The Bert Show – "Vault: Do You Save Pictures Of Your Ex?"

Release Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Bert and The Bert Show Cast (Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, et al.)
Episode Theme:
Exploring the emotional minefield of keeping photos of exes—do you toss them, tuck them away, or keep them out in the open? The hosts and listeners dive into perspectives on sentimentality, boundaries, and what holding on to an old photo really means.

Episode Overview

In this episode, The Bert Show team reflects on the often testy subject of ex-photos. Prompted by a real-life incident within Bert's own relationship, the cast debates the boundaries around holding onto pictures from past relationships, shares personal stories, and hears from listeners who've faced similar dilemmas. What may seem like a harmless keepsake to some is a dealbreaker to others—a spirited, honest, and funny conversation ensues.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Inciting Incident: Bert, Katie, and the Picture in the Drawer

[01:38]

• Bert recounts discovering an old picture of himself and his ex (not Lisa) in his office drawer; Katie, his partner, finds it too.
• He suspects Katie left the picture visible on purpose, leading to a conversation and eventually, Bert throws the photo away.
• Surprisingly, Katie gets mad—not because he kept the picture, but because he threw away a good photo of him.

"She said it was a good picture of you. And I said, well, regardless, I was with not Lisa. And I threw it away."
— Bert [03:30]

2. Is Image or Memory More Important?

[03:49]

• Katie’s philosophy: If you look good in a photo, keep it—regardless of who else is in it.
• Bert is puzzled: What's the point of keeping couple photos with an ex?

"Her feeling is, if it's a good picture of you, there is no reason to throw it away."
— Bert [03:49]

3. The Dinner Table Poll: Different Couples, Different Attitudes

[04:50]

• Crashing a birthday dinner, Bert and Katie poll friends. One couple reveals they are mid-debate on the same issue.
• One partner is fine keeping old photos; the other feels it signals holding onto past relationships.

4. Sentiment & The Past

[05:49]; [07:02]

• Jen shares she keeps old photos mixed in boxes—no "shrine," just memories from all parts of life.
• Bert sees the potential for discomfort: context and body language in photos (kissing, hugging) can hit a nerve.

"The underlying idea is that you're holding onto something or there's meaning behind them and why can't you throw them away?"
— Bert [06:29]

5. Placement Matters: Out in the Open vs. Tucked Away

[07:10]

• Hosts agree there’s a big difference between a photo in a box and one displayed.
• Nostalgia is seen as healthy if kept in its proper "season" of life.

"Had that picture of you and your ex been on your desk? Big issue. The fact that it was thrown haphazardly in some drawer, no issue."
— Radio Host [07:10]

6. Personal Anecdotes: Exclusion Zones & Relationship Tensions

[08:12]

• Jessica shares banning her partner from talking about past boyfriends when visiting familiar places, exposing how old relationships can impact new ones.

7. Listener Call-In: Where’s My Photo?

[09:09]

• A listener tells the story of her girlfriend still keeping pictures of an ex in her wallet, but none of their current relationship, sparking an on-air intervention and advice.

"No photo of you in the wallet. But they're photos of her and the ex."
— Burt [11:30]

8. Collective Reflection: What Do We Really Keep?

[10:00]

• Listeners and hosts reflect: old relationships are part of personal history, shaping who we are.
• Hosts agree: intimacy in photos (kissing, in bed) crosses a line.

"If you're macking down with someone in a picture, that picture should be... I don't ever want to see those pictures. Just toss them."
— Bert [10:26]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bert on sentimental value:
  "The reason she put the picture out was because she's mad, but she's doing it just to mess with me because she saw it and she's, oh, here." [03:49]
• Jen on perspective:
  "To me, it's just like looking at a picture of your past because there's somebody else in there that you had a good time with. I have no emotional attachment, no romantic attachment to that person anymore." [05:49]
• Radio Host on placement:
  "As long as it's not like a dedicated, like, oh, this is my shrine box to my ex." [07:31]
• Caller’s relational red flag:
  "I'm surprised you're with her a year." — Burt [11:54]
  "No, I wouldn't do that. I love it more than a photo's not gonna tear us apart or anything like that, but, you know, it’s just kind of... it's just kind of crappy." — Caller [12:05]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:38] – Bert’s office drawer story kicks off the debate.
• [03:49] – Katie’s stance: good photo, keep it!
• [04:50] – Dinner table poll; discovering the argument is universal.
• [05:49] – Jen’s explanation of how old photos fit into her life.
• [07:10] – The group discusses photos hidden vs. on display.
• [08:12] – Jessica recounts rules and boundaries from her own relationship.
• [09:09] – Listener call: girlfriend’s ex’s photos still in her wallet.
• [10:26] – Where The Bert Show draws the line: bedroom photos, intimate snaps—toss them!

Summary: Relationship Snapshots or Red Flags?

The cast and listeners of The Bert Show explore the blurry lines between sentimentality and respect in relationships, ultimately landing on the idea that context and placement matter most. While some see keeping photos as normal—just memories from their own past—others view it as a potential sore spot or boundary crossing, particularly if the photos are intimate or kept in prominent places.

If it’s a memento from your life, keep it tucked away. If it’s public, personal, or intimate—think twice. And if your current love can’t find a photo of themselves on your phone or wallet, it may be time for a conversation!