Vault: Is Stacey still smoking?

Summary

The Bert Show — Vault: Is Stacey Still Smoking?

Air Date: August 6, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on a listener call-in questioning the status of Bert's wife Stacey's effort to quit smoking. The conversation explores the shared struggles of quitting smoking, triggers that lead to relapse, approaches to support, and the emotional toll on both smokers and their loved ones. The Bert Show hosts engage with a caller facing similar challenges through her husband's attempt to quit, offering relatable anecdotes, advice, and encouragement, all in The Bert Show’s signature humorous, down-to-earth style.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener Engagement & Shared Experiences

• [01:05] Caller Asks:
  • A listener calls in to check on Stacey’s progress quitting smoking, expressing that her own husband faces the same challenge.
    • Caller: “How is Stacey been doing with the not smoking thing?”
  • The caller’s husband has been smoking since he was 13, highlighting the depth of lifelong smoking habits.
    • Caller: “He's been smoking since he was 13.” ([01:26])

2. The Cycle and Triggers of Quitting Smoking

• Relapse Patterns:
  • Bert describes his wife Stacey’s cycle: extended periods of quitting, relapse due to stress, and the influence of social drinking.
    • Bert: “She goes through these stages where she goes cold turkey, and then she stops smoking, and she does real great. And then for whatever reason stress hits and then it usually starts with like a wild night out of drinking.” ([01:29])
• Social Influence:
  • Both Bert and the caller reflect on social dynamics that cause relapse, especially when friends are smoking during nights out.
• False Security:
  • The problematic myth: people believe they can have “just one” and not get hooked again.
    • Caller: “And they think they can have just one and then be done.” ([01:53])

3. Host’s Personal Reflections

• Guest Host Jan Hobbies Shares:
  • Jan relates by sharing her own struggle: quitting in January, but occasionally slipping, especially when out drinking.
    • Jan Hobbies: “Definitely stop smoking like for the most part in January. But I definitely have had nights where you know, I start drinking and having a good time with friends... screw it, just going for it.” ([02:00])

4. Stacey’s Progress and “The Deadline”

• Stacey’s Determination:
  • Bert reveals that Stacey set a concrete deadline (Sunday). She “lit up like a chimney” Saturday, then quit completely on Sunday and hasn’t smoked since, even through tough social situations.
    • Bert: “She was lighting up like a chimney on Saturday night... And then Sunday rolled around. And one thing I do know about my wife is she's strong, man. She puts her mind to something, and I can see it in her eyes. And she stopped. And she hasn't picked up a cigarette since.” ([02:22])
• Biggest Struggles:
  • The toughest moments are with morning coffee and social gatherings with other smokers.

5. How to Support Without Nagging

• Support Boundaries:
  • The hosts discuss the delicate balance between checking in and over-reminding, potentially causing more cravings.
    • Jan Hobbies: “Cause when you're not thinking about it, you don't want to be reminded because then you're thinking about it.” ([03:03])
  • Bert shares that Stacey asked him to stop asking about her progress because it made her think about cravings even when she wasn’t.
    • Bert: “How often were you asking? It was once a day. I was just checking in with her going, how are you feeling today? ... And yesterday she said, no more.” ([03:07])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bert on Stacey's resolve:
  “And one thing I do know about my wife is she's strong, man. She puts her mind to something and I can see it in her eyes. And she stopped. And she hasn't picked up a cigarette since.” ([02:30])

• Jan on self-sabotage:
  “Your radar goes off and it’s like, I want one. And your inhibitions are like, screw it, just going for it.” ([02:09])

• Jan on unhelpful reminders:
  “When you’re not thinking about it, you don’t want to be reminded, because then you’re thinking about it.” ([03:03])

• Caller on shared experiences:
  “When you were telling me about the whole story, it was just exactly what's going on in our family.” ([01:16])

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:05] Listener asks for Stacey’s update
• [01:29] Bert recounts Stacey’s struggle and smoking triggers
• [02:00] Jan shares her own on-and-off quitting journey
• [02:22] Bert gives the blow-by-blow of the “last night” and Stacey’s quit date
• [03:03] Hosts discuss the pitfalls of over-support and reminders

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Summary

This episode delivers real, empathetic conversation about the challenges of quitting smoking. By weaving together listener experiences with candid host confessions, The Bert Show underlines the familiar cycles of quitting, relapse, and the ever-present role of stress and social situations. The hosts’ humor and honesty shine light on the struggles—without sugar-coating—providing validation and support for anyone engaged in their own fight with addiction or supporting a loved one through it.

For listeners in similar circumstances, the core take-home message is:

• Quitting isn’t linear—slips may happen, but determination and support (in the right measure) are crucial.
• Progress is possible, and it helps to know you’re not alone in the struggle.

Transcript

[Burt]

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[Caller]

Good morning. I was curious how is Stacy been doing with the not smoking thing?

[Burt]

You guys are so invested in this. There must be so many people that have had to go through the same thing.

[Caller]

Yes. My husband is the smoker and when you were telling me about the whole story, it was just exactly what's going on in our family.

[Jan Hobbies]

He is smoking right now or he's smoking.

[Caller]

He's been smoking since he was 13.

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[Burt]

Yeah. My wife on and on and off, same amount of time practically. And she goes through these stages where she goes cold turkey and then she stops smoking and she does real great. And then for whatever reason stress hits and then it usually starts with like a wild night out of drinking.

[Caller]

That's exactly how my husband.

[Burt]

Right. And one of her friends starts smoking. And it just looks so good. It's like it's a magnet.

[Caller]

And they think they can have just one and then be done.

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[Burt]

Jan Hobbies had the same struggle. I mean gone through the same thing.

[Jan Hobbies]

Yeah. Definitely stop smoking like for the most part in January. But I definitely have had nights where you know, I start drinking and having a good time with friends and then you know, your radar goes off and it's like I want one. And your inhibitions are like screw it, just going for it.

[Caller]

Was she able to do it? Sunday was the deadline. Right.

[Burt]

Yeah. And she was smoking like a. I mean, she was lighting up like a chimney on Saturday night. It was one after the other. And she aged like four years in seven hours. And then Sunday rolled around. And one thing I do know about my wife is she's strong, man. She puts her mind to something, and I can see it in her eyes. And she stopped. And she hasn't picked up a cigarette since. She said that early morning, like with coffee, when she has her coffee, that's the toughest part. And then yesterday, I think she had a meeting with some friends that smoke also, and that was really difficult for her because they normally would all be lighting up. And I told Jen earlier this morning that she told me yesterday to stop asking how she's doing with the not smoke.

[Caller]

And how often are you.

[Jan Hobbies]

Cause when you're not thinking about it, you don't want to be reminded because then you're thinking about it.

[Burt]

How often were you asking? It was once a day. I was just checking in with her going, how are you feeling today? Everything okay? And yesterday she said, no more.

[Jan Hobbies]

No more.

[Burt]

So that's how we're doing right now. Cut it out.

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