The Bert Show – Full Show PT 3: Thursday, February 19, 2026 — BBA Edition

Overview

This Bert’s Big Adventure (BBA) edition of The Bert Show shines a spotlight on past and present BBA kids and their families, celebrating their journeys, resilience, and the ongoing community connection. The episode is emotional, uplifting, deeply honest—and full of signature Bert Show warmth and wit. The team features heartfelt check-ins with alumni, new families with unique perspectives, as well as surprise gifts and much-needed recognition for hard-working moms and caregivers.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Catching up with Jennifer — A BBA Alum's Success Story

[01:55–05:13]

• Jennifer, a former BBA kid (went on the 2007 trip at age 6), returns to the show as an adult.
  • She bought her own house, overcoming additional challenges due to needing a wheelchair-accessible, one-story layout.
  • Jennifer now sells her art to help finance her independence.
  • Discussion around balancing parental support and encouraging independence for kids with special needs.
  • Quote:
    • "I know parents want to be there for their kids and help them, but you need to let them learn. It's okay if they fail. That's what makes them stronger. Let them learn that they can do it themselves." — Jennifer [04:55]
• Hosts express both pride and amazement at watching BBA kids grow up and thrive.
• Light-hearted banter about Jennifer showing up with a crew ("rolling deep") and making the hosts feel "old geezers."

2. The Power of Tradition – Holly's Annual Letter

[05:25–09:28]

• Annual tradition: reading a heartfelt letter from Holly, the mother of Elizabeth (“Princess Elizabeth”), summarizing the BBA family spirit.
  • Humor as the hosts realize they have been reusing a 2018 letter, but agree the “timeless classic” still resonates.
  • Letter highlights the communal support, joy, magic, and belonging felt among BBA families and volunteers.
  • Notable Segment:
    • "Our BBA family is cozy and comfortable, even in the most difficult of times. I love you all. Show through. Your dedication to these families makes my heart smile." — Holly’s letter [07:12]
• The letter also prays for smooth trips, special memories, and new friendships.

3. Meet Brooke and Family: Navigating Trauma and Joy

[14:58–26:09]

• Interview with Brooke (a current BBA kid), plus her parents Ashley (mom) and Jason (dad), and special guest Dr. Himalay Sabness (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta).
  • Brooke has a limited diet: only French fries, chips, and Spaghettios. The hosts playfully engage with her food preferences.
  • The family’s medical odyssey:
    • Brooke survived leukemia; Mom Ashley underwent open heart surgery soon after.
    • Ashley discusses the trauma of back-to-back health crises, admitting she can’t recall most of the timeline—a perspective not often heard.
    • Jason fills in some factual details about surgeries and recovery: “We got through with Brooke around July 3rd of 2021… then went straight into Ashley’s heart problems.” [18:27]
  • Expert Insight:
    • Dr. Sabness explains it’s common for families to experience memory gaps and lingering psychological effects after traumatic diagnoses and treatments.
    • “It’s not just the impact of the cancer itself… it’s basically a lifelong impact that pervades every member of the family…” — Dr. Sabness [19:41]
  • Discussion about “mom guilt” and normalizing memory loss/regression as a coping mechanism.
  • Quote:
    • "I do have mom guilt from that, but I can't be hard on myself. There’s nothing that I can do about it. But I do have mom guilt for that." — Ashley [21:57]
  • Joyful moment: hosts surprise Brooke and family with front-row tickets to a Bruno Mars concert, plus a private party bus ride.
    • “We want to make sure that he sees you and you see him… you’re gonna have the best time ever.” — Carly, Gas South [24:39]

4. The Value of Donor Support & BBA’s Impact

[28:19–29:30]

• Bert underscores the direct, visible impact of donations:
  • Small, community-minded charity.
  • All media (photos, video) are shared with families so they can be present on the trip—a BBA hallmark.
  • “That’s the thing I’ve kind of loved about Burt’s Big Adventure all these years—every charity is awesome, but… with ours… you can really feel the trip.” — Bert [28:19]

5. Spotlight on Moms: Beth’s Family & the Power of Support

[29:30–43:00]

• Focus on Beth, an inspiring mom of five (including two BBA kids: Manny and Laney).
  • Manny has Down syndrome, Laney is an eight-year cancer survivor (germ cell tumor).
  • Beth recounts both children’s medical journeys:
    • Difficulty getting diagnoses.
    • The emotional toll of hearing about life expectancy and "worst-case" prognoses.
    • How she strove to maintain normalcy and activity for all her kids.
    • Quote:
      • “I just wanted to keep a sense of normalcy in the house. So no one’s ever felt like, wow, this is going on… I’ve been happy and making sure everyone stayed normal.” — Beth [38:05]
  • Grandma Olivia, retired nurse, shares her perspective as the family matriarch and support figure. The emotional pain of seeing her child and grandchildren struggle is evident.
  • “It was very difficult because I know what that road ahead was going to be like for her. And, you know, she’s my baby. I love her. And she hurts. I hurts.” — Grandma Olivia [36:42]

Special Recognition and Gifts to Beth

• Surprise 1: Gift of a luxury escape to Barnsley Resort, including spa treatments and recreation—her first solo getaway.
• Surprise 2: $2,500 Instacart grocery delivery gift card and $2,500 professional house cleaning gift card for a year, thanks to Raquel from Sweet Peach Wax & Sugaring Studio and an additional $500 from Goldberg’s Deli.
  • The mom is visibly relieved and grateful.
  • Host Commentary:
    • “But the relief that I can see on your face by just these things that will be taken off of your mental plate are so huge. I can see it in your face.” — Bert [42:16]
  • Beth, overwhelmed:
    • “Thank you so much. Definitely appreciate it.” [42:58]

Memorable Quotes

• Jennifer’s advice to parents of kids with special needs:
  • “It’s okay if they fail. That’s what makes them stronger.” [04:55]
• Holly’s letter, on BBA’s spirit:
  • “Our BBA family is cozy and comfortable, even in the most difficult of times.” [07:12]
• Dr. Sabness, on family trauma and memory loss:
  • “There’s so much more that these families endure and it could potentially cause problems for the rest of their lives.” [19:41]
• Beth, on motherhood and normalcy:
  • “I just wanted to keep a sense of normalcy in the house...” [38:05]
• Grandma Olivia, re: seeing her child & grandkids struggle:
  • “She’s my baby. I love her. And she hurts. I hurts.” [36:42]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:55] – Jennifer's catch-up and advice for parents
• [05:25] – Holly’s annual BBA letter
• [14:58] – Introduction of Brooke and family
• [19:04] – Dr. Sabness on trauma and memory gaps
• [24:25] – Bruno Mars concert surprise for Brooke
• [28:19] – Bert on donor impact and small charity transparency
• [29:30] – Beth and her family's journey
• [40:04] – Barnsley Resort spa getaway for Beth
• [41:40] – Year-long Instacart and cleaning gift for Beth

Tone and Conclusion

The episode blends humor, heartfelt storytelling, and raw honesty about hardships and triumphs characteristic of The Bert Show and the BBA experience. The team highlights not only the resilience of children with critical illnesses but the families and caregivers supporting them. Through laughter and tears, the Bert Show reiterates the importance of community and the tangible difference listeners’ support makes.