The Bert Show: Full Show PT 3 – Wednesday, November 19, 2025 [Vault]
Podcast: The Bert Show
Date: November 19, 2025
Hosts: Bert, Melissa, Adam, Cookie
Overview
This episode of The Bert Show dives into two major listener relationship dramas: the first about the etiquette and meaning of keeping photos of exes, and the second (and most impactful) about a listener (“Cookie”) grappling with her husband’s past infidelity—specifically, his affair with a woman still present in their friend group, whom Cookie continues to befriend despite the fallout. Throughout, the Bert Show cast balances empathy, tough love, and signature humor, with heavy audience participation and candid storytelling.
Main Topics & Key Segments
1. “Jason from CNN” Dating Update
[01:33–04:00]
- Recap: Amy (a returning listener) was seeking closure about a guy named Jason from CNN. The show's team pursued some “Bert Show detective work”.
- Resolution: The Jason Amy was interested in is happily committed to someone else (his live-in girlfriend confirmed his unavailability).
- Takeaway: The hosts encourage Amy—at least she took the chance.
- Memorable Quote:
- “At least you tried it and you pursued it… now you know you never had a shot because he’s committed.” — Bert [03:01]
2. Should You Keep Photos of Your Exes?
[04:12–16:53]
Panel Debate
- Melissa describes an at-home debate after her partner, Katie, finds an old photo of Melissa with an ex.
- Melissa’s perspective: Toss the photo—there’s no point in keeping pictures with exes, especially those that could be emotionally charged.
- Katie’s perspective: If it’s a good picture of you, keep it—regardless of who else is in the photo.
Key Discussion Points
- Vanity and Sentiment: For some, it’s about how they look in the photo, not the person next to them.
- “She doesn't care if Saddam Hussein is in that picture. If it’s good of her, she is white-knuckling that thing.” — Melissa [06:29]
- Emotional Baggage: Mixed opinions on whether keeping physical mementos equates to holding on emotionally.
- Placement Matters: A big difference between a photo tucked away and one displayed; out-of-sight is less threatening.
- “If you have pictures of exes up on your bulletin board or in picture frames… problem. If they are tucked away in some photo album… that’s a different story.” — Melissa [09:02]
- Call-in Reactions:
- One listener (Jimmy) says he used to think photos of exes should be tossed—now, he believes they’re memory keepers.
- Another (Christy) says it’s “crappy” for her girlfriend to keep exes’ photos in her wallet, especially with no current pictures of her.
- “There’s not one photo of me anywhere [in her wallet], but there are of her and the ex.” — Christy (caller) [14:00]
- Hosts’ Advice:
- Bert and Melissa agree: If a picture is of a romantic/intimate moment, get rid of it. If it’s part of a collage of memories from an era, there’s less harm in keeping it out of sight.
Memorable Quotes
- “I think it has to do with placement… big issue if it’s on your desk. The fact that it was thrown haphazardly in some drawer—no issue.” — Melissa [09:02]
- "Sometimes, it's okay to be a bitch, ladies. It's okay." — Melissa [38:57]
3. Listener Drama: Navigating Your Husband’s Past Affair Still In Your Social Circle
[19:07–37:19]
Cookie’s Story
- Background:
- Cookie was engaged, pregnant, and discovered her fiancé (now husband) cheating—with a woman (“the mistress”) who remains in their friend group.
- Despite this, Cookie stayed, married him, rebuilt trust, AND continues to befriend the mistress (including regular phone calls and emotional support).
- The current issue: The mistress plans to wear a revealing costume to a Halloween party. Cookie feels insecure about her post-pregnancy body and doesn’t want the mistress to attend.
Hosts’ Reactions & Advice
- Bert and Melissa’s stance:
- Shock and disbelief that Cookie continues to allow the mistress in her life and that of her husband.
- Repeatedly urge Cookie to set boundaries—“You have every right… to tell your husband this woman is not allowed in your general vicinity at all.” — Bert [23:48]
- Call out the underlying issue: Cookie lacks strength to enforce boundaries for her own well-being.
- Bert: “She doesn’t have the skillset to act courageous and get what she wants out of life, and she’s gonna walk through it miserably.” [29:45]
- Adam’s Perspective:
- Humor tinged with tough love: “Keep your enemies closer is crap—dead bitch.” [24:23], [30:12]
- Questioning Cookie’s reasoning: “Why are you bringing her back into the relationship when your husband is fine letting her stay away?” [28:02]
- Melissa on Gender Dynamics:
- Explores why women are socialized to avoid being "the bitch" even at a personal cost.
- "So many women don’t want to be considered a bitch… and make their lives so complicated.” [38:46]
Audience Calls/Comments
- Listener #1: “If she’s still in your life… chances are he’s still hitting it.” [33:01]
- Cookie insists she’s 100% sure her husband is faithful now.
- Listener #2: Advises Cookie to make a clean break (“Let us be the voice you can’t find”).
- Listener #3: Shares personal experience—left an unfaithful partner while pregnant, encourages Cookie to find the strength.
- “If he cheated while you were pregnant, he’ll do it again.” [37:43]
Host Interventions
- Drawing boundaries: Bert and Melissa agree Cookie must decisively cut the mistress out—if not for herself, then as an example for her child.
- Cookie’s Hesitation: Despite agreement, Cookie keeps backtracking, unsure if it’s “too late” or even possible after years of normalized friendship with the mistress.
- “I don’t really mind being her friend… it’s not like I’ve gotten over the whole situation...” — Cookie [35:52]
- Bert: “You never get over something like that.” [36:13]
Memorable Quotes
- “Here’s how you tell her: ‘Hey skank. You did my husband in my bed while I was pregnant. I really don’t want you in my life anymore.’ Any questions?” — Adam [32:40]
- “You gotta stand up for yourself. There are boundaries, and it’s okay to maintain those boundaries.” — Melissa [27:02]
- “Nobody gets over that—in your bed.” — Bert [36:45]
- “Sometimes it's okay to be a bitch, ladies. It's okay.” — Melissa [38:57]
Noteworthy Moments & Quotes with Timestamps
| Timestamp | Moment/Quote | Attribution | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------| | 03:01 | "At least you tried it and you pursued it... now you know you never had a shot because he’s committed." | Bert | | 06:29 | "She doesn't care if Saddam Hussein is in that picture. If it’s a good picture of her, she is white-knuckling that thing." | Melissa | | 09:02 | "If you have pictures of exes up on your bulletin board...problem. If they are tucked away in some photo album...that’s a different story." | Melissa | | 14:00 | “There’s not one photo of me anywhere [in her wallet], but there are of her and the ex.” | Christy (Caller) | | 23:48 | “You have every right…to tell your husband this woman is not allowed in your general vicinity at all.” | Bert | | 24:23/30:12 | “Keep your enemies closer is crap—dead bitch.” | Adam | | 27:02 | “You gotta stand up for yourself. There are boundaries, and it’s okay to maintain those boundaries.” | Melissa | | 32:40 | “Here’s how you tell her: ‘Hey skank. You did my husband in my bed while I was pregnant. I really don’t want you in my life anymore.’ Any questions?” | Adam | | 36:13 | “You never get over something like that.” | Bert | | 38:46 | “So many women don’t want to be considered a bitch… and make their lives so complicated.” | Melissa | | 38:57 | "Sometimes, it's okay to be a bitch, ladies. It's okay." | Melissa |
Final Thoughts
- The episode highlighted the nuanced territory of modern relationships, vulnerability, and self-respect.
- Panel consensus: Setting boundaries is vital; being “nice” at your own expense isn’t noble—it’s self-defeating.
- Show’s Tone: Blunt, compassionate, real, with sharp humor and group therapy vibes.
- For Listeners: The Bert Show isn’t just laughs—it’s tough love, emotional honesty, and crowd-sourced advice—sometimes all at once.