The Bert Show – Episode 7: "Vault: Babysitters Are Hit On More Than You Think"

Air date: February 10, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode shines a light on the disturbingly common phenomenon of young babysitters (and young girls in general) being sexually harassed or hit on by adult men—often fathers of the children they care for or other men in family/social circles. Through candid conversations and multiple real-life listener calls, the hosts discuss their own experiences and explore why these uncomfortable, inappropriate, and sometimes predatory situations are so widespread and, until recently, rarely discussed openly.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction & Backstory (01:29 – 03:18)

• The episode begins with Bert recounting a shocking news story: two men went to jail after unknowingly having sex with a 13-year-old posing as a 19-year-old online. This sets the stage for a deeper conversation about deceit, age, and responsibility.
  • "I asked the provocative question: how young were you when you had sex with an older guy? When you misrepresented your age, like he thought you were 22 but you were really like 15 or 16." – Host (02:09)
• The most shocking call in the previous episode concerned a woman whose boyfriend learned, after a year of dating, that the girl he'd been seeing was 12 when the relationship began.

2. Babysitters as Targets of Inappropriate Advances (03:18 – 05:56)

• A listener from a prior episode revealed having an ongoing affair with the father in a family she babysat for, starting when she was underage—a story the hosts use to launch into the main topic.
• Jen, a show member, asserts, “A lot of young girls get hit on by the fathers of the children that they're babysitting for.” (03:18)
• Discussion about why these situations may occur:
  • Babysitters are frequently in the family home, which creates a sense of comfort and entitlement for the adults.
  • Many of these incidents happen when parents return home after drinking.
  • Teen babysitters face an awkward power dynamic: “[As a babysitter] you have respect for this person because they're essentially your employer when you're that young.” – Jen (04:18)

3. Why Victims Often Stay Silent (04:38 – 05:14)

• Teens hesitate to speak up due to wanting the job/money, fear of not being believed, or not understanding the inappropriateness at their age.
  • “Who's going to believe you? Like, if you went to the wife... is she gonna believe what you say? It’s an unfair position.” – Co-host (04:47)
• The hosts express genuine surprise at how prevalent these experiences appear to be, with Jen reiterating, “I would imagine it happens very often.” (05:11)

4. Listener Calls: Personal Stories of Being Hit On (06:19 – 15:01)

Sarah at Emory University (06:19)

• Sarah shares a particularly awkward tale: an older man hits on her at the gym, and later she’s referred to babysit for his family, discovering he’s the father. He was “flirty at the gym, uncomfortable at home.” (06:53)

Charlotte’s Cautionary Tale (07:21)

• Charlotte never babysat, but as a teen her friend’s dad would be “touchy-feely.” Now, as a mother, she doesn't let her own daughter go to many sleepovers.
  • “I was probably 12 or 13... That’s why I don’t let her go over to too many people's houses.” (07:42)

Kristen’s Story of Weed & Unwanted Advances (07:59)

• As a 15-year-old, Kristen’s employer would drive her home, discuss smoking weed, touch her leg, and make her feel unsafe. She never returned, and the family was angry (not knowing why).
  • “...he put his hand on my leg... I never went back after that.” (08:37)

Tori and the Drunk Dad (08:54)

• Tori shares multiple babysitting incidents with a “crazy family”—including a drunk father who hit on her and had her (at 15) drive herself home to avoid his advances.

Generalization: Most Women Have Had Experiences with Inappropriate Men (09:52)

• The hosts remark that almost every woman seems to have some story of being inappropriately approached, whether babysitting or just sleeping over at a friend’s house.
  • "I would be shocked to find one woman... who hasn't had some adult male be inappropriate to her at some point." – Co-host (09:52)

Stories Beyond Babysitting – Bars, Schools, Church (10:26 – 13:12)

• The hosts and callers broaden the discussion to other environments:
  • A host shares being hit on by drunk men while working in an Irish pub at 16.
  • Another recounts a “really creepy” music teacher eventually arrested for misconduct.
  • Rebecca tells how, as a 19-year-old college student, a 50-year-old dad made a lewd comment while she babysat: “I looked up and the dad was standing over me and he went, 'mmm, tasty.'” (11:48)
  • Stacy calls in about her 14-year-old sister’s two-year affair with a church deacon, who was never held accountable by the church or the man’s wife, leaving lasting trauma.

Carol’s Harrowing Overnight (13:49)

• Carol, at 13, had a father she babysat for crawl into bed with her drunk. She escaped to the sofa and “never babysat again. Ever.” (15:01)

5. The Psychology of Predators & Victims (13:12 – 14:56)

• The hosts discuss how adults often “test boundaries,” gradually escalating inappropriate behavior based on the teen’s reactions.
  • “I think that they test you out by saying comments or compliments or whatever and then it goes further and further depending on your reaction...” – Melissa (15:01)
• Emphasis on the victims’ lack of readiness to defend themselves at such a young age.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “A lot of young girls get hit on by the fathers of the children that they're babysitting for.” – Jen (03:18)
• “At 16 years old, when you get 20 bucks, that's a lot of money.” – Host (04:43)
• “I would be shocked to find one woman... who hasn't had some adult male be inappropriate to her at some point.” – Co-host (09:52)
• “He crawled in bed with me with his stinky boxers on, and he's drunk... I slept all night with my eyes open on the sofa.” – Carol (14:35)
• “...they test you out by saying comments or compliments... and then it goes further and further... at 14 or 13... your reaction to it isn't what it is when you're a grown woman and you can say, back off.” – Melissa (15:01)

Key Timestamps

• 01:29 – Start of main topical discussion (skipping ads)
• 03:18 – Introduction of babysitting and being hit on as a recurring and underdiscussed issue
• 06:19 – First listener call, launching a series of real-life accounts
• 07:59, 08:54, 10:26, 11:22, 12:00, 13:49 – Additional poignant listener stories
• 14:56 – Discussion of how predators test boundaries and how teens are vulnerable

Tone & Style

The Bert Show maintains its trademark conversational, often humorous tone, yet treats the subject matter with the seriousness it demands. The episode features open, occasionally explicit discussions and a supportive atmosphere for listeners sharing deeply personal, sometimes traumatic stories.

Summary

This episode is a raw, eye-opening exploration of how pervasive and underacknowledged sexual harassment and predatory behavior are toward young women in roles of trust—especially babysitters. Through candid discussion, personal anecdotes, and a string of real and relatable listener calls, The Bert Show propels a necessary conversation about boundaries, responsibility, and the urgent need for awareness and intervention. The stories, while troubling, highlight the prevalence of these scenarios, the difficulty teens face in recognizing and reporting them, and the long-term ramifications. As the hosts empathetically remark, nearly every woman has a story—and it’s time this harsh reality was acknowledged.

Note: The episode contains frank and sensitive discussions that could be distressing for some listeners.