The Bert Show – "Meet Our Bert's Big Adventure Kid Gunner!"

Date: February 19, 2026
Podcast: The Bert Show
Host(s): Bert, Kristin, and The Bert Show Cast

Episode Overview

This heartfelt and lighthearted episode introduces Gunner, a remarkable kid selected for Bert's Big Adventure, a charitable initiative that gives extraordinary experiences to children with chronic and terminal illnesses. The cast sits down with Gunner and his family to discuss his rare medical condition, his adventurous spirit, and his excitement about upcoming adventures—both at Disney and the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. There’s also a special surprise involving Gunner’s passion for outdoor YouTube content. The conversation blends candid moments, supportive humor, and inspiring stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fundraising for Bert’s Big Adventure

• The show emphasizes the importance of ongoing donations, highlighting how crucial community support is for their initiatives, especially now that the team is no longer on-air every day.

• Kristin points out that Zaxby's is matching donations this year—doubling the impact (02:17).

  “We’re hitting a little give a little bit harder this year than we normally do because Bert’s Big Adventure is going to go on if I’m on the radio or not.” – Bert (01:38)

2. Meet Gunner: The Only One in the World Like Him

• Gunner’s mom (Nicole) shares that Gunner has a unique, never-before-seen genetic condition, making him medically one of a kind (03:30).

• The emotional impact of this discovery is discussed, with Nicole describing initial feelings of isolation and how they’ve drawn strength from family, friends, and other “medical moms” (04:21, 04:56).

  “Genetically at the moment, and still 10 years from his birth, he’s the only person with his genetic makeup... So, we’re just going to let him make his own way.” – Nicole (03:30)

• For descriptive ease, Nicole describes Gunner’s condition as a “rare form of dwarfism” when talking with others (05:22).

3. Medical Challenges & Triumphs

• Gunner’s early life involved two months in the NICU, oxygen dependence, a feeding tube, and a harness for his hips. Hospitalizations have been frequent, especially during cold and flu season due to chronic lung disease (05:40).

4. Gunner’s Adventures & Passions

• Gunner is an outdoors enthusiast, deeply involved in snowmobiling and competitive events—having won about 30 snowmobile trophies (07:19).

• He and his family love visiting Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan, a massive, 400-foot sand dune destination where Gunner enjoys total freedom and outdoor play (07:41–08:54). His mom highlights how these experiences allow him to just “be Gunner,” unconstrained by mobility devices.

  “He’s not restricted to being in his chair, and he’s not restricted in his walker. We can just drive him and put him wherever he wants to be in the sand.” – Nicole (07:43)

• The hosts are visibly impressed with the size of the dunes, lighting up the conversation with natural curiosity and banter.

5. Gunner’s Dreams: Disney & YouTube Stardom

• Gunner is looking forward to Disney World and particularly “the rides” (06:24). He’s undecided about souvenirs, preferring to “let the souvenir pick [him]” (06:56).

• Gunner’s fascination with YouTube outdoor adventure content earns him a special surprise:

  • Matt Trangooch from Third Eye Creative Productions gifts Gunner and his family an “all adventures included” trip to Silver Lake, complete with a film crew. Gunner will serve as the “host” of his own outdoor adventure video (09:10–09:22).
  • Gunner receives a supportive video message from John, the creator of Woodsbound Outdoors, encouraging Gunner to reach out for YouTube tips and offering to help him grow his channel (10:09–11:03).

  "I also wanted to let you know I’m here for you anytime you need help with your YouTube content... I’ll share with you any tips and advice. Pretty much everything I’ve learned about YouTube..." – John, Woodsbound Outdoors (10:29)

• The cast plays along with Gunner’s big adventure, expressing their full support and infectious enthusiasm for his YouTube aspirations.

  “Oh, dude, you’ve got the goods. Yeah, for sure. You got the goods, man.” – Bert (11:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |---|---|---| | 03:30 | “Genetically at the moment, and still 10 years from his birth, he’s the only person with his genetic makeup...” | Nicole (Gunner’s mom) | | 04:21 | “You kind of feel a little bit alone. But you look for other friends or parents or individuals that have kids that are kind of similar, and you kind of learn from them.” | Nicole | | 05:22 | “So typically, I just say that he has a rare form of dwarfism, so he’s just gonna be a little bit smaller than everybody else.” | Nicole | | 07:19 | “30 snowmobile trophies.” | Gunner | | 07:43 | “He’s not restricted to being in his chair, and he’s not restricted in his walker. We can just drive him and put him wherever he wants to be in the sand.” | Nicole | | 10:29 | “I’m here for you anytime you need help with your YouTube content... I’ll share with you any tips and advice. Pretty much everything I’ve learned about YouTube...” | John, Woodsbound Outdoors | | 11:43 | “Oh, dude, you’ve got the goods. Yeah, for sure. You got the goods, man.” | Bert |

Segment Timestamps for Key Topics

• [02:17] – Zaxby's matching donations, fundraising thoughts
• [03:30] – Introduction to Gunner’s unique condition
• [04:21] – Coping with being “the only one”; support networks
• [05:22] – How Gunner’s family explains his condition
• [05:40] – Medical history and hospitalizations
• [06:24] – Gunner talks Disney rides and souvenir plans
• [07:19] – Gunner reveals his snowmobile trophy collection
• [07:41] – Silver Lake Sand Dunes adventures
• [09:10] – Surprise: Filmed adventure at Silver Lake, YouTube hosting plans
• [10:09] – Message from John, Woodsbound Outdoors

Tone and Takeaways

The Bert Show creates an easygoing, supportive space filled with laughter, empathy, and genuine curiosity about Gunner’s life. The hosts and guests normalize challenges and emphasize Gunner’s abilities over limitations, embodying the spirit of Bert’s Big Adventure: making memories and uplifting extraordinary kids and families.

For more stories like Gunner's, visit Bert’s Big Adventure.