Vault: Do High School Clicks Still Exist?

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Bert Show

Episode Title: Vault: Do High School Clicks Still Exist?
Release Date: December 30, 2025
Host: Bert (The Bert Show Cast)
Featured Cast: Various co-hosts and callers
Podcast by: Pionaire Podcasting

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Bert Show dives into a relatable and nostalgic topic: Do high school cliques still exist in adulthood, or do we ever truly outgrow the social dynamics we experienced as teens? Using a recent episode of Desperate Housewives as a springboard for discussion, Bert and his cast, joined by callers, get real about social roles, personality changes, and the persistence—or fading—of cliques in our adult lives.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Desperate Housewives as the Catalyst

[01:22-04:15]

• The episode starts with Bert mentioning a scene from Desperate Housewives which suggests that "high school never really ends."

• The cast plays a segment where two characters, representing a former cheerleader and a self-identified outsider, discuss whether people ever move past their high school personas and roles.

  Notable Quote (from Desperate Housewives):
  "See, I don't think we do. I'm still the outsider that doesn't get invited to the cool parties. And you're still the perky cheerleader who thinks that she can pull the wool over everyone's eyes... Because we're still in high school. The old rules apply."
  —Edie, via Caller/Guest 4, [03:40]

Takeaway: The panel is intrigued by the idea that even as adults, many of us retain those same social constructs or try to replicate them in new environments.

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2. Can People Truly Change Their "High School" Persona?

[04:15–06:45]

• The hosts and callers debate if people's high school roles—jock, cheerleader, outsider—get left behind, or simply evolve.

• Callers argue both sides:

  • Some say life events (e.g., having kids early, personal growth) force change,
  • Others argue underlying insecurities and personality traits often persist.

  Bert [04:15]:
  "Does that ever change throughout life? If you were the jock and got special treatment, when you become an adult, do you still remain in the jock clique?"

  • Drew Ski, a caller, shares his transformation from "dorky" in high school to social and popular as an adult, but notes that his core personality stayed the same—it simply became more accepted.

    "I basically act the same. It's just, it's more accepted now than it was back then."
    —Drew Ski, [06:39]

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3. Cliques and Social Skills in Adult Life

[07:05–08:42]

• Discussion moves to professional life, particularly sales—where ex-jocks and former cheerleaders tend to thrive due to their social skills and ability to "schmooze."

• The group weighs whether popularity is about athletic ability, looks, or social competence.

  Caller/Guest 3 [07:05]:
  "The absolute best salespeople are the jocks. And the ones you can tell are like the popular girls and the cheerleaders because they've got that whole schmoozing personality and they know how to kiss up better than anybody."

  Bert [08:01]:
  "I think it has very, very little to do with your personality. I can already see...how adults treat the good looking kids differently than they treat kids that aren't as good looking."

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4. Reunions & Role Reversals

[08:42-10:31]

• Multiple anecdotes about high school reunions:

  • Some report cliques re-forming even at 10-year reunions,
  • Others describe refreshing changes and blending of groups at older reunions.
  • A notable case: Those who stayed in their small hometowns (and weren't the 'it crowd' in high school) get the spotlight at the reunion.

  Caller/Guest 3 [08:46]:
  "...When I walked in the door of this place, it...was like meeting whole new friends...So, you know, I don't know if the clicks were in my head or if those people just changed, but they're now some of my best friends."

  Bert [09:54]:
  "At the 10 year high school reunion, it's still the same cliques. At least in my school..."

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5. Personal Experiences: Cliques Persisting in the Workplace

[10:34–11:48]

• Younger callers point out that even in their 20s, workplace dynamics echo high school social divisions.

• Dress and behavior similar to “alternative” or outsider groups are still subject to judgment.

  Caller/Guest 3 [11:35]:
  "I just see people that I work with that kind of hate on the people that dress like that, and they're not very nice, and it carries on with them. They're bitter."

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6. A Nostalgic Look at High School Fashion

[11:48–12:22]

• Light-hearted exchange about '80s and '90s high school fashion—tight jeans, starter jackets, "Choose Life" t-shirts, and big permed hair.

  Bert [12:14]:
  "Yeah, No, I have my Choose Life T shirt on today. Frankie says I'm wearing that one tomorrow."

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On change and persistence:
  "If you hated what you were going through, you adjusted to something that works. But if you were [the] cheerleader and jock and really enjoyed that lifestyle, I do think you try to keep that going as long as you can."
  —Caller/Guest 1, [05:13]

• On popularity and adulthood:
  "Everybody has the common factor of we're all dorky."
  —Bert, [09:38]

• On 'inner dorkiness':
  "You embrace it, you embrace it at that point."
  —Caller/Guest 1, [09:44]

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Key Timestamps

• 01:22 – Topic Introduction: Do we ever leave high school cliques?
• 03:18 – Desperate Housewives scene exploring old high school roles
• 05:54 – Caller Drew Ski shares transformation from dork to outgoing adult
• 07:05 – Sales departments as 'grown-up cliques' of jocks/cheerleaders
• 08:46 – Experiences at high school reunions (cliques persisting/changing)
• 10:34 – Younger employee describes cliques in the workplace
• 11:48 – Playful reminiscing about '80s/'90s high school fashion

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Episode Tone & Style

True to the Bert Show's brand, the discussion is candid, relatable, and occasionally irreverent. The tone is a blend of thoughtful introspection and light, personal banter, with moments of humor and nostalgia. Both hosts and callers bring authenticity, laughter, and occasional self-deprecation.

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Summary Takeaways

• Many people experience echoes of high school cliques and roles well into adulthood, though some do break out of their old patterns.
• Certain social skills (or even “statuses” like looks or athleticism) can carry over to adult environments, such as the workplace.
• Life circumstances and time can soften, reinforce, or completely change old social dynamics, as seen in stories about reunions and workplace hierarchies.
• At the end of the day, we all carry a little “inner dork”—and as adults, there’s a kind of freedom in finally embracing it.

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Transcript

[Progressive Insurance Announcer]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever think about switching insurance companies to see if you could save some cash? Progressive makes it easy to see if you could save when you bundle your home and auto policies. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states.

[Mrs. Claus's Younger Sister]

Guys, thanks for helping me carry my Christmas tree.

[Zoe]

Zoe, this thing weighs a ton.

[Drew Ski]

Drewski, live with your legs, man.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Santa. Santa, did you get my letter?

[Zoe]

He's talking to you, Bridges.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

I'm not.

[Mrs. Claus's Younger Sister]

Of course he did. Right, Santa?

[Drew Ski]

My elf Drew Ski here.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

He handles the nice list and elf.

[Zoe]

I'm six' three. What everyone wants is iPhone 17 and at T mobile you can get it on them. That center stage front camera is amazing for group selfies, right, Mrs. Claus?

[Mrs. Claus's Younger Sister]

I'm Mrs. Claus much younger sister and at T mobile, there's no trade in needed when you switch. So you can keep your old phone.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Or give it as a gift.

[Mrs. Claus's Younger Sister]

And the best part, you can make the switch to T mobile from your phone in just 15 minutes.

[Zoe]

Guys, my side of the tree is slipping.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Kimber, the holidays are better.

[T-Mobile Announcer]

AT T Mobile, switch in just 15 minutes and get iPhone 17 on on us with no trade in needed. And now T mobile is available in US cellular stores with 34 monthly bill credits for well qualified customers plus tax and $35 vice connection charge credits and imbalance 2. If you pay off earlier, cancel financing. 256 gigs 830 eligible board in a new line, $100 plus a month plan with auto payments, taxes and fees required. Check out 15 minutes or less per line. Visit t mobile.com.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

The Bird Show. Anybody see Desperate Housewives last night or Sunday night?

[Caller or Guest 1]

I should say no, I missed it.

[Caller or Guest 2]

Yes.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

I love that show.

[Caller or Guest 2]

I'm obsessed.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Totally.

[Caller or Guest 2]

And I've gotten my husband obsessed about it too. Like I was like, oh, it's Sunday, Desperate Housewives. And he, he said, oh yay. And I was like, did you say oh yay about Desperate Housewives? He's like, oh, I did, didn't I?

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

See, I can't tell if it's a really good show or we're desperate for a show that is anything like Sex and the City.

[Caller or Guest 3]

No, it's a good show.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Is it a good show?

[Caller or Guest 2]

Yes, it's a really good show. You know, I was reading this morning that more than double the people were watching Desperate Housewives on Sunday night. Then we're watching Teri Hatcher win her award at the Golden Globes for Desperate Housewives Sunday night. They put the Golden Globes up against it and it did terrible in the, in comparison. It was like, I think the rating was like an 11 point something for desperate housewives and like 5 point something for the Golden Globes.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Well, Desperate Housewives on Sunday night, I thought they took a really interesting avenue. And I want to get your guys opinion on this. When we're all going through high school, we are all like, I just can't wait to get through high school, get away from the cliques, get away from all the judgments and just be ourselves, you know. And in Desperate Housewives on Sunday, they made the observation that high school never really ends. And just to set this click up for you or this clip up for you, the deal is this, that Teri Hatcher's got herself into some, some real big problems here with another character on the show, Edie, and she's really starting to kiss her butt. And in this scene right here, Teri Hatcher and Edie are on the side of the road while Edie's car, the tire went flat on it and she starts to look at Teri Hatcher like, look, you didn't like me before, so I know you're up to something. Why are you being so nice to me now? This is very similar to what used to happen to me in high school. And she makes a pretty interesting observation. I want to see if you guys think it's true.

[Caller or Guest 4]

Bet you were a cheerleader in high school, weren't you?

[Mrs. Claus's Younger Sister]

My junior year.

[Caller or Guest 3]

How'd you know?

[Caller or Guest 4]

Girls like you are always cheerleaders. Clear skinned, honor roll popular. In high school I was the girl that hung out with the freaks from the loading dock and smoked. Everyone hated us.

[Caller or Guest 3]

Well, you know high school. Thank God we leave that behind.

[Caller or Guest 4]

See, I don't think we do. I'm still the outsider that doesn't get invited to the cool parties. And you're still the perky cheerleader who thinks that she can pull the wool over everyone's eyes. What? You came on this trip, paid for the gas. And look at you, you're changing this flat when you know I have auto club. You want something from me.

[Caller or Guest 3]

I just know Mrs. Hoover's death's been hard on you. I want to help.

[Caller or Guest 4]

That's a lie. Why would you think I was lying? Because we're still in high school. The old rules apply.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Okay, so is that true? Like do we ever really leave high school? Like the Persona that you have in high school if you're the cheerleader that just had to, you know, basically crack a smile and pretty much Got what you want. Does that ever change throughout life? If you were the jock and you got special treatment when you're out of high school and you become an adult, do you go to another clique or do you still remain in the jock clique as an adult?

[Caller or Guest 2]

Well, see, I think it depends on what happens to you because I think if the popular cheerleader girl gets pregnant at 18 and ends up having a whole bunch of kids real early on in life, like she's not going to have the same life that she did in high school. And if the really popular jock guy gets big and fat and bald, then he's not going to have the same privileges. You know what I mean?

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Like, that's always, that's going to be hard on him. That's going to be really hard.

[Caller or Guest 2]

But that's always the cliche of when you go back to your, what, 20 year high school reunion, that everything is different at that point and we focus.

[Caller or Guest 1]

On the cheerleader, the jock. Like in that clip, Edie was the one talking, correct?

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Right.

[Caller or Guest 1]

And she was the one on the dock, like she said, smoking. You know, the thing is, she's still stuck in the same mode of not trusting anybody and everybody is getting more than she is. So, like, she's just as guilty and as she is claiming Teri Hatcher to be. So it's not just the jocks and the cheerleaders. I think a lot of times the ones who were left out of the cliques in high school may still live that life as an adult. I don't think it's everybody. I think, you know, I think, you know, if you hated what you were going through, you adjust it to, to something that works. But if you were cheerleader and jock and really enjoyed that lifestyle, I do think you try to keep that going as long as you can.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

I think you do, too. 404-741-1005 Good morning, Sean. You're on the Bert show on all the hits. Q100.

[Drew Ski]

Hey, what's up, Bert? Hey, man, how's it going?

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

It's going good. Just wondering if, like, do we ever really leave, like the cliques that we had in high school or do we remain the same person throughout our whole lives?

[Drew Ski]

I'm gonna have to say, I guess it would kind of depend on the person. But me personally, I did. I'll shoot you straight up. I was pretty dorky in high school and now, like, I got out of high school, started hanging out at the clubs a little more, you know, got into dance and stuff like that. And became like really pretty popular, had a lot of friends. So, yeah, I would have to say it can possibly change.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Yeah.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Do you find yourself, though, as the guy that was dorky in high school and has made the transition to cool guy? Do you find yourself letting everybody know how cool you are now because you're still trying to hide the dorky Persona from, from high school?

[Drew Ski]

Really? No, because I basically act the same. It's just, it's more accepted now than it was back then.

[Caller or Guest 2]

It's like little John. Have you seen that picture of little John when he was in high school? It's the dorkiest thing you have ever seen. We've got to find that. I think it was in Blender magazine last month and it is the dorkiest picture you have ever seen. And Lil Jon's like super cool guy now.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

He's super crunk.

[Caller or Guest 2]

He's super crunk.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Good morning, Jenny. You're on all the hits. Q100.

[Caller or Guest 3]

Hi, Bird. I just wanted to let you know I think you have it right to a good degree. I think people can change like their last caller said. But I work in a company that has a lot of salespeople and the absolute best salespeople are the jocks. And the ones you can tell are like the popular girls and the cheerleaders because they've got that whole schmoozing personality and they know how to kiss up better than anybody.

[Caller or Guest 1]

That's almost a good observation. You can look at a sales department and see you can kind of guess who the old jocks and cheerleaders were.

[Caller or Guest 3]

Oh, you totally can tell. They're so obvious. So I think, like the last caller, I think I've changed so much from high school and fit into the mainstream a little bit. But you can tell the ones you've stuck to their personalities.

[Caller or Guest 2]

Do you think it's the social skills? Do you think that they became the cheerleaders and the jocks and stuff in high school or the popular crowd because they had better social skills than the other people?

[Caller or Guest 3]

I think somewhat, I think a lot of that stuff, personally, I believe it stems from insecurity too. You act like a big old cocky jock and, you know, then all of a sudden you get treated like one.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

But I think, I think it has very, very little to do with your personality. And I think it has to do with your, in this case, athletic ability and how good looking you are. Like, I can already see, like when I go to pick up Hayden from daycare, I can already see how adults treat the good looking kids Differently than they treat the kids that aren't as good looking. I could already see it happening, like really.

[Caller or Guest 1]

And I think in my school it was not only. And it wasn't always looks because not, you know, for me, not every cheerleader was. I mean there were non cheerleaders who are better looking physically, but also money where they came from. In my high school it was the, the kids who lived in the better neighborhoods ended up being the ones who were. They had evol into those circles.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Hey Diane, do we ever truly leave high school?

[Caller or Guest 3]

You know, I think we do. I recently went to my high school reunion. 30 years and my small school on the Gulf coast was very cliquish, extremely cliquish. And I was not part of that group. I was shy and I was raised on a farm and I just totally wasn't the cheerleader type. Very studious. And when I walked in the door of this place, it was, it wasn't like going back 30 years. It was like meeting whole new friends. I mean the whole group. My boyfriend was with me and he said, gosh, I didn't realize that you were so popular in school. And I said, I wasn't. I totally wasn't. It was awful. School was awful. So, you know, I don't know if the clicks were in my head or if those people just changed, but they're now some of my best friends. I mean they're, they're awesome.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

So I think adulthood just brings dorkiness. And as you get older, everybody has the common factor of we're all dorky.

[Caller or Guest 1]

You embrace it, you embrace it at that point.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Your inner dorkiness.

[Caller or Guest 1]

When you're in control and can, you know, move where you want to and take whatever job you want to, then yeah, you're a little more comfortable with it.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

I will say at the 10 year high school reunion, it's still same cliques. Everybody that was hanging out in their cliques, at least in my school, was hanging out at the 10 year high school reunion in the same clique.

[Caller or Guest 1]

My tenure is kind of interesting how the people who were at the head table, the people who were the most personality and organized everything, were the people that stayed in my little small hometown who were not the cheerleaders and jocks. And it was almost as if they were able to be the big shots at this reunion. So it almost was reversal at the tenure. Yeah, it was interesting.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Good morning Sam. You're on the Bird show. All the hits. Q100.

[Caller or Guest 3]

Hi. Yeah, I'm. I mean I'm young and I can't tell you about people who are, like, 40 and how things go down when they're 40, but people, like, pretty much between almost to about 30 years old, I can say that it carries with them, even the kids that really. People who didn't really have clicks and who didn't really have, like, to be. Who weren't like. I guess, as you guys would call it, the jocks and the cheerleaders and stuff, it carries on with them because I can just. I work in a restaurant, so I work with a lot of people that are older as well, and they kind of. I don't want to say. I mean, they're not. They're not real. Like, me and a couple of my friends, like, we drew. I guess we dress kind of like we were those kids in high school, and they. They totally treat us with disrespect. Like it carries on with them.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Who were you in high school?

[Caller or Guest 3]

I did. I was not a cheerleader by any means. I mean, I had a lot of friends.

[Caller or Guest 2]

But you were in the popular crowd.

[Caller or Guest 3]

I mean, I guess. I guess. But I wasn't. I don't. I don't know.

[Caller or Guest 1]

I wasn't.

[Caller or Guest 3]

Well, maybe I didn't really have a clique.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Maybe you'd have to know where you were in high school to be able to know whether or not you're in it as an adult.

[Caller or Guest 3]

I don't know. I don't know. But I just see people that I work with that kind of hate on the people that dress like that, and they're not very nice, and it carries on with them. They're bitter.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Well, I'm sure if I dress. If I dressed the way I dressed in high school, I'm sure that I would be ostracized, too.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

There you are in your Stix tour jacket.

[Caller or Guest 1]

I got my tight jeans that, you know, they're tight at the ankle. Little High Waters got. What else did I wear? Jeans and the big sweatshirts. The two sweatshirts. One that I cut designs in over another color with the belt that hangs down beneath my waist. I think I get laughed at if I get on.

[Caller or Guest 2]

I think if I busted out my starter jacket, I'd be in a lot of trouble.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Members only wear.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Yeah, No, I have my Choose Life T shirt on today. Frankie says I'm wearing that one tomorrow.

[Caller or Guest 1]

And I've got. Yeah, I got my hair all permed and jacked up. Yeah.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

The Birch Show.

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[Mrs. Claus's Younger Sister]

Guys, thanks for helping me carry my Christmas tree.

[Zoe]

Zoe. This thing weighs a ton.

[Drew Ski]

Drew Ski, lift with your legs, man.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Santa. Santa, did you get my letter?

[Zoe]

He's talking to you, Bridges.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

I'm not.

[Mrs. Claus's Younger Sister]

Of course he did.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Right, Santa, you know my elf, Drew Ski here. He handles the nice list.

[Zoe]

And elf, I'm six' three. What everyone wants is iPhone 17 and at T Mobile. You can get it on them. That center stage front camera is amazing for group selfies. Right, Mrs. Claus?

[Mrs. Claus's Younger Sister]

I'm Mrs. Claus's much younger sister. And AT T Mobile, there's no trade in needed when you switch. So you can keep your old phone.

[Bert (Host of The Bert Show)]

Or give it as a gift.

[Mrs. Claus's Younger Sister]

And then the best part, you can make the switch to T Mobile from your phone in just 15 minutes.

[Zoe]

Nice. My side of the tree is slipping.

[T-Mobile Announcer]

Kimber. The holidays are better. AT T Mobile, switch in just 15 minutes and get iPhone 17 on us with no trade in needed. And now T Mobile is available in US cellular stores with 24 month credits for well qualified customers plus tax and $35 vice connection charge credits and imbalance due if you pay off earlier. Finance Agreement 256g $830 eligible for in a new line $100 plus a month plan without our payments. Taxes fees required to come 15 minutes or less per line.

[Progressive Insurance Announcer]

Visit t mobile.com this episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever think about switching insurance companies to see if you could save some cash? Progressive makes it easy to see if you could save when you bundle your home and auto policies. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states.