Key Takeaways

  • The podcast episode featured an in-depth conversation with country music star Zach Brown, covering his musical journey, upcoming projects, and diverse interests.
  • Zach Brown announced his ‘Love and Fear’ residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas and a new album of the same name, highlighting his commitment to innovative live performances.
  • The discussion touched upon various aspects of Zach Brown’s life, including his passion for spearfishing, knife making, and his philanthropic work with veterans through Camp Southern Ground.
  • The hosts, Jason and Travis Kelce, also discussed their experiences at the American Century Championship in Tahoe, highlighting the fun and challenges of the celebrity golf tournament.
  • The episode included segments on General Mills cereal collaborations, a discussion about chores and relationships, and a preview of upcoming ‘New Heights’ content.

Segments

Hill’s Pet Nutrition Sponsorship and Pro-Nagging Discussion (~00:03:40)
  • Key Takeaway: A discussion on pet nutrition leads into a relatable conversation about the effectiveness of ’nagging’ to get chores done.
  • Summary: The conversation shifts to Hill’s Pet Nutrition and then to a personal anecdote about needing reminders for chores, with Jason Kelce advocating for ‘pro-nagging’ as a motivational tool.
American Century Championship Tahoe Recap (~00:07:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Jason and Travis Kelce recount their experiences at the American Century Championship golf tournament in Tahoe.
  • Summary: The brothers discuss their participation in the celebrity golf tournament, including the location, their caddies, interactions with other athletes like Baker Mayfield, and the overall festive atmosphere.
General Mills Cereal News and Kelsey Mix (~00:14:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts discuss General Mills’ new cereal collaborations featuring NFL stars and compare them to their own ‘Kelsey Mix’ from the previous year.
  • Summary: News about General Mills’ ‘Cereal Training Camp’ featuring Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Ja’Marr Chase is shared, prompting a comparison with the Kelce brothers’ custom cereal mix.
Tahoe Geography and Caddy Banter (~00:22:00)
  • Key Takeaway: A humorous debate about the geography of Lake Tahoe and the Kelce brothers’ caddies provides comedic relief.
  • Summary: Jason and Travis engage in a lighthearted argument about whether the golf course is in California or Nevada, and discuss the dynamics with their caddies, particularly Jason’s friend Patrick Bacon.
Matthew Tkachuk and Baseball Game Anecdotes (~00:30:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The conversation touches on Matthew Tkachuk’s Stanley Cup win and the Kelce brothers’ participation in a celebrity baseball game.
  • Summary: The hosts mention seeing Matthew Tkachuk at Tahoe and recall their own performance in a celebrity baseball game, with Jason comparing himself to Kyle Schwarber.
Karaoke Contest and MVP Thrower Trophy (~00:34:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The Kelce brothers discuss losing a karaoke contest but winning an ‘MVP Thrower’ trophy at the Tahoe event.
  • Summary: They recount their experience in a karaoke competition, noting Ray Romano’s impressive rendition of Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself,’ and mention TJ Oshie’s ‘MVP Thrower’ trophy.
Golf Performance and Future Bets (~00:39:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Jason Kelce expresses his determination to improve his golf game and bets on himself to achieve a positive score next year.
  • Summary: Jason discusses his struggles with golf at Tahoe and makes a bet with Travis that he will finish with a positive score next year, with the loser having to wear blue for a show.
Jason Kelce’s Academic Comeback Story (~00:45:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Jason Kelce shares a story about his academic turnaround in college, going from a 0.6 GPA to the Dean’s List.
  • Summary: Jason recounts how he improved his GPA significantly to remain eligible for football, highlighting his ability to focus when motivated.
Snap Football and Left-Handed Shooting (~00:48:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts showcase their skills in snapping a football between their legs and Travis Kelce’s proficiency shooting a basketball left-handed.
  • Summary: Jason demonstrates his ability to snap a football between his legs, while Travis shows off his left-handed basketball shooting skills, attributing it to past shoulder surgeries.
Golf Ball Liability and Fan Interactions (~00:51:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts discuss the risks of hitting golf balls into crowds and the etiquette of fans interacting with errant shots.
  • Summary: They talk about the potential liability of golf balls hitting spectators and the humorous idea of fans intentionally getting hit to help the players save strokes.
Heights Hotline: Chores and Relationships (~00:54:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The ‘Heights Hotline’ segment addresses a listener’s question about motivating a partner to do chores without nagging.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss the listener’s query about gentle parenting a partner into doing chores, with Jason reiterating his ‘pro-nagging’ stance and suggesting the use of a whistle.
Introduction to Zach Brown (~01:01:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The episode transitions to the main interview with Grammy-winning artist Zach Brown.
  • Summary: The hosts introduce Zach Brown, highlighting his musical achievements and expressing excitement for his upcoming projects.
Zach Brown’s Music Career Origins and Influences (~01:03:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Zach Brown shares his early musical experiences, starting with guitar at age seven and being influenced by 70s singer-songwriters.
  • Summary: Brown discusses his childhood passion for music, his early guitar playing, and the influence of artists like James Taylor and the Eagles on his musical development.
Zach Brown’s Live Shows and Musical Range (~01:06:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts praise Zach Brown’s live performances for their musical diversity and engaging nature.
  • Summary: They commend Brown for his ability to incorporate various genres and guest musicians into his shows, creating a unique and enjoyable experience for the audience.
New News: Zach Brown’s Sphere Residency and Album (~01:08:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Zach Brown announces his ‘Love and Fear’ residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas and a new album.
  • Summary: Brown reveals details about his upcoming residency at the Sphere, scheduled for December 2025, and the release of his new album, ‘Love and Fear,’ which he has been developing for years.
The Sphere’s Technological Marvel (~01:10:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Zach Brown describes the Sphere as the ultimate canvas for creative expression, detailing the extensive production involved.
  • Summary: He explains the massive scale of the Sphere’s production, including filming with a 40-piece orchestra and a 20-piece choir, and the challenges of creating content for such a venue.
New Album Collaborations and Independent Production (~01:15:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Zach Brown discusses collaborations on his new album, including songs with Snoop Dogg and Dolly Parton, and his decision to self-produce.
  • Summary: Brown shares his excitement about new music, including a track with Snoop Dogg titled ‘Let It Run’ and a collaboration with Dolly Parton, emphasizing his independent approach to music production.
Zach Brown’s Music Industry Journey (~01:23:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Zach Brown details his early career struggles, playing gigs in bars and hustling to build his music career.
  • Summary: He recounts his journey from playing coffee houses and bars to eventually achieving success with his hit song ‘Chicken Fried,’ highlighting the decade of hard work involved.
Spearfishing and Outdoor Adventures (~01:30:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Zach Brown shares his passion for spearfishing and his experiences exploring the underwater world.
  • Summary: Brown describes his adventures in spearfishing, including diving to significant depths and encountering marine life, and expresses his desire to catch a blue marlin.
Zillow Sponsorship and Home Buying (~01:37:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts discuss Zillow’s role in finding and purchasing homes, with a personal anecdote about buying their first homes.
  • Summary: The conversation touches on the process of home buying and the features Zillow offers, including connecting with agents and understanding affordability.
Zach Brown’s Songwriting Process (~01:42:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Zach Brown explains his songwriting methodology, which involves various approaches from melody-driven ideas to lyrical inspiration.
  • Summary: He discusses how songs can come from melodies, riffs, or even overheard phrases, and the importance of not settling for mediocre rhymes, citing a song that took 11 years to complete.
Family Life and Parenting (~01:46:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Zach Brown discusses his role as a father to five children and the joys and challenges of raising a family.
  • Summary: He shares insights into his family life, balancing his career with parenting, and cherishes the moments spent with his children, even the chaotic ones.
Favorite Collaborations and Musical Heroes (~01:49:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Zach Brown reflects on his collaborations with musical heroes like James Taylor and his appreciation for artists like Trombone Shorty and Snoop Dogg.
  • Summary: He expresses gratitude for the opportunity to work with artists he admires and highlights the surreal nature of performing alongside his musical idols.
Life on the Tour Bus and Band Culture (~01:55:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Zach Brown describes the experience of living and traveling on a tour bus with his band, emphasizing the importance of managing personal space and band culture.
  • Summary: He details the close quarters of tour bus life and the necessity of maintaining a positive band culture, highlighting the support system within his group.
Singing the National Anthem and Supporting Veterans (~01:59:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Zach Brown discusses the unique experience of singing the national anthem and his commitment to supporting veterans.
  • Summary: He shares his thoughts on performing the anthem and his organization’s work with veterans, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and service.
Zach Brown’s Family Background and Siblings (~02:03:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Zach Brown clarifies his family structure, explaining his blended family and the supportive relationships he has.
  • Summary: He addresses a question about his siblings, detailing his large, blended family and the significant role his brother-in-law has played in his life.
First Concert and Camp Southern Ground (~02:06:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Zach Brown identifies his first concert experience at age 14 as a pivotal moment that inspired his music career and his desire to build a camp.
  • Summary: He recounts seeing Sean Mullins and Matthew Kaler perform, which solidified his passion for music, and his subsequent founding of Camp Southern Ground.
Knife Making and Forging (~02:08:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Zach Brown reveals his passion for knife making, inspired by his father and honed through learning from other bladesmiths.
  • Summary: He shares his journey into knife making, from collecting knives as a child to forging his own, and his admiration for shows like ‘Forged in Fire’.
Welcome to the Music Industry Moment (~02:13:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Zach Brown identifies performing ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’ with Charlie Daniels at the CMAs as his ‘welcome to the music industry’ moment.
  • Summary: He describes the surreal experience of receiving a standing ovation from country music legends, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts (~02:16:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts express their admiration for Zach Brown’s diverse talents and upcoming projects, encouraging listeners to check out his new album and Sphere residency.
  • Summary: They wrap up the interview, reiterating their excitement for Brown’s work and thanking him for joining the show, while also reminding listeners to subscribe and follow New Heights.