trying to Re-enter Dreams:

  • Discussion on attempting to fall back asleep and continue a great dream:

    “Have you ever successfully been able to do it?” (09:28, D) “Never been able to do it.” (09:30, E)

  • One cast member admits to success once, celebrating a personal victory.

• Comic Relief:

  • Bert (E) shares tongue-in-cheek about never finishing “Megan Fox” dreams, prompting chuckles:

    “Mine usually has something to do with, like, Megan Fox. And I’m not done yet.” (09:37, E)

5. Listener Stories & Shared Fears

• Fear of Becoming a DJ? (09:57)
  • A second caller, Fernando, jokes about recurring nightmares of becoming a radio DJ for Q100 — the very station the show is on. Acknowledging the crazy schedule and pressure of radio, the cast shares a laugh:

    “At times I would say that this job is a little nightmare. So you may be awake.” (10:09, E)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• D (on elusive dream recall):

  “It’s the most bizarre thing... as soon as I wake up, they’re gone. And only one of them I have been able to sort of write down...” (02:23)

• C (on vanishing vivid dreams):

  “It’s so vivid when you wake up that you’re like, ‘I’ll remember this, no problem.’ ...And literally... it’s gone completely.” (03:26)

• E (on recurring attack dreams):

  “Every single one. Yeah, I mean, not so scary that I’m afraid to fall asleep, but I know it’s gonna be a bad dream.” (04:11)

• F (on work-life pressures as possible triggers):

  “Maybe you feel like you’re... there’s always something keeping you from what you want to do...” (06:38)

• Listener Caleb (dream recall tip):

  “If you eat a banana before you go to bed, your dream will be more vivid...” (08:29)

• E (comic sign-off):

  “Mine usually has something to do with, like, Megan Fox. And I’m not done yet.” (09:37)

Key Timestamps

• 01:39 – Introduction of nightmares discussion; D describes their experience.
• 02:30 – D shares the recurring dream about saving a homeless woman and her daughter.
• 03:26 – C discusses the fleeting nature of dream recall.
• 04:43 – Bert reveals two years of “being attacked” nightmares.
• 05:50 – F/dream analysis linking nightmares to responsibilities and stress.
• 07:17 – Cast discusses dream symbolism with reference to dream analysts.
• 08:16 – Listener “Caleb” shares banana tip for remembering dreams.
• 09:28 – Discussion about returning to dreams after waking.
• 10:02 – Listener “Fernando” jokes about nightmares of becoming a DJ.

Tone and Atmosphere

The conversation is candid, warm, and relatable, peppered with light-hearted jokes, honest admissions, and camaraderie (“Too much info!”). The hosts manage to balance humor with genuine curiosity and empathy about the anxiety and frustration surrounding recurring nightmares.

Summary Takeaway

This episode provides entertaining and insightful takes on why recurring nightmares might happen, how people experience and remember (or forget) them, and the possible connections these dreams have to everyday stress and life changes. With both expert references and community tips (eat a banana!), The Bert Show bridges the universal human experiences of dreaming, anxiety, and the search for answers — all while keeping listeners laughing and engaged.