Podcast Summary: New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce – EP 165

Title: Erin & Charissa on Sideline Mishaps, Best Kelce Convo, Girl Dad Advice & Being a Plus One
Guests: Erin Andrews & Charissa Thompson
Release Date: November 24, 2025
Podcast Host: Wondery

Episode Overview

In this lively and candid episode of New Heights, NFL brothers Jason and Travis Kelce welcome renowned sports broadcasters Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson. The quartet dives into the realities of life as sideline reporters, shares laugh-out-loud industry mishaps, reflects on legendary interviews, and offers genuine advice for aspiring broadcasters and "girl dads." Deep friendship, career insights, football tales, and sideline secrets come together for a rich, high-energy conversation sprinkled with humor and heartfelt moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Walking Down Memory Lane as Sideline Reporters

(03:19–07:01)

• Erin and Charissa’s Career Highlights:
  • Covered Super Bowls, World Series, celebrity diving competitions, and more.
  • Erin: “Third place to Evan Lysacek, who had just won gold for figure skating. If I’d been asked to read a box score, I would have won. You know what I mean?” (05:24)
  • Charissa: Jokes about her diving tournament hosting being “more of a flop than a splash.” (05:51)
• On Interviewing the Kelce Brothers:
  • Erin: “...that’s when I learned, Travis, you wear number 87 because of Jason.” (06:16)
  • Travis: “Without Jason, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” (06:57)

2. Transitioning from Player to Broadcaster

(09:09–11:40)

• Jason’s Shift:
  • Biggest surprise? “How much more you have to lock into everything across the whole NFL... I’m probably watching more football than I’ve ever watched.”
  • “Every week’s an away game.”
• Stadium Experiences:
  • Jason: “Vegas is like a show... And the nostalgia of Lambeau is always one.” (13:23)
  • Erin: “Jerry World, they take care of you... The chicken fingers are fire.” (14:19)
  • Sideline challenges (hoping for a snow game – 12:24).

3. Holiday Games & Traditions

(15:36–18:52)

• Hosting games on Thanksgiving and Christmas:
  • Erin: “You’re sitting in a hotel room watching the Macy’s Parade... But then you have a front row seat to some of the best athletes in the world.” (16:08)
  • Travis: “I have a blast... I can almost feel the excitement of Christmas that everyone else is enjoying while I’m on the field.” (16:49)
• Food Talk:
  • Deep dive into fried turkey vs. turducken and KFC.
  • “Once you fry turkey, you can’t go back.” – Erin (19:52)
  • “Gotta brine it. Definitely make sure that it’s completely thawed.” – Jason on frying turkey (19:08)

4. Inspiration: The “Girl Dad” Upbringing

(21:49–29:44)

• Fathers as Influencers:
  • Charissa: “My motivation was because I loved hanging out with my dad. He’d teach me the game... everything was made into a game.” (21:55)
  • Erin: “My dad’s a great storyteller... I grew up thinking [players] were my friends.” (24:12)
• Meaningful Sports Moments with Their Dads:
  • Erin: “I met Larry Bird... absolutely vomited my life story... Called my dad right away...” (25:01)
  • Charissa: “Brought my dad to 2019 Masters. We witnessed Tiger win. That’s the greatest gift in the world.” (27:00)
• Advising Girl Dads:
  • “Kids want boundaries... Even if you feel like you’ve got to be lenient, don’t.” – Charissa (66:49)

5. Women in Sports Broadcasting & Representation

(29:44–33:51)

• Representation & Impact:
  • Erin on Taylor Swift: “Taylor’s impact cannot be overlooked. Little girls that maybe didn’t have an interest in football... all of a sudden, dads have a bond with their daughters.” (28:44)
  • Charissa: “There were some women not so nice to me coming up... I always made it a point: if there’s anyone coming behind me, I’d help. I’ll never forget those who weren’t nice.” (31:20)
• Legacy: “I want my kids to attack life like both of you did... I love football... There’s nothing more I want to do than be out there.” – Erin (32:11)

6. Broadcasting Beginnings and Industry Real Talk

(33:51–42:18)

• First On-Air Moments:
  • Erin’s iconic green top for the Stanley Cup Finals: “We went to Ann Taylor, I picked out a green top that would be fire for Game 7.” (34:29)
  • Charissa’s bar interviews and Rockies reporting.
• Industry Changes:
  • “There’s a lot more avenues now... digital studios, social media, podcasts.” – Erin (37:39)
  • “Being a female helps you get a foot in the door. But to stay, you have to work your tail off.” – Erin, citing Leslie Visser (37:39)

7. Sports to Cover & Sideline Standouts

(42:00–46:56)

• Favorite Sport:
  • Unanimous vote: NFL.
  • Erin: “It’s because of you guys (players). Best sport to cover.” (42:18)
  • Charissa: “NHL athletes are the wildest, most fun.” (42:47)
  • Erin: “Nothing better than playoff hockey. Jarrett [her husband] has two Stanley Cups. That experience!” (43:11)

8. Sideline Mishaps & Unforgettable Interviews

(47:34–49:58; 58:57–61:34)

• Hockey Player Sideline Stories:
  • “Hockey players... will do an interview with half their face hanging off.” – Erin (47:35)
  • “Nobody could outdrink Jeremy Roenick.” – Charissa (48:16)
• Best and Hardest Coaches to Interview:
  • Erin: “Favorite: Kyle Shanahan—he doesn’t candy-coat. Hardest: Coach Belichick—never disrespectful, but you knew what you were going to get.” (60:21, 59:28)
  • Charissa: “You better have two questions ready for Shanahan. That’s all you’ll get.” (60:44)
• “Boyfriend Whistle” Gag:
  Hilarious recurring riff about a whistle to coach your significant other at home.
  • “I’m ordering a whistle right now off Amazon.” – Erin (62:16)

9. Advice for Aspiring Broadcasters

(37:39–41:36)

• Create Opportunity:
  • Charissa created a “microphone” out of a paper towel roll and tennis ball, made fake interviews with her brother, and led with that on her reel.
  • Charissa: “There’s room at the table for everybody. And if not, get another table.” (40:53)
• Work Ethic:
  • Erin: “Being a female helps you get in. To stay, you have to work your tail off. That’s the chip I have.” (37:39)

10. Plus-Ones and Parenting Talk

(63:15–65:09)

• Ideal Plus One for Travel:
  • Charissa: “Keep track of the passport. Be responsible so I can get into vacation mode.” (63:20)
  • Erin: “My husband plans everything. Sometimes too much!” (63:56)
• Girl Dad Parenting:
  • Charissa: “Not my job to be your friend. It’s my job to be your parent. When you turn 18, you get to decide.” (65:53)
  • Erin: “Jarrett is easier on Mac than I am... discipline vs. dad as the fun parent.” (67:28)

11. Favorite Former Athletes Turned Broadcasters

(53:03–55:35)

• Charissa: Amazed how colleagues like Whit, Germ, and Fitz adapted to broadcast—“They had never done TV before. Now in our 4th year, you’d never know.”
• Discussion on Tom Brady’s rapid improvement as a commentator.

12. Rapid-Fire Fun: Retro Tech, Pranks, and Team Culture

(71:05–73:39)

• Reflecting on calling cards, pay phones, and pranks.
• Jason and Travis recall prank calling and sharing landlines growing up.
• Erin’s Barbie confession when caught by the high school quarterback: “These are the neighbors’ Barbies, not mine.” (73:30)

13. Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Representation:
  • Erin: “I love football and there’s nothing more I want to do than be out there.” (32:11)
• On Family:
  • Travis: “I’ve always been appreciative when I get asked about my family... that’s the core of it all.” (74:30)
• On Sideline Mishaps:
  • Erin: “I once had so much Listerine before an interview it hit Ryan Howard in the eyes!” (75:39)
• On Teamwork:
  • Charissa: “There’s room at the table for everyone. If there isn’t, then build another table.” (40:53)

Notable Quotes

• Erin Andrews:
  “My dad’s a great storyteller. He made these people sound like my friends... Unfortunately, I grew up thinking that they were.” — (24:12)

• Charissa Thompson:
  “Being a female helps you get in. To stay, you have to work your tail off. That’s the chip I have on my shoulder.” — (37:39)

• Jason Kelce:
  “How much more you have to lock into everything across the NFL. I’m probably watching more football than I ever have!” — (09:37)

• Travis Kelce:
  “Without Jason, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” — (06:57)

• Charissa Thompson:
  “There’s room at the table for everyone. If there isn’t, then get another table.” — (40:53)

• Erin Andrews (On Parenting):
  “Kids want boundaries. Even if you’ve got to be lenient since they’re little girls, don’t.” — (66:49)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00–03:00: Introductions, playful banter, and warm-up
• 03:19–07:01: Erin & Charissa’s Broadcasting Careers
• 09:09–11:40: Jason on Broadcasting – Surprises Beyond Football
• 15:36–18:52: Holiday Work, Fried Turkey & Broadcast Traditions
• 21:49–29:44: Early Inspirations & Girl Dad Wisdom
• 33:51–42:18: Getting In the Door—First Media Gigs & Industry Tips
• 42:00–46:56: Favorite Sports to Cover – NFL Rules
• 47:34–49:58: Sideline Mishaps—Hockey Tales
• 58:57–61:34: Best/Worst Coaches to Interview & “Boyfriend Whistle”
• 63:15–65:09: Plus-Ones: Ideal Travel Companions
• 65:53–69:47: Deep Dive—Parenting Style & Advice for Dads
• 71:05–73:39: Retro Tech, Childhood Pranks, Barbie Confessions
• 74:10–77:43: Erin & Charissa Ask: Unasked Interview Questions
• 77:53–78:23: Reflections and Sign Off

Tone & Takeaway

The episode is an exuberant blend of behind-the-scenes sports broadcasting, powerful testimony on female mentorship and legacy, sideline comedy, and a real-life “girl dad” survival guide. With generous doses of laughter and raw honesty, Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson give listeners a heartfelt look at what it means to break barriers, chase stories, and share the stage with family—on and off the field.

Perfect For:
Anyone interested in sports media, football fans, aspiring broadcasters, parents (especially “girl dads”), and fans of the Kelce brothers’ unique brand of humor and big-hearted storytelling.