The Bert Show – Vault: It's Time For Chick Chat

Release Date: December 24, 2025
Host: Pionaire Podcasting
Main Segment: Chick Chat Panel with Jessica, Tracy, Melissa, Jennifer, listener calls

Episode Overview

This episode of The Bert Show spotlights "Chick Chat," a fun, empowering, and candid all-women segment where the female cast (and listeners) discuss the challenges of making new female friendships as adults. Inspired by the guys' previous advice panels, the women launch their own open, supportive conversation about loneliness, shifting social circles, and actionable guidance for building authentic connections.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Struggle to Make Friends as Adult Women

[01:40–03:40] Tracy’s Story

• Tracy introduces the heart of the topic:
  • At 26, despite having had many friends growing up, she finds it hard to meet new women to hang out with.
  • Her old friends are now married, raising kids, or living far away.
  • "I just need like some new girlfriends to have my Hump Day Supper club with." (Tracy, 03:41)

2. Why “Friend Dating” Feels Awkward

[03:41–05:00] Group Reactions

• The group relates to the weirdness of initiating “friend dates.”
• Jennifer:
  • Suggests letting it happen naturally: “I don’t think you can just ask a girl you meet one time to go out and do something…if they come on really strong, I think that it’s almost like a desperate thing.” (Jennifer, 04:13)
  • Recommends recurring, low-pressure environments (e.g., spin classes, work) for friendship to blossom.

3. Listener Calls: Shared Experiences and Couple “Shopping”

[05:07–06:06] Molly’s Call

• Molly:
  • Echoes Tracy’s issue, mentioning her own shrinking friend group after high school.
  • Describes “couple shopping” with her fiancé, emphasizing it’s not just a women’s problem.
  • Finds some success in the gym: “I’ve been going to hip hop with the same girl and then I found out that we actually hate the same roommate that we both used to have.” (Molly, 05:50)

4. Finding Friends Outside Bars

[06:06–07:20] Practical Suggestions

• Melissa:
  • Suggests pursuing activities of personal interest (volunteering, climbing, fitness classes) as natural ways to meet like-minded people.
  • "It's the non-bar, non-alcoholic activities that could be an avenue for some people." (Melissa, 06:56)

5. The Desire for a “Clique” and Expanding Circles

[07:09–08:01] Clique Aspirations

• Tracy: Wants not just individual friendships, but a cohesive group ("clique").
• Melissa: Points out that meeting even one new person could give access to an established friend group.

6. Age Gaps and Nontraditional Friendships

[08:11–09:08] Stephanie’s Call

• Stephanie: Shares that, as a young mom of 35, her friends are often at different life stages.
  • Urges looking for common interests over age and within the circles you already have: “My friends are usually not my age...I’ve got lots of friends that are ten years older than I am.” (Stephanie, 08:26)

7. Overcoming Hesitation and Starting Conversations

[09:08–10:22] Confronting Social Anxiety

• Tracy: Confesses hesitancy to ask casual acquaintances to hang out (“...she sees me every day, and she hasn't asked me to hang out, so maybe she doesn't want to...”).
• Melissa: Jokes that there should be a “friends.com.”
• Molly: Reassures that many feel the same and encourages being open about wanting new friends.

8. Acceptance, Chemistry, and Persistence

[10:22–12:39] Friendship is Like Dating

• Jennifer: Compares making friends to dating, noting chemistry is essential:
  • "You don't click with every girl you meet. You can't force it." (Jennifer, 10:27)
• Jessica: Encourages joining groups/activities as a way to encounter compatible people.

9. Action Steps and Real-World Applications

[12:39–13:00] How to Actually Do It

• Tracy: Summarizes the plan:

  • Join activities with people her age.
  • Don’t rush the friendship invitation.
  • “Just need to get over the sweaty palms nervousness and ask him out on a friend date.” (Tracy, 12:51)

• Jessica & Tracy: Joke about the need for a women’s-only, platonic “friendless party.”

• Listener Erica: Pledges to be Tracy’s friend, underscoring just how common the issue is.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Tracy:
  • "All my life I've always had lots of girlfriends, but it seems like at this point in my life...I don't know where to meet new girlfriends." [03:21]
• Jennifer:
  • "I don’t think you can just ask a girl you meet one time to go out and do something with you. I think it has to be a natural progression." [04:13]
  • "You don't click with every girl you meet. You can't force it. It's like dating." [10:27]
• Melissa:
  • "It's the non-bar, non alcoholic activities that could be an avenue for some people." [06:56]
  • (Joking) "We should start...friends.com." [09:35]
• Stephanie:
  • "I think you have to look within what you have today...sometimes you'll find that your best friend Melissa, and your other best friend actually have more similarities than you'd think." [08:26]
• Jessica:
  • "When you do meet a new friend, you're like, oh my God, conversation is easy." [11:08]
• Tracy & Jessica (on the “Friendless Party”):
  • “And the Bert Show needs to throw a party. Women seeking women that they don’t want to date.” [12:55]
• Erica & Tracy:
  • “I will be your friend.” / “Perfect.” [13:07–13:42]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:40] – Chick Chat opens, Tracy shares her friend-finding dilemma
• [03:41–05:07] – “Friend dates,” why making adult friends feels odd
• [05:07–06:06] – Listener Molly’s call on couple “shopping”
• [06:06–07:20] – The “no bar” advice, meeting friends through interests
• [08:11–09:08] – Stephanie’s call about age gaps in friendships
• [09:08–10:22] – Micro-anxieties, online “friend match” ideas
• [10:22–12:39] – Chemistry in friend-making, concrete suggestions
• [13:07–13:42] – Listener Erica volunteers as Tracy’s new friend
• [12:55] – Proposal of a “Friendless Party” by The Bert Show

Tone & Takeaways

The conversation is upbeat, vulnerable, and relatable—peppered with humor and warmth. The panel acknowledges the mixture of loneliness and awkwardness that comes with seeking new friendships as adults, pushing listeners to be open, tap into personal interests, let friendships happen organically, and not to take rejection personally. The episode ends on a supportive and playful note, with the potential for real-life connection and community-building via the show.

For new or longtime listeners, this Chick Chat offers a blend of practical wisdom, laughter, and empathy—reminding everyone that wanting adult friendships is normal, and that the best connections usually start with a shared interest and a little courage.