The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: "ARE YOU BEING A PROBLEM OR A SOLUTION?"

Date: November 5, 2025
Hosts: Kelly Stumpe & Lizz St. John

Episode Overview

In this lively and heartfelt episode, Kelly and Lizz swap stories about Halloween, mom life, and their ongoing quest for personal growth and community-building. Grounded in their millennial mom lens and auto-industry expertise, the sisters unpack everything from the etiquette of holiday decor, hunting season milestones, practical hosting tips for parents, to some hot tea on upcoming auto industry tech changes. With signature one-liners and effortless banter, they encourage listeners to "be part of the solution"—whether it’s in parenthood, neighborhood life, or within the car industry.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Mom Life Updates: Friendship, Weddings & Wine Days

• Kelly shares her excitement about a spontaneous mom-friends winery day. She celebrates finally having a reliable friends group who “put things on the calendar and follow through” ([02:00]).
• Lizz plans bridesmaid dress shopping and reflects on friends moving into her neighborhood, leading to more organic connection ([02:40]).
• The sisters laugh about pregnancy rumors sparked by their Halloween costume choices, noting how social media often misconstrues innocent fun ([03:47]).

“You think that's how I would announce my pregnancy? With a cone costume that says ‘bump ahead’? You should know me by now.” — Liz ([04:45])

2. Halloween Reflection: Neighborhoods, The Trick-or-Treat Economy, and "Blooming Where You're Planted"

• Both attended a family Halloween at a friend's house but share frustration over decorated homes not participating in treating ([07:56]).
• Lizz vows to stay in her own neighborhood next year, empathizing with childless, treat-less homes and recognizing the importance of supporting your local scene ([09:01]).
• Together they muse on community guilt and expectations, with Kelly drawing a broader lesson:

“It's a bloom where you're planted kind of thing. If you're planted there, you need to bloom.” — Kelly ([10:33])

“Dad would always say, ‘Be part of the solution, not the problem.’” — Liz ([11:38])

• The phrase becomes a driving motif for the episode, inspiring their approach to small and big life choices.

3. Family Sayings & Legendary One-Liners

• A nostalgic tangent pays tribute to their dad's classic one-liners ("So is Christmas", "Beats a stick in the eye") and how family catchphrases become generational wisdom ([13:00], [14:08]).
• They laugh about seeing themselves morph into their parents and speculate what their own kids will say about their quirks.

4. Milestones: Youth Deer Hunt—Tradition and Teaching Values

• Kelly recounts son George’s first successful deer hunt at age six—balancing pride with teaching respect for the animals and the food cycle ([18:06], [21:21]).
• She details the Missouri hunting culture, food preparation, and ‘farm dad’ philosophy.

“Tyler’s just done a really excellent job instilling that you can love animals and understand that we have to eat animals also.” — Kelly ([21:21])

• The sisters acknowledge how kids learn responsibility, gratitude, and respect from such experiences.

5. Community & Winter Hosting: Listener Q&A

• Listener Amanda/Jen asks for advice on hosting winter playdates with young kids ([24:17]).
• Kelly’s Tips:
  • Start small—one family at a time ([25:45])
  • Don’t over-plan: “The activity is that we have a friend over.”
  • Use older kids (as mother’s helpers) for supervision at low cost
  • Remember: everyone's in the same life stage—relax standards ([27:28])

“It’s better together, so don’t be nervous about that.” — Liz ([27:43])

• They reinforce the value of low-pressure gatherings and the mantra: “Invite people over and say, ‘This is what we’re doing—do you want to come?’” ([28:56])

6. Micro Hobbies & Joy in Small Things

• The women check in on their “micro-hobbies”: Lizz learning to give herself a blowout and Kelly trying to can jalapeños ([30:29]).
• Kelly admits canning intimidates her; Lizz shares practical tips and the need for hands-on teaching ([32:43]).
• They encourage listeners to report on their own micro-hobbies and acknowledge how small projects can be a lifeline during overwhelming seasons.

7. Seasonal Traditions: The Thankful Turkey

• A humorous but poignant discussion about not always having the bandwidth for extra tasks—like making a "Thankful Turkey" with kids ([34:51]).
• Kelly reassures listeners it’s okay to grow and change—today’s “no décor” can be tomorrow’s garland enthusiast.

8. Industry News: GM Drops CarPlay & Android Auto

• Kelly spills the “hot tea": GM is phasing out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, moving to its own infotainment system ([36:47]).
• Reasons Cited: Seamless integration, new revenue streams, better data collection.
• Both hosts question the move:

“Show me who’s complaining. It’s your phone. It’s not clunky.” — Kelly ([37:10])

“My fears—it’s gonna be clunkier…If people are allegedly claiming that it’s clunky and they’re going to make it not clunky, then I’m expecting it to be amazing.” — Liz ([39:49])

• They express skepticism, suspecting increased car costs and subscription services, hoping it doesn’t become another consumer frustration.

9. Ditch the Drive-Thru (Dinner Segment)

This episode: Lasagna Soup + the viral Goat Cheese Dip

• Recipe rundown: ground beef & sausage, noodles, broth, cheese, ricotta, crushed red pepper ([43:00])
• Dip Recipe: goat cheese, fig jam, pistachios, hot honey, crackers—big wow moments and easy to assemble ([44:04]).

“Be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. So I don’t want to hear you bring up browning a bunch of ground beef one more time until you have done it.” — Liz ([43:39])

10. Light-Hearted Banter: Dancing with the Stars & Gossip

• The sisters vent about “Whitney hate” on DWTS, predict results, and swap stories about behind-the-scenes dating rumors ([47:50]).
• Spirited as ever, they call for more reality show content and riff on the joys of fandom in the mom-verse ([50:01]).

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “If you're planted there, you need to bloom.” — Kelly ([10:33])
• “Be part of the solution, not the problem.” — Liz ([11:38])
• “Are you being a problem or a solution?” — Kelly ([11:52])
• “Dad has so many one-liners. For his 50th birthday, we all printed out frames that had his sayings on them. Cause he repeats the same stuff over and over and over again.” — Kelly ([12:54])
• “If people are allegedly claiming that it's clunky and they're going to make something not clunky, then I'm expecting it to be amazing.” — Liz ([39:49])

Episode Structure & Key Timestamps

• 00:03 – 07:00: Wine day plans, friend groups, and catching up
• 07:01 – 14:46: Halloween recap, neighborhood etiquette, “bloom where you’re planted” lesson
• 14:46 – 24:09: Family sayings, deer hunting traditions, raising kids with intention
• 24:17 – 28:28: Listener Q&A: Tips for winter hosting with children
• 28:29 – 34:37: Micro hobbies check-in—blowouts, bread, canning, and beyond
• 34:51 – 36:47: Seasonal crafts, "Thankful Turkey", and embracing life phases
• 36:47 – 41:53: Industry News: GM ditches CarPlay/Android Auto; host reactions
• 41:54 – 45:47: Dinner recipes: Lasagna soup & goat cheese dip
• 45:48 – End: Meal prepping tips, call for budget guest, Dancing with the Stars chat, wrap-up

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a vibrant, entertaining, and practical slice of mom life and car talk. With laughter, honest advice, and relatable struggles, Kelly and Lizz encourage listeners to foster community, evolve in their routines, and look for small ways to be “part of the solution”—from neighborhood traditions to auto news to the chaos of parenthood and dinner planning.

Next Up: Expect follow-up on their micro hobby journeys, more ground beef recipes, and family-life insights—plus the latest hot gossip from reality TV and the auto world.