Episode Summary: FLU SEASON 101
Release Date: February 25, 2025
Hosts: Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John

In this episode of The Carpool Podcast with Kelly and Lizz, hosts Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John delve into the challenges and lessons learned from navigating one of the toughest flu seasons they've ever experienced. Drawing from their personal lives as busy moms and auto-industry experts, Kelly and Liz provide valuable insights and practical tips for other families facing similar health hurdles.

1. Personal Battles with the Flu Season

Kelly and Liz open up about their recent struggles with influenza, which coincided with an unusually severe cold snap and snowstorm. This combination not only heightened the difficulty of the season but also significantly impacted their daily routines and overall well-being.

Kelly shares:
"[02:07] She's not joking. Like she has said that so many times. So let's back up. We both, both of our kids starting getting sick on the same day and it rocked us."

Liz echoes the intensity of their experience, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the flu compared to other illnesses like the common cold or COVID-19.

Liz remarks:
"[02:42] I don't think we've had the flu and I don't know if I've ever actually had the flu with kids. The common cold or not even common, like a cold strep Covid. Like bring it on. The flu was, it was just different every day and I think that's what made it so hard."

2. Lessons Learned for Future Preparedness

One of the key takeaways from their ordeal is the critical importance of preparation, especially concerning freezer meals. Kelly and Liz realized that having readily available meals can be a lifesaver when dealing with sudden illnesses and inclement weather.

Kelly advises:
"[07:25] I want to talk about the notes that we, we took on how to prepare for the sixth season. ... you need to be adding freezer meals to the prep of the holiday craziness because someone's going to get sick."

They emphasize timing freezer meal preparations around the holiday season to ensure that families have access to nutritious and easy-to-prepare meals when traditional grocery runs become challenging.

3. Adopting a Resilient Mindset

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the mindset shift required to cope with prolonged illness within the family. Kelly and Liz discuss moving from a place of frustration and disappointment to one of acceptance and strategic planning.

Kelly reflects:
"[05:33] We needed to have a mindset shift. ... Let's take notes, let's figure out how we're going to get through this. And then next February, we're going to be hopefully more prepared."

This proactive approach helped them manage expectations and reduce daily stress, making it easier to handle the ongoing challenges of flu season.

4. The Importance of Self-Care

Balancing the demands of sickness with self-care emerged as a crucial element for maintaining mental health. Kelly and Liz share their journeys toward self-care, acknowledging the necessity of prioritizing their own well-being amidst caregiving responsibilities.

Liz confides:
"[17:16] I have never called Liz crying more in my life. It was really dark."

They discuss strategies such as scheduling self-care weeks, setting boundaries, and finding moments of personal respite to recharge.

5. Navigating Dinner Auctions

Shifting gears, Kelly and Liz explore their experiences with dinner auctions, a common fundraising activity for schools and community organizations. They provide a comprehensive overview of how these events operate and share their personal anecdotes to highlight both the fun and the challenges involved.

Liz explains:
"[24:07] Oral auctions are strange because if you're gonna be bidding, like either way, it's like kind of embarrassing..."

Kelly adds her perspective on interacting with unique auction items and the social dynamics of bidding, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the intricacies of these events.

6. Introducing New Podcast Segments

Towards the end of the episode, Kelly and Liz brainstorm potential new segments to keep the podcast fresh and engaging. They introduce ideas like "Your Make Model", where they discuss favorite products or preferences, and "Mount Rushmore of...", inspired by another podcast's format to rank their top choices in various categories.

Kelly suggests:
"[44:18] So what if you have a good smoothie recipe that doesn't taste like a homemade smoothie? What is it?"

These segment ideas aim to foster listener interaction and diversify the content, ensuring that the podcast remains dynamic and community-driven.

7. Practical Tips and Takeaways

• Prepare Freezer Meals: Time meal prep around the holidays to ensure availability during emergencies.
• Create a Sick Day Bin: Stock up on activities and essentials to keep kids entertained and nourished when they're ill.
• Adopt a Resilient Mindset: Accept the challenges of flu season and plan strategically to manage stress.
• Prioritize Self-Care: Schedule regular times to recharge and maintain mental health.
• Engage in Community Activities: Participate in dinner auctions to support local schools and build community connections.

Notable Quotes

• Kelly on Mindset Shift:
  "[07:25] We needed to have a mindset shift. ... Let's take notes, let's figure out how we're going to get through this."

• Liz on Coping with Burnout:
  "[03:46] I have just had the hardest week of my life. By far."

• Kelly on Self-Care:
  "[19:29] Our mental attitude was a few days ago. I think we're actually doing great."

• Liz on Dinner Auctions:
  "[25:00] If you don't know what a live auction is, it's when someone's like, okay, who will give me, you know, $200 for this?"

Conclusion

In FLU SEASON 101, Kelly and Liz candidly share their tumultuous experiences with a severe flu season, offering listeners relatable stories and actionable advice. From enhancing preparedness and maintaining a positive mindset to exploring community-driven activities like dinner auctions, the hosts provide a comprehensive guide to navigating challenging health seasons with resilience and grace. Their discussions not only highlight the struggles but also celebrate the strength and adaptability required to keep families thriving amidst adversity.

Join Kelly and Liz in their next episodes as they continue to blend entertaining conversations with practical insights, all from the perspective of millennial moms balancing work, family, and personal well-being.