The Bert Show – Full Show PT 2: Monday, February 9 [Vault]

Date: February 9, 2026
Podcast Host: Pionaire Podcasting

Overview

This episode of The Bert Show dives into the dynamics of making bold life changes in pursuit of love—especially women moving cities to find the right partner—and transitions into a discussion about the tricky etiquette and emotional minefields of attending (or not attending) destination weddings. In a third act, the group explores the perils of gossip among friends, breaking down how to handle toxic friends who don't keep secrets and stir up drama.

Segment 1: Moving Cities for Love

(00:00–10:56)

Main Discussion

• The cast references a storyline from the "Sex and the City" movie, where Jennifer Hudson's character leaves her hometown for New York City solely in pursuit of love. Bert connects this to his friend's real-life experience of leaving Dallas for Seattle to find a husband—and succeeding.
• The team muses on whether moving for love is a good tactic.
• Listeners call in and share their stories of moving to Atlanta (or elsewhere) to find love—with many happy endings.

Notable Quotes & Caller Highlights

• Bert (Host) [00:38]:
  “She had always thought, you know, Seattle would be a really great city to live in… Maybe she saw something on TV and just, for whatever reason, thought, I bet my man's in Seattle.”
• Bert [01:52]:
  “That's where the men are. And if you did that, did it work for you?”
• Bert [03:17]:
  “I think it's sort of like applying the secret too. It's like just telling the universe what you want.”
• Tony – Caller [04:14]:
  “I came to Atlanta right after a bad breakup, and I didn't come saying specifically, you know, I'm coming for a guy, but I knew in my heart… My husband was here. And… we’re getting married in November.”
• Rachel – Caller [05:10]:
  “I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah… thought, you know what? My future is in Atlanta. I just had that feeling inside. And so I moved here and met a guy, and five years later, we got married…”
• Janice – Caller [06:34]:
  “She literally spun the globe and said, okay, am I gonna move to New York or Atlanta?... We met at a Waffle House, and we've been together for 10 years.”
• Crystal – Caller [07:37]:
  “I moved from Macon after a bad relationship to find somebody, and I did. I’m getting married July 19th… I was leaving a Target one day, and this guy... runs me over... then he asked me out for coffee, and we’ve been together ever since.”

Insights

• Many callers affirm that relocating with the hope of finding love can work out.
• The cast discusses whether anyone would actually admit they moved specifically “for a man,” agreeing there’s still some stigma or embarrassment.
• Humorous touch: Unexpected meet-cutes—like nearly being run over at a Target—are part of the charm.

Segment 2: Destination Wedding Dilemmas

(11:06–23:40)

Main Discussion

• Susan, a listener, is struggling with the financial burden of attending her brother’s destination wedding in Aruba.
• The cast and callers debate etiquette, fairness, and possible solutions (e.g. splitting costs, getting extra jobs, or having frank family conversations).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Susan – Caller [11:31]:
  “Basically, my brother… has decided to go off and get married in Aruba, which is probably the most expensive Caribbean island to go to. …It would cost myself and my husband about $3,000 to get there.”
• Bert [12:58]:
  “That is a lot of money. I mean, you shouldn’t have to go into debt to see your brother get married.”
• Bert [14:07]:
  “If the word on the street is that he’s getting $30,000 for the wedding, is it inappropriate to go to your brother and say I would really, really like to attend your wedding, but I just can’t afford it?”
• Caller Advice [21:09]:
  “If their schedules allow, I think that both of them should get part time jobs because if the wedding’s in the fall, they have enough time to earn the cash.”
• Bert [22:52]:
  “Well, you’ve got three options. Either you find another way to get income, you sit your brother down and tell him what’s going on… or you just tell him you can’t go.”

Insights

• The cast explores modern vs. old-school wedding etiquette, recognizing that destination weddings frequently exclude guests due to unavoidable expenses.
• The consensus is that communication—even though uncomfortable—should be the first step before drastic sacrifices.
• The conversation is practical but empathetic; the group supports Susan’s wish to be there but validates her financial reality.

Segment 3: The Problem with Gossip

(23:57–33:54)

Main Discussion

• The hosts reflect on a dilemma: how to handle a friend who is a “hardcore gossiper.”
• Discussion about whether to confront the gossiper, warn the person being gossiped about, or avoid both.
• One host recounts their experience of informing the gossiped-about friend, which backfired when the two confronted the gossiper—and she (the gossiper) then lashed out at the whistleblower.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Cassie [24:28]:
  “It’s not like the fun type of gossip… It’s like hardcore, you know, gossip about like, I mean, serious heavy stuff.”
• Bert [25:46]:
  “The advice was go to the person spreading the gossip. But we both realized that it’d backfire. ... Having that kind of confrontational conversation, it’s just not in your nature.”
• Cassie [27:01]:
  “Then the gossiper has now called me and read me the riot act.”
• Bert [33:31]:
  “I’ve said this a million times. That we really do not evolve from the ninth grade.”
• Kristin [33:39]:
  “It really is ninth grade stuff. ... Cut out the negative energy, let it go. Because you know what? People who hold on to negativity, it’s them wasting their energy on it, not me.”

Insights

• Addressing gossip is always a risk—with the real possibility of friend group fallout, “Mean Girls” style.
• The show debates whether it’s more important to protect someone from malicious gossip or to maintain neutrality to avoid conflict.
• The conclusion: sometimes losing a toxic friend is preferable to being complicit in their behavior. The group shares practical wisdom about boundaries and mental well-being.

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start Time | Highlighted Topics | |-----------------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | Moving cities for love | 00:00 | Personal/literary examples, caller stories | | Best/worst reasons to move for relationships | 03:17 | Manifestation, “the secret,” friend success stories | | More caller stories—unexpected meet-cutes | 06:32 | Waffle House encounter, Target incident | | The generational angle | 10:37 | “Mrs. Degree,” college, changing social expectations | | Destination weddings—money and etiquette | 11:06 | Susan’s Aruba conundrum, family support, etiquette | | Etiquette, solutions, consensus | 14:07 | Splitting costs, what’s fair, family dynamics | | Possible solutions/call wrap-up | 22:52 | Communication, options, self-sacrifice | | Navigating gossip and toxic friend groups | 23:57 | Approaches to gossip, friend loyalty, risk of blowback | | Fallout from confronting gossip | 27:01 | Getting “read the riot act,” relational consequences | | Final thoughts on friendship/gossip | 33:31 | Letting go of negativity, lessons learned |

Tone & Language

The conversational tone is upbeat, relatable, occasionally irreverent, and peppered with humor. The cast isn’t afraid to tease one another or poke holes in social conventions, but there’s persistent empathy—especially for callers. Celebrations, commiserations, and casual banter are woven throughout, creating a sense of inclusion and camaraderie.

Memorable Moments

• “She was either destined to die that day or to fall in love. Right?”
  • [08:39], Bert, on the caller nearly being run over in a Target parking lot.
• “Our grandmother’s generation would have said that’s the reason they went to college, to get their Mrs. Degree.”
  • [10:37], Kristin.
• “We really do not evolve from the ninth grade.”
  • [33:31], Bert, summarizing the perennial nature of drama within friend groups.

This episode is packed with audience participation, practical (and sometimes cheeky) advice, and showcases The Bert Show’s signature blend of authenticity and humor, making the show as much about real talk as it is about entertainment.