The Bert Show – Full Show PT 1: Thursday, February 19 - BBA EDITION

Date: February 19, 2026
Episode Theme: The kickoff of Burt’s Big Adventure 2026—a heartfelt, energetic start to the annual trip that takes children with chronic and terminal illnesses (and their families) to Disney World, creating lifelong memories, forging connections, and building a unique community of support.

Episode Overview

This episode, live from the Hilton Atlanta Airport, launches the much-anticipated annual Burt’s Big Adventure trip. The Bert Show crew—Bert, Kristen, and team—share behind-the-scenes stories, introduce families, highlight emotional moments, and set the tone for a weekend dedicated to joy, empathy, and togetherness. The show includes moving testimonials from returning families, memorable surprises for the kids, and reflections on the long-standing impact of the Burt’s Big Adventure community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kicking Off Burt’s Big Adventure 2026

(01:07–03:02)

• Early morning struggles are real for the returning cast and the families, with both Bert and Kristen sharing that after years of early show starts, getting up so early is now a challenge.

  • “Now I have way more empathy for all the kids and Burt’s Big Adventure families... that alarm was early and loud.” – Kristen (01:37)

• They reflect on their own routine struggles, relating them to the kids who are up early for the trip. Bert highlights the anticipation in the air: “They also know they’re going to Disney today.” – Bert (02:46)

2. What Is Burt’s Big Adventure?

(03:03–04:55)

• Burt’s Big Adventure is introduced for new listeners: each year, the show takes selected children with chronic and terminal illnesses (plus their families) on an all-expense-paid VIP Disney World trip. The emphasis is on love, connection, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences for kids who’ve had a tough road.

• Kristen narrates the pre-trip gatherings: first orientation weeks before, and then the real bonding begins the night before departure, where nerves and excitement mix as a roomful of families come together.

• “You come into a room... we don’t come in soft. We come in hard every single time.” – Bert (04:18)

3. Red-Carpet Welcome & Last Night’s Magic Moment

(04:55–07:18)

• The prior night’s “Welcome Party” is described in detail: red carpet, Star Wars characters, princesses, mascots, cheering volunteers, and a focus on special accommodations for kids with sensory challenges.

• Memorable moment: one child, Kendall’s little brother, was “obsessed” with the Gas South mascot, Mr. Meter—highlighting how core memories begin from the first minute.

  • “I have never seen a child so obsessed with a gas meter before. This might already be one of my favorite moments of Burt’s Big Adventure.” – Burt (07:09)

4. The Power of Community & Making Bonds

(08:22–11:23)

• New and veteran team members share their perspectives. Stacy (Gas South) expresses excitement at bonding with families and being “in on the happy chaos.” Lala (manager of corporate partnerships) is moved by the intentionality and close-knit feel that comes from keeping the trip’s scale small—so each family feels truly seen.

  • “I’m overwhelmed with the amount of thought, care, and intentionality that has gone into this. I’m honored and excited to be a part of it.” – Lala (10:22)

• Kristen and Burt describe how this intimacy fosters real connection, and the goal isn’t just a series of logistics—it’s to provide genuine, individualized care and ongoing relationships.

5. Burt’s Big Adventure: A Legacy and a Family

(14:03–15:48)

• Burt reflects on the trip’s origins—24 years, 23 trips due to the pandemic interruption (“It took an entire community to put this trip together for this many years.” – Burt, 15:32). Kristen shares the emotional impact of walking through the hotel and seeing two decades’ worth of memories.

  • “This was just… I mean, Stacey and I started this, but it took an entire community to put this trip together for this many years.” – Burt (15:37)

• Social media and the website allow donors and the public to follow the families’ adventures in real time.

6. Returning Families: Testimonial from Liam’s Family

(16:43–22:47)

• Each year, a family from the previous year shares insights for newcomers. Caitlin, Roy, and Emma recount their trip, including a private Andy Grammer concert that provided a “fight song” for their struggles with epilepsy.

  • “Disney gave me a chance to be a mom. Just a mom. That’s something I’ve never really gotten to be.” – Caitlin (20:09)
  • The emotional fallout afterward is addressed, but reunions and year-round support from the BBA community have become invaluable: “There are some unexpected consequences of being a Burt’s (Big Adventure) family. You get a sense of community.” – Caitlin (20:49)

• Kristen and Burt reinforce how the BBA family continues after the trip, fulfilling a need for connection and true understanding among families on similar journeys.

  • “When we say, ‘welcome to our family,’ it really is a family. Some of us are going to annoy you. Some of us are going to text you too much. But you guys are going to be there for each other. That’s what this trip’s really all about.” – Kristen (25:10)

• Memorable Moment: Emma delivers a kid classic joke:

  • “Burt knows nothing.” – Emma (25:55)

7. Costs, Donations, and Supporting the Adventure

(27:08–29:11)

• The hosts highlight the sky-high price of Disney treats (popcorn bucket $14.30, Mickey pretzel $9, bottled water $6) to explain their fundraising plea—a $5 “little give” campaign matched by Zaxby’s.

  • “Why are we asking you guys for five bucks this morning? Little give so we can buy a pretzel. Yeah.” – Kristen (29:03)

• Listeners are encouraged to text BERT to 50155 or donate online.

8. Family Story Spotlight: Kendall and Her Family

(29:25–41:06)

• Kendall’s remarkable birth story: parents Phoebe and Carv found out she was coming on a Tuesday, she was born on Friday at 24 weeks (weighing just 1 lb 3 oz), and both parents returned to college by Monday.

  • The family describes initial medical predictions (“most likely wasn’t going to be able to walk, talk, breathe on her own”) but Kendall now defies all odds.

  • “She is the definition of perseverance and ‘I’m gonna show you.’” – Burt (34:24)

  • “Doctors don’t know what God knows. She is a living example.” – Kristen (34:41)

• The parents describe navigating five months in the NICU, and the fear/joy of finally bringing Kendall home as teens.

  • “It does take a village, for sure.” – Burt (36:41)

• Special Surprise:

  • Kendall, a huge Barbie fan, receives a personal video invitation from Nancy Melinda (VP at Mattel) to be a VIP guest at Barbie Dream Fest in Fort Lauderdale, with flights, hotel, and spending money covered—plus bins of new Barbies to add to her collection.

  • “Mattel just really wanted you to know that they realize play isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. And they know how important representation is. So when they heard about you wanting to 3D print wheelchairs for your Barbies, they were like, absolutely. We need this girl at the Barbie Dream Fest.” – Kristen (40:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Empathy and Early Mornings:

  • “That alarm was early and loud.” – Kristen (01:37)

• Describing the Welcome Party:

  • “There were so many characters here last night. The Star Wars characters, princesses galore… all our volunteers with signs for the families, cheering.” – Burt (05:18)

• Community & Support Long After Disney:

  • “You get a sense of community through Burt’s… Like, Haley was there the first time Liam rode his bike by himself… She gets it.” – Caitlin (21:17)

• The Importance of the Ongoing BBA Family:

  • “The sense of community and the family… we never saw that happening. And that might be the most important part of Burt’s Big Adventure.” – Burt (24:09)

• Kristen on Medical “Predictions”:

  • “Doctors don’t know what God knows, right? And she (Kendall) is a living example.” – Kristen (34:41)

• Emma’s Joke:

  • “Burt knows nothing.” – Emma (25:55)

• Mattel’s Surprise to Kendall:

  • “We have some giant bins… You are now adding to your Barbie collection, Kendall. We have Barbies on Barbies on Barbies.” – Burt (39:44)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:07–03:02: Show intro, empathy for early mornings, context of BBA
• 03:03–04:55: What is Burt’s Big Adventure? VIP Disney trip, orientation and prep
• 04:55–07:18: Welcome party red carpet, core memory moments, Mr. Meter
• 08:22–11:23: Team/volunteer perspectives, community focus, importance of trip size
• 14:03–15:48: Legacy and impact, reflections on 24 years
• 16:43–22:47: Liam’s family’s testimonial, building community, emotional support
• 27:08–29:11: Disney costs, donation drive, how listeners can help
• 29:25–41:06: Kendall’s family spotlight, early adversity, hospital journey, Mattel/Barbie Dream Fest surprise

Tone and Atmosphere

Upbeat and hilarious at times, but deeply heartfelt and supportive. The Bert Show crew balances chaotic energy, genuine vulnerability, and playful banter, keeping the tone authentic and moving, with joyful outbursts and laughter even in teary moments.

Summary Takeaway

This episode is an inspiring blend of real-life challenges, hope, and celebration. Longtime fans and new listeners alike are drawn into the high-energy, tightly-knit, and compassionate world of Burt’s Big Adventure, culminating in unforgettable moments for families whose lives are forever changed by the BBA family. Whether through core memories, community support, or magical surprises (hello, Barbie Dream Fest!), The Bert Show proves the trip is just the beginning of lifelong belonging.