The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode Title: 40 DAYS OF LESS
Date: February 25, 2026
Hosts: Kelly Stumpe & Lizz St. John

Episode Overview

In this lively episode of The Carpool, sisters and automotive experts Kelly and Lizz dive into personal journeys of "less"—from decluttering and sugar detoxes to simplifying routines and reevaluating buying habits. The conversation is a blend of humor, self-reflection, and practical advice on living with intention, all set within the context of busy mom life. Interwoven are discussions about dinner auctions, nostalgic reality TV, shopping habits, and car advice for families. The episode's tone is candid, supportive, and often hilarious, making it an easy ride for listeners seeking both practical takeaways and relatable banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kelly’s Sugar Detox & Health Update

• Status: Kelly is on week one of her sugar-free challenge, feeling less "puffy" and noticing positive changes, though she’s experiencing health hiccups such as itchy hives and an allergist appointment set for March.
• Mind-Body Connection: Both hosts talk about the anxiety that can come with health symptoms, especially when it’s hard to differentiate actual symptoms from anxious mind games.
• Impact of Detox: Kelly finds the sugar-free experience more manageable than expected, with minimal cravings. She is glad she cut out honey and maple syrup, saying, "I can't imagine how exciting honey's gonna be." (03:26)
• Intention Behind Detox: She sees value in using a detox instead of a diet and aims to "eat a lot less sugar" after the challenge, inspired by stories from others. (03:51)
• Quote:
  “One thing about me is I’m going to figure it out because I am the CEO of my health.” – Kelly (02:39)

2. Lizz’s "40 Days of Less" Lenten Declutter Challenge

• Concept: Inspired by Lent, Lizz (with ChatGPT’s help) created the "40 Days of Less" challenge: declutter 40 areas of her home and purge 820 items over 40 days. Having categories helps her tackle overwhelming spaces, such as the infamous “cord box.” (04:11)
• Introspection: She finds it harder to purge her own belongings than her kids’, prompting reflections on emotional attachments to stuff.
• Serotonin Boosts: The hosts agree that the joy from organized spaces is deeper and longer-lasting than the fleeting high of buying new things.
• Strategic Decluttering: Lizz details how she stretches herself to meet numerical goals and faces down old clothes and sentimental items.
• Quote:
  "The serotonin boost of a clean area…It’s so much better than buying something.” – Lizz (06:23)
• Introspective Moment:
  “It’s so much easier for me to get rid of my kids stuff than my own, which is like another introspective thing that I need to like. I’m learning a lot about myself.” – Lizz (08:55)

3. Dinner Auction Tales & Fundraising Culture

• Event Recap: Kelly recounts her school’s dinner auction, navigating front-row preschool concert ticket bidding, raffle drama, and working the dessert table with her signature pushy sales tactics.
• Fundraising Comparison: The sisters reflect on the regionally-specific culture of dinner auctions, noting their effectiveness in raising money for schools—even public ones.
• Creative Auction Items: Beyond physical goods, the auction offered unique experiences like “PE teacher for a day” and “name the playground,” which fetched high prices.
• Quote:
  “You’re leaving money on the table because…parents will pay for [these experiences].” – Kelly (10:44)
• Memorable Sales Moment:
  “I was bullying everyone…I was schlepping.” – Kelly describing aggressively selling desserts (13:09)
• Perspective on “Stuff”: Kelly avoids bidding on baskets, not wanting any more things in her home during her decluttering phase.

4. Reflections on Alcohol & Changes in Priorities

• Shifting Habits: Both hosts discuss drinking less since having children, preferring to "eat their calories" instead.
• Desires & Deprivation: Kelly humorously laments missing sugary lattes during her detox, longing for extravagant specialty drinks.
• Quote:
  “The only thing I want so badly right now is… the sugariest, most delicious latte. I want something called the Teddy Graham latte. …That’s what I want.” – Kelly (17:02)

5. Reality TV Throwbacks—the America’s Next Top Model Deep Dive

• Current Watch: Kelly started the new documentary on ANTM and discusses Tyra Banks’ attempted narrative control.
• Critical Lens: Lizz is highly skeptical, criticizing Tyra’s lack of accountability amid problematic show content.
• Debate: They discuss whether showing the harsh side of modeling was an exposé or exploitation, and whether time/context excuses past behavior.
• Quote:
  "She’s not taking any accountability for it… I can sympathize with ‘it was a different time’…but she’s not even acknowledging that part of it.” – Kelly (22:12)
• Memorable Moment:
  “I saw this reel…Model tells Tyra in a private interview that her aunt died… Next episode makes her pose [with] rotisserie chicken. That’s, like, crazy stuff.” – Lizz (24:07)
• Reality TV Preferences: Lizz prefers “Love is Blind” for its authenticity compared to The Bachelor or Love Island, noting disturbing patterns of body shaming and honesty used as a shield for rude behavior in the current season (27:00–28:43).

6. “Last Three Transactions”—Consumer Choices in a Season of Less

Each host shares recent purchases and the context around them:

• Lizz: Organizer bins for home decluttering; matching pajamas for herself and her daughter from Caden Lane; a black bodycon maternity dress for an upcoming bachelorette party (29:18–33:00).

• Kelly: “Shopbop grind” for event outfits, including a bold maroon skirt; a huge set of headbands for her daughter Hattie, who’s transitioning from bows; a restock of Scrub Daddy sponges, which she now can't live without (30:00–39:08).

• Parenting Tidbit:
  Kelly discusses the challenge of finding suitable pajamas as her son George ages out of “little sleepies” into new clothing needs and their family’s humorous approach to kid fashion—especially George’s penchant for dressing up in full cowboy gear.

• Quote:
  "The chokehold that Scrub Daddies have on me is unbelievable. I can’t do dishes without them." – Kelly (38:58)

7. Car Buying Advice Q&A

Q1:

Family of Tall Parents with Baby (Considering Atlas, Ford Explorer, etc.)

• Answer:
  • “Three across machine” midsize SUVs are Honda Pilot and VW Atlas; Explorer is possible but less versatile, especially as kids move into boosters.
  • Kelly warns against over-buying "your forever car" when families are still young (one or two kids), as needs may change.
  • Ceiling vents in Atlas: nice, but not a deal breaker; prioritize bench seat and configuration over airflow because the hot months are a small window over the car’s life.
  • Suggests getting a more affordable used SUV (e.g., Explorer) for now, waiting until family grows before committing to the Atlas or Pilot (42:34–46:56).

Q2:

Mom with Tesla Model Y Considering Upgrade for Occasional Four-Kid Duty

• Answer:
  • Not essential to upgrade if the need for four kids is infrequent; possible workarounds include using husband’s truck, swapping cars with sister, etc.
  • For a luxury/near-luxury experience, recommends the Lexus TX (esp. plug-in hybrid), Grand Highlander, or Honda Pilot—if she’s open to less luxury. Odyssey minivan would be the ultimate family hauler.
  • “The TX is the most family-friendly luxury car in the midsize market right now.” – Kelly (47:45)
  • Key consideration: balance want vs. need since this is an occasional, not daily, scenario (46:58–48:50).

8. Ditch the Drive-Thru: Easy Dinner Recipe & Changing Attitudes Toward Food

• Simple Dinner:
  Kelly’s meal: Pork in the crockpot, rice, broccoli, with options for Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ for the family and salsa or sour cream for herself due to her sugar-free plan.
• Food Mindset Shift:
  Kelly reflects on how removing sugar has changed her relationship to meals:
  “Everything had to be special… Now, there’s nothing fun for dinner. It’s a meat and a vegetable. Grab a sauce if you need one.” (50:46)
• Pro tip:
  Combine salsa and sour cream for a more interesting but still sugar-free “sauce.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “One thing about me is I’m going to figure it out because I am the CEO of my health.” – Kelly (02:39)
• "I made this up really well..." – Lizz on her 40 Days of Less challenge (04:11)
• “The serotonin boost of a clean area…It’s so much better than buying something.” – Lizz (06:23)
• “You’re leaving money on the table because… parents will pay for [these experiences].” – Kelly on school fundraising auctions (10:44)
• “I was bullying everyone… I was schlepping [desserts].” – Kelly (13:09)
• “The only thing I want so badly right now is… the sugariest, most delicious latte.” – Kelly (17:02)
• "She’s not taking any accountability for it... She was trying to show the world… but then you were given the platform to change that." – Kelly on Tyra Banks and ANTM (22:12–23:29)
• “If me saying that makes me a bad person? At least I was being honest. It’s like, okay. And honestly, you are scum.” – Lizz on ‘Love is Blind’ cast members (27:59)
• “The chokehold that Scrub Daddies have on me is unbelievable. I can’t do dishes without them.” – Kelly (38:58)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Sugar Detox & Health Talk: 00:41–04:00
• Decluttering Challenge: 04:01–09:17
• Auction Stories: 09:17–16:19
• Reality TV (ANTM & Love is Blind): 20:38–28:46
• Shopping & “Last Three Transactions”: 29:09–39:08
• Parenting/Fashion Fun: 36:02–38:34
• Car Buying Advice Q&A: 41:10–48:50
• Ditch the Drive-Thru / Food Reflections: 49:00–52:53

Summary

This episode stands as a relatable blend of personal growth, mom-life hacks, sisterly humor, and approachable advice. From the laugh-out-loud saga of dinner auctions and aggressive dessert peddling to sincere reflections on consumerism and simplifying life, Kelly and Lizz continue to deliver a warm, honest, and thoroughly entertaining ride.