New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

Episode 172: Kylie Kelce on Kid Meltdowns, Dude Gift Advice, Japanese Maples & New Heights Secret Santa
Release Date: December 24, 2025
Special Guest: Kylie Kelce

Episode Overview

This spirited holiday episode of “New Heights” sees Jason and Travis Kelce welcoming back four-time guest (and Jason's wife) Kylie Kelce. The trio dive into all things family, including dealing with kid meltdowns, advice for those "dudes who can't shop," animal obsessions (Japanese maples and zoo animals—yes, really), and a festive Secret Santa exchange. There’s also hilarious banter about curling, parenting, holiday gift giving, and the “dumbest” kid fights submitted by listeners. Expect plenty of good-hearted ribbing, practical advice, and genuine warmth.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. New Heights Secret Santa Gift Exchange

(Starts ~03:00)

• The crew kicks off with their first ever team Secret Santa. Gifts are capped at $50, but creativity and personal touches shine.
• Memorable Gifts:
  • Intern receives a unicorn mug, symbolizing his “unique intern energy.”
    • “You are a unicorn, Brandon.” – Travis (05:39)
  • Jason gets custom Blue Man Group golf balls—a witty nod to an in-show bet—and a replica Super Bowl ring to replace one that Jake (intern) lost years ago.
    • “I can’t believe you really lost your fucking Super Bowl ring.” – Travis (08:23)
  • Travis receives an album of custom Kansas City player cards, including rookie cards and friends of the show.
    • “Are you kidding me? That sounds like a blast.” – Travis (13:05)
  • Banter about the nuances of card collecting, sentimental value, and the surprise joy of “friends of the show” cards.
• Segment Mood: Playful and competitive brotherly rivalry, with heartfelt thanks for thoughtful gifts.

2. Catching Up with Kylie Kelce

(Starts ~20:15)

• Kylie is re-introduced as the only four-time guest and a “Japanese maple superfan.”
• Lighthearted debate on Japanese maples as the “best tree for climbing and fall color.”
  • “I’m their biggest fan. We have two in our backyard.” – Kylie (20:45)
• Kylie reflects on her own podcasting journey, sharing her excitement at interviewing notable guests like Michelle Obama and Bindi Irwin.
  • “I got to talk to Michelle Obama. I’m still sweating slightly from that.” – Kylie (21:55)
  • Shares her lifelong love for animals—particularly giraffes, otters, and gibbons.
• Animal Tangent: They discuss unique animal facts, otters screaming “bloody murder,” and visiting newborn Galapagos tortoises whose mother is a 97-year-old Philly Zoo resident.
  • “Otters and orcas…they were so loud!” – Kylie (23:34)
  • “Their mom, 97 years old… her first clutch of eggs.” – Kylie (26:45)

3. Superstitions and Blame During NFL Games

(~28:00)

• Jason playfully blames Eagles’ losses on Kylie not turning her back during games—a running superstition.
  • “I’ll take it. There’s only so much control you have…” – Kylie (29:53)
• Kylie describes the lengths she’ll go in “sacrificing” her own fandom for the good of the team, riffing on sports fan rituals.
  • “It’s a selfless act… I want to watch this so badly.” – Kylie (30:29)
• Brothers take it to extremes (joking about “animal sacrifices” and blackout games) for comedic effect.

4. Sibling Curling Adventures

(~31:18)

• The Kelces and Kylie recount their attempt at curling in South Dakota at the Olympic Trials facility, with technical details on the sport.
  • “I do think it’s easier with the shoes, but… it wasn’t imperative.” – Jason (33:53)
• They explain curling strategy, pebbled ice, and techniques learned from Olympic curlers and commentators.
  • “It’s all up here.” – Travis (36:59)
• Kylie jokes her flexibility gives her the edge, but they agree a rematch is needed to settle who’s best.
  • “This could be the thing that gives me the upper hand.” – Kylie (34:20)

5. Kid Fights and Parental Meltdowns: Listener Stories

(Starts ~50:54)

• Listeners sent in their “dumbest kid fights,” and Kylie offers practical (and often hilarious) parental advice:
  • On a six-year-old insisting to drive: “Let them sit in the car, without keys, so they see they can’t reach.” – Kylie (53:23)
  • On time changing on a kid’s watch: “With a four-year-old, it’s about comfort and the need for routine. Just take the batteries out.” – Kylie (57:08)
  • On a child wanting to see their sibling’s poop: “That’s their business. Everyone gets bathroom privacy.” – Kylie (67:21)
  • On a nine-year-old calling a parent a “fat”: Kylie and the Kelces reflect on discipline, Santa threats, and creative (but gentle) consequences like soap in the mouth or removing privileges.
    • “You get called a fat by your kid… gotta scare them another way.” – Jason (63:01)

6. The Ultimate Gift Guide for “Dudes Who Can’t Shop Good”

(Starts ~68:02)

• Kylie rapidly evaluates the quality of various gift ideas for significant others:
  • Makeup: Only good if you KNOW brand/types; store lookup on account helps.
  • Fitness/Health Gadgets: “Does feel a little ‘fat’… unless she specifically asked, absolutely not.”
    • “Hey, look at this treadmill, you fat bitch. That’s so sweet.” – Travis (69:14)
  • Gift Cards: “Good to a store she loves… but not as the only present.”
  • Clothing: If unsure on size, err on too big rather than too small.
  • Candles/Jewelry: Candles are “yes” unless the recipient dislikes scents; jewelry is great but avoid the kind that changes skin color!
    • “If it’s going to turn your skin green—don’t get it as a gift.” – Kylie (75:10)
  • Kitchen Appliances / Mugs: Green light; personalized mugs are an “Ed Kelsey staple.”
• Kylie is presented with a “husband whistle”—a clever, if tongue-in-cheek, tool for summoning Jason to do chores.

7. Fan Mail: Show & Tell Segment

(Starts ~82:01)

• Jason, Travis, and the crew open gifts and letters sent by fans. Highlights include:
  • Custom hats, mugs, Cleveland animal calendars, and a “New Heights” coloring book.
  • “This really feels like Christmas, guys. I love that.” – Travis (85:16)

8. Miscellaneous Banter

• The episode wraps up with pondering over BBLs (Brazilian Butt Lifts) and if they provide “permanent seat cushion warmth,” demonstrating why New Heights episodes often run long.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Secret Santa Revelations
  • “Who doesn’t love some custom balls?” — Jason, opening custom Blue Man Group golf balls (06:35)
  • “You are a unicorn, Brandon.” — Travis, on a personalized intern mug (05:40)
• On Parenting & Kid Meltdowns
  • “There’s only few places in this world that you get to be just with your thoughts and your… and the bathroom is one of them.” — Jason (67:37)
  • “You can talk about the fat on your body, but you don’t say that about somebody else.” — Kylie instructing her children on kindness (62:24)
• Gift-Giving Wisdom
  • “If it’s going to turn your skin green, probably don’t get it as a gift.” — Kylie, on cheap jewelry (75:10)
  • “I feel like that’s an invasion of my privacy, but it’s a great strategy.” — Jason, on using store loyalty accounts to find the perfect gift (68:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Secret Santa Gift Exchange: 03:00–16:26
• Kylie Kelce Intro & Animal Tangent: 20:15–27:59
• Superstitions & Game Blame: 28:00–30:12
• Curling Recap: 31:18–41:09
• Listener Kid Fights: 50:54–68:02
• Gift Guide: 68:02–78:52
• Kylie’s “Husband Whistle” Gift: 79:29–81:29
• Show & Tell (Fan Gifts): 82:01–88:52
• Ridiculous BBL Banter: 89:13–92:08

Episode Tone & Takeaways

The Kelce brothers—true to form—balance heartfelt family reflections, practical advice, and relentless goofiness. Kylie brings a matter-of-fact parenting style with no-nonsense authority but matches the guys joke for joke. The holiday warmth, family banter, and relatable daily-life insights make this episode a standout for long-time fans and newcomers alike.

Perfect holiday listening if you want to laugh, learn a little about parenting, and not take life too seriously.