Podcast Summary

Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce

Episode 49: Kylie & Robert Irwin on Feeding Dad's Crocodiles, Spicy DWTS Moments & Breastfeeding Biters

Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Kylie Kelce
Guest: Robert Irwin

OVERVIEW

In this vibrant, heartfelt and humor-packed season one finale, Kylie Kelce reflects on her whirlwind year as podcast host, celebrates standout moments from the show, and welcomes world-renowned wildlife conservationist and recent Dancing with the Stars champion, Robert Irwin. Together, they discuss family, animal adventures, spicy TV dance routines, modern parenting (including the tribulations of breastfeeding biters), and the deep importance of legacy, laughter, and conservation. The episode is a tapestry of playful asides, uplifting tributes, and artful honesty—a loving sendoff to season one.

HIGHLIGHTS & DISCUSSION POINTS

1. Season Finale Vibes, Reflections & "NGL Wrapped"

(Starts around 01:00 – 27:31)

• Kylie’s Reflection:

  • Expresses shock and joy at seeing herself on a Times Square billboard for being named one of Amazon Music’s best new podcasts.
    • “There’s no reason for me to be on a billboard, including this list. … This show would not go off without the incredible team that I have with me.” (07:33)

• Parenting & Santa Claus:

  • Shares her honest approach to keeping the Santa magic alive for her daughters, strategizing around holiday "parenting hacks," and feeling guilt when her daughter cried after a "Santa call" prank.
    • “I had to get down on my knees in front of her and explain... I swear Santa said she was on the nice list. It was so sad.” (13:46)

• Can I Be Honest? / Body Authenticity:

  • Reacts passionately to Kate Winslet’s comments about embracing aging, tying it to her own advocacy for authenticity—especially as a mother of four girls.
    • “Your face has been telling people how you feel. … One of the prettiest things is crow’s feet, because typically it is from smiling.” (16:36)

• Breastfeeding Challenges:

  • Candidly reflects on weaning her youngest, the pains of breastfeeding (biters, new teeth), and embraces both breastfeeding and formula without shame.
    • “Anyone who has an opinion about how I choose to go about my breastfeeding journey and therefore my formula fed journey, you can kindly get fucked. … And also, fed is best.” (20:26)
    • Robert Irwin jumps in: “Fed.” (21:18)

• NGL Wrapped (Podcast Year in Review):

  • Shares playful highlights:
    • Saying “Go Birds” 62,000+ times
    • Memorable (and ridiculous) headlines generated by past episodes
    • New catchphrases, especially “Suck my ass” (23:18–27:31)

2. Interview with Robert Irwin: Family, DWTS, and Animal Tales

(Starts around 31:26 – 74:10)

a. Meeting the Irwin Legacy (31:26–33:48)

• Warm Welcome:
  • Kylie suits up in her Australia Zoo khakis, earning “honorary Irwin” status from Robert.
    • Robert: “You look more like an Irwin than I do at this point. … You can be an honorary Irwin family member anytime.” (32:48–33:01)

b. Dancing With the Stars: From Ballroom to Conservation

• Spreading Conservation Message:

  • Robert explains how he used his time on DWTS to amplify animal conservationism, and how Bindi inspired him.
    • “No matter what I do, whether I’m in my khaki uniform like you… or if I am in the sequence of Dancing with the Stars, my heart always beats khaki. …I got to really, I guess, tap into a more vulnerable side and tell stories that were a little more challenging.” (34:38)

• Emotional Moments/Tributes:

  • Discusses the memorable tribute dances for his dad and mum—focusing on the healing power of art and vulnerability.
    • “That dance was everything to me because... my mum’s my hero, you know, she really is.” (40:59)
    • “After that... my mum and my sister and I were all in the trailer... bawling because... it really was a story of grief and the way my mum pulled me out of a lot of challenging times.” (41:18)

• Notable Quotes:

  • Kylie: “What a gentlemanly way of saying, I remove my shirt. … Okay.” (43:47)
  • Robert: “I took my shirt off for Wildlife Conservation. 100.” (44:27)

c. Irwin Family Dynamics & ‘Funkle’ Adventures

• Uncle Robert & Princess Grace:

  • Prince Charming on Halloween, trick-or-treating with his niece, and the special bond they share.
    • “She is the one… the star of the Irwin family and she is just the best.” (45:48)
    • “She’d send Prince Charming in first to knock on the door... and then Cinderella would come up and get her, get her chocolates and candy and that… We had the best time.” (46:57)

• ‘Uncle Privilege’ and Zoo Fun:

  • Confessions to being the “fun uncle” who lets Grace get away with more, and their after-hours zoo adventures.
    • “Being a Funkle is the greatest job on earth, honestly.” (49:49)

d. Feeding Crocodiles—A Rite of Passage (52:42–60:19)

• Crocodile-Feeding Milestone:

  • Robert shares how feeding a crocodile at age 10 was a rite of passage, and looks forward to Grace reaching the age.
    • “I wore her [Mum] down, you know… you have to be double digits before you can feed your first croc.” (51:12)

• Crocoseum Context:

  • Explains the Crocoseum, built by Steve Irwin as a positive celebration (inspired by Gladiator’s coliseum) to educate about and protect crocodiles.
    • “And my mum was like, okay, this is kind of wild, but all right. … He built a 5,000 seat auditorium… for his rescued crocodiles.” (57:43)
    • “I feel the closest to my dad when I’m in there with his crocodiles... It’s also the ultimate adrenaline rush!” (59:36)

• Kylie’s Excitement:

  • “Will you let me slap the water?”
  • Robert: “I’ll get you to feed a croc, mate. … I mean, you’ve got the uniform. Let’s do it.” (59:57–60:25)

e. Unusual Animal Friendships, Otter Facts, and Parenting Parallels

• Jenny the Burmese Python:

  • Robert’s “family pet” since infancy.
    • “Every time she [Jenny] sees me, she wraps around me and gives me a little hug just like she did when I was a baby.” (61:00)

• Otters – Adorable but Savage:

  • “There are some species of otters that are absolute machines… incredible at hunting… but they also have this little edge—don’t mess with an otter!” (64:14)

f. Endometriosis Advocacy & Sibling Bonding

• Advocating for Women’s Health:

  • Robert talks about the importance of speaking up on issues like Bindi’s endometriosis diagnosis, emphasizing the male role in these discussions.
    • “I think it’s a responsibility for men and women to be talking about this. ...We still have a long way to go and that momentum can only happen if we’re all talking about it.” (66:01)

• Siblings, Coping, and Legacy:

  • Kylie and Robert discuss the Irwin siblings’ tight bond and overcoming grief together.
    • “Our tight knit little family—the three of us, my mom, my sister and I—we just became this little bubble of love…” (67:02)
    • “Having Bindi Irwin in your corner, you feel like you could just climb Mount Everest. … She is the goat.” (69:35)

g. How To Support Wildlife Conservation

• Advice from Robert Irwin:
  • “The first thing I say… believe in your own strength to change the world. …Start very small... instill a sense of passion and responsibility for the natural world within the young people in your life.” (70:56)
  • Bonus comic relief as Robert’s light turns off, “saving power”—“That’s another thing you can do at home. Boom.” (72:14)

MEMORABLE QUOTES

• Kylie:

  • “Anyone who has an opinion about how I choose to go about my breastfeeding journey and therefore my formula fed journey, you can kindly get fucked. … Fed is best.” (20:26–21:21)
  • “You know, they’ve got a little bit of what we like to call the fuck around and find out energy. I like it.” (65:37)

• Robert:

  • “No matter what I do... my heart always beats khaki.” (34:38)
  • “[Feeding crocs] ...just felt like an honor… It just felt like this rite of passage.” (51:12)
  • “Having Bindi Irwin in your corner is like, you feel like you could just climb Mount Everest. … She is the goat.” (69:35)

KEY TIMESTAMPS

| Segment | Time | Notable Moments | |--------------------------------------|------------|------------------------------------------------| | Winter weather & finale reflections | 01:00 | Times Square billboard, parenting Santa | | Body image, authenticity | 16:36 | Kate Winslet quote reaction | | Breastfeeding/Formula frankness | 20:26 | Robert joins in: “Fed is best” | | NGL Wrapped | 21:30 | Fun headlines, “suck my ass” catchphrase | | Robert Irwin interview begins | 31:26 | Kylie dons zoo khakis; honorary Irwin moment | | DWTS & Conservation | 34:05 | Vulnerability, tributes to parents | | Uncle Robert & “Funkle” stories | 45:18 | Grace as Cinderella, uncle privileges | | Feeding crocodiles | 52:42 | Rite of passage, Crocoseum background | | Otter facts & snake stories | 64:14 | Otter aggression, Jenny the python | | Women’s health advocacy | 66:01 | Endo, men in women’s health dialogues | | Sibling bond | 67:02 | Grief, unity, family legacy | | Conservation advice | 70:56 | “Believe in your own strength to change the world” |

FINAL NOTES & TONE

• Tone: Effortlessly candid, affectionate, self-aware, irreverent but sincere.
• Kylie is as open about parenting fails and self-deprecating humor as she is about deep personal values.
• Robert brings gentle wisdom, warmth, and a joy in both his family legacy and conservation.

LISTENER TAKEAWAYS

• Parenting is hard, messy, and worthy of laughter (and the “fed is best” mantra).
• Being present and authentic—whether about crow’s feet, sports bras, or Santa—is a legacy in itself.
• Conservation starts at home, in small ways: empower kids, stay passionate, and believe in your impact.
• Normalize conversations about women’s health and support each other—true strength is in vulnerability and unity.
• Sometimes, raw dogged craziness (and a little khaki) gets you on a billboard—or in a crocoseum.

For more on Robert Irwin and the Irwin family's wildlife efforts, visit: wildlifewarriors.org
Follow “Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce” on all platforms, and stay tuned for season two!

End of Summary