Vault: Update On The Drama With His Sister-In-Law

Summary

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The Bert Show — “Vault: Update On The Drama With His Sister-In-Law”

Pionaire Podcasting | November 10, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode revisits a unique and previously controversial storyline involving Eric, a man who began dating his former stepsister after their parents divorced. The hosts—Bert, Jeff, and others—catch up with Eric for an update on how the relationship has progressed, how their family and friends have reacted, and what the future might hold. The team promises to avoid judgment and debate this time, focusing solely on an honest update for curious listeners.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Background Recap (01:06–03:23)

• The episode opens with a recap: Eric and his stepsister lived together from ages 10 to 18 while their parents were married for 8 years.
• After their parents’ divorce, both ended up back in Atlanta, reconnected, and eventually started dating.
• Eric and his partner are not biologically related; relationships of this nature sparked both criticism and support among listeners previously.
• Quote:

  “The only people that seem to have any problem with it are you guys and some of the listeners, which... is kind of getting a little irritating.”
  —Eric (03:15)

Eric Joins for an Update (04:30–05:36)

• Eric acknowledges some discomfort with the repeated public scrutiny but is open to providing an update.

• Eric’s partner is more “weirded out” by the ongoing public attention.

• The issue no longer feels strange to them but is made odd by outsider fascination.

• Quote:

  “I don't get the fascination with it. Like, it's not weird to us anymore.”
  —Eric (05:12)

Promises of No Judgment & Relationship Status (05:36–06:17)

• The show promises Eric this will be a “no-debate” update; just facts, no opinions.
• Listeners repeatedly ask for relationship updates despite the controversy.

How Friends and Family Have Reacted (06:17–08:03)

• Only one friend initially distanced themselves due to discomfort, but after talking with Eric and his partner, realized judgment was unwarranted.

• Both sides of the family have come around. Eric’s dad, and eventually her mom, accepted the relationship.

• Quote:

  “Even if people have been a little bit weird about it, have quickly sort of realized, like, oh, I'm being judgmental. It's not a big deal.”
  —Eric (06:41)

Listener Call: Similar Experiences (08:14–08:49)

• Jenny, a caller, shares she knows step-siblings who married and had children, validating Eric’s situation.

• Quote:

  “The stepbrother and stepsister got married. They have three beautiful children, two of whom are now married. Cool.”
  —Jenny (08:37)

Plans for the Future — Engagement? (09:04–10:20)

• Eric reveals he’s planning to propose, currently researching engagement rings.

• Both Eric and his partner have expressed their love; the relationship has grown “very, very, very serious.”

• Quote:

  “I've been actually pricing out some engagement rings… Thinking about getting engaged.”
  —Eric (09:14)

Is It Moving Too Fast? (10:20–12:14)

• The hosts question whether the relationship is progressing too quickly—but agree that, since Eric has known his partner for years, it feels more natural and less rushed than a brand-new romance.

• The analogy used: if two childhood friends dated after years of knowing each other, their speed would feel more reasonable.

• Quote:

  “I mean, I did. You know, I was in the same household with her for eight years. So I know I have a lot better sense, I guess, of who she is than I would with some stranger.”
  —Eric (11:28)

Family Dynamics and Memories (12:19–13:34)

• Discussion of how the wedding would create unique dynamics with step-parents becoming in-laws.
• Eric’s father is supportive, humorously noting he “loved her as a daughter and love her as a daughter-in-law.”
• Eric and his partner reminisce about childhood fights and inside jokes, now reframed in the light of their romantic relationship.

Episode Close — Final Status (14:37–15:12)

• Summary: an engagement is imminent; Eric and his former stepsister are still together and doing well.

• The hosts congratulate themselves for avoiding judgment and rehashing past debates.

• Quote:

  “Soon you will be marrying your former stepsister.”
  —Bert (15:01)
  “That's the plan.”
  —Eric (15:04)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “It was like, okay, there's a spark here. Is there anything wrong with this? No, there's not. And going on from there.”
  —Eric (03:51)
• “I kind of ... it's fine in a way ... but ... I don't get the fascination with it. Like, it's not weird to us anymore.”
  —Eric (05:12)
• "I've known her for so long and I know what she's all about."
  —Eric (11:34)
• “My dad actually just said, I told him I was thinking about popping the question and he said, you know, he loved her as a daughter and he'd love her as a daughter-in-law.”
  —Eric (12:27)
• “No judging. No judging. We just wanted to get an update.”
  —Bert (14:37)
• “That was to bite the tongue.”
  —Bert (15:34)

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Key Segment Timestamps

• Recap & Backstory: 01:06–03:23
• Eric’s Update Begins: 04:30
• Family & Friends’ Reaction: 06:17–08:03
• Listener with Similar Story: 08:14
• Engagement Plans: 09:13
• Fast-Track Romance Questioned: 10:20–12:14
• Childhood Memories & Dynamic: 13:08–13:34
• Conclusion — Engagement Soon: 14:37–15:12

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Summary

This episode provides a candid, judgment-free update on Eric’s ongoing relationship with his former stepsister. Listeners learn that, despite initial discomfort, families and most friends have accepted the couple; Eric is seriously considering an engagement. The pair reflect on their unique shared history, finding comfort and normalcy in their connection. The hosts commend themselves for resisting the urge to debate or judge, instead allowing the update to speak for itself.

For listeners new or old, the episode demonstrates The Bert Show’s blend of real-life drama, humor, and empathetic curiosity.

Transcript

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[Show Host (Birch Show)]

The Birch show okay, so you're a new Birchill listener. You have no idea who this Eric dude is? Yeah. You know nothing about his story at all. Bring us right up to the last time we talked to him. Jeff.

[Co-Host Jeff]

Oh gosh, it started back on St Patrick's Day when you guys first talked to him, because I remember I was missing from the show and you had to catch me up on the story afterwards. But that was the first time that he called in and said that. After about how long? It's really hard to remember all the details of this. They had been brother and stepsister, stepbrother, stepsister in the household for about 10 years. His dad was married to her mom for how long? About 10.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

Do you remember any of this? Jeff?

[Eric (Guest)]

I know the age was 10 to 18 for her.

[Knox from the Popcast]

Right?

[Co-Host Jeff]

Okay, so their parents were married for eight years and they were in the house together for those times. He's a little bit older than she. She is. Anyway, parents divorce, they sort of go their separate ways, but both of them end up back here in Atlanta and they reconnect somehow. They go out and she's like, I want to see you again, but not in like a brother, sister kind of way. In like a dating kind of way. They had some chemistry going on and then sure enough, they start dating. And he alluded to the Fact that they had been physical together, although he wouldn't comment on it. And then all of us were pretty harsh, like, dude, this is your sister. But the majority of the Burch show listeners were like, give him a break. They're not related. They're not blood related. They're just, you know, having a good time. Two crazy kids.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

The last time we had him on, he had this to say. It's about 90 seconds long and he's on hold. He's ready to go.

[Eric (Guest)]

She lives in my place now. Everyone's cool with it. We told her mom. Her mom, you know, maybe for the first 24 hours or so, was kind of weird about it and then became okay with it, I think sort of had to process it. Yeah. The only one that we hadn't told was her mom. And now that she's got. Got over her initial shock about it, and she's now okay with it, too. So now, really, the only people that seem to have any problem with it are you guys and some of the listeners, which. Which is kind of getting a little irritating to me. You know, I mean, it's. It's fine for me to keep coming back on the show and everything, but it's just like. I feel like people are being pretty judgmental about this.

[Co-Host Jeff]

What does your sister. Girlfriend. I mean, say about the reaction from people?

[Eric (Guest)]

She's actually getting a little weirded out about, you know, she's like. Thinks I'm like, exploiting the relationship or something like that. But, you know, I just tell her, whatever. It's. I feel like it's an important thing for maybe people to get over if they have a problem with it. You know, I think it's the fact.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

That you guys, like, were little kids when you were living in the house together.

[Eric (Guest)]

That's true. But, you know, if. If anything, it was just an sort of annoying hurdle, you know, it's not like, oh, let's get together and have some weird relationship. It was just. It was like, okay, there's a spark here. Is there anything wrong with this? No, there's not. And going on from there, you know.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

So the emails always kind of trickle in going, hey, I want to get an update from Eric. But the last time we had him on, he's like, I'd really rather not do this anymore. Because like he said, you guys are being judgmental. Progressing nicely, kind of. Leave me alone. But producer Tracy must have strong armed him into coming on this morning. Hey, Eric.

[Eric (Guest)]

She has gossip on him. Dude, you're dating your sister. I'll tell Everybody, come on.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

Hey, Eric.

[Eric (Guest)]

Hey.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

What's going on?

[Eric (Guest)]

Not much. What's going on?

[Co-Host Jeff]

I haven't talked to you in a long time.

[Eric (Guest)]

Yeah, we haven't. Was it May?

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

Was it May?

[Co-Host Jeff]

Yeah, something like that.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

Well, thanks for coming on with us today.

[Eric (Guest)]

Yeah, no problem.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

Did Tracy strong arm me into coming on this morning?

[Eric (Guest)]

Kinda, yeah. I mean. I mean, you know, whatever. In a way, I don't mind. I mean, really, you know, my girlfriend, I don't even want to say her name on the air. I don't know if her name has been mentioned before or not, but she's. She's, you know, she's a little. A little more weirded out by it than I am. I mean, I. I kind of. I mean, it's fine in a way. Like, I'll talk to people about it. I'll talk about it with you guys, but it's. It's really like, I don't get the fascination with it. Like, it's not weird to us anymore.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

Let's do this. Let's make this promise to you, because for the longest time, every time we had you on, we all started debating if this was healthy, if it was morally right, and the conversations were the same time and time again. So I'll make this promise to you that we will not debate that fact anymore. We're just. We're just calling up to get an update. People have been emailing, want to know if you guys are still together, if you've broken up, if it's progressed, if you're not seeing her anymore.

[Eric (Guest)]

So, yeah, I appreciate that because that's like. That's sort of, you know, to us, that's not really the conversation. So every time that happens, it really, like, we already have to have that conversation with, you know, new people that we meet and stuff like that, and it's kind of a drag.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

So have any of your friends, like, stopped hanging out with you guys, like, your couple friends, because they think it's really strange.

[Eric (Guest)]

We had one friend that started to get. I mean, you know, it started to get real weird with us. Like a friend. Yeah, But I mean, you know, we sat down and had a talk with. Had a talk with him, and he. I don't know, really like, everyone. Even if people have been a little bit weird about it, have quickly sort of realized, like, oh, I'm being judgmental. You know, it's not a big deal.

[Co-Host Jeff]

Now, let me ask you this. Now that you guys have become a little bit more serious and you're a little bit more involved, how Are your parents feeling about it?

[Eric (Guest)]

Great. I mean everyone really in the family. We were, you know, I told my dad early on and then we were waiting, holding off, talking to her mom about it because her mom was, you know, it was a little more, I don't know, we were just a little more afraid because she's a little more judgmental and that kind of stuff maybe, I mean, or at least has a tendency to jump to conclusions or whatever. And so we had waited to talk to her about it and then we told her and she didn't really have a problem with it. It was sort of like, you know, there's the same sort of sense that we're not family members. We've been in that situation and so there's. That. There's that kind of weird element to get over, but it's not really a problem, you know.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

Uh huh. Let me put you on with Jenny here. And again we're not gonna debate this, but this is generally. I think she will speak for most when we have you on. Hey Jenny, good morning.

[Eric (Guest)]

Morning. Hey Eric. This is not weird. I grew up with two people in my neighborhood and they babysat me frequently. They were stepbrother and stepsister for a while. I guess technically they still are, but their parents are still married. The stepbrother and stepsister got married. They have three beautiful children, two of whom are now married. Cool.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

And again, I mean, I think we all have opinions about it in studio, but we promise we're not going to debate it. So let's just move past that. Okay, so that is a good example of most of the calls that we get.

[Knox from the Popcast]

Give him a break.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

Let's move on.

[Eric (Guest)]

Yeah, and I would like to say that I don't every. You guys here are all, you know, throwing up a little in your mouth. I don't think it's a big deal and never really have.

[Knox from the Popcast]

Right.

[Co-Host Jeff]

All right, so I think it's odd.

[Eric (Guest)]

I think it's interesting, but I think it is what it is and we've established.

[Co-Host Jeff]

Yeah. So yeah, we're moving on. So Eric, so I'm curious now. So you're still living together. Things are progressing. I mean, have you talked about any further steps in your relationship?

[Eric (Guest)]

Yeah, actually. Well, and actually I'll say what she was just talking about. I mean, we've heard those kind of stories from a couple of people. And so it's, it starts to seem more and more like, okay, this is not a big deal. I mean to some people it still is, but to us it's become totally normal. Now, yeah, actually, I've been actually pricing out some engagement rings and looking at different styles and stuff like that. So thinking about getting engaged.

[Co-Host Jeff]

So you guys are in love? You've exchanged the L word?

[Eric (Guest)]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, back. I mean, that things really progressed pretty quickly. And since, you know, maybe the last time that we talked or whatever, I mean, it's just. It's just become. It's become very, very, very serious. Obviously, since, you know, we're thinking. Well, I'm thinking about popping the question and everything.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

Now, let me ask you guys this, because if the situation was a little bit different, right? And we were talking to a virtual listener that met a girl for the first time, and then February, March, April, May, June, July, five months later, was considering in getting engaged, would you guys be like, hold on now, it's only a couple of months here. You really don't know this girl? Are we not saying that because they have the history of the brother, sister relationship behind them?

[Co-Host Jeff]

I think so.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

It makes more sense if it progresses quickly.

[Co-Host Jeff]

Because the analogy really would be if we talk to somebody who, let's say, had a high school boyfriend or like a. Like a best friend through high school that they knew for years and years growing up, but then they found each other later in life, and we're getting married after five months. I think I'd be more okay with that because you really do know that person. You know their family, you know their history. You spend a lot of time together. So I think that would be the real analogy. And although it's fast, I don't think that we would be as critical as if it were a girl who met a stranger and in five months just getting married.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

Is that how you kind of feel, Eric? Like, I mean, it doesn't seem fast to you because you grew up with this girl in the same house?

[Eric (Guest)]

Yeah, I mean, I know her values. I've known her. I mean, I did. You know, I was in the same household with her for eight years. So I know I have a lot better sense, I guess, of who she is than I would with some stranger. It's sort of. It's sort of like. It's sort of. I mean, we were never like, super, super friendly when I was in the household with her. It was just like, you know, my stepsister. I mean, we didn't have, like, this extremely close relationship when we were in the same household. But, you know, it's maybe sort of along the lines of a friend that you've known for a while, and then you start dating Them, you know, it's so, so I've known her for so long and I know what she's all about.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

There's a familiarity there that wouldn't be with two people that just met each other, which makes sense to me.

[Eric (Guest)]

Yeah.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

Boy, that be a strange wedding though in that, you know, you've got the step parents there and now they're gonna become in laws and all week.

[Eric (Guest)]

Yeah, it's just, they're totally, I mean my dad actually just, just said like I, I told him I was thinking about, you know, popping the question and he said, you know, he loved her as a daughter and he'd love her as a daughter in law. I mean, obviously, like weird. Yeah, it's kind of. I can't tell honestly, like some of the stuff that he says, I can't tell if he's the type of guy, you can never tell if he's joking. But you know, I, but I mean, obviously it's not my sister, it's my, you know, former stepsister.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

Just that line itself. I loved her as a daughter and I love her as a daughter in law.

[Co-Host Jeff]

When I, whenever I hang out with childhood friends, I'm always like brought back to my childhood memories or we sort of relive moments that we shared together in our childhood. Has that happened with you guys? Like what memories? Had you forgotten about that? Now that you guys are together again this time romantically instead of in a sibling way, what kind of memories have been like, sort of brought back to the surface?

[Eric (Guest)]

We've talked. I mean, we had a couple of. Well, I mean the funny thing is like a lot of the stuff that we talked about is the kind of, is kind of like fights that would happen and stuff like that. I mean, a lot of the sort of, you know, I guess like inside jokes and stuff that are developing between us now is like the moments of friction that we had when we were kids. There was this croquet game that we were playing with each other and she thought that I was cheating and she ended up getting all angry and running off or whatever. There's stuff like that. There were, you know, there were like family vacations that we went on and stuff like that. And we talk about that too, but like the thing that we often reflect on is like these stupid little, you know, stepbrother, stepsister fights that we would get into sometimes.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

No judging. No judging. We just wanted to get an update. I mean, people have been emailing, asking. So the way it stands now is it certainly looks like an engagement is imminent.

[Eric (Guest)]

Yeah, definitely. And, you know, I don't know exactly when, but, you know, I'm sure sometime in the next few months, I'll be moving toward that.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

Soon you will be marrying your former stepsister.

[Eric (Guest)]

That's the plan.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

Okay. All right. Eric, I appreciate you coming on again, man.

[Eric (Guest)]

Thanks.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

Thanks for the update. See ya.

[Eric (Guest)]

Yeah, no problem.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

Bye. Bye. I just want to applaud the rest of us in studio. That held back. We didn't judge. We didn't open the debate up again because we certainly could have gone that way.

[Co-Host Jeff]

Oh my God. You're thinking about their family vacations together and I jokes about it and then now they're going, they're doing it. Their sibling rivalry fights are now like romantically played out.

[Eric (Guest)]

Hard.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

That was to bite the tongue.

[Co-Host Jeff]

I know it.

[Show Host (Birch Show)]

There's your update on Eric. It sure looks like he will soon be engaged to his former step sister.

[Eric (Guest)]

The Birch Show.

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