The Carpool Podcast with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: BRICKED AND SUGAR-FREE... PREPARE TO BE SICK OF ME!
Date: February 18, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Kelly and Lizz dive deep into two major personal challenges they're tackling for Lent: Kelly's quest to go sugar-free and both sisters' attempts to curb doom scrolling and organize their homes. The duo shares candid stories of motherhood, business insights from running The Car Mom, games, and even some auto-industry hot takes—always from the millennial mom perspective. This episode is jam-packed with relatable self-improvement ideas, car talk, and lots of laughs.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Life Updates & Lent Promises (00:59–15:43)

Kelly:

• Announced she’s both “bricked” (using a device called Brick to limit social media use) and going sugar-free for Lent.
• “Prepare to be sick of me.” (00:59)

Lizz:

• Shares her Lenten intentions focused on decluttering her home and reducing doom scrolling.
• “Between ChatGPT and doom scrolling, I can feel myself getting dumber.” (08:02)

Discussion Points:

• How digital overwhelm is impacting their parenting and stress.
• The Brick device: schedules social media lockouts, emergency overrides, encourages intentional use.
• Lizz discusses her own struggles to cap Instagram due to her job but wants to eliminate scrolling around her kids.

Kelly: "I'm not even really looking to cut back on my screen time as much as I'm just not looking to doom scroll ... I have got to kick the muscle memory. It's insane." (03:12)

2. How Brick Changed Their Digital Habits (02:00–09:28)

• Kelly explains how the Brick works—tap to lock/unlock apps, set schedules, with up to five emergency unlocks per device.
• She praises the positive impact: more intentional content creation for Instagram, rediscovering Pinterest, using her Notes app to track ideas, and more productive online browsing.

Kelly: “When you click on the app, it says you're bricked. And then it says, get back to living. And I'm like, you know what? I will get back to living.” (05:01)

• Lizz expresses interest in getting her own Brick, especially since social media is intertwined with her job.

3. Going Sugar-Free for Lent (10:17–19:40)

• Kelly begins her sugar-free journey two days early and shares her struggle with overindulgence.
• She describes her tough Q4 health-wise (“I had my allergic reaction ... with my energy levels. Like, there was several months where, like, I felt like I couldn't be alone with all four of my kids.” (11:25))

Rules for Kelly’s Sugar Fast:

• No processed or added sugar (including condiments, sandwich bread, and sauces with sugar)
• No maple syrup or honey
• Limiting fruit after the first two weeks
• Not cutting artificial sweetener (“I'm keeping Diet Coke at least for the first two weeks ... everyone's telling me the first two weeks are horrible.” (15:22))

Preparation Success Tips:

• Buying a new, fun-colored water bottle
• Seeking new TV distractions (“I started this ... show called Victoria ... hoping it was going to get better.” (17:08))
• Watching transformation videos for motivation

4. Lizz’s Decluttering Challenge & Consumerism Reflection (21:56–29:39)

• Lizz's Lenten plan: daily decluttering using a draw system (pulling numbers 1–40) and removing that many items from her home per day.
• Also planning daily spiritual practice using the Hallow app.

Lizz: “I want there to be a day where I'm like, I don't know what else to get rid of ... live with just less.” (24:16)

• Discussion on consumerism—why they're skipping extra gifts for Valentine’s Day and focusing on consumables (like snacks, Crocs for Easter, bath bombs) rather than “dollar bin” trinkets.

Kelly: “Like, you are just, you're lighting your money on fire because you're gonna throw them away or your kids are gonna break them.” (26:08)

• Memorable “Less is more” Charmin jingle reminiscing by Kelly. (29:01)

5. The Car Mom Business: New Car Tours & Behind the Scenes (29:49–33:56)

• Excitement over re-filming a tour of the updated Honda Pilot, a frequently recommended car.
• BTS info about how press vehicles are sourced (various agencies, press fleets, “Drive Shop,” “G. Schmidt,” and making deals with local dealerships).
• Reflection on how their own parenting journey impacts what they look for in family cars.

6. Motherhood Real Talk: Guilt, Balance, and Sibling Bonds (33:39–38:45)

• Open discussion about missing out on older kids’ lives while meeting younger kids’ physical needs.
• Sharing parenting challenges such as the infamous “pillar marker/spray paint” incident—choosing joy and praising kids’ intentions.

Kelly: “I’m choosing Joy. ... They fixed it ... they were so excited.” (38:28)

7. Car Advice Segment: Minivan vs. Expedition (40:26–43:09)

• Listener question: What offers more flexibility for large families—Ford Expedition or a minivan?
• Kelly’s advice: Expedition with bench seat is wider/more versatile (especially for 3rd-row access), but the minivan (Honda Odyssey) can work with fewer kids or a tighter budget.

Kelly: "If you asked me which one was more versatile ... The Expedition will fit easier." (42:28)

8. Auto Industry News: Hybrids, EVs, and Annoying Features (45:07–50:53)

• Hot take: The Auto Start-Stop feature is being phased out—good riddance!
• Hybrids vs. EVs: The real solution for greener driving is more widely available hybrids, not impractical EVs for all.
• Rant on manufacturers making weird EVs (like the Hummer EV), why hybrids are neglected, and how government policy shapes industry direction.

Kelly: “Hybrids are the answer to a greener America, like 1,000%. ... Instead of having one person in an EV, we could have six people in a more fuel efficient vehicle.” (48:01–48:11)

9. Ditch the Drive Thru: Family Dinners and Recipes (50:58–56:18)

• Lizz shares successes in getting her picky eaters (especially James) to eat at the table—removing pressure and eating together as a family.
• Kelly talks about addressing hunger during her sugar fast and shares upcoming “ditch the drive-thru” meals: hamburger bowls (ground beef, fried potatoes, lettuce, pickles—no ketchup), chili, and chicken Caesar salad wraps (with Primal Kitchen sugar-free Caesar).
• Lizz’s twist on Mississippi roast using Italian dressing seasoning for an Italian beef flavor—great for leftovers and versatile for family preferences.

10. Closing Thoughts: Staying Accountable & Encouragement (56:33–57:28)

• The sisters reaffirm their commitment to their goals (Kelly’s sugar free, Lizz’s declutter).
• Lighthearted talk about sharing (or not) aspects of the journey on social media.
• General sisterly encouragement: “Pray for me. I’ll pray for you. If you’re joining me in our fast.” (56:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Prepare to be sick of me. You're about to be sick of me.” — Kelly (00:59)
• “You can still get to [Brick], but you have to re-tap. ... The problem is, it's me looking at my phone while I'm walking from the bathroom to the kitchen.” — Kelly (02:22)
• “Between chat GBT and doom scrolling, I can feel myself getting dumber.” — Lizz (08:02)
• “If intention ever mattered, it mattered here.” — Lizz, on the kids’ spray paint “fix” (38:32)
• “The Expedition will fit easier.” — Kelly, car advice segment (42:28)
• “Hybrids are the answer to a greener America, like 1,000%.” — Kelly (48:01)
• “When you click on the app, it says you’re bricked. And then it says get back to living. And I’m like, you know what? I will get back to living.” — Kelly (05:01)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:59 — Main update: "Bricked and sugar-free"
• 02:00 — Explaining the Brick device
• 10:17 — Kelly starts sugar-free fast discussion
• 15:43 — Sugar fast rules & setup
• 21:56 — Lizz’s decluttering for Lent
• 29:49 — New Honda Pilot tour plans
• 33:39 — Motherhood emotional challenges
• 40:26 — Listener car advice: Expedition vs. minivan
• 45:07 — Industry news: Auto Start-Stop is dead, hybrid soapbox
• 50:58 — Ditch the Drive Thru: Family dinner wins, recipes
• 56:33 — Episode wrap-up, encouragement, and accountability

Tone & Style

The episode is lively, honest, and humorous. The sisters banter about the real struggles of digital addiction, motherhood, consumerism, cars, and family life—never shying away from self-deprecating humor or calling each other out. Their advice is practical yet relatable, offering solidarity with listeners who are on similar personal improvement journeys.

Perfect for: Millennial moms, anyone interested in intentional living, car shopping, or seeking relatable encouragement to clean up their digital or physical lives.

For more, check out The Carpool Podcast with Kelly & Lizz wherever you get your podcasts!