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.
