The Bert Show – Full Show PT 2: Tuesday, March 17 [Vault]

Air Date: March 17, 2026
Cast: Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, and more

Episode Overview

This lively episode of The Bert Show is driven by candid, engaging discussions as the team tackles two major topics:

• A listener’s dilemma about joining the military as a mom, and
• The concept of soulmates, both inside and outside of marriage.

Rounding out the show is an upbeat debate on the pros and anxieties of joining Facebook, peppered with humor and signature authenticity.

1. Listener Dilemma: Should a Mom Join the Military?

(00:45–15:36)

Background & Context

"Emily," a listener, calls in (with her voice disguised for privacy) seeking advice over her desire to enlist in the military, despite being a mother to a toddler and wrestling with family and societal expectations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Emily’s Situation

  • Feels stuck in "just a job," not a career.
  • Has always regretted not joining the military and is considering it as a way to secure her family's future ([02:04], Emily).
  • Husband is on board but they have not told extended family.

• Main Conflict

  • Feels immense social and internal pressure about a mother leaving for military service ("A woman typically doesn’t do this…it’s perfectly acceptable for the man…he's applauded for standing up and doing so for his family…It’s not really the same way for a woman." – Emily, [03:56]).

• Team Reactions & Guidance

  • Bert stresses the reality of military family life’s instability:
    "Once you join the military…you are at the mercy of the military…especially with children." ([03:19], Bert).
  • Casey empathizes: "If your husband is okay with this, it sounds like you’re trying to convince yourself to be okay with this." ([07:54], Casey).
  • The group explores the idea of "role reversal," with a husband as primary caretaker.

• Caller Perspectives

  • Jen Hobby (former Air Force, single mom):
    • "It’s the most stable thing you could possibly do…you get to travel the world...Your child gets to see so much of the world." ([09:17–10:58]).
    • Suggests Air Force is more aligned with civilian life and presents less risk of "hands-on war" for women.
  • Michael (former military):
    • Cautions against it if you have children:
      "The military is always number one…if you’re away for two and a half years, that really does make a big difference." ([11:22–11:48]).
  • Laura (current military, single mom):
    • Shares about deployment and childcare logistics.
    • Reiterates, "There are ups and downs…it would be a good decision if that’s what she wants, but you better feel really strongly about it." ([13:23–14:33]).

• Emily’s Next Steps

  • Plans to meet with a recruiter to get her questions answered.
  • Show will check in again after her meeting ([15:16–15:32]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "I would be making this decision for our future...My son can grow up in different places and have a wonderful lifestyle...I might be making a better decision as a parent." – Emily ([05:16])
• "If this is a dream of hers, then I think she should pursue it, but pursue it with education…If you are not certain, then I think you need to hold off." – Bert ([12:47])
• "We're planning on going and talking with the recruiter…hopefully…make a decision." – Emily ([15:10])

2. The Soulmate Debate

(15:36–26:52)

Topic Kickoff

The show pivots from reality to romance, debating whether everyone truly has a "soulmate", if you're always married to that person, and the messy realities that complicate the soulmate myth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Angela’s Story

  • Married, but believes her soulmate is someone she met online (never in person).
  • Learned from this connection that her marriage lacked what she needed:
    "I never really saw that until you sort of see it from the outside." ([18:29], Angela).
  • Bert challenges her: "Soulmate is a very romantic notion. One thing the fairy tale never talks about is challenges within your relationship…" ([18:59]).

• Caller Laura’s Perspective

  • Lost her soulmate to death, remarried, asks: "Can you have another soulmate?" ([21:22])
  • The cast muses on whether soulmates are "one and done" or if you can find more in life.

• Producer Tracy’s Definition

  • "My relationship isn’t easy…But every single day, I can’t wait to get home to see him…I can’t imagine a single day in my life where he’s not there." ([23:02])

• Tara’s Call

  • Reunited communication with her old soulmate, both are now married to other people.
  • Both couples know about the connection, stressing the complexity of love and loyalty ([25:04]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "It's easy to say it's your soulmate where I believe a true soulmate is somebody that there's something there despite all those things that go on." – Bert ([19:18])
• “I think if I was your best friend, I'd be telling you yes, there are more than one soulmates.” – Brischa ([22:12])
• “Soulmate is painting with big broad brushstrokes, and not, like you said, not thinking about the details of everyday life.” – Casey ([20:04])

3. Facebook: Friend or Foe?

(27:22–36:18)

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Jen Hobby’s Dilemma
  • She's "on the Facebook fence," feeling overwhelmed by digital communication and hesitant to join yet another platform.
• Panel’s Mixed Experiences
  • Bert says he uses Facebook for listeners, not for personal connections.
  • Tracy and others recount the pressure of friend requests and privacy concerns ("If you don't add someone…they'll confront you on that in person." – Scott ([30:31]))
  • The anxiety of photo tagging, instant messaging, and privacy is humorously dissected.
• Community Suggestions
  • Ideas on creating a private, low-maintenance account to stay connected without being overwhelmed ([34:30], Michael).
  • Warnings about accidental over-sharing, tagging, and the “fan site” aspect of Facebook.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "If I added one more thing like Facebook, I would just give me an anxiety attack." – Casey ([27:44])
• "Sometimes it's excitement, sometimes it's like, oh my God, I didn't like you back then. Why do you think I like you on the computer?" – Bert ([32:30])
• "It's a great concept when you think about it. It's like your own fan site. You get to create your own fan site. It's brilliant." – Brischa ([36:05])
• "I'm still on the Facebook fence, you know." – Casey ([35:52])

Standout Moments & Quotes

On the military as a mom:

• “I feel like I might be making a better decision as a parent.” – Emily ([05:16])
• “You're never going to have that chance to raise your kids again. And if you're away for them for two and a half years, it really does make a big difference.” – Michael ([11:22])

On soulmates:

• “A soulmate is someone you can’t imagine a single day in your life without them.” – Tracy ([23:02])
• “I wish that we would just get back to where it's okay to go through some hard work in order to make a relationship work rather than think your soulmate is the easy person that is just a phone call away.” – Bert ([26:52])

On Facebook:

• “Everybody can be famous on Facebook.” – Bert ([36:12])
• “There are just some people that just don’t know when to stop.” – Brischa ([32:57])

Episode Flow & Energy

This episode pulses with the show's trademark authenticity, with cast and callers alike exposing dilemmas, judgments, and laughter. From the emotional tug of big life decisions to playful jabs at social media, the team offers humor, empathy, and plenty of food for thought.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Military mom dilemma and caller insights: 00:45–15:36
• Soulmate debate (callers and cast): 15:36–26:52
• Facebook fence debate: 27:22–36:18

For listeners new and old, this episode offers an intimate look at modern life’s hardest and oddest choices, served with humor, honesty, and the warmth of morning radio at its best.