Kylie Kelce sat down with daytime TV icon Kelly Ripa for a wide-ranging chat about motherhood, working with your spouse, and the unfiltered honesty kids bring to family life. Ripa shared candid stories from 25 years on Live, her approach to raising three kids in the public eye, and why “keeping the spark alive” is less about romance and more about respect.

Germaphobe confessions and the “mom face”

Kelce opened up about her germaphobia—handwashing rituals, separate peanut butter jars, and the “hands on your head” public bathroom tactic. The segment led into a viral trend practicing the “mom face,” which Ripa instantly recognized.

That face… says all that you need it to say. And that is: ‘Excuse me.’

Ripa noted her own mother could deploy it to make kids volunteer to clean without a word.

Parenting in the public eye: “Strangers vs. strangers with your parents”

Ripa reflected on raising Michael, Lola, and Joaquin while hosting Live, including calling into the show the day Joaquin was born. She and Mark Consuelos taught their kids to distinguish between dangerous strangers and kind strangers when with parents.

Yes, these are people we don’t know, but they are very kind people. You’re with mom and dad. You’re safe.

Now adults, her kids appreciate the support rather than feeling creeped out.

Zone defense parenting and the “lack of rhythm method”

Ripa described the shift from meticulous first‑child parenting to “zone defense” with later kids—diapers in back pockets, wiped‑off pacifiers, and go. She also revealed how her youngest, Joaquin, arrived just 16 months after Lola, despite exclusively breastfeeding.

They used to tell us if you’re exclusively nursing, you can’t get pregnant… It’s a load of [ __]. Do not fall for it.

Working with your spouse: “We have arguments on the air”

On hosting Live with husband Mark Consuelos, Ripa said they lean into trust and separation: tape in the morning, reunite at dinner. Arguments happen—but on air, where the audience becomes the counselor.

We have arguments on the air. And it’s great… your audience becomes your counselors and they will let you know who is wrong and who is right.

Her advice to Kelce on collaborating with Jason: know each other’s triggers and treat your partner with “reverence and yet the irreverence” that keeps things light.

The kitchen phone plan for teen phones

Asked about phones for teens, Ripa outlined a “kitchen phone” policy: family phones stay on the first floor, usable for calls and coordination but not bedroom isolation.

They live in the kitchen… Computers, too, should stay in [communal living space].

Humbling things kids say (and the crotch debate)

Ripa shared a vacation story where Lola told her, “It’s so cute the way your entire body jiggles when you brush your teeth,” then added, “Because of you. You did this to me.” Kelce countered with her daughters’ insistence that dads don’t have crotches.

Everybody has a crotch… Dad doesn’t have a crotch today. Dad’s crotchless.

“Keeping the spark alive” is about friendship

On her podcast Let’s Talk Off with Kelly Ripa, Ripa fields caller questions about marriage. Her take on “spark” advice:

You have to really like each other… you have to love and respect each other. If you’re tight like that, then all the other stuff sort of falls into place.

And couples who claim they never fight? Red flag.

Biggest marriage red flag I’ve ever heard… It’s like saying ‘I don’t poop.’

This recap is based on Kelly Ripa’s appearance on The Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce podcast. For the full episode, click on the YouTube link at the top or listen wherever you get your podcasts.