A LOT GOING ON IN THE MOST MAJOR WAYS

Summary

The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: A LOT GOING ON IN THE MOST MAJOR WAYS

Release Date: March 20, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this lively and candid episode, sisters and auto-industry mavens Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John catch up on the whirlwind of their lives—covering everything from social media goals and March Madness traditions to micro-hobbies, mom-life struggles, beauty routines, big car news, and family evening routines. The pair oscillate between playful banter, practical advice, and heartfelt reflections on navigating motherhood and business, while remaining true to their down-to-earth, unfiltered tone.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Updates & Micro-Hobbies

• Kelly’s Social Media Ambitions:

  • Kelly is setting a major goal to reach 100,000 TikTok followers by the start of summer, currently standing at 48,000.
    • “I want to try to be at a hundred thousand by the time my kids get out of school by the time summer starts.” (02:20, Kelly)
    • She’s experimenting with cross-platform content, uploading Instagram reels to TikTok, and enjoys the freedom to experiment without pressure.
    • “TikTok also feels so much more fun because, like, it’s... if something flops, I don’t care. Whereas, like, if something flops on Instagram, I really care.” (02:48, Kelly)

• March Madness & Sports Hobbies:

  • Both are participating in their family’s March Madness league, with Lizz’s children picking mascots based on which are the most cuddly.
  • Kelly is planning a fantasy football league for the fall and reminisces about past sports-related micro-hobbies, like fantasy professional bull riding.
    • “When I go hard on something, I go hard. Like, if I’m into it, I’m into it.” (06:50, Kelly)
    • Lizz praises Kelly’s ability to find joy in new things.

2. The Ebbs and Flows of Mom Life

• Busy Schedules and Overwhelm:

  • Lizz feels overwhelmed with work, new puppy admin, and personal tasks, expressing a desire to just get through March and April.
    • “I just feel like I’m drowning in work. I’m drowning in upcoming things going on. Like, I really just need March and April to be over, and then I can move on with my life.” (07:17, Lizz)
  • Kelly suggests a virtual assistant—a tip more for the audience than for Lizz.

• Adapting to Life’s Ups and Downs:

  • Both discuss learning to accept the “middles” and “meh days” of motherhood.
    • “Life is not up, up, up, up, up… you’ve just got to get okay with some meh days.” (08:26, Kelly)

• Transition Out of the ‘Baby Stage’:

  • Kelly shares her feelings after realizing she’s no longer a mother to babies, giving her a new perspective on parenting stages.

3. Beauty and Self-Care Routines

• Exiting the “Ugly Era”:

  • Kelly celebrates overcoming skin issues and discovering new beauty products, particularly glueless wispy eyelashes and a pigmented blush stain from Dibs.
    • “I have exited my ugly era in kind of a major way.” (00:06 & 13:01, Kelly)
    • “I’m just going to, like, try to put these on… I looked in the mirror. I’m like, I don’t even need to use mascara.” (14:25, Kelly)

• Product Recommendations:

  • Dibs blush stain (Kelly’s code: “karma” for a discount, colors: “lover girl” & “moody girl”)
    • “I think if you have blush to me, blush in a gloss goes so far.” (17:07, Kelly)
  • Glueless wispy lashes—no exact name provided, but Kelly promises to share on social media.

• Funny Beauty Confessions:

  • Kelly admits to sleeping in the lashes to test longevity.
  • Lizz worries about shopping for maternity outfits, dreading in-person shopping under fluorescent lights.

4. Business Tools and Content Creation

• Meta Glasses Purchase:
  • Kelly buys Meta camera glasses for filming car POVs, inspired by an influencer’s multi-angle content.
    • “I should buy these glasses and I can do driving POVs… I think it’s kind of giving endless.” (22:03, Kelly)
  • They discuss the practicality and price ($350), opting for clear glasses over sunglasses for flexibility.

5. Car Talk & Industry News

• Advising on Mom Cars:

  • Lizz helps a friend who needs a hybrid, fits lots of kids, and hauls balloon arches for her business.
    • They suggest the Kia Carnival Hybrid for space, car seat friendliness, and aesthetics—nodding to the mom’s hesitation about “entering minivan life.”
    • “My only hesitation is that if I do choose the minivan, it feels like it will be like a declaration to everyone I know. Like, I’m a minivan girl.” (26:46, Lizz quoting friend)

• Kelly’s New Car Search:

  • Kelly is seeking a white Ford Expedition with a specific bench seat and black roof (not the Max edition), due to practical changes in family routines.
    • “I have put out some feelers for a car… but I have decided that I think I’m ready.” (27:49, Kelly)

• Volkswagen Atlas Update (Auto Industry Segment):

  • They discuss teaser images of the next-gen VW Atlas, analyzing its similarity to the Chinese Teramont and expressing doubts about over-design and exterior looks.
    • “I think it’s over designed. They’re kind of like losing that simplicity, that simplistic look.” (37:00, Kelly)
    • “I’m gonna plant my flag. I don’t think it’s gonna look like this Teramont.” (38:22, Lizz)
    • “I’m gonna plant my flag… I’m not gonna like the exterior as much.” (38:27, Kelly)
    • Both are excited to attend the reveal at the New York Auto Show.

6. Behind-the-Scenes: Family Evening Routines (Advice Segment)

• Listener Jen seeks advice on surviving the after-school chaos.

• Kelly’s Routine:

  • Favors staggered dinners at 4-4:30pm, not eating as a family, using kitchen time for one-on-one talks, and limiting TV until after jammies; staggered baths.
    • “I have dinner ready by 4, 4:30 at the latest. Like that’s when dinner is ready… I don’t leave the kitchen during the evening routines.” (30:14, Kelly)

• Lizz’s Routine:

  • Eats as a family (helps picky eaters), popularizes “popsicle baths” to coax kids into bathing, and enforces an “upstairs only” policy post-bath for wind-down time.

• Both admit evenings are unpredictable and encourage listeners to accept imperfection.

  • “You kind of have to give yourself a little mental check of like, okay, it’s about to go down.” (35:04, Lizz)

7. Just the Drive-Thru: Easy Dinner Recipes

• Lizz: Homemade Buffalo Wild Wings using Bear chicken nuggets and Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parm sauce.
• Kelly: Classic “chichi pie pie” (chicken pot pie) with pie crust.
  • “I’m just gonna kind of do it upright and that’s what’s for supper tonight.” (40:22, Kelly)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On micro-hobbies & passion:

  • “When I go hard on something, I go hard. Like, if I’m into it, I’m into it.” (06:50, Kelly)

• On life’s ups and downs:

  • “You’ve just got to get okay with just some meh days. I think that’s why I always like to try to have things to look forward to.” (08:46, Kelly)

• On exiting the ‘ugly era’:

  • “I am so happy to announce that I have exited my ugly era in kind of a major way.” (13:01, Kelly)

• On motherhood comparison:

  • “I’m really comparing myself to myself and who I was a few weeks ago and who I will probably be next week.” (10:00, Lizz)

• On family dinner routines:

  • “I don’t leave the kitchen during the evening routines… If the kids want time with me, if they want to talk to me… I’m in the kitchen serving food.” (30:25, Kelly)

• On car shopping identity:

  • “If I do choose the minivan, it feels like it will be like a declaration to everyone I know. Like, I’m a minivan girl.” (26:46, Lizz quoting friend)

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Segment Timestamps

• 00:06 – Kelly declares, “I have exited my ugly era in kind of a major way.”
• 01:39 – Kelly discusses becoming a TikToker and social media content strategies.
• 04:22 – March Madness family league and fantasy football plans.
• 07:17 – Lizz vents about being overwhelmed and “drowning” in work and life.
• 10:31 – Personal admin overwhelm, dog ownership, and virtual assistants.
• 12:54 – In-depth beauty segment: glueless lashes, makeup swaps, Dibs blush stain.
• 22:00 – Kelly’s purchase of Meta camera glasses for POV car content.
• 24:52 – Real-life car advice for a new mom (Kia Carnival hybrid recommendation).
• 27:49 – Kelly’s personal car search and preferences.
• 30:14 – Advice answer: Family evening routines compared.
• 35:23 – Industry news: Next-gen VW Atlas teaser & design chat.
• 39:03 – Just the Drive-Thru: Quick and easy dinner recipes.

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Summary

This episode of The Carpool brims with real-life relatability, from career ambitions and silly family sports brackets to the clutter of mom life, beauty wins, auto shopping dilemmas, and the challenge of feeding a family every night. With their signature blend of humor, empathy, and actionable advice, Kelly and Lizz deliver an honest and entertaining ride for listeners—reminding everyone that the ebbs and flows of life and motherhood are best met with laughter, flexibility, and maybe some garlic parm chicken nuggets.

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For listeners who missed this episode:
You’ll walk away with fresh dinner ideas, comfort in the chaos, new beauty tips, and a sense that even car experts and social media queens have their “meh” days, just like the rest of us.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the carpool podcast with Kelly.

[B]

Really? I'm really on the cusp of greatness over here. So I am so happy to announce that I have exited my ugly era in kind of a major way.

[A]

And Liz.

[C]

And we just got a dog, so I have to file dog paperwork and we gotta give him a vet schedule. Like, I'm literally. It's not even work. It's not even my kids. It's literally just like my personal life. My personal admin life is just like out of control right now.

[A]

Your mom time off.

[B]

Stop.

[A]

Starts now.

[B]

Welcome back to the carpool podcast with Kelly and Liz. Hi, Liz.

[C]

Hey, Kel.

[B]

You good?

[C]

Yeah, I'm still warming up.

[B]

I.

[C]

It's so cold.

[B]

Today.

[C]

We went to the St Patrick's Day parade and I have not been outside in like 35 minutes and I'm still freezing.

[B]

It's a bone chilling cold. I. I'm not comparing at all my morning to your morning, but I had to walk from a far parking spot to the coffee shop and it took me. I almost ordered a hot coffee. Like, it took me. It's. For some reason, I'm chilled to the bone. My bonus to the chill.

[C]

Yeah, no, I'm chilled to the bone. But by the time this episode comes out, this is gonna be like the most irrelevant conversation ever. Because literally Tomorrow it's like 30 degrees today. Tomorrow it's gonna be 60. It's.

[B]

You know, I kind of made like the funniest jokes, so I like, have something like, kind of crazy. I have kind of another side quest that I'm working on. A micro hobby, if you will. O. I am. And I'm like, you're gonna. People are gonna think like, I'm such. I'm such a contradict. Contrarian. But that may be true. But I believe one people can change.

[C]

And I believe.

[B]

And I also say I'm doing this for my business. I am trying to become a tiktoker. Now, I know you don't have TikTok. I just felt like I'm making the content I should be posting on multiple platforms. And I've spoken about this before because I feel like I. People are using Tik Tok as a search engine and I want them to search for me and my content because I think that my family car content is the best and the most helpful. And if that's where the families are, that's where I want to be. Okay. So I like, have gone back and forth with posting on Tik Tok. As of right Now, I have 48,000 followers on Tik Tok. Now some people, that's a lot to me. That's nothing. I. I'm setting a goal for myself because, you know, I love goals. I want to try to be at a hundred thousand by the time my kids get out of school by the time summer starts.

[C]

Oh, wow. Okay.

[B]

Yeah, it's a big goal. Yeah. So that's like end of May.

[C]

So what are your plans and steps to get there?

[B]

Well, I'm happy you asked and this is kind of why I brought this up in the first place. So first things first, I'm just like taking my reels and uploading them on TikTok. Like that's just like a boom and a boom. But Tick Tock also feels so much more fun because, like, it's. If something flops, I don't care. Whereas, like, if something flops on Instagram, I really care. Okay, so I yesterday was talking about the weather and I'm like, I have something like, kind of funny. I think it's funny to say about the weather, but like, it's not funny enough for Instagram, but like, it's either going to go viral or it's not that funny. And I'm happy that I can just like use this as a testing board.

[C]

Okay. So.

[B]

And I said like, well, it wasn't a joke. It was more just like a. So like I have cortisol issues, but I also live in the Midwest and I don't know how I'm supposed to expect my body to regulate its cortisol when the temperature is like going on a 50 degree swing in 24 hours. It was just more like a good point. Now that reel has flopped.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

But I posted something else about the seats in the Palisade and I have almost a million views, so. So I. If one's gonna be. If one's gonna go viral, I'm happy it's that one, first of all. So I just like, things are ebbing and flowing and I'm just like, I'm kind of just using it as like a thought experiment. So I don't know, follow me on TikTok. Or don't. I don't care. I'm not like, still, like, really. I'm not reading comments. That's insane. I'm not really like participating in the TikTok culture. I'm just like trying to get my good content to TikTok.

[C]

Get your good, your hilarious weather jokes to the right people.

[B]

Exactly, exactly. So, yeah, just kind of like micro hobby alert. Speaking of micro hobbies, we Are the Sun Trip. Now I'm in two March Madness leagues. The suntrip fam started our own. And I'm really excited about it.

[C]

I'm excited about it, too. Both my. Everyone in my family did it. So I went through all of the mascots with James and I said, you want this guy or this guy? James so fittingly actually has the Mizzou Tigers winning because he's really into tigers right now. And I thought it was going to be like, the Long Island Sharks. Like, the Sharks make it really far in James's world. I think it's Long Island. I don't know. There's a random shark. Sloan's is based on which one looks the most cuddly. Like, which one you wouldn't want to snuggle the most. And so that actually has Alabama winning with their elephant.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

And I just kind of, like, went really quickly and randomly picked one. And I have. I have Duke winning. Okay.

[B]

You know, I'm like, so fun. It feels like gambling.

[C]

Well, it is. Yeah.

[B]

I guess it is kind of like gambling. Like, I. It just feels like we're playing the lottery. Like, I'm just guessing. Tyler was being a bit of a grinch, and I was like, fill out your bracket. Fill out your bracket. He's like, I don't want to do it. So I just went and I did random generator on his bracket. Perfect. So he is random generator. And I did not do Fred and Libby. But, like, I'm already. Now I'm managing four brackets.

[C]

That feels like you're managing a lot. I didn't. I. I thought it was cute that your kids did one. So it's like, all of my kids do they. They won't care. Like, your kids are gonna be into it. Mine aren't.

[B]

Yeah. I'm just, like, really excited about this. We need more things like this in sports.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Well, I think I'm actually. I don't know if I've made this announcement, but, like, a huge micro hobby I have coming up this fall is I am going to do a fantasy football league.

[C]

You haven't announced that. Who are you in a fantasy football league with?

[B]

With my friends.

[C]

Oh, okay.

[B]

My friends or by where I live. We've chatted.

[C]

Okay. We've chatted about it. That's a good idea.

[B]

Yeah. Maybe you can do it.

[C]

Kelly has always, her entire life been trying to just like, she. She's always been like this. Kelly made me and all of her friends create fantasy professional bull riding teams in high school, which is a thing that exists and Then when they came. When the PBR came to St. Louis, she had us all get shirts made with different bull riders last names on the back. Like, we had to get them custom made because they don't exist. I guess we all wore the. Those.

[B]

When I go hard on something, I go hard. Like, if I'm into it, I'm into it.

[C]

No, it's a good. It's. It's a good thing to be. You really find the joy in the little things. And I have a passion. I think that's important.

[B]

Yeah, I'm a passionate person. So anyway, all to say, currently, for me, it's coming up Tick Tock and March Madness. That's what I have going on in, like, the most major ways.

[C]

Okay, That's a lot.

[B]

Yeah. What do you have going on in, like, the most major ways?

[C]

I'm just like, I'm so busy. I don't know. I just feel like I'm drowning in work. I'm drowning in upcoming things going on. Like, I really just need March and April to be over, and then I can move on with my life. I am kind of drowning right now.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

And like, you want to dive into a kind of way or like, in a. You want to.

[C]

No, I don't know. And like a. And it's a frustrating kind of way where it's like two weeks ago, though, I was like, I can do anything. Maybe it's the puppy. Maybe the puppy is adding a level. No, I just. I don't feel like I can start anything new right now. So, like, I did fill out a bracket, but, like, I can't. I'm not gonna be watching it very closely. Like, I just don't think I can really take any on anything else right now.

[B]

That's.

[D]

Elizabeth.

[B]

That's fine. This is. I think it's a set it and forget it kind of thing.

[C]

No, for sure. Yeah. We'll just, like, see what happens. And like, a game's on. We'll see.

[B]

I just have really learned, like, in my life and in my motherhood journey. Like, you've just got to get uncomfortable in the ebbs and the flows.

[C]

Yeah. Okay. Talk to me about that.

[B]

Well, like, there's just always going to be ups and downs.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And like, life is not ups. Like, life is not up, up, up, up, up. Life is a lot of ups. A lot of life lifes are some ups, some downs in a lot of just middles. And I just think, like, you gotta get okay with just some meh days. I think that's why I always like to try to have things to look forward to.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

To, like, get me through my meh days or my meh seasons. But sometimes it's not as. Like. Sometimes you don't need to, like, fix anything or, like, get more organized, and it's like, you just need to kind of write, like, ride it out.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You know?

[C]

Yeah. No, maybe.

[B]

I had such an interesting. This past weekend. I. I was around. I was around two babies, and Libby was also there. So it was the one of the first times that, like, I had been around babies when I didn't have the baby. Like, I don't have a baby anymore.

[C]

You're not pregnant. One is not coming.

[B]

Like, one's not coming. I'm not nursing. I'm not trying to keep things, like, one's not crawling like it was a toddler. It was so interesting to, like, see this mother with her baby and be like, oh, yeah. No, Like, Libby's. Like, George's watching Libby. Like, they're in the other room. Like, it was just a very strange and very exciting.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And very exciting. But I don't know. I just think you've got to ebb and flow. I think you really. I mean, I know we know this, but, like, you cannot compare yourself to anybody.

[C]

I'm really comparing myself to myself and who I was a few weeks ago and. And who I will probably be next week. It's just like. You know what it is, is I have, like, so much, like, ad. Personal admin stuff going on. Like, taxes are due, so I'm sitting here, like, working on tax stuff. And we just got a dog, so I have to file dog paperwork, and we got to give them a vet schedule. Like, I'm literally. It's not even work. It's not even my kids. It's literally just, like, my personal life. My personal admin life is just, like, out of control right now.

[B]

I know you're gonna say no to this, but maybe to somebody else listening, they'll say yes to this. So that's why I'm gonna say it.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Why don't you get a va?

[C]

Because, like, they can't do my taxes. And it's like, I don't think they can help. I don't think I'm quite there, because I don't think I'm there.

[B]

I knew you were gonna say no. That's fine. I knew it wasn't gonna be for you, but just to, like, somebody else, the other working moms. I just really think sometimes people don't realize VAs are sensor virtual assistant. They can work as little or many hours like you decide or it's mutually agreed upon. And I fought it for so long having Mattie help me with personal things, and now I use Mattie all the time. I don't think I have.

[C]

I don't. I don't think I have as many personal things going on. Like, I don't have school emails. I have to read. Like, it's really. It's really not that much. It's just like all feeling like a lot in this moment. And like, I have to find outfits for things, which is like, ugh.

[B]

Oh, I hate finding outfits for things.

[C]

I have so many things I have to find outfits for.

[B]

Like, for our upcoming events.

[C]

Our upcoming events. My friend's bachelorette party. And then our brother and Charlotte's engagement party is coming up and it's derby themed. Luckily, I have a hat, but I need to find a dress I'm probably

[B]

gonna outfit repeat for the third time.

[C]

Well, mine, Mine. A, was around the Runway and B, won't fit me anymore.

[B]

Okay. I feel like kind of a crazy idea what to kind of help with your outfit situation.

[C]

Okay. What if

[B]

we went in person shopping?

[C]

They don't sell maternity clothes in store anywhere. Not even Target. I don't think you need maternity.

[B]

I think. I don't think you need maternity. I think you need. I think you need flexible clothing for

[C]

my friend special party. I do need a maternity swimsuit, but that feels like an Amazon order away.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Maybe we could for like a dress for the. For the party.

[B]

The party and some of the speaking.

[C]

Yeah, but trying clothes on and fluorescent lighting. You already know. I'm like on a mental breakdown. You're gonna. That's gonna be my final straw. I appreciate you trying to help. I'm fine. I'm fine.

[B]

I really am trying to help.

[C]

I know, I know. And I'm fine. And sometimes I just like, need to not it does there. No solution needs to be had. I just need to get through it.

[B]

Well, I have really. I'm really on the cusp of greatness over here. So I am so happy to announce that I have exited my ugly era in kind of a major way. I had been kind of stuck in it for a minute there, mainly because I was breaking out in hives, which I have since.

[C]

Doesn't help.

[B]

Not been broken out in hives. So that's been like just a huge W. So like, already I'm in the same way. People, like, acknowledge and they don't have a sore throat. I'm Acknowledging the fact I don't have hives on my face right now. And I'm like, really, like, riding that into the sunset.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

But I was following this girl on TikTok and she is so beautiful. And she has these beautiful eyelashes. And I'm like, I still write a comment like, what mascara do you? She goes, oh, I just use these, like, fake eyelashes. And, like, she just puts them on every day.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

And I was like, okay, I'm not sure I'm ready to do that. But I'm always looking for. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm doing a beauty shop where I share a recent beauty swap. I'm always looking just to, like, find my level two makeup. Like, I have a good level one, you know, I've got my everyday. But if someone's like, hey, let's go out. Like, I'm not reaching. I don't know how to do a smoky eye. Like, I don't have. I don't have level two, you know,

[C]

so eyelashes help. I feel like, fake eyelashes, that's a good level, too.

[B]

So I was perusing Target and they had these. I don't know the exact name of them, but I'll try to find them on Insta or try to post them on Instagram. And they were these glueless, like, little wispies. So it's not a full lash. It's like you kind of, like, choose your own adventure.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

But it was glueless and they can, like, you can use them up to four times, which I think is crazy. Like, I think that feels.

[C]

That doesn't feel right.

[B]

But they weren't that expensive. And I went home and I'm like, I'm just going to, like, try to put these on. So I put on two on each eyelash. They were so easy to put on. Like, you. They give you a little tweezer. You just take it and put your eyelash like this. You go boom, boom. Like they're on. I looked in the mirror. I'm like, I don't even need to use mascara like this. I'm not gonna. I. If I. So if I wanted to go level two, I would add mascara.

[C]

Oh.

[B]

But I'm like, what if I just don't add mascara? And what if I just get a live my day without mascara on? So I did that.

[C]

You have them on right now?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Can't even tell.

[B]

Good.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, it's not a lot. I'm just, like, wondering. I just am. It's just been, like, kind of a blind spot for me on my beauty Routine. And I just think, like, it's kind of something, like, I'm hoping to learn to master within the coming months. Like, I want to have a real. And I'm just like, I'm not gonna do the lash extensions. Like, I just. I don't have the time to sit. I don't want to spend the money on that. I'm not doing the lash extensions. But, like, what if I could just throw on a lash

[C]

and go.

[B]

And if. I think if I don't add the mascara, I could maybe reuse them.

[C]

Is this your first day wearing them?

[B]

Well, I have a confession.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Last night, I washed my face, and, like, they didn't come off.

[C]

Do you slept?

[B]

So I slept. They're still on today.

[C]

It's kind of impressive.

[B]

Like, it's. But, like.

[C]

And I.

[B]

And I got up and went, that's kind of crazy.

[C]

The problem for me is lashes sometimes, like, make me feel so tired because they're, like, heavy on your eyes, Elizabeth.

[B]

I know these ones are not. Like, I'm telling you, I slept. I woke up. I'm like, they're intact. They're intact, and I did not mess her today. Now I am going to take them off tonight. I promise. But I don't know now. Okay, I'll let you. I'll keep you posted if I get pink eye. But I don't really know why I would.

[C]

I don't. I don't know why you would either. I think you're probably in the clear.

[B]

And then my next thing is, like, I talked to us on my Instagram, but dibs has come out with this new. I'm gonna butcher their name. And they, like, when I get the names right, it's like a blush stain. So, like, think like that. That, like, lip stain, but for your cheeks.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Proceed with caution because it is so pigmented, but when you nail it, like, I have it on today, it looks

[C]

really good right now.

[B]

It will be the last thing off my. Like, my lashes will fall off before this blush does. It does not move.

[C]

And, like, I put on my dibs blush stick today. And then, like, I went out to the parade and stuff. And, like, it doesn't look like I have blush on anymore.

[B]

No, this it. And I love blush. And I think if you have blush to me, blush in a gloss goes so far.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So if I have blush on all day, not moving, I'll reapply my gloss. My fake lashes are still on. Like, I'm telling you, I have exited the ugly era. Here I am.

[C]

Okay, well, you look good, kid.

[B]

I'm feeling good.

[C]

Good. I'm happy.

[B]

I'm feeling really good. So I just wanted to share that. Oh, my code for dibs.

[C]

I believe it's karma.

[B]

I know it's karma. I think it's only for 10 off now. But I like lover girl and moody girl.

[C]

Those are colors.

[B]

Those are the colors.

[C]

Okay. Love it.

[B]

And I like the little brush they sell it with too. But I'm just telling you like, like however much you think you need, cut it in half and then cut that in half again. Like I'll literally never have to buy it again.

[C]

Oh, wait, what are you talking about? Like, how are you applying it?

[B]

It's like a lipstick. So like you squeeze or like a lip gloss so you squeeze a little out and you take the brush and then you go. But like that's too much. Like you have to be so careful because. What? It's not very forgiving. Where I feel like the dipstick is like idiot proof. Patty could apply a dipstick. This takes some concentration.

[C]

Okay, that's. That's very good context. Yeah.

[D]

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[B]

R P O O L. Okay, something else. So Elizabeth and I, we, we used to work in person a lot together, but it's just kind of like the least efficient way to work together. Because when we work together, we, it's not that we don't work like we do work, but a lot of it could be a one person job that we're turning into a two person job.

[C]

I think really what a lot of it is is like you wanted just. You just like didn't want to be alone or like didn't want to do it alone. So you would ask me to come and do it with you, but then that put me behind on like things that I doing and we're just like, kelly, maybe you just need to do some of this stuff without me.

[B]

I don't know if it was all my fault though. But yeah, I see what you're saying.

[C]

Well, you, I mean, I wasn't going to be like, no, like at the end of the day you are kind of like my boss. So if you say you need me to help you with this video then or ad, then you need me.

[B]

Yes, well, and there is a level of emotional support that I, that first of all, I do need to be the karma. I mean anyone, I mean it's, it's, it's an emotionally taxing job some days. But also say is I'm learning how to film without Elizabeth. Just like, so I get her the content. Like, we're learning how to do it. So I made kind of an insane business purchase.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

And it all starts back with home begins with love. First of all, she's still one of my favorite Instagram followers to this follows to this day. Like, I want to get her back on the podcast. She was just. I love following her 10 out of 10 recommend. And she was prepping for dinner and she was making a video and she's like, you have two perspectives on this. My iPhone and my meta glasses that's recording her making, chopping the salad. And it was such a good POV to like see her chopping, see her in her kitchen. And then I'm thinking I'm like in this Lincoln Navigator and I'm like, this car is so beautiful. Like sitting in the driver's seat with the big screens and like the beautiful dash. It is so stunning and it's just not translating when I'm holding it down here with my iPhone. I'm like, I should buy these glasses and I can do driving POVs. I could do install car. I could have the two camera set angles and then do like installing a car seat and showing that I could do like a Come with me to the auto show. Like, I think it's kind of giving endless.

[C]

Yeah, they weren't as expensive as I thought they were going to be. I thought they were going to be at least like 500.

[B]

I agree. They were 350. Now I went so back and forth if I should get the glasses or the sunglasses. Oh, I went for the glasses.

[C]

I think that was the right call.

[B]

I think it was the right call too.

[C]

I think.

[B]

Yeah, I know.

[C]

Because if you're gonna do like when you're driving,

[B]

well, I don't wear sunglasses.

[C]

Okay, well, I think you're fine.

[B]

No, that's not true. I mean, I wear sunglasses when I drive, I guess, but like, I don't need to, I don't need to film the 30 minute drive. Like, I'm just trying to know.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, I think, I think you made the right call.

[B]

So I'm very anxious to get them in and just kind of like see where the wind takes me.

[C]

I'm excited to know someone with meta glasses. I just feel like that's a. That's cool thing.

[B]

Yeah. Kind of same like, and I'm not gonna, I'm like, let me be so clear, like one thing about me. I will not ever like use them in like a meta way. Like I'm trying to enter the metaverse.

[C]

Is that what people use them for?

[B]

Well, yeah, I don't think everyone's just like filming their life. I think they're trying to like do their emails on meta.

[C]

Right.

[B]

What is meta?

[C]

Meta's Facebook.

[B]

I don't know, Elizabeth. I'm just using them for the camera quality.

[C]

Okay, perfect.

[B]

So stay tuned. Okay, stay tuned.

[C]

So we have a non related car advice question, but before we get to that, I want to go through like this really interesting conversation that I had with a friend of mine who is in need of a new car. She just became a mom three months ago. She lives like two hours from St. Louis, so has to kind of like drive into St. Louis a lot. So she wants a hybrid just because they need good gas mileage and she wants like three to four kids. And she's like, she can't do her car. Like she's always driving in St. Louis. She has so much stuff always with her for her baby. And she's like, what should I get?

[B]

And she has a balloon. And she has a balloon business.

[C]

She has a balloon arch business too. So she like is bringing these like huge blown up balloon arches. So I was talking to her and I'm like, I think like, I have the Kia Carnival hybrid. I think you probably need to get the Kia Carnival hybrid. So she came and she looked at my car, but she was struggling so much with the. She's like the old. My only hold up is the fact that like it's a Minivan and I'm 32 years old. Like, I understand I'm like the age to get a minivan, but I don't feel like I should be at the age to get a minivan. And she was really. And she's only been a mom for three months. I really couldn't relate to this sentiment because it feels like. So sorry. James is crying outside my room. He's fine.

[B]

That's okay. I just was wondering if it was one of mine.

[C]

No, it's James. He's like recently discovered where my office is in our house and so whatever. Anyway, I just want to talk about kind of we need an office space anyway. A sentiment that I can't relate to because I'm like loving my minivan life. But I have also been a mom for several years that it's kind of a pill that I've swallowed.

[B]

Yeah, I think it's interesting for the moms who find themselves car shopping for the first time, Moms who find themselves car shopping who are using their brains and realizing like they want more kids, they know their family's going to grow. But like, it does. It sets. It's such that dramatic jump from like the car when they were like a hot, young, single thing to like a minivan. Like it's, it's enough to give you whiplash.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

It's kind, it's a lot, it's a lot to take on.

[C]

I asked her if she would do like another series with us, kind of like we did with Merrick, and she was like, yes. Like, literally my only hesitation is that if I do choose the minivan, it feels like it will be like a declaration to everyone I know. Like I'm a minivan girl.

[B]

Yeah. That's like so crazy. I think she kind of needs to. I think she's let a little that go.

[C]

I know. I'm really trying to just like remember, like she has literally only been a mom for three months though.

[D]

Well, it.

[B]

Here's why it's hard because you actually don't need the minivan for a three month old.

[C]

You don't need them. And she could keep doing what she's doing right now, but it is time to get a new car.

[B]

She needs a new car. She needs better. So anyway, one of the reasons we recommended that Carnival was because it can be a hybrid and it's very car seat friendly and three to four kids is. I mean, that's a lot of kids in a car. So I, I think it's in, in Sienna's out of budget, so I think it's really the obvious choice. But this is also a scenario where I know she doesn't. She drives too much to probably lease. Yeah. She probably just needs to get over it.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

And yeah, she drives just so many miles. I know. I think she probably will. And I was like, you know what if you are like, I personally think this is the best looking minivan. So if you're gonna get one, this is the snazziest one. Like she's gonna get a higher trim. I'm like, get a beautiful color on the exterior and just go with it.

[B]

I kind of have like a major update on my end too.

[C]

What?

[B]

I have put out some feelers for a car.

[C]

Oh,

[B]

well, obviously an expedition. Yeah. But like I want a white expedition with the bench seat. I want the black roof. So it's like a black roof with a white body. I think it will help like tie in the black tailgate. Better. Platinum. The craziest thing though, is I'm not. You guys are gonna freak when I say this. I'm not gonna get the max. I know.

[C]

I think we've talked about this already.

[B]

Have we?

[C]

How? You have. You don't think you need the max. Yeah, we've talked about this because you. Because Tyler drives all the time.

[B]

Well, and now that we have the. Yeah. The more context, like, yeah, Tyler. Tyler drives his truck all the time. Now that everyone knows that we also have the au pair, like, or she drives. And so, like, we just don't need that trunk space. And I have a navigator press card this week. Short wheel base. And let me tell you, like, it's enough for me.

[C]

Yeah,

[B]

it's enough for me. The stroller part's gonna be tough, but, like, I'm really almost out of the double stroller phase.

[C]

Yeah, I'm sorry, I'm like, sweating right now. Like, both my kids are crying. Maddie's like, wrangling a dog. I'm sorry. I'm sweating.

[B]

So anyway, I decided not to do the max.

[C]

I.

[B]

There's not. I mean, if anyone's looking for an expedition, you know how hard the bench seats are to find. So I don't have one yet, but I have decided that I'm. That I think I'm ready. So. Pretty jazzed about it. Pretty jazzed. I really want a white car.

[C]

I'm excited for you. I hope you. You find it.

[B]

I will.

[C]

Okay. Okay, back to the advice. The non car related advice question. This comes from Jen. Hi, Kelly and Liz. I wanted to say how much I adore your podcast. I've never missed an episode. You guys are hilarious. I wanted to get some insight on your evening routines. I have. I think she has a typo. She says, I have one kids, five and three. Oh, she has two kids, five and three. And it feels like such chaos between getting home from school at 3:30 and bedtime. Do you eat dinner as a family or feed the kids separately? When do you squeeze in baths, playtime or. Or some TV downtime? No matter how I manipulate our schedule, it never works. Thanks in advance or thanks for your advice.

[B]

Do you. Would you like me to start or do you want to start?

[C]

I just think. I just think it's a. Interesting question. And I think other people would also be interested to know other people's like, evening routines. But you can. You can start.

[B]

Well, similar to how we were talking about earlier. It's a ride. What is this? It's a ride. And Some evenings go better than others. Like they do not all look the same. Even if our situation doesn't change, like even if we're just home two nights in a row, sometimes it's good, sometimes it's not. Some major shifts that I've made that have helped one, we do not all eat dinner at the same time. I personally am not, personally am not of the belief where I like, I want to feed kids when they're hungry, I feed them as soon as possible. Like we don't do after school snacks, we do a 4 o' clock dinner. I have dinner ready by 4, 4:30 at the latest. Like that's when dinner is ready. So when you are hungry, I will make you a plate. I don't leave the kitchen during the evening routines. Like three to five. I'm in the kitchen the whole time. So I'm either like finishing up work, I'm cooking, I'm prepping, like so if the kids want time with me, if they want to talk to me, if they want to decompress about their day, I'm in the kitchen serving food to anyone who is sitting. Now I actually love not all eating dinner as a family for the ages that my kids are now. I could see how when they are older I will want us to sit down. But right now, if we were all, if everyone was to sit down, we would not, I would not have like meaningful conversations with, with, with the kids one on one like I do. So it works for me. Now Libby, now Fred, George and Hattie are playing. They're normally playing outside downstairs. We don't really, we don't do TV until jammies are on and like before bed. So like we don't do any sort of TV during that time unless it's a really, really bad day. And I feel like they need like 20 minutes to just like shut their brains off before like from school. Then sometimes I'll allow them to watch like something low stimulating to get together. I also really like to, I'm kind of getting on a emphasis on screen time. I don't, we do screen time in our family but whenever possible I like them to watch screen time together because I think that has like some sort of, at least that has like some sort of bonding and interact interaction. Like there's not a world where like all three of my kids are like watching something different on like a tablet or a tv. Like we are watching one thing as a family. So anyway, back to my eating routine. So I'm just kind of like making food. Oh, so then Libby's just normally in her high chair. Like I'm feeding her very slowly or she's just like literally on my hip normally annoying me. But for the most part I try to stay in the kitchen and the kids kind of just free play. Once we have dinner wrapped up, we kind of do. We give, we bathe kids every other night. So normally like the boys take a bath, the girls take a bath. That's kind of like a newer thing for us, but it's just kind of what's worked lately. I think that's helpful. And then I get their jammies on. We get everyone's jammies on. I put them in their bed, I put them in the sun room, they watch a little tv, I quickly clean the kitchen and then we go to bed.

[C]

Yeah, I have like a totally different approach. It's funny because like it just totally depends on your kids. And also I only have two kids. So like I love what you said about getting able to talk with each of your kids at different times. We do all eat together, but that is because since my kids I've noticed our pickier eaters. Eating as a family encourages them to eat more. So I do find eating together helps for us. Another thing that has been like really life changing for us is popsicle baths. At the age of my kids who maybe need to be tempted to go like, or know that like getting in the bath is going to be fun and it's going to be an activity, we do a popsicle bath which is just where you give them a popsicle in the bath and it kind of encourages them to eat their dinner and from there like once. So we have a two story house and I think this is kind of key for me. Like once we're upstairs after baths, we're not going back downstairs because upstairs is like wind down time. So we're, we're up, we're here for the night, we're gonna play in our rooms. Maybe they'll watch TV in my bed and we're not. The lights are low. As far as cleaning the kitchen goes, when I try and get that done, I mean my husband's really helpful so like he'll hang out with the kids upstairs while I clean the kitchen. I'll, I'll try and, or I'll do it after bedtime or sometimes I'll like let them watch Will James like watch TV in my bed while I clean the kitchen. I. Evenings have gotten easier for us lately, but I will say like you

[D]

know, 4 o', clock, 3:30 rolls around,

[C]

you kind of have to like give yourself a little mental check. Of like okay, it's about to go down.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And just like know that things might, might go off the handles. But like you, you got, you gotta get your head in the game. Yeah. So that's, that's our evening routine.

[B]

Okay. Well are you ready for industry news where I spell the hot tea going on in the auto industry?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. Not like kind of all crickets. I think everyone's just like kind of not really doing anything for a while. But we got another like teaser photo of the Atlas. So this is a story from Auto Evolution. It says the 2027 Volkswagen Atlas teased again at the New York International Auto Show. Update. We did get invited to the event so we will be there. So we will be able to bring you that hard hitting drama. Now the photo they've released is just this like pixelated esque tail light. See that? But what's interesting is this has really put people into a tizzy because they're saying that like this tail light looks very similar to, To the, to the Chinese version of the Atlas which is called the Terramount Pro which looks like this. So they're saying it's a. This is the, this is basically the Chinese Atlas which I didn't really realize it was there. So it says the tail lights a match. Which makes sense because the terror mount directly above sold in China is an Atlas but built for that market. The current generations are identical but this new one seems like it will continue that trend. So then people have been like pulling up a lot of pictures of the Teramont specifically on the interior. They do think the interior will, will look different. Maybe not quite as I'll say the word designed, but kind of gives us an idea of like what the layout could be.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Now first glance, I mean the tail light did nothing for me because it's just like a pig slated tail light. I don't really think the Terra Mont is a very attractive looking car. I'm actually not liking the exterior of this car at all. I think it's very busy. I think it's, I think the grill looks bad. I think it's a lot of plastic. So I'm actually hoping. I think, I think it's, I think it's over designed. They're kind of like losing that simplicity, that simplistic look. And the Atlas is a very, the Atlas body lines are just very aggressive. Like it's what I would describe, wouldn't serve it as a boxy car. I would describe it as more of like A muscular. More. More contours found on that vehicle. Like the Atlas is not a box, whereas like some of the other cars are. So I'm a little worried about. I don't like how this looks.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

So we'll have to see how much they adapted it for the American market. And yeah, I'm really excited to see it. We gotta figure out. Speaking of things, we need an outfit for. What do you wear to an Atlas reveal?

[C]

Gosh. Just need to add more to my plate. Forgot that I have to pack for New York. Don't expect much for me. Okay. The Spanx jumpsuit is what I will probably be in.

[B]

You look so cute in one.

[C]

Thank you so much.

[B]

So that's kind of industry news.

[C]

I'm gonna plant my flag. And I don't think it's gonna look like this teramont.

[B]

I'm gonna plant my flag in I foreign. I'm gonna play. My flag is that I'm not gonna like the exterior as much.

[C]

I think I'm gonna lie. I think we're gonna like the exterior.

[B]

I hope we do. I really hope we do. I really hope we do.

[C]

Volkswagen. I've. I really liked what Volkswagen has done in the. In the past.

[B]

Well. And I really like the new Tiguan. Yeah.

[C]

So I'm not. I'm really not worried. I'm excited.

[B]

And now it's time for just the drive through. We give you an easy dinner recipe to mix it up to get you out of your dinner rut.

[C]

Here's what I'm about to go make because my kids are having chicken nuggets for lunch. I'm going to take some bear chicken nuggets and I'm going to toss them in my Buffalo Wild wings. Chicken parm.

[B]

You said garlic parm. You said you wanted to get rid of this.

[C]

You know, it's just. It's something I have. And I am going to make Buffalo wild wings at home today.

[B]

That is so good. Bpd.

[C]

So good. Good. But it's so expensive. And for literally boneless wings. It's that expensive. And you can buy any of their sauces.

[B]

Yeah. So why is it so expensive?

[C]

Why? And it's like shockingly expensive. I wish I had some celery. But I do have some carrots and ranch. And I'm just gonna like.

[B]

I.

[C]

You know what I wish I had was a cardboard tray is what I really wish I had to, like, get the full experience. But that's what I'm gonna go have for lunch right now.

[B]

That sounds so tasty. We are having a classic in the Stumpy household. We're having a. Because it's like the last cold day at the time of this recording, and we are having a chichi pie pie.

[C]

Kelly, I literally instacarted the ingredients for chichi pie pie this morning and it was too early, so the rotisserie chickens weren't out. So I'm. I'm pivoting and I'm not making that tonight, but I'm making that this week.

[B]

Yep, we're having a good old fashioned chichi pie pie, and I'm very excited about it.

[C]

Are you doing biscuits or pie crusts?

[B]

Pie crusts.

[C]

Okay. Yum.

[B]

Yep. Pie crust. I'm just gonna kind of do it upright and that's what's for supper tonight. So thank you guys so much for listening to the Carbo podcast. Sorry we're a little all over the place today, but the most important thing is we got an episode in your ear, which, yeah, is all we can really ask for these days. So, you guys, here's your. Here's your assignment. Have an amazing weekend, and we will see you podcasters on Wednesday. Love ya.

[C]

Bye.

[A]

Thank you for listening to the carpool podcast with Kelly and Liz. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode. And if you enjoyed riding with us, tell everybody you know there's room in the car for everyone.