Vault: Eric's Date with Step-Sister

Summary

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The Bert Show

Episode: Vault: Eric's Date with Step-Sister
Date: November 4, 2025
Main Theme:
A comedic and spirited debate unfolds as The Bert Show team and their listeners react to Eric’s surprising "First Date Friday" update: he went on a romantic date with his former stepsister. The episode dives deep into the nuances, ethics, stigma, and real-life stories around dating a former step-sibling, sparking laughter, discomfort, and strong opinions.

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on Eric, who, after reconnecting with his former stepsister years after their parents divorced, decides to ask her on a date. The cast revisits Eric’s call from the previous week, checks in post-date, and fields listener calls ranging from supportive to appalled. The frank, funny, and very real conversation explores where the lines of family, romance, and taboos are drawn—especially when there's no blood relation.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Eric’s Backstory and First Date Details

(01:44 - 04:01)

• Hosts recap “First Date Friday”: Each week, the segment features a listener with an anticipated weekend date; today, revisiting Eric’s story.
• Eric explains: He's 28, his dad remarried when he was young, and he and his stepsister grew up in the same house until their parents divorced years ago.
  • “She was smoking hot. So I decided, what the hell, I’ll ask her out to dinner. You know, I don’t ever have to see her again.” (Eric, 03:19)
• After reconnecting in Atlanta (she’d returned from California), Eric asked her explicitly on a date—clarifying it wasn’t just sibling hangout territory.

2. In-Studio Reactions and Awkwardness

(02:28 - 03:50)

• The hosts wrestle with the situation’s “ick” factor but admit he’s not committing any crime.
  • “Dude, that is gonna be so weird for you, like if you kiss her or more.” (Host Chris, 03:42)
• Eric admits he’s aware things could be strange, but decides to play it by ear.

3. The Post-Date Check-In

(04:22 - 06:47)

• Eric’s update: The date was not awkward. They met, had drinks, attended a party, and made plans to go out again.
  • “I got together with her after work... Everybody liked her. It was totally cool... I like her even more.” (Eric, 04:37)
• He says he did not introduce her as his sister and people were generally receptive.
• The hosts needle him about whether they kissed; Eric demurs:
  • “I enjoyed myself way too much to kiss and tell after this. Normally I would, but this seems like a special thing, you know, it’s family.” (Eric, 06:36)

4. Listener Call-Ins: The Debate Explodes

(06:57 - 14:55)

• A caller objects strongly:
  • “I’m ready to vomit... I can’t believe you’re able to change the way you looked at this girl as your little sister all growing up, and now she’s a sexual object for you. To me, I think you’re really demented and you should end up on Maury Povich.” (Caller/Hater, 06:57)
• Eric defends himself—stressing there’s no biological relation, most friends are open-minded, and “it’s not incest.”
• Supportive caller Jen chimes in:
  • “There is nothing wrong with you going out with her at all. Nothing. It’s not like she’s your cousin. It’s not like y’all are half sister and brother.” (Caller Jen, 10:08)
• More listeners share parallel stories:
  • One slept with an ex-stepbrother after their parents’ divorce, noting “we never lived in the same house.” (Caller, 11:42)
  • Another tells of friends whose parents married each other—after which the former step-siblings eventually got married themselves. (Caller Cindy, 12:37)
• Hosts note they’re “in the minority” being weirded out; the majority of callers see nothing wrong.

5. Where Is the Line? Ethics, Stigma, and Southern Jokes

• The crew navigates the line between legality, taboo, and personal discomfort:
  • “Maybe age wise you’re talking, but I mean, they lived under the same roof, they grew up together, watched each other sort of mature together, that, yeah, something ain’t right.” (Host Chris, 08:18)
• The thread turns comedic as hosts and callers riff on potential family reunion logistics, stereotypes, and southern jokes:
  • “I think in West Virginia, they’ll give you a free piece of land.” (Jeff, 09:55)
  • “Are you aware that if you guys have kids, you’ll be the kid’s uncle and dad?” (Jeff, 09:22; Host Chris, 09:26)

6. When (and Should) They Tell the Family?

(08:49 - 09:19)

• Eric has not informed family; he’s “waiting to see if it develops.”
• Host Dana presses: Is that because he feels there’s something wrong? Eric admits he “doesn’t want the garbage in [his] head about it.”

7. Comedic Escalation and Final Thoughts

• Hosts and callers up the banter, pushing discomfort for comedic effect.
  • “As close as you are to your brother, you’ve never fantasized about making love to him?” (Jeff, 14:31)
• Some listeners and hosts crack under the weirdness, while others hold that love is love—no matter the family tree.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Eric, on asking his former stepsister out:
  “She was smoking hot. So I decided, what the hell, I’ll ask her out to dinner.” (03:19)
• Host Chris, on potential awkwardness:
  “Dude, that is gonna be so weird for you, like if you kiss her or more.” (03:42)
• Eric, on the post-date vibe:
  “Everybody liked her. It was totally cool. I continued to learn more about her. I like her even more.” (04:37)
• Caller/Hater, voicing strong disapproval:
  “I’m ready to vomit... I think you’re really demented and you should end up on Maury Povich.” (06:57)
• Eric, defending himself:
  “It’s not incest... I’m not biologically related to her, so.” (07:50)
• Caller Jen, in support:
  “There is nothing wrong with you going out with her at all. Nothing. It’s not like she’s your cousin.” (10:08)
• Jeff, cracking jokes:
  “If you guys have kids, you’ll be the kid’s uncle and dad.” (09:22) “I think in West Virginia, they’ll give you a free piece of land.” (09:55)
• Host Dana, on telling the family:
  “When are you gonna tell them?” (09:01)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• First Date Friday Backstory Recap: 01:44–03:34
• Eric Describes the Date: 04:22–06:26
• Kiss and Tell/Family Questions: 06:26–06:57
• Strongly Dissenting Caller: 06:57–07:50
• Supportive Callers & Stories: 10:02–12:55
• Responses and Comedic Escalations: 13:13–15:18

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Conclusion

The Bert Show fearlessly dives into a divisive subject, balancing humor and real talk with empathy for Eric’s unique dating scenario. The episode exposes listeners’ divided opinions, ranging from moral outrage to practical indifference, punctuated by real-life anecdotes and a Southern stereotype or two. The team promises future follow-ups as Eric and his former stepsister explore their unexpected romance, keeping listeners hooked for the next twist.

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Transcript

[Jeff]

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[Eric]

I never looked so good.

[Host Chris]

You look the same.

[Jeff]

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[Host Chris]

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[Host Dana]

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[Host Chris]

The Bird show all right, so this all started as a first date Friday.

[Host Dana]

Yeah, on first date Friday. We talk to people on Friday who have a big date that they're excited about coming up. Over the weekend we get the details of what they expect from the date and then on Monday we usually check back in with them to see if it met their expectations. So last Friday we did Just that. And we talked to Eric, who said that he was gonna go out over the weekend with his former stepsister. Apparently the story is that his parent and her parent married years ago when they were like 8 and 10 years old. They grew up together in the same home. And then those parents divorced. And he ran into her recently, found that she was attractive, he was attracted to her and asked her out on a date. Date. He let her know, look, I'm asking you out on an official date.

[Ad Voice (Adam Grant)]

And.

[Host Dana]

And she accepted.

[Jeff]

He actually said the sentence. This isn't a brother sister thing.

[Host Chris]

Yeah. You know what probably makes more sense? Let me play like 90 seconds of the first phone call that we took from this guy.

[Eric]

I'm 28 years old. My parents divorced when I was real young. My dad remarried a woman who had daughters. And my dad and this woman, they then got divorced. And so I'm going on a date.

[Ad Voice (Hers)]

With your stepsister?

[Eric]

Former stepsister.

[Host Chris]

Oh, dude, you can't.

[Eric]

I hadn't seen her in eight years. And we connected for lunch. My dad had her email address. She had just moved back into Atlanta. I'd been here. She went to California for school. And my dad said she was back in town. I shot her an email and went out for lunch. And she was smoking hot. So I decided, what the hell, I'll ask her out to dinner. You know, I don't ever have to see her again. So I said, you know, why don't.

[Host Jeff]

We.

[Eric]

Get some dinner Saturday night if you want to. You know, not a brother and sister thing. And she said she'd love to go out.

[Host Chris]

Dude, that is gonna be so weird for you, like if you kiss her or more. Or more.

[Eric]

I hear you. But I don't know. I mean, I. It. It could be. It could be kind of. It could. It could feel a little weird for that reason. But I guess, you know, I'll play it by ear.

[Host Chris]

Alright, so maybe you early morning Birch show listeners have more sense to you than the later Birch show listeners. Because after we played the following call from yesterday, we got a ton of calls saying, leave the guy alone. Not doing anything wrong at all. So we followed up with them yesterday to find out. This is what happened.

[Caller/Hater]

Eric.

[Host Jeff]

Good morning.

[Host Chris]

You are on the Burt Show. How are you, sir?

[Eric]

Hello.

[Host Chris]

We are reserving judgment until you tell us exactly what happened. Like, was it weird when you picked her up? Did you guys meet out? I mean, was it awkward the entire time?

[Eric]

No, not at all. Not at all. I got together with her after work. I hung out in my apartment in Midtown. We had a couple of drinks. There was a party in my apartment complex a couple doors down. We went down there. Everybody liked her. It was totally cool. I mean, I continued to learn more about her. I like her even more. You know, I never knew her really. I never really knew her as a person. I mean, I lived with her, but she was my stepsister when I was living with her, you know. But I got a chance to get to know her a lot better.

[Caller/Hater]

Did you introduce her to people as your sister?

[Eric]

No, no, I.

[Host Jeff]

People.

[Eric]

I sort of clued people in on the background and, you know, I was sort of bouncing it off people beforehand. But at the time, it was just like, you know, they seemed open to it.

[Host Chris]

You realize you were the most anticipated guest of the night.

[Eric]

I'm sure they couldn't wait for you.

[Host Chris]

To walk through the door and see what she looked like.

[Caller/Hater]

Yeah.

[Eric]

Yeah.

[Host Chris]

So you guys go have drinks, you hang at your place, you go to a couple of parties, and you are attracted to her.

[Eric]

Totally. Yeah. Yeah. We're. We're. Well, we. We. I mean, in terms of the date. We then went back to my place, hung out a little bit more and decided in the end to see each other again on Thursday. So we're going out again on Thursday.

[Host Chris]

I gotta ask you the obvious question. Did you kiss her goodnight?

[Eric]

I can't kiss and tell, man.

[Host Chris]

You kissed her on the lips, didn't you?

[Eric]

I can't kiss and tell. I enjoyed myself way too much to kiss and tell after this. Normally I would, but this seems like a special thing, you know, it's family.

[Host Chris]

Trying to be respectful, you know?

[Jeff]

Gotta respect the family. If it was just a stranger, sure, we did it, but, I mean, considering she's my sister and all. Respect her.

[Caller/Hater]

I gotta be honest with you. I'm ready to vomit. Like, I can't believe you're able to change the way you looked at this girl as your little sister all growing up, and now she's a sexual object for you. To me, I think you're really demented and you should end up on Maury Povich.

[Jeff]

Why?

[Caller/Hater]

I think it's demented, and I think it's sick. And I think it's bizarre and weird and incestual and creepy, and I think you need to see somebody seriously.

[Eric]

Well, you're entitled to your opinion. I. You know, the people. Most of the people that I talked to, it seemed like they were kind of. They were, like, slightly weirded out by it, but that they were. They were open to it in terms of, you know, like you said, you were saying people sending emails and were like, you know, this is not incest. I mean, it's not incest. I'm not biologically related to her, so.

[Host Chris]

Well, let me give you an example of one of those emails actually, because the calls are now coming in and I'm guessing this is from another dude. Hey, Chris. Yeah, go ahead.

[Eric]

Yeah, I want to support him. I think that just because they grew up together and they have no blood relation that there's really nothing wrong with it. I mean, it's just like you grew up with a childhood friend, so, you know, you guys know everything about each other. There's no big deal to it if you're not blood related, whether it's your sister or your brother. It's just like the girl next door.

[Host Chris]

Maybe age wise you're talking, but I mean, they lived under the same roof, they grew up together, watch each other sort of mature together, that, yeah, something ain't right.

[Jeff]

It's something right because you just. It doesn't think because the word is stepsister. But you know, I mean, the only. Honestly, the only problem I can see with it because you aren't blood related, that it's going to be difficult if you guys ever get married, that the church will have no center aisle because you don't need two sides. So when you come in, are you, you know, with the groom's family or the bride's family? You just say yes.

[Host Dana]

And what's the family?

[Ad Voice (Adam Grant)]

Yeah.

[Host Chris]

Have you even told us if any of the other family members know that you guys went out over the weekend?

[Eric]

No, they. Not, not that I know of. I don't think anybody knows at this point.

[Host Dana]

When are you gonna tell them?

[Eric]

I think I'll wait and see if it develops a little bit.

[Host Dana]

Why? I mean, is there a problem with telling them?

[Eric]

I just, I don't want to get. I don't want to get a bunch of the garbage in my head about it, you know?

[Host Chris]

Yeah. We're gonna have to follow your storyline for a while.

[Jeff]

You're aware that if you guys have kids, you'll be the kids uncle and dad?

[Host Chris]

No, because they're not really step uncle.

[Jeff]

She will be her kids grapple.

[Host Chris]

Yeah, I don't think technically that. Yeah, that's true. Because they're not ex, ex step uncle, Ex step uncle.

[Host Dana]

But they have pictures together when they grew up, like, you know, probably hanging out in the house when they were 8, 9, 10 years old. So if they do have. The kids will have plenty of. How did y' all meet? Well, that's when our parents married. And that's the house we moved into together when we were kids.

[Jeff]

I think in West Virginia. They'll give you a free piece of land.

[Eric]

Oh, yeah.

[Host Chris]

Good morning, Pam. You're on the Burt show. All the hits. Q100, at least.

[Caller Jen]

Good morning.

[Host Chris]

How's it going? All right. What's up?

[Caller Jen]

What's this guy's name?

[Host Chris]

This is Eric.

[Host Dana]

Eric.

[Caller Jen]

Eric, There is nothing wrong with you going out with her at all. Nothing. It's not like she's your cousin. It's not like y' all are half sister and brother. There's nothing wrong with it. So everybody's making a big deal about it. Don't even get a bunch of crap in your mind because there's nothing wrong with what you're doing.

[Host Chris]

Let me guess.

[Caller/Hater]

Are you married to somebody? That used to be a step.

[Caller Jen]

You shouldn't run and tell your family anything anyways. Because usually people don't know who you're dating or what you're up to until you start having feelings for somebody in the first place.

[Host Chris]

Jen has a question for you.

[Caller/Hater]

Did you ever date a step sibling?

[Caller Jen]

I never had any. My mom had five children and married someone that didn't have any kids.

[Host Chris]

Okay, you just.

[Caller Jen]

I mean, there. If there was blood relation or if it was like they shared the same father or the same mother, then I can see you saying it's sick and twisted and incestual. But that's pretty much an insult to someone who has no blood relation to this person whatsoever.

[Caller/Hater]

I guess it's an insult because they grew up in the same house together. And that's the way I feel about it. I mean, I just think that it's disgusting and it is incestual. I don't care if there's blood relation or not. They were a family unit, like brother and sister. And now he's sexually attracted to her blood or not.

[Ad Voice (Adam Grant)]

Gross.

[Jeff]

What's wrong with it, though, Eric?

[Caller Jen]

You can just keep doing what you're doing because you're not in the wrong at all.

[Jeff]

They didn't control that they lived in the same house.

[Caller/Hater]

I just think it's disgusting.

[Host Chris]

Hello. Jackie's gonna take it one step further. Hey, Jackie.

[Caller/Hater]

Hey.

[Caller Jen]

I don't think there's anything wrong with it. The first person I ever slept with was my ex stepbrother. After my parents had already gotten divorced. But they had been married for three years.

[Ad Voice (Adam Grant)]

Wow.

[Caller Jen]

And we were older. I mean, we didn't grow up together. I mean, I was 14, 15, 16. And then they got divorced. And when I was 17 is when we got together.

[Host Chris]

Jen, you and I are in the minority here. Most are calling up, saying, there's nothing wrong with this. To me, it's just icky, man. You slept with your stepbrother. The first guy you ever slept with was your stepbrother, Jackie.

[Caller Jen]

Yeah, but it was after our parents had already gotten divorced.

[Host Chris]

How long had y' all lived under the same roof?

[Caller Jen]

We never lived under the same roof. He lived with his mother, and I lived with his father and my mother.

[Jeff]

Okay, would that have been different for you, Jen? Like, let's say that Eric and the girl grew up in separate houses.

[Caller/Hater]

Well, I think her story. Her story's a little bit different because they didn't meet until they were already teenagers, and they never lived in the same household. So, yes, it makes it different. Still creepy. But not as creepy as Eric.

[Host Chris]

Good morning, Cindy. You're on the Birch Show.

[Caller Jen]

Hey. I grew up with a girl who was dating a guy. They introduced their parents. The parents got married, and they were not allowed to date anymore. When they got old enough, they started dating and got married. So mom and dad were married. And stepbrother. Stepsister married.

[Host Chris]

All right, so you're not in a boat by yourself. That's for sure, Eric. I mean, apparently this happens more than I had ever anticipated.

[Eric]

Yeah, really?

[Host Chris]

Well, I.

[Eric]

People calling it.

[Host Chris]

I definitely. Hold on a sec. I just want to take a call just to hear one person from the other side. Jen and I. Good morning, Caitlin.

[Caller Jen]

Yeah, I absolutely cannot believe that people are calling in agreeing with him. Jen, I am so with you on this. I think it's completely disgusting. He might as well move to Alabama and marry her. I mean, it's not Tennessee. Yeah, it's ridiculous.

[Jeff]

Or Tennessee, West Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, anywhere.

[Host Chris]

Y' all do realize that people in Alabama and West Virginia make Georgia jokes, right?

[Caller/Hater]

Of course.

[Host Chris]

Okay. Yeah.

[Caller Jen]

Well, I mean, now they definitely can make jokes about us with this.

[Host Chris]

Yeah, this didn't help.

[Caller/Hater]

Yeah.

[Eric]

This is so different. This is so different from a kissing cousins thing.

[Jeff]

And there's like, six years apart between the time their parents got divorced and today.

[Host Chris]

There's so many women out there.

[Jeff]

They're different people.

[Caller/Hater]

You have step siblings, Jeff.

[Jeff]

You can't control love.

[Caller/Hater]

Would you ever date one of them?

[Jeff]

Well.

[Eric]

No.

[Host Chris]

Why not?

[Jeff]

Because they're both guys.

[Caller/Hater]

If there was a woman and she happened to be hot, would you date her? Be honest.

[Jeff]

Yeah, you gotta get it where you can.

[Host Chris]

People save that such an ador. Jen, we are in the far minority. Are you telling Me calling up, saying, there's nothing wrong with this. I still haven't heard a good.

[Caller/Hater]

I think it's because we came. I came so strong and we came so strong against it that people always have to call up to. I cannot believe this is the majority. I cannot.

[Jeff]

As close as you are to your brother, you've never fantasized about making love to him.

[Caller/Hater]

You are sick.

[Jeff]

Just not even going all the way, but just letting your brother go up your shirt.

[Caller/Hater]

Oh, my gosh. You are so disgusting.

[Ad Voice (Adam Grant)]

Just.

[Jeff]

You've never French kissed, like on the holidays.

[Caller/Hater]

Oh, my God.

[Host Dana]

Only child would say that.

[Caller Jen]

Crap.

[Caller/Hater]

Sick.

[Jeff]

I'm just asking. You guys are a close family.

[Caller/Hater]

Was it okay when your stepbrothers touched you when you were little?

[Jeff]

I don't remember that.

[Eric]

I blocked out everything.

[Caller/Hater]

You liked it.

[Jeff]

I blocked out everything before age 8.

[Host Chris]

So I don't know. Hey, Eric, we are definitely going to check in with you over the next couple of weeks to see how things are progressing with your sister.

[Eric]

Sounds great, man.

[Host Chris]

All right, dude.

[Eric]

See my sister.

[Jeff]

Seal the deal, bro.

[Eric]

Get her done.

[Host Chris]

See you, man.

[Eric]

See you, man. The first show.

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[Eric]

Morning, Zoe. Got donuts.

[Host Dana]

Jeff Bridges, why are you still living above our garage?

[Eric]

Well, I dig the mattress and I want to be in a T mobile commercial like you. Teach me. So, Dana.

[Host Dana]

Oh, no, I'm not really prepared. I couldn't possibly at t mobile get the new iPhone 17 Pro on them.

[Ad Voice (Hers)]

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[Host Dana]

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[Eric]

Wow, impressive. Let me try. T mobile is the best place to get iPhone 17 Pro because they've got the best network.

[Caller/Hater]

Nice.

[Host Dana]

Jeffrey, you heard them.

[Eric]

T Mobile is the best place to get the new iPhone 17 Pro on us with eligible trade in in any condition. So what are we having for launch?

[Host Dana]

Dude, my work here is done.

[Eric]

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[Host Jeff]

You pay off earlier.

[Eric]

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[Host Jeff]

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