The Bert Show — "Vault: How Bert Met Bono..."

Host: Bert Weiss & The Bert Show Cast
Date: January 22, 2026
Podcast: Pionaire Podcasting

Episode Overview

This episode centers on host Bert Weiss's remarkable mission to get his wife, Stacy, a longtime U2/Bono superfan, in the same room as her musical hero. What unfolds is a comical and heartfelt saga from stalking hotel lobbies to landing an unexpected, life-affirming encounter with Bono himself—plus some bonus late-night hijinks. Throughout, Bert and his co-hosts deliver with their signature blend of humor, authenticity, and relatable anxiety.

Key Topics and Highlights

The U2 Obsession: Why Bono Matters to Bert’s Family

• U2 as the Soundtrack of Love:

  • Bert recounts that U2’s music has been woven into every milestone of his relationship with Stacy—falling in love, their wedding song, even the birth of their son.
  • "Our wedding song was a U2 song. Our son was born at Northside while a CD of U2 played in the background. So, I would say we’re both fans. I would say my wife is a much bigger fan than I am." (00:00)

• Stacy: The Original Superfan:

  • Stacy introduced Bert to U2, and her connection is so deep she feels Bono “speaks to her.”
  • "She was a fan before I came. She introduced me to U2. She was there way before I was." (00:41)

The Chase: Turning Tips Into Action

• $500 Reward for a Bono Sighting:

  • Bert announced a $500 bounty for credible leads to help him get his wife in front of Bono, sparking a flood of tips and tactical support from listeners.
  • "I put up a $500 reward for anybody that gave me tips and leads that would lead me to Bono. And those leads changed the game big time." (00:41)

• Planning the Stakeout:

  • Armed with details on hotels, private parties, and secret meetings, Bert orchestrated a weekend-long stakeout—with backup plans to intercept Bono at any public moment.
  • "We knew about two private parties that they were having...and I got confirmation on all of those. They all actually happened." (01:54)

The Wild Break: The Arena Call and Meeting Bono

• A Last-Minute Offer:

  • As Bert and Stacy raced to the concert, they received a call from the Phillips Arena staff: a chance to get into a hospitality party where, just maybe, Bono would appear.
  • "On the way down to the concert, I got a call...there’s a slim chance that the guys in the band will be there before the actual show." (02:31)

• The Room Where It Happened:

  • Bert and Stacy, nerves on edge, walk into the hospitality lounge—so anxious, they casually stroll right by Bono himself.
  • "We walked right by him. Now, he was surrounded by like nine people, but it wasn’t this feeding frenzy..." (04:23)

Memorable Quote

• "Turn around. So I turn around, and sure enough, there’s Bono. No. Yeah, I didn’t even see him. Stacy and I walked right by him." — Bert (04:00)

The Bono Encounter: Ice Breakers, Photos, and Heartfelt Words

• Navigating the Crowd:
  • With a little strategizing (involving Sanjay Gupta from CNN), Bert and Stacy maneuver for a chance—and, as Bono is swept away to stage, Bert interjects:
  • “I sort of stand right in front of him and I extend my hand and I say to him, I would never, ever forgive myself...if I didn’t shake your hand.” (06:51)

Notable Quotes

• "Can I introduce you to my wife?" — Bert to Bono (07:13)

• "I just want you to know how much I admire your wife, Allie." — Stacy to Bono (08:25)

• "Thanks, that’s really, really cool." — Bono in response to Stacy (08:27)

• "I want to thank you for the music you provided my family." — Bert to Bono (09:08)

• "And he looked at me with a really curious look, like, what the hell does that mean?" — Bert recounting Bono’s reaction (08:33)

• Snapshot Snafu:

  • The first photo fails, but Bono graciously returns for a retake despite being pulled toward stage.
  • "Bono walks back into the picture, puts his arm around Stacy, takes a picture with Stacy and me, and then begins to walk off." (08:08)

Aftermath: The Hotel (and the Failed Party Crash)

• On Cloud Nine:

  • The couple is buzzing; Stacy is overcome with emotion—Bert shares a photo of her "bawling like a baby" after meeting Bono.
  • "It really meant way more to her than it did me. In fact, I took a picture right after we met him and she’s bawling like a baby..." (14:22)

• Late-Night Antics:

  • Back at the hotel, they find their room adjacent to the VIP lounge, perfectly positioned to witness the U2 afterparty.
  • Hilarity ensues as Stacy, tipsy from the night, tries to get into the party and ends up creepily spying through the lounge’s window.
  • "My wife is drunk inside of that window...pretty much...breathing on the glass..." (12:37)

• Kindness of Security:

  • Even Bono’s security guard is gentle: "These guys have had 15,000 eyes staring at them for the last two hours. So they’d really like alone time with their family." (13:12)

Reflections: Bono’s Character and the Perfect Ending

• Bono Exceeds Expectations:

  • Bert notes Bono’s generosity with his fans and his lack of entourage, confirming the humility people have written about.
  • "He was just such a nice guy that I understand why he’s so likable and people don’t want to tear him down. It totally met the expectation." (14:49)
  • "He is everything that has been written about him." (14:49)

• The Takeaway:

  • The encounter was "perfect," especially for Stacy, and will be immortalized on their mantle forever.
  • "It couldn’t have been any better, to be honest with you." (14:23)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• [00:41] Bert: "She was a fan before I came. She introduced me to U2."
• [04:00] Bert: "Turn around. So I turn around, and sure enough, there’s Bono."
• [06:51] Bert: "I would never, ever forgive myself if I didn’t shake your hand."
• [08:25] Stacy: "I just want you to know how much I admire your wife, Allie."
• [08:27] Bono: "Thanks, that’s really, really cool."
• [09:08] Bert: "I want to thank you for the music you provided my family."
• [12:37] Bert: "My wife is drunk inside of that window...breathing on the glass..."
• [14:22] Bert: "It really meant way more to her than it did me. In fact, I took a picture right after we met him and she’s bawling like a baby..."
• [14:49] Bert: "He was just such a nice guy that I understand why he’s so likable and people don’t want to tear him down. It totally met the expectation."

Important Segments & Timestamps

• 00:00–01:54: U2’s importance to the Weiss family and the stakeout plan
• 01:54–04:22: The hunt: tips, plans, and the $500 reward
• 04:22–06:50: The face-to-face moment at the hospitality lounge
• 06:51–09:40: The encounter: anxiety, photos, meaningful words to Bono
• 10:07–12:37: Hotel aftermath, witnessing Bono’s party, and party crasher fail
• 12:37–14:23: Gentle security, emotional aftermath, and reflection
• 14:49–end: Bono’s character; why the experience mattered so much; wrap-up

Episode Tone

Warm, genuine, and infused with the show’s trademark humor and honest self-deprecation. The hosts’ banter and storytelling keep the episode relatable and entertaining—balancing starry-eyed fandom with hilarious real-life awkwardness.

Summary Verdict:
This episode is a heartwarming, highly entertaining tale of persistence, serendipity, and the magic of meeting your heroes—proof that sometimes, with the right mix of planning, courage, and luck, dreams (and excellent photo ops) can come true.