We Relive Bert's Big Adventure Kid Asher's Magical Trip!

Summary

The Bert Show: We Relive Bert's Big Adventure Kid Asher's Magical Trip!

Episode Date: February 23, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this heartfelt episode, The Bert Show team—Bert, Kristen, and others—invite Asher, a young participant on Bert's Big Adventure, and his family to share stories from their recent magical trip to Disney World. The conversation centers on the unique bonds formed during the journey, the transformative power of community, and how small moments—like a bowl of whipped cream—can make a world of difference. Listeners are treated to laughter, warmth, and some tearful moments, all highlighting the beauty and strength of Asher’s family and the power of support among families facing medical challenges.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Asher & His Connection with Kristen

[01:58–04:38]

• Bert describes how staff rotate with different families except Kristen, who forms a special bond with five-year-old Asher during Magic Kingdom Day.

• Bert humorously admits he “couldn’t do any better than Kristen did yesterday,” so he skipped hanging out with Asher, seeing the unmatched happiness Kristen brought (“there was no way I was going to put a smile on his face with the enthusiasm that he has for you and you alone…” – Bert, 02:26).

• Kristen relates to Asher due to her own child of similar age:

  “All about at that age, anticipating the needs and just being willing to go with the flow...we have big feelings at that age.” — Kristen, [03:22]

• Asher, a brain cancer survivor (medulloblastoma), is described as both joyful and sometimes struggling due to “chemo brain.” Kristen touches on the importance of patience and understanding, referencing conversations with Asher’s mom about seeing “glimpses of Asher before cancer.”

2. Disney Magic: The Whipped Cream Moment

[04:38–05:17]

• Kristen shares a feel-good story about how a Disney cast member went out of their way to make fresh whipped cream for Asher when it wasn’t available, exemplifying Disney’s commitment to making magical moments:

  “They went back in the kitchen and poured heavy cream and sugar and mixed up fresh whipped cream for this child so he could have it at breakfast.” — Kristen, [05:00]

• Asher’s family expresses deep gratitude for these small acts that have a big impact.

3. The Elevator Incident: A Profound Connection

[05:17–07:26]

• Asher is so attached to Kristen that when elevator doors accidentally separate them, he’s inconsolable, crying out for “Ms. Kristen.”

• Brianna, Asher’s mom, describes the “terror” and depth of Asher’s feelings:

  “He was like, Ms. Kristen, she’s gone. I’m all alone.” — Brianna, [05:50]

• Kristen is waiting on the other floor and rushes to comfort Asher, highlighting their “co-dependent” but touching relationship:

  “It was the scream heard in all four Disney worlds.” — Host, [07:07]

• Kristen corrects everyone to note that Asher specifically called out for “my Kristen,” showcasing his strong sense of connection and comfort.

4. Families Bonding and The Importance of Community

[07:31–10:40]

• Brianna and Burke reflect on the trip’s impact, emphasizing the joy they experienced and how it allowed Asher to have fun like a “normal kid”.

• Burke thanks the Bert’s Big Adventure team for enabling this sense of normalcy:

  “I don’t even know if there are words on this earth that can…touch it. I mean, it’s beautiful to see him be a normal kid and to be open to a connection with somebody.” — Burke, [07:51]

• Kristen notes how Asher helps mesh families, referencing how he brings together her partner family, Kendall’s, and his own, facilitating both kid and parent connections.

• A powerful discussion follows about the information gap in medical support, and how parents often give and receive the best advice and resources from one another rather than hospital or social workers.

  “The biggest help that I have had is from other moms. Some of the best resources I have genuinely gotten from other moms, not the hospital, not social workers.” — Burke, [09:23]

5. The Power of Support: Beyond the Kids

[10:11–11:18]

• Bert and the rest underscore how the trip is as much for the parents as the children—offering emotional support, resources, and solidarity.
• The reciprocal support among families can lead to crucial discoveries and easier lives post-trip.

6. A Special Letter to Asher

[11:26–13:47]

• Burke reads a moving letter to Asher, expressing pride, gratitude, and hope for the future. The letter recognizes Asher’s bravery through medical challenges and how the trip allowed him to be “a normal kid” surrounded by love:

  “No matter where you go or what challenges come your way, remember this. You can do hard things and you are never alone. And you are loved more than words can ever say.” — Burke, [13:26]

• The family expresses deep appreciation for Bert’s Big Adventure:

  “We feel eternally grateful to the Bert’s Big Adventure, not team, but family, for opening their hearts to us…” — Burke, [13:38]

• The show ends the segment on an emotional note, acknowledging the strength and unity of Asher’s family and all families present.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I can't do any better than Kristen did yesterday. Going to skip this family.” — Host/Bert, [02:26]
• “All about at that age, anticipating the needs and just being willing to go with the flow.” — Kristen, [03:22]
• “He was like, Ms. Kristen, she's gone. I’m all alone.” — Brianna, [05:50]
• “It was the scream heard in all four Disney worlds.” — Host, [07:07]
• “My Kristen. I belong to the one and only Asher.” — Kristen, [07:22]
• “I don’t even know if there are words on this earth that can…touch it. I mean, it’s beautiful to see him be a normal kid…” — Burke, [07:51]
• “Your kind and loving spirit towards everyone you meet and your love for others is something we should all hope to strive for…You are never alone. And you are loved more than words can ever say.” — Burke (letter), [13:26]
• “You guys, you get each other. Like you’re such a tight unit and it’s so beautiful to see.” — Kristen, [13:47]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:58] – Bert introduces the Bert's Big Adventure trip experience and sets up Asher’s story.
• [03:22] – Kristen shares about her connection with Asher.
• [04:38] – The whipped cream story at Disney.
• [05:17] – Discussion turns to the elevator “panic” and Asher’s reaction.
• [07:31] – Kristen, Brianna, and Burke reflect on the impact of the weekend.
• [09:23] – Parental resource-sharing and advocacy.
• [11:26 – 13:47] – Burke reads the letter to Asher.

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Episode Tone and Style

The conversation is warm, vulnerable, and sprinkled with humor. The show’s hosts, especially Kristen, bring authenticity and empathy while celebrating small victories and acknowledging tough realities. The family’s gratitude and the sense of community among the show’s cast and families shine through, moving between laughter and tears seamlessly.

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For Listeners

This episode serves as a touching reminder of the profound impact kindness, community, and shared experiences can have—both for children facing illness and their families. Asher’s story, and those like it, show the value of getting together, building support networks, and letting kids just be kids, even—especially—when times are tough.

Transcript

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[Hank]

Hey, Sal. Hank.

[Host]

What's going on?

[Hank]

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[Burke]

Buy your car today on Carvana. Delivery fees may apply.

[Host]

The vert show. In just one second, we'll talk about a real dysfunctional, codependent relationship that has formed on Burt's Big Adventure. Hey, if you guys can, we would love to get five, ten bucks from you. That's really all we're asking for today because Zaxby's is hooking us up again.

[Kristen]

Yeah, we call it the little give. And if you text Bert B EE R T to 50155, make a donation, Zaxby's is gonna match it. So if you're like, all I got is five bucks? Actually, that's a ten dollar donation thanks to Zaxby's.

[Host]

So this is how our days in the parks on Burke's Big Adventure usually go. Staff members are assigned assigned to different Birch Big Adventure kids, and we kind of rotate each and every day. I'm the exception there. I just stick and move, man. I try to hit as many families as I can. I'll go here, I'll go there, and Then I'll go here and I'll go there, Right? So Kristen, I saw online had Asher on. Was it Friday?

[Chase Sapphire Reserve Voice]

It was.

[Kristen]

We had Magic Kingdom Day together.

[Host]

So now Asher here, and we're going to introduce you to him and his family here. In just one second, Asher will be going happy, happy, happy, happy. And then things can go sideways quick, right? Except when he's with Kristen. So I am watching the two of them interact, and then I'm watching Kristen social media, and he. He is having the time of his life. I mean, they are like glued to the hip together. He is laughing at everything she says. She's on the ride with him. At first he's scared, then he's having the time of his life, right? So I realize on Saturday that I haven't hung out with Asher yet. And I literally said to myself, I can't do any better than Kristen did yesterday. Going to skip this family. Because, I mean, honestly, there was no way I was going to put a smile on his face with the enthusiasm that he has for you and you alone on this trip.

[Kristen]

Well, sir, I don't know if you know this, but I have an almost five year old. Five year old at home. Asher is five. And I feel like it was just destiny that I hang out with this family because it's all about at that age, anticipating the needs and just being willing to go with the flow. We have big feelings at that age. And let me tell you, Mom, Brianna, dad, Burke, Auntie, Ashy, like everybody can. We know. And it's just having that level of patience and understanding. And Asher has a medulloblastoma, so he had brain cancer. And there's. There is such a thing as chemo brain. And so Brianna had talked to me. She's like, every now and then I get the glimpses of, you know, Asher before cancer. And I. I love you. We worked on the over apologizing, didn't we, girl?

[Burke]

We did. We did. You kept me in line.

[Kristen]

The sweetest family. I had to move heaven and earth to do anything for them because they're like, no, we don't need anything. But she, I was like, mom to mom, girl. I like, he's five. He's one of our youngest kids. He's been through a lot of treatment. Like, it's okay. Like, we all have bad moments. And so we just figured out a way to turn it all around. And all we needed was whipped cream.

[Burke]

Exactly. Just endless whipped cream.

[Kristen]

So again, talking about that Disney magic and I'm gonna, I'm gonna brag on Disney. So we started the day Friday, Magic Kingdom. We hung out. And of course, our Mickey waffles always come with a giant side bowl of whipped cream. We're money Saturday, we're at the park. We're going where it's, you know, we're eating in Star wars, and we didn't have any whipped cream.

[Burke]

Oh, no.

[Host]

Oh, no.

[Kristen]

And there was a moment, but one of the Disney cast members saw it, and he's like, oh, no, no, not on my watch. They went back in the kitchen and poured heavy cream and sugar and mixed up fresh whipped cream for this child so he could have it at breakfast on Saturday at Hollywood Studios.

[Burke]

They're incredibly grateful for that.

[Host]

We do give them a hard time from time to time, because you know what? Things are expensive around here. But, man, they really did this year. I saw it more than any other. Probably. I'm bending over backwards for the K. Mom, I do want you to explain the elevator scene that happened at dinner between Asher and Kristen, because I think this is a really good example of this co. Dependence I'm talking about.

[Kristen]

Oh, yes.

[Burke]

I don't know if codependence even can touch the profound connection that they have, but, yeah. We were leaving our dinner on Saturday.

[Kristen]

Saturday.

[Burke]

And I guess Kristen had gotten into the elevator, and Asher was in a stroller right in front of the doors. And the elevator was full, and the doors shut on Kristen's, and Asher burst into tears. I mean, it was almost like, as a mom, I thought, okay, is that the pain cry? And he was like, Ms. Kristen, she's gone. I'm all alone. And I was like, no, baby, she's not. She's just downstairs. And he was like, she's gone. I mean, the.

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The.

[Brianna]

The.

[Burke]

The just terror. And I just thought to myself, there's no way Kristin doesn't hear him screaming. And I was like, after spending the previous day with her, I was like, I know exactly where she's going to be. We're gonna get in that elevator. And we get in the elevator, and he's still crying. And we go all the way down, and those doors open, and whose beautiful face was right there. And he was like, Ms. Kristen. And just nuzzled himself into her. I mean, he's a little. He's.

[Kristen]

He's a snuggle bug, and I love it. I could hear the wailing through the elevator. So I made sure to stand right there by the doors, and I was like, that was Ms. Kristen. I am so sorry, Asher. I should have known better. The doors open. He was in a stroller, and I immediately just grabbed him. And he's like, why did you leave, please? I'm like, I'm so sorry.

[Host]

It was the scream heard in all four Disney worlds.

[Rocket Money Spokesperson]

Yeah.

[Burke]

Yes.

[Kristen]

Melanie got to witness it too. I actually have to correct you guys, because what I was hearing was my Kristen.

[Brianna]

That's right.

[Burke]

Yes.

[Host]

Is that literally what he said?

[Kristen]

It was my Kristen. I belong to the one and only Asher.

[Host]

Now, seriously, Burke, your impressions of the weekend? What'd you think?

[Brianna]

We had just had so much fun. Honestly. It was just constant smiles. I think, you know, both Brian and I have been sitting with our faces just kind of this.

[Kristen]

Yeah.

[Brianna]

The whole time he's had fun. And like you said, you know, been a lot of feelings, a lot of big emotions. But I think this is really the most fun and the most happy he's been in a very long time. So we are very grateful to you guys.

[Host]

You feel the same way?

[Burke]

Oh, I don't think there are words that can really encapsulate, like, the profound joy and gratitude that we feel from this week. Yeah. I don't think. I don't even know if there are words on this earth that can. Can touch it. I mean, it's beautiful to see him be a normal kid and to be open to a connection with somebody. You know, new people are not always a good thing when for all of these kids going through what they do, it could be a poke. It could be something. And he was so open to being loved by Kristen and Stacy and Caitlyn. But his little connection there.

[Kristen]

Yes, my sweet little buddy.

[Host]

There are two times in Asher's life right now. There's the time that he's with Kristen and the time that he's waiting to hang.

[Brianna]

Exactly.

[Kristen]

But because of Asher, I think. And this. And this is the. This is, again, the magic of Burt's big adventure. So I was partnered with Kendall's family on Saturday, but Asher always found a way to mesh our families.

[Burke]

Yes.

[Kristen]

So we were. We sat. We had breakfast together. You brought Kendall's family and your family together. And then at dinner, when we were at the Living Seas, he brought all of us together. So we're sitting. And that's when Brianna and Phoebe got to have, like, this very heartfelt conversation. And the two of them just talking about, like, their hatred of the health insurance. Yes. That's what really bonded them. Yes. But talking about that and talking about. Then Briana opened Phoebe's eyes to, like, financial aid that she didn't even know existed.

[Brianna]

Yeah.

[Burke]

I think My. The biggest help that I have had is from other moms. And so some of the best resources I have genuinely gotten from other moms, not the hospital, not social workers. And so anytime I have met a mom that has a child with anything that's medically complex, I'm like, do you know about this, this, and this? And it was really heartbreaking, too. Asher's crawling on the floor like a tiger.

[Kristen]

He loves his animals.

[Burke]

It was really heartbreaking that Phoebe and Kendall and Cairo and Carv, there were resources readily available that they had never even heard about. And so it was exciting to be able to share that. And we're like, we're not done. So she and I still have to get together and really go into everything. But, yeah, we. I feel very passionate about that because there's a lot out there, but it can be hard to find. Yeah.

[Host]

And it's a really good point that you make also, because we talk about the kids bonding. This trip for as long as we've been doing it is for parents to get together also and really share these kind of things, because the system is kind of set up in a jacked up kind of way. Yes, there are things out there, but it's not readily available. So if you don't go online and you're not going down the right wormholes, you don't know that what is all available to you. So when we get you guys together and you can talk and communicate, life can get a lot easier after birds pick adventure.

[Burke]

Yeah.

[Kristen]

And something else is just, you know, watching that connection and then knowing that, you know, Kendall has cerebral palsy and, you know, Asher has a brain tumor. And even though they're two completely different illnesses, there's still a lot of similarities there that, you know, the families go through. And I also thought it was lovely. Of course. I mean, Asher is so stinking cute.

[Burke]

Yeah.

[Kristen]

I was flooding my Instagram stories with him and Kendall all weekend long, but I got a DM from a nurse at choa, and she was one of Asher's nurses. And she's like, it is just so good to see him being a kid enjoying life and having fun. And she's like, I can't. I just can't get enough of this.

[Host]

And that's why I stayed away. I wasn't going to break that up. Which one of you guys want to do the honors and read your letter?

[Burke]

I'm gonna. I'm gonna take over for this. Okay. All right. Sorry to our little dinosaur. Seeing you on this trip was one of the most joyful experiences we have ever had. Watching you step into a whole new world with curiosity and excitement reminded us how far you've come and how strong you truly are. When you did things outside of your comfort zone, like riding roller coasters and going to space, which we were not a fan of, we saw the same bravery we've seen in you all along. The bravery it took up every day for chemo, countless surgeries, and lots of pokes. To face things that were scary and uncertain and to keep smiling even when it was hard. This trip wasn't just about rides or adventures. It was about watching you trust yourself and discover just how capable you are. We were so proud seeing you make new friends, laugh easily, and open your heart to people you had just met. It was incredible to see you be wholly loved by the Burt's Big Adventure family and especially our trip buddies, Kristen, Stacy and Caitlyn. And even more incredible to watch you bravely be open to that love. Despite the uncertainty that meeting new people has caused you in the past, you showed kindness, confidence, and the willingness to try, even when it felt a little scary. Your kind and loving spirit towards everyone you meet and your love for others is something we should all hope to strive for. You have been such a big, brave little dinosaur for so long, often in ways no one should ever have to be. This trip let the world see what we've always known. That you are strong, resilient, and full of joy and full of lots of love and affection. No matter where you go or what challenges come your way, remember this. You can do hard things and you are never alone. And you are loved more than words can ever say. We feel eternally grateful to the Burt's Big Adventure, not team, but family, for opening their hearts to us and giving us the opportunity to be together as a family in a way that wouldn't be possible without them, without the stress that our normal days bring. For capturing the memories so we could be present in the beautiful day, and for providing us unlimited joy and exponential love. We will forever love you all. And Bubby, we got to experience all of this because of you. You are the best boy in the whole wide world, and we love you.

[Kristen]

It was such a joy to hang out with your family. You guys, you get each other. Like you're such a tight unit and it's so beautiful to see and I just. I really. It was a very special day. Thank you very much.

[Host]

You could see the tightness and the journey. It takes its toll on everybody. I'm watching Auntie Ashley here and she's kind of breaking up a little bit also. It takes its toll on everybody. And the fact that everybody can come together and really help out and help each other out on this trip is really a very special thanks. So thanks for being part of our family.

[Burke]

Thank you. Thank you so much.

[Host]

All right, coming up in a couple of seconds here, I, I've got to apologize to one Birch big adventure because with Jameson, I over promised and totally under delivered with him with his pins and I saw the disappointment in his face and it's all my fault.

[Kristen]

It's Dr. Michelle's fault is who it is.

[Host]

You know what? You're right. It is Dr. Michelle's fault. I'll tell you guys all about it. First Big Adventure 2026 the Birch Show.

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[Hank]

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[Kristen]

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[Kristen]

I'm able to live my life and still hit my goals.

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