The Bert Show: Full Show PT 2 – Wednesday, February 11 [Vault] (Aired: February 11, 2026)

Overview

This episode of The Bert Show centers on two major discussions: first, a listener dilemma about celebrating a 21st birthday under strict parental rules, and second, a vibrant debate about modern parenting styles and whether children today are too coddled. Regular cast members Bert, Jen, Melissa, Jim, and Intern Carl, along with several callers, contribute their candid experiences and opinions, blending laughs with relatable struggles.

Segment 1: "Can I Celebrate My 21st Birthday if My Parents Forbid It?"

[Starts at 01:01]

Caller Catherine's Dilemma

• Catherine calls in seeking advice for her 21st birthday, which her conservative Southern Baptist parents refuse to let her celebrate by going out drinking.
• Still living at home due to financial reasons, Catherine feels pressured to be a “good role model” for her younger siblings. Her parents’ disapproval is further rooted in family issues with alcoholism.
• She shares her frustration:

  "I'm the oldest of four children...they are saying you should be a good role model...and they're also saying, you know, you live under our roof." (Catherine, 01:23)

Hosts’ Perspectives and Banter

• The hosts debate whether Catherine should obey her parents' wishes, dodge them, or try for compromise:
  • Jen: Emphasizes the parental fear, especially towards the first child:

    "They're giving you a hard time because they’re coming from a place of fear." (Jen, 05:25)

  • Burt: Suggests a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach:

    "Is there a chance you could do, like, a don't ask, don't tell type deal?" (Burt, 03:36)

Callers Share Experiences

• Therese (23 years old) calls to urge Catherine not to miss her chance to celebrate:

  "If I could, I would totally take it back in a heartbeat and celebrate it to the fullest. That's something you're just going to regret one day because you only turn 21 once." (Therese, 06:48)

• Nikki (another former Baptist) encourages honesty with parents, saying lying leads to long-term guilt:

  "...it would have been a lie that would have had to go on for years because they never would have changed and I would have had to continue to lie." (Nikki, 11:49)

Debate Over 'Respect' and Growing Up

• Some callers and hosts see celebrating as a harmless rite of passage; others urge Catherine not to “compromise respect” for her parents, especially while still under their roof.
  • Nikki (Mother of a 21-year-old):

    "I would not compromise the respect that she has for her parents...don't compromise the respect." (Nikki, 12:56)

• Jen counters, suggesting parents should eventually lighten up:

  "I really think that some parents need to, you know, lighten up." (Jen, 13:58)

Notable, Relatable Moments

• Humorous exchanges about the logistics of “sneaking out” or postponing celebrations.
• Melissa’s story about a botched bar birthday, where a real ID was mistaken for a fake and shredded, injects laughter and caution:

  "...what the second bouncer heard was, hey, when Burt Weiss comes up, that's a fake id. Shredded. Oh, no." (Melissa, 11:18)

• The hosts playfully question whether they're giving "role model” advice or just practical advice on getting a memorable 21st.

Final Takeaways

• Catherine receives both caution and encouragement. The consensus: celebrate safely, consider honesty, but don't let the moment slip by entirely.
• The hosts wish her well, summarizing the core dilemma:

  "There are certain milestones in your life...and 21 is one of them." (Burt, 08:48)

  • Catherine’s likely path: “Probably gonna have to spend a night with a friend.” (Catherine, 14:36)

Segment 2: "Are We Raising Weak Kids?"

[Starts at 16:11]

Article Sparks Parenting Debate

• Melissa brings up an article about how “weak” children have become due to overprotective parenting.
• Burt reflects on frequent arguments with his wife about how tough to be on their five-year-old son, Hayden:

  "It's probably the single biggest argument or the most argument that my wife and I have most often with our five year old Hayden is me feeling like she's babying him and she thinking that I come down too hard..." (Burt, 16:43)

Men vs. Women Parenting Styles

• Intern Carl relates, sharing that his son is more sensitive and that he often pushes him to toughen up, while his wife is more nurturing.
• Jim raises the gender expectation:

  "We gotta teach our boys to be strong, but I think you gotta teach all of them to be strong. But as a non parent, can you give us a specific example...?" (Jim, 18:21)

• Stories illustrate the difference between ‘letting them win’ and learning how to lose, or standing up for oneself on the playground.

Memorable Anecdotes

• Burt’s son helps with “chores” by going shopping with Mom, leading him to exclaim:

  "Man, what kind of chore is that? Help mommy shop." (Burt, 19:58)

• Intern Carl jokes about the things he hears at home:

  "Daddy, are you going to do my hair? I said, do your hair?" (Intern Carl, 21:09)

Callers Add Their Parenting Stories

• Crystal, a single mom, describes teaching her sensitive son to stand up for others—something that worked because of his empathetic nature:

  "...once I explained to him that he needed to stand up for other people. That's what worked for him." (Crystal, 24:43)

• Sharona, also a single mom, shares her triumphant moment coaching her small son to stand up to bullies on a playground:

  "I just stood there, I didn't say a word...and my child said...get out of my way now." (Sharona, 26:09)

Delicate Balancing Act

• The group concludes good parenting is about knowing your child—some need firmness, others extra support. Over-mothering can have long-term consequences:

  "The result of over momm is hard to reverse...there's really long term effects of that." (Jim, 27:15)

• Jen closes out:

  "You can tell people who were overly mothered as adults because there's still that dependency on something." (Jen, 27:58)

Article’s Main Point

• College kids “raised by helicopter parents” often have trouble coping in the real world, a trend the hosts agree is worrying.

  "...most of the kids that were dropping out were raised by these helicopter parents..." (Burt, 28:53)

Key Quotes & Timestamps

• "They're giving you a hard time because they’re coming from a place of fear."
  — Jen, [05:25]

• "If I could, I would totally take it back in a heartbeat and celebrate it to the fullest..."
  — Therese (Caller), [06:48]

• "I would not compromise the respect that she has for her parents..."
  — Nikki (Caller), [12:56]

• "There are certain milestones in your life...and 21 is one of them."
  — Burt, [08:48]

• "Man, what kind of chore is that? Help mommy shop."
  — Burt, [19:58]

• "You can tell people who were overly mothered as adults because there's still that dependency on something."
  — Jen, [27:58]

Episode Highlights

• Authentic conversations: The group doesn’t shy from the tough stuff, whether it’s drinking, family expectations, or generational shifts in parenting.
• Listener engagement: Callers offer a spectrum of views, from “live your life” to “show respect”—mirroring real-life debates.
• Humor and heart: Relatable anecdotes (shredded IDs, “help mommy shop” as a chore, “do your hair?”) keep the episode upbeat even as it tackles serious topics.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode is a perfect snapshot of The Bert Show’s style: witty, deeply relatable, open about personal challenges, and always keeping it real. From negotiating 21st birthday adventures with strict parents to tackling the minefield of modern parenting, the cast—and their audience—embody the authenticity and humor that define the show.