CARPOOL ON THE ROAD.... BUT NOT REALLY

Summary

The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz Episode: CARPOOL ON THE ROAD.... BUT NOT REALLY Date: April 24, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this lighthearted and relatable episode, sisters and auto-industry experts Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John record remotely from their hotel in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, fresh off a four-hour road trip for the Women Lead Change conference. The “carpool on the road” theme isn’t literal—they opted for comfy hotel beds over dangerous driving-and-podcasting. The episode covers their travel hacks, event excitement, reflections on life changes, parenting wisdom, car industry updates, and everyday joys, all infused with the sisters’ signature banter and supportive dynamic.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Travel Realities & Gear Upgrades

• The duo shares excitement about a hotel stay (“euphoric,” as Merrick puts it, 01:11) and the challenges and joys of work travel.
• Kelly reveals she’s finally investing in professional travel gear after realizing her carry-on was much smaller than most people’s:
  • “I need to get my life together. I need to get a credit card, I need to get pre check and I need to become a Hilton member.” (Kelly, 01:32)
  • Kelly chose a large blue Quince suitcase and a coordinating bag (“not necessarily professional, but, like, fun,” 03:23).
  • Lizz and Kelly discuss the appeal and convenience of shopping at Quince—candles, linen shirts, free shipping. (02:38–03:03)

2. Reflections on Work, Balance, and Content Creation

• Kelly is attending multiple work events back-to-back. Lizz is road-tripping home alone, planning to listen to an audiobook on home organization: How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind by Dana K. White (Liz, 04:50).
• “If we like the book…let’s get the author on the podcast” (Merrick, 04:56).

3. Energized by Women Lead Change Conference

• Excitement about sharing the “stage” (separately!) with Joanna Gaines, recognizing her transformative design talent:
  • “No one transforms a space more … It’s just not my vibe, but it’s amazing what she can do.” (Merrick, 06:01)
  • “She is something different.” (Liz, 06:29)
• Contemplation on HGTV's lack of innovation and pitching their own “Keys Please” series (a “House Hunters for cars”—07:08–07:58).
  • “Keys, Please has legs…But I am excited for Keys Please 2.0 to launch.” (Merrick, 08:07–10:19)

4. Navigating Criticism with Grace

• Frustration over comments that their content only highlights luxury cars:
  • “I personally feel like I go above and beyond to cover cars for every budget … That comment makes me so mad.” (Merrick, 08:24)
  • Discuss the importance of knowing the person featured in videos for energy and consent, and the challenge in finding diverse stories for their “Keys Please” series.

5. Garden Updates & Road Trip Car Review

• Kelly shares her husband Tyler’s green thumb: “The garden looks great. It looks so intentional.” (Liz, 10:57)
• Road trip in a hybrid Kia Carnival yields impressive mileage: “We’re getting around 32, 33 mpg.” (Merrick, 12:30)
• Conversation about driving preferences—minivans vs. SUVs, test driving advice.
  • “How you feel in a car is everything…You have to drive it!” (Merrick, 13:08–13:22)

6. Sister Time & Prioritizing Self-Care

• Dinner plans at a swanky restaurant; Kelly’s restrictive diet considered ("steakhouse is perfect for you," Lizz, 14:18).
• Fun aside: proposal to get each other ready/bonding over silent makeup time (“I love to do our makeup in silence … I think we need to chill out for a minute,” Lizz, 14:49–15:10).

7. Family Systems & Morning Routines

• Liz introduces her “breakfast walks” to avoid morning TV—packing kids’ breakfast in containers, eating during outdoor walks, uplifting advice for picky eaters. (17:53–20:03)

8. Home Improvement Milestones

• Kelly describes the overdue driveway replacement at her house: “I can’t hardly take a stroller down there … we’re finally getting it done.” (21:59–22:53)
• Looking forward to that “Cars” movie moment of driving on a new road (23:00).

9. Practical Parenting Wisdom

Fast Lane Philosophy & Advice (31:10–38:56)

• Lizz's Fast Lane Philosophy: “You are just six months away from a different season.”
  • “If things are really hard right now, you’re six months away from being in a totally different situation.” (Liz, 31:50)
• Kelly’s Mindset Shift: “It’s just not your year.”
  • “Sometimes the best advice is just a mindset shift… In this time, it’s not your year… all the summers I was pregnant or postpartum, I was like, ‘it’s just not my summer, but now look at me.’” (Merrick, 35:28–35:50)
• If you can’t get out of it, get into it: “If you can’t get out of this, just get into it and make it fun… It’s gonna do no one any good if I’m, like, ‘oh man, I want to go’ … get over it, get into it.” (Merrick, 36:21–36:42)
• A gentle reminder about supporting partners during work travel (“You owe it to your partner… to not complain and just thank them for being with their kids.” – Liz, 36:59)

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10. Base Model Luxury: Everyday Upgrades (39:21–43:08)

• Travel Cooler Hack: Packing a cooler for road trips—snacks, cold water, leftovers, “inspiring!” (Merrick, 39:50–41:06)
• Physical Books for Nighttime: Kelly’s appreciation of reading a physical book before bed (“I read three pages and I fall asleep… I’m so screen free, I’m taking such good care of myself.” – Kelly, 43:01)

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11. Industry News: GM’s Off-Roader Plans (43:43–47:38)

• Rumor: GMC may revive the “Jimmy” name as a true body-on-frame SUV—likely to rival Bronco and similar off-roaders (44:48–47:17).

  • “I would like to see more cars just being named after people. The Jimmy’s a good time.” (Merrick, 44:53–45:34)

• Discussion of how “retro” design could pull in buyers—"my husband would be the first customer" if it looked vintage but had modern tech (Liz, 46:41).

• Kelly’s Industry News: Attending the IIHS to see a manufacturer crash test in person—“That’s like dream status” (Liz, 47:33).

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12. Dish to Drive-Thru: Crowd-Pleasing Meals & Menu Habits (48:26–52:57)

• Sister-in-law Trina’s “life together” inspires Merrick to prep snacks and healthy eats for travel; casseroles for the family back home—musaccholi and poppy seed chicken (48:26–49:47).
• The sisters bond over pre-checking menus for restaurant visits. “Tyler thinks it’s so weird I look up a menu before I go…” (Merrick, 52:05)
• Inside joke: Merrick always ordering steak and Caesar salad for her husband, even at fine dining (“It’s good to be needed.” – Merrick, 52:59)
• Playful jabs about restaurant routines and couple quirks.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The vibes are different… It’s the carpool on the road.” (Liz, 00:35–00:37)
• “It’s euphoric, I think is the only way to describe it.” (Kelly, 01:08)
• On Joanna Gaines: “No one transforms a space more … It’s just not my vibe, but it’s amazing what she can do.” (Merrick, 06:01)
• “I personally feel like I go above and beyond to cover cars for every budget … That comment makes me so mad.” (Merrick, 08:24)
• “You are just six months away from a different season…” (Liz, 31:50)
• “If you can’t get out of it, get into it.” (Merrick, 36:21)
• “I’m just getting, like, so excited… everyone wants me to spill the tea on the manufacturer who said no—you can, I know, but I really want to. But I won’t.” (Kelly, 29:46)
• “It’s good to be needed.” (Merrick, 52:59)

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Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–03:40: Hotel vibes, travel upgrades, Quince shopping
• 03:41–04:49: Work travel ramping up, upcoming solo road trip
• 05:12–07:58: Excitement for Women Lead Change; Joanna Gaines and HGTV banter
• 07:58–10:31: “Keys Please” show concept and social media perceptions
• 10:57–13:35: Garden/road trip MPG report; driving preferences
• 13:55–15:10: Dinner and downtime, makeup rituals
• 17:53–21:37: Family walks, breakfast walks concept, creative routines
• 21:46–23:04: Driveway replacement saga
• 31:10–38:56: Fast lane philosophy, parenting (six months to a new season, “not your year,” supporting partners)
• 39:21–43:08: Base Model Luxury segment—car cooler hack, physical books
• 43:43–47:38: Industry news: GMC Jimmy return rumor
• 47:22–47:50: Upcoming IIHS crash test event
• 48:26–52:57: Dish to Drive-Thru: Casseroles, menu strategies, and couple quirks

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Final Thoughts

This episode encapsulates the heart of “The Carpool” podcast: honest glimpses into modern mom life, business aspirations, auto news, supportive sisterhood, and playful humor. Whether learning travel hacks, enjoying everyday upgrades, or gathering wisdom for parenting and personal growth, listeners are guaranteed to find both practical tips and relatable laughs.

Transcript

[Kelly]

Welcome to the carpool podcast with Kelly.

[Merrick]

Years ago we filmed a pilot for like house Hunters for cars basically and we were working with a production company. I actually loved the people we worked with and no one picked it up.

[Liz]

And Liz, I'm so excited to sleep in a hotel room tonight. I hope Maddie's hearing this. Maddie, I just want you to know thank you for staying home with the kids and also I'm gonna sleep like a rock tonight.

[Kelly]

Your mom time off. Welcome back to the carpool podcast with Kelly and Liz.

[Merrick]

The vibes are different.

[Liz]

We are remotely recording. It's. It's the carpool on the road.

[Merrick]

We carpooled.

[Liz]

We did. We didn't literally record on the road. We. I did consider it, but upon further reflection we were like maybe if we drove and podcasted it'd be a little bit dangerous and not really a good look for the car. Mom.

[Merrick]

Exactly.

[Kelly]

And yeah, like I would have had to held the mic so I would have had to do like one handed driving. So we just completely faded that and instead we are lounging on hotel beds and it is euphoric, I think is

[Merrick]

the only way to describe it.

[Liz]

We just completed a four hour road trip from St. From St. Louis to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We're sitting in a a lovely renovated double tree by Hilton.

[Kelly]

It's lovely.

[Merrick]

Speaking of travel things, I need to become a Hilton rewards member or something.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

You should.

[Liz]

Maddie's one of those and he always asks for like an upgrade and they usually give it to him.

[Kelly]

I am leaving money on the table. I need to get my life together. I need to get a credit card, I need to get pre check and I need to become a Hilton member. I also, big news for me, just ordered a bigger carry on because I Continental gives me this carry on and then I just thought like that was the size of carry ons. But then I would notice people like taking huge suitcases and I'm like, well

[Merrick]

I need could use some more room.

[Kelly]

So not only not freaking only did I buy a new carry on, I also bought a new bag to like go on top of my camera.

[Liz]

Match it.

[Kelly]

Yeah. As like a double.

[Liz]

I feel like it's time like your travel. You have a lot of travel in the future. You've been really ramping up your travel. Like you are a businesswoman who travels. Like I just think you need.

[Kelly]

I need the gear.

[Liz]

You don't need like a gifted suitcase that says Continental on it and like your old dagging Dover diaper bag?

[Kelly]

No, exactly.

[Liz]

Like I just think you could present yourself A little bit differently. I totally agree. So what was the brand of choice?

[Kelly]

I'm happy you asked. So.

[Merrick]

So I ended up going with a Quint suitcase.

[Liz]

Oh, no way.

[Merrick]

Yeah. Quintess suitcases.

[Liz]

Quince is everything.

[Merrick]

Quince is becoming like. Like, what's a store that has everything? Like, just. I can't.

[Liz]

I just ordered some candles from there.

[Merrick]

Of course you did. Like, I'm telling you, they're about to.

[Liz]

Like, I ordered. My order was like a linen shirt for James and like three candles.

[Merrick]

And they're.

[Liz]

And they're free shipping. So it's like, you don't need to order a lot. Like, you can go there just for a candle. And like, it's like ordering from Amazon. Like, it's gonna be there in two days and the shipping was free.

[Merrick]

That's so interesting. Well, I've just been ordering. I just ordered. Cause, you know, like, my toxic trade is like, I really have trouble just checking out with one thing. So then I also checked out two, like, skater dresses for Hattie and Libby, and they look like bowdoin or tea collection. Like, they're darling. Anyway, so Quinn's had. It's at a large carry on and they had the perfect shade of blue.

[Liz]

Oh, okay. Cute.

[Merrick]

But like, in a. But still, like, not necessarily a professional, but like a fun kind of way. And then I got a black bag to go on top from base or away. It was one of those things. They look like the exact same bag. You know, they've got the shoe compartment. They got the strap to go over the handle.

[Liz]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Kelly]

So, yeah.

[Merrick]

Catch me, like, really ramping it up. And I'm just always looking to like, refine my brand. Like, you know, I only like to present myself in public. In public settings. In a blue.

[Liz]

Yeah, it's just.

[Merrick]

It's good for the brand and I needed to appear as a more professional traveler.

[Liz]

I agree. So happy for you.

[Merrick]

Yeah, happy for me too.

[Kelly]

So that was my big news. And yeah, I'm gonna. I'm kind of.

[Merrick]

I'm kind of on tour right now, to be honest.

[Liz]

You're like, bus club. Another club, no sleep.

[Merrick]

Like, because from this trip, I have to fly directly to Chicago for another event.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

So Liz will be road tripping home solo.

[Liz]

I know. Bummer.

[Merrick]

It will be a bummer.

[Liz]

But you know what? I'm gonna. I need to download a book tonight. Someone sent me because, you know, I was talking about systems the other day and someone was like, this book was so great. I listened to the audio version and I'm Going to re. Listen to it because I need to, like, remember what the systems are.

[Merrick]

What's it called?

[Liz]

Well, I screenshotted it because I couldn't.

[Merrick]

Are you sure that's what you want to do? You don't want to get like a fun, like, just like, storybook to listen to?

[Liz]

You know what? Like, when I'm really interested in something like systems or organizing my home, like, I really just want to consume content like that.

[Merrick]

Okay, that's fine.

[Liz]

Let's see. She said it was called how to manage your home without losing your mind. It has so many tangible takeaways.

[Merrick]

Well, let's get the author on the podcast if you like the book. Because, you know, we are.

[Liz]

Dana K. White writes books about decluttering, but she has one called. Okay, there you go.

[Merrick]

Let's get Dana on the podcast.

[Liz]

Well, we'll see if we like the book totally.

[Merrick]

But if we don't, maybe she can come on and defend herself.

[Kelly]

So.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

So, Liz. So we. So we're here for women lead change. Kind of like major conference.

[Kelly]

Like, I don't know if you guys

[Merrick]

heard, but, like, Joanna Gaines is also at the same conference we are. So.

[Liz]

Yeah, I think we've, like, beat that horse so dead. But.

[Merrick]

Well, just in case anyone hadn't heard, like, we are sharing the stage is. Is an over exaggeration. But, like, we are speaking on the same stage at separate times, I believe.

[Liz]

Yes, yes, yes. I. I do think she's, like, flying in the day, like, right before her speech. And, like, we will be. You will be flying away and I will be driving home. So I don't think we're actually gonna get a meter.

[Merrick]

But yeah, I don't see her being the type to, like, come to the optional reception dinner tonight.

[Liz]

You don't think she's staying at the Double Tree by Hilton tonight?

[Merrick]

I think she's flying and flying out on her pj.

[Liz]

I bet. Yeah, for sure. Which.

[Merrick]

Good for her. Yeah, good for her. I just watched.

[Liz]

I think she's a mother of like, seven.

[Merrick]

No, I know. Like, she's.

[Liz]

She's busy.

[Merrick]

She's busy. She's Joanna Gaines. Like, talk about someone who's got irons in the fire. Yeah, Jay Gaines and I just watched her, like, special where they redo their mountain home. I love her. It's not really my exact style, but I love how she transforms a space. Like, no one transforms a space. More like, I don't know if we're decorating and it's beautiful. It's just not my vibe. But it's it's amazing what she can do.

[Liz]

She's always just been the most fun to watch on, like when she was on HGTV and stuff. Because her. You're right, her transformations were the most dramatic. Like, they were amazing. You watched some people on HGTV and you're like, you have no. Like, this is terrible. You have no taste. Like, she is something different.

[Merrick]

I'm ready for HGTV to kind of shake it up. Chicago.

[Liz]

Yeah, I agree.

[Merrick]

It's kind of the same formula, different personalities. Like, can we do something new?

[Liz]

It really does feel like they are missing an opportunity to like, take over. Like, like, buy us out for keys, please. With the car mom. Like, the car mom takes someone car shopping.

[Merrick]

Well, no one knows this. Maybe people do. But we filmed a pilot. Have we ever said this was years ago? Years ago we filmed a pil for like House Hunters for cars, basically. And we were working with a production company. I actually loved the people we worked with and no one picked it up.

[Liz]

I will say we didn't like, seek this out. Like, they sought the. And like, so we didn't have any money invested in it. But yeah, it would have been cool. But it was going to be like a short, like shorts, like a short series. But I don't know, I think keys, Please could be big.

[Merrick]

Keys please has legs. And some people didn't like the name, but they also. I'm sorry, don't tell me you don't like it and then not give me a better suggestion.

[Liz]

Well, what do you want? Keys, please. I'll take the keys, please. So, like, I'll take. I'll say yes to the dress. I'll take the keys, please.

[Merrick]

That was kind of our thoughts.

[Kelly]

Like, at the end, I will be

[Merrick]

like, so what do you think? Do you want the key? Like, do you want the keys, please?

[Liz]

There's something there.

[Merrick]

There's some. We're still workshopping it, but yeah, it's cute. It's cute. So anyway, keys, please should be launching soon.

[Liz]

Yeah, I think it's fully edited. I just like, I go back and forth because I just can already, like. So the last one we did was luxury cards with Merrick and then this other one happened to be your friend who is also happened to be in the luxury market. So I just like can already see the people on Instagram being like you all. I do instant. Like, you only do luxury like your own life.

[Merrick]

I know. And I'm telling you there's. I can take a lot of comments. That comment makes me so mad. Because I personally feel like I go above and beyond to cover cars for every budget. Like, please find another person in my space who's. Who's ever reviewed a used car, who has lists for used cars? Who tells you the best car that you. The best car for your first time is the car you already have. Like, I'm sorry.

[Liz]

Who tours a trim that's not the highest.

[Merrick]

Who actually suggests the mid to lower trim levels. I'm sorry. Like, it shouldn't bother me because it's so unbelievably untrue, but I. People have different budgets.

[Liz]

People have different. And that's not your fault.

[Merrick]

No, it's not their fault. And it's not their fault.

[Kelly]

No.

[Merrick]

Like, their situations are both very unique. And I think it bothers me so much because it just comes down to, like, I guess people being jealous or unhappy or making assumptions. But, like, I don't know what to tell you. These two people, like, one was Merrick. She's an influencer. Of course I'm gonna do her. The other is a dear friend. Of course I'm gonna do her.

[Liz]

And she happened to be car shopping. And it's like, the other thing is, like, we want to make sure. Like, we kind of want to have a baseline of, like, knowing the person to make sure that you're, you know, this. The energy is going to be right to, like, show this kind of stuff. So. And they have to be willing to do it as well. So what? I. I have it edited. I just, like, wasn't sure if we wanted to try and find another person and, like, film another one of, like, not luxury. Just to avoid comments.

[Merrick]

People can let us know if they want us to delay it or if the carpoolers can just rise up with the brains that I know you have. Because I'm not worried about the carpoolers. And what's been interesting lately is my content has been landing on different sides of Instagram.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

And I can tell in my insights. I can tell when a reel reaches more of my non audience than my audience. And it's jarring. It can get a little jarring.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

But, yeah, also say my problem's not yours, but I am excited for keys please 2.0 to launch. And I do have a lot of people who I need to go through who are also looking for cars.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Merrick]

So, yeah. So the options are there. Like, we just. It's just a matter of filming it.

[Liz]

It's a matter of filming it. It's a matter of a day. And, like, things are just, like, so busy right now. But again, our problems, not yours.

[Merrick]

You know, I was listening back to our episode and I was cracking up about how we were like. I'm just looking for, like, more like grocery store conversations because I can't always, like, tell people, like, what's actually going on in my life. So to give you guys an update, like, the garden is planted.

[Liz]

The garden looks great.

[Merrick]

It looks so great. It looks so intentional.

[Liz]

It does. Tyler did a really good job.

[Merrick]

Yeah, I know. I didn't do it. He did. Tyler did it. But I did pick out the plants. I do worry I overbought, but the problem is the plants are so small. But I understand. They're going to get so big.

[Liz]

Yeah, I think you're fine.

[Merrick]

Yeah.

[Liz]

I don't know. I don't know anything about gardening.

[Merrick]

I don't either. But we are starting to get. We found big cherry tomato plants, like, kind of already established ones. We're starting to get like a little buddy. I'm gonna be swimming in bell peppers, though. But I love bell peppers. My kids love bell peppers. So I'm excited.

[Liz]

Tell you my mother in law plants cherry tomatoes and she will literally drop me off a box of like a hundred little cherry tomatoes because she's, like, overwhelmed with the amount that grows.

[Merrick]

I see. I just can't imagine that, like, I'm, I'm struggling.

[Liz]

They're like, amazing. They're so good. Like, I literally eat them like candy. Like, I, like I keep a little bowl. I don't even put. Maybe I could do salt. I don't put anything on them and I just pop them in my mouth like chips or candy.

[Merrick]

It's amazing. Yeah, I love, I love that. So that's what's, that's what's really new with me. And then Elizabeth and I just kind of road tripped up here. We took a carnival.

[Liz]

Literally. Didn't make. I have a hybrid and I filled it up the day before we left. Didn't make a dent. Our four hour drive did not make a dent.

[Merrick]

It didn't make a dent. We're down to. I mean, you lost a quarter tank of gas.

[Liz]

I lost a quarter tank of gas. We, we, we drove four hours. Kelly didn't make a dent. I'm not going to have to refill it on my way back. That's incredible.

[Merrick]

I was tracking. I reset the thing and I was tracking her the mpgs in the carnival because I was curious and we were getting around 32, 33.

[Liz]

Feels good.

[Merrick]

It feels really good. I'm very, I'm. I'M proud of the carnival.

[Liz]

Yeah, you did. You said you didn't love the drive, and I don't mind it.

[Merrick]

Here's the thing. I also didn't like the drive of the Sienna last week.

[Kelly]

I don't.

[Liz]

You don't like minivan drives?

[Merrick]

It's not that I don't like them. I'm just. It's just not what I'm used to. I. I am more comfortable. It's just a preference thing. I'm more comfortable in an suv, a

[Liz]

full size suv, because let me tell you, like, a Pathfinder and the Kia Carnival feel the same.

[Merrick]

Not to me.

[Liz]

Oh, they do to me.

[Merrick]

But that's why it's like, it's so personal.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

Like, how you feel in a car is everything. That's why I can't believe some. When I used to sell cars, there are people who'd be like, well, I don't need to drive it. And I literally was like, no. I'm, like, not selling you a car. You don't drive. Like, I'm sorry. Like, I'm not doing that.

[Liz]

You have to drive it.

[Merrick]

You have to drive it.

[Liz]

Ye.

[Merrick]

And you have to, like, drive it. Like, you can't just piddle around the parking lot. Like, you have to go get it on slow roads, get it over. Get it on a highway merge park. Like, please do. Please, please, please. You have to drive.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

So anyway. Yeah. Speaking of drive, we just got up here, huh. And now we are kind of just taking a beat. I had. You can go ahead.

[Liz]

No, you're fine.

[Merrick]

We're taking a beat. We have, like, a little reception today, and then Liz and I made a swanky dinner reservation.

[Liz]

Swanky. We. I. We're trying to find. I, like, literally search date night ideas and Cedar Rapids because I'm like, we want a nice restaurant. Like, it's just me and her. Like, no, here's the thing.

[Merrick]

Our husbands aren't nice. Our husbands don't appreciate a nice restaurant.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

And like, Elizabeth does and I do.

[Liz]

And we don't get out much.

[Merrick]

Yeah. And we don't get into business expense. Like, there's no the name and we don't need to justify it.

[Liz]

And also, like, your diet is kind of restrictive, so, like, kind of a steakhouse is the perfect place for you to go so you can get, like, a rib eye.

[Merrick]

Exactly. So we found a swanky restaurant that's, like, in an old bank.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

So we'll be going there. And I thought it'd be fun to do, like, you know, just something fun with my sister. And I said, why don't we get each other ready? Why don't you let me do your makeup and you do my makeup.

[Liz]

No. And she said, no, no, I don't want to. It's going to take too long. Calm. I don't want to. I just don't want to.

[Merrick]

Will you consider it another time? Because I think it'd be funny. Content.

[Liz]

Yeah, maybe another time. But like, here's what I really want to do. We just had four hours together. Now we're recording a 45 minute long podcast. I love to do our makeup in silence. And we have a dinner date tonight at the hottest at the hottest date night place in Cedar Rapids. So I think we need to, like, chill out for a minute.

[Merrick]

Okay. So. Yeah, because so then over dinner, I'll tell you everything that happened while I was doing my makeup.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

It'll give us some content to talk about.

[Liz]

We're gonna something. It's going to be a long, silent dinner.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Today's episode is brought to you by Skylight. Speaking of systems, in my home, one system that has really changed the game for me has been incorporating the Skylight calendar into my life. I like it because I can add Maddie's calendar, my calendar, my work calendar, our nanny's schedule, and I can also do my meal planning so I can show my family what we're having for dinner this week. And I can also leave list for my nanny on what to feed the kids for lunch. It's a very sleek display that just sits on my counter, and when I'm not using it, I have uploaded a bunch of pictures and videos that it will go through so we can always look back on the sweet memories we've made over the years. With the Skylight calendar, you'll be able to manage events, chores, and grocery lists while assigning colors for each of your family members and eliminating excuses for not knowing what they needed to do. Your happiness is Skylight's happiness. So if in four months you're not 100% thrilled with your purchase, you can return it for a full refund, no questions asked. Families are better when they're working together. Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch calendars by going to my skylight.com carpool. Go to my skylight.com Carpool for $30 off your 15 inch calendar that is M Y S K-Y L-I G-HT.com carpool this episode is brought to you by Quince. Lately, I've been more intentional about What I wear day to day, leaning into pieces that feel effortless, comfortable, and still put together. It makes getting dressed simpler. Quince has been my the fabrics feel elevated, the fits are flattering, and everything just works without overthinking it. Quince makes it easy to refresh your everyday wardrobe this spring with pieces that feel as good as they look. They use premium materials like 100% European linen, organic cotton, and ultra soft denim. Their lightweight linen pants, dresses and tops start at $30 and are effortless, breathable, and easy to wear on repeat. Everything at quints is priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands. They work directly with ethical factories and cut out the middlemen. So you're paying for quality craftsmanship, not brand mer markup. Kelly and I mentioned this the other day, but you can find literally everything on Quince. I recently bought James this fabulous linen shirt that is so cute, so lightweight, and he's gonna be so comfortable in all summer. I also recently bought candles from there that are excellent so you can refresh your wardrobe every day with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com carpool for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's quince.com/carpool for free shipping and 365 day returns.

[Liz]

Quince.com/carpool something that I'm doing lately, kind of my micro hobby right now is going on walks. I'm like really ramping up my walks. I want. I love going on walks. One of my favorite things to do. Our new neighborhood, our old neighborhood was horrible for walking is just like hill. So this one, it was really important to me that we had a neighborhood that we could walk in. And we've got, you know, it's got some hills, but like some healthy hills. Like get your glutes working.

[Merrick]

And also the hills are a little avoidable.

[Liz]

And you could avoid like I could take a relaxing walk if I needed to. So I want to be a walk family. I want my kids to love going on walks. And like right now we're doing that. And now that we have the dog, we have to take him out a lot. So I've been doing breakfast walks. Did I talk about my breakfast walks on the podcast yet?

[Merrick]

No, I've seen on your Instagram and I'm obsessed.

[Liz]

Okay. Breakfast walks are my new thing. Now that it's nice outside, I'm trying to avoid like, the kids wake up and like, well, James wakes up and asks for tv because I, I'm not like Anti screen time. But I don't think it's great. Like first thing in the morning, Like, I can just tell he's not as happy the rest of the morning. When I get him outside though, he seems to be in a better mood. So we're doing what I call breakfast walks. I got these little like, kind of. They look like lunchable snack containers. My kids eat the same thing for breakfast every single morning. They have sausage and maybe like a yogurt or like they have sausage every single morning. And then sometimes like some cereal or some toast or some yogurt or like a banana or like a side. But it's always this like Applegate sausage, chicken and maple. They love it. So I make some sausage, I put it in there, I give them whatever else. I load them up in either my Mockingbird or my Zoe. And we go on a walk and they get some sunshine and they eat way more than they would if we were just sitting at the table. Like, I don't have great Eaters. So if you have great eaters, maybe like, don't mess with what's working. But like they're just sitting there like it's available. Like they'll snack on it. And it's just very casual and it's lovely. I get to move my body. The dog gets a walk and my kids get fresh air.

[Merrick]

Yeah, I love this idea for you.

[Liz]

And then they're fed and like breakfast

[Merrick]

and you know, like there's nothing on the kitchen floor to clean up.

[Liz]

Exactly, yeah. So I've been doing breakfast walks and we also do a digestion walk. And I love it when my almost 3 year old asks to go on a digestion walk. Cause it's the funniest thing. So we own dinners, we go on walks after dinner to digest our food. And I saw on Instagram this thing called a dandelion walk.

[Kelly]

You're just like, how many different walks are you gonna name in this rant?

[Liz]

I know, sorry. And I'm kind of getting sick. I'm like, I have a thing in my throat. So it's kind of getting hard for me to talk. Dandelion walk. You take a piece of cardboard or I guess a paper plate. It would have been a better idea. You draw a little lion's face on it and then you poke holes around the lion's face and you go and pick dandel lions and you feed the dandelion stem through the hole. So then you have a whole lion's mane. You know, it's darling Sloan, obviously, she's 18 months old, didn't know what was going on, couldn't give a rip. James, almost three. Loved it.

[Kelly]

Yes.

[Liz]

Perfect activity for that age. And have you seen, like, color walks where you'll try and, like, pick. This is better than a well. Unless you've got people who, like, don't have weeds in their yard, which my neighbors do. Like, like, dandelions are out right now.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

I feel like a color walk. Color work is hard because there's, like, a lot of just, like, green around us and, like, no other colors in yellow for the dandelions. So anyway, I've just been loving my walks, and it's the highlight of my days.

[Kelly]

That's so awesome. I. You know, we're not really. The stumpies are not really in our walk era, because the hardest part about moving to our new house is I lost my neighborhood.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And now we just have one big driveway.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

That is in horrible condition, but we are finally getting our driveway replaced.

[Liz]

It's in, like, such, like, dangerous.

[Merrick]

It's original.

[Kelly]

It's original. It's 30 years old. And if you don't think about our house, like, the people just didn't maintain it. That's why we got the house. We. We resealed it last year. Didn't do much of anything. Like, there's loose rock everywhere. There's dips, there's holes. Like, I can't hardly take a stroller down there because, like, I'll break an ankle or, like, it's just. It's so bad. So the next 14 days, they will be 14 days. That's what Tyler said.

[Liz]

Wow.

[Kelly]

Because they have to rip up our current asphalt, and they have to, like, mill it.

[Merrick]

Then they have to repack it.

[Kelly]

Then they have to, like, take a vibrator on it to, like, make sure it's level. And then they start pouring the asphalt. We're also making it wider because I think that's part of the problem. Like, it wasn't very wise. People were driving the grass all the time. But it has been such a long time coming. I mean, it's been something we. We knew we had to do when we bought the house, and we bought. Lived there two years now, and we're finally getting it done, so.

[Liz]

Be so life changing.

[Kelly]

I'm so excited to. I'm gonna feel like that. That scene in cars when, like, they.

[Liz]

Yes.

[Kelly]

When, like, they drive on the new road for the first time, that's gonna be. That's gonna be us.

[Liz]

Yes. A hundred percent.

[Kelly]

Your coughing is so bad.

[Liz]

I know. We just had to pause so I could get it out.

[Kelly]

It's one of those things where, like, I know you don't feel bad, but, like, people are going to turn their heads.

[Liz]

No, it sounds. It doesn't hurt. And I'm. I think it's. Is this bronchitis where it just, like, lasts forever?

[Kelly]

Do you have bronchitis?

[Liz]

I have no idea. It doesn't hurt. I'm not in pain. It's just like this endless cough. It sounds really bad. And I'm just telling you, when we give this speech tomorrow and they say, hey, would you girls like some water on stage? We're gonna say yes. And you cannot drink yours because I. I might need it after I crush mine.

[Kelly]

Well, and I think we did something really smart because we asked for. I don't like a lavalier. I like a hand mic. I think my energy is better with a hand mic.

[Liz]

Well, I think it's better with two people for a hand mic because then

[Kelly]

it's kind of more of like a. Who's gonna talk? They bring the mic.

[Liz]

We can cue ourselves up.

[Kelly]

But also, you can go like this.

[Liz]

Oh, yeah, yeah. Do you know what I mean?

[Kelly]

So far away.

[Liz]

I know. It's terrible to get.

[Kelly]

To get the cough out of there.

[Liz]

I'm just shocked I'm here after all of the trips I've missed. And you know what? Last night, James has been. Was, like, jumping off of my bed onto, like, a pile of pillows. And growing up, Sydney was doing. Well, I'm sorry, Sydney was. We were. We were all doing it. We threw Sydney off the bed and she missed the pillows and she, like, broke her leg. And so I had this vision last night. I'm like, James is gonna break his leg the night before this conference, and I'm gonna, like, I'm shocked. I'm actually here.

[Merrick]

Yeah. I mean, out of all the trips you had to come on, like, like, your name is in the headlines.

[Liz]

No, I know.

[Kelly]

This is. This is not a car mom trip. This is a carpool trip, which is so cool. You know, it is. It feels fun. It feels good to be recognized as

[Merrick]

the podcasters, the multi platformers that we are.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

I'm just, like, loving the podcast.

[Merrick]

Okay.

[Kelly]

Also, I'm going to tell you guys, we're doing something crazy. We have a code for auto show tickets.

[Liz]

Oh, yeah, okay.

[Kelly]

Code is carpool. If you want a discount on auto show tickets, I'm not telling the rest of the chrome community. I'm only telling you guys.

[Merrick]

But get.

[Liz]

Because if you, like, don't listen, then like, you don't get to know

[Merrick]

which.

[Kelly]

That'd be fun. Something special.

[Liz]

Yeah, but something just for you.

[Merrick]

If you haven't booked your VIP ticket nights, let me just kind of like, let me kind of grease the tracks for you.

[Liz]

Well, and there. I think there's only, like, 50 tickets left.

[Merrick]

I'm. Can. I will maybe add more if the demand is high.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Merrick]

I might not, though. So VIP night one, like St. Louis bites, like good fun St. Louis food. Two, bar wine and beer and seltzers. Three, me and Lizard there available to you to take pictures, to answer your questions, to give you a tour of the auto show. Will be so fun. We're doing some other fun things because as you guys know, what does your girl love more than anything? A dinner auction.

[Liz]

Oh, yeah.

[Merrick]

And I said, how can I make this feel more like a dinner auction without, like, without the whole hubbabaloo. Yeah. So one, we have a charitable partner, which we are going to be getting her on the podcast in a couple of weeks. It is. She's actually been on the podcast before. It's an amazing organization called Catch a Ride.

[Liz]

Catch a Ride Network.

[Merrick]

Catch a Ride Network. And they help transportation insecure families and people get reliable transportation. So think like, you know, prenatal appointment,

[Liz]

doesn't have a car, can't go see.

[Merrick]

Maybe lives. Yeah, maybe like, lives in a rural area and, like, you know, needs to get to the children's hospital, which is an hour away. Doesn't have a reliable car. Catch your rides there. Yeah, like, it is. It's such a perfect charity for us to uplift. And I'm really excited to have them be a really part of the VIP night. So here's what we're doing. One, a closet sale. Me, Liz and Merrick and a couple other influencers. I've been putting some feelers out there. We're doing a closet sale also. Moms donate and mom goes, I have these, like, old Prada shoes. Like, give them to me.

[Liz]

And. And I'm not. I'm not donating. Like. Like, it's the good stuff. Like, some of it still has tags. Some of the stuff I was, like, gifted that I never used, like, Spanx. Like, it's the good stuff.

[Merrick]

Yeah, most of my stuff has tags or it's like, like anthropology or above quality.

[Liz]

And, you know, Merrick stuff's gonna be nice.

[Merrick]

You know, America stuff's gonna be nice. So we'll have the closet sale. 100 of the proceeds go towards catch a ride. So, like, it's like, you want. You can give a cash donation or you can buy my darling top. Like, it makes no difference to me.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

Then I was like, okay, let's have like a fun, like, how do I gamify the VIP night? And I came up with the idea to do kind of like, I guess it's kind of like a duck pond. It's kind of just like a raffle. Everyone's a winner. Let me just explain it to you. So Elizabeth and I get sent so much pr and I always save my PR every year. And then I make like literally three to six dinner auction baskets with it. Like, I use a couple of things here and there, but, like, I love to make these giant baskets. But I've been sent. I've had a lot more come in since the dinner auction seasons. And I want to do something where

[Kelly]

I'm going to put a bunch of print in these, like little blue bags and I'm gonna have them all spread out on like a six foot table. And the rule is you pay 20 bucks, 10 bucks, 15 bucks, 30 bucks. I haven't picked the price at price yet. You pay 20 bucks, you get to pick any of the bags.

[Liz]

You get to pick one bag.

[Kelly]

One bag. It could have anything from a 250 face serum to a. To a couple of liquid IV samples. You. You don't know. It's a gamble.

[Liz]

I do feel like it has to be like, at least worth. If it. Let's say it's numbers 20. I do feel like it has to be at least worth $20.

[Kelly]

Okay, that's fine. That's fine.

[Liz]

I think we can do that.

[Kelly]

No, I think we can do that too. That's fine.

[Liz]

We'll like, throw in like a serum and then also a liquid IV sample.

[Kelly]

Maybe we'll just do a bag of

[Merrick]

just liquid IV samples.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

$20 worth of 20 liquid IV sales.

[Liz]

I think it will be like, at least worth your, like. And the majority of it's going to be.

[Kelly]

The majority's gonna be way more.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

So I think that's gonna be like big razzle dazzle.

[Liz]

So that. So the closet sale will also be open at the auto show as long as stuff is available. The duck pond, raffle thing, whatever, will only be at the VIP night.

[Kelly]

Unless we don't sell out.

[Liz]

Unless we don't.

[Kelly]

But I'm gonna probably peer pressure everyone to making sure I sell out.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Because I'm really good at that.

[Liz]

Totally.

[Kelly]

And it's for charity.

[Liz]

It's for charity. It's for a really good cause.

[Kelly]

So that's Gonna be a blast. Plus, if you buy a VIP night ticket, you get to come to the show the next day. So, like, if you just work out the math. Because I think the VIP tickets are like 100 bucks, but work out the math. Okay. You're getting to come to the auto show twice. You're getting dinner, you're getting drinks, you're getting to meet us. Private tour of the auto show. It's giving value.

[Liz]

It's giving value. It's a good time in it, though.

[Kelly]

The VIP is so fun.

[Liz]

It's like a date night, though. Like, that's not. That's not where the kids stuff is. I mean, if, like, you're traveling and, like, you have to bring your child, like, we're not gonna shoo you away with your child. But it is more of like a girls night. Date night.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

That's kind of the vibe we're trying to cultivate, but that we would obviously never tell anyone who has to bring their kid to not bring their kid.

[Merrick]

No.

[Liz]

Please. Please.

[Kelly]

So I'm just getting, like, so excited. It's, like, kind of right around the corner. And everyone wants me to spill the tea on the manufacturer who said, no, you can't. I know, but I really want to. But I won't.

[Liz]

It's juicy, too.

[Kelly]

It is.

[Liz]

It's giving, like, worked with in the past.

[Kelly]

But people. Everyone thinks it's Honda for some reason. And I will just say it's not Honda. I didn't ask Honda corporate because I don't even get invited to Honda events. I've never been invited to a Honda event in my life. I don't even have a contact. And I love the local Honda dealership we work with. They make it. They make it so easy.

[Merrick]

So I didn't even, like, bark up Honda's tree. So I will tell you it's not Honda.

[Liz]

Yeah. And also, if you know what dealerships our parents own, we also don't need to reach out to those manufacturers. So you can just do process of elimination and figure out.

[Merrick]

So when you come to the auto show, you can pay attention to which

[Kelly]

ones have, like, dealer plates, write things on them, and then maybe you'll start to connect the dots.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

But yeah, it's. And it is okay, because just not everyone gets it.

[Merrick]

And this is something we're used to our whole life, people.

[Kelly]

Not everyone gets it. I know you guys get it, but people still don't really get it.

[Merrick]

Like, you should try to hear our dad explain this.

[Liz]

Such a sweet man. Such a supporter. Just a blind Supporter has no idea what he's supporting. Heavy on the blind.

[Kelly]

Oh, that's so funny. Okay, well, I thought we could do, like, a fast lane philosophy base model luxury, like, just like those, like, two segments.

[Liz]

You know what, Cal? We have been talking all day. We were trying to prep our questions for tomorrow, and you did a question box and someone asked for, like, parenting advice.

[Merrick]

Yeah.

[Liz]

And my fascinating philosophy is actually a piece of advice that another mom gave me. And I did bring it up on the podcast, I think, when I first heard it, but I have found it ring so true in my life lately that I want to bring it up again.

[Merrick]

Okay.

[Liz]

I'm sad, and that is.

[Merrick]

Actually, I'm laying down that you are

[Liz]

just six months away from a different season, from a different.

[Merrick]

I was there with you.

[Liz]

No, you weren't. I was at the gym. She said, you're just six months away. And she's like, that's. It's great. And, you know, it's. It's kind of bittersweet. But I just think about, like, where I was. Like, James has just tested me so much throughout his, like, terrible twos. And now that we're, like, turning the corner almost three, I'm like, he is getting easier. I'm kind of nervous to have three kids, but, like, James is only getting easier. Sloan will get harder, but she's never been as hard as James. I don't think she'll be as challenging, like, challenge me as much as he did. And if things are really hard right now, you're six months away from being in a totally different. Totally different situation. Especially if you have young kids, because six months and a young child, they. They're the different people. They're growing so much. They're developing so much. They're learning so much. And for better or worse, you're six

[Kelly]

months away from a different situation. For better or for worse, but mainly for better.

[Liz]

I think most of us, like, look forward to the future and, like, when our kids can do that and when our kids can do this.

[Merrick]

Yeah. So I think that's a good one.

[Liz]

It's really, just really been true in my life, and I'm. I'm continuing to look for it because I'm thinking about having three kids, and, like, my hands are literally full. Like, I'm always. My kids always want me to carry both of them, and I'm like, what do I do when I have a third? And I just keep thinking, like, Sloan will be in a different place. James will be in a different place. The baby will be literally A potato for the first few months. Like, things will be okay.

[Merrick]

Things will be okay. And I'm gonna be here because for

[Kelly]

once, I'm not gonna have. I'm not gonna have a baby. When you're having a baby.

[Liz]

I know. So you're gonna be like, no, I'm

[Kelly]

gonna be aunt of. Like, steer clear.

[Merrick]

She's the aunt of the year.

[Liz]

You know what? And Maddie's not a stranger to ordering a trophy, a custom trophy, online.

[Kelly]

It's not. And I do.

[Liz]

You might make. You might get it.

[Kelly]

I might get it. Interesting. Okay, so the parenting advice that I wanted to give if. So many. So many, so much advice. I. I know I'm, like, so still in the trenches, but I am, like, semi on the other. I'm just. I'm done with the having baby stage, so I'm in, like, my raising baby stage, which is. Which has, I'll be honest, kind of, like, stripped me of a lot of my identity. Like, I had a friend the other day ask me for, like. Like, a formula rack, and I'm like,

[Liz]

girl, I've been out of the game.

[Kelly]

Like, I use Bobby. Like, is that still a thing?

[Liz]

Like, no. I think there's, like, a hot new formula now on the market, Cal. But, like, you wouldn't know.

[Kelly]

I don't feel comfortable giving advice. I don't know.

[Liz]

And I've only not had a baby

[Kelly]

for, like, a year.

[Liz]

I know.

[Kelly]

And I already feel out of the game.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

But, yeah, it's. It's very interesting and sad and exciting all at the same time.

[Liz]

It's.

[Kelly]

It's. It's such a mixed bag of emotions when I have, like, a friend over who has a baby, and, like, I look at that baby, and I compare it to Libby, and I'm like, oh, actually don't have a baby, because compared to my kids, Libby's a baby, but compared to actual babies, she's not toddler.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

And it's just been very interesting.

[Kelly]

But some advice that I love, and

[Merrick]

I'm kind of a person who likes. Sometimes the best advice I've ever gotten has just been, like, mindset shifts and just, like, the obvious being said. And I'll never forget, it was October, and we were at an October party, like, at the farm, and Hattie was. I think I had Hattie, and she was young, and my cousin was there, and I was, like, kind of sad because, like, I couldn't do the hay ride because Hattie was doing. I was just. I was left out. I was lonely, and she looked at me and she goes, it's just not your year.

[Liz]

Oh yeah.

[Merrick]

And I was like, it's just not my year. And so I'm just like not trying to shoehorn it to be your year and know like, you will have those years again, but like in this time, it's not your year. So like all the summers I was pregnant or postpartum, I was like, it's just not my summer, but my. But now look at me. This summer, it's my summer.

[Liz]

It is your summer and you're thriving and you're healthy and you're feeling great and like, now is your. Is now. And moving forward is just going to be your time to shine and to just work, really focus on yourself. And your kids are getting, are only getting easier and it's just wonderful.

[Merrick]

And another quote that's not really like kids specific, but it's just like my sister in law has this. I've shared this a hundred times. I know my sister in law has this framed in her house and I want to get it framed in my house. And it just says if you can't get out of it, get into it.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

And I love this quote because sometimes, whether you are going to like a family event or like even, like sometimes even like work, travel or whatever, like, if you can't, I can't get out of this. So I just need to get into it and I just like, make it fun. And like, I need. It's gonna do no one any good if I'm, if I'm like, oh man, I want to go or I'm sorry about like, get over it. Get into it.

[Liz]

It.

[Merrick]

Make it fun. What do you need to do? And Tyler's always telling me that, like whenever I try to dread this travel, I think it almost makes him mad because he's like, will you stop? Like, will you please go and like, enjoy this? Like, if I'm gonna be here with the kids. Yes, like, I know you're gonna miss them, but like, respectfully, get over. He's like, get over it. You're right.

[Liz]

If you are going to be the, the, the parent that travels, like, you better have a great freaking time. You better get a great night's sleep. The parent that is at home is doing none of those things. No. So like, you owe it to your partner when you are traveling to not be, like, to not complain and just thank them for being with their kids. You miss them, of course. And like you can't wait to come home because it's so great to hear those things. But like, how was your night? Great. It was great. I feel so rested. Like, what? Like, that's. That's what the other person needs to hear.

[Merrick]

I think so. At least Tyler doesn't travel. I. I don't know how I would respond to. Oh, so fun. Went out to dinner with Cap One, like, totally wind. And I think I would probably strangle him through the phone if he said that and I was home alone.

[Liz]

Well, I mean, I don't think he needs to, like, rub it in your face, but I think he can be like, no, it was, like, a really productive dinner. Like, it was a really good thing. Yeah, right there.

[Merrick]

You're right.

[Liz]

It was good for the. Whatever.

[Merrick]

So, anyway, that's kind of things that have been on my mind lately. Just. It's not your summer. And, like, it's okay to just say that sometimes. And let me be clear. It's not your summer.

[Liz]

No, it's not my summer. And it. And it does feel good because it does put things into, like, a very temporary perspective.

[Merrick]

Exactly. A. It takes you to a temporary perspective, and it sets your expectations.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

And I think I really struggled with it when I had the first two kids because I was alone. Like, no one else was having kids. And so I did feel a lot more alone. And now I am so happy it was me who had the kids first, though, because I will not let my siblings feel like that. Like, I will be.

[Liz]

Yeah. No, I know.

[Merrick]

Because I'll sit there with you. I'd love to sit there with you, catch up. It's not my baby. I'll just. I'm excited for that.

[Liz]

Yeah. I'll hold your baby for a little bit until it cries, and then you can take it and, like, it wants you, and you can take it back. Like that sounds.

[Merrick]

And I'll keep it when it cries for a little bit. I'm not scared.

[Liz]

Yeah. I'll keep it when it cries for a little.

[Merrick]

I'm gonna be really. I'm getting more hands on with your children lately because I just think they are going to need to learn to take refuge in other people. Well, they're going to.

[Liz]

I know.

[Merrick]

They're gonna need to.

[Liz]

I know. My kids are so clingy to me.

[Merrick]

They're so clean and, like, I am there with open arms and, you know.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

And I'm not scared to bribe. And I have. I mean. Yeah. Meow. And Kiki's gonna be raking up the brownie points.

[Liz]

All right, Aunt Kiki. Well, do you have any industry news?

[Kelly]

Hold on.

[Merrick]

I still had a What's it called?

[Liz]

Oh, a base model luxury.

[Merrick]

I have a base model luxury.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Merrick]

Okay. I also got this for my sister. I love my sister in laws. Like they would probably never come on the podcast. I told them they're kind of those kind of people, but like, they are so full of tips and tricks and they are just some of the most practical women you've ever met.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

So my sister in law, Trina, who is Tyler's youngest sister, she's a year older than me. Tyler's youngest sister. We're, we have kids like the same ages. Like they're so close in age. All of our kids. She has four boys.

[Liz]

Crazy, crazy, crazy.

[Merrick]

And anyway, sometimes we do like these girl shopping days and she lives far from St. Louis, like even farther than I do. So when we do these girl shopping days, like, she's always packing a cooler and like, it's such a base model luxury to have a cooler packed in your car.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

And this is not for. We're not even like hitting a zoo trip. Like we're bopping around to resale shops in the mall. And she'll be like, do you want a water? And she pulls out an ice cold bottle of water.

[Liz]

Yeah. Like that sounds amazing. Yeah.

[Merrick]

Or like, you know, if we're going along between like breakfast. And she's also like literally breastfed for the last eight years. So she's always breastfeeding. She'll be like, hold on, I'm just gonna eat my yogurt really fast. And she'll pull out her yogurt. She'll pull out her bag of granola that she packed with her yogurt.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

And a plastic spoon. And it's just in this cooler in her van. And I'm like. And then if she gets leftovers at lunch. Oh, they go in her cooler.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Or she's gotta like get the chance to go to Trader Joe's for the first time in five months.

[Kelly]

She has them in her cooler. But like the fact, I can't even tell you, like, my water bottle was empty before I left the house. And it's. I know if I'm shopping with her, I know she has a cooler packed of snacks. Snacks for herself. And it's just, it's really inspiring. So I kind of took a page out of her book today and since I am still kind of on my like diet, I wanted to like pack some snacks so I just wasn't left

[Merrick]

to like the beef sticks at the gas station.

[Kelly]

And I packed my own deer sausage and I packed my Own drinks. So I packed an energy drink. I packed an element, actually packed a second energy drink maybe to put in the fridge. And I'm just like, you know, I'm a. I packed it in a lunchbox. I need to get like a personal cooler.

[Merrick]

Like, where'd you get that yeti one from?

[Liz]

No, that's a Stanley one.

[Merrick]

Yeah. Why don't I have that?

[Liz]

They sent it to me.

[Merrick]

I'll be honest, Elizabeth. They said, you guys have no idea.

[Liz]

I've gotten sent a lot less stuff lately. The well is kind of running dry.

[Kelly]

You're getting too big. If you are. Listen, if you're a micro influencer, get your butt on chat.

[Liz]

Maybe again, maybe. Like, I do think the well might be drying up. Well, I don't know. But I also don't share everything that I get. Like, maybe if you share more stuff. I don't know. For me, the wells, I'm not getting as much gifting as I used to. But Stanley did send me this cooler and it was the perfect size cooler for that.

[Kelly]

So that's.

[Liz]

That was my pump cooler too.

[Kelly]

It's so cute.

[Merrick]

It's like a little big.

[Kelly]

It's like bigger than a lunchbox.

[Merrick]

I need that size.

[Kelly]

But anyway, I'm just. I'm enjoying that. Another base model luxury of mine is I'm just so enjoying the physical copy of a book. I. You know, the Kindle is great, but there's something about, like a physical book. And it feels like lately I get into bed and normally Tyler and I will just like try to like scroll Netflix and find something to watch before we're just like, okay, I'm just gonna scroll my phone. Like, and I don't like that habit.

[Liz]

No.

[Merrick]

I also, though, don't really think there's anything I'm like dying to watch right now.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And I. But I am enjoying reading. So I'm reading a book and I have a physical copy of it. And like, my bookmark is like a picture of my family. And like, it's just such. It brings me such joy and it puts me to sleep.

[Liz]

Sleep instantly knocks you out. Gives you that like, last feeling before you go to bed. Just like, I'm so screen free. Like, I'm so connected.

[Kelly]

I'm so screen free. I'm like taking such good care of myself.

[Liz]

Like, this is self care, better than everyone.

[Kelly]

And I read. I read three pages and I fall asleep.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Like, to the point where I'm like, I'm like 50 pages into this book. But I'm telling you, I Have no idea what happens because, like, I just. I'm like reading so little at a time. Like, I'm not getting into the characters yet at all. So that's kind of a big, A big goal of mine for this trip. I'm going to read on my airplanes. I'm going to read. I might read before bed tonight.

[Merrick]

You never know.

[Liz]

Okay. I'm so excited to sleep in a hotel room tonight. I hope Maddie's hearing this. Maddie, I just want you to know, thank you for staying home with the kids. And also, I'm going to sleep like a rock tonight. And I hope that makes you feel good. Yeah.

[Merrick]

Same Tyler.

[Liz]

Okay, industry news, where we spill the hot tea going on in the auto industry.

[Merrick]

Okay, so interesting. So who am I always harping on to do better in like one specific sector of auto?

[Liz]

Tesla.

[Merrick]

No, but you're.

[Liz]

No, Chrysler.

[Merrick]

No, I mean. Okay, who am I always saying, like, they're missing the mark? Because they're not in this segment.

[Liz]

Buick. Okay, Kelly, you harp on. You harp on everyone.

[Merrick]

Respectfully, I'm always saying that GM doesn't have. Where's their off roader? Where, like, where's their Bronco? Where's their Land Cruiser? Where's their Nissan Xterra? Like, where's their car?

[Liz]

Where's their Boulder?

[Merrick]

Where's their Boulder? And they brought back the Blazer in an. In the stupidest ev. It's such an offense. It's so offensive to the Blazer name plate.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

But we got an exciting story from Motor Trend. GMC is bringing back. I need your full attention for this.

[Liz]

I'm paying attention.

[Merrick]

GMC is bringing back the Jimmy.

[Liz]

Oh, the Jimmy.

[Merrick]

First of all, here I have a picture. Okay. First of all, darling, I love the name the Jimmy.

[Liz]

I like the name the Jimmy too.

[Merrick]

It's a GMC Jimmy. I can't explain it. I think it's hysterical. I would like to see more cars just being named after people.

[Liz]

Yeah, it's the James.

[Merrick]

It's the James. We should call James Jimmy. I'm not doing that.

[Liz]

No, he's named James after his grandpa who's Jim. So we wanted him to have his name but be different.

[Merrick]

Okay. Never forget when Lincoln used to have a truck called the Mark.

[Liz]

That's a bad one. I don't like the Mark.

[Merrick]

You like the Jimmy.

[Liz]

I like the Jimmy. Jimmy's fun. So the Jimmy's a good time.

[Merrick]

Everything we know about the 2029 GMC Jimmy, is there a real chance that GM is about revive a once popular Jimmy as a body on frame, off road suv. Rumblings about GM reviving the GMC Jimmy get louder every time there's a new body on frame. So like ak, like the Boulder, it says the strongest indicator we've seen elsewhere came from GMC authority just a week after the boulder rolled down the hill. According to the outlet, GMC is seriously looking at revisiting a previously scrapped plan for a new Jimmy suv. What makes this a bit different from previous situations is we're hearing the similar thing from insiders.

[Liz]

This would be really exciting. And like, I don't want them to bring it back in a Blazer way. Like, I want a manufacturer to bring it back in a vintage way. Like, I just wonder, like, I think just based off my husband, like, my husband is always on Facebook Marketplace, like looking at vintage trucks. Like he would love to drive a vintage truck if a manufacturer came out with a new truck that had all the new tech, but it had the look of like a vintage Ford.

[Merrick]

Yeah.

[Liz]

My husband would be the first customer.

[Merrick]

It says unlike the current Chevy Blazer, the new GMC Jimmy will answer the long standing calls for GM to build a real off road suv.

[Liz]

All right, well, I like it, but I want it to look like that picture you showed me. And it's not going to, but I want it to.

[Merrick]

It might. I don't know what these pictures are. I don't know. Like, they're not really saying, like the.

[Kelly]

I don't know if these were just

[Merrick]

like renderings or what these are. I mean, I guess these are just AI images. Those are from Motor Trend.

[Kelly]

Motor Trend's not going to throw up.

[Merrick]

AI slop.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

I don't know.

[Merrick]

I'm interested. I'm interested.

[Kelly]

I'm intrigued.

[Merrick]

I'm ready for it.

[Liz]

Me too.

[Kelly]

Oh, and then I also have like huge news.

[Merrick]

I'm going on an insane trip at the end of the month.

[Liz]

Oh yeah, Tell us about it.

[Merrick]

I don't know what I can exactly tell, but I can tell you I'm going to the iihs.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

And a manufacturer invited me to see a car be crash tested.

[Liz]

That's really cool. No, that's like dream status.

[Merrick]

It's dream status.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

I'm so excited. Like, I want to wear the goggles. I want to, like, I'm going to. I'm going to do it upright and I cannot wait. I love any FaceTime I get with the IHS is FaceTime well spent. I love those people. Love those people.

[Liz]

You're like minded individuals. Like, it's just nice to. You guys have stuff in common.

[Merrick]

Yeah. We both have super average relationships with the manufacturers.

[Liz]

Yeah, the manufacturers, like, don't love you. You're providing a service to families. And yeah, the ihs just like, they don't. And they don't answer to anyone. They buy their own.

[Merrick]

No, they don't answer to anyone. And I. And I love that.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

And I love that. So I think that's our episode.

[Liz]

Do you have a dish to drive through?

[Merrick]

Of course I've dish to drive through.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

I.

[Merrick]

Of course I have a dish to drive through. So a couple of things. I have two for you.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Merrick]

Because these are two things that I can. Like, I didn't prep both of them because my sister in law is bringing one because they're doing some lessons at our house tonight. But my sister in law, Trina, the one with the cooler, was like, again, has four kids. My kids age, and she has her life so together.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

You know what's so interesting about her? It's like when you go into her house, it's not that she's. I mean, her house looks like she has a kid. Like, there's toys in the living room, but if you open up any drawer, it is meticulously organized.

[Liz]

I wish.

[Merrick]

No, like, where I feel like I'm organized on the outside, but like, the inside's a mess.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

She's like, oh, she's the opposite.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Merrick]

Like, okay, not. I opened up her junk drawer and

[Liz]

I was like, she's got systems. Totally.

[Merrick]

You should see your pantry. I wish maybe she'll come on the podcast. She's so funny.

[Liz]

We also need Barb on the podcast.

[Merrick]

We need Barb. And I also want to get Isla Fay, Tyler's grandma.

[Liz]

We gotta get Isla.

[Merrick]

I know. Anyways, so Trina's kids are coming over to my house tonight to do swim lessons. And she's like, I'm gonna bring a muscachole. And I'm like, what a thing to feed a crowd. It's good.

[Liz]

Yeah, it's good.

[Merrick]

A good. She goes, I'm bringing muscachole and peas. And I'm like, thank you. Like, that's an amazing supper. And then before I left, I made a big old thing of poppy seed chicken.

[Liz]

Oh. So they'll be set.

[Merrick]

So they've got casseroles. They've got microwavable meals. Casseroles for days.

[Liz]

Okay, that's great.

[Merrick]

Days on days on days. So that's great. So that's mine. Do you want to talk about how we're not ditching throughout the night and going to Order for dinner.

[Liz]

What? We're ordering for dinner?

[Merrick]

Yeah. We looked at the menu.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

Are you? Tyler thinks it's so weird I look up a menu before I go to a restaurant.

[Liz]

No, I like to be prepared. I kind of like to get the vibes before I go there. Cuz then I can enjoy the conversation and I don't have to like stare at the menu and everything. And I also sometimes like to look at the pictures.

[Merrick]

Well. And then I feel like I can set myself up for what I'm going to eat for the remainder of the day.

[Liz]

That too.

[Merrick]

Because like, if I knew I was going to get a fish, then like I would maybe have beef at lunch.

[Liz]

You'd get like a burger? Yeah. Yeah.

[Merrick]

He thinks I'm so crazy for that.

[Liz]

No, he's crazy for not. I think. I think you're definitely in the majority there.

[Merrick]

Well, I've told you guys what Tyler orders at a restaurant. Like a nice restaurant like this. It's so embarrassing.

[Liz]

Will you order for him?

[Merrick]

I do order for him and it's so funny because.

[Liz]

Sorry.

[Merrick]

Tyler is a lot more social of a guy than me.

[Liz]

Yeah, like.

[Merrick]

Like Tyler's favorite thing is just to go door knocking. Like he'll just go.

[Kelly]

He will.

[Merrick]

Literally just like, he's so crazy. We're like, I don't even like to ask. Like I'm not that person.

[Liz]

You remember when we were in high school, I think it was legal. Maybe we were 18. How old do you have to be to go to a hookah bar? We went to a hookah bar with Tyler and there were some guys in the corner. So imagine the crowd at a hookah bar. There's some guys in the corner, like blowing rings with their hookah. Tyler's like, like, oh, that looks really cool. And he goes up and sits down with them. He's like, yeah, how do you do those? Like tricks? And he like had a kind.

[Merrick]

I know, it's so funny. The man doesn't know a stranger unless he's trying to take his order. So he'll be like, I don't know, like he won't even bother looking at the menu. Like, Kelly, you just order me something. He goes, I just want a steak in the Caesar salad. And I'm like, okay, how am I going to swing this? So the waitress gets to me and I'm like, I'll have the special cuz I'm a normal human being.

[Liz]

All of this Chilean sea bass. Yeah.

[Merrick]

My husband, he would like a Caesar salad and then he would like you to chop up steak and put it on top. She's like.

[Liz]

She's like, no, you want the Caesar salad first and the steak.

[Merrick]

No, I'm like, no, no, no, no, no. And she's like, so you don't make a cup, like, the syrup and then put it on a salad? She's like, the syrup's like, $45. And I'm like, yeah, that's what he wants.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

She's like, I could do the chicken.

[Liz]

And I'm like, no, no, bring it out. Bring it. All what I'm ordering is a strip

[Merrick]

steak and a Caesar salad. If you can't put it together in the kitchen, then drop it off with me first, and I'll cut it up for you. Him. He's so funny.

[Liz]

Well, that's why he doesn't have to look at menus, because you. You literally look at them for him, and he knows what he wants.

[Merrick]

Right.

[Kelly]

And that's.

[Liz]

And actually. But actually, a Caesar salad with a steak on top is a good meal.

[Merrick]

No, no, I'm sorry. I'm not making fun of him. I'm making fun of him a little bit because, like, he. It's the only thing he orders.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

And I think sometimes, like, they want, you know, if you're at a nice restaurant, like, they might want you to, like, experience, like, the brandy peppercorn sauce over the, like, the au gratin potatoes and asparagus. Not my husband.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

It's just the fact that I have to order it for him.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Merrick]

It's just. It's just, like, a fun fact about us.

[Liz]

But you know what?

[Merrick]

It's good to be needed.

[Liz]

It is. It is. You're right.

[Merrick]

It's good to be needed.

[Liz]

It is. No, literally. Not making, like. Literally couldn't care less. Don't. Wouldn't. Just making fun. Just exaggerating for the fact that we're on a podcast. Like, literally don't even care.

[Merrick]

Yeah, I don't even care. Anyway, so tonight we looked at this. I thought we told you guys. Swank, Swank, Swank, swank restaurant.

[Liz]

I guess.

[Merrick]

Yeah.

[Liz]

I don't know. I don't. I think you said swank too many times. It's. It's like a nice. It's a nice restaurant.

[Merrick]

I'm gonna get the strip steak. It's my favorite kind of steak. I don't like the filet. I don't like a ribeye.

[Liz]

Like, a strip steak's best. I think I'm gonna strip steak as well. And then we're gonna, like, share a vegetable. I don't really know if we're gonna share asparagus worth bringing up. Our orders are really boring.

[Merrick]

Sorry. I forget that, like, we're not just, like, talking and we're, like, doing a podcast because, like, we're just in person. I'm looking at you on a hotel bed. Oh. But we do have to get ready if we're gonna make it to that.

[Liz]

Got to get it going.

[Merrick]

Okay, well, that. Hold on. Okay, guys. Well, thanks so much for listening to the Carvel Podcast, Iowa edition.

[Liz]

Next week will be.

[Merrick]

We didn't even talk about your solo episode.

[Liz]

Well, you know what? I'm nervous. We haven't. It hasn't come out yet. I'm really nervous to hear what people think. Like, I'm so mortified to record solo. Like, I just feel like a lost puppy sometimes without you, and it's, like, such imposter syndrome, so hopefully people liked it.

[Merrick]

I'm sure they did. I. I can't wait. It's gonna give me something to listen to. Something to an airplane. Unless I read my book. We'll see which one I choose.

[Liz]

Yeah, I'm gonna just read your book. It's fine. It's probably not a good episode.

[Merrick]

Do you, like, trash me in it?

[Liz]

I literally couldn't compliment you more.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

So, actually.

[Liz]

Actually, if one person will like it, it will be Kelly.

[Kelly]

All right, guys, thanks for listening to the carpool podcast.

[Merrick]

We will see you on Wednesday.

[Kelly]

Have a good weekend.

[Merrick]

Bye. Thank you for listening to the carpool

[Kelly]

podcast with Kelly and Lynn. Is 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.