The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: A LOT GOING ON IN THE MOST MAJOR WAYS

Release Date: March 20, 2026

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.

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)

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)

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.

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.

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.