On the first episode of her new podcast, “Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa,” Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos opened up about the ups and downs of their 26-year marriage. The couple discussed how they navigated through difficult times by communicating and addressing their concerns together.

According to Ripa, the early years of their marriage were not without challenges, and one of the major issues they faced was Consuelos’ jealousy. She described it as a difficult pill to swallow and something that was unappealing to her. However, as time went on, they worked through it and overcome it.

Consuelos admitted to his previous jealousy, saying that it was a fault in his character and something he had to work on. He explained that he went through personal development and wanted to address this issue because it was hindering his growth as a person.

Ripa shared a specific incident that highlighted Consuelos’ jealousy. After their secret elopement in 1996, a server at a Boston restaurant called her a “princess” in Italian, which Ripa found endearing. However, Consuelos became unnecessarily upset about it, causing a conflict between them.

The couple acknowledged that they both had things to work on in their relationship. In addition to Consuelos’ jealousy, Ripa mentioned her habit of hanging up the phone during an argument, which was something she had to address. They recognized the importance of effective communication and have made efforts to improve in that aspect.

Despite their disagreements and pet peeves, Ripa and Consuelos stressed that none of these issues were deal breakers in their marriage. They view their relationship as a constant journey with ups and downs, comparing it to a heartbeat. They believe that as long as there is communication and effort to work through their challenges, their marriage will thrive.

As they became empty-nesters when their children grew up, Ripa and Consuelos sought marriage counseling to address some longstanding issues. They believe that counseling has been beneficial in helping them identify and change unhealthy behaviors and habits. They have found it helpful to have a neutral third party hold them accountable and facilitate their growth as a couple.

The podcast episode featured notable guests such as Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, Carol Burnett, and Matthew McConaughey, and was produced by Consuelos & Ripa’s Milojo Productions in partnership with SiriusXM.

Overall, Ripa and Consuelos’ candid conversation about the challenges they’ve faced in their long-lasting marriage serves as a reminder that with open communication, personal growth, and a commitment to working on the relationship, a marriage can overcome obstacles and thrive.