New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

Kylie's Husband at the Olympics & Chris Stapleton on Anthem Tears, Drinkin' Whiskey, & More | Ep 180

February 25, 2026

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  • The brothers celebrated the USA Men's and Women's Hockey teams winning gold medals at the Winter Olympics, with Jason detailing his experience attending the games in Milan. 
  • Jason documented his humbling experience trying out for the USA Bobsled team in Park City, Utah, highlighting the extreme athleticism required for the sport. 
  • Travis attended the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he played alongside former teammate Alex Smith and ran into golf announcer Jim Nance, while also noting his weight gain since the Super Bowl. 
  • Chris Stapleton brought the hosts personalized bottles of his Traveller Whiskey, including a new, unreleased 121 proof 'Foolproof' version, which they sampled on the show. 
  • Chris Stapleton shared insights into his songwriting process, noting he was a salaried songwriter who treated it like a job, and confirmed that the perfect country western song caricature includes mamas, trains, prison, and getting drunk. 
  • The conversation touched upon Chris Stapleton's favorite performance venues, highlighting the historical significance of places like The Forum in Los Angeles, and his partnership with Dale Earnhardt Jr. in NASCAR through a car in the Daytona 500. 

Segments

Sponsor Reads and Show Intro
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Intuit TurboTax and Planet Fitness are featured sponsors at the start of the episode.
  • Summary: Intuit TurboTax is promoted for making tax season easier with full-service experts who can complete taxes the same day. Planet Fitness is highlighted for offering memberships starting at $15 a month with 24-hour club access. The episode officially begins with the hosts introducing themselves and the show’s sponsors.
USA Hockey Gold Medal Reaction
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(00:01:46)
  • Key Takeaway: The USA Men’s Hockey team won the gold medal in a non-stop action game against Canada.
  • Summary: The brothers celebrated the USA’s victory in the gold medal hockey game, noting Jack Hughes’ impressive goal. They praised the high level of play and the goaltending performance of Helly Beers. The segment concluded with Jason asserting the USA is the hockey capital of the world in both men’s and women’s categories.
Show Rundown and New News
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(00:05:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Upcoming topics include Jason’s Olympic trip, Travis’s Pebble Beach experience, and an interview with Chris Stapleton.
  • Summary: The hosts outlined the episode’s agenda, which covers Jason and Kylie’s time at the Olympics after the Super Bowl and Travis’s trip to Pebble Beach. The segment also introduced the ‘New News’ section, sponsored by American Express, which immediately focused on a blizzard on the East Coast.
Eagles Film Breakdown Segment
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(00:08:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Jason provided an offensive line film breakdown focusing on hitch route concepts under new coordinator Sean Mannion.
  • Summary: Jason and Travis reviewed film related to the Philadelphia Eagles’ new offensive coordinator, Sean Mannion, focusing on spacing concepts involving hitch routes. They noted the difficulty and expense of using NFL film due to licensing rights. The segment concluded by asking listeners for suggestions on whose film to break down next, with potential segment names like ‘All 22 with the 92’ or ‘X’s and Bros’ being considered.
Jason’s Bobsled Experience
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(00:13:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Jason participated in dry-land training with Team USA Bobsled, learning push cadence but was restricted from riding the ice sled due to liability.
  • Summary: Jason detailed his experience at the Team USA Bobsled headquarters, where he was tested for qualification and learned push techniques on a dry-land sled. He noted that athletes in the sport are typically former high-level athletes weighing 225-250 lbs. The ride itself was far more intense than expected, involving high G-forces in the banked turns.
Olympics Travel and Sightseeing
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(00:21:49)
  • Key Takeaway: The experience of attending the Olympics was enhanced by American Express lounge access, and Jason highlighted the breathtaking Duomo in Milan.
  • Summary: Expedia was promoted for simplifying travel planning by bundling flights, hotels, and activities in one app. Jason recounted attending four hockey games, figure skating, and short track speed skating, noting the high-energy atmosphere of the speed skating arena. He also described the Milan Duomo as a breathtakingly ornate stone structure.
Travis’s Pebble Beach Golf Trip
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(00:39:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Travis enjoyed the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, playing alongside Keith Mitchell and Alex Smith, but struggled with three-putts and weight management.
  • Summary: Travis described Pebble Beach and Spyglass as beautiful courses and enjoyed playing with Keith Mitchell and Alex Smith, though he lost to Smith. He noted that his weight increased from 260 lbs to 285 lbs since the offseason due to the season and holidays. He attributed his golf swing issues to trying to hit the ball too hard, a habit from baseball and hockey.
Sponsor Reads and Chris Stapleton Intro
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(00:45:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Pepsi’s ‘Pepsi Paradox’ highlights that blind taste tests often show preference for Pepsi’s taste over competitors, and Chris Stapleton was introduced as the guest.
  • Summary: Pepsi’s challenge results were shared, indicating that 66% of people preferred the taste of Pepsi Zero Sugar in a recent revival of the challenge. Hills Pet Nutrition was promoted for science-led nutrition supporting pets so owners can focus on life’s moments. Chris Stapleton, a 19-time CMA and 12-time Grammy winner, was introduced as the guest who made Jason cry during the Super Bowl National Anthem performance.
Joe Montana Anecdote Sharing
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(00:50:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Joe Montana threw three interceptions and was initially pulled from a game before returning to secure a win.
  • Summary: The discussion referenced the Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Dan Marino era of football. A story was shared about Montana’s uncle witnessing Montana’s first two-minute drill win at Notre Dame as a freshman. Montana later revealed to the speaker that he had thrown three picks and been temporarily removed from that game before re-entering to save the day.
Whiskey Gift Exchange
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(00:51:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Chris Stapleton gifted the hosts personalized bottles of Traveller Whiskey, including a new 121 proof version not yet released.
  • Summary: Chris Stapleton presented the hosts with gifts, including personalized bottles of Traveller Whiskey and glasses. The hosts noted that Travis Kelce opened his gifts faster than Jason Kelce. The new, unreleased whiskey is 121 proof, which they dubbed ‘Foolproof,’ contrasting with the standard 90 proof offering.
Whiskey Background and History
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(00:53:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Traveller Whiskey is made in partnership with Harlan, the master distiller behind Buffalo Trace products like Pappy and Wilder.
  • Summary: Chris Stapleton confirmed that Traveller Whiskey is produced by Buffalo Trace, a product he has enjoyed for years. He mentioned working with the master distiller, Harlan, on the project. The hosts noted the 121 proof version was incredibly smooth despite its strength.
New Parent Concert Experience
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(00:54:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Chris Stapleton first met Kylie Kelce and her newborn daughter Finley when Kylie brought the baby to one of his shows.
  • Summary: The hosts recalled meeting Chris Stapleton when Finley was an infant and brought to a show. Stapleton shared a sentiment about the unique, wonderful smell of one’s own newborn baby, which Jason admitted to also enjoying, even joking about smelling other people’s babies.
Touring Venues and Music History
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(00:55:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Chris Stapleton values venues with historical significance, like Fenway Park and The Forum, as they contain musical ‘ghosts’ that enhance the performance ethos.
  • Summary: Chris Stapleton listed upcoming tour stops, including Fenway Park, which he has not played in the main stadium before. He prefers venues with historical significance because they make the performer feel part of music’s ethos. His favorite venue to play is The Forum in Los Angeles due to its sound quality and history.
Musical Influences and Early Career
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(00:58:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Chris Stapleton’s musical taste spans rock (Bon Jovi), outlaw country (Waylon, Willie), and R&B, believing music is simply ‘good or bad.’
  • Summary: Stapleton’s first concert was Bon Jovi opening for Skid Row, noting how loud Skid Row was. He grew up listening to a wide variety of music due to his rural upbringing and father’s taste. He compared the benefit of diverse musical listening to playing multiple sports before specializing in athletics.
Songwriting Process and Career Milestones
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(01:01:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Chris Stapleton’s initial goal was being a salaried songwriter, which he achieved by treating songwriting like a workman’s job with scheduled appointments.
  • Summary: Stapleton stated that the studio is his favorite part of the music-making process, though he does less writing now. He wrote over a thousand songs, often working as a salaried writer in a publishing house, showing up for appointments to write. He recalled a veteran songwriter challenging his ego for being 23 and trying to make a living as a writer.
Country Music Tropes and Feedback
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(01:05:12)
  • Key Takeaway: The essential elements of a perfect country western song, according to a Steve Goodman reference, include mamas, trains, prison, and getting drunk.
  • Summary: When asked about the perfect country western song, Stapleton referenced the caricature involving mamas, trains, prison, and getting drunk, noting that covering those bases earns approval from genre aficionados. For honest feedback on his music, Stapleton relies solely on his wife, who immediately tells him if something ‘sucks’ without holding back.
NASCAR Partnership and Thrills
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(01:07:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Chris Stapleton has a partnership with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Junior Motorsports for a car in the Daytona 500, linking whiskey’s bootlegging origins to NASCAR.
  • Summary: Stapleton confirmed his partnership with Junior Motorsports for a car in the Daytona 500 for the second year. He sees a historical connection between whiskey’s origins in bootlegging and the foundation of NASCAR. He experienced the intensity of being in the pit during the race but stated he has no desire to drive the cars himself.