Kylie Kelsey has been getting a lot of attention in recent weeks since launching her podcast, Not Gonna Lie, which has surpassed Joe Rogan as the top podcast on Apple and Spotify. There are several reasons for this. The podcast charts support recent releases, Kelsey’s wildly popular podcast with her husband’s brother, New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelsey, and the fact that her future sister-in-law happens to be the world’s most famous Being one of the musicians. She is carving out a real market for her content: podcasts centered around women, motherhood, and sports.
This is in stark contrast to Joe Rogan. Joe Rogan’s show is often populated by conspiracy theorists, his snarky comedian buddies, and, oddly enough, bodybuilders. It also contrasts with Alex Cooper, one of the most popular female podcasters, who discussed his relationship with Hailey Bieber this morning. Justin. Yes, I listen, and yes, I listen to a lot of podcasts, because podcasts are where pop culture increasingly thrives.
Outside of true crime, there aren’t many popular female-led podcasts aimed at moms who have graduated from the boozy mess that Call Me Daddy is. I listened to a few people, and most of them seemed to be focused on mental health, which is fine, but some of the women who were famous in the association were venting about motherhood, getting angry, and talking about things in their own circles. It’s oddly refreshing to hear interviews with women (her first guest was Kaitlin Olson from “It’s Always Sunny”), all in 45 minutes or less.
I’ll admit I first tuned in because Kelce describes himself as an “aggressive left-winger.” Even if she didn’t discuss politics on her podcast, it’s nice to hear. (She told the New York Times that she would like to talk to Michelle Obama or Josh Shapiro.) She has a good Philadelphia accent and spent a good portion of the first episode talking to people who taunted her in front of her children. He spent his time applauding those who criticized him. Even if the podcast itself isn’t very polished yet, it still gives off good vibes. In fact, its lack of sophistication may be part of its appeal. She’s still figuring it out.
And it’s not just motherhood. This week, for example, she had an in-depth conversation with Carissa Thompson about Thompson’s decision not to have children (and his struggles in his marriage). In the same episode, Kelsey spoke of her anxiety about her children realizing that other parents were doing Elf on the Shelf much better than they were. With three daughters (and a fourth on the way), a job coaching high school field hockey, and a busy schedule, she doesn’t have time for that.
It feels weird to call someone who hangs out with Taylor Swift “down to earth,” but that’s exactly the kind of vibe Kelce has. I don’t know if she can compete with Logan long term. She clearly doesn’t have the bandwidth to record three three-hour episodes a week. And I don’t think she aims to be a “liberal” person. But I’d rather hear Hailey Bieber talk about Elf on the Shelf than hear her awkwardly talk about the Demi Lovato drama.
Kelce doesn’t seem interested in fame. She is simply tired of letting others define her and wants the space to define herself. If she’s going to be in the public eye anyway, she might as well own her own story. Throughout the first three episodes, she proved to be a fun hang, even if she didn’t spill much tea. That being said, she also feels free to tease her husband and brother-in-law, and that’s a good thing. That being said, even though Dunkin’ seems like the perfect advertising sponsor for this show, the sponsor’s constant shouting about Dunkin’ is annoying.
