Podcast Summary: The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz Episode: **2025 WORDS OF THE YEAR: "SLOW" AND "INVEST"
Release Date: January 7, 2025

1. Introduction and Episode Overview

In the January 7, 2025 episode of "The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz," hosts Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John dive into their chosen "Words of the Year"—"Slow" and "Invest." As third-generation auto-industry experts and busy mothers, Kelly and Lizz use this platform to explore personal growth, family dynamics, and the latest in automotive news, all while maintaining their signature lighthearted and engaging conversation style.

2. Words of the Year: "Slow" and "Invest"

Kelly introduces her word of the year, "Invest," emphasizing the various aspects she aims to invest in: her business, relationships, health, and family. She shares her desire to allocate time, energy, and resources more effectively:

Kelly [05:06]: "Invest in the business, invest in people. Invest in my health, my kids, my husband, my sister. Just invest."

Lizz selects "Slow" as her word, focusing on establishing routine and order in her day-to-day life with two children. She expresses a need to understand herself better amidst the chaos:

Lizz [04:52]: "I want routine, I want order. I want to just sort of like, figure out who I am on a day to day with two kids."

The sisters discuss the significance of these words in navigating their personal and professional lives, highlighting the balance between striving for growth and maintaining a steady pace.

3. Health and Fitness Goals

Kelly delves into her health journey, revealing her commitment to becoming stronger and more energetic to keep up with her children:

Kelly [07:56]: "I really want to feel strong, you know? Like, I'm craving that feeling and I'm just so excited to..."

She shares practical steps she's taking, such as incorporating daily mile runs or walks, aligning with Lizz's similar goals:

Kelly [08:39]: "We're going to run or walk one mile every day... it's gotta take us 10 minutes to run a mile or 20 minutes to walk a mile."

Lizz echoes the importance of viewing health from a holistic perspective, not just focusing on weight but overall well-being:

Lizz [07:35]: "I think we could all adopt that mindset a little bit and it would be a lot less of a toxic thing to talk about eating healthy and working out."

Their conversation underscores the challenges of maintaining fitness routines amidst parenting responsibilities and offers relatable insights for listeners striving for similar goals.

4. Family Life and Events: Liz’s 30th Birthday Party

Lizz recounts her memorable 30th birthday celebration, a 1920s-themed murder mystery dinner party hosted at her parents' house:

Lizz [14:22]: "We had a murder mystery dinner party at my parents' house. It was 1920s themed. Everyone dressed up to the nines."

She highlights the importance of organizing such events with close-knit, enthusiastic participants to ensure everyone immerses themselves in the theme:

Lizz [15:19]: "A murder mystery party will only be fun if you're with people you are very comfortable with and everyone gets fully into character."

Kelly adds personal anecdotes about participating and the humorous outcomes, reflecting on the joy and chaos that come with family gatherings:

Kelly [17:14]: "I had an absolute blast. I think that my biggest takeaway is I just cannot be, like, a yellow blonde. That's just not my color."

The sisters emphasize the value of creating lasting memories and capturing moments through photography, enhancing the familial bonds.

5. Parenting Hacks and Organizing

Kelly and Lizz share practical parenting tips inspired by their own experiences. Lizz discusses a weekly date night strategy inspired by their parents, emphasizing consistency for maintaining a healthy relationship:

Lizz [24:32]: "Having every Thursday night, every Friday night, whatever it is, having a date night scheduled forces you to get out and do something."

Kelly introduces an innovative coloring station setup inspired by a barn party, which keeps children entertained while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing environment:

Kelly [31:34]: "We had a little tray with printer paper and clicker markers. My kids didn't leave the coloring station."

They also touch on the importance of decluttering and organizing household items to reduce stress and create a more harmonious living space:

Kelly [35:00]: "I am using items like, 'Oh, what if we just used those today?'... Care creates contentment."

Their discussion offers listeners actionable strategies for managing household chaos and fostering a balanced family life.

6. Auto Industry News

As auto-industry aficionados, Kelly and Lizz transition into discussing the latest developments:

• Volkswagen Buzzes: Excitement builds around the new Volkswagen Buzz hitting dealerships, with both hosts eager to experience the vehicle firsthand:

Lizz [42:14]: "We're waiting for our local dealership to get one and then we're really, really excited about that one."

• Nissan and Honda Collaboration: They delve into the potential merger between Nissan and Honda, speculating on its impact on the global automotive landscape:

Kelly [44:05]: "Nissan and Honda, like, want to join forces... they'll become the third largest automaker in the world if they do that."

• Hyundai on Amazon: The hosts comment on Hyundai's recent move to sell cars through Amazon, initially viewing it as a marketing ploy but open to future developments:

Kelly [45:06]: "Hyundai's on Amazon. It's like a lead generator for new car dealerships."

Their analysis provides listeners with informed perspectives on significant industry shifts, reflecting their expertise and passion for automobiles.

7. Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

In wrapping up the episode, Kelly and Lizz reflect on their journey and express enthusiasm for future content. They acknowledge the challenges of balancing personal lives with their podcasting endeavors but reaffirm their commitment to delivering engaging and informative episodes:

Kelly [46:55]: "Record carpool episodes and don't take off, you lazy losers."

They hint at more auto content in upcoming episodes, promising in-depth reviews and insights once they have hands-on experience with new models:

Lizz [42:14]: "Did we ever talk about the Armada that came out? I'm excited. I'm gonna drive one of those."

The sisters conclude with a heartfelt thanks to their listeners, encouraging subscriptions and word-of-mouth promotion to grow their community:

Kelly [47:38]: "If you enjoyed riding with us, tell everybody you know, there's room in the car for everyone."

Notable Quotes

• Kelly on Investing:

  "Invest in the business, invest in people. Invest in my health, my kids, my husband, my sister. Just invest."
  [05:06]

• Lizz on Finding Routine:

  "I want routine, I want order. I want to just sort of like, figure out who I am on a day to day with two kids."
  [04:52]

• Lizz on Date Nights:

  "Having every Thursday night, every Friday night, whatever it is, having a date night scheduled forces you to get out and do something."
  [24:32]

• Kelly on Health Goals:

  "I really want to feel strong, you know? Like, I'm craving that feeling and I'm just so excited to..."
  [07:56]

• Closing Encouragement:

  "If you enjoyed riding with us, tell everybody you know, there's room in the car for everyone."
  [47:38]

Conclusion

This episode of "The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz" weaves together personal narratives, practical advice, and industry insights, offering a comprehensive look into the lives of two dynamic sisters balancing motherhood and professional passion. Whether discussing their resolutions for the year, sharing family milestones, or dissecting the latest auto news, Kelly and Lizz provide a relatable and informative experience for their listeners.