Live Wire Book Summary - Live Wire Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

Live Wire summary

Kelly Ripa

Long-Winded Short Stories

3.1 (102 ratings)
17 mins

Brief summary

'Live Wire' by Kelly Ripa invites readers into her fast-paced life as a mother, wife, and television host. She shares her secrets for balancing work and family, staying healthy, and finding joy in the everyday chaos of life.

Table of Contents

    Live Wire
    Summary of 5 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 5

    A fated meeting

    On paper, Kelly Ripa’s marriage to Mark Consuelos shouldn’t have lasted for more than two months – never mind over two decades. 

    That may sound a bit judgmental, but here are the facts: They met as young costars on the set of the hit ’90s soap opera All My Children. They were both involved with other people when they got together. And they got married on a whim in Vegas, after having broken up and gotten back together only five days earlier.

    This sounds more like a recipe for a brief, misguided fling than the recipe for a long and stable marriage. But, more than a quarter century and three grownup children later, their partnership has proved to be one of the most enduring unions in the entertainment industry. No unconscious coupling for them. These two are well and truly coupled. 

    So, what is it that has allowed their marriage to be so resilient – to truly stand the test of time? 

    Well, the first thing is that the couple has unmistakable chemistry, and an almost irresistible attraction to each other. Ripa swears that she fell in love with Mark the moment she first saw his headshot. She had an uncanny instinct that he was The One. Then he came to audition for a role of her lover in All My Children. In person, the attraction was even more overwhelming. Ripa was usually the one being hit on by aspiring actors on set. But, in this case, she was the one doing the chasing. Whenever she was around Mark, she found herself gabbering uncontrollably in an attempt to impress him. 

    After meeting him just once, Ripa had a vivid dream – she and Mark were flying together to Rome, accompanied by their baby daughter. The next time she ran into Mark on set, she informed him of the dream, much to his surprise. He played it cool at the beginning, but eventually he succumbed to her charms. They started secretly dating, their electric on-screen chemistry blurring into their private lives. That magnetic attraction is still there, over 25 years later. Ripa credits Mark’s talents as a “mindful lover” for the longevity of their marriage. In spite of all the stresses of everyday life, they’ve kept the spark alive. 

    But great chemistry alone won’t make your marriage endure for decades. Ripa is clear that the real secret to a long-lasting marriage is work and commitment. Spending decades with one person is not for the faint-hearted. In fact, it’s an incredible act of bravery. You have to go through all the messy emotional stuff that life can bring. You have to learn to compromise. And, sometimes, you have to have incredible amounts of patience. You may wonder what you ever saw in your partner.

    But when the going gets tough, think back to the early days of your relationship. Why did you choose the person you’re with? What drew you to them? Allow yourself to remember the sheer delight you experienced in their company, the shock of attraction that coursed through your body. Marriage, like life, is long. But there’s nothing sweeter than being able to experience that rollercoaster together. 

    Want to see all full key ideas from Live Wire?

    Key ideas in Live Wire

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is Live Wire about?

    Live Wire (2022) is a compilation of humorous essays by actor and talk show host Kelly Ripa. She opens up about her 30 years in showbiz and shares the challenges and joys of getting ahead in a male-dominated industry while raising a family. 

    Live Wire Review

    Live Wire (2019) is a captivating memoir by Kelly Ripa that takes readers behind the scenes of her dynamic life. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • Packed with intriguing stories and personal anecdotes, it gives an inside look into the world of television and broadcasting.
    • From her journey to success to her experiences in overcoming challenges, Ripa's honesty and relatability make the book inspiring and empowering.
    • The book also explores Ripa's quest for balance between her career, family, and personal growth, offering valuable insights for readers navigating their own lives.

    Who should read Live Wire?

    • Fans of Kelly Ripa looking for the inside scoop
    • Memoir-lovers who want to learn about one of the power players in media
    • Women looking for inspiration on how to thrive in a male-dominated industry

    About the Author

    Kelly Ripa is a prolific media personality and talk show host. She started her career on the soap opera All My Children, and then moved on to become the host of the popular morning show Live. She’s been honored with six Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Talk Show Host. Ripa also founded her own production company, Milojo Productions, together with husband Mark Consuelos. 

    Categories with Live Wire

    Book summaries like Live Wire

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    36 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Get started

    Live Wire FAQs 

    What is the main message of Live Wire?

    The main message of Live Wire is...

    How long does it take to read Live Wire?

    The reading time for Live Wire varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Live Wire a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Live Wire is a worthwhile read with...

    Who is the author of Live Wire?

    The author of Live Wire is...

    What to read after Live Wire?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Live Wire, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
    • At Home by Bill Bryson
    • Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
    • Marriage, a History by Stephanie Coontz
    • If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal by Justin Gregg
    • The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida
    • The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky
    • Start Now. Get Perfect Later. by Rob Moore
    • Do Bigger Things by Dan McClure
    • Maps of Meaning by Jordan B. Peterson