Travis Kelce Praises Taylor Swift After New Heights Podcast Episode Tops 3 on Apple Podcasts This Year
Apple released this Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the list of the most popular podcast episodes of the year on the platform. The episode “The Taylor Swift Episode”, from New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce, came in third place overall, behind only productions like The Telepathy Tapes and Crime Junkie.
The recording, released on August 13, 2025, has accumulated 24 million views to date and marked Taylor Swift’s first appearance on the show hosted by her fiancé, Travis Kelce, and his brother, Jason Kelce.
In the most recent episode of New Heights, the brothers announced the recognition and highlighted the impact of the singer’s participation.
The choice reflects the growth of the podcast, which gained prominence by mixing sports and entertainment, with a focus on light and revealing conversations.
Presenters’ reaction to recognition
Jason Kelce announced the news during Wednesday’s episode, asking what could top Swift’s participation. “What’s up with that one? Ela is simply magic,” replied Travis Kelce, with a smile.
The older brother countered, stating that nothing compares to the presence of the artist, who elevated the program without additional effort. Os two laughed at the situation, attributing the success to Swift’s popularity.
This interaction reinforces the relaxed tone of New Heights, which attracts listeners through authentic dialogue between the brothers.
August recording details
The episode with Swift was recorded on the same day as her engagement to Travis Kelce, a fact later revealed. Nele, the singer thanked the podcast for facilitating the beginning of the relationship, two years earlier.
She mentioned that the show served as a “personal dating app” for Kelce, who used a friendship bracelet to try to contact her during an Eras Tour concert in 2023.
During the two-hour conversation, Swift discussed his 12th album, The Life of a Showgirl, released on October 3, 2025, and showed off the album cover.
The episode broke initial records, with 13 million views on YouTube in the first 24 hours, surpassing previous marks from the program itself.
## Influência on the success of New Heights
New Heights, launched in 2022, reached 3 million subscribers on YouTube and took over the top of the Apple charts even before the episode with Swift aired.
The singer’s participation boosted the podcast beyond the American football audience, attracting music and pop culture fans.
- It accumulated over 9 million views within days of release.
- It was number one on the US podcast charts for weeks.
- It generated discussions on social media about the balance between sports and entertainment.
These numbers position the program as one of the most followed in 2025, distributed by Wondery.
Connection between Swift and the podcast
Swift referenced New Heights in the track “Wood” from The Life of a Showgirl, highlighting the show’s role in her personal life. “This podcast has done so much for me,” she said in the recording.
The couple’s relationship gained visibility from Kelce’s on-air comments, which led to their first contact in 2023.
## Momentos interview key
The conversation lasted 124 minutes and covered a variety of topics, from the Eras tour to the recovery of the Swift masters.
She described the engagement as a precious memory, which occurred shortly after recording. Travis praised her energy on stage, contrasting with intimate moments at home.
- Swift credited the podcast for connecting her and Kelce.
- He discussed the album as a “180-degree turn” from previous work.
- He shared travel stories during the tour, which allowed for global encounters.
These details humanized the artist, known for avoiding traditional interviews.
Impact of the episode on the year
Apple’s recognition reinforces the trend of podcasts as a promotional tool for celebrities. Swift opted for the format to advertise the album, reaching millions directly.
The episode surpassed others with guests like Kylie Kelce, Jason’s wife, who held the previous record of 8.9 million views.
Initial reception and numbers
Fans reacted enthusiastically to the release, causing streaming platforms to overwhelm. The episode topped the Apple Podcasts charts immediately.
It marked Swift’s debut into long-form podcasts, preferring controlled channels for personal narratives.
New Heights Legacy in 2025
The Kelce brothers’ podcast has established itself as a reference in hybrid content, mixing NFL and pop culture. The edition with Swift exemplifies this broad appeal.
As the year comes to an end, the program plans to return on August 27, 2026, in line with the NFL season.
