Vault: Results - She's So Innocent She's Willing to Take a Lie Detector to Prove It

Summary

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The Bert Show: Vault - Results - She's So Innocent She's Willing to Take a Lie Detector to Prove It

Release Date: March 30, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, the Bert Show team explores trust, suspicion, and the complexities of blended families as “Bethany” calls in to clear her name. She’s accused of being too close with her stepbrother, resulting in her boyfriend’s jealousy and suspicion. To prove her innocence and loyalty, Bethany volunteers to take a live voice-stress lie detector test on-air. The show blends real emotional tension, humor, and the raw pressure of polygraphic analysis, all while debating the limits of trust, technology, and relationships.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: The Dilemma

• Bethany’s Situation:
  Bethany shares the backstory—her unusually close relationship with her stepbrother is causing turbulence in her romantic relationship. She insists on her innocence, noting, “I'm very anxious to get my name cleared.” (01:10)
• Steps to Prove Innocence:
  She informs the show and listeners that her boyfriend is aware of the call and is listening in, hoping that this live test will finally alleviate his concerns.

  “I told him the situation has gotten out of hand. I think I found a way to actually put his mind at ease.” (01:20)

2. How the Test Works

• Voice Stress Analyzer:
  The host explains the voice-analyzing software and plays examples of how it detects stress or possible deception.

  “From time to time, I'll hear this... it's the lie detector picking up just like... the stress levels are way high.” (01:45)

• Skepticism About the Technology:
  Both hosts and callers express reservations about the accuracy and context of voice stress, noting that nervousness doesn’t always equal dishonesty.

  “What you're saying makes sense to me. But it's not like the lie detector can tell me exactly what.” (03:17)

3. Bethany’s Story & The Lie Detector

• Her Relationship with Her Stepbrother:
  Bethany describes their history, including how he was her first French kiss before they became step-siblings, and now serves as her best friend.
  • Weekend visits, going out with friends, and sibling affection are mentioned—“a hug, a kiss on the cheek, nothing else.” (05:18)
• Results & Reactions:
  The software consistently registers stress and occasional “lie” markers when Bethany discusses the loft visits and denies anything inappropriate.

  “It's consistently showing stress and consistently showing lies in that one area.” (07:48)
  Bethany attributes this to her frustration with the accusations themselves:
  “I think it is because that's the point that I get most, you know, upset about... and maybe that's why it's coming up.” (07:55)

4. Addressing Emotional Stress and Perception

• Emotional Toll:
  Bethany asserts, “It's a stressful situation to constantly have to, you know, try to convince people that you're not lying when absolutely in your heart you know you're telling the truth.” (11:05)
• Show Hosts’ Take:
  The hosts note that her passionate defense of her stepbrother might be a trigger for her boyfriend’s insecurity.

  “It just so comes across that you're defending him more, that he means so much more to you than your boyfriend does.” (11:25, Host)

5. Key Stats and Lie Detector Accuracy

• Results of the Test:
  Jeff reports: “It said you're 63% honest, which means you're 37% less than honest… about one third of the time... the computer thought you were not truthful.” (10:19)
• Debate on Interpretation:
  The team acknowledges that nervousness doesn’t always indicate dishonesty, particularly in such a high-pressure context.

6. Family, Loyalty, and Final Statements

• Bethany’s Closing to Her Boyfriend:
  In a heartfelt plea:

  “Honey, there is nothing, nothing to worry about. My stepbrother is someone who's very important to me... but I also love and care deeply about you. I would never hurt you. I wouldn't cheat on you... I am faithful.” (09:02)

• Hosts’ Reflections:
  They debate whether Bethany’s bond with her stepbrother is threatening to her boyfriend, suggesting some jealousy may be unfounded.

  “It's family. I would choose my family over a jealous boyfriend any day.” (12:05, Host)

• Potential Next Steps:
  The hosts propose putting Bethany’s stepbrother on the same test; Bethany is open but doubtful he’d agree:

  “I think he would be kind of amazed... that anyone would have to ask him because I think he would think it was as absurd as, you know, I do.” (13:05)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Stress of the Situation:

  “I have no idea why that would say that's a lie. It is absolutely not. All we do, like I said, like, before bed, it'll be a hug, a kiss on the cheek. Nothing else happens with that.” — Bethany (05:43)

• On Loyalty and Love:

  “It just so happens I have a very, very close friendship and kinship and bond with my stepbrother... I am faithful, if that's what I want to say.” — Bethany (09:02)

• On Perceptions:

  “If you're doing that all the time with your boyfriend, it just so comes across that you're defending him more, that he means so much more to you than your boyfriend does.” — Host (11:25)

• On Family vs. Jealousy:

  “It's family. I would choose my family over a jealous boyfriend any day.” — Host (12:05)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Bethany Introduces Her Situation: 01:10–01:27
• How the Lie Detector Works: 01:27–02:17
• Bethany Describes Stepbrother Relationship: 02:17–05:04
• First “Lie” Detection and Reaction: 05:38–06:22
• Continued Denials & Emotional Stress: 06:22–08:14
• Bethany’s Plea to Her Boyfriend: 09:02–09:57
• Lie Detector Accuracy Explained: 10:19–10:45
• Debates about Family & Loyalty: 11:25–12:05
• Proposing Stepbrother’s Lie Detector Test: 12:54–14:00

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Engagement & Takeaways

• Complexities of Trust:
  The show provided a nuanced look at jealousy, loyalty, and the emotional minefield surrounding close non-biological family relationships.
• Technology vs. Emotion:
  The episode illustrates the limitations and complications of using technology to solve matters of the heart.
• Open Ending:
  The door remains open for Bethany’s stepbrother to take the test, keeping both intrigue and emotional stakes alive for listeners.

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Summary by The Bert Show Cast: Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy & Team

Transcript

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[Caller (Bethany)]

Wait, what?

[Host]

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Hey, Bethany.

[Caller (Bethany)]

Hi there, guys.

[Host]

Hi. How are you today?

[Caller (Bethany)]

I'm good. I'm very anxious to get my name cleared.

[Host]

Now, I'm curious if your boyfriend. If you told him about this and he is listening right now also.

[Caller (Bethany)]

I did.

I did. I told him the situation has gotten out of hand. I think I found a way to actually put his mind at ease.

[Host]

Okay, here's what you're listening for right now. This sound effect right here is the software, the voice analyzing software, picking up stress. This is what you'll hear. Okay, so in casual conversation, you're just gonna hear, there'll be nothing behind her voice.

[Jeff]

And only Bert hears that.

[Host]

And this is the lie detector picking up just like. I mean, it's. The stress levels are way high. And this is what the lie detector interprets as a lie.

Okay.

[Jeff]

So subtle.

[Host]

So keep in mind we're having a conversation and I'm hearing all this stuff go on in my head. So from time to time, I'll hear this.

See, I'd be so distracted, because if

that happened, I start laughing or something, I'd be alive.

[Caller (Bethany)]

Liar.

[Host]

Laugh.

It's like, what? Nothing. Don't worry about that.

[Jeff]

It sounds almost like it should be sending a shock through the phone and zapping the person.

[Host]

Okay, here you go.

[Caller (Bethany)]

My stepbrother and I are extremely close. And my boyfriend met him and everything. But what my boyfriend didn't know and what I shared with him before we were stepbrother and sister, he Was actually my first French kiss shortly after that. I mean, my ear and I. Parents.

Okay, Can I comment on some of those?

[Host]

Let me pause it. Okay, go ahead.

[Caller (Bethany)]

Okay.

Those. Okay. If it says it's picking up stress or elevated heart rate. Okay. I'm talking about my best friend in the world coming to visit me. Okay. I would think that, like, you get excited about anyone. Like, if it was like, you know, your best friend or, you know, if you had a good relationship with your parents or something like it or, you know, if you're excited for someone. Isn't that normal to have an elevated heartbeat? I don't. I don't think that is translating to stress.

[Host]

I can say one or the other. You know, why it's picking up the stress. But what you're saying makes sense to me. But it's not like the lie detector can tell me exactly what.

Yeah.

What the truth is and what's not right.

Because to me, the whole situation and that there's a point in contention between your stepbrother and your boyfriend is stressful, and that's the whole reason you called us. So to me, these heartbeats aren't really that weird.

Yeah, we got plenty more to go here.

[Jeff]

We're overanalyzing the stress that comes from, like. I mean, she. That. What if this is the last. What if this is the last heartbeat? Or even. What if we don't hear a buzzer during the entire call? Then I don't think this is a big deal because she's obviously nervous at the beginning. As we start to approach the topic.

[Host]

Yeah, there are more important things in this call that you're going to want to address.

[Jeff]

That's what I. Yeah.

[Caller (Bethany)]

Going through similar situations, and we were going through a lot.

So basically that's what happened, but now

it's just gotten totally blown out of proportion.

[Host]

So that's what's going on on the air. You told us that there are times where you go and, I mean, he's your stepbrother, so you'll go to New York and you'll meet up with him, and you guys will hang out for a weekend. Tell me a little bit about those weekends.

[Caller (Bethany)]

I guess it's.

I mean, they're fun.

I have a good time. I mean, of course, as a model, like, A, he has tons of beautiful friends, but B, you know, like, they like to party a lot.

So we'll, you know, we'll go out

to bars or they have, like, private events after shows, or else we'll go back to his, like, loft apartment and we'll have drinks there and music. So it's basically just like hanging out. Usually nighttime, it's like, with a bunch of people. And then during the day, like, you know, we'll go and get brunch or maybe we'll go walk around in the museum or go to the park, you know, so during the day it's usually just us, and at night, we're always hanging around a bunch of people. So, like, at night, we're not really alone together. Just like during the day.

[Host]

When you've been at his loft, has anything outside of simple simply being a stepbrother and stepsister, has it ever been escalated to anything other than that?

[Caller (Bethany)]

No. I mean, no.

[Host]

No.

[Caller (Bethany)]

I mean, like, you know, like, if you see your brother, your sister, mother, like, you'll give him a kiss on the cheek or, like, you know, if, you know, before I go to bed, like, you know, give him a little kiss on his forehead or something. But it's not. It's not like. It's not like, sexual or anything. It's just completely normal. Mother, sister type.

Okay, can we stop?

[Host]

Yes, we can.

[Caller (Bethany)]

I have no idea why that would say that's a lie. It is absolutely not. All we do, like I said, like, before bed, it'll be a hug, a kiss on the cheek. Nothing else happens with that. And I mean, the only thing I can think of why that would say it was a lie is because, I don't know, maybe nervous or, you know, I mean, I'm definitely nervous now. My boyfriend's listening this and this. It's just not true.

I'm telling you.

[Host]

Okay? I'm just telling you what is the stress and what it's picking up and where the lie detector is saying that there's not 100% truth coming out of you. Let's. Let's go on with it.

As you're talking, I can hear the lie detector. It indicates to me, with sound effects, if you're stressed out or not. And immediately when you said that you guys have been hanging out at the loft, it registered some stress. And then it's also indicating when you're talking about just hanging out and nothing sexual going on, that it's registering stress and it's also registering some lies. So is there anything that you can think of that's happened in that loft that's been even a little bit outside of a brother and sister relationship?

[Caller (Bethany)]

I'm telling you, I don't know why it would register. Maybe it's registering stress because I'm so.

Like, nothing is happening.

I think what stresses me out is that I know nothing has happened that is inappropriate as an adult.

[Host]

Do you have any kind of attraction or sexual feelings towards your brother in law at all?

[Caller (Bethany)]

You mean my stepbrother?

[Host]

Yeah, your stepbrother. I'm sorry.

[Caller (Bethany)]

No, no. And then that's like the whole point is that, I mean, I love.

Okay, can we stop it there?

[Host]

That's a good idea.

I think that's a good idea.

[Jeff]

God, that buzz is so. It's like that's a bucket of water.

[Host]

That's hard to avoid.

[Jeff]

Yeah.

[Host]

So I mean, it's consistently showing stress and consistently showing lies in that one area.

[Caller (Bethany)]

Yeah, I think it is because that's the point that I get most, you know, upset about is because this is the whole issue that people are just pushing this. Like, you know, you know, I'm making out with him. Like things are going on and I'm so adamantly not. And maybe that's why it's coming up.

[Host]

There's still about a minute and a half left of the call, so let's just continue on and then we can debate afterwards.

[Caller (Bethany)]

They're just like totally different. You know, I love my stepbrother. I care for him. You know, I want the best for him. He's basically like my best friend. You know, I love him, but, you know, I'm related to him. You know, I don't want to, you know, I would never, like, pursue any romantic relationship with him at all.

[Host]

So if you're going to summarize and you were going to like, speak right to your boyfriend and you were going to tell him and try to alleviate his fears about you and your stepbrother, what exactly do you want him to know?

[Caller (Bethany)]

I guess I would say, honey, I'd say, honey, there is nothing, nothing to worry about. My stepbrother is someone who's very important to me. We grew up during some of the hardest times in our life. And I love him, I care about him, but I also love and care deeply about you. I would never hurt you. I wouldn't cheat on you. I just, I would never do anything to jeopardize our relationship. It just so happens I have a very, very close friendship and kinship and bond with my stepbrother. And I. And, but I. And I'm not going to break that though. And I don't want to have to apologize for that. I just want you to understand that I am faithful, if that's what I want to say.

[Host]

So bottom line is your boyfriend has zero to worry about and it's Ridiculous.

[Caller (Bethany)]

Absolutely. That's. Yes. 100%, yes.

[Host]

All right, before we take the calls and before you feel like you need to defend yourself, especially because your boyfriend is still listening. Jeff, why don't you tell her the accuracy rate that the software picked up on?

[Jeff]

And it's not so much where it's, you know, the percentage of lying. I think it's where the lying was because those buzzers went off in some dangerous places. But it said you're 63% honest, which means you're 37% less than honest, which means that about one third of the time during that phone call, you showed enough stress that the computer thought you were not truthful.

[Caller (Bethany)]

I think just like you said, it showed stress which set off a buzzer. But all I gotta say is it was just stress. It's a stressful situation to constantly have to, you know, try to convince people that you're not lying when absolutely in

your heart you know you're telling the truth.

[Host]

Look, I'm not saying one way or the other that that's not true, but I think when you set up polygraphs or with this software, the computer knows that. So that's why we had that two minute conversation in the very beginning, so it could pick up on those stress levels, your normal stress levels. So that's not a really great argument, I guess.

I mean, for me, because some of the. And I know that in this conversation you were defending him and defending your relationship with him. It's your brother, your best friend. But I feel like if you're doing that all the time with your boyfriend, it just so comes across that you're defending him more, that he means so much more to you than your boyfriend does. So that's where I think your boyfriend, probably from the beginning, started being like, well, dude, I mean, I wish you'd talk to me, talk about me the same way you're talking about him. And I'm not saying that's right or wrong. I'm just saying that it's just your language about your stepbrother. I mean, it's cool that you're that close, but I mean, if you have a boyfriend, I think because he's a guy, I think your boyfriend's threatened by that.

But still, it's family. I would choose my family over a jealous boyfriend any day.

Yeah, I mean, I said this Friday, too. Like, if this is the case and he's that jealous, I just think that there's something there where it's just not normal for a guy to be jealous of another. It doesn't even matter if he's a stepbrother anyway. Let's say even if this guy was just a friend, it happened 11 years ago or more than that, when he was 11 years old. It just.

[Caller (Bethany)]

I think this has got to mean something, right, that, you know, I did call in. I did want to make the effort to prove to my boyfriend that I wasn't lying. I mean, there's no reason that, you know, why would I call up, then be like, hey, you know, I'm telling the truth, just to have my boyfriend listen to. Purposely tell lies.

[Jeff]

Do you think your stepbrother will go on the lie detector with Burt?

[Caller (Bethany)]

No.

[Host]

Why not?

[Jeff]

Would you be willing to ask him? Because if his comes across crystal clear, then we could justify just his nervousness.

[Caller (Bethany)]

But, I mean, I think he would be a little. Kind of like I am. Like, I don't. I don't. I don't think. I think he would be kind of amazed. No, I think he would be amazed that anyone would have to ask him because I think he would think it was as absurd as, you know, I do with that. Because, you know, what is he going to justify?

[Host]

I mean, will you call him today and just ask him if he wants to go on it? Because if he wants to go on

[Jeff]

it, then Bert would call him after the show, same way he did it with you after the show tomorrow, and then we would play it for you and your boyfriend on Wednesday.

[Host]

Well, I mean, we'll make the offer to you. If you want to ask your stepbrother if he wants to come on later on today, then I'll put him on it also. And if you think that would help, great. If you think it'll hurt your case, then don't do it. But at this point, I don't know how it could hurt.

[Caller (Bethany)]

I don't have anything to hide, so, yeah. Yeah, I can give him a call.

[Host]

Okay. I'll call you after the show, and we'll see if we can put it together.

[Caller (Bethany)]

All right. Sounds good.

[Host]

Bye.

Bye.

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