We Have A Special Surprise For Our Newest Bert's Big Adventure Kid Ayden!

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Bert Show

Episode: We Have A Special Surprise For Our Newest Bert's Big Adventure Kid Ayden!
Date: February 19, 2026

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Overview

In this heartfelt episode of The Bert Show, the team welcomes Aiden and his family as the latest participants in "Bert's Big Adventure," a charitable initiative giving children with chronic and terminal illnesses a magical experience at Disney World. The show centers around the power of gratitude, family resilience dealing with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and culminates in a remarkable surprise for Aiden—his artwork will be featured in a special exhibition at the esteemed High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bert’s Big Adventure: Kicking Off a Magical Trip

• Lighthearted Start: The show opens with Bert recalling a comical mishap involving nearly injuring Kristen with his suitcase, highlighting the group's camaraderie and excitement for the adventure ahead.

  • “I am an idiot.” – Bert [01:36]
  • “Yeah, you are. I love me some Bert buffoonery, but not when it’s at the cost of my me.” – Kristen [01:55]

• Fundraising Push: The hosts remind listeners about ongoing fundraising efforts to help with trip expenses, emphasizing that every donated dollar is matched by Zaxby’s.

  • “So every dollar amount you donate, Zaxby’s is going to match it.” – Kristen [03:25]

2. Introducing Aiden and the Family

• Family Introduction: Bert formally introduces Aiden, his parents Brandy and Austin, and his brother AJ, spotlighting their warmth and gratitude.

• Expressions of Appreciation:

  • “You were so sincere last night. At some point I’m like, stop thanking me. We’ve just started the trip!” – Bert [04:01]
  • “We really do appreciate everything you guys do... It’s a great experience for them, and he’ll be talking about it forever.” – Austin [04:14]

• Background on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy:

  • Brandy shares that this diagnosis is familiar from her side of the family, but new to Austin.
  • Austin explains coping with the diagnosis by focusing on supporting Aiden daily.
    • “With him, I just take it one day at a time and just put whatever he wants. I just pretty much give. That’s the only way I know how to deal with it.” – Austin [06:23]
  • Brandy and Austin’s open, loving attitude sets the tone for their family’s resilience.

3. Aiden’s Perspective & Message

• Aiden’s Wisdom: Brandy shares the advice she gave Aiden:
  • “Everybody’s born different.” – Brandy [07:14]
  • Kristen praises this message, encouraging Aiden's openness and strength.

4. Discovering Aiden's Artistic Talent

• Artistic Passion: The family discusses Aiden’s love for drawing—especially with colored pencil—and how their home is filled with his art.
  • “Your family sent photos of your artwork... You are very talented, sir.” – Kristen [07:45]
• Community Support: Austin describes trading Aiden’s paintings online to collect more art supplies, fostering a cycle of creativity and support.

5. The Big Surprise: Aiden’s Exhibition at the High Museum of Art

• Surprise Announcement: Natalie Johnson, Chief Communications Officer at the High Museum of Art, joins to announce a special exhibition of Aiden’s artwork.
  • “We are going to be doing a special installation of your work in the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.” – Natalie Johnson [09:46]
• Significance of the Venue: Natalie highlights the museum’s prestige and the rare honor of running an art opening alongside pieces from legends like Monet and Basquiat.
  • “It means we are going to have it displayed on the walls alongside all of these legends. But also that we’re going to have a special art opening... and you’re going to bring 50 of your friends and family, a beautiful party to kind of toast your work.” – Natalie Johnson [09:51]
• Reactions:
  • “Your artwork is going up next to Monet.” – Burt [10:13]
  • “This is a once in a lifetime experience for Aiden and his family and for us.” – Kristen [10:56]
  • “You’re the first art opening for Bert’s Big Adventure.” – Kristen [11:17]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I am an idiot.” – Bert describing his suitcase mishap [01:36]
• “We really do appreciate everything you guys do... he’ll be talking about it forever.” – Austin [04:14]
• “Organizations like this are dear to our hearts because I have two nephews and some cousins that have already passed, so it’s really special.” – Brandy [05:38]
• “Everybody’s born different.” – Brandy, Aiden’s guiding mantra [07:14]
• “We are going to be doing a special installation of your work in the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.” – Natalie Johnson [09:46]
• “Your artwork is going up next to Monet.” – Burt [10:13]
• “You’re the first art opening for Bert’s Big Adventure.” – Kristen [11:17]

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Important Timestamps

• 01:36 — Bert’s “buffoonery” story and light-hearted trip preparation
• 03:07–03:42 — Fundraising plea and donation matching details
• 04:01–05:38 — Introducing Aiden’s family, their gratitude, and background with Duchenne’s
• 07:14–07:45 — Aiden’s mantra and his journey with art
• 08:56–10:47 — Natalie Johnson announces Aiden’s upcoming museum exhibition and celebration details
• 11:10–11:20 — Hosts reflect on the significance of this event for Bert’s Big Adventure

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Conclusion

This episode beautifully encapsulates the core of Bert’s Big Adventure: joy in small moments, deep familial resilience, and the incredible impact of recognition and support. Aiden's forthcoming art exhibition is not just a highlight for his family, but also a “first-ever” for Bert’s Big Adventure, making this a touching and historic episode for both listeners and participants.

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Transcript

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[Burt]

The Bird show look, it wouldn't be a Burt Speak adventure if there wasn't some Burt buffoonery, which happened in the lobby of our hotel last night when I almost injured Kristen accidentally so badly that she would have been hobbling around Disney for the next five days. I am an idiot.

[Kristen]

Yeah, you are. I love me some Burt buffoonery, but not when it's at the cost of my me.

[Burt]

So we're walking in the lobby, and Kristen is about, I don't know, five, six feet in front of me, and she's got her rolling suitcase, and I've got my rolling suitcase. So my idea, as I've been watching the Olympics the last week, was to curl, you know, like those Olympic curlers, curl my suitcase right into Kristen's suitcase and have it, in a hilarious way, somehow, some way, escape from Kristen, and we will all have laughter. It didn't Curl into the suitcase. It curled right into the back of her legs and her ankles.

[Kristen]

He literally almost took me out in the hotel lobby last night. And I'm like, you do realize that we're about to do four non stop days of walking at Disney, and you.

[Brandy]

You.

[Kristen]

You tried to take me out.

[Austin]

Can I tell you that?

[Burt]

It woke me up in the middle of the night. Like, I'm like, if she can't walk around for the next four days, my buffoonery really has gone next level.

[Kristen]

Yeah. So, Aiden, what I wanted to do was text him like, last night and be like, I'm sorry, I have to go to the E.R. like, you screwed up my ankle. I don't know if I'm gonna be able to go on. But I could tell by his face that he felt really bad, so I let it slide.

[Burt]

I was panicked.

[Kristen]

You should have been. You about took me out with your suitcase.

[Burt]

Hey, another reminder. We really need your help with some donations. Here's what we're looking for. Kind of last minute things that we can buy in the park for these guys, but they're expensive. I rattled off the list earlier of how much it costs for like, a pretzel in Disney world is like 15 bucks. So the little give would really help us this weekend.

[Kristen]

So, yeah, we're doing the little give. And every dollar amount you donate Zaxby's is going to match it. So if you text Bert B EE R T to 50155, you can donate that way or you can go to Bert's big adventure.org but trust that money will come in handy for this trip.

[Burt]

So we're going to introduce you guys to Aiden and his family right now. Brandy is the mom. Then you got Austin, who's the dad. Then you got the old brother AJ Also. And earlier this morning, I was kind of channeling Austin this morning when I said, I wish you guys could feel the appreciation from these families that we get to feel because they're right in front of us. And Austin, I was really, like, channeling you because you were so sincere last night. And at some point or another, I'm like, stop thanking me. We've just started the trip, you know?

[Austin]

Yeah, it was well deserved. We really do appreciate everything you guys do for. For the kids, our kids and everybody before and after our son. You know, it's a. It's a great experience for them, and he'll be talking about it forever, so.

[Burt]

And we haven't done anything yet. We gave you Zaxby's and Haagen Dazs,

[Austin]

he's already got a bunch of favorites here, so.

[Burt]

Oh, is that right?

[Austin]

It hasn't even started, but it's already a bunch of memories already.

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[Austin]

So very awesome.

[Kristen]

This family, you can tell, is just going to be pouring out the gratitude because I was able to play when we told the families they were accepted to Burt's Big Adventure the past couple weeks on Q997. And so, Aiden, we actually, actually played the call to your mom yesterday on air of her finding out you were going on Burt's Big Adventure. And the first thing was Brandy. You were like, so we've already done our research on the organization. And she was like, from. From the first phone call letting them know that they were going to be a part of Burke's big adventure. She was like, thank you so much for everything you do for all the families and all the kids. And, you know, no, with. With Aiden, that has Duchenne's. And, you know, because this is something that runs in your family, and you're like, you understand what it's like because you have people in your life that have special needs and that you were just already pouring out the love for Burt's Big Adventure in that very first phone call when we told you you guys were coming with us.

[Brandy]

Yeah. Organizations like this are dear to our hearts because I have two nephews and some cousins that have already passed, so it's really special.

[Burt]

I feel like you're. I feel like we are getting a reoccurring theme now. Like, you do your homework.

[Brandy]

Oh, yeah.

[Burt]

Like, you do your homework on Burt's Big Adventure, and you also did your homework on Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which sort of, I think, prepped you more maybe, than your husband.

[Austin]

Yeah, Yeah, A lot.

[Brandy]

It's just been in my family for such a long time that it's kind of normal for me, but for him, it's all new.

[Burt]

And you struggled a little bit with this diagnosis. Yeah, yeah.

[Austin]

Because my family, I've never had really any issues. My grandmother had breast cancer growing up, but that was, like, the biggest struggle we had. And she still. She just passed away last year, so she lived a long life with it. So we didn't really have a lot of struggles in the family, but with him, I just take it one day at a time and just put whatever he wants. I just pretty much give. That's the only way I know how to deal with it, you know? So I just. And whatever my wife tells me about it is what I've learned. You know, and so we just go day by day and just hope for the best.

[Kristen]

And Aiden, I think you have great advice for kids out there who, you know, have special needs. When anybody asks you about, like, your condition, I think you have a beautiful response. And that's. Everybody's born different. When did you. When did you like, realize that? And what made you decide to start sharing that talk to him?

[Brandy]

That's something that I've always told him.

[Kristen]

Is that something? So you got it from your mama? You're a smart man to listen to your mama, sir.

[Rocket Money Announcer]

Yeah.

[Burt]

I think she demands that you'll never

[Kristen]

go wrong if you listen to your mama.

[Rocket Money Announcer]

Right?

[Burt]

Aiden, you and I got into a conversation yesterday about the art that you do. Your dad's so impressed with your art that he's going to get a tattoo of it. Tell us about the art and tell them about the picture you showed me. Cuz it seemed like the entire living room is your artwork.

[Rocket Money Announcer]

Tell them.

[Austin]

Telling you, like he's being shy.

[Kristen]

It's okay.

[Burt]

That's all right. That's how artists are.

[Kristen]

Well, just so you know, your family sent photos of your artwork and we've been able to check out some of your artwork. And you are very talented, sir. Now is there something. Do you prefer to work in paint or watercolor or like colored pencil? Like, is there colored pencil? Colored pencil. That's your preferred method. You do fantastic artwork.

[Burt]

Have you ever had your art posted anywhere at school or a display anywhere? Nowhere.

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Okay.

[Austin]

We did put it online. You know, we've had so many paintings and I filled up a whole wall in the living room.

[Rocket Money Announcer]

Yeah.

[Austin]

So we decided to put it on Facebook that he would trade his paintings for more art supplies. So it was just funneling in left and right. So I was shipping out artwork as fast as the new stuff was coming in, you know.

[Burt]

Yeah.

[Austin]

So we've seen stocked up so much art stuff, you know. So he just loves to color and loves to draw.

[Burt]

Okay.

[Austin]

That's just his thing, you know.

[Burt]

All right, so let's take the paintings and all that artwork off of the walls. Right. And give you another place to put them for a night. All right. I want to introduce you right now to Natalie Johnson. She's the chief communications officer at High Museum of Art. One of the most premier museums in America is in Atlanta. And this is Natalie.

[Natalie Johnson]

Hi. Bert, Kristen.

[Austin]

Hello.

[Natalie Johnson]

Hi. Aiden and family. This is such a special story. And yeah, we're really excited. The High Museum of Art is a giant institution not just in the south and in Atlanta, but it's nationally and internationally renowned. We have works on our walls from Georgia, o', Keeffe, Jean Michel Basquiat. We also have a Monet. So I mean, just talk about the superstars in there. So when Burton, Kristen told us about your works and all the different mediums that you work in and how you love to display your work in your room. And I had a suspic. I have some kids myself, I had a suspicion it's not just your room, it's probably every wall in the entire house. We had to get in on the story. The High Museum was absolutely interested and we really wanted the world to see. So what I wanted to share with you today is that we are going to be doing a special installation of your work in the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

[Burt]

Wow, that's awesome. What exactly does that mean?

[Natalie Johnson]

It means we are going to have it displayed on the walls alongside all of these legends. But also that we're going to have a special art opening. So that's a real artsy thing. And we're going to have drinks and food and you're going to bring 50 of your friends and family, a beautiful party to kind of toast your work, but also to see it in the walls of the museum.

[Burt]

How cool is that?

[Kristen]

Your artwork is going up in a museum.

[Burt]

Your artwork is going up next to Monet.

[Austin]

He might not be saying much now, but when he gets away from here, he's going to be telling us all about it.

[Burt]

So here's the cool part is like, basically you're having a showing at the High Museum of Art, one of the most premier museums in the world. And you can bring as many family and friends as you want for that opening. And we're gonna sneak in there. Yeah, we're crashing it.

[Kristen]

Even if you don't give us an invite, we'll find a way in.

[Burt]

Right. And that's going to be your artwork in that museum for the night.

[Austin]

That's awesome.

[Burt]

It's going to be fantastic.

[Kristen]

Absolutely.

[Natalie Johnson]

You gotta rest up, have good time in Florida because we got an art show to plan.

[Austin]

That's right.

[Natalie Johnson]

Okay, get started.

[Austin]

He's on it.

[Brandy]

Thank you, guys.

[Burt]

It's gonna be fantastic.

[Kristen]

It's gonna be so cool, dude.

[Austin]

Thank you so much. So awesome.

[Burt]

Thank you to High Museum.

[Kristen]

Thank you guys. This, I mean, this is gon like, this is a once in a lifetime experience for Aidan and his family and for us. So thank you so much for donating the space and donating the time. And it's going to be a beautiful night. Thanks to the High Museum. So thank you.

[Burt]

Your own show at the High Museum. That's one of the biggest we've ever done.

[Kristen]

We've never done it. We've never had an art opening.

[Burt]

No, we haven't.

[Kristen]

You're the first, Aidan. You're the first art opening for Burt's Big Adventure.

[The Bird Show Host]

Dude.

[Burt]

Pretty cool. Coming up in just a couple of minutes, we're going to catch up with some incredible Burt's Big Adventure alumni. And to see where life has taken them, one of our 2007 Burt's Big Adventure kids, Jennifer just closed on her first home. That can't be. In my mind, she's still nine. Why are they giving homes to nine year olds? Burt's Big Adventure Q997 the Bird Show

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