Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Bert Show
Host: Pionaire Podcasting
Episode: Vault: This Is One Of The Most Bizarre Calls We've Ever Received
Date: January 13, 2026

Overview

This episode of The Bert Show delves into a remarkably bizarre and controversial listener call involving tangled relationships, cheating, and differing attitudes toward exclusivity while dating. Through calls from both the original involved parties and several listeners, the hosts and their audience debate questions of loyalty, honesty, and modern dating ethics—with a heavy dose of humor and candid reflection.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Recap of the Bizarre Nicole/Karen/Aaron Situation

• Background: Nicole and Karen discover that they've both been dating the same man, Aaron, for different lengths of time—Karen for nine months, Nicole for three weeks.
• Plan for Confrontation: The women had arranged to confront Aaron together in Piedmont Park and humiliate him publicly.
• Nicole’s Revelation: On air, Nicole admits she knew all along about Karen, revealing she wasn’t the “unknowing victim” but a willing participant.
• Quote [02:36]: Nicole: “I knew we were busted. I knew he had a girlfriend that he wanted out of the relationship… I said, well, let's make it happen. All right.”

Hosts' Reaction

• Disappointment and questioning of Nicole’s motives, especially since she “bailed” on the planned confrontation and effectively “stole” Aaron from Karen.
• Quote [03:25]: Host: "You stole this guy out from right underneath you."
• Quote [04:39]: Host: “There is a right way to do things and a wrong way to do things. And the way that they handled this was absolutely incorrect.”

Listener Ethics: Is Cheating Wrong if You’re “Just Dating”?

Listener Calls — Competing Morals

• Some listeners defend Nicole, arguing if you aren’t married or engaged, everything is fair game.
  • Quote [04:20]: Nicole: "Can't be a mistress unless you're stealing someone else's husband."
  • Quote [04:28]: Nicole: "If you're not engaged or married…take what you can."
• Hosts push back, discussing commitment and respect, especially in long-term, exclusive relationships.
  • Quote [06:05]: Host: “That's a serious relationship. If you give somebody keys to your place and keys to your car, that's a commitment level enough that you owe that woman respect.”

Marriage as a Moral Divider

• Some guests and hosts note a “naive” belief that marriage will suddenly instill discipline and fidelity.
  • Quote [06:48]: Host: “…that naive view of wedding day changes everything… that's just a ridiculous idea.”

Tara’s Call: "The Serial Cheater"

• Tara, 25, admits she’s cheated on every boyfriend but believes she will not cheat once married, as she sees marriage as sacred.
  • Quote [07:54]: Tara: “I know when I get married... I'm not gonna cheat on my husband.”
• Hosts question whether her past behavior truly changes at the altar, expressing concern about her assumption.
  • Quote [10:55]: Host: “…that ideal view that all of a sudden one person’s gonna change everything and it doesn’t work that way. You really have to discipline yourself to be a better person before you get to that point.”

The Ethics of Honesty in Dating

• Tara admits her partners believe their relationships are exclusive, but she hides her other involvements.
  • Quote [08:58]: Tara: “Some of them. Most of them do [think they're the only guy], yes."
• Hosts pressure her on why she avoids transparency, pointing out the cruelty of deception.
  • Quote [12:16]: Host: “It’s just selfish and rude and mean to the other person.”
  • Tara maintains it’s more about fun and maturity, but ultimately admits it’s not the norm even among her friends.

Constructive Criticism

• Listener Shelly calls Tara out directly.
  • Quote [14:14]: Shelly: “You’re horrible. I mean, it’s all about what you want back in life... that’s what you’re gonna get back.”
• Tara defends herself, claiming she’s honest in “the rest” of the relationship, but the hosts note, if it starts with a lie, it’s all a lie.
  • Quote [14:53]: Tara: “A lie is a lie. The whole relationship is a lie. It's based on a lie.”
  • Host: “Yeah, I don’t know how you could say, and I'm a great girlfriend in every other way except I'm screwing around on my boyfriends.” [14:59]

The Gender Double Standard in Cheating

• The conversation also reflects on how men’s and women’s behavior are differently judged:
  • Quote [05:07]: Host: "Now, if the girl did it, she’d be labeled as a slut... he’s just a man, so kudos to him."

Listener Andrew: Male Perspective

• Andrew calls to agree with Tara, expressing similar attitudes about dating multiple people and only being exclusive once with "the right one".
  • Quote [15:37]: Andrew: “I agree with her... I do the same thing and a lot of times, oh, you know, while I'm dating a girl... I'm not going to tell them…”
  • Hosts and others debate if honesty would really drive people away; one female host admits that competition made her want a man more.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Nicole’s blunt confession:

  "I knew we were busted. I knew he had a girlfriend... I said, well, let's make it happen. All right."
  —Nicole [02:36]

• Host's moral stance:

  “There is a right way to do things and there is a wrong way to do things. And the way that they handled this was absolutely incorrect.”
  —Host [04:39]

• Tara on her cheating:

  “I know when I get married, I’m not gonna cheat on my husband. Marriage, I know, is totally different than being a single 25 year old in Atlanta these days...”
  —Tara [07:54]

• Host on honesty:

  “It’s just selfish and rude and mean to the other person.”
  —Host [12:16]

• Shelly on karma:

  “You’re horrible. I mean, it’s all about what you want back in life… that’s the way you’re gonna treat people, that’s what you’re gonna get back.”
  —Shelly [14:14]

• Host's reality check:

  “A lie is a lie. The whole relationship is a lie. It's based on a lie.”
  —Host [14:53]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:19] Discussion kicks off: Recap of Nicole, Karen, Aaron story
• [02:36] Nicole’s confession replayed
• [03:52] Listeners react: Love/war, forgiveness, rules
• [05:07] Commentary on gender double standards
• [06:48] Debate about marriage as a moral turning point
• [07:22] Tara, the "serial cheater", calls in
• [08:58] Tara's exclusive relationships, lack of honesty
• [10:55] Hosts challenge assumption wedding will change behavior
• [12:16] On honesty and selfishness in relationships
• [14:14] Shelly confronts Tara
• [15:37] Andrew supports Tara, shares male dating philosophy
• [16:39] Female host describes being competitively driven to date a non-exclusive man

Conclusion: Ideals vs. Reality in Modern Dating

The episode closes without easy answers, highlighting a generational and philosophical divide in expectations around relationships. The hosts advocate for honesty and respect, while some listeners—like Tara and Andrew—admit to prioritizing their enjoyment and opportunity-seeking as single people. The show encourages listeners to reflect on their own realities versus ideals in relationships, while keeping the tone engagingly real and conversational.

For more bizarre listener drama or to weigh in on these tough moral debates, tune in to The Bert Show weekdays!