The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz — Episode Summary

Podcast: The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz
Episode: FIRST MICRO-HOBBY OF 2026
Date: January 28, 2026
Hosts: Kelly Stumpe & Lizz St. John

Episode Overview

In this lively and nostalgia-packed episode, Kelly and Lizz dive into the joy of micro-hobbies, with a focus on Kelly’s newfound obsession: collecting vintage '90s Fisher Price Loving Family dollhouse toys. Their conversation meanders through the highs and lows of Facebook Marketplace bargaining, the meaning behind temperature "feels like" readings, reflections on social media trends, frustrations and fascinatings with AI, micro-hobbies as an antidote to mindless scrolling, mealtime and manicure hacks, baby name musings, and some expert car seat configuration advice for growing families.

Key Discussion Points

1. Kelly’s First Micro-Hobby of 2026: Vintage Toy Collecting

• Timestamp: 01:49–14:55

• Kelly’s Hobby Origins:
  Kelly shares her new micro-hobby for 2026—collecting Fisher Price Loving Family dollhouse toys and accessories from the '90s.

  “Let me start with my new micro hobby. And it’s my first micro hobby of 2026 ... I just let micro hobbies find me.” — Kelly (01:49)

• Why Vintage Toys?
  Kelly and Lizz bond over the nostalgia and durability of '90s toys, criticizing modern equivalents (e.g., Gabby’s Dollhouse) as lower quality:

  “90s toys were superior. Like, 100%. … Everything about them is better. I’ve been so vocal on my dislike for the Gabby Dollhouse. I think it’s the most biggest piece of garbage ever made.” — Kelly (02:30)

• The Search and Marketplace Adventures:
  Lizz joins the quest, helping Kelly hunt down the perfect set—without the “real hair” dolls—from Facebook Marketplace and eBay.

  “Since you told me that, my Facebook marketplace was like, all these houses popping up, so I started sending them to you.” — Lizz (05:07)

  “I got an amazing deal. I paid 17 bucks for mine.” — Kelly (04:20)

• The Collector’s Dilemma:
  Kelly aims for a $300 budget, wants all families and accessories, debates between the 1993 house and the mansion, and learns about the line’s vintage minivans:

  “I have all of the characters in all of the furniture ... They have families of every ethnicity. So I kind of want all of them.” — Kelly (08:16)

  “From the 90s to the early 2000s, they sold loving family cars ... I need these minivans. Like, that is so car mom coded.” — Kelly (09:18)

• Nostalgia and Investment Value:

  “We were all told as 90s kids, like, keep your beanie babies. Those are going to be worth something. Yeah, those aren’t worth anything ... They’re not worth Fisher Price Loving Family, 1993, mint condition.” — Kelly (06:53)

• Bonding over the Hunt:

  “This is a hobby. Like, you and I are texting back and forth. We’re getting excited. … It’s fun. We’re connecting. Isn’t that what it’s all about?” — Lizz (07:43)

• Furniture Details & Nostalgia:

  Lizz obsesses over miniature versions of real Fisher Price furniture, like the turtle sandbox and pink vanity (11:29).

• Kelly’s Closing Manifesto:

  “I’m probably gonna make it like a series because, like, you have to see these toys ... I’m just ... If anything else, I’m having fun. It’s my newest micro hobby.” — Kelly (11:18)

2. Micro-Hobby Philosophy & AI Woes

• Timestamp: 28:11–29:58; 24:45–28:25

• Kelly & Lizz on Hobbies vs. Mindless Scrolling

  They encourage listeners to pursue real hobbies (and praise the show "Traders") as a way of connecting more fully with themselves and the world—“AI could never” replace that genuine rush or satisfaction.

  “That’s why the Fisher Price hobby has been so nice. Because instead of scrolling Instagram, I’m scrolling Facebook Marketplace, and I’m looking for something real. You know, I’m just trying to connect to what is real.” — Lizz (28:09)

• Micro (and Nano) Hobbies:
  Kelly’s also deep-diving into using up cuts of meat from her freezer, but Lizz is unconvinced that’s truly a “nano-hobby” since Kelly talks about it constantly (28:51–29:58).

• AI Anxiety:
  Both discuss the troubling rapid advancement of AI and the difficulty in knowing if content online is real (24:45–28:25).

  “There is a real problem going on in our country, and that is artificial intelligence. … We are to the point where you need to second guess every single thing you see.” — Kelly (23:51, 24:02)

  Memorable moment: Kelly falls for the “Too Rich to Age/Evelyn” AI influencer account (24:59–26:24).

3. Social Media Cringe & Trends

• Timestamp: 19:58–23:45

• Cringey Trends:
  Kelly hates the “hating me is probably valid ... I did everything I said I would. Plus I’m raising four kids" trend.

  “It’s such a weird, like, message to put out ... What account would benefit from telling your followers that they probably hate you because you’re so much better than them?” — Kelly (21:27)

• Tired Tropes:
  They both critique the dramatic “no one believed in me, but I did it” genre and “quote nobody cares about what you post” meme (22:04–23:45).

4. Temperature "Feels Like" Rant

• Timestamp: 14:55–17:21

• Kelly is baffled and annoyed by the “real” temperature vs. “feels like” temperature:

  “If it feels like that, then that’s what it is. … What’s the math?” — Kelly (15:17)

  Lizz attempts to explain, but both remain bewildered at why their house at 68-70°F feels different in summer than in winter (16:03–17:21).

5. Baby Names and Generational Trends

• Timestamp: 30:09–37:01

• Lizz’s Naming Journey:
  Now pregnant with her third child, Lizz shares the baby name selection process, reflecting on "top ten" names and her indifference to there being other Elizabeths in her class.

• Kelly’s Name Rarity:
  Kelly discovers her own name isn’t in the top 1,000 for 2026—reflecting changing trends.

  “Wait, Kelly is not even the top 1000 in 2026. … It was the most popular in 1977.” — Lizz (33:29)

• Name banter and memories:
  Fun riffing about schoolyard rhyming (“Kelly jelly belly smelly...” 33:43–34:00, 37:39–37:53).

6. Car Advice & Industry News

• Timestamp: 38:11–47:46

• Correction about Volvo XC90:
  Kelly issues a correction: the Volvo XC90 with captain’s chairs does have a tether anchor in the third row, but only in that configuration—not with a bench seat. She explains why federal regulations shape this (38:11–40:19).

• Chicago Auto Show Event:
  Kelly announces she’ll be leading an auto show tour in Chicago, with only 25 tickets (40:56–41:44).

• Listener Car Seat Question:
  Advice for a listener (“Jenny”) expecting her third child: Strategies for arranging three kids in a Suburban, with detailed scenarios based on car seat type, age, and accessibility (43:23–47:46).

  “Let’s put the four-year-old in the third row and then let’s have the other ... rear-facing kids, the two younger kids in the captain’s chairs.” — Kelly (43:23)

• Lizz’s Own Car Seat Planning:
  Lizz contemplates her own upcoming three-seat setup in her (future?) Kia Carnival.

7. Ditch the Drive Through: Kid Dinner Solutions

• Timestamp: 48:24–54:41

• Character Can Soup Hack:
  Kelly serves Campbell’s character-themed soups as lunch for her kids in a snowstorm pinch, enjoying the novelty and convenience.

  “My kids each killed a can of these soups ... let me be clear, I am ditching the drive through here. I’m not claiming to be anything other than not going through the McDonald’s drive thru.” — Kelly (49:11, 50:09)

• DIY Soup Stickers Hack:
  Lizz muses about slapping dino stickers on a healthy meal as a character-marketing hack (51:25–51:35).

• Soup Dumplings:
  Both compare Trader Joe’s vs. Costco soup dumplings, agreeing Costco wins, then detail condiment combos to up the ante, notably Japanese BBQ sauce (53:02–54:41).

8. Micro-Manicure Hobby: DIY Press-On Nails

• Timestamp: 54:41–58:35

• Kelly’s New Experiment:
  Kelly orders 150 extra-short, unpainted press-on nails from Etsy for $7, planning to paint them herself to save money and always have backups. Lizz is skeptical about the time investment, but Kelly persists.

  “I think I’m going to paint the sheet. I like white and blue nails. Maybe I’ll do a bubblegum pink if I’m feeling crazy .... It’ll be a 25 cent manicure. A dollar manicure!” — Kelly (55:49–56:18)

• The Eternal Loss of Press-On Nails:
  Kelly’s ongoing woe: losing a nail in the wild and ruining a set (56:46–57:17).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you rob my house, the robbers will be looking in the wrong places. Everything I have of value is in my toy room.” — Kelly (11:08, see also 00:02 and 11:09)
• “I just think we all need to be finding micro hobbies. ... AI could never.” — Kelly (28:25)
• “It’s market. And he’s a man who could understand an investment.” — Kelly on her husband and toy buying (08:16, 08:13)
• “Don’t make up scenarios. You’re interesting enough as it is.” — Kelly (23:45)
• “Naming babies: names feel so much more common now because of social media ... but you’re not running in circles with all these Olivias.” — Kelly (32:02)
• “We’re always being advertised to ... Who are we to literally advertise on a banana sticker?” — Kelly (49:17)
• “You can add things to it, of course ... I ditched the drive through. ... They loved it. It was hearty. ... Fed my kids for three bucks.” — Kelly (51:17)

Engaging Takeaways

• Micro-hobbies foster connection, purpose, and are a fun escape from digital monotony.
• Vintage toy collecting is not just fun, it’s potentially lucrative and deeply nostalgic.
• The world of family vehicles and car seat arrangements is more complex than most realize—Kelly and Lizz’s expertise shines in troubleshooting real listener dilemmas.
• Modern motherhood isn’t just about survival—it’s about resourcefulness, bonding, and sometimes, just microwaving Paw Patrol soup.

Quick Navigation / Timestamps

• Micro-hobby kick-off: 01:49–14:55
• Facebook Marketplace escapades: 05:07–08:59
• Value & nostalgia of vintage toys: 06:53–07:06
• Critiques of social media trends: 19:58–23:45
• AI-generated influencers & concerns: 23:51–28:25
• Feels-like temperature rant: 14:55–17:21
• Baby names & generational popularity: 30:09–37:01
• Car seat/vehicle Q&A: 38:11–47:46
• Ditch the drive through (soups, dumplings): 48:24–54:41
• Press-on nail micro-hobby: 54:41–58:35

For anyone who missed the episode:
This energetic chat between two car-obsessed sisters is as much about digging up the gems of childhood as it is about pragmatic life hacks for chaotic, modern motherhood. Whether you’re a collector at heart, a fellow car seat juggler, or just want a shot of millennial-mom humor and solidarity, this episode serves it all—with a side of soup and sassy, sisterly banter.