The Bert Show – Episode Summary

Episode: Vault: Is This Bride Being Selfish About Her Wedding?
Date: December 18, 2025
Host: The Bert Show Cast (Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy & more)
Theme: A controversial call from a bride, Jody, who objects to her future sister-in-law with a stutter reading at her wedding, sparks a heated discussion about weddings, family, and compassion.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on a fraught wedding dilemma: Jody, a bride-to-be, asks if she's being selfish for not wanting her fiancé's sister—who has a severe stutter—to do a reading at the ceremony. The show's regular panel and listeners debate whether this request is reasonable or insensitive, digging deep into issues of family, inclusivity, and the meaning of a “bride’s day.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jody’s Dilemma

[01:47 – 03:46]

• Jody explains her concern: she doesn’t want her fiancé’s sister, who has a stutter, to read at the wedding because “it could take her 10 minutes to say something when she’s nervous.”
• “It’s my day, you know. I want everything to go smoothly.” — Jody (Bride) [02:35]
• She admits her fiancé’s family made the decision to include his sister before consulting her.

2. The Moral Debate: Whose Day Is It?

[03:46 – 06:55]

• Melissa recognizes the bride’s right to be consulted, but also questions if Jody wants to be the one to reject her future sister-in-law.
• Sarah finds Jody’s stance “absolutely offensive”: “This is your family, and you’re saying it would make your day imperfect if she got up there and spoke.” — Sarah [03:12]
• The show notes the audience’s split reactions: about half defend Jody’s right as the bride, and half are appalled by her exclusion of the sister-in-law.
• The hosts agree that the fiancé should have consulted Jody before inviting his sister, but disagree about Jody's motivations.

3. Family Dynamics and Long-Term Impact

[05:51 – 06:55]

• Hosts discuss the limitations of “bride selfishness.”
• “If you put the ceremony before the people, then your priorities are messed up.” — Sarah [05:51]
• Melissa emphasizes, “A marriage is two families coming together... you can’t treat somebody like that that’s in your family.” [06:23]
• Jody reiterates: “I’m not marrying the family, I’m marrying my fiancé.” [06:46]
• Melissa counters: “You are sorely mistaken if that’s what you think marriage is.” [06:51]

4. How the Conversation Played Out with the Family

[07:00 – 08:59]

• Jody describes how her fiancé told his stuttering sister, who seemed fine, but then other siblings told the parents, triggering strong backlash.
• The father-in-law sends a “sharply worded email,” upset and noting that “stutterers don’t stutter when they read.” — (Paraphrased by Jody) [07:58]
• Jody awkwardly tries to shift blame to the radio show for not educating her about stuttering.
• “I thought you guys were trying to help me. I thought, you guys... were gonna look stuff up, know about things.” — Jody [08:49]

5. Listeners React—Strongly!

[11:24 – 15:17]

• Callers and the cast lambast Jody for both her lack of compassion and for blaming the show.
• “If I was this guy and I was marrying you, I would run in the opposite direction.” — Carly (Caller) [13:36]
• The mother-in-law’s lifelong memory is invoked: “The mother in law will catalog this forever.” — Host [14:15]
• Mario (Caller): “She has no heart, no compassion... I feel bad for her husband, I really do.” [14:20]

6. Expert Insight: The Reality of Stuttering and Reading

[15:17 – 16:35]

• Speech therapist Michelle calls in:
  • “Most people, if they’ve practiced, are able to read with perfect clarity.” [15:27]
  • “Jody's actually done some damage to the sister’s psyche.” [16:18]
  • Points out the wedding is not just one day, “it’s your whole life—her relationship with her future family depends on this day.”

7. On Responsibility and Lasting Consequences

[16:35 – 20:01]

• The hosts and listeners agree: the harm is now irreversible, regardless of whether the sister reads or not.
• Sarah: “It could have been the highlight of the entire wedding...and Jody selfishly ruined it all.” [19:22]
• The show gently avoids overt name-calling, though Bert jokes, “If we did, we’d call her a dumbass, but we don’t.” [19:56]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s my day... I don’t want to be there waiting for her to get something out.” — Jody (Bride) [02:35]
• “This is your family... you’re saying it would make your day imperfect if she got up there and spoke.” — Sarah [03:12]
• “If you put the ceremony before the people, then your priorities are messed up.” — Sarah [05:51]
• “A marriage is two families coming together…” — Melissa [06:23]
• “I’m not marrying the family, I’m marrying my fiancé.” — Jody [06:46]
• “The mother in law will catalog this forever.” — Host [14:15]
• “Most people, once they’ve practiced... are able to read with perfect clarity.” — Michelle (Speech Therapist) [15:27]
• “Jody’s actually done some damage to the sister’s psyche, basically.” — Michelle (Speech Therapist) [16:18]
• “It could have been the highlight of the entire wedding... and Jody selfishly ruined it all.” — Sarah [19:22]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [01:47] – Jody explains her concerns about her stuttering sister-in-law reading
• [03:12] – Sarah confronts Jody about her view on family and imperfection
• [06:23] – Melissa highlights the joining of families in marriage
• [07:00] – Discussion on how the news was broken to the sister-in-law and resulting fallout
• [08:42] – Jody bizarrely blames the show for not telling her about stuttering and reading
• [13:36] – Carly calls in, bluntly criticizing Jody
• [14:15] – Hosts predict the mother-in-law will never forget the incident
• [15:27] – Speech therapist Michelle clarifies facts about stuttering and reading
• [16:18] – Michelle notes emotional damage caused by Jody’s choice
• [19:22] – Sarah summarizes how this could have been a positive moment but Jody “selfishly ruined it all”

Tone & Dynamic

The episode moves seamlessly from empathetic attempts to understand Jody to sharp criticism, both from the hosts and active listeners. There is a mix of humor, exasperation, and genuine sadness over a missed opportunity for a memorable, supportive family moment. The hosts maintain their trademark candid, lively tone, with sarcastic asides and personal reflections layered between the heated debate.

Summary Takeaways

• The episode probes whether a wedding is solely "the bride's day," or a broader family celebration.
• Excluding a loved one for reasons beyond their control—especially a vulnerable family member—can result in deep, lasting damage.
• The show's panel and professional guest (speech therapist) agree: with practice, most people who stutter can read clearly in public, debunking Jody’s main objection.
• Jody’s continued shifting of blame—especially to the show—draws widespread scorn from listeners and hosts.
• The consensus: this small moment will have a lifetime of repercussions, and Jody could have transformed it into something inspiring and unifying.

This episode stands as an exemplar of The Bert Show’s signature blend of authentic debate, audience participation, and real-life drama. It is a cautionary tale on the value of empathy, the reality of family dynamics, and the weight of fleeting decisions on life-long relationships.