Vault: Father Bailey back in studio

Summary

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The Bert Show – "Vault: Father Bailey Back in Studio"

Release Date: July 21, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode welcomes the beloved and occasionally controversial Father Bailey back to The Bert Show studio. Known for bringing real, relatable takes, Father Bailey bridges pop culture and spirituality. The main segment features his thoughts on forgiveness and second chances, following rapper T.I.’s controversial school visit, and he also offers candid advice on navigating awkward church relationships. The episode closes with a heartfelt, creative prom proposal.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Welcoming Father Bailey Back (01:02–01:53)

• The team expresses warmth and excitement at having Father Bailey in studio again.
  • Quote (Host, 01:02):
    “Feels like home again. Cause Father Bailey’s here with us. Welcome back.”
  • Quote (Father Bailey, 01:06):
    “Thank you so much, man. Thank you for having me back.”
• Light-hearted jokes about how long he's been joining the show (6–7 years) and never getting paid.
  • Quote (Father Bailey, 01:53):
    “You’re still waiting to get paid, bro. You know where the check is.”

2. Father Bailey’s Role & Approach (02:00–02:20)

• The hosts establish Father Bailey’s unique knack for connecting pop culture moments with biblical messages.
• Today’s focus: T.I.’s community service and second chances.

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3. Social Media Boundaries with Priests (02:21–05:04)

• Producer Joanna shares discomfort with her own wedding priest following/interacting on social media.
• Father Bailey immediately brands the priest’s behavior as “creepy.”
  • Quote (Father Bailey, 02:52):
    “As the third grade kids…may say, he sounds like a creeper.”
• Jokes and playful banter ensue, but ultimately, Bailey underscores Joanna’s right to create boundaries.
  • Quote (Father Bailey, 04:40):
    “If she feels a little creeped out by the whole thing, I think it’s only fair for her to tell him... Not the most prudent thing for someone to do.”

Notable Moment:

Joanna’s awkwardness is met with both humor (“Are you hot?” – Father Bailey, 04:08) and supportive advice about digital boundaries in religious and personal circles.

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4. The T.I. School Visit Controversy: Forgiveness & Second Chances (05:06–13:49)

Background (05:06–07:14)

• Coverage of T.I.’s post-prison efforts: visiting schools, giving talks about his mistakes, and fulfilling community service.
• Some parents criticize bringing him in as a speaker; debate over appropriateness and the need for parental input.
  • Quote (Tom Myers, parent, 06:03): “If I don’t want my child to be there, just give me the right to opt them out.”
  • Quote (Principal Oates, 06:23): “Even the commander in chief screwed up when he was young. But President George W. Bush was not available.”

Father Bailey’s Take: Pop Culture Meets Scripture (07:27–13:49)

• Bailey acknowledges TI’s troubled past but applauds using his experiences to teach youth.
• He pivots the conversation to biblical examples of forgiveness—adultery, prodigal son.
  • Quote (Father Bailey, 07:47):
    “The real issue here is the topic of forgiveness and giving people a second chance... God is the God of forgiveness and the God of a second chance.”
  • References:
    • Woman caught in adultery (“Let the one who is among you without sin cast the first stone.”)
    • Prodigal son (“...gave the kid new clothes, put some fresh bling on his finger, and a whole lot of people there to celebrate his return home.”)
• Strong message: We all have a past; everyone needs and deserves forgiveness.
  • Quote (Father Bailey, 09:12):
    “We all have a past. There is no escaping that at all… Because God loves us just as we are, he gives us the gift of his forgiveness and compassion.”
• Father Bailey’s self-deprecating, relatable tone:
  • Quote (Father Bailey, 11:40):
    “If you want to see someone who makes mistakes and mess up on the regular, you need to look no further than your friendly neighborhood Father Crunk. I did, and I still do stupid things, I say dumb things. And Lord knows I am the mistake king.”
• Advocates for seeing “haters” with compassion, quoting T.I.’s lyrics for emphasis.
  • Quote (Father Bailey, quoting T.I., 12:40):
    “Save all the hating and the popping Player, you don’t know me… So the deal here is we really don’t know these folks or how their personal lives have been touched or transformed by the love and liberation they receive from God.”
• Conclusion: Celebrate transformation over perfection, and “do unto others as you would have them do to you.”

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5. Father Bailey Shoutouts (13:49–14:54)

• Rapid-fire shoutouts to the community, students at Blessed Trinity, staff, friends, and various “players” and helpers.
• Uplifting and humorous, he keeps things lively.
  • Quote (Father Bailey, 13:51):
    “I want to say what’s up, what’s happening to the one and only brown sugar… to all my folks at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell… about to get out to get big things popping and little things stopping. Peace to all of y’all.”

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6. Heartfelt Promposal Live On Air (15:03–17:18)

• Janie, a Blessed Trinity student, joins to creatively invite her boyfriend Austin to prom.
  • Quote (Janie, 16:15): “Austin Petrick, will you go to prom with me?”
• The team teases her about asking at the last minute and jokes about backup plans.
• The moment is spontaneous, sweet, and underscores the “family” vibe of the show.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On social media boundaries:
  “As the third grade kids... may say, he sounds like a creeper.” (Father Bailey, 02:52)
• On second chances:
  “The real issue here is the topic of forgiveness and giving people a second chance.” (Father Bailey, 07:47)
• On self-reflection:
  “If you want to see someone who makes mistakes and mess up on the regular, you need to look no further than your friendly neighborhood Father Crunk.” (Father Bailey, 11:40)
• Quoting T.I.:
  “‘Save all the hating… you don’t know me.’” (Father Bailey, 12:40)
• Prom invitation:
  “Austin Petrick, will you go to prom with me?” (Janie, 16:15)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:02] – Welcoming Father Bailey & catching up
• [02:21] – Social media & church boundaries with Joanna and Father Bailey
• [05:06] – T.I. school visit controversy recap
• [07:27] – Father Bailey's sermon: Forgiveness & second chances
• [13:49] – Father Bailey’s shoutouts
• [15:03] – Janie’s prom proposal to Austin

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Tone & Style

• Fun, freewheeling, unfiltered—mix of irreverence and heartfelt wisdom
• Direct and conversational, with laughter, honesty, and empathy
• Urban, community-focused language and “Father Crunk” persona from Father Bailey
• Genuine efforts to uplift, connect, and encourage real talk on faith, mistakes, and love

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For listeners: This episode blends thought-provoking reflection on forgiveness and second chances with classic Bert Show fun. Father Bailey’s candor and humor offer unique spiritual grounding; his embrace of real-life flaws and uplifting attitude leave a lasting impact. The episode closes with youthful energy and heart, reinforcing the show’s sense of community and positivity.

Transcript

[A]

Hey, everybody.

[B]

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[C]

Feels like home again. Cause Father Bailey's here with us. Welcome back.

[A]

Thank you so much, man. Thank you for having me back.

[C]

You look good, man.

[A]

I feel great, man.

[C]

You know, you look good. How's things going over at Blessed Trinity?

[A]

Things are great. This is the last phase of our school year. Have my girl Janie Merce right here with me today. You know, repping that BT to the fullest. The young people are getting ready to finish up their school. You know, the seniors gonna have their prom this week. In a couple weeks, they're gonna graduate. And all the other young people there, I think, are looking forward to just getting the heck out of there, you know what I'm saying?

[C]

We have a lot of ground to cover with Father Bailey today. And if you've never heard him before, kind of controversial, actually. I mean, whenever we have him on, people aren't really quite sure to embrace him. If you go to. If you're like a traditionalist and you go to church, not sure to embrace him or think it's really cool. But, man, you've been with us now for what, seven years?

[A]

About six, man.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

It's been a minute.

[A]

You're still waiting to get paid, bro. You know where the check is.

[C]

But we assure you he is a real priest. He's got the collar and everything.

[A]

Yeah. Waiting for the check too, man.

[C]

So what he does for us, and he'll do in a couple of minutes here is he takes one thing out of pop culture and then he applies it to a message in the Bible. And we're gonna focus on TI here in just a couple of Minutes. But our producer, Joanna, has a question for you before we get into that. Okay. Hey, Joanna.

[B]

Hi. Hi, guys.

[C]

Hey, what's up?

[B]

Hi, Father Bailey.

[A]

How you doing, Joanna?

[B]

I'm doing great, thank you. Well, I am getting married next year, and my priest, I haven't met him yet. He's down in Jacksonville. However, he's been following me on Twitter and he comments on all of my Twitter updates, and he just recently asked to be my friend on Facebook, and I'm not sure if I should accept him or not. Is this normal? Like, how should I feel about this?

[A]

Well, as the third grade kids that one of my elementary schools may say, he sounds like a creeper.

[C]

A creeper?

[A]

Yeah. He follows you on Twitter.

[B]

He does. Any comments? Like, he'll send me an email. He won't comment, like, through Twitter because I don't think he has a Twitter account. He just sees my updates and then emails me.

[C]

And you've never met this guy face to face. And this is the guy that's doing your ceremony.

[A]

He ain't got no job.

[C]

It does seem like there's a weird line being crossed here. Like, it.

[A]

Do you think that he's trying to

[E]

get to know her better and all

[D]

this will stop once they get married,

[E]

or do you think

[A]

once they get married. God bless you, Melissa. It sounds kind of strange to me. I mean, you might want to tell them to kind of, you know, turn down the creeper. You know, dial a little bit. You know, That's a little weird. I don't tweet none of my friends. Yeah, why don't you send out a tweet that says there's a creepy guy follow me on Twitter, commenting on everything I do and see what he says.

[C]

Is this the only priest that you can use for your wedding, or is there somebody else?

[B]

Because he came recommended, so I don't know what to do. And then he asked to be my friend on Facebook, and I haven't accepted him yet. I'm just kind of trying to figure out if I should or not, because that's kind of my private life, you know, And I don't know if I want him reading everything and seeing all my pictures.

[A]

Are you hot?

[B]

Not the right time to be asking that,

[A]

Robert.

[C]

I've been a little controversy with Joanna the last couple days, but, yes, she's a beautiful girl.

[A]

Joanna's cutie.

[B]

Above average.

[A]

Oh, man. All right.

[C]

That's the most humble answer she's got. Average.

[A]

I guess that's all he want to be your friend. Then I guess you know.

[C]

So did she say something to him? She just say, hey, can you push off a little bit?

[A]

Well, I mean, if she feels a little creeped out by the whole thing, I think it's only fair for her to tell him that, you know, it's like, you know, not the most prudent thing I imagine for someone to do.

[E]

But.

[A]

He still creep you out? He still can look like he just won't comment anymore.

[C]

Right.

[A]

He'll still be watching you, Joanna, looking

[C]

over your shoulder, judging your every move. All right, Joanna, we gotta run.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Be good.

[B]

Bye.

[C]

Alright, so TI has made himself back into the news now. He went to jail for a while and now he's out and he's trying to do some good, right? So he's going to these different schools and he's basically detailing his story in hopes that, you know, he can touch some of the kids so they don't go down the same path that he goes down.

[E]

And in hopes that he can check off all those hours of community service.

[C]

And that's another thing, right?

[E]

Requirement.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Which sounds like a great idea, but some of the parents aren't so hip with it. This is a story from 11Alive last night.

[D]

You are right now out of jail and doing community service. TI Made a trip to Woodland Middle School in Henry county on March 5th. An unwanted surprise for one family. Tom Meyers middle school aged daughter came home from school and told him that the rapper Clifford T.I. harris had spoken at an assembly here. Myers was unhappy and wrote an email to the principal of the school, Dr. Terry Oates. And so began a very interesting exchange.

[A]

The first email I sent to him was to ask that from now on at least we ought to have some kind of parental input whether or not a speaker is appropriate. If I don't want my child to be there, just give me the right to opt them out.

[D]

Myers also wrote, how about next time let him mow the grass or pick up the trash around the school grounds. If the kids see that, they might understand what he did was wrong. Principal Oates replied, I thought about asking a guy who snorted cocaine and got arrested for DUI when he was 30 to come and speak to our kids. But President George W. Bush was not available.

[A]

Wow. Wow.

[C]

So the parents and the principal are going back and forth with each other and that parent was not done.

[D]

Oates writes that he uses the president as an example because even the commander in chief screwed up when he was young. But Tom and Candy Myers didn't want their daughter to be at that assembly. School officials say parents were notified of the assembly, but that T.I. was a surprise guest. Myers admits T.I. encouraged the kids to study and work hard, but he's not convinced TI Is

[A]

an actor and he can sit down and act with the best of them. He's an entertainer.

[D]

That's what he does in Henry county. Jay Watson, 11Alive News so that's where

[C]

we start our focus today, right, Father Bam?

[A]

Yeah, I'm an entertainer, too, man, you know?

[C]

So that's where we start.

[A]

I am sanctified. What up? What's happening? All you haters can get at me, cuz. I hear you and I'm watching, but I'm still here. I ain't stopping. What up? What it is, bruh? What it do, man? Atl, it's your man coming at y' all live on a Friday. Cause it's the best day. It's the Reverend Father Cronk here with the Q100 Burt Show Morning Crew. It's been a minute, Atlanta, but like the little white girl in Poltergeist would say, he's back. Today we're going to talk about some local drama in our metro Atlanta area. And that drama has to deal with one of our local homeboys, Ti, or known as Chip, and his publicized mess with some parents over his appearance at a local high school in Henry county to fulfill the requirements of his community service. Now, we know that Tip had issues with the feds about some heat that was purchased and possessed illegally. However, our man TI took his sentence like a man and not only served his time, but also made time to forewarn young people about the importance of what it means to be responsible and make good decisions even when things are well for you and you are at the top of your game. But this segment is not about the few parents who protested Ti's appearance at their child's middle school. And this is not even about the exchange of emails between the parents and the principal of the school who initially invited Tip to come to the school and speak to the students. The real issue here is the topic of forgiveness and giving people a second chance. Now here is where pop culture meets scripture. In the Bible, we can see God revealing himself in many ways, but one of the most important and essential ways that he reveals himself is that he is the God of forgiveness and the God of a second chance. Just look at the woman who was caught in the very act of adultery. According to the law at that time, she could have been stoned to death. But then the woman and her accusers came into contact with Jesus to See what he would say and what the Son of God would say to those folks who were so heavily bound and no earthly good. And he said, let the one who is among you without sin cast the first stone. Jesus didn't call her a skank and he even called her a hoe. He gave her compassion, love, and the second chance that she needed and deserved. Then you have the famous parable of the prodigal son. This is the story of the young man who was impatient and selfish. He wanted his inheritance right there and right now. And because of his impatience and selfishness, he lost all that money. All the so called friends who were there. Like Usher said, when the bottles were popping and everything was swee. The Bible says the young man came to his senses, went back to his father and asked forgiveness. And the father not only forgave his wayward son, but he threw the biggest barbecue those folks ever saw in years, gave the kid new clothes, put some fresh bling on his finger, and a whole lot of people there to celebrate his return home. Here is something we all have in common with TI and that is this. We all have a past. There is no escaping that at all. We have all done things, said things, and even been in places that we are ashamed to say. But because God loves us just as we are, he gives us the gift of his forgiveness and compassion. He gives us a second chance. Because even when we are so dumb not to believe in our ability to do and say what is right, he continues to believe in us. That is why we all have the gift of a new day called the present. Because we all have the chance to do the right thing and have a positive impact on the lives of those around us. This is exactly what Tip is doing. He has done his time and now he is being the witness to our young people about the danger of guns and the importance of of making good and responsible decisions in their lives. However, you're always going to have haters who feel that it is their job to announce the sentence that they feel you should get rather than rejoicing that someone has seen the light and is doing right by their lives right now. Atlanta, we've all made mistakes and we all will make mistakes. What we are called to do is to remember that we cannot just be in the place to receive forgiveness when we want it, but we must also extend forgiveness to those around us. Because this is the only way that we will ever come to understand the accountability that goes with being forgiven. Do unto others as you will have them do to you. If you want to see someone who makes mistakes and mess up on the regular, you need to look no further than your friendly neighborhood father Crunk. I did, and I still do stupid things, I say dumb things. And Lord knows I am the mistake king. However, I am so grateful and thankful for the folks in my life who love me and forgive me and extend open arms to me whenever I have the courage to be forgiven. So my words to all the haters out there who do not want to give people, much less celebrities, a second chance, Take a lesson from the gospel of Ti. Who says you might see me in the street with Player, you don't know me when you holler on the street, remember you don't know me Save all the hating and the popping Player, you don't know me Quit telling homie to my partner Player, you don't know me don't be a groupie keeping moving, pimping, you don't know me Hey, I ain't tripping but the truth is really, you don't know me yeah, you know they call me Ti but you don't know me. You behave and I see why because you don't know me. So the deal here is we really don't know these folks or how their personal lives have been touched or transformed by the love and liberation that they receive from God. I have messed up time and time again, but I wish that all of us will one day understand what Jesus said. Hate the sin, beloved, the sinner. He came not to help out the righteous, but to help out sinners. Jesus came not to condemn the world, but to celebrate and share what we all have in and through him. And that is forgiveness and unconditional forgiveness for us all. So, Ti, if you have to deal with haters on the regular, come and holler at your boy, Father Cronk and Blessed Trinity, because I can hook a brother up with some service hours. You heard me. But even more so, we need to organize and set things right for all these folks. Because who is better to listen to or even to relate with? Someone who hasn't been down that route or someone who used to sell drugs and then make the best decisions, but now can effectively be a witness of what not to do. So, Tip, keep on making Atlanta and all of us proud. It is people like you who went through something that inspire all of us to know that God's ways are not our ways and that why he is God and why we are not being forgiven unconditionally and going to share that life is what living is all about. I am so Happy that Tip is sharing the gift of his second chance with all of us. So, Atlanta, that is my time, and I am glad to be back with all of y' all at this moment. Let me give my shout outs real quick.

[C]

Do it.

[A]

I want to say what's up, what's happening to the one and only brown sugar. To Ms. Jones. Keep holding down the way you know how with your off the chain self. You know who you are. How you doing? I gotta say what's up to Shannon, Ebony, Kamisha, Pasci, Charmaine, and all those in that true player clique. I gotta say what's up to Doobie. Keep on representing that Cherokee to the fullest, girl. To all my folks at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell. To all my people at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Marietta. To the Class of 2010 at Blessed Trinity, whose promise tomorrow. How you living? Annie Lane, Madison Libby and the whole senior class. To Pretty Ricky Turner and Richard Smackers, Donna Barton. To Little Wheezy Martin and Frank the Tank and all my people at bt. To all the administrative assistants at bt. What's up, Q? What's up? And what's going on all the way, Annie. To all the American Cardinals coming to Atlanta today, I want to say what's up to all y' all wearing red. And to all the Q100 family, for all the love and support you give me on a regular basis. I'm about to get out to get big things popping and little things stopping. Peace to all of y', all. And I'll wrap to y' all next time. Holla. That's Father Bailey.

[C]

All right. That is a real priest for Blessed Trinity. All right, now, Father, you brought in Janie with you today. She's a student over at Blessed Trinity, correct?

[B]

She is.

[A]

I've known Janie for, oh, my gosh, man, like about eight or nine years, when she was a little girl at St. Joseph's Catholic School and hopping around all crunk and all that kind of stuff. And, you know, it's kind of emotional for me because. So it's cool to see someone who's in fourth grade coming up to graduate, you know what I'm saying? This year. So. Man, that's gonna make you feel old, though, huh? Man, I know, man. I'm pretty, bro. I'm bringing sexy back, you heard? But anyway, she's in the studio today to do a little something, you know, for the prom. So I guess.

[C]

Bring it on, James.

[A]

Yeah, make it happen, girl.

[C]

Grab a mic.

[A]

There's a mic.

[C]

Hey, thanks for coming in.

[A]

Boop boop.

[E]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

[C]

What's on your mind?

[A]

Thank you.

[E]

Well, basically, I waited completely to the last minute to do things like usual. And I wanted to ask my boyfriend to prom tomorrow. And the reason why I'm asking him is because he goes to Kell High School and I, like, have to bring him to my prom. So I wanted to do something really creative because he always looks out for me. And basically I asked Father Bailey and he was like, yeah, like, definitely. And I thank you guys so much for letting me do this. So, Austin Petrick, will you go to prom with me?

[A]

Let's see, your prom's tomorrow.

[C]

Your prom's tomorrow.

[E]

Yeah, I know, right? Tomorrow.

[A]

Wow.

[E]

And it's supposed to rain, so I'm kind of bummed. But.

[C]

So he has to go out, he's got to get the tux, he's got to get everything within the next lesson.

[E]

No, the thing is, I pretty much told him that you're coming to prom with me, and he's like, oh, cool. Are you gonna ask me any cool way? And I was like, well, I really don't know, but sure. So I made this huge deal, like, oh, sorry, you're just like, whatever, so I'm not gonna ask you. And so here I am doing this for him because.

[A]

Oh, that's cool. That's cool.

[B]

Austin, she wants to go to prom with you, honey.

[D]

I do.

[C]

What's his name again?

[E]

Austin.

[C]

Okay, Austin, we're expecting you to call in.

[B]

He said yes.

[E]

I know. Austin, if you don't, I'll be so mad at you.

[A]

He's gonna be a punk.

[E]

He's gonna be a punk.

[A]

Is there anybody you wanna ask as a backup in case Austin doesn't want to.

[E]

Yeah, his sister Nicole. She like. Yeah. Because, like, she's been helping me. I'm like, make sure he's up because he doesn't go to school till, like, 8. And so she's been helping me out a little bit.

[C]

Yeah. All right, let's see if we can get him to call 404-741-Q100.

[E]

And if she's going so much, if

[C]

she's going to get mad at you, it's not going to happen till Sunday. Till after prom anyway. So it's a pretty sure this is the bird show.

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

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[C]

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