Podcast Summary: The Bobby Bones Show

Episode: TAKE THIS PERSONALLY: My 87-Year-Old Grandma on Regrets, Adventure, and Why Hate Destroys You
Date: January 11, 2026
Host: Morgan Huelsman (from The Bobby Bones Show)
Guest: Grandma Bernie (Morgan’s 87-year-old grandmother)

Overview

This heartfelt episode centers on an in-depth conversation between Morgan Huelsman and her 87-year-old grandmother, Bernie. The discussion is filled with warmth, humor, and wisdom, as Grandma Bernie reflects on her long and winding life—spanning love, regret, independence, adventure, and the importance of kindness. Together, they explore how her experiences on the Kansas farm, her multiple marriages, career changes, travels, and personal growth shaped the values she wants to pass on, particularly the destruction caused by hate and the liberating power of living life boldly.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Bernie’s Background: Life on the Farm & Independence

• Bernie’s credentials: 87 years old, nearly 40 years living on a Kansas farm, 33 of those alone.
  • [03:54] “I’m 87.”
• Adapting to independence:
  • At first, living alone was tough; she was used to sharing chores and companionship, but learned to enjoy her own company.
    • [04:20] “I have never lived totally by myself before, especially not long term… One of the things I’m really glad about is learning I can be by myself—and I like being by myself.”

2. Early Life, Education, and First Marriages

• Nostalgic journey through Kansas towns and rural life, with vivid childhood memories like her mother's birds and gardening.
  • [07:49] “She had a green thumb… I never inherited that.”
• Childhood in WWII-era America:
  • [10:17] “He [my dad] served in World War II… he had back injuries most of his life after that.”
  • [10:28] On her father’s absence: “Just that he was gone is about all it really meant to me at that time. I remember taking pictures of him… just to see what dad still looked like.”
• Married after high school, as was customary.
  • [05:31] “You were expected to become a housewife… I thought about going to college. I was in love, so let’s get married.”
• Later returned to college and worked in various roles, balancing motherhood and work.
  • [13:49] “So you were a mom, you were working, and you were going to school…?”

3. Love of Learning: English, Archaeology, and Curiosity

• Passion for English (inspired by an 8th-grade teacher), literature, and later archaeology.
  • [11:35] “My 8th grade English teacher was the most influential and I loved her… I always just really loved English, and that turned into literature.”
  • [17:14] “I’ve always liked archaeology too… when we went to Mexico, we went to some old ruins… it brought that really alive.”
• Passing on curiosity to Morgan by searching for arrowheads and fossils together.
  • [18:42] “About 20 to 30 [arrowheads]… most of them are in boxes for protection. It’s something that’s 10,000 or 12,000 years old made by a person who was here.”

4. Adventures & Travel

• Traveled to Canada and Mexico, with emphasis on learning and experiencing new environments.
  • [15:44] “Mexico. And to Canada. Most all from about the middle of Canada, straight up… Over the west coast.”
  • [16:38] On Victoria, “Beautiful harbor and beautiful lighting at night… ride horse and carriage… we did all that.”

5. Reflections on Technology

• Marvel and skepticism about technological change—her life spanned from party-line telephones to modern AI.
  • [28:41] “The AI stuff scares me. Just because people don’t… have a handle on it.”
  • [30:35] “The phone was the house phone… wired in… I still remember when we had operators.”

6. Hardship, Resilience, and Farm Life

• Experiences with hard work, poverty, homesteading, and adapting to changing circumstances.
  • [45:21] “We had an outdoor toilet… no running water in the kitchen. Had a pump… that was water in the house.”
  • [35:28] “We were just living, trying to get by and stuff out here… had to cut wood because we had wood… built a shed… just a lot of stuff you just did…”

7. Adventures and Unconventional Experiences

• Multiple marriages (two mentioned), adventures with a younger husband, Brian:
  • [38:48] “He was 20 years younger… I had never been treated like that ever.”
  • [39:30] “We got a motorcycle at a garage sale for $500… oh God, it was fun. I loved riding.”
  • Lived in a VW camper, did river surveys for mussels; once learned to fly an airplane.
  • [58:26] “Just learned to fly an airplane. Had an airplane that I flew wherever I wanted to.”

8. Regrets, Growth, and Philosophy on Life

• Admits regrets—especially about not taking more science classes and how some relationships ended.
  • [48:38] “Oh, yeah. Oh. People lie when they say there’s nothing they regret… I do regret leaving Jay the way I did because he didn’t deserve that either.”
  • [51:20] “I don’t like answering to anybody. But as I get older… there’s no way two people having opposite inspirations or desires… It always is good to talk. I regret that I was always one-minded… not ever trying to understand or think about it.”
• Advice to her younger self and others:
  • [56:19] “Go out and grab it. Grab life. Live. Don’t be afraid to do stuff.”
  • [61:05] “Don’t hate people. That’s the most destructive—hate doesn’t just destroy somebody else, it destroys you.”

9. Legacy, Womanhood & The Power of Kindness

• Reflections on how women have paved the way, the importance of listening and empathy, and why more women in power could mean fewer wars.
  • [60:02] “If we had more women rulers… I think we would have had a lot fewer wars.”
  • [61:36] “Don’t hate people. That’s the most destructive. Hate… it destroys you.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Independence
  • “I’ve always thought of myself as independent… I’m glad… learning that I can be by myself and I like being by myself.” (04:20)
• On Adventure
  • “If it looks like it’s going to be fun, let’s do it. It’s going to be a good experience, let’s do it.” (55:28)
• On Regret
  • “People lie when they say there’s nothing they regret. They lie or they’re fooling themselves.” (48:38)
• On Kindness and Hate
  • “Don’t hate people. That’s the most destructive—hate doesn’t just destroy somebody else, it destroys you.” (61:05)
• Outlook on Life
  • “Go out and grab it. Grab life. Live. Don’t be afraid to do stuff.” (56:19)
• On Women Leaders and War
  • “If we had more women rulers… I think we would have had a lot fewer wars.” (60:02)

Important Timestamps

• Life on the Farm & Independence: [03:54]–[05:02]
• Family History & WWII Memories: [07:16]–[11:03]
• Love of English & Archaeology: [11:29], [17:14]
• Arrowheads & Connection to Past: [18:42]–[20:41]
• Adventures & Motorcycle Story: [39:30]–[40:11]
• Regrets & Big Life Lessons: [48:38]–[51:20]
• Core Advice—Live Boldly & Don’t Hate: [56:19], [61:05]

Tone & Style

This episode is marked by gentle teasing, laughter, and honest self-reflection. Bernie answers with candor, humility, and characteristic “spitfire” charm. Morgan guides her stories with warmth and admiration, keeping the tone conversational, intimate, and often humorous.

Takeaways

• Embrace independence and adventure—but recognize the value of connection, kindness, and open-mindedness.
• Regret is human; growth comes from examining mistakes, not denying them.
• The worst thing you can do is hate; it limits your world and poisons you, not just others.
• Women have always paved the way, and the world needs their voices.
• Live boldly and trust your own instincts:
  • “Go out and grab it. Grab life. Live. Don’t be afraid to do stuff.” (56:19)

A moving episode for listeners of any age about making the most of the time you’re given, forgiving yourself, and always staying curious.