The Bert Show (Pionaire Podcasting)
Episode: Vault: Her Ex Wants The Ring Back To Give To His New Girlfriend
Date: January 21, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into a real-life dilemma brought to the show by listener Michelle, whose ex-husband has requested the return of her wedding ring—intending to gift it to his new girlfriend as an engagement ring. The Bert Show team, including Burt, Jen, Donna, and others, unpack the emotional, ethical, and practical aspects of the situation, trading candid advice, personal stories, and plenty of humor along the way. Listeners call in to share their opinions and experiences, making for a lively and relatable discussion about boundaries, divorce, and the meaning we assign to sentimental objects.

Key Discussion Points

1. Michelle’s Story: The Ex and the Ring (00:05 – 02:29)

• Background: Michelle calls in, explaining she was married for seven years before separating from her husband. After their divorce, her ex found a younger girlfriend shortly thereafter.
• Her ex recently requested Michelle’s wedding ring, wanting to give it to his new girlfriend as an engagement present because he can’t afford a new ring.
  • Michelle: “I said, you can’t give her a wedding ring as an engagement ring because both bands are welded together... He says, ‘Well, she doesn’t have to know.’”
• The hosts are incredulous, finding the ex’s request both tactless and awkward.
  • Host comment: “Unbelievable.” (02:14)

2. The Child Support Complication (04:01 – 05:00)

• Michelle owes her ex $1,300 due to an overpayment of child support after their divorce. He proposes forgiving this debt if she gives him the ring.
  • Burt: “Is he holding that thirteen hundred dollars saying, look, if you give me the ring or you give me the diamond, then we’ll clear the record?” (05:00)
  • Michelle: “Yes. He says... if you give me the wedding ring, I’ll say we’re even, we’re square, you don’t owe me a dime.” (05:07)

3. Emotional & Sentimental Value of the Ring (05:07 – 07:14)

• Michelle explains she wants to keep the ring for her children, to pass it down as a family heirloom.
  • Michelle: “I wanted to keep it for my children because I kept all my wedding pictures, my wedding album, for my kids... I wanted to keep this for my children.” (05:51)
• The hosts reflect on whether the ring should retain sentimental value after a failed marriage.
  • Donna (playfully): “There are bad germs in there.” (08:41)
  • Jen: “You do want to know that you came from something that at one time was special.” (08:47)

4. Listeners Weigh In: Keep or Give Up the Ring? (08:53 – 11:35)

• Callers share their perspectives—some think Michelle should keep the ring for her daughters, others advocate for taking the deal, given the ring’s modest value ($200).
  • Kim: “That ring needs to go to your daughters when they get married.” (08:18)
  • Donna: “Why do you want to pass down something to your daughter that symbolizes a marriage that didn’t work out?” (08:19)
• Value revelation:
  • Burt: “What’s the value of the ring?” (09:02)
  • Michelle: “Probably about $200.” (09:04)

5. Debating Alternatives and Legal Angle (09:38 – 14:37)

• Suggestions include giving him just the diamond, replacing it with a dummy stone, or at minimum, ensuring Michelle receives the agreement in writing.
  • Chad: “She could go spend a few hundred bucks on a center stone, give it to him, tell him she had to take him out of her set and keep the ring.” (12:11)
  • Michelle (joking): “I was actually thinking about going to Ball Machine and getting one out of there.” (12:25)
• Some are baffled that the ex is insistent about recovering overpaid child support, given it was for his kids.
  • Host: “It’s $1,300 that he’s given her for his children... that you owe that back to him strikes me as a little weird.” (12:32 – 12:48)
• Lorena, another caller, highlights that overpayments for child support could be seen as gifts—so Michelle might not legally owe the money.
  • Lorena: “If he made you a payment and he didn’t keep track of it... that’s a gift, and he can’t legally take it from you.” (14:44)

6. Final Advice and Michelle’s Decision (15:28 – 17:02)

• The consensus from hosts and many callers: do not give up the ring unless everything is in writing and all payments are settled beforehand.
  • Jen: “Don’t cave in and be, oh, this is—I’ve married seven years, he’s my friend, blah blah blah... whatever agreement you have in writing. But yeah, take the stone. You know, keep the ring. Give him the stone.” (16:13)
  • Burt: “Go out and buy yourself another stone. Give it to him. He’ll never know the difference.” (16:29)
• Michelle is pressured by the time constraints (the ex has the kids over the weekend) but agrees to keep the hosts posted on her decision.
  • Burt: “When are you going to make this decision?” (16:36)
  • Michelle: “Well, he’s got them this coming weekend, so I need to make a phone call here in the next couple of days.” (16:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Michelle on the awkwardness:
  “And here I am giving him advice that’s kind of crappy to give your girlfriend, your ex-wife ring.” (02:29)
• Michelle’s resolve:
  “I am willing to give it up if it means getting rid of a debt owed to him.” (06:54)
• Burt's incredulity:
  “From his end, it’s ridiculous to me. And from the girlfriend’s end, if she ever finds out that diamond came from your ring, she’s going to be livid.” (06:26)
• Jen’s practical counsel:
  “Whatever you do, Michelle, don’t cave... Whatever agreement you have in writing.” (16:13)
• Michelle’s self-aware humor:
  “I was actually thinking about going to Ball Machine and getting one out of there.” (12:25)
• On child support repayments:
  “It’s $1,300 that he’s given her for his children... The fact that you owe that back to him strikes me as a little weird.” (12:47)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:05 – Michelle begins recounting the situation.
• 02:14 – Michelle reveals her ex wants the ring for his new girlfriend.
• 04:01 – Child support and debt negotiation explained.
• 05:51 – Michelle expresses why she wants to keep the ring.
• 08:18 – Listeners call in with family heirloom perspectives.
• 09:04 – Actual value of the ring discussed.
• 12:11 – Chad suggests giving a replacement stone.
• 14:44 – Lorena presents a legal perspective.
• 16:13 – Final round of host advice to Michelle.
• 16:43 – Michelle outlines her timeline for a decision.

Tone & Language

The episode is candid, supportive, and peppered with the Bert Show’s trademark humor and real-talk. Hosts and callers strike a balance between empathy for Michelle’s situation and incredulity at her ex’s behavior. The discussion is lively, honest, and at times playful, making a complicated personal issue accessible and engaging.

Summary

This episode is a testament to The Bert Show’s approach—using humor and honesty to explore challenging life situations. Michelle’s story opens a window into the messy intersections of divorce, money, and sentiment, with the show offering both sympathy and sharp advice. Listeners left with memorable one-liners, legal tidbits, and a strong sense of communal support—along with anticipation for Michelle’s eventual decision.