The Bert Show: Vault - He's In Love With His Co-Worker

Date: January 12, 2026
Cast: Bert Show team (Melissa, Jen, Jeff, Lisa), Dwayne (guest), Callers

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Bert Show crew revisits the saga of Dwayne, a listener who has fallen in love with his co-worker after years of friendship and professional partnership. The episode captures the emotional complexities of Dwayne’s situation as he grapples with confession, mixed signals, and the intricate dance of early romance—especially when it overlaps with workplace dynamics. The cast and callers offer advice, commiserate, and sometimes josh about the highs and lows of loving someone you see at work every day.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Background of Dwayne's Story

• Dwayne’s Crush Progression ([02:13]):
  • Dwayne has worked with his co-worker for four years, developed strong feelings but she was in a relationship until recently.
  • Upon her breakup, Dwayne decides to confess his feelings, not wanting to miss his chance.
  • Initial attempt at confession during a lunch fizzles: "I just couldn't do it."
  • Next strategy: Invite her to the Buckhead Beach Party—but she’s already attending with someone else, though she casually invites him to tag along.
  • At Jeff’s urging, Dwayne opts to confess his feelings while drunk. They make out, she spends the night (but nothing more).
  • She promises to call after her Saturday date; doesn't call. Dwayne is left in limbo at work all week.

Where Things Stand

• Mixed Signals & Avoidance ([03:49]):
  • Dwayne tries to arrange lunch to talk; she claims she's busy.
  • On the show, it’s clear he’s getting a “cool and professional” attitude at work.

    "She was just playing it really cool ... which I can understand because, you know, we're at work and, you know, we don't want to cause a big scene." – Dwayne ([04:00])

The Cast’s Advice & Analysis

• The “Intervention” ([06:45], [07:09]):
  • The panel senses Dwayne is too emotionally invested and vulnerable to mixed signals.
  • Jen asserts Dwayne shouldn’t chase: “You’re not thinking correctly, so we got to give him an intervention.” ([06:51])
  • Encouragement to “lay low” and wait for reciprocation, not to chase or appear “available.”

Is She Freaked Out or Just Not Interested?

• Psychoanalysis vs. Simplicity ([07:20], [10:24]):

  • Lisa believes she’s tried to see if feelings were there but realized they’re not: "I think that she's just decided that she doesn't (have reciprocal feelings for Dwayne)." ([08:21])
  • Melissa breaks it down: “She has shown you she's not interested... all you need to know is that is what's happening.” ([10:25])

• Game-Playing Dynamics ([12:11], [14:33]):

  • Debate about the role of “games” in early relationships.
  • Jeff and Lisa insisting on pulling away attention to regain power: “I would almost place a phone call... then don’t answer your phone... That’s the way to take power back.” ([13:36])
  • Melissa: “...there is always a certain amount of game playing that goes on in the beginning of a relationship. It is like a chess game.” ([12:11])

• The Dangers of Forcing Her Hand ([12:41], [13:03]):

  • Consensus that putting pressure on her or directly confronting may backfire, especially since they’re colleagues: “By forcing her hand, putting her in a corner, a woman is never going to say, ‘Oh my god, you’re right. I’m in love with you too.’” – Jen ([12:43])

Caller Contributions

• Brutal Honesty vs. The Game ([13:36]):

  • Male caller: “Just, you know what? Pin her down ... and say, look, I had a great time Friday night, but I’ve noticed you’ve been kind of avoiding me.” ([11:36])
  • Cast counters this may hurt more than help.

• Women “Sniff It Out” ([13:22]):

  • Multiple female callers and hosts point out that women sense desperation: “Women can sniff this out, too. ‘Oh, he’s sitting by the phone right now. I am definitely not gonna call.’” – Melissa ([13:22])

• Personal Testimony – Playing it Cool Worked ([15:49]):

  • Caller John shares his own college story: after being ignored, the woman pursued him and they're now married.

    “That's just kind of how it happened ... once the attention is taken away ... that's the worst thing you can do to a woman, is take attention away from her.” – John ([16:28])

  • Underlines the strategy the show recommends to Dwayne.

The Denise

• Final Advice and Emotional Takeaways ([17:03], [17:34]):
  • Let her go and move forward: "Forget about her. Forget about her." – Melissa ([16:51])
  • “If it's authentic and she's not into you, it wasn't supposed to happen anyway, man.” – Melissa ([17:04])
  • Do not call her Saturday with news of reservations or plans—the consensus: cut the cord unless she reaches out.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dwayne, conflicted, after being advised to lay low:

  "You know, what if I just don’t call her at all on Saturday?" – Dwayne ([17:31])
  "That’s exactly... Don’t call her at all. Just you and Ear on out." – Jen ([17:34])

• On “The Game” & Relationship Power

  "You become a hot commodity when you're something she can't obtain." – Melissa ([17:43])
  "This is the game ... Too honest, too soon ... same deal here, Dwayne. You gotta play this game, dude." – Melissa ([16:51])
  "It is a power struggle. I mean, this is basically what this is. And she has all the power, and he's just gonna have to let it go." – Jen ([14:26])

• Female camaraderie on being “complex”

  "We play these games with men because they're simple and stupid, but you have to play these games with women." – Lisa ([14:45])
  "There’s no swords involved. Women are women. Their minds are not simple." – Jen ([14:57])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 02:13 – Jen lays out Dwayne’s situation for the audience
• 03:49–05:16 – Recap of previous convo with Dwayne & current status
• 06:45–07:20 – Cast intervention and first advice barrage
• 08:21–09:22 – Lisa and Melissa outline the “ignore her” strategy
• 11:35–12:43 – Callers and panel debate brutal honesty vs. game play
• 13:36–14:33 – The “power” of game-playing in the chase, perspectives from male and female hosts
• 15:49–16:51 – Success story from a male caller about ignoring leading to eventual romance
• 17:04–17:34 – Final consensus: let go, move on; no more pursuing, Dwayne

Tone & Style

The conversation is fast-paced, layered with teasing, empathy, and first-hand wisdom. Though playful and irreverent, the team is truly invested in helping Dwayne—and listeners—sift through the messiness of workplace romance dynamics. The mix of warm support and gentle ribbing is classic morning radio style.

Conclusion

This episode of The Bert Show uses Dwayne’s real-life romantic dilemma as a springboard for candid, often funny debate about love, work, and the early days of potential relationships. The message: When it comes to romance (especially at work), sometimes the best move is restraint. Dwayne is encouraged to stop pursuing his co-worker and focus on moving on—if she’s interested, she’ll make the next move.

For Listeners Who Missed It

You’ll come away understanding both the emotional rollercoaster and practical anxieties of confessing to a co-worker, plus get a dose of relatable, sometimes blunt relationship advice—with plenty of laughs along the way.