Vault: Bert's Big Adventure Introduction Call Montage

Summary

The Bert Show - Vault: Bert's Big Adventure Introduction Call Montage (June 4, 2026)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of The Bert Show is an uplifting, emotional highlight reel celebrating the announcement calls for families joining Bert’s Big Adventure 2010. The cast shares stories of remarkable kids with chronic and terminal illnesses who are selected for an all-expenses-paid trip to Disney World. Through candid conversations, heartfelt reveals, and the candid reactions of parents, the episode aims to showcase both the resilience of these families and the community’s role in supporting them. The tone is both emotionally charged and optimistic, encapsulating the core promise of Bert’s Big Adventure: joy, connection, and relief for children who need it most.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction to Bert’s Big Adventure (01:01–05:52)

• Annual Disney Trip for Chronically Ill Children
  Bert explains the tradition of meeting the families before the trip and emphasizes that, “…these names are people and their stories become real. And we've got another stellar group going this year.” (01:16)

• Emotional Toll on Families
  Co-hosts and callers reveal how intense daily life is for many parents, who deal with medical emergencies and constant concern (discussing “brittle bone” condition, likely osteogenesis imperfecta):

  “Each of them have gone through like 60 or 50 fractures. So if they just move wrong in a chair, they get a fracture.” — Bert (01:54)

• Why Families Are Selected
  Noting heartbreaking situations, such as a 40-year-old mom recently diagnosed with stage four cancer:

  “Sometimes we don't know why the families are picked until something like this happens, and then we realize why they're on the trip.” — Bert (02:58)

• Intimate, Staff-Connected Trips
  Bert and Wendy clarify they purposely keep the number of families limited to 13:

  “We as a staff want to get to know them. We want to hang out with them in the parks. We want to eat with them. We don’t want them just to be numbers or hotel rooms.” — Bert (03:24)

• Comparison with Other Programs
  The group critiques larger organizations for being impersonal and stresses their own tight-knit approach (03:37).

2. Logistics, Support, and Community Involvement (04:32–06:14)

• Dedicated Assistance and Disney “Insider” Support
  Wendy highlights their hands-on approach:

  “We can tell them which way to maneuver around the park to see the most things...we try to serve as Disney ambassadors.” — Co-host Wendy (04:06)

• How Listeners Can Help
  Donations of any size make an impact:

  “Money. I could always use money. But if you want to give us other stuff… the whole list is up online.” — Bert (05:39)

• Wish List Items
  Includes practical needs like sunblock, phone cards, and small toys to keep kids entertained during travel (06:02).

3. Introduction Call Montage—Families’ Stories & Reactions (06:14–13:37)

Tremaine — Intestinal Lyskhangiectasia (06:39)

• Lost his father in 2006; struggles especially during holidays.
• Emotional reveal of their Disney selection:

  “Oh my God...Thank you so much.” — Parent/Caller (07:26)

Dominic — Multiple Surgeries, Kidney Issues (07:35)

• 20–30 surgeries in his short life.
• The challenge: how to keep an energetic boy “from running” at Disney.
• Parent moved to tears:

  “Oh my gosh, dude, that is freaking amazing.” — Caller Leo (08:25)

Brayden — Chronic Sickness (08:29)

• Only knows life as a sick kid, but Disney is his dream.

  “Every time we put a Disney movie in? He’s like, mom, I wanna go see that castle.” — Parent/Caller (09:12)

Angela — Support Device for Internal Organs (09:21)

• Advanced medical device described “like a curtain rod.”
• Parent echoes gratitude:

  “Thank you. Thank you so much.” — Parent/Caller (10:04)

Madison — Spina Bifida (10:08)

• 5 years old; only child with special needs in her school.
• Family touched deeply by the invitation.

Hunter — Weekly Injections (10:53)

• Friday shot days are tough, but Disney trip news brings joy:

  “That was awesome. Oh, that's awesome. He'll enjoy that. He has no clue about any of it. I hadn't even told him.” — Parent/Caller (11:29)

Cameron and Kaylee — Osteogenesis Imperfecta (“Brittle Bones”) (11:38)

• Even minor falls lead to broken bones:

  “Simple things for us that we do could be harmful to them.” — Parent/Caller (11:48)

Steven — Spina Bifida, Learning and Emotional Difficulties (12:22)

• 12 years old, cognitive delays; family recently struggled financially:

  “We didn’t even have money to get him anything for Christmas.” — Parent/Caller (13:15)

• Sweet response from Steven:

  “Yes. I'm so excited, I almost jumped out of my...Oh, thank you so much.” — Steven (13:23)

4. Introductions to All 13 Families (13:37–15:15)

• Bert reads off each family's name, city, and a few unique details—such as Louis Kushni (“age 5 going on 23, the cutest kid...he will be the spokesperson probably for Burt’s Big Adventure for the next 10 years”). (13:37)

• Notably, one family had to stay in a hotel because of snow, adding to the sense of community care.

5. Children’s Anticipation—Countdown Clocks (15:15–15:22)

• Each family is given a digital countdown clock to help their children count down the 40 days until the trip, capturing the excitement and anticipation:

  “Icebox put together these great countdown clocks and they digitally count back now to the exact moment that we're leaving for Disney.” — Bert (15:22)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Maybe there's no catch.” — Co-host Wendy (00:44)
• “This trip is not going to get any bigger than it is at 13 families. We purposely keep it this small…” — Bert (03:12)
• “Sometimes we don't know why the families are picked until something like this happens…” — Bert (02:58)
• “The disease I think you're talking about is osteoinfector…Samuel Jackson played it in a wheelchair.” — Caller Leo (04:35)
• “Kids that normally aren't feeling good all day long…when they're at Disney, all of a sudden, they act like healthy kids for four days.” — Bert (08:54)
• “Thank you so much. That was awesome. Oh, that's awesome. He'll enjoy that. He has no clue about any of it. I hadn't even told him.” — Parent/Caller (11:29)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:01 — Introduction to Bert’s Big Adventure & first family meeting
• 02:54 — Emotional family circumstances, parent diagnosed with cancer
• 04:00 — Staff’s hands-on approach and keeping the group small
• 05:24 — How listeners can support with donations or items
• 06:14–13:37 — Montage of call reactions from selected families
• 13:37 — Roll-call: Introductions of all 13 families
• 15:15 — Digital countdown clocks for kids

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Conclusion

This episode of The Bert Show shines a light on the profound impact community generosity and thoughtful planning can have on families facing extraordinary hardships. Through intimate call montages and candid host commentary, listeners are brought into the world of Bert’s Big Adventure, feeling the anticipation, relief, and hope that this unique experience promises. The stories are raw, the gratitude is real, and the excitement is infectious—making for an emotionally resonant and memorable episode.

Transcript

[Burt]

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[Bert]

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[Car Seller]

I sold my car in Carvana last night.

[Parent/Caller]

Well, that's cool.

[Car Seller]

No, you don't understand. It went perfectly. Real offer down to the penny. They're picking it up tomorrow. Nothing went wrong.

[Co-host Wendy]

So what's the problem?

[Car Seller]

That is the problem. Nothing in my life goes as smoothly. I'm waiting for the catch.

[Co-host Wendy]

Maybe there's no catch.

[Car Seller]

That's exactly what a catch would want me to think.

[Parent/Caller]

Wow.

[Co-host Wendy]

You need to relax.

[Car Seller]

I need to knock on wood. Do we have. What is this table wood?

[Co-host Wendy]

I think it's laminate.

[Car Seller]

Okay. Yeah, that's good. That's close enough.

[Co-host Wendy]

Car selling without a catch.

[Bert]

Sell your car today on Carvana. Pick up fees may apply.

[Burt]

Get it?

[Bert]

The birch. So last night we got to meet the Burt's Big Adventure 2010 Families for the very first time. And we meet up every year at. Imagine it. About four or five weeks before the trip starts.

[Co-host Wendy]

That's the Children's museum downtown.

[Bert]

Yeah, it's a great place if you haven't been yet. And we get to meet the families and we get to educate the parents on what the trip is all about. And it's a great night for us because now these names are people and their stories become real. And we've got another stellar group going this year.

[Co-host Female]

Oh, there's some amazing kids last night. I enjoyed hanging out with all of them last night, especially these two girls.

[Bert]

Cute.

[Co-host Female]

Cameron and Kaylee.

[Caller Leo]

Wendy, you need to have kids like yesterday.

[Co-host Wendy]

I know. You are very maternal.

[Bert]

You know, she doesn't.

[Caller Leo]

She doesn't want kids, though.

[Co-host Female]

No, I don't want kids right now. I. I don't know if I ever want kids. But I love children to pieces.

[Bert]

The. These two kids that Wendy is talking about right now, I'm not exactly sure the name of the condition they have, but I believe those are the two kids that can get a fracture like that. Like, each of them have gone through like 60 or 50 fractures. So if they just move wrong in a chair, they get a fracture.

[Caller Leo]

Whoa.

[Bert]

And they've had. I don't know, is it Called Brittle Bone, something like that. I don't have the applications right here in front of me, but. Yeah, yeah. I mean, think about that. I mean, when we talk about Burt's Big Adventure, we say that we take children down to Disney World that have chronic and terminal illnesses. So these are kids that are sick from day one or every day. This mom is like, she's got to be nervous all day long.

[Parent/Caller]

Of course.

[Bert]

All day long. So the trip really is for the entire family. We just got a bunch of great kids. We've got one story, unfortunately. We found out a couple of days ago that. That the mom on the trip, 40 years old, just found out that she's dealing with stage four cancer.

[Parent/Caller]

Awful.

[Co-host Wendy]

You're kidding.

[Bert]

40 years old.

[Parent/Caller]

Oh, man. Awful.

[Bert]

So that family, you know, I said to my wife Stacey the other day, sometimes we don't know why the families are picked until something like this happens, and then we realize why they. They're on the trip. You know what I'm saying?

[Co-host Wendy]

Yeah.

[Bert]

It's like. I mean, it's sort of a complicated application process, and after we found that out, obviously, it made sense why they're on the trip. So we've got a bunch of great families. There are 13 families that are going again on Burt's Big Adventure this year. And as I say every year, this trip is not going to get any bigger than it is at 13 families. We purposely keep it this small because we as a staff want to get to know them. We want to hang out with them in the parks. We want to eat with them. We don't want them just to be numbers or hotel rooms, but we really want to get our hands dirty and connect with these families and make sure they're connecting with each other. Because I know there are two other organizations in the country that take a similar trip, but in my opinion, the trip has gotten so big that they sort of say, okay, we're taking you to Disney World, and then the gates open, and then the families are on their own. That's not our trip.

[Co-host Wendy]

No, we're definitely all paired up with different families. We've got a great medical staff that gives lots of close attention to them, and we've been to Disney every single year. So we're kind of Disney experts at this point. We can tell them which way to maneuver around the park to see the most things and where to go to meet these type of characters or where to go to meet the princesses and that kind of thing. So we try to serve as Disney ambassadors as we're down there and help them maneuver through the parks and that kind of thing. So they really get the most out of their days down there at Walt Disney World. And they're not, you know, standing in line the entire time.

[Bert]

Here is Leo. Good morning, Leo. You're on Q100.

[Caller Leo]

Hey, good morning. Burt and Bert's show. But, yeah, the disease I think you're talking about is osteoinfector. Samuel Jackson played it in a wheelchair opposite of the guy. Pulp Fiction.

[Parent/Caller]

Unbreakable.

[Caller Leo]

Unbreakable. Well, yeah, that's the movie. Okay. Just give you an update, that's all.

[Bert]

All right, thanks. I mean, it's funny. You talk to the parents about what their children have, and at some point, some of the parents, they click in from, like, mommy mode almost into, like, doctor or nurse mode. It feels like you're talking to a doctor. So I'm sure the mom will come on and she'll tell us exactly what that's. They've had so many surgeries. And just imagine, every day you're around your child, you're nervous that they're gonna get hurt somehow, some way. When you have a child that's had 50 different fractures or 60 different fractures, you're a nervous wreck. Right?

[Co-host Wendy]

No kidding. Well, and, you know, every time we talk about Burt's Big Adventure and we start getting into sort of the lead up to the trip, listeners want to know what they can do and how they can help and how they can donate money or donate things that we need for the trip, and that kind of stuff. Is that list online?

[Bert]

You can go to Burt's bigadventure.org and we have wish list up there. I mean, money. I could always use money.

[Parent/Caller]

Right.

[Bert]

But if you want to give us other stuff, like, let's see, we've had a need in the past for phone cards. We've had a need in the past for, like, sunblock, smaller items. Like, if you don't have a lot of money to give, but you want to give something, the whole list is up online.

[Co-host Wendy]

Yeah, it's all kinds of stuff because we just spoil them rotten. We have backpacks full of different, like, toys and games and things to keep the kids busy while we're traveling and en route to Disney World. So if you want to participate in that way, it's up online for you.

[Bert]

Let's introduce you to some of these families that are going on Burt's Big Adventure 2010, because you guys are the ones that have paid for them, right? This is the trip. I mean, this is all 13 families, right? Here. And what I do is I call them a couple of weeks beforehand and I tell them they're going on the trip. And here's the reactions from some of the families. Hey, Latoya, it's bert calling from Q100 and Bert's big Adventure again.

[Parent/Caller]

Hi.

[Bert]

Can you tell me what Tremaine has and how it affects him every single day?

[Parent/Caller]

Tremaine has intestinal lyskhangiectasia. Basically, the meals that he eat, he kind of loses them through his gut.

[Bert]

And you were telling me that. I mean, this kid could really use a break. His dad passed away, right?

[Parent/Caller]

Yes, in 2006. I mean, holidays are just really, really hard for us.

[Bert]

Well, I think I have a gift for you to share with your family today that's gonna make it easier to be a little bit more positive.

[Parent/Caller]

Really?

[Bert]

Yeah. You guys have been selected to go to Disney World on Burt's Big Adventure.

[Parent/Caller]

Oh, my God. Are you serious?

[Bert]

Totally serious. We're taking all you guys to Disney World and we're taking the family. We're gonna pay for everything. You won't have to worry about a thing all weekend.

[Parent/Caller]

Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Thank you so much.

[Bert]

Hey, Jacob, It's Burt from Q100 and Burt's big Adventure. Hey, Bert, how's Dominic doing?

[Caller Leo]

He's doing well. He went to school. We held him out of school yesterday because he was just feeling a little down.

[Bert]

Weren't you telling me, like, he had some kind of crazy amount of surgeries like that first. The first year that he had the kidney problems.

[Caller Leo]

I mean, seriously, he probably had in his lifetime. He's probably about 20 or 30 different surgeries. You know, he's a go, go, go, go type kid. And, you know, we have to get him to do something else to take his mind off of, you know, like, going out and running around. If not feeling well, well, then I'm.

[Bert]

I'm afraid that I have a very, very big challenge to present you today.

[Caller Leo]

Okay.

[Bert]

I don't know how you're going to get him to stop running when he's at Disney World. Because you guys have been selected as a Burt's Big Adventure family.

[Caller Leo]

Are you kidding me?

[Bert]

You guys are going to Disney World?

[Caller Leo]

Oh, my gosh, dude, that is freaking amazing.

[Bert]

Hey, Rebecca, It's Bert from Q100 and Burt's Big Adventure.

[Parent/Caller]

Uh huh.

[Bert]

How's Braden doing?

[Parent/Caller]

He's actually doing good for the past week.

[Bert]

You sound kind of surprised by that.

[Parent/Caller]

He's just normally sick all the time, on and off.

[Bert]

When he wakes up in the morning he knows he's not gonna feel great. I mean, what does that do to his attitude?

[Parent/Caller]

Well, that's all he knows, is being sick. And so he. You know, if he wakes up feeling good, he's like, mom, I don't feel good. Can I stay home today?

[Bert]

Well, I'll tell you this. A funny thing happens when you're down at Disney World. Kids that normally aren't feeling good all day long for whatever reason, when they're at Disney, all of a sudden, they act like healthy kids for four days. And I'm pretty sure that's what's gonna happen to Brayden. Also, because you guys have been selected to be your family for Burt's Big Adventure.

[Parent/Caller]

Awesome. Do you know what he says every time we put a Disney movie in? He's like, mom, I wanna go see that castle. Oh, my gosh.

[Bert]

Hey, Vanessa, It's Bert from Q100 and Burt's Big Adventure. Hey, how's angel today?

[Parent/Caller]

She's doing good. She had a bad morning.

[Bert]

What's a bad morning when you're talking about Angela?

[Parent/Caller]

Yesterday she fell, and they had to do an X ray on her device.

[Bert]

What's that device that you were telling me about? Cause this is pretty advanced stuff right

[Parent/Caller]

here, sort of like a curtain rod. It attaches to the upper part of her shoulder blade, to the lower part of her rib. It kind of helps her as she grows. It helps her lungs and all her internal organs so they won't collapse on her.

[Bert]

Well, Vanessa, I could tell you this. You can put all this stuff behind you, because you guys have been selected to go down to Disney World on Burt's Big Adventure.

[Parent/Caller]

Thank you. Thank you so much.

[Bert]

Hey, Jessica, It's Burt at Q100 in Burt's Big Adventure.

[Parent/Caller]

Hi.

[Bert]

How is Madison doing?

[Parent/Caller]

Great.

[Bert]

Tell me again exactly what Madison has.

[Parent/Caller]

Spina bifida, where she has the hole in her back and the spinal cord outside.

[Bert]

Okay, and she's how old?

[Parent/Caller]

5.

[Bert]

And how does that work at school with other kids? Are they pretty cool to her?

[Parent/Caller]

They all love her. She is the only child with, like, really special needs up at the school. So it's a. It's a new experience for all of them.

[Bert]

Well, I'm calling to tell you today that you guys are gonna be able to experience Disney World together.

[Parent/Caller]

Are you serious?

[Bert]

Yeah. You guys are going on Burt's Big Adventure?

[Parent/Caller]

Thank you so much.

[Bert]

Hey, Heather, It's Burt from Q100 and Burt's big Adventure.

[Parent/Caller]

Yes, sir.

[Bert]

How's Hunter doing today?

[Parent/Caller]

He's anxious on Fridays because he has to do his shot in the afternoon. He wanted to wake up and it be Saturday, so he kept asking if he could skip the day, but other than that, he was doing all right.

[Bert]

Well, today is Friday, as I'm making this call right now, and I know he's all bummed out. He's got to make that shot.

[Parent/Caller]

Yes, sir.

[Bert]

But you can give him good news when the shot is over, and you could tell him that you and he and the whole family have been selected to go to Disney World on Burt's Big Adventure.

[Parent/Caller]

Oh, that is so awesome. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Bert]

He's going to need to hear that today.

[Parent/Caller]

Oh, yeah. That was awesome. Oh, that's awesome. He'll enjoy that. He has no clue about any of it. I hadn't even told him.

[Bert]

Hi, is this Christina?

[Parent/Caller]

Yes.

[Bert]

Hey, It's Bert from Q100 and Burt's Big Adventure. Oh, hey, tell me about both of your kids. Both Kali and Cameron.

[Parent/Caller]

They both have osteogenesis imperfecta, which is brittle bones. Cameron just. Kaylee fell out of a chair and broke her leg, like, sliding down on the couch. Cameron broke her collarbone. You know, simple things for us that we do could be harmful to them.

[Bert]

Well, Christina, I'm really calling today to let you know that you've got real good info to pass on to your kids when you get home today. You guys have been selected to go to Disney World on Burt's Big Adventure.

[Parent/Caller]

Oh, thanks. I'm very excited.

[Bert]

Hey, Sandra, It's Bert at Q100 in Burt's Big Adventure.

[Parent/Caller]

Oh, hey, Burt, tell me again what

[Bert]

Steven has and explain exactly what that is.

[Parent/Caller]

He was born with spina bifida. Essentially, that's when he's in the womb and the skin is closing up around the spinal column. For some reason, his. His didn't. But he's only 12 years old, and then he has learning and emotional difficulties. So he looks like big, handsome teenager, but he acts like he's 6 or 7.

[Bert]

Well, you tell him he's one of the dream. He's had the dream to go to Disney World, and I'm calling you guys today to tell you that dream is going to happen because you guys are going on Bert's Big Adventure.

[Parent/Caller]

Oh, my gosh. Oh, my goodness. That is just amazing.

[Bert]

So you promised him this was gonna be his year. This is gonna be his year. He's going to Disney World.

[Parent/Caller]

This is so awesome, because we didn't even have money to get him anything for Christmas.

[Bert]

Hey, Steven, you excited about going down To Disney World.

[Parent/Caller]

Yes. I'm so excited. I almost jumped out of my. When I own. Oh, thank you so much,

[Co-host Wendy]

Precious.

[Bert]

They all are. So those are the kids and those are the families that you are paying to send on down to Burke's Big Adventure. And that's Dominique Alexander. He's five years old and he's from Atlanta. Samin Badai, age 12 years old, from Woodstock. They're actually originally from Iran. They don't speak a lot of English. We've got ania Bennett, age 5 years old, from Atlanta. Casey Clemens, from Douglasville. Louis Kushni, age 5, going on 23. This is the cutest kid. Wait till you guys get to know him on the radio. He is. He will be the spokesperson probably for Burt's Big Adventure for the next 10 years. And he's only five years old. We've got Steven Hobson going on the trip. Hey, Steven. Big old Chargers fan. That's why he's going. Riley Cobalt, 10 years old from Monroe. Brayden Plemons, age 5, from Rome. They actually had to stay downtown last night. We put them up. Birch Big Adventure put them up downtown. Cause they couldn't get back to Rome because of all the snow.

[Co-host Wendy]

I should have done the same thing.

[Bert]

You still have your car today? Crashed on their couch. Kaylee Prisk, she's seven years old from Stockbridge. She's the girl that we were telling you about that just gets like fractures like that. Hunter Pruitt is six, from Cumming. Madison Shipley, six years old from Waleska. TJ Walter from Norcross. And Angel Williams, she's five years old. Forest park, that is Burt's Big Adventure 2010. You guys are gonna fall in love with these guys. So we will officially introduce you to them in February. We told them last night this is the longest 40 days of your life right here. Definitely telling your kids you're going to Disney World and you gotta wait 40 days.

[Co-host Female]

Well, at least all the kids got those countdown clocks. They cannot ask their parents every single day.

[Parent/Caller]

Parents.

[Co-host Female]

You can say it. Look at your clock.

[Bert]

Yeah. Icebox put together these great countdown clocks and they digitally count back now to the exact moment that we're leaving for Disney. So, yeah, they really stuff for us. You're on the Birch Show. Oh, I have had no luck lately.

[Caller Leo]

Wait.

[Parent/Caller]

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[Bert]

10 bucks for 30.

[Caller Leo]

I'm headed over to spinquest.com right now.

[Bert]

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