The Bert Show – Full Show PT 2: Friday, March 20 [Vault]

Original Air Date: March 20, 2026
Cast: Bert (Host), Jen (Co-host), Melissa (Co-host), Jeff (Co-host), Listener Callers, Molly (Guest/Caller), Martha Stewart (Guest)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Bert Show blends real-life workplace drama, listener dilemmas, and a lively celebrity interview. The morning’s core revolves around difficult management decisions, the emotional impact of layoffs, and dating challenges—with humorous banter and ethical debates from the cast. The episode features an in-depth discussion with a manager (Molly) who recently had to lay off an employee, phone calls and email reactions from listeners, and a spirited interview with Martha Stewart about her career and upcoming event at the Georgia Aquarium. In true Bert Show fashion, the hosts serve laughs and authenticity in equal measure.

Main Segments & Key Moments

1. Difficult Workplace Decisions – The “Who to Let Go” Dilemma

(Segment starts at 01:00)

Background

• Molly, a mid-level manager, was forced to choose which of two employees (both hired within the last year) to lay off.
  • Employee 1: 23-year-old, lives with her mom, has a second job modeling, “model employee.”
  • Employee 2: Single mom of three, “weakest link” and “least qualified,” going through a tough separation/divorce.

Studio Discussion

• Bert questions the logic: “One is better for the company.” (01:43)
• Jen and Melissa recap listener feedback from the previous Thursday—almost uniformly business-minded, with many opposing giving the single mom “extra slack.”
  • “Even single moms that were keeping it together…were offended that someone would almost cut them slack for being single mothers.” – Jen (02:49)

Molly’s Decision Revealed

(03:32 – 06:46)

• Molly initially planned to let the single mom go, aligning with job performance.
• Ultimately, she fired the 23-year-old (“model employee”), swayed by empathy for the single mom’s situation.
  • “When push came to shove on Friday, I let the 23-year-old go.” – Molly (04:40)
• Molly, herself, is leaving the company soon but aims to “recommend” the let-go employee if rehiring occurs.

In-Studio Debate & Listener Reactions

(06:46 – 12:24)

• Bert: “You left the company in a worse place and you’re not even there to clean it up.” (06:57)
• Listeners call in, expressing sharply divided opinions:
  • “Obviously she [the 23-year-old] don’t need a job.” (07:41)
  • “What is she saying to all the 23, 24, 25 year olds who’s in corporate America that no matter how good you do, if there’s a single mom, you’re the first to go?” (08:09)
• Emailer “Noah” connects the decision to historic gender-based discrimination:
  • “If you start giving single mom special treatment, you’re going right back to the discrimination practices we’ve been trying so hard to eradicate.” – Listener email read by Melissa (09:16)
• Molly admits:
  • “I went with my heart...I get that this was not the best business decision. But I’m sorry if I am a human being.” (09:44)
• Hosts debate whether the “right” business decision is always the ethical or humane one.

Memorable Quote

• “If I made the right business decision…It would still keep me up at night knowing there were three kids that…weren’t gonna have what they needed because of my business decision.” – Jen (11:05)

2. Interview: Martha Stewart

(Begins at 14:08)

Martha’s Atlanta Plans

• Martha is filming her show at the Georgia Aquarium, focusing on science and research. “Maybe I’ll even go swimming in one of the tanks.” (15:12)
• She’s also signing cookbooks and hosting a meet-and-greet.

About Success and Staying Power

• Bert: “If you look at your entire life…Success, Success, Success…What do you get that others don’t?” (16:36)
• Martha:
  • “I really consider myself my customer…Our recipes work, our products are good, high-quality. You can sort of find us where you want to find us.” (17:14–18:47)
  • “I’m really a nice person and I’m really smart.” (18:00)
• Touching on the trustworthiness and usefulness of her content—reflected by her 65+ books.

Martha on Family, Holidays, and Humor

• Discusses her daughter Alexis’s show “Whatever Martha”—which pokes fun at old Martha Stewart Living segments (inspired by Mystery Science Theater 3000). “My feelings are like iron.” (20:51)
• Favorite Holiday: Halloween—“because it’s so much fun.” Dreads Ramadan: “Fast for like 40 days or something. I can’t eat that.” (21:19)
• Affirms that everyone in her family cooks:
  • “My brother bakes the best pies. He grows his blueberries and he makes blueberry pie.” (22:48)
• Light-hearted moment: “I also like hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill.” (22:58)

Local Love

• Martha is enthusiastic about visiting Atlanta restaurants and the Georgia Aquarium: “That Georgia Aquarium…I mean, you have a treasure there.” (23:45)

3. Listener Dilemma: Dating Two Guys on Valentine’s Day

(Segment starts at 26:01)

The Situation

• Email from a woman (26, single in Atlanta) dating two men; both want to spend Valentine’s Day with her.
• She’s committed to dinner with Guy #1, but likes Guy #2 more.

Studio Advice & Debate

• Melissa: “You can somehow see them both on the…Because Valentine’s Day is 24 hours long, you know.” (27:34)
• Cast discusses logistics and social perceptions:
  • “Dinner commitment is a night commitment.” – Jeff (28:26)
  • “If she’s been honest with both, the chase is on—makes her the hotter commodity.” (29:39, Bert)
• Listener calls share their “multi-date” experiences and strategies:
  • “I spent the night with one girl [Friday], made breakfast, lunch and dinner with another the next day. Ended up marrying the first.” (30:45)
  • Another listener shares: “If I can accomplish this across state lines, I’m sure she can accomplish it in one piece.” (31:24)
  • On being honest: “She doesn’t have to lie. She’s single. She’s 26.” (33:10)
• Jen’s final advice: “All she has to ask herself is, who do I want to wear the prettiest lingerie for? And then she has her answer.” (35:07)

Memorable Quote

• “It is physically impossible for a woman to dumb it down to a guy’s level. You guys are incapable.” – Jeff (34:07)
• “Our advice: tell them the truth and go with the other dude on Friday night.” – Melissa (34:44)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “You left the company in a worse place and you’re not even there to clean it up.”
  – Bert, on Molly’s layoff choice (06:57)

• “I went with my heart...I get that this was not the best business decision. But I’m sorry if I am a human being.”
  – Molly (09:44)

• “My feelings are like iron.”
  – Martha Stewart, on her daughter’s comedy show (20:51)

• “If you start giving single mom special treatment, you’re going right back to the discrimination practices we’ve been trying so hard to eradicate.”
  – Listener (Noah), email (09:16)

• “Who do I want to wear the prettiest lingerie for? And then she has her answer.”
  – Jen, on choosing between two dates (35:07)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:00 – Recap of Molly’s workplace dilemma
• 03:32 – Molly reveals the decision she made
• 06:46 – Listeners and cast react to Molly’s choice
• 14:08 – Martha Stewart interview starts
• 16:36 – Martha’s career success and life philosophy
• 21:19 – Martha on favorite and least favorite holidays
• 26:01 – Listener email: “Double-booked” on Valentine’s Day
• 27:34–35:16 – Relationship strategies and audience calls

Takeaways

• Workplace Ethics: The show provokes real reflection on balancing business needs with empathy, revealing how personal values can complicate seemingly “clear-cut” management decisions. Listener reactions vary from pragmatic to deeply emotional.
• Dating Honesty: Cast consensus: honesty increases a dater’s desirability, and “the chase” matters.
• Martha Stewart’s Enduring Success: Martha credits her connection to customers, practical advice, and high standards; she finds humor in her own brand and maintains thick skin.
• Tone: True to The Bert Show’s style—authentic, witty, blend of serious advice and comic relief.

For New Listeners

This episode typifies The Bert Show’s high-energy blend of genuine listener interaction, relatable dilemmas, celebrity access, and a steady stream of laughs and debate. It demonstrates how morning radio can both lighten and deepen daily life.