The Bert Show: Vault - Will This Couple Make It Through Their World Travel?

Date: February 3, 2026
Host: The Bert Show Cast (Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, and more)
Guests: Mandy & Brian

Episode Overview

This episode of The Bert Show checks in with Mandy and Brian, a couple preparing to embark on a year-plus-long trip around the world. The cast discusses the unique pressures world travel can put on a romantic relationship, explores the couple’s plans and preparations, and humorously speculates about the adventures and drama that might unfold. The episode is filled with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and lots of laughs as the cast and callers contribute thoughts and tips.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Test of Traveling as a Couple

• Relationship Testing Grounds:
  • The hosts agree that travel is a true test for couples.
  • "You have to have a trip together to really know. Like, I always say, in a new relationship, you have to have your first... just to see how you fight, and you have to have a first trip." – Cassie (00:26)
  • Extended travel removes the honeymoon facade: fatigue, stress, and decision-making surface true personalities.
• Give and Take:
  • "It's all about give and take, too. One person generally wants to do one thing, the other person doesn't want to do it. And you have to give and take all the time." – Bert (00:52)

Mandy & Brian’s Story So Far

• Relationship Background:
  • Together for about a year and a half. The original impetus for traveling was Brian’s idea, “I thought it was a great idea, so I just kind of tagged along.” – Mandy (01:22)
  • They planned to leave in September, but Mandy got cold feet, leading to a brief breakup before reconciling and recommitting to the journey (01:22-02:13).
  • Preparations are now in full swing, aiming for a May departure.

The Complex Logistics of a World Trip

• Preparations & Planning:
  • The couple discusses steps beyond the obvious: "I'm trying to track down yellow fever vaccine, and we need to get insurance and all this other random stuff." – Brian (02:40)
  • They are setting up a joint checking account to pool travel funds and prevent petty financial squabbles (05:50).
  • The route begins in Singapore and Southeast Asia, with plans intentionally flexible after that (03:12).
  • Establishing a house renter is the final big preparatory milestone (04:49-05:09).

Financial and Practical Arrangements

• Pooling Money:
  • "We're just setting up a checking account, and it's gonna be a joint account. We just put in equal amounts of money, and everything we buy on the trip comes out of that." – Brian (05:50)
  • They acknowledge the potential for drama: who decides what gets spent on accommodation, meals, or souvenirs? Hosts anticipate comedic and logistical challenges ahead (06:04-07:45).

Prior Travel as a Couple

• While they've gone on a few trips (Miami, Boston, a cruise), they haven't faced major challenges together on the road.
• They have, however, survived camping together—although Mandy admits she misjudged the site and it was "basically like we're just kind of in the middle of the woods. So we just had a lot of time to sit around and hang out, like at our campsite." – Mandy (06:31)

Listeners’ Advice & Parental Worries

• Travel Insurance Tips:
  • Caller Monica recommends companies like “airmed” which can fly travelers home if they experience serious health issues (08:30-09:19).
  • Hosts and Mandy & Brian discuss the real risks of basic medical care in some countries and the peace of mind insurance can provide (09:19-09:35).
• Family Concerns:
  • Mandy’s family is "not big fans" of her extended travel, worried about safety and missing her. Mandy notes, “In that selfish kind of thing of…we want you here with us sort of thing.” – Mandy (09:50)
  • Both families love Brian, and his presence reassures Mandy’s parents.

Open-Ended Journey & Sacrifices

• Trip Length:
  • They imagine traveling for "like a year and a half" but are keeping it flexible: “We’ll do it until we get tired of it or our money runs out.” – Mandy (11:23)
• Missing Life Events:
  • Mandy worries about missing a friend’s pregnancy and baby, Brian is more relaxed about missing milestones (11:32-12:04).

Show Involvement & Ongoing Updates

• Interactive Plans:
  • The Bert Show wants to follow Mandy & Brian on their journey, similar to their previous project with global traveler Suzy (03:32).
  • The show may arrange for tech support (like international phones), encourage the couple to blog for listeners, and promises to link to their site (mandyandbrian.com) (12:06-12:54).

The Cat Conundrum

• Finding a Home for Dewey:
  • A running joke develops about Bert adopting their foster cat Dewey, with much banter around finding the cat a good home (13:13-13:55).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "On a trip, you’re worn down. You can’t do it. And when you finally argue, then you kind of get some realness going on." – Cassie (00:26)
• "If you can travel well together, you can do okay." – Bert (00:24)
• "I really hate to jinx it, but it does seem that we have a renter for the house." – Mandy (04:50)
• "We're just setting up a checking account, and it's gonna be a joint account." – Brian (05:50)
• "If you have this beer, you can buy that cheap souvenir." – Brian, re: negotiating purchases from their pooled money (07:45)
• "We'll do it until we get tired of it or our money runs out." – Mandy (11:23)
• "We have a cat to get rid of." – Mandy (13:13)
• "The first thing I’ll do is I’ll rename him Windsor Parkway, because that’s where he’s going to be living." – Bert, joking about adopting Dewey the cat (13:45)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00-01:22 – Setting up the couple’s background and the idea of travel as a relationship test
• 01:22-02:13 – Mandy recounts the couple’s original plans, the moment she got cold feet, and their breakup/reconciliation
• 02:40-03:12 – Brian details all of the unexpected logistical tasks required for world travel preparations
• 03:32-03:56 – Show plans to follow Mandy & Brian’s trip, referencing a former solo travel segment
• 04:49-05:09 – Status update: finding a renter for their home as the last big step
• 05:17-06:31 – Discussion of their past joint travel and the camping story
• 07:45-08:26 – How they’ll handle the joint budget and day-to-day spending negotiations
• 08:30-09:47 – Monica calls in with insurance tips, leading to a discussion about medevac policies
• 09:47-10:41 – Mandy on dealing with family concerns
• 11:07-11:32 – The proposed timeline of the trip and possibility of longer/shorter duration
• 12:06-12:54 – Show plans to support and follow their adventure, with talk of blogging and phone sponsors
• 13:13-13:55 – The group jokes about adopting Dewey the cat

Final Takeaways

This episode blends humor, relationship wisdom, and real-world travel advice, offering listeners a chance to root for Mandy & Brian as they take a leap into the unknown together. Above all, it captures the anxiety, excitement, and comedic potential that comes when a couple trades comfort for adventure.

Listeners are left looking forward to following the couple’s journey—and perhaps to finding out who, if anyone, takes in Dewey the cat.