The Bert Show - Full Show PT 1: Wednesday, December 10 [Vault]

Date: December 10, 2025
Main Cast: Jeff, Melissa, Jen, Tracy, Shannon (Listener)
Timestamped Summary by Segments

Episode Overview

This episode of The Bert Show dives into classic morning radio therapy: navigating relationship secrets, giving candid advice, and sharing listener stories about everyday rage—from road to retail. The signature “Cosmo Call” segment sets the stage for a discussion about honesty in relationships, while later segments cover hilarious and heartfelt calls about Atlanta traffic woes and "rage" incidents in public and at work. The chemistry and banter between the hosts keep even tense moments light, real, and funny for listeners needing a boost to their morning.

1. Intro to “Cosmo Call” & Segment Setup

01:33 – 02:35

• Explanation of “Cosmo Call”
  Melissa explains this listener-favorite segment:

  “It’s just a way to find out information indirectly…Jen pretends to be someone from a major woman’s magazine calling to do research for a quiz. Through the course of Jen’s questioning, we were able to find out…information someone didn’t want to directly ask.” (01:41 – 02:13)

• Prepping for This Episode’s Call
  Tracy hypes up the upcoming segment:

  “I think this is the best Cosmo Call ever recorded. I mean, I’m sure it has nothing to do with you not being there, but I think the setup and the delivery…was fantastic.” (03:06 – 03:21)

2. The Relationship Mystery: Was Tony Ever Engaged?

04:27 – 07:21

• Shannon’s Story:
  Listener Shannon suspects her boyfriend Tony may have been engaged before, uncovering an engagement announcement under his name while Googling. She’s upset that he’s never mentioned this possible prior engagement during their year together.

  “I found a thing that sort of troubled me…said he was engaged to a woman in Manchester, Connecticut…he’s never told me he was engaged before.” (04:40 – 05:22)

• Hosts Probe Her Feelings and Next Steps:
  Jen: “If we find out that he was engaged?”
  Shannon: “I would say, look, you can’t keep something this big from me. If you’re keeping this from me, what else are you keeping from me?” (06:57 – 07:08)
• Shannon clarifies it wouldn’t be a deal breaker unless he lies about it outright.

3. The “Cosmo Call” on Tony

08:21 – 09:29

• Jen Calls “Tony” for a Fake Survey:
  Disguised as a Cosmo magazine survey, Jen asks Tony indirect questions about broken engagements.
  • Jen: “Have you ever broken off an engagement?”
  • Tony (Shannon’s boyfriend): “No, I’ve never been engaged.” (09:06 – 09:12)
• Tony is polite, quick, and firmly denies ever having been engaged.

4. Reaction and Aftermath: The Reveal

09:36 – 16:42

• Shannon’s Initial Relief, Followed by Doubt:
  Shannon re-listens and at first believes Tony, then reveals she found photographic proof confirming his engagement.

  “It is Tony Shaw I am dating. And I’m very, very upset...I can hear in his voice a little hesitation...he’s lying.” (10:26 – 10:42)

• Emotional Spiral and Advice:
  Shannon’s hurt and wants advice:

  “I haven’t slept all night. I’m shaking.” (10:42)

  • She considers calling Tony’s ex but is talked down by the hosts.
  • Jeff: “I think we all agree with that. But you don’t take it out on the wolf.”
  • Melissa: “This is between you and your man. You need to talk with him about this. I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to be involved with a plan.” (12:27 – 12:50)
• Callers Weigh In:
  • Angela: “Just let it go. He’s with you now. He’s moved on.” (13:32 – 13:38)
  • Kelly shares a similar story about hidden marriage/kids and the need to move forward, not dramatize.
  • Discussion shifts to how common it is for women to Google men early in relationships:

    Jeff: “I’d say…like 75% of women will Google the guy they are going out with.” (15:41 – 15:56)

• Final Takeaway for Shannon:
  • Collective wisdom: Sleep first, then talk calmly to Tony.
  • Jen: “Stop drinking Red Bull…chill out a little bit.” (16:34 – 16:37)

5. Call-In Discussion: Is It Ever “Not Our Business”?

16:48 – 17:43

• Listener Ben points out the show’s history of “busting up relationships,” challenging Melissa’s reluctance to get involved:

  “You guys have busted up dozens of relationships.” (16:54 – 17:07)

• Melissa clarifies:

  “I don’t necessarily want to be the first, you know, tool used, but I’m happy to be the last.” (17:34 – 17:43)

6. Atlanta Traffic Nightmares

20:41 – 25:24

• Hosts and Callers Share Their Worst Stories:
  • Tracy sets up: “You really have to plan your life around Atlanta traffic…sometimes there’s nothing you can do.” (21:06 – 21:19)
  • Jessica: “I was late for my own wedding…my husband didn’t even get there until after 7.” (21:31 – 21:50)
  • Christina: “My husband’s grandparents missed our wedding. They were walking in as we were leaving.” (22:31 – 22:53)
  • Sharon: Tells a gutting story about missing her brother’s final moments due to gridlock: “I didn’t make it…that evening he passed.” (23:36 – 23:42)
• Hosts Empathize and Reflect:
  • Jen: “I am like hibernating in my house between like 2 and 6 o’clock, that’s for sure.” (24:00 – 24:10)
• Tips and Tricks:
  • Hosts compare who knows the most secret backstreets.
  • Friendly jabs about always dropping certain names in conversation.

7. Spotting the Many Flavors of “Rage”

25:25 – 32:42

• Jeff and Tracy Open a Hilarious Segment on Everyday Rage:
  • Tracy retells stories of “laptop rage” and “coffee rage” witnessed in stores.
• Listeners Call with Their Own Rage Stories:
  • Walmart Rage: Shannon describes being rammed by a woman’s cart in line:
    “She kept ramming me with her cart…I finally just turned and looked at her and said, ‘You’re a rhyming with witch.’” (29:28 – 30:01)
  • Interruption Rage: Melissa shares about a soft-spoken coworker who suddenly screamed, “Please do not interrupt me when I’m speaking.” (31:03 – 31:12)
  • Bum Leg Rage: Shannon confesses to kicking a coworker’s crutch following harassment: “So I took my leg and I kicked his crutch right at him.” (32:09 – 32:11)
    • Hosts debate whether this is ever justified.
  • Elder Rage: Michelle relays an incident with a crotchety old cashier:
    “He put his finger right up to my nose and was pointing and shaking his finger and saying, ‘You’re the one being obnoxious.’” (35:01 – 35:20)
• Theme:
  Hosts and callers riff on the idea that no environment is "rage-proof"—work, Walmart, even among the elderly.

8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Melissa, on privacy in relationships:

  “This is a situation between you and your man. This is something you need to talk with him about. I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to call him with a plan.” (12:27 – 12:50)

• Jeff, on Googling dates:

  “I think...75% of women will Google the guy they are going out with.” (15:41 – 15:56)

• Shannon, after discovering the truth:

  “I’m very, very upset. I can hear in his voice a little hesitation…he’s lying...I haven’t slept all night. I’m shaking.” (10:42 – 10:53)

• Caller Kelly, on relationship pasts:

  “I went through the same thing…you learn, you grow in your relationship—you either take it, accept it, or you move on.” (14:37 – 15:09)

• Tracy, on “rage” stories:

  “There’s retail rage…meeting rage…Starbucks rage. No environment is safe!” (26:41 – 27:56, paraphrased)

9. Episode Tone & Style

• The show mixes lighthearted laughter, playful ribbing, and genuine empathy, giving practical advice on serious situations while keeping the mood energetic and accessible for a morning audience.
• Listener stories—funny, relatable, or bittersweet—are treated with warmth and humor; the hosts’ camaraderie shines throughout.

10. Key Timestamps

• 01:33 – Start of “Cosmo Call” explanation
• 04:27 – 07:53 – Shannon’s boyfriend engagement mystery
• 08:21 – 09:29 – The actual Cosmo Call with Tony
• 10:26 – 12:10 – Shannon’s discovery and advice
• 13:32 – 16:20 – Listener advice and Google talk
• 21:31 – 24:43 – Worst Atlanta traffic stories
• 25:25 – 32:42 – “Rage” stories: Walmart, workplace, elder, dance club

For listeners or newcomers:

This episode is a textbook example of The Bert Show’s knack for unpacking real-life family and romantic dilemmas with unfiltered honesty, all while mining the humor and humanity in daily life—whether it’s a traffic jam, a secret engagement, or Walmart rage.