"BROOCHES ARE WHAT WE NEED" — The Carpool Podcast with Kelly and Lizz

Air Date: October 9, 2025
Hosts: Kelly Stumpe & Lizz St. John

Episode Overview

This episode showcases Kelly and Lizz in classic form: candidly navigating the challenges of motherhood, recent health hurdles, emerging style trends (hello, brooches!), autumn hosting ideas, and car industry news. A significant portion is devoted to their humorous and heartfelt "Dancing with the Stars" recap and ends with moving listener-submitted loss stories for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Health and Mental Wellness Check-In

• Kelly’s Health Scare with Steroids and Anxiety

  • Kelly details a recent struggle with debilitating anxiety triggered by a steroid medication (prednisone) she took after an allergic reaction.
    • “I've never had such debilitating anxiety like that in my life. It was synthetic, it wasn't real… my mind was being taken over.” — Kelly [02:00]
    • She describes the experience as “an out of body experience...horrible, horrible, horrible.”
  • The medication left her unable to push through daily tasks, a rare occurrence according to Lizz:
    • “Kelly is a girl that pushes through. And she couldn't push through.” — Lizz [03:23]

• Lizz Stepping Up at Work

  • Lizz mentions taking over car reviews, specifically a Toyota 4Runner tour, due to Kelly's illness.
    • "We had one more day with this Forerunner… and I thought I was gonna be able to just muster it up and like, do a tour… No. I couldn't even. I could not." — Kelly [03:54]
    • The review was well-received, confirming the value of their honest, mom-focused car tours.

2. Car Reviews, Prime Day, and Organization

• Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX Reviews

  • The 4Runner, while attractive, was criticized for lacking interior space and usability.
    • “I don't understand where the space went in the car. Cuz I felt squished everywhere.” — Lizz [06:25]
    • “That's why our tours can't ever be replaced… It's not as simple as comparing the data.” — Kelly [06:33]
  • The Lexus GX, viewed as a luxury Forerunner, is more about packaging than function.

• Prime Day Shopping & Realities

  • Both found this October's Prime Day less exciting, with good deals limited and many favorites not on sale.
    • “In prime days past, it's been better. The July one was a lot better.” — Kelly [09:08]
    • Notable purchases: Green Machine carpet cleaner, Built puff bars, a crock pot, belt organizer, and a megaphone for Hattie's party.

• Closet Organization & Wardrobe Identity

  • Kelly shares her current focus on reorganizing her closet and embracing her body post-kids. She wants to become “a girl who wears belts.”
    • "Now that I am done having kids… I'm just in the process of going through stuff and looking at stuff…and I just want to have, like, right now, like, my closet…I want to make it look a little nicer." — Kelly [10:23]

3. Style Trends: Rule of Seven & Brooch Renaissance

• Shout-Out to Merrick’s Art

  • Both hosts rave about fashion blogger Merrick White for her timeless, educational, and accessible style advice.
    • “Her style is so timeless…she's so educational. Honestly, like, I feel like I try to model my content after her content.” — Kelly [11:25]
  • The upcoming Merrick x Anthropologie event is their “New York Fashion Week”—the pinnacle of influencer experiences for them.

• The Rule of Seven

  • Merrick’s style tip: Complete an outfit with seven points (each simple piece = 1 point; statement piece = 2). Belts, scarves, and soon, brooches all count!
  • Both plan to attend Merrick’s party, struggling with outfit planning but excited for the adult evening out.

• Brooches Are Back

  • Lizz brings breaking news: brooch sales are up 200%, and she has secured one from a consignment shop to be ready for the trend.
    • “Brooches have been gone for too long…if brooches are going to be in hot demand, I wanted to get them before they're in too hot of demand.” — Lizz [20:01/19:56]
    • Kelly and Lizz contemplate how to style brooches, especially as a way to reach that all-important “seven points” for a finished outfit.
    • Advice: Try brooches during the holidays; experiment without committing to an “old lady vibe.”

4. Mom Time: Hosting, Convenience Foods, and Party Memories

• Low-Key Socializing & Hosting
  • Kelly embraces the joy of hosting simple gatherings, burgers on the Blackstone, and the convenience of pre-made burger patties.
    • “I'm only buying burger patties...it's just a step I'm not willing to take.” — Kelly [18:07]
    • Reminiscing about childhood house parties: “Those are the kind of nights out I want.” [15:27]
  • Lamenting the inconvenience of bulk beef without patties and reflecting on how food choices signal “We're not out of food. We're just out of convenience.”

5. Seasonal Salads & Recipe Swap

• Kelly mourns her signature Autumn Caesar salad (now off-limits due to allergies) and seeks new kale-based, fall-ingredient salad ideas: delicata squash, mustard vinaigrette, goat cheese, cranberries.
  • “It's just going to be a little bit triggering to look back on my Thanksgiving notes about how I made the Caesar dressing...” — Kelly [24:51]
• Recipe ideas for easy sides and dinners:
  • Lizz: Parmesan asparagus with plastic-can parm at 400°F for 20 minutes [54:02]
  • Kelly: Lazy “carbonara” with bacon, mushrooms, cream, pasta, (and frozen peas if available) [54:49]

6. Dancing with the Stars Recap [Starts ~26:02]

Segment Timestamps & Notables

• General Thoughts:

  • Judges more tolerable this week. Carrie Ann’s critiques: harsh but not as effective as intended.
    • “I find Carrie Ann to be miserable…I’m just looking for like quicker, better critiques.” — Kelly [27:05]
  • Disney Night: Loving the themed performances and character immersion.

• Individual Dancer Highlights:

  • Dylan: Technically competent but lacking expression; the song choice ("Life is a Highway" from “Cars”) felt off-theme.

  • Danielle: Improving, but likely at risk for early elimination.

  • Scott: Good song pick, but performance was awkward.

  • Alex: Massive growth and confidence; “tens across the board.”

    • “She was in character. I was in character…I was mesmerized.” — Lizz [34:27]

  • Hilaria: Excellent dancer, perhaps underscored due to public dislike. Her exit was graceful.

    • “...She left with, I’m sorry, such grace. Like, such grace. I had respect for how she left.” — Kelly [38:47]

  • Andy: Riding on charm; likely the next to go home.

  • Robert: Technically strong but stiff; extremely likable.

  • Elaine: Age-defying, energetic standout.

  • Whitney: Showstopper, likely to win this season.

  • Jen: Postpartum journey is inspiring, but weak choreography hurt her performance.

  • Noted recurring themes: Voting transparency frustration, difficulty following standout performers, and postpartum representation discussion.

7. Industry News & Car Updates [~48:52]

• Longest-Lasting Vehicles
  • 4 out of 5 top cars projected to reach 250,000 miles are Toyotas; discussion of why reliability is sometimes prioritized over other features.
    • “Toyota 4Runner has a 32% chance...Toyota Tundra has a 30% chance…But what year? I don’t believe that.” — Kelly [49:44/Lizz 49:58]
• Kia Soul Discontinued After 2025
  • Both express nostalgia for the practical, quirky Kia Soul and small cars in general.
    • “It’s just a lot to process...I like when cars are fun and unique...I love the Kia Soul. I’ll miss it.” — Kelly [51:29/52:58]
  • Fun story: their failed ad stunt revealed the Kia Soul was roomier than expected.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “It's not as simple as comparing the data...the data is so easy to manipulate.” — Kelly on car specs and reviews [06:33]
• “We're not out of food. We're just out of convenience.” — (Referenced as impacting Liz's food approach) [19:14]
• “The way we're styling [brooches] is...your entire lapel is brooches.” — Lizz [20:40]
• “Brooches are what we need.” — Kelly [21:01]
• “You just never know when it's your last...when's the last time I had a carefree Caesar salad?” — Kelly [25:30]

Emotional Finish: Blake's Besties / Pregnancy and Infant Loss Stories [~53:36 to End]

• Three powerful, listener-submitted stories—Claire Elizabeth, Molly Grace, Jude and Violet Ann—are shared with empathy and gravity. Each recounts a unique loss, the pain, and ongoing remembrance.
  • “Even where her body failed her, Claire was fearfully and wonderfully made. She brought light and love into the lives of all who met her...” [Blake's Besties, 57:15]
• Plug for "You Made Me a Mom," a support group for parents experiencing such loss.

Useful Timestamps

• 01:01 — Kelly describes steroid-induced anxiety struggles
• 05:05 — Car review swap & disappointment with 4Runner
• 07:23 — Prime Day shopping analysis
• 11:25 — Closet organization, embracing post-baby style
• 13:09 — Rule of Seven for styling explained
• 19:53 — Brooches are trending: how to style, where to buy
• 26:02 — “Dancing with the Stars” recap in-depth
• 48:52 — Industry news: reliable vehicles and Kia Soul farewell
• 53:36 — Easy dinner recipes (Parmesan asparagus, carbonara)
• 55:36 — Blake's Besties: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness stories

Tone & Style

Conversational, empathetic, and humorous, with moments of vulnerability and sisterly banter. The hosts balance levity (Prime Day fails, brooch excitement, car seat tests gone wrong) with rawness (mental health, postpartum realities, grief support). The language is direct, relatable, and often self-deprecating.

For Listeners New and Old

Whether you're here for car news, style trends, or solidarity in mom life, this episode delivers heartfelt honesty, actionable style tips (try the Rule of Seven!), and a reminder to savor the everyday—even when the Caesar salad days are over.