The Bert Show

Episode: Vault: Bert Tries Too Hard To Push His Son Into Sports
Date: November 7, 2025
Podcast Host: Pionaire Podcasting
Main Cast This Episode: Bert (Host), Jeff, Melissa, Stacy

Episode Overview

In this episode, Bert opens up about his struggles and insecurities as a father when it comes to his young son Hayden's (almost 4 years old) lack of interest in sports. The discussion evolves into a candid, often funny, exploration of parental expectations, childhood interests, and the subtle line between exposing kids to opportunities and inadvertently pushing them away. The co-hosts and listeners share their experiences and opinions, with plenty of lighthearted ribbing and some heartfelt moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bert’s Confession: Wanting a "Sports Kid"

• [00:47–03:40]
  • Bert admits to feeling obsessed—but claims it’s “sly enough” to avoid being unhealthy—about wanting his son Hayden to be involved in sports.
  • He longs for the typical fatherly woes: “I want to complain about having to take him to baseball at 2 o'clock and then soccer at 5:30.”
  • He’s aware of the dangers of over-pushing, noting Melissa’s warning about her own brother being ostracized from sports due to pressure from their father.

2. Cautionary Tales from Jeff’s Family

• [01:28–03:40]
  • Jeff shares his own family story: his athletic father was critical toward his less-coordinated brother, squashing his brother’s enjoyment of and participation in sports.
  • Jeff (on his dad): “He didn't look at my brother... to see what he might be good at... [He] was so critical of everything he did when he was young.”
  • He references the film/book "The Great Santini" as an example of an overbearing sports parent.

3. Bert’s Strategies: Exposure Without Pressure?

• [03:40–05:31]
  • Bert tries to present sports as an option rather than a command—inviting Hayden to watch ESPN, bringing him to parks, joining a softball league “just to bring Hayden down so he can watch daddy play baseball.”
  • Hayden’s interests, however, remain indifferent or gravitate elsewhere (like toward the cheerleaders at football practice).

4. Humor and Commentary from the Crew

• [05:31–09:23]
  • Melissa: Quick to poke holes in Bert’s claims of “just exposing,” not pushing.
  • Stacy jokes about Hayden bringing his baby doll to the ballpark.
  • The group teases Bert about inviting the neighborhood sportsy kid over to play in front of Hayden, hoping Hayden will be influenced by proximity.
    • Melissa: “You're creating a great spectator.” [06:48]
    • Jeff: “You're kidding me that you were bringing another child into your yard and playing with him in front of Hayden?” [06:49]
  • Jokes about the contrast between Bert’s discomfort with parenting books vs. his persistence with “sports exposure.”

5. Hayden’s Actual Interests

• [07:47–08:26]
  • Hayden shows genuine enthusiasm for NASCAR—presumably influenced by watching the Disney movie "Cars."
  • Bert now records and watches NASCAR with his son, even though he wishes it were baseball or football.
  • Stacy: “His natural interest in sports so far has been NASCAR and racing... He couldn’t care less [for baseball, football, basketball].” [07:43–07:56]
  • Jeff urges Bert to follow Hayden’s own interests rather than his own dreams.

6. Parental Blind Spots and Independence

• [09:11–11:13]
  • Melissa and Jeff suggest Hayden’s indifference may even be a subtle assertion of independence—he may gravitate toward things his dad isn’t focused on.
  • The group speculates on how much influence is “subtle forcing.”
  • Jeff jokes about Hayden listening to these tapes on a psychologist’s couch years later.
  • Debate ensues about what it means to support a passion versus pressing a parent’s dream.

7. Would Bert Support Non-Traditional Interests?

• [11:19–11:46]
  • Playful debate: if Hayden prefers ballet, would Bert be supportive?
  • Bert: “If he’s going to be in the ballet, he’s going to be in the ballet. That’s the way it’s going to work around here.” [11:28]
  • The others doubt how genuinely comfortable he’d be if Hayden didn’t fit the “sports kid” mold.

8. Listener Calls

• [09:23–13:08]
  • A caller with a 6-year-old shares her experience: introduction is fine, pushing is not.
  • Another humorous moment from Melissa exaggerating the “pushing” metaphor: “I shoved a soccer ball into my wife's uterus…” [12:27]

9. Importance of Acceptance

• [12:37–13:37]
  • Jeff reiterates that seeing his own brother feel unaccepted shaped his belief in letting a child gravitate to their own interests.
  • Bert continues to insist he’s “exposing, not pushing”—with some self-doubt and group teasing.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bert (on his own motivations):
  “I want to complain about having to take him to baseball at 2 o'clock and then soccer at 5:30. I really want that as a father.” [00:55]

• Jeff:
  “There’s a danger—if you come on too strong, you’re going to do the exact opposite of your intention.” [03:34]

• Melissa (teasing Bert):
  “You're creating a great spectator.” [06:48]

• Jeff (on Bert’s tactics):
  “You’re kidding me that you were bringing another child into your yard and playing with him in front of Hayden?” [06:49]

• Stacy:
  “His natural interest in sports so far has been NASCAR and racing... Baseball, football, basketball—he couldn’t care less.” [07:43–07:56]

• Bert:
  “I just want him to have an interest in it. He could be bad. At this point, I don’t even care if he’s bad, I just want him to have an interest in it.” [05:53]

• Jeff:
  “If the only thing he has dropped everything for is NASCAR... expose him to more NASCAR stuff. You were pushing baseball on him because that was your sport.” [12:51]

• Melissa (joking):
  “I shoved a soccer ball into my wife’s uterus... let him play, kick that around a little bit. Move the placenta out of the way…” [12:27]

Key Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:47–01:28: Bert discusses his desire for Hayden to be into sports.
• 01:28–03:40: Jeff shares his brother’s experience with their athletic dad.
• 03:40–05:31: Bert describes methods to “expose” Hayden to sports without pushing.
• 05:31–07:00: Group jokes about Bert’s attempts, Melissa and Jeff challenge his approach.
• 07:47–08:26: Hayden’s genuine interest in NASCAR emerges.
• 09:23–09:56: Caller discusses age-appropriate exposure to sports.
• 11:19–11:46: Bert’s (and crew’s) debate on non-traditional kids interests (cheerleading, ballet).
• 12:37–13:37: Jeff’s summary of his childhood lessons; Bert’s continued justification.

Overall Tone & Takeaways

• The episode is candid, humorous, and occasionally self-deprecating, with Bert frequently ribbed by his co-hosts for his unwavering “I’m just exposing, not pushing” stance.
• Discussion blends personal stories, gentle confrontation, and listener perspectives, ultimately landing on the value of supporting children’s genuine interests—even when they don’t align with a parent’s dreams.
• The group’s banter and sharp teasing provide as much insight on adult relationships and parenting anxieties as they do about sports vs. other pursuits for kids.