The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz: "ARE WE THE NEXT BLIPPI?" Episode Summary

Release Date: January 16, 2025
Hosts: Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John
Podcast: The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz by The Car Mom LLC / tentwentytwo Projects

The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz episode titled "ARE WE THE NEXT BLIPPI?" delves into a variety of engaging topics ranging from the evolving landscape of social media content creation to personal insights on motherhood, upcoming events, and automotive industry news. Hosted by sisters Kelly and Lizz, both seasoned auto-industry experts and content creators, this episode blends lighthearted conversation with substantive discussions, making it a must-listen for automotive enthusiasts and busy parents alike.

1. Navigating Instagram’s Changing Landscape

[02:15 - 05:35]

Kelly and Lizz kick off their conversation by addressing significant shifts in Instagram’s content creation dynamics. As content creators with a substantial following, they express their observations and frustrations with the platform's evolving algorithms and user behavior.

Kelly reflects on the decline of polished in-feed content:

“When Instagram started, the photo that you would place had to look nice next to the last photo you placed. That is so far gone out the window, it's not even funny.” [04:07]

Lizz shares her mixed feelings about the shift:

“I have so many thoughts and it's probably more of like an offline business chat, but I just can't believe how from a creator standpoint, Instagram feels.” [03:02]

They discuss the challenge of maintaining aesthetic consistency versus embracing more casual, spontaneous posts. Both agree that while story content remains strong, the feed has become less predictable and more challenging to navigate.

2. Consistency in Podcasting and Personal Lives

[05:35 - 11:20]

Transitioning from social media woes, Kelly and Lizz highlight the importance of consistency in podcasting compared to other podcasters who may take extended breaks. They pride themselves on maintaining regular episodes despite the demands of motherhood.

Lizz emphasizes their dedication:

“Other podcasters, they come on for a 10 episode series season and then they skirt for three months. Not your girls. We'll do it with a baby on our teeth. We don't care.” [01:49]

They share snippets of their personal lives, including recent family trips and the challenges of balancing work with parenting. This segment underscores their commitment to their audience and the podcast, regardless of personal circumstances.

3. Upcoming Event: Monster Jam and Creative Content Ideas

[11:20 - 19:23]

A significant portion of the episode focuses on their excitement for attending Monster Jam, a premier monster truck event. Lizz reveals her plans to attend with her children and even secure a behind-the-scenes tour to create engaging content for their followers.

Lizz discusses her proactive approach:

“I DM'd them on Instagram, and I was like, hey, I'm going. I'm the car on my review cars rounds. And for families, is there any way I could get a tour of a monster truck to create some content to my 568,000 followers.” [13:12]

They brainstorm ideas to tap into the kid-friendly market, considering creating specialized content that appeals to both children and parents. This includes potential videos featuring monster trucks and leveraging their automotive expertise to engage a broader audience.

Kelly muses on content diversification:

“Maybe if we say something funny, we'll clip it. Clip it in the meaning that we will edit it and post it on social media.” [06:01]

The hosts contemplate expanding their reach by incorporating more playful and less polished content, aiming to resonate with their diverse listener base.

4. Exploring New Content Avenues: Kid-Focused Videos

[19:23 - 21:04]

Building on their Monster Jam plans, Kelly and Lizz explore the idea of creating content specifically tailored for children. They reference the popular children’s entertainer Blippi as inspiration and consider developing similar engaging and educational videos featuring monster trucks.

Lizz envisions targeting their demographic:

“What if we tried to dip our toe into the kid market on YouTube?” [19:19]

They discuss the potential benefits of creating kid-friendly content, such as fostering a new audience segment and providing valuable entertainment for families. This segment highlights their innovative approach to content creation and willingness to adapt to audience needs.

5. Motherhood and the Perpetual Guilt

[17:55 - 25:43]

A heartfelt segment where Kelly and Lizz delve into the emotional aspects of motherhood, particularly the pervasive sense of guilt that accompanies parenting decisions. They share personal anecdotes about balancing work, personal fulfillment, and family responsibilities.

Lizz opens up about her experiences:

“The idea of guilt as a mom is just something you have to get comfortable with. You can't escape the guilt.” [23:10]

Kelly echoes similar sentiments:

“I feel like some moms are like, oh, I'm just a stay-at-home mom. Like, they don't like that answer. I don't like being the answer that like, I'm a working mom either.” [24:21]

The sisters discuss strategies for coping with guilt, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and recognizing that every mother's situation is unique. They encourage their listeners to prioritize their well-being and make decisions that align with their family's needs, free from external judgments.

6. Automotive Industry Insights: Tesla Model Y Redesign

[33:57 - 37:20]

Shifting gears, Kelly and Lizz provide updates on the automotive industry, focusing on the highly anticipated redesign of the Tesla Model Y. They analyze the changes and their implications for Tesla's market position.

Liz comments on the redesign:

“The Tesla Model Y redesign is a little bit more meat and potato... it definitely still looks like a Tesla, but it's adopting more of what every other EV is trying to do with like the one bar in front.” [34:07]

They compare the redesign to trends among other electric vehicle manufacturers, noting that while Tesla maintains its distinctive look, the updates align with broader industry aesthetics. The discussion includes reactions from automotive publications and public perception, highlighting the importance of design evolution in maintaining Tesla's competitive edge.

7. Used Car Shopping Tips: Insights from the Car Mom Blog

[37:30 - 43:43]

Lizz introduces a blog post from The Car Mom website centered on finding reliable family cars within a $600 monthly budget. She shares valuable tips for used car shopping, emphasizing the advantages of pre-owned vehicles over new ones.

Lizz elaborates on the blog’s recommendations:

“We give you like some good cars to try to look at within that space... you are in the pre-owned market.” [40:08]

Key takeaways include:

• Utilizing Vehicle History Reports: Understanding a car's past is crucial for making informed decisions.
• Certified Pre-Owned Options: These often come with warranties, providing added security.
• Negotiation Tactics: Asking about additional features like spare keys can serve as leverage in negotiations.

Kelly reinforces the benefits of used cars:

“Honestly get more information about a used car than you can a new car.” [41:18]

The hosts encourage listeners to visit The Car Mom website for more detailed guidance and to use the car payment estimator tool to determine affordable options based on individual financial situations.

8. Personal Life: Cooking Brisket and Family Dynamics

[43:43 - 50:08]

In a delightful detour from automotive discussions, Kelly and Lizz share personal stories about cooking and managing family life. Lizz recounts her experience preparing a brisket for her family, highlighting the joys and challenges of home-cooked meals amid a busy household.

Lizz describes her brisket adventure:

“It was in the oven the whole time. So I made homemade mashed potatoes, canned green beans with bacon, Hawaiian rolls. Done.” [47:29]

They discuss the importance of family dinners and the struggle to find time for sitting down together amidst hectic schedules. The conversation emphasizes the balance between personal pursuits, family responsibilities, and maintaining a semblance of normalcy.

Kelly relates to the challenges:

“I try and sit down and eat because with James is the only one who's eating. I think it's better. He eats better if someone's sitting there with him.” [48:16]

This segment adds a personal touch to the episode, allowing listeners to connect with the hosts on a more intimate level beyond their professional expertise.

Conclusion

In "ARE WE THE NEXT BLIPPI?", Kelly and Lizz offer a multifaceted discussion that seamlessly blends professional insights with personal narratives. From navigating the complexities of social media and maintaining podcast consistency to planning exciting events like Monster Jam and diving into automotive trends, the episode provides valuable takeaways for listeners. Their candid conversations about motherhood, content creation, and practical tips for used car shopping further enrich the episode, making it both informative and relatable.

As they wrap up, the hosts encourage listeners to subscribe and share the podcast, ensuring that The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz continues to be a supportive and engaging space for their audience.

Notable Quotes:

• Kelly: “When Instagram started, the photo that you would place had to look nice next to the last photo you placed. That is so far gone out the window, it's not even funny.” [04:07]

• Lizz: “Other podcasters, they come on for a 10 episode series season and then they skirt for three months. Not your girls.” [01:49]

• Lizz: “The idea of guilt as a mom is just something you have to get comfortable with. You can't escape the guilt.” [23:10]

• Kelly: “Honestly get more information about a used car than you can a new car.” [41:18]

• Lizz: “I never want to, I hate the comment of like you never talk about used cars because that's like literally so far from the truth.” [41:19]

Whether you're an avid car enthusiast, a busy parent, or someone navigating the intricate world of social media and content creation, this episode offers something valuable for everyone. Tune in to The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz for more insightful and entertaining discussions.