The Bert Show – Full Show PT 1: Wednesday, February 25 [Vault]

Date: February 25, 2026
Host & Cast: Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy & others
Main Theme:
A classic Bert Show mix of authentic, funny, and candid morning radio. This episode delivers lively discussions on workplace dilemmas (specifically around pregnancy and discrimination), the impact of fantasy football on productivity and relationships, and a heartwarming late-in-life romance, with plenty of real-life stories from listeners.

Episode Breakdown

1. Hiding a Pregnancy at Work: Legal, Ethical, & Personal Dilemmas

[08:10 - 36:30]

Key Discussion Points:

• Listener Dilemma:
  • A pregnant listener wonders if she can legally hide her pregnancy from her employer.
  • The show discusses the complexity—legality vs. reality—in different states (specifically, “right-to-work” states).
• Legal Nuance & State Laws:
  • Discussion of Georgia as a "no-fault" or "right-to-work" state where employers can terminate employees for almost any reason, making it tricky to prove pregnancy discrimination.
  • The role of documentation and procedure in terminations in non-right-to-work states.
• Health Insurance Complications:
  • Callers share personal stories about losing jobs and health insurance after revealing pregnancies.
  • Misconceptions around pre-existing conditions and insurance eligibility are addressed.

Notable Quotes & Calls:

• Listener Holly (story of job loss):
  • “I decided to tell them. And the next week I was laid off. I was left throughout my whole pregnancy with no health insurance. That really stunk.” (11:25)
• Cassie (on company perspectives):
  • “Unfortunately, I think too many companies see women who are pregnant as a problem.” (15:05)
• Bert (on gendered unfairness):
  • “We've had this debate on the show before. Is it harder to be a guy or is it harder to be a woman? Oh man, it's not even close, dude. It’s so much harder to be a woman.” (18:45)
• Voice Disguised Callers:
  • Kate (insurance and legal protections):
    “You don’t have to tell them… HIPAA protects you from telling them it’s a medical condition. That is not grounds for dismissal itself though, right? You cannot say you're pregnant, you're gone. No, you cannot say that.” (23:10)
  • John (on discriminatory hiring):
    • “I was told strictly… that I could not hire anyone younger, anyone that could still potentially have a [baby]… I had to hire an older lady that was postmenopausal.” (27:50)
• Sarah Palin Reference:
  • Bert and co-hosts discuss Sarah Palin hiding her pregnancy and returning to work days after delivery, questioning the influence on cultural expectations. (34:10)

Memorable Moment:

• Suggestion for Voice Disguiser:
  • Bert, tongue-in-cheek, invites listeners who won’t hire women (because of potential pregnancies) to call in anonymously, showcasing the show’s candid (and sometimes edgy) perspective. (16:10)

2. Fantasy Football at Work – Obsession or Harmful Distraction?

[43:30 - 1:05:30]

Key Discussion Points:

• News Clip Kick-Off:
  • A segment from CNN sparks a discussion on how fantasy football impacts workplace productivity.
• Confessions & Humor:
  • Several hosts admit to playing fantasy leagues, sparking playful banter.
• Real Talk:
  • Listeners and hosts agree that “one hour a week” of work time spent on fantasy is a gross underestimate.
• Stories from the Trenches:
  • Wives call in complaining about husbands who treat fantasy leagues like a part-time job.
  • Some leagues involve thousands of dollars in prize money and elaborate draft parties.

Notable Quotes & Calls:

• Kristin (on how it changes sports watching):
  • “It changes the way you watch the game because you're not rooting for a team… you’re rooting for people.” (52:05)
• Diana (listener call):
  • “My husband has a part time job with fantasy football. He probably spends about 15 to 20 hours a week… He sits on his laptop every night and that’s all he does.” (54:10)
• Megan (listener call):
  • “My husband and his friends wait all year for their draft… He always has his draft thing up at his computer at work. It’s the huge, this huge thing. And I was a huge football fan—still am—but he has made me hate football season because that is all he does.” (1:00:30)
• Josh (listener call):
  • “My boss… doesn’t only have one [fantasy team], he’s got like three different teams. This morning he got caught up and ended up sending me to Gainesville… so he could do his draft.” (1:03:50)
• Bert (on double standards with hobbies):
  • “The very people that made fun of the World of Warcraft people… you’re not any different… You make fun of people for doing geeky things—well, that’s what you do.” (1:04:20)

Memorable Moment:

• Reflection on Priorities:
  • The segment ends with a laugh about how people who complain about being too busy are the same ones spending hours on Facebook and fantasy sports.

3. Heartwarming Love Story: Finding Romance—at 85 and 96

[1:05:32 - 1:12:30]

Key Segment:

• Local News Story:
  • The cast shares a sweet news story about Thelma (85, originally from Australia) and Chauncey (96, former military, Washington state), who met through a letter after Thelma submitted a memoir to a military magazine.
  • After months of correspondence, they fell for each other and married in a nursing home in front of friends and family.
  • The studio revels in the power of love at any age, peppered with affectionate (and irreverent) jokes about seniors dating.

Notable Quotes:

• Thelma (via news segment):
  • “To be in love at 85 and 96 is just simply wonderful. It’s nice to be loved.” (1:09:40)
• Cast Banter:
  • “There's an 11 year age difference. So they've reached the age where there is no such thing as an age factor.” (1:10:25)
  • “I love that he was the one reading the article and he’s like, I’m gonna do something about this. Walks right on in the room. 'I’m gonna make her mine.'” (1:11:45)

Memorable Moment:

• Cynical Humor vs. Sentiment:
  • As the cast playfully jokes about the couple’s age (“He could have gotten so much younger!”), they ultimately settle on a heartfelt appreciation for late-life love.

Overall Tone & Takeaways

• Authentic & Unfiltered: The cast’s conversations are candid, sometimes edgy, but always approachable—like sitting in on real-life group therapy with humor.
• Listener-Driven: Real-life stories from listeners provide gravity to heavy topics (workplace discrimination) and humorous relatability regarding fantasy sports.
• Balance of Humor & Heart: Even the most serious discussions are infused with laughter and wit, but the episode closes with a sincere look at love and human connection—no matter your age or circumstance.

Key Timestamps by Segment

• Pregnancy & Work Dilemmas: 08:10 - 36:30
• Fantasy Football & Productivity: 43:30 - 1:05:30
• Senior Love Story: 1:05:32 - 1:12:30

If you missed the show, this summary recaps the Bert Show’s unique blend of real-life dilemmas, humor, and touching moments—showing why listeners feel they're part of the cast’s world.