The Bert Show – Vault: Listeners Open Up About The Success Of Their Open Relationships

Date: February 16, 2026

Overview

This episode of The Bert Show dives into the topic of open relationships, drawing inspiration from recent headlines about Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s unconventional marriage agreement. The show explores listener experiences with open relationships—particularly arrangements where couples grant each other freedom to be with others under certain predetermined conditions. Through candid conversations with callers, the hosts unpack the psychological and practical realities behind these non-traditional relationships, asking: Does simply having permission diminish the desire to stray? The tone is light, humorous, and curious, with the cast maintaining their trademark authenticity and unfiltered banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Will & Jada Smith: The Celebrity Open Marriage Example

• [01:31 - 02:59]

  • Co-hosts discuss a recent interview where Will Smith confirms that he and Jada's open relationship policy was established from the beginning, shaped by the belief that attraction to others is natural.
  • Quote: “Our perspective is you don’t avoid what’s natural and you’re going to be attracted to people... You will never hear, ‘I did something afterwards,’ because if that happens, the relationship is destroyed.” – Will Smith (via co-host, 01:31)

• Hosts debate how such a policy might work in practice:

  • Is the “offer” real for both partners?
  • Does simply knowing you have permission make extramarital sex less tempting?
  • Are people (specifically men) taking advantage of such arrangements?

2. The Psychology of the “Open Door” Policy

• [02:59 - 05:45]
  • Bert (Host) speculates whether the permission itself makes cheating less appealing.
    • “The fact that she made the offer, does it make sleeping around less appealing?” – Host (07:16)
  • The theory: Once you remove the forbidden aspect, the desire might dissipate.
  • Comparison to “cursing around your kids”—if you don’t make it taboo, it loses power.

3. Listener Call-Ins: Real Stories from Open Relationships

Caller 1: The “Approved List” System

• [06:00 - 07:55]
  • The caller shares that he and his wife have a mutual agreement: any potential partner must be pre-approved by the wife.
  • Despite the green light, he’s never taken up the offer.
  • Quote: “She’s pushed me towards, like, a certain friend of ours… but I haven’t done it yet.” – Caller 1 (07:05)
  • The freedom mainly removes temptation, making the idea less appealing.

Caller 2: One-Night-Stand “Card”

• [08:12 - 09:20]
  • Another caller has been given a one-night-stand “get out of jail free” card by his wife—but gave it back to her because he cared too much.
  • The arrangement removed curiosity; he flatly refused to use it.
  • Quote: “She’s given me a free one night stand card, but I gave it back to her because I cared too much about her.” – Caller 2 (08:21)
  • Hosts joke about the idea of literally pulling out the card at a bar.

Caller 3: Open Policy with Imbalance

• [09:34 - 11:32]
  • One caller had a five-year relationship with an open policy initiated by his then-girlfriend (because she wasn’t outgoing, he never acted on it—but she did, several times).
  • After the breakup, she got engaged to one of the people she’d been with.
  • The breakup was messy—reminding listeners that these arrangements can have real-world consequences.

Caller 4: Pre-Approved Friend “Menu”

• [10:44 - 13:32]
  • In this relationship, the wife maintains a list of her friends who are eligible for the husband to be with, but only on his side—not hers.
  • He’s acted on it only once (with his wife’s best friend), but now he regrets it.
  • Quote: “It only works on my end. Really didn’t come up with the idea. It was her idea… her sex drive is not as strong as mine.” – Caller 4 (13:15, 13:24)
  • The hosts are amazed at the apparent maturity and lack of drama between all involved—even after the liaison.

Notable Quotes & Moments (With Timestamps)

• On the “approved list”
  • “She just has to know them and know they’re not, like, a slut and sleep around.” – Caller 1 (06:22)
• On the psychology:
  • “It kind of just takes the temptation away, you know?” – Caller 1 (07:55)
  • “Funny psychology trick.” – Co-host 1 (07:59)
• Host’s warning:
  • “Be very careful with this information.” – Host (08:01)
• Joking about the one-night-stand card:
  • “Could you stamp it, please?” – Co-host 1 (09:13)
• Regret after acting on the arrangement:
  • “At the time, yeah. But no, not now.” – Caller 4, when asked if he was glad he did it (13:16)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Will & Jada and open relationship context: [01:31 – 02:59]
• Host speculation about male response to open offers: [02:59 – 05:45]
• Caller 1: The “approved list” arrangement: [06:00 – 07:55]
• Caller 2: The one-night-stand card: [08:12 – 09:20]
• Caller 3: Girlfriend acts, boyfriend does not: [09:34 – 10:42]
• Caller 4: Husband-only pre-approved list, acts once, regrets: [10:44 – 13:32]

Takeaways & Reflections

• Temptation vs. Permission: For many, just having permission diminishes the drive to stray—challenging assumptions about male/female desire and taboo.
• Individual Agreements Differ: Policies and comfort levels vary widely—some couples carefully pre-approve partners, others are more hands-off, and some have one-way arrangements.
• Real-Life Complexity: The psychological and emotional outcomes aren’t always predictable—some find it empowering, others regret acting on the freedom.
• Caution Urged: Hosts consistently remind listeners that these arrangements require deep understanding and trust and are not one-size-fits-all.

The Bert Show keeps it real and funny throughout, alternating between curiosity, skepticism, and genuine interest in how ordinary people navigate out-of-the-ordinary relationships.