The Bert Show: Full Show PT 2 – Thursday, February 19, 2026 – BBA Edition

Overview

This special episode of The Bert Show centers on Bert’s Big Adventure (BBA)—a life-changing nonprofit that sends children with chronic and terminal illnesses, along with their families, on a magical, all-expenses-paid trip to Disney. The episode is a heartfelt blend of gratitude, updates from past BBA participants, and real moments with families embarking on this year’s journey. The cast—Bert, Kristin, and co-hosts—invite listeners into deeply personal conversations with BBA families, spotlighting the power of community, hope, and giving.

Note: Advertisements and sponsored segments have been omitted from this summary.

Key Segments and Insights

1. The Impact of Bert’s Big Adventure

(01:27–02:27)

• Bert and the team emphasize the immense gratitude families feel for listener donations.
  • "Every dollar that you have given to us, that we have passed on to Burt's Big Adventure is deeply appreciated by these families." — Bert (01:27)
• Cassie reiterates, “The gratitude is undeniable. And none of this would be possible without you guys.” (02:13)

2. Isaac’s Triumph: A Heart Transplant Story

(02:29–09:39)

Family Introduction & Their Miracle

• Isaac, a 2024 BBA participant, was gravely ill and nearly missed the trip because of his health.
• Isaac’s mom, Brianna, recounts how they’d just been listed for a heart transplant before Disney and had little hope.
  • “We had just been listed for a heart transplant right before we went to Disney...they had told us, you know, a year and a half, two years. And by some miracle, we got our call.” — Brianna (04:04)

The Call

• Only 18 days after returning from Disney, the family received the life-saving call.
  • “We got his call for his heart transplant, and...we had only waited 100 days.” — Brianna (04:42)
• Isaac’s dad shares the moment:
  • “At 3:30 in the morning, [Brianna] got a phone call ... I hear her say, 'we have one.' And I immediately knew.” — Dad (05:36)

Community Support & Fairy Godparent Program

• The Bert’s Big Adventure community stepped in with food, support, and care.
  • “Y'all fed us. You kept the boys entertained at the hospital...constant deliveries, constant Uber Eats cards.” — Brianna (07:05)
• Explanation of the “Fairy Godparent Program,” which helps BBA families during hospitalizations (07:34–08:32).

Notable Moment

• The team reminisces about showing solidarity by wearing red shirts for Isaac, celebrating his recovery and the beauty of organ donation.
  • “Everybody wore a red shirt just to send like, healing vibes...His after photo, he looks like a different kid.” — Kristin (08:39)

3. Gunner: One-of-a-Kind and Full of Life

(09:47–20:33)

Gunner’s Story

• Gunner is the only person in the world with his unique genetic makeup—diagnosed with a rare form of dwarfism.
• His mother shares the feelings of isolation, learning to build community and lean on other medical parents.
  • “When you find out that your baby...is the only one like this, you kind of feel a little bit alone.” — Gunner’s mom (12:56)

Life in a Wheelchair: Defying Stereotypes

• Bert reflects on having misunderstood the role of wheelchairs as restrictive, when for many, they’re a means of independence.
  • “In a lot of cases, it’s freedom...you underestimate kids that are in wheelchairs, you’re absolutely getting it wrong.” — Bert (11:14)

Gunner’s Achievements and Passions

• Gunner is an active boy—he’s won about 30 snowmobile trophies!
  • “30 snowmobile trophies? How did you get into that?”—Kristin (15:54)
  • “We just found it one day.” — Gunner (15:54)
• The family’s favorite getaway is Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan—described as a “giant sandbox” (16:18–17:29).

Surprise Gift: The Adventure of a Lifetime

• In partnership with Third Eye Creative Productions, Gunner is gifted a three-day, all-adventures-included trip to Silver Lake Sand Dunes, complete with a pro video crew and a mentoring session with YouTube outdoorsman, Woodsbound Outdoors.
  • “We're going to send you there for three days, all adventures included...we’re going to do a full filming crew to do a full outdoors adventure where you're the star, you're the host of the show.” — Matt Tran Gooch (17:57)
• Woodsbound Outdoors messages Gunner:
  • “If you want to email me, Zoom or FaceTime...I’ll teach you everything I know.” — Woodsbound Outdoors (18:43)

4. Aiden: Young Artist, Big Dreams

(20:34–33:07)

Family Introduction & Experience with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

• Aiden’s family shares sincere gratitude, and the personal impact of Duchenne running through their family.
  • “Organizations like this are dear to our hearts because I have two nephews and some cousins that have already passed, so it’s really special.” — Aiden’s mom (27:25)

Aiden’s Artistry

• Aiden has filled the family home with his colored pencil drawings, trading art for supplies online.
  • “I filled up a whole wall in the living room...so I was shipping out artwork as fast as the new stuff was coming in.” — Aiden’s dad (30:04)
• Aiden’s advice for other kids with special needs:
  • “Everybody’s born different.” — Aiden (28:54)

Dream Come True: Museum Art Show

• Natalie Johnson, Chief Communications Officer at the High Museum of Art, surprises the family:
  • “We are going to be doing a special installation of your work in the High Museum of Art in Atlanta...a special art opening...you’re going to bring 50 of your friends and family.” — Natalie Johnson (31:36)
• Kristin and Bert are overjoyed for Aiden:
  • “Your artwork is going up next to Monet.” — Bert (32:00)
  • “You’re the first art opening for Burt’s Big Adventure.” — Kristin (33:04)

5. Reflection and Calls for Support

Throughout

• Bert repeatedly appeals for donations, noting Zaxby’s will match contributions to double their impact.

  • “Zaxby's is matching your donation...text the word Bert to 50155 or you can donate online at BertsBigAdventure.org.” — Cassie (10:52)

• The team openly shares their concerns about fundraising post-radio show, but their commitment to BBA’s mission remains unwavering.

  • “Birch Big adventure is going to go on if I'm on the radio or not.” — Bert (09:47)

• Light-hearted buffoonery among hosts balances the intensity—Bert nearly takes out Kristin’s ankles with a suitcase in the hotel lobby:

  • “It curled right into the back of her legs and her ankles.” — Bert (24:21)
  • “You do realize that we're about to do four non stop days of walking at Disney and you tried to take me out.” — Kristin (24:21)

Memorable Quotes

• On Gratitude:
  • “None of this would be possible without you guys.” — Cassie (02:13)
• On Resilience:
  • “We’re just going to let him [Gunner] make his own way.” — Gunner’s mom (12:39)
• On Difference:
  • “Everybody’s born different.” — Aiden (28:54)
• On Family Support:
  • “We can’t say it enough. None of this would be possible without you guys.” — Cassie (02:13)
• On Receiving a Heart Transplant:
  • “Her phone called...I hear her say, we have one. And I immediately knew.” — Isaac’s dad (05:36)
• On Community:
  • “That’s what our fairy godparents are for...deliver food, hang out, give, and maybe even if you guys just need to bail for a couple of minutes and go home, that’s what our fairy godparents are for.” — Bert (07:34)
• On Dreams Coming True:
  • “We are going to be doing a special installation of your work in the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.” — Natalie Johnson (31:36)

Notable Segments by Timestamp

• (02:29–09:39): Isaac and family recount their heart transplant journey and the role BBA played.
• (09:47–20:33): Gunner’s story, surprise adventure trip, gift from Woodsbound Outdoors.
• (20:34–33:07): Aiden’s artistry, the impact of Duchenne, and announcement of his High Museum art show.

Conclusion

This episode is an inspiring, emotional showcase of the magic behind Bert’s Big Adventure, the resilience of children and families, and the immense impact of community generosity. It celebrates hope, individuality, support systems, and dreams realized—both big and small. And through laughter and tears, the Bert Show keeps it genuine, always circling back to the invitation: “Be a part of this family. Give what you can. And thank you for making these stories possible.”