The Bert Show Podcast Summary

Episode: Vault: The Final Pay Off The Oprah Challenge
Date: November 20, 2025
Host: The Bert Show Cast (Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, et al.)

Episode Overview

This high-energy episode of The Bert Show centers on the remarkable pay-it-forward chain sparked by Oprah Winfrey’s audience challenge: each studio audience member received $1,000 with the directive to spend it creatively and generously on others during the holiday season. Two show listeners, Christy O’Connor and her sister Casey Osborne, share how they brought that spirit home to Atlanta—and how the generosity of the Bert Show community, Kroger, and countless everyday people snowballed their $2,000 into over $60,000 to help “My Sister’s House,” a local Atlanta shelter for women and children.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Oprah’s Viral “Pay It Forward” Challenge

[01:29–02:46]

• Clip played of Oprah revealing her gift to her audience: $1,000 each, coupled with the challenge to change a stranger’s life, or many lives, with that money.
  • Oprah [01:29]:
    “I want you to have that feeling this season...you're going to open your hearts, be really creative, and spend it all at once on one stranger or a dollar on every person... There’s so much you can do with this challenge.”
• Christy and Casey, live in Atlanta, recount how being in that audience shaped their mission at home.

2. Sparking Local Impact: Enter the Bert Show Community, Kroger & Q100

[02:46–06:02]

• The sisters reached out to The Bert Show for help stretching their $2,000; the hosts highlighted the strength and generosity of their listening community.
  • Bert [05:30]:
    “We have a community here...that is so unique...when they understand who we're trying to help...they just come through for us every single time.”
• Kroger quickly joined, instituting a “round up at the register” program in all its Atlanta stores, directly funneling donations to “My Sister’s House.”

3. Community Stories: The Momentum Grows

[06:05–07:35; 14:38–20:13]

• Callers like CJ and Candace share how they were moved to donate—sometimes returning to Kroger multiple times just to add a bit more.
  • CJ [06:35]:
    “...I picked up anything. Something random. I think it was like, steaks or something. I don’t even need steak. But I got to the counter...before she could even say anything...I want to pay it forward.”
• Hosts and guests marvel at how small increments—nickels, dimes, spare change—can add up to transformative impact.

4. My Sister’s House: Why This Shelter?

[07:50–10:54]

• Christy and Casey trace their journey from seeking a worthy cause to focusing on Atlanta’s “My Sister’s House,” a shelter for women and children in crisis.
• They were deeply moved by the shelter’s program, its high success rate, and stories from actual graduates.
• Casey [09:36]:
  “My dream was to always have my own children’s shelter. And so when we were able to take my sister’s house and just really snowball it, I said, this is where we’re supposed to be.”

5. Atlanta Union Mission’s Secret: Compassion & Faith

[10:54–12:11]

• Jim Bass, Chief Program Officer, describes the unique approach that leads to double the national success rate for program graduates.
  • Jim Bass [10:54]:
    “Atlanta Union Mission is faith based...staff that really has a Christ loving heart. We serve over 900 people every day, 365 days a year.”

6. Kroger’s Lightning-Fast Activation

[12:18–14:26]

• Bruce Lucia, president of Kroger’s Atlanta division, details how quickly their whole organization got on board (over 130 stores).
  • Bruce Lucia [12:52]:
    “...when you have an organization that big, sometimes it’s tough to get stuff done quickly...But that has not been the case with Kroger.”

7. The Numbers Revealed: “Nothing Short of Miraculous”

[16:13–19:25]

• Moment of suspense: Bruce reveals the donation total after just two days: $60,313
  • Bert [17:03]:
    “The number, as of midnight last night, Kroger and Q100 listeners have donated $60,313 to my sister's house. Awesome. Oh, my gosh. That is the change that you guys made with your $2,000.”
  • Casey [17:39]:
    “Oh, that is so awesome. Thank you so much.”
• The donation window is extended until midnight to encourage further giving.

8. The Ripple Effect: Real People, Real Change

[14:43–16:02; 20:02–20:13]

• Listener Jessica calls to ask how to get help from My Sister’s House for herself and her daughters, underscoring why these efforts matter.
  • Jessica [14:53]:
    “How could a mother and her daughter get help from that organization? To be part of the program."
  • Jim Bass [15:38]:
    “Contact My Sister’s House...Ask for Angie Stevenson, she will help.”
• The hosts reflect on the broader impact—how what started as one act has become a city-wide movement of generosity and hope.
  • Bert [18:04]:
    “Think of all of the women that are going to be at my sister's house. Think of them just like Jessica...having no place to turn with their children...and all of those families you guys helped out with just that $2,000. That's awesome.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Oprah’s Challenge [01:29]:
  “Every gift I’ve ever given has brought at least as much happiness to me as it has to the person I’ve given it to...so everyone here today is getting the chance to do something really extraordinary for others.”
• Christy [04:27]:
  "...It started with you guys going to Oprah, and it just...trickles down that whole way."
• Bert [05:30]:
  “It really has. It’s all about the listeners.”
• Bruce Lucia [12:52]:
  "...what you’re doing for my sister’s house, just top flight. And this town is such a giving community...we’re so proud to be part of this."
• Casey [13:37]:
  “I was happy with that...$5,000.”
  Bert: “And you said $25,000.”
  Bruce Lucia: “Well, I think your goal to start with was a little over $5,000...”
• Bert [17:03]:
  “...I was wrong. The number, as of midnight last night, Kroger and Q100 listeners have donated $60,313 to my sister’s house. Awesome. Oh, my gosh.”

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment & Topic | |------------|-----------------------| | 01:29 | Oprah’s original pay-it-forward challenge audio | | 02:46 | Introduction of Christy and Casey, connecting Oprah’s challenge to Bert Show | | 04:27 | Listener and community stories, Kroger’s involvement | | 06:35 | Call from CJ: small acts, big impact | | 07:50 | Why My Sister’s House was chosen, its programs and impact | | 10:54 | Jim Bass on the mission’s faith-based methods and success rates | | 12:18 | Bruce Lucia (Kroger) details rapid company mobilization | | 14:43 | Listener Jessica seeks help for herself and daughters | | 16:13 | The big reveal: fundraising total exceeds $60,000 | | 19:25 | Community reactions and remarks on the campaign’s reach |

Conclusion

The Bert Show delivers an inspiring example of community action: how two individuals, moved by Oprah’s call to generosity, united a city to make a difference for countless women and children. With humor, authenticity, and heart, the hosts and guests celebrate Atlanta’s spirit, the power of collective kindness, and the lasting effects even small acts of giving can create. Mission accomplished—30 times over.

For more information about My Sister’s House or how to help, visit the Atlanta Mission website or contact the shelter directly.