The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: BABY NAME VIBES
Date: March 6, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively and relatable episode, sisters and auto-industry pros Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John dive into the chaos and joy of mom life, the struggles of naming a new baby, the intricacies of childcare, and plenty of car-buying advice. Expect candid conversations on toddler personalities, childcare options (including nannies and au pairs), honest behind-the-scenes of going viral, and their trademark blend of millennial mom humor and practical tips for families in and out of the carpool lane.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life Updates & Parenting Realities

• Lizz’s Health & Morning Routine [00:46-01:30]

  • Lizz shares her improved well-being, her love for sugar-free Gorgi energy drinks, and the confusing landscape of “sugar-free” beverage ingredients.
  • Kelly: “It’s just so confusing…the level of mental gymnastics it is to just figure out what is technically sugar free.” [02:05]

• Toddlers’ Personalities: The ‘Threenager’ Phase [02:31-07:16]

  • Fred (Kelly’s 3-year-old) makes a cameo—Kelly and Lizz discuss toddler behavioral phases, sibling dynamics, and how personality shapes parenting challenges.
  • Kelly: “When he’s sweet, he’s so sweet. And when he’s sour, he’s so sour.” [03:08]
  • Lizz: “If you have a well-behaved toddler, it’s not because you’re a good parent … so much of it is luck.” [05:08]
  • Reflection on how each child’s temperament can make parents question their abilities and reshape routines.

2. Navigating Childcare Choices

• Finding Nannies & Sitters [08:07-12:23]

  • Advice for moms venturing into work and seeking childcare, including the hosts’ experiences using Care.com and the value of references.
  • Lizz: “It’s such a physical and active job and to have someone who is young has been beneficial for me.” [09:23]
  • Discussion of rates ($20–$25/hour for sitters), date-night hacks, and the practicalities of managing expectations for sitters.

• Nanny Shares and Au Pair Programs [12:31-15:42]

  • Lizz mentions nanny-sharing options for parents needing part-time help.
  • Kelly discusses her experience hosting an au pair:
    • An au pair becomes a “member of your family, not an employee.”
    • Kelly: “Do not consider it unless you’re going to make them a member of your family, because…it is not—they are not employees.” [14:45]
    • Emphasis on flexibility and mutual care in successful au pair arrangements.
  • Both hosts reflect on the privacy of childcare choices and the potential for criticism online.

• Online Judgment & Speaking Up Online [16:03-16:46]

  • Kelly voices frustration about “private accounts telling people how to use their platforms” and encourages passionate individuals to go public if they wish to effect change.
  • Kelly: “If there’s something seriously on your heart…start making content around that specific issue.” [16:10]

3. Baby Naming Troubles & Trends

• Lizz’s Baby Name Dilemma [20:21-27:40]
  • Lizz expresses feeling lost in naming her new baby and shares her attraction to “masculine names for girls” (e.g., Sloan, Gwen, Cameron, Blair, Margot, Cleo).
    • Lizz: “I like very, very, very few names … I feel like I’ve heard all of the names and nothing is sticking with me.” [16:16, 20:24]
  • Maddie, her husband, vetoes many of her favorites—especially those he finds “too traditionally Welsh” or “too boyish.”
  • List of names considered:
    • Loved but vetoed: Gwen, Cameron, Ryan, Blair (“can’t do it because of Gossip Girl”), Margot, Cleo.
    • Rejected by Lizz: Edith (too “grandma chic”), Spencer (too boyish for the husband).
  • Kelly affirms it’s normal to be less than 100% sure and shares her own baby-naming indecision.
    • Kelly: “Normalize naming a kid with a name you weren’t 100% sure about and just kind of moving on with your life.” [22:36]
  • Talk about re-using or not using ‘backup’ or family names.
  • Plan to crowdsource further baby name ideas in their Carpool Facebook Group.

4. Base Model Luxuries & Mom Tech

• Kelly’s Experience With the Oura Ring [28:59-32:07]

  • Kelly describes enjoying sleep, cycle, and steps tracking with the Oura ring—especially for motivating movement.
  • Hitting 10,000 steps a day by “walking around the house for 30 minutes” [30:41].
  • Lizz laments that wearables irritate her skin but loves step data.

• Fitness Routines: Peloton vs. Treadmill [32:15–33:37]

  • Kelly contemplates switching from Peloton to a treadmill for comfort and ease.
  • Hilarious commentary on the legendary discomfort of Peloton seats.

5. Going Viral & Social Media Nerves

• Success of Their ‘Merrick Series’ [33:39-34:42]

  • Both hosts express excitement and anxiety about a four-part series going viral—wondering about audience attention spans.
  • Open call for local St. Louis listeners to be featured in future car-buying series (particularly at a $30–40k budget).

• Car Shopping Aesthetics & Escalade vs. Navigator [34:47-37:30]

  • Kelly addresses a common online question: why the Escalade was recommended over the Navigator in a luxury car context.
    • Kelly: “If you don’t need car seats, the Escalade to me is the better buy…I think it drives better, I think it looks better, it’s the nicer car.” [35:42]
  • Discussion of how ‘vibes,’ aesthetics, and personal context matter in car recommendations.

6. Auto Advice: Family Cars for Growing Families

• Advice Question: SUV vs. Minivan [37:36-42:02]

  • Listener with a Forester (one child, one on the way, plus large dog) seeks advice on trading up to an Atlas or minivan.
  • Kelly recommends the Atlas with a bench seat for maximum versatility, but suggests an older Honda Odyssey minivan if a third child and more trunk space are likely.
    • Kelly: “When you go minivan, just go buy a used Honda Odyssey and don’t worry about the year—they’re all the same.” [40:44]
    • Lizz: “If you need trunk space for trips, a cargo carrier can be a great hack.” [41:57]

• Philosophy on Extended vs. Regular Wheelbase SUVs [42:05-44:22]

  • Kelly shares her own shift away from giant, extended-wheelbase SUVs, now preferring regular size due to lifestyle changes and often traveling in two cars as a large family.
    • Kelly: “The difference between the short and extended wheelbase is night and day…It feels like a school bus.”

• Every Family Uses Cars Differently [44:28-44:56]

  • Lizz underscores the unique needs each family has—there is no “best family car.”
    • Lizz: "That's your lifestyle…That's another reason why the car mom exists. Because you just can't have a blanket statement like, this is the best family car."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Parenting Reality Checks:

  • Kelly: “When he’s sweet, he’s so sweet. And when he’s sour, he’s so sour.” [03:08]
  • Lizz: “If you have a well-behaved toddler, it’s not because you’re a good parent … so much of it is luck.” [05:08]

• On Childcare Choices:

  • Kelly: “Do not consider [an au pair] unless you’re going to make them a member of your family…” [14:45]
  • Kelly: “Who takes care of my kids is literally no one’s business.” [12:57]

• On Online Shaming:

  • Kelly: “I’m so over private accounts telling people how to use their platforms…If there’s something…on your heart, go public and start making content around that.” [16:10]

• On Naming Babies:

  • Liz: “I like very, very, very few names … I feel like I’ve heard all of the names and nothing is sticking with me.” [16:16, 20:24]
  • Kelly: “Normalize naming a kid with a name you weren’t 100% sure about and just kind of moving on with your life.” [22:36]

• On Car Shopping and ‘Vibes’:

  • Kelly: “If you don’t need car seats, the Escalade to me is the better buy…I think it drives better, I think it looks better, it’s the nicer car.” [35:42]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Sugar-free drinks/Parenting check-in: [00:46–03:36]
• Childcare advice & experiences: [08:07–16:10]
• Online shaming / Use of social platforms: [16:03–16:46]
• Lizz’s baby name journey: [20:21–27:40]
• Wearables & daily steps: [28:59–33:37]
• Viral TikTok car series: [33:39–34:42]
• Escalade vs. Navigator debate: [34:47–37:30]
• Auto advice for families growing out of small cars: [37:36–42:02]
• The real needs of large families/splitting into two cars: [42:05–44:56]

Fun Food & Dinner Ideas – “Ditch the Drive Through”

• Lizz’s Burger Bake: [45:14–47:40]
  • Ground beef on dinner rolls, topped with cheese, baked in the oven—searches Instagram Reels for visual dinner ideas.
  • Sauce tip: Thin out burger sauce with pickle juice for more coverage.
• Kelly’s Chuck Roast: [48:04–48:57]
  • Cooking with light seasoning, will split into different cuisines across meals.
• Lenten Eating (Fish Fry/Culver’s): [49:12–49:53]
  • Suggests supporting local fish fries or checking out Culver’s for Lent-friendly menus.

Closing Notes

• As always, this episode features the classic mix of humor, honest takes, and real-life insight the Carpool Podcast is known for.
• Kelly: “Thank you guys so much. Listen to the Carpool Podcast. We will see you on Wednesday. Have a fabulous weekend.” [49:55–50:00]

Perfect for:

• Parents navigating #momlife chaos
• Expectant moms (or anyone mulling over baby names)
• Families in the car-buying process
• Anyone seeking honest, judgment-free takes on parenting, work, and everything in between

Join the Conversation:

• Sound off on baby names and childcare in the Carpool Facebook Group!