Podcast Summary: "Vault: Listeners Share Their Dating Superstitions"

The Bert Show – January 20, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lighthearted episode, The Bert Show team explores the quirky world of dating superstitions. Borrowing from the rituals of athletes and sports fans, the hosts and listeners share the unique routines and habits they believe help set the tone for a successful date. The cast also opens the phone lines for listeners to confess their own dating superstitions, sparking a fun roundtable of anecdotes, gentle teasing, and relatable laughs.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining Dating Superstitions

(00:01 - 01:20)

• The episode kicks off with Bert referencing a Cosmopolitan article about dating superstitions—comparing them to sports rituals for good luck.

• Hosts share their own sports superstitions as a relatable starting point. For example, staying in one spot if their team is winning or repeating an outfit after a win.

  “If your team wins...you’re gonna wear that same outfit next Saturday or next Sunday, right?” — C, 00:53

2. Superstitious Rituals Before Dates

(01:20 – 03:25)

• The article features individuals who have developed unique pre-date routines.
  • Al & the Serpico Postcard: Al says goodbye to a postcard of Al Pacino in Serpico before each date to calm his nerves.

    “He goes to the postcard, says, ‘See you later, Serpico. Think I’ll come home alone.’ … It makes me laugh, so I feel less nervous.” — B, 01:21

  • Pushups Pre-Date: Another guy does 30 pushups before every date “to feel a little more proud,” not just to look better.

    “Most guys do that…especially if you’re going to a pool party.” — C, 02:29

  • White Candle & Bubble Bath: A woman burns a specific candle and takes a bubble bath to clear negative energy and relax.

    “She lights a white candle…burns it to take away any negative energy…then she takes a bubble bath.” — B, 02:39

3. Listeners Call In: Sharing Their Superstitions

(03:25 – 05:46)

• Amber’s Ritual: She listens to “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch before every date, a habit born from a streak of good luck when the song kept popping up.

  “From that point forward, I started listening to it every time I would go out on a date.” — Amber, 03:59

• Other Musical Rituals: Referencing the article, another woman always listens to the Great Expectations soundtrack; someone else sings the score of Evita to relax.
• Vicki’s Lucky Outfit: Vicki always wore the same jeans and black top on first dates, questioning whether it’s about superstition or just confidence in a particular look.

  “I wear the same jeans and black top on a first date…But I had my own lucky outfit.” — Vicki, 04:30

4. “Guy Routines” Before Dates

(05:16 – 05:46)

• Mark’s Routine: Mark candidly shares another "guy thing" reminiscent of a scene from There’s Something About Mary—without going into details, implying it’s a common ritual to “cut the edge off.”

  “Absolutely. You know, you just gotta cut some of the edge off of it and then it also maybe helps a little bit later.” — Mark, 05:26

• The hosts joke about this being a classic movie reference and the possible pitfalls.

5. Meticulous Multi-Step Superstitions

(05:55 – 06:37)

• Some rituals are quite elaborate. From having a glass of red wine to get a healthy flush, brushing teeth to avoid “purple mouth,” scanning newspapers for conversation topics, and finally playing with a pet as a comfort reminder.

  “She takes time to play with her dog. Because she says that…if the night ends in disappointment…she always has someone waiting.” — B, 06:24

6. Host Confessions & Reflections

(06:38 – 07:03)

• Host C admits to having a pre-date drink or two for nerves, clarifying it’s more about insecurity than superstition.

  “I can’t remember ever going out on a date without having a couple of pops before I went out.” — C, 06:51

• Co-hosts tease about the pitfalls of being “the one who always seems like a drinker.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Sports vs. Dating Superstitions:

  “Your contribution to the winning team is that shirt or that seat…Well, the same goes with dating.” — B, 00:59

• On Musical Rituals:

  “Did you have, like, a successful date one time you listened to that song, and you just figure it’s going to be the same for the next?” — C, 03:38

• On Lucky Outfits:

  “I think everybody has like one outfit that they really think they look kick ass in and you’ll break that out on the first date every time.” — C, 04:37

• On Over-thinking Routines:

  “There’s a flowchart on the wall: wine, check. Teeth, check. Next, newspaper.” — A, 06:32

• Playful Teasing:

  “I liked him, but he’s a drinker. I don’t need to be involved in that.” — A, 07:03

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:01 – 01:20: Setting the stage—sports superstitions and segue into dating
• 01:20 – 02:39: Hosts share examples from the article (Serpico postcard, pushups, white candle/bubble bath)
• 03:25 – 04:30: First listener call-in (Amber: "Good Vibrations")
• 04:30 – 04:55: Discussion on “lucky outfits”
• 05:19 – 05:46: Mark’s “guy thing” and film reference
• 05:55 – 06:37: Multi-step dating routine story
• 06:38 – 07:03: Host C’s confession and group banter

Overall Tone & Takeaway

The episode blends humor, warmth, and relatability as the hosts and their audience bond over the sometimes silly, often heartfelt rituals we use to face the nerves of dating. Whether through music, outfits, exercise, or elaborate personal routines, the segment highlights how everyone seeks a little edge—or comfort—before putting themselves out there.

Perfect for listeners looking for a laugh, camaraderie, and maybe a few ideas for their own pre-date routines!