Summary of "BECAUSE IT'S THE HOLIDAYS" Episode of The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Release Date: December 5, 2024

Hosts: Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John
Podcast Title: The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz
Podcast Description: Kelly and Lizz, third-generation auto-industry experts and sisters, bring their millennial mom perspectives to discussions about cars, life, and everything in between. Balancing business, friendship, and family, they offer entertaining conversations, auto-industry news, and practical advice for fellow working moms.

Thanksgiving Reflections and Family Dynamics

The episode kicks off with Kelly and Lizz sharing their recent Thanksgiving experiences, highlighting both the joys and challenges of hosting family gatherings.

• Signature Cocktails to Ease Hosting Stress:
  Lizz (02:50) shared her insights on simplifying Thanksgiving preparations by introducing a signature drink for guests upon arrival.

  "I said have a pitcher of lemon drops or a pitcher of espresso martinis when everyone gets there."

• Balancing Family Time and Parenting:
  Kelly (04:05) expressed feeling overwhelmed by managing conversations while taking care of her children.

  "I felt like I was having small conversations in between chasing Kit, feeding a baby and chasing a toddler."

• Improving the Meal Experience:
  Both hosts celebrated the success of their Thanksgiving meal, with Kelly admitting a change of heart towards traditional Thanksgiving dishes.

  Kelly (04:50): "I take back what I said about not liking Thanksgiving food. I loved it."

• Dessert Dilemmas:
  Lizz (05:05) lamented the absence of a chocolate dessert, emphasizing its importance in the Thanksgiving spread.

  "I do feel as though a chocolate dessert is necessary."

Financial Talk: Bills We Hate to Pay

Transitioning from family topics, Kelly and Lizz discussed their least favorite bills, shedding light on the financial burdens many moms face.

• Medical Bills Frustration:
  Both hosts unanimously agreed that medical bills are the most dreaded.

  Liz (07:20): "I hate every time I'll pay a medical bill and then, like, I'll get a check back for 45, because then they had the numbers wrong."

• Insurance Woes:
  They also expressed disdain for insurance payments, questioning their tangible benefits.

  Kelly (08:23): "I'm like, what am I paying for. I don't see what I'm paying for."

December Advice: Embrace the Holiday Joy

Lizz delivered the episode’s monthly advice segment, encouraging listeners to fully immerse themselves in the holiday spirit.

• Don’t Delay the Joy:
  Lizz (09:03) urged listeners to seize the festive moments of December.

  "Don’t delay the joy. It's the holidays. Everything's just, you know, it’s va, va voom."

• Festive Attire and Celebrations:
  Both hosts emphasized dressing up and celebrating the season with gusto.

  Kelly (09:33): "It's the holidays. It's the holidays. That's the only excuse you need to do literally anything."

Hosting Holiday Parties: Tips and Tricks

Lizz shared her plans for an upcoming girls' holiday party, offering practical advice for hosting stress-free gatherings.

• Setting Clear Boundaries:
  She discussed the importance of specifying start and end times to manage expectations.

  Liz (10:32): "It's for women only. No kids and no husbands."

• Menu Planning:
  The sisters deliberated over whether to prepare or order appetizers, ultimately leaning towards ordering to save time.

  Liz (15:23): "I think you need heavy apps. I think we need like a good charcuterie board and like maybe a crock pot dip."

• Fun Activities:
  Lizz introduced a game idea, “Rob Your Neighbor,” and the concept of door prizes involving her PR collections.

  Liz (13:15): "Everyone brings their favorite beauty product...and then we play Rob your neighbor."

Advice Q&A: Navigating Gift-Giving with In-Laws

Kelly posed a listener question about instituting a Secret Santa among her husband’s siblings to manage the growing family's gift-giving demands.

• Secret Santa vs. Individual Gifts:
  Liz (25:03) recommended setting clear boundaries and suggested possibly pooling gift funds for the in-laws.

  "Anytime it’s the in-laws, it’s not your problem to solve. It’s your husband’s problem to solve."

• Practical Solutions:
  Kelly considered proposing a collaborative gift approach to reduce individual spending, aiming to ease the pressure of buying for an expanding family.

  Kelly (25:15): "Maybe buy her all the ingredients to make bone broth, hot chocolate."

Advice Q&A: Buyer’s Remorse Over Vehicle Purchase

A listener sought advice on whether to trade in a paid-off 2019 Suburban Premier for a more fuel-efficient minivan, considering family needs and usage.

• Assessing Practical Needs:
  Liz (29:54) suggested that transitioning to a minivan could better suit their trunk space and family dynamics.

  "I think that it will give you similar space to the Suburban."

• Financial Considerations:
  The hosts discussed potential financial implications, including sales tax and depreciation, advising careful evaluation before making a decision.

  Liz (31:07): "If it depreciated in value, like six grand and you only drove for three months or two months, that might hurt."

Industry News: NHTSA’s Automatic Emergency Braking Regulation

Kelly and Lizz delved into the latest auto industry developments, focusing on the federal mandate for automatic emergency braking (AEB) in all new vehicles by 2029.

• Regulation Overview:
  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is enforcing AEB technology to enhance vehicle safety, despite resistance from the auto industry.

  Liz (34:41): "NHTSA said the AEB saves lives and prevents crashes."

• Auto Industry’s Pushback:
  The Alliance of Automotive Innovation, representing major U.S. automakers, criticized the regulation as costly and impractical, fearing it would frustrate drivers and inflate vehicle prices.

  Liz (38:28): "It's a really disastrous decision by the nation's top safety regulator that will endlessly and unnecessarily frustrate drivers."

• Host Perspectives:
  Both Kelly and Lizz sided with NHTSA, emphasizing the life-saving potential of AEB and expressing skepticism towards the auto industry's motives.

  Kelly (38:05): "I’m going to choose NHTSA because it's not that hard."

Drive-Through: Easy Holiday Dinner Recipes

In the Drive-Through segment, Kelly and Lizz shared their favorite quick and effortless dinner recipes to help listeners navigate the busy holiday season.

• Homemade Pizza Night:
  Lizz recounted her attempts at making pizza dough, highlighting the challenges of flour prep but ultimately encouraging the effort due to the superior taste.

  Liz (40:15): "Even a bad pizza is still good."

• Frozen Meal Essentials:
  Kelly emphasized the importance of stocking up on frozen pizzas and Trader Joe’s frozen meals for nights when time and energy are scarce.

  Kelly (42:43): "You have a backup frozen pizza in the freezer."

• Quick Fixes:
  The hosts recommended Trader Joe’s orange chicken with rice as a lifesaver for busy evenings, praising its simplicity and family appeal.

  Kelly (43:53): "Trader Joe's orange chicken with rice. It is so good. It's so easy to make."

Fun Facts: Holiday-Themed Trivia

Adding a lighthearted touch, Kelly and Lizz shared interesting facts related to the holiday season and football.

• Artificial Christmas Trees:
  Kelly (32:14) mentioned the origin of artificial Christmas trees made from dyed goose feathers in 19th-century Germany.

  "The first artificial Christmas tree was made in Germany in the 19th century from dyed green goose feathers."

• Detroit Lions Trivia:
  Lizz (33:25) revealed her newfound support for the Detroit Lions, noting their historic association with Thanksgiving.

  "The Lions are the only team in the NFL who doesn't have cheerleaders."

Closing Remarks

Wrapping up the episode, Kelly and Lizz reiterated the importance of enjoying the holiday season, managing festive stress, and staying connected with listeners.

Kelly (47:08): "Thank you so much for listening. Happy December, and we'll talk to you next week."
Liz (47:15): "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."

Notable Quotes:

• Liz (02:50): "You need to have one welcome cocktail or champagne because it was too hard."
• Kelly (04:54): "It smacked."
• Liz (05:05): "I do feel as though a chocolate dessert is necessary."
• Liz (09:03): "Don't delay the joy. It's the holidays."
• Kelly (16:38): "Didn't know that was gonna be the most controversial thing I've ever posted about."
• Liz (25:03): "I hate adults buying other presents for each other in that capacity."
• Liz (34:39): "It's the hot tea going on on the auto industry."
• Kelly (38:05): "I’m going to choose NHTSA because it's not that hard."

This episode of The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz offers a blend of personal stories, practical advice, industry insights, and festive cheer, making it a valuable listen for moms navigating the holiday season while managing family and work life.