Our Bert's Big Adventure Kid From 2024 Shares His Success Story!

Summary

The Bert Show Podcast Summary

Episode: Our Bert's Big Adventure Kid From 2024 Shares His Success Story!
Date: February 19, 2026

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Episode Overview

This heartfelt episode centers on the powerful success story of Isaac, a child from the 2024 Bert’s Big Adventure trip, and his family. The hosts bring Isaac and his parents, Brianna and her husband, back on the show to share their rollercoaster journey—from the brink of medical crisis during their Disney trip, to the miracle of Isaac’s heart transplant, and his remarkable recovery two years later. The conversation not only highlights Isaac’s resilience and healing but also emphasizes the immense gratitude felt by families touched by Bert’s Big Adventure and its supportive community of listeners and donors.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Gratitude for the Bert’s Big Adventure Community

• (01:30–02:29) The hosts open by expressing sincere appreciation to listeners and donors, making it clear that the support received has had a deep impact on participating families.
  • “I want you to know that these families are so deeply appreciative of everything that you guys have done for them…” – Host (01:32)
  • Co-hosts echo the sentiment, emphasizing the life-changing nature of this generosity.
  • “None of this would be possible without you guys.” – Co-Host (02:13)

2. Isaac’s 2024 Bert’s Big Adventure Experience

• (02:30–03:49) Isaac’s mother recounts how Isaac was gravely ill during their trip and the family was unsure if they'd be able to go due to the severity of his condition.
  • “We went to Bert’s Big Adventure when Isaac was just the sickest he’s ever been. It’s a miracle we made it on the trip and did not spend the trip in the hospital.” – Isaac’s Mom (02:58)
  • The anxiety and last-minute uncertainty shine through her retelling, recalling hesitation to even submit the application.
  • “I think I saved our application till the very last minute because he was so sick.” – Isaac’s Mom (03:25)

3. Disney Trip Logistics and Medical Struggles

• (03:49–04:39) The co-host and Isaac’s mom describe managing Isaac’s heart failure during the trip, likening their hotel room to a makeshift hospital.
  • “Our room was like a hospital room. And we, like, redid him for the next day, but we had just been listed for a heart transplant right before we went to Disney.” – Isaac’s Mom (03:49)
  • They mention the hope—and almost disbelief—at the possibility of receiving a transplant call after the trip.

4. The Heart Transplant Miracle

• (04:39–06:33) Only 18 days after returning from Disney, Isaac’s family receives the call that a donor heart is available—far sooner than medical professionals had predicted.
  • “We got his call for his heart transplant, and 18 days after Disney, we had only waited 100 days.” – Isaac’s Mom (04:37)
  • The hosts pause here to delve into the whirlwind of emotions.
  • Isaac’s dad describes the middle-of-the-night phone call:
    • “At 3:30 in the morning, her phone called...and then I hear her say, ‘We have one.’ And I immediately knew.” – Isaac’s Dad (05:35)

5. Immediate Family Reactions and Support

• (06:19–06:33) A moment of levity: dad had just had arm surgery and would be heading to the hospital in a sling himself, showing the chaos of the moment.
  • “Quick side story. I had only been...I ruptured my bicep tendon and had surgery literally 12 hours before he got his phone call.” – Isaac’s Dad (06:19)

6. Life After the Transplant: A New Start

• (06:33–07:31) Isaac’s mom shares the nervousness around whether the transplant would work and details the joy of Isaac’s recovery—now involved in karate and looking forward to a Make-A-Wish Disney cruise.
  • “He is doing karate. He enjoyed our Disney trip so much that he chose a Disney cruise for his Make a Wish.” – Isaac’s Mom (06:56)

7. Community Support During Recovery

• (07:03–07:31) The family thanks the show’s listeners and the Fairy Godparent program for practical and emotional support during and after Isaac’s surgery.
  • “Y’all fed us. You kept the boys entertained at the hospital. I mean, there were constant deliveries, constant Uber Eats cards. Like, I want to personally say thank you...” – Isaac’s Mom (07:05)
  • Hosts discuss the Fairy Godparent program and reiterate that the Bert’s Big Adventure community treats each participant like genuine family.
  • “Anytime one of our kids from any past trip...goes to the hospital, we’ve got Fairy Godparents that go and visit and, like you said, give you Uber Eats cards, deliver food, hang out...” – Host (08:00)

8. Matching Support and Celebration

• (08:39–09:09) The co-host fondly recalls the symbolic act of everyone connected to the show wearing red shirts on transplant day to show support and healing energy.
  • “Everybody wore a red shirt just to send, like, healing vibes, good vibes, that the surgery would be successful…” – Co-Host (08:39)
  • The hosts remark on Isaac’s post-op transformation:
    • “He looks like a different kid.” – Co-Host (08:49)
    • “He is truly, totally different.” – Isaac’s Mom (09:09)
    • “Just, like, the color was back to his face again. And I'm just like, oh, this is the...It’s the greatest gift that you could ever receive. And it was so awesome to see him get that gift—organ donation.” – Co-Host (09:13)

9. Final Words and Wrap-Up

• (09:27–09:47) The episode closes with renewed gratitude to donors. Isaac is encouraged to get back to his “bouncy house” play, symbolizing reclaimed childhood.
  • “All right, now, Isaac, get back on that bouncy house.” – Co-Host (09:40)
  • “He’s like, my shoes are off. I'm ready to get back to the bouncy house. I got a new heart and I got...I got to work it out.” – Co-Host (09:42)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Every dollar that you have given to us that we have passed on to Bert’s Big Adventure is deeply appreciated by these families.”
  — Host (01:32)
• “It’s a miracle we made it on the trip and did not spend the trip in the hospital.”
  — Isaac’s Mom (02:58)
• “We had just been listed for a heart transplant right before we went to Disney...And 18 days after we got home...we got his call for his heart transplant.”
  — Isaac’s Mom (03:49–04:37)
• “At 3:30 in the morning, her phone called...and then I hear her say, ‘We have one.’ And I immediately knew.”
  — Isaac’s Dad (05:35)
• “He is doing karate. He enjoyed our Disney trip so much that he chose a Disney cruise for his Make a Wish.”
  — Isaac’s Mom (06:56)
• “You kept the boys entertained at the hospital...I want to personally say thank you for taking care of us at such a, you know, a time where he's all we can think about.”
  — Isaac’s Mom (07:05)
• “Everybody wore a red shirt just to send, like, healing vibes, good vibes, that the surgery would be successful, his body would accept his new heart. And I’ll never forget that after photo you sent to us–he looks like a different kid.”
  — Co-Host (08:39)
• “Just, like, the color was back to his face again. And I’m just like, oh, this is the...It’s the greatest gift that you could ever receive. And it was so awesome to see him get that gift—organ donation.”
  — Co-Host (09:13)

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Important Timestamps

• 01:30 – Host gratitude for donors and community
• 02:30 – Isaac’s family introduction, trip context
• 03:49 – Rollercoaster of health and travel during Bert’s Big Adventure
• 04:37 – The heart transplant call comes, only 18 days after trip
• 05:35 – Dad describes receiving the life-changing phone call
• 06:56 – Isaac’s new activities and Make-A-Wish plans
• 07:05 – Family appreciation for the Fairy Godparent support
• 08:39 – The red shirt act of solidarity and Isaac’s transformation
• 09:13 – Reflection on organ donation and its miraculous effect
• 09:40 – Celebratory close: Isaac returns to play, full of life

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Tone & Style

• Warm, genuine, and deeply grateful. The hosts and the family are emotionally open and relatable, emphasizing community, resilience, and the vital role of charity and support systems.
• Occasional humor and playful banter help lighten a heavy topic while highlighting Isaac's youthful spirit.
• All speakers are candid, making the listener feel part of an extended family.

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Takeaway

This episode beautifully showcases the tangible impact of communal kindness—donors, volunteers, and the Bert’s Big Adventure team transform the lives of families facing unimaginable challenges. Isaac’s recovery and happiness are living proof of the “family” spirit that the show and its community embody. Anyone considering contributing to such causes will find this episode a powerful testament to the difference they can make.

Transcript

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[Podcast Host]

The Bird Show One of the things I wanted to stress to you guys, I'm not exactly sure how to say it this morning, but when you're donating to Burt's Big Adventure, you've given anything over the years. I want you to know that these families are so deeply appreciative of everything that you guys have done for them, and they'll tell you in their own words also. But I felt it so much last night when it was the first time that I got to meet the families. I wish that you guys could hear all of the thank yous and all of the appreciation. I mean, we get that because we're in front of them, but I really want to pass that on to you, that every dollar that you have given to us that we have passed on to Burt's Big Adventure is deeply appreciated by these families.

[Co-Host or Producer]

The gratitude is undeniable. And none, again, we can't say it enough. None of this would be possible without you guys.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, for sure. I mean, from day number one, you Guys have lifted up Burke's big adventure and made it into this thing that's been around all these years.

[Co-Host or Producer]

So that's why our listeners are the best.

[Podcast Host]

Yup.

[Podcast Sponsor Announcer]

All right.

[Podcast Host]

Success stories. I love these. This year, we decided, you know what? Let's talk to some families from past years that things have gone really great for since they've been on Burke's Big adventure. So we brought Isaac back and his mom, Brianna and Brantley and Cordis and Owen are all here. Hey, guys. How are you guys doing?

[Co-Host or Producer]

Good morning, guys. Hi.

[Podcast Host]

All right, so you guys were on the trip in 2024. Tell us about all the good stuff and do not be humble.

[Isaac's Mom]

Oh, gosh. We. It's hard to know where to start. We went to Bert's big adventure when Isaac was just the sickest he's ever been. It's a miracle we made it on the trip and did not spend the trip in the hospital.

[Podcast Host]

But how close was that? I don't think I realized that at the time. Like, yeah, you guys were sort of a family that was, like, teetering. Should we go? Should we not? I don't know that we shared that.

[Isaac's Mom]

I mean, I think I saved our application till the very last minute because he was so sick. And I'm like, surely, you know, we. We can't.

[Co-Host or Producer]

I. I remember vividly waiting for the Monal at the Contemporary hotel and just the look on your face and, like, him. And we were like, we need to get them back to the hotel. So with his.

[Isaac's Mom]

His heart failure, he would throw up a lot, and that made it hard. And that was the night of the dance party. He had been going the whole day, and, yeah, going back to the Polynesian every night. Our room was like a hospital room. And we, like, redid him for the next day, but we had just been listed for a heart transplant right before we went to Disney. And they had told us, you know, a year and a half, two years. And we had talked on the trip about how awesome it would be if we came home from Disney. And. And by some miracle, we got our call. And 18 days after we got home from Disney, what did we get, Isaac? What'd we get?

[Podcast Host]

I know one thing you didn't get is a pair of shoes. I love the way this kid rolls without shoes, man.

[Isaac's Mom]

Can you tell him what we got, or do I have to say it? Me. Well, he. We got his call for his heart transplant, and 18 days after Disney, we had only waited 100 days.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, hold on for one second here.

[Podcast Sponsor Announcer]

Let's.

[Podcast Host]

Let's not roll through that for just a second.

[Co-Host or Producer]

Right. That's kind of a big deal.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, that's kind of a big deal. And I really want to know the emotions that are associated with something like that, because are you reluctant at first? Like, you're hopeful, but also there's got to be a part of you that is, like, preparing for the worst. And then that call comes in and. Tell us about that.

[Isaac's Dad]

Well, I think it's, you know, when you get listed and you get the official letter from, you know that you are on the list. Like, you're always like, okay, we need to plan. We need to prep. We need to have you pack out bags and everything else in case we do get that phone call and.

[Podcast Host]

Because you got to be ready to go, like, right then.

[Podcast Sponsor Announcer]

Yeah.

[Isaac's Dad]

Because.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Isaac's Dad]

I mean, they were. When they called us on the. It was March 15th of 2024.

[Co-Host or Producer]

Those are days you never forget.

[Isaac's Dad]

Yeah. And we're coming up on his second anniversary for the transplant. At 3:30 in the morning, her phone called or she got a phone call. And of course, I wake up because it's 3:30 in the morning, and I'm at the age now where no good phone calls come after midn. So I'm like, of course it wakes me up. And I'm like, oh, my gosh. I'm like, who. Who passed? Is her mom? Okay? Everything else. And then I hear her say, we have one. And I immediately knew. And of course, I jump up. Quick side story. I had only been. I had been out of surgery for just 12 hours. I ruptured my bicep tendon and had surgery literally 12 hours before he got his phone call.

[Isaac's Mom]

So any hospital pictures you see of dad, he's got.

[Isaac's Dad]

I'm in. Yeah. I'm in a sling. So we jump up. And of course, first thing I think is, we are not ready. We don't have clothes packed. We don't have nothing.

[Isaac's Mom]

So luckily, we had our Disney suitcases.

[Co-Host or Producer]

Okay.

[Podcast Host]

All right.

[Isaac's Mom]

Yeah. But it is. You're so nervous it's not gonna work because obviously nothing up until transplant has worked, but he has had the best two years ever. He's. Can you tell him what you're doing now?

[Co-Host or Producer]

What are you doing now, Isaac? What have you been up to, buddy?

[Isaac's Mom]

Can you say it? He is so shy.

[Co-Host or Producer]

It's okay.

[Isaac's Mom]

It's okay. He is doing karate. He. He enjoyed our Disney trip so much that he chose a Disney cruise for his Make a Wish.

[Isaac's Dad]

All right.

[Co-Host or Producer]

Okay.

[Isaac's Mom]

And as you were talking about saying thank you to the listeners and after his transplant, y' all fed us. You kept the boys entertained at the hospital. I mean, there were constant deliveries, constant Uber eats cards. Like, I. I want to personally say thank you for taking care of us at such a, you know, a time where he's all we can think about.

[Co-Host or Producer]

And that's something people would need to know about the fairy God.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah Program. That's a good place to talk about it right now. And again, when I think the word family is thrown around a lot when it comes to business, because I think it's a branded word that makes you want to feel like you're part of something. But this truly is a family. I mean, when you say if you have a family member outside of Burke's big adventure, if we're not even talking about our trip that's in the hospital, what do you do? You go to the hospital, and you make sure that they have some food there and you can crush some time with them.

[Podcast Sponsor Announcer]

Right.

[Podcast Host]

That's what our fairy godparent program is also, is that we've got kids that are in that hospital room for weeks, if not months at a time. So anytime one of our kids from any past trip. I mean, you are part of our family. Goes to the hospital, we've got fairy godparents that go and visit and, like you said, give you Uber Eats cards, deliver food, hang out, give, and maybe even if you guys just need to bail for a couple of minutes and go home, that's what our fairy godparents are for. At that. At the hospital, everybody was amazing. What's that?

[Co-Host or Producer]

The cruise was one of my favorites.

[Isaac's Dad]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Okay.

[Isaac's Mom]

We just went at Christmas, so they're all still.

[Co-Host or Producer]

And I feel it's so fitting because, of course, Burt's Big Adventure. We always wear our matching shirts, so it's easy for us to find each other in the parks. And we're all wearing our red shirts today. And I remember when you guys got the call and Isaac was going in for his heart transplant, everybody, we all banded together, and everybody wore a red shirt just to send, like, healing vibes, good vibes, that the surgery would be successful, his body would accept his new heart. And I'll never forget that after photo you sent to us, he looks like a different kid.

[Isaac's Mom]

He is truly, totally different.

[Podcast Host]

I love it.

[Isaac's Mom]

I love it in the best way.

[Co-Host or Producer]

Yeah. I mean, just, like, the color was back to his face again. And I'm just like, oh, this is the. It's the greatest gift that you could ever receive. And it was so awesome to see him get that gift organ donation. Yes.

[Podcast Host]

And again, to you guys that have been donating a Birch Big adventure and our fairy godparent program. Thank you. I mean, you hear it right here, the difference that it can make. So thanks for being here and sharing, you guys. Really appreciate it.

[Isaac's Dad]

Thank you very much.

[Co-Host or Producer]

All right, now, Isaac, get back on that bouncy house.

[Podcast Host]

Get in there.

[Co-Host or Producer]

He's like, my shoes are off. I'm ready to get back to the bouncy house. I got a new heart and I got. I got to work it out.

[Podcast Host]

All right, coming up in a couple of seconds here we are going to introduce you to Gunner. You talk about the definition of special. He's special because he's the only kid in the entire world. World to have the condition that he has. We'll talk to Gunner and his family next. Burt's Big Adventure 2026 on Q997 the bird show.

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