Vault: Are you jealous your spouse's success?

Summary

---

The Bert Show – "Vault: Are you jealous your spouse's success?"

Date: June 15, 2026

---

Episode Overview

This episode of The Bert Show dives into a relatable and seldom-discussed topic: the complex feelings that arise when one's spouse or partner becomes more successful. Using a recent celebrity rumor—Nick Cannon allegedly jealous of Mariah Carey's acclaimed performance in "Precious"—as a jumping-off point, the hosts invite listeners to weigh in. Through candid calls, the show explores jealousy, shifting power dynamics, and the insecurities that can emerge when traditional roles are reversed or expectations go unmet. The tone is open, humorous, and supportive, with plenty of room for real-life confessions and raw honesty.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Celebrity Cases: When One Partner Outshines the Other

• Hollywood Dynamics
  The discussion opens with how celebrity couples often mirror regular relationships regarding professional jealousy or imbalance:
  • Nick Cannon & Mariah Carey (01:31): Reports claim Nick is jealous of Mariah’s post-"Precious" acclaim.
  • Demi Moore & Bruce Willis / Reese Witherspoon & Ryan Phillippe / Hilary Swank (02:20–02:14): The hosts note a pattern: “It seems like every time an actress gets to a certain point and they're more popular than the person they're with, they end up divorcing.” – Host 2 (02:20)
• Gendered Expectations
  The hosts question if societal norms make it harder for men to handle being outshined by their wives:
  • “Maybe it's sort of like the expectation of the male to be the one who's the provider and that kind of thing. And to get outshined by his wife would make him feel inadequate or lesser than.” – Host 1 (03:10)

Does This Only Happen in Hollywood?

• The panel wonders if these feelings are reserved for celebrities or affect everyone:
  • “I don't think it necessarily has to be in the exact same line of work... I mean, I think it could be unhappy if your significant other got a humongous raise.” – Host 1 (03:42)
  • They note it’s possible to feel envious even if the careers are unrelated, especially if one person loves their job while the other works "just to pay the bills." – Host 3 (04:03)

Listener Confessions: Real-Life Stories

• Caller 1 (Nanny): Envy Over Upward Mobility

  • “It's tough to see somebody who has...this great career, and he's constantly moving up, and I kind of feel like I get stuck.” – Caller 1 (Nanny), (05:00)
  • She's proud of her boyfriend's rapid promotions but feels stuck in her career as a nanny, lacking similar upward mobility.

• Caller 2 (Frustrated Spouse): Jealous of Choices, Not Success

  • Caller is frustrated that her husband, after being laid off, pursues his artistic dreams while she pays all the bills:
    • “It's sort of mad. But it is jealous when he starts off on the—oh, it's so great when you can wake up in the morning and you love what you do. Well, I don't love what I do, but I have to do it.” (06:35)
  • Hosts observe she sounds more angry about the imbalance of responsibility than about success:
    • “She seemed jealous of his choices.” – Host 1 (06:45)

• Caller 3 (Divorced Dad): The Role Switch

  • Shares that as a stay-at-home dad while his wife’s income soared, she became controlling, leading to divorce:
    • “I didn't get jealous, but she got really controlling. Like, really, you do this, you do that. And it actually caused a divorce.” (06:59)
  • Admits to occasional envy for his wife’s career progress, but stresses the biggest issue was the role reversal and resulting tension.

• Caller 4 (Envious Spouse): Envy Over Lifestyle

  • Feels significant envy as her husband freelances in music/entertainment (with more freedom and glamour) while she's tied to a 9 to 5, paying most bills:
    • “I'm a little envious, a lot envious of my husband because he is getting to lay in bed right now while I'm on my way to work...he gets to do what he wants when he wants and gets to be with the kids, and I...pay all the bills...” (08:01)

Relationship Imbalances and the Money Trap

• The hosts reflect that while the episode began with jealousy over success, most listener calls centered on resentment about money or lifestyle imbalance:

  • “It just shows you that, I mean, the number one cause of divorce, they say, is money. I mean, and you heard some very angry people about having to pay the bills.” – Host 2 (08:54)
  • “You and your spouse are not going to be at the same level the whole time. It's just impossible...somebody's always gonna make more money than the other.” (08:54)

• The show wraps up with a tongue-in-cheek suggestion for a new vent line:

  • “Yeah, I hate my spouse. I pay the bills.” – Host 3/Host 1 (09:37)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It seems like every time an actress gets to a certain point and they're more popular than the person they're with, they end up divorcing.” – Host 2 (02:20)
• “Maybe it's sort of like the expectation of the male to be the— the one who's the provider and that kind of thing. And to get outshined by his wife would make him feel inadequate or lesser than.” – Host 1 (03:10)
• “It's tough to see somebody who has...this great career, and he's constantly moving up, and I kind of feel like I get stuck.” – Caller 1 (Nanny), (05:00)
• “I didn't get jealous, but she got really controlling...and it actually caused a divorce.” – Caller 3 (Divorced Dad), (06:59)
• “He freelances...when he does get to work, he gets to go do all these concerts and these shows. He's out late at night rubbing elbows with the stars, and...I have to pay more money into our family fund.” – Caller 4 (Envious Spouse), (08:20)

---

Important Timestamps

• Celebrity Relationship Set-Up and Hollywood Examples: 01:31 – 03:34
• Generalizing to Everyday Relationships: 03:42 – 04:11
• Caller Segment Begins: 04:19
  • Caller 1 (Nanny): 04:19 – 05:43
  • Caller 2 (Frustrated Spouse): 05:47 – 06:45
  • Caller 3 (Divorced Dad): 06:57 – 07:47
  • Caller 4 (Envious Spouse): 07:55 – 08:44
• Host Reflections & Wrap-Up: 08:48 – 09:41

---

Tone & Takeaway

The hosts maintain a mix of humor, candor, and empathy, underscoring how jealousy or frustration about a partner’s success (or choices) is not restricted to the rich and famous. The episode reveals that, for many, the underlying anxiety is less about success itself and more about fairness, contribution, and the ever-present issue of money. The conversation leaves listeners with a sense of solidarity—and the permission to be honest about uncomfortable feelings that most couples may experience at one point or another.

---

Transcript

[Weight Loss Advertiser]

Okay, can we talk about how confusing weight loss has become? Like one minute it's carbs are bad and then the next it's no, actually carbs are fine, but only if you walk 10,000 steps and drink a green juice. And honestly, it's just a lot. And then even if you do lose the weight, keeping it off is a whole different story. If you're struggling and want something that fits your real life, hers can help. It's designed to support you in reaching your goals in a way that actually fits your life. That's why weight loss by hers is getting so much attention right now. Hers connects you with licensed medical providers who create doctor developed treatment plans tailored to you. They offer access to an affordable range of FDA approved GLP1 medications including the Wegovy pill and the Wegovy pen. It helps regulate your appetite so you eat less and keep the weight off. If you're ready to reach your goals and want to try something new, visit for hers.combert to get personalized affordable care that gets you that's F O R h e r s.comb for hers.com Bert Weightliftsbyhurst is not available in all 50 states, but go via registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A S to get started and learn more including important safety information with Gobi clinical study information and restrictions.

[Spinquest Advertiser]

Visit borhears.com hanging out at the pool is great. Relaxing and playing Vegas style games on my phone at the same time. Drink in one hand and a blackjack in the other. It's all at spinquest. Over a thousand games including your favorite slots and table games. Be cool with this summer special new players get 30 coin packs for [e-mail]

[Spinquest Disclaimer Announcer]

Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Host 1]

The Bird show we talk about lives of celebrities and how they oftentimes reflect normal people's lives as well. So I was wondering if you'd give us a call if you thought that this sounded like maybe something you would admit. And we can use the voice disguiser on this as well. 404-741-Q100 but apparently according to one of the gossip magazines, you know Mariah Carey's getting the rave reviews for her work in Precious. Well, her husband, Nick Cannon should be really proud of her, but they are reporting in the gossip rags that instead he's really jealous of her. A source tells the National Enquirer that Nick told Mariah early on how fickle Hollywood is and that she shouldn't get her hopes up to be a movie star. Well, it turns out she's eclipsed Nick's acting career by leaps and bounds, and now he's jealous of her. So I'm wondering if anybody out there can admit that you're unhappy about your spouse's success.

[Host 2]

And this is not the first story in Hollywood. It seems like every time an actress gets to a certain point and they're more popular than the person they're with, they end up divorcing. Like Demi Moore and Bruce Willis got divorced from her career, started excelling above his. Reese Witherspoon's another case.

[Host 1]

Ryan Phillippe and Ryan Phillippe, when they were together, he was really the way more famous when they first got together.

[Host 2]

Right. And the same with, you know, Bruce and Demi. And then also, I can't think of the actress's name, but there's. Yeah, but there's other cases in which, yes, as soon as the actress who was lesser known into their marriage becomes more popular, the guy's ego can't seem to handle it.

[Host 3]

Can you think of any situations where it's gone the other way, where the

[Host 4]

guy has become more successful?

[Host 3]

Has become more successful and that divorced and that.

[Host 1]

That would be the reason behind it.

[Host 3]

It's all the guys who are the shallow ones. Huh?

[Host 1]

Or maybe it's sort of like the expectation of the male to be the. The one who's the provider and that kind of thing. And to get outshined by his wife would make him feel inadequate or lesser than.

[Host 2]

I don't know. But it just seems like in the same career, it seems like a guy can't handle it if his wife is actually beating him. I mean, that's what, you know, she's doing is she's more successful. So she's winning the race in Hollywood.

[Host 1]

And I don't think it has to necessarily. I'm sorry, go ahead.

[Host 3]

I was just saying our phone number is 404741. Q100. If you have a story, and like Jen said, voice disguiser is working.

[Host 1]

Voice disguiser works if you can admit you're unhappy about your spouse's. Because I don't think it necessarily has to be in the exact same line of work. We talk about it in Hollywood and it's with their acting. But I mean, I think it could be unhappy if you're, you know, if your significant other got a humongous raise.

[Fred's Appliance Advertiser]

I don't.

[Caller 1 (Nanny)]

I don't know.

[Host 2]

I mean, I think that. Yeah, I don't know.

[Host 3]

Or just what they're doing for a little answer. That what if your significant other is doing what they love and you're doing, you know, something to pay the bills?

[Host 1]

Right.

[Host 3]

Like, you could. I could see that.

[Host 2]

Hillary Swank is who I was thinking of.

[Caller 2 (Frustrated Spouse)]

Oh, her.

[Host 2]

Her marriage ended when she got those Oscars.

[Spinquest Female Advertiser]

Yep.

[Host 3]

Hey, Lindsay.

[Caller 1 (Nanny)]

Hey.

[Caller 2 (Frustrated Spouse)]

How you guys doing?

[Caller 3 (Divorced Dad)]

Good.

[Host 3]

How are you?

[Caller 1 (Nanny)]

Doing all right. Doing all right. So I'm listening to you guys on the radio, and I am right there with being jealous with my boyfriend. We've been together for two and a half years, and he works for FedEx, and he's an amazing courier. And he is 23 years old, and he is already getting in the process to become a manager for his station, which is really, really awesome for him. And it's very uncommon for somebody of his age to move up as quickly as he does.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Caller 1 (Nanny)]

And I love my job. I love children. I'm a nanny, and I've been a nanny for almost seven years. But it's tough to see somebody who has, you know, my boyfriend has this great career, and he's constantly moving up, and I kind of feel like I get stuck, you know, Just like, I feel like I could do more. But it's hard when you're a nanny because you can't really move up in levels, you know?

[Host 1]

Right.

[Spinquest Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Weight Loss Advertiser]

That's.

[Caller 4 (Envious Spouse)]

So.

[Caller 1 (Nanny)]

It's tough to see that.

[Host 3]

Well, you should. Yeah, you should marry him right now. Just climb on a train.

[Caller 1 (Nanny)]

Oh, I can't tell you how many of his friends are like, okay, when are you going to put a ring on her finger? You might as well.

[Host 3]

Hey, Mary on the voice disguiser. Welcome to the bird show.

[Caller 3 (Divorced Dad)]

Hi.

[Caller 2 (Frustrated Spouse)]

My husband and I, last year, up to last year, we both worked corporate jobs, and he always hated it because he's really an artist. And he got laid off last year and had started an artistic business, and he's not making any money yet. I'm paying all the bills and,

[Caller 4 (Envious Spouse)]

oh,

[Host 3]

your phone's cutting off.

[Host 2]

Do what you want.

[Caller 2 (Frustrated Spouse)]

Oh, you should do this, too. You should follow your dreams. And I'm like, I'm sorry. I'm paying all the bills here, everyone. And it's like he just decided to quit his job.

[Host 3]

I can't. I'm having a hard time. You know, the phone's breaking up, but I can't tell if she's. If she's jealous of him or just mad at him.

[Host 4]

He's mad.

[Host 2]

You're mad at him.

[Caller 2 (Frustrated Spouse)]

It's sort of mad. But it is jealous when he starts off on the.

[Caller 1 (Nanny)]

Oh, it's so great when you can wake up in the morning and you

[Caller 2 (Frustrated Spouse)]

love what you do. Well, I don't love what I do, but I have to do it.

[Host 1]

I think it's a little bit different than being jealous of his success. You're jealous of. I mean, she seemed jealous of his choices.

[Host 3]

She just seemed mad at him.

[Host 4]

She needs somewhere to vent.

[Host 3]

Hey, Chris.

[Caller 3 (Divorced Dad)]

Yes. What's up, man?

[Host 4]

How are you?

[Caller 3 (Divorced Dad)]

Hey, man. I'm out here working out and it's kind of chilly out here, but I'm just listening to you guys talk about this. I was married for about 14 years, and I decided to stay home as a dad, and my wife became very, very successful. Her. Her income, Roy, it went into the six digits. And I didn't get jealous, but she got really controlling. Like, really, you do this, you do that. And it actually caused a divorce.

[Caller 1 (Nanny)]

Wow.

[Caller 3 (Divorced Dad)]

Yes. Yes. And. But, you know, sometimes I was a little bit, you know, envious of how, you know, she was acting, her career and everything, but she really. I. The roles kind of switched big time, and so I just couldn't take it. And a lot of things led to this and this and that, and we ended up getting a divorce.

[Host 1]

Wow.

[Host 3]

Thank you. Thank you for the. Now it's funny. Now it's a joke. Hey, Casey, welcome to the show.

[Caller 1 (Nanny)]

Hey.

[Host 3]

Hey, how are you?

[Caller 3 (Divorced Dad)]

Good.

[Host 3]

What's up?

[Caller 1 (Nanny)]

So, yeah, I'm a little envious, a

[Caller 4 (Envious Spouse)]

lot envious of my husband because he is getting to lay in bed right now while I'm on my way to work, and he gets to do what he wants when he wants and gets to be with the kids, and I get to go work the 9 to 5 and pay more and pay all the bills and.

[Caller 1 (Nanny)]

Not fair.

[Host 4]

So does he do anything? Does he work?

[Host 1]

Not really quite.

[Caller 1 (Nanny)]

Well, he does. He works.

[Caller 4 (Envious Spouse)]

He freelances. And what he does is he works in kind of like the music entertainment industry. So when he does get to work, he gets to go do all these concerts and these shows. He's out late at night rubbing elbows with the stars, and still I have to. I don't get to do what I want to do, and I have to pay more money into our family fund and.

[Caller 1 (Nanny)]

And it's a little, you know, frustrating.

[Host 2]

I mean, the number one. Yeah. Not quite what Jen's question was, but

[Host 3]

I think we totally missed the mark on what Jen was trying to do. But we gave a lot of people an opportunity to vent.

[Host 2]

Well, it just shows you that, I mean, the number one cause of divorce, they say, is money. I mean, and you heard some very angry people about having to pay the bills. But you also have to know that in a relationship, you and your spouse are not going to be at the same level the whole time. It's just impossible. You know, somebody's gonna. Somebody's always gonna make more money than the other.

[Host 4]

Well, I'm not sure Nick Cannon's too happy holding the umbrella for Mariah Carey and all these unfortunate.

[Host 3]

Yeah, and Mariah Carey, by the way, can't be an easy person to be in a relationship with in the first place.

[Host 2]

But Mariah Carey went into that a bigger star than him, and she deserves the accolade she's getting for her role in Precious. So he just needs to shut up because so what else is he doing but hosting shows?

[Host 1]

And I think we figured out what our new vent line should be.

[Host 3]

Yeah, I hate my spouse.

[Host 1]

I paid Pay the bill.

[Fred's Appliance Advertiser]

The Birch show at Fred's Appliance we get it. Some mornings run smoother with extra help. Whether it be from your little helpers pitching in to unload the dishwasher or having the right appliance that makes everything feel effortless. We know that creating memories in the kitchen is where all the magic happens. And right now, Fred's Appliance is here to help. All Bosch appliances are on sale and save up to $300 on select Bosch dishwashers. Come in today to take advantage of these savings. Fred's Appliance we sell appliances, only appliances.

[Spinquest Female Advertiser]

Hey, guys, lady luck here. Are you going on any road trips this summer? I know I'm going to be going on a bunch of road trips and being that I'm going to be passenger Princess, I Love playing on Spinquest.com Spinquest has all of my favorite slot games. Live blackjack, live craps. Head on over to Spinquest right now and get yourself a $30 coin pack for just 10 bucks.

[Spinquest Disclaimer Announcer]

Spinquest is free to play Social Casino. Visit spendquest.com for more details.

[Aaron's Advertiser]

Need a new couch? A bigger TV? A fridge that actually stays cold? At Aaron's, you can get the brands you love with flexible payments that work for your budget. Approval is easy and delivery is free. Shop [e-mail] or visit your local store today. Approval not guaranteed. Restrictions apply. C Store for details.