Brotherly Bonds Tested: The Untold Impact of ‘New Heights’ on Jason and Travis Kelce’s Relationship

The podcast “New Heights” has redefined the relationship between NFL stars Jason and Travis Kelce, connecting the brothers in ways they never anticipated. Named for their hometown of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and serving as a prophetic descriptor of their meteoric rise in sports and pop culture, the podcast has become a conduit for their renewed bond.

Before “New Heights,” Jason and Travis Kelce’s communication was sporadic at best. “For the first 11 years of our career, I talked to my brother, in season especially, you know, once a month … It really was probably once every two or three months,” Jason Kelce revealed to TODAY.com. The podcast, however, has transformed this intermittent connection into a weekly ritual.

The show provides a unique glimpse into their lives, extending beyond the gridiron to cover everything from sports buzz to personal anecdotes involving family and significant others. Jason, who married Kylie Kelce in 2018, and Travis, dating pop star Taylor Swift since summer 2023, have found a platform to share their personal and professional journeys.

Their podcast sessions, often exceeding an hour, are a testament to their commitment to each other. The June 26 episode, for instance, recapped their experience attending Swift’s “Eras Tour” in London and meeting the royal family, clocking in at one hour and 22 minutes. This consistent communication has fostered a deeper connection, one that Jason says has made them “more connected than we’ve ever been.”

The Kelces’ journey to the podcasting world is marked by notable milestones. They made history as the first brothers to play against each other in the Super Bowl when Travis’s Kansas City Chiefs faced Jason’s Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. Despite the competitive backdrop, Jason’s support for his brother was unwavering, even donning Chiefs colors during the playoffs, as documented in his Amazon Prime documentary “Kelce.” His wife, Kylie, however, remains a steadfast Eagles supporter.

Jason emphasizes that while the podcast hasn’t fundamentally changed their relationship, it has “enabled us to stay closer.” The consistent dialogue has been a significant shift from their previous communication patterns, allowing them to stay updated on each other’s lives in a way that was previously unfeasible.

“Now we take one day a week, every week, to sit down and talk, and we talk for about two hours,” Jason explains. This deliberate effort to connect has not only strengthened their bond but also resonated with their audience. “We aim to be as open and authentic as possible,” Jason notes, attributing the show’s popularity to this authenticity.

The success of “New Heights” is evident, yet for the Kelce brothers, the true reward lies in their rekindled relationship. “It’s obviously a perk that the show is so successful, and it makes sense to keep doing it from a business standpoint,” Jason acknowledges. “But more important than that, it’s something that we really love doing. Because it’s forced us to reconnect with each other’s lives more so than we have been since college.”

As the Kelces continue to navigate their dual careers in football and podcasting, “New Heights” stands as a testament to the power of communication in strengthening familial bonds. Through their candid conversations, Jason and Travis Kelce have not only entertained their listeners but also rediscovered the joy of brotherhood.