Podcast Summary: "Hilaria Baldwin: Manual Not Included"
Episode of Let's Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa
Release Date: June 18, 2025

Let's Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa offers an intimate and unfiltered conversation between Kelly Ripa and her guest, Hilaria Baldwin. This episode delves deep into Hilaria's personal journey, her role within the Baldwin family, and her professional endeavors, providing listeners with heartfelt insights and candid discussions.

1. Welcome and Introduction

The episode kicks off with Kelly warmly welcoming Hilaria Baldwin to the show alongside her son, Michael Consuelos. The playful banter between Kelly and Michael sets a relaxed and familial tone for the conversation.

• Michael Consuelos [02:19]: "Hilaria Baldwin is a wellness and fitness expert and the mom of seven kids. Seven young kids."

2. Hilaria's Journey and Connection with Kelly

Kelly reflects on her initial interactions with Hilaria, highlighting how their friendship began and the support Kelly provided during Hilaria's transition into the Baldwin family.

• Kelly Ripa [06:33]: "I've got to tell you, Hilaria, listeners, if you're just joining us because we had my oldest son visiting us..."

Hilaria shares her early experiences meeting Kelly and adapting to her new environment.

• Hilaria Baldwin [08:40]: "When I met you, I had zero kids and you had three, and I felt like that was a lot."

3. Navigating Public Scrutiny and Personal Struggles

A significant portion of the conversation addresses the intense public scrutiny Hilaria faces, especially following the tragic events involving her husband, Alec Baldwin. They discuss the challenges of maintaining privacy and authenticity in the public eye.

• Hilaria Baldwin [14:44]: "People reached out to us, and a lot of it was people kind of putting themselves in Alex's shoes."

• Kelly Ripa [16:01]: "Nobody can ever put themselves in Alex's shoes. It's like their horror."

Hilaria opens up about her eating disorder, detailing her struggles from a young age and her journey toward recovery through yoga and mindfulness.

• Hilaria Baldwin [48:10]: "I started having problems with eating when I was 5... I was anorexic and bulimic."

4. Balancing Family Life and Advocacy

Hilaria discusses her role as a mother of seven, emphasizing the importance of honesty and trust with her children. She shares strategies for fostering healthy eating habits and her approach to parenting without a strict manual.

• Hilaria Baldwin [50:41]: "I give them tons of fruits and vegetables in the morning... make a big deal about dessert."

Kelly praises Hilaria's dedication to maintaining a nurturing and balanced family environment despite external pressures.

• Kelly Ripa [28:31]: "They are like real kids. They're not like these slick, show businessy kids."

5. Addressing Criticism and Cultural Identity

The conversation touches on the backlash Hilaria has faced, particularly regarding her accent and bilingualism. They explore the concept of code-switching and the misunderstandings surrounding multilingual individuals in the public sphere.

• Hilaria Baldwin [35:08]: "People don't understand what it's like to speak more than one language... it's called code-switching."

Kelly relates this to her own experiences with accents influenced by her environment.

• Kelly Ripa [38:57]: "If I'm with somebody from North Carolina for more than three minutes, I have a full Southern accent."

6. Coping Mechanisms and Mental Health

Both Kelly and Hilaria share personal coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and maintaining mental health. Hilaria emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and being present, while Kelly discusses her own strategies for handling public criticism.

• Hilaria Baldwin [53:31]: "I am not going to be shy about agreeing with you."

7. Future Endeavors and Personal Growth

Hilaria talks about her book, Manual Not Included, detailing her experiences and the cathartic process of writing about her life. She reflects on personal growth and the ongoing journey towards healing and self-acceptance.

• Hilaria Baldwin [24:10]: "I wrote it myself... when you want something to be your authentic voice, there's only one way to do it, and that's yourself."

8. Closing Thoughts and Final Messages

As the episode concludes, Kelly encourages listeners to support Hilaria's work and reflect on the authenticity and resilience showcased throughout their conversation. The heartfelt exchange underscores the strength of their friendship and mutual respect.

• Kelly Ripa [57:08]: "Thanks so much, Hilaria. Give my love to everybody."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Michael Consuelos [02:19]: "Hilaria Baldwin is a wellness and fitness expert and the mom of seven kids. Seven young kids."

• Hilaria Baldwin [48:10]: "I started having problems with eating when I was 5... I was anorexic and bulimic."

• Kelly Ripa [16:01]: "Nobody can ever put themselves in Alex's shoes. It's like their horror."

• Hilaria Baldwin [50:41]: "I give them tons of fruits and vegetables in the morning... make a big deal about dessert."

• Hilaria Baldwin [35:08]: "People don't understand what it's like to speak more than one language... it's called code-switching."

• Hilaria Baldwin [24:10]: "I wrote it myself... when you want something to be your authentic voice, there's only one way to do it, and that's yourself."

Conclusion

This episode of Let's Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa offers a profound glimpse into Hilaria Baldwin's life, highlighting her resilience, dedication to family, and commitment to personal growth. Through open and honest dialogue, both Kelly and Hilaria navigate complex topics, providing listeners with inspiration and a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those in the public eye.