Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce:

Kylie & Zooey Deschanel on New Girl Celeb Cameos, Cat Dad Partners & Worst Kid Eating Habits | Ep. 48

Release Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Kylie Kelce
Guest: Zooey Deschanel

Episode Overview

In this lively episode of "Not Gonna Lie," Kylie Kelce sits down with actress Zooey Deschanel to discuss holiday chaos, family traditions, parenting, being a football-adjacent public figure, and all things "New Girl." The episode blends Kylie’s signature self-deprecating humor about motherhood and public perception with a fun, revealing conversation with Zooey Deschanel, covering everything from cats and parenting to behind-the-scenes tales from "New Girl," memorable celebrity cameos, and navigating holiday gift exchanges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Kylie's Mom Life & Viral Parenting Chaos

• Kylie opens with relatable family chaos, including her kids' hilarious TV habits, remote-control wars, and the challenges of managing a bustling household.
• She describes the rare pleasure of solo city drives as her version of self-care:

  "My version of self care is driving by myself into the city, playing the music that I want to hear and not getting screamed at for it." (01:30)

• Parenting anecdotes include White Elephant parties, holiday traditions, and the infamous misadventures of their family elf, "Emmy Nemi."

March of Dimes Sports Luncheon & Reflections on Public Perception

[04:10–08:00]

• Kylie attended the March of Dimes Sports Luncheon to present her husband Jason Kelce with a Sports Achievement Award alongside Olympian Katie Ledecky.
• Shared her fangirl moment with Ledecky and reflections on the importance of maternal and infant health:

  "It is so important... as someone who has experienced loss, myself, who has experienced five pregnancies, it is very much an important cause." (05:56)

• She jokes about comment sections and being recognized out of her usual "sweatpants" attire, emphasizing strategic expectations:

  "If I wear sweatpants all the time, then my baseline is dirt ball... Then when I have to step it up a little bit ... you’ll be like, wait, what?" (07:00)

Parenting, Arguments & Kid Quirks

[09:01–15:00]

• Kylie's take on why public couples claim to never fight, and clarifies that arguing and bickering are part of real marriages:

  "If you're married, you live together, specifically if you have children... you’re potentially having some sleepless nights." (10:21)

• Commiserates with parents about the unrealistic expectations in viral mom TikToks, hilarious snack-time meltdowns, and the strange demands kids have when it comes to food preparation:

  "If you have witnessed a crash out by a toddler because you cut a food the wrong way, you are scarred for life." (12:38)

• Gives heartfelt kudos to Vernon Jackson of The Gifted Event for creating inclusive barber spaces for neurodivergent kids:

  "This is so important to give families the space to do something that neurotypical families may take for granted." (15:00)

White Elephant Gift Parties—Pro Tips & Memories

[17:13–21:30]

• White Elephant parties with her Eagles Wives group serve as the rare gifting tradition Kylie actually loves, thanks to their anonymous, low-pressure format.
• Most memorable gift: “Box of Fucks” (candles, an elf ornament flipping the bird, and "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck").
• Kylie's go-to sleeper gift: deeply discounted statement sunglasses or practical tote bags.

  "If you have your own white elephant coming up, might I recommend a nice scroll on Amazon?... you can pretty much find anything and have it delivered right to your door." (20:32)

Main Event: Zooey Deschanel Interview

Holiday Traditions & Family Background

[25:40–31:30]

• Kylie gushes over her love for "New Girl," watching it every spring, and how it’s a family staple—even getting “Big Ed” to watch.
• Both discover Philly roots in Zooey’s family—Zooey’s ancestors arrived in the 1600s via a William Penn land grant!

Notable Quote:

Zooey: "My family came over on a land grant from William Penn in the 1600s." (26:32)

On 'Elf', Iconic Roles & Watching with Her Kids

[27:16–28:14]

• Zooey’s daughter recently became interested in watching "Elf" but prefers to share the experience with friends, not family.
• Her son has no interest watching his mom as an actor—he wants “Mommy to be Mommy.”
• On people not recognizing her as Jovie:

  "I have a face that changes dramatically with makeup and hair... if you put a wig on me, I really look different. I feel like I’d be a good CIA agent." (28:30)

New Movie & Working with Animals

[30:38–33:59]

• Zooey discusses her new Prime Video holiday film, "Merv," and her love of dogs—especially those with “scruff” or a wiry coat.
• The film’s dog star Gus is a rescue and highly professional; his stunt double is called “Captain Chaos.”
• Why rom-coms set at the holidays hit harder:

  "When you think of a guy eating alone on a Tuesday, that's kind of sad... Then you think of a guy eating alone on Christmas—then you go, oh my god, I feel so bad. Infinitely sadder." (33:32)

Cats, Kids & Parenting Wins

[34:06–37:59]

• Zooey is an enthusiastic fellow cat lover—now parent to three (the result of “cat math”—you can’t have just one!). Her partner Jonathan was a skeptic, now a “total cat dad.”

  "They are super affectionate. Jonathan loves them. He's a total cat dad." (35:40)

• Zooey makes a direct pitch to Jason Kelce on air:

  "Hey, Jason. Cats are it. They're basically like dogs but...they have liquid bodies with, or like, maybe like a dog with a slinky as a spine." (36:10)

• Advocates for cats helping kids learn calm and emotional regulation.

All About ‘New Girl’

[38:02–55:15]

Will There Be More?

• Kylie asks about a "New Girl" reunion:

  Zooey: "I don't know. I will totally do it, though. I'm in. I've said I'm in." (38:20)

  • Jokes that Jake Johnson (“Nick”) might only agree if they film at his house.

On Set Life, Bloopers, and Delirious Nights

[39:03–40:26]

• Absurdly long hours (16-17 hour days). Bloopers came from utter exhaustion—Kylie and Zooey laugh about how the crew’s laughter validated the comedy.

Celebrity Guest Stars

• Standout cameos included Prince, Taylor Swift, Rob Reiner, Jamie Lee Curtis, Quinta Brunson (pre-Abbott Elementary), and a young Olivia Rodrigo.

  "Our casting directors were incredible...Olivia Rodrigo was on when she was, like, 13...I remember her because she kept asking me questions about my daughter." (41:53)

Favorite Episodes:

• Kylie and Zooey rave about Jess and Nick’s big moment (“Cooler”), Tay Diggs’s shirtless cameo, and the first-season wedding episode featuring Natasha Lyonne.

ADHD & The Power of Rewatches

• Both have ADHD; talk about object permanence and snacks/skin care products needing to be visible.

New Girl Pop Quiz: Kylie vs. Zooey

[49:44–58:31]

• Playful trivia on “New Girl” lore (True American rules, Winston’s cat “Ferguson,” Schmidt’s alter ego “Ginny,” guest star Taylor Swift’s character, and more).
• Hilarious banter ensues about Jason Kelsey refusing to get his “ass crack waxed” after losing a Speedo bet.
• Zooey recalls Prince personally bringing a suitcase of clothes for his legendary guest spot.

Notable Quotes:

• Kylie: "If you have witnessed a crash out by a toddler because you cut a food the wrong way, you are scarred for life." (12:38)
• Zooey: "I have a very good memory for specific things. And then there will be things that just, like, aren't important to me." (54:57)

Bonding Over Philly, Football & Butterscotch Crimpets

[58:31–61:08]

• Zooey has no team loyalties but enthusiastically agrees to be adopted as a Birds (Eagles) fan:

  Kylie: "As long as you can say, 'Go Birds,' you're in."
  Zooey: "Go Birds. That's—yeah." (59:51)

• Shared nostalgia for Philly snacks: butterscotch crimpets, tasty cakes, and Lenten sacrifices (“shopping for Lent”).

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Kylie on keeping public expectations low:
  "If I wear sweatpants all the time, then my baseline is dirt ball... Then when I have to step it up a little bit ... you’ll be like, wait, what?" (07:00)

• Zooey on her instant incognito powers:
  "I have a face that changes dramatically with makeup and hair...I feel like I’d be a good CIA agent." (28:30)

• Zooey on cat ownership:
  “Hey, Jason. Cats are it. What I want you to know about them is they're basically like dogs, but they're...like a dog with a slinky as a spine.” (36:00)

• Zooey on Prince’s presence:
  “Everyone was like, really intimidated by Prince. He had such a presence. He was like five foot four, but he had like this perfect posture...you’re talking to Prince, you’re talking to Prince.” (57:34)

• Kylie on Philly football adoption:
  “As long as you can say, 'Go Birds,' you're in." (59:51)

  • Zooey: "Go Birds. That's—yeah." (59:51)

Key Timestamps

• 00:55–03:37: Parenting chaos, TV remote wars, Elf on the Shelf misadventures
• 04:10–05:56: March of Dimes event, importance of maternal health, fangirling Katie Ledecky
• 09:01–10:38: Real talk on marriage disagreements, Travis Kelce/Jason Kelce podcast references
• 12:05–13:56: Realities of parenting, kids’ picky eating, TikTok snack comedy
• 15:50–17:13: Vernon Jackson’s Gifted Event for neurodivergent kids; advocacy for inclusion
• 17:13–21:30: White Elephant party memories, gift tips, Amazon pro-tips
• 25:40–31:30: Zooey Deschanel interview—Philly roots, “Elf” family anecdotes
• 33:34–37:59: Rom-com logic, working with dogs, turning partners into “cat dads”
• 38:02–44:56: “New Girl” deep dive—possible reunions, bloopers, celebrity cameos
• 49:44–58:31: New Girl trivia battle between Kylie and Zooey, hilarious show lore
• 59:48–61:08: Philly pride, Eagles loyalty, sweet tooth, and family traditions

Memorable Moments

• Kylie's signature down-to-earth self-deprecation, turning parenting disasters into comedy gold.
• Zooey Deschanel's uncanny knack for self-effacing humor, from “incognito” superpowers to absurd set stories.
• The “cat dad” advocacy mission—culminating in a direct message to Jason Kelce from Zooey.
• The gleeful revelation that both women share ADHD quirks.
• Genuine nostalgia and shared Philly pride between two seemingly different but oddly kindred guests.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a buoyant mix of relatable parenting chaos, holiday warmth, and true-blue fangirling. Kylie Kelce blends humor and honesty while peeling back the curtain on her public and private life, then welcomes Zooey Deschanel for a high-spirited, affectionate conversation about comedy, family, animals, ADHD, and holiday traditions. Their chat is a must-listen for fans of "New Girl," busy moms, football spouses, and anyone in need of a dose of down-to-earth cheer.