Podcast Summary: The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: G'DAY SYDNEY
Date: October 24, 2025

Overview

In this lively and heartfelt episode, Kelly and Lizz welcome their sister Sydney back from nearly a year in Australia. The conversation covers everything from culture shocks and food in Melbourne, to dating as an American abroad, adjusting to driving on the other side of the road, and the sisters’ latest wish list and shopping finds. They share candid laughs about family dynamics, discuss auto industry news, and close with touching stories from their Blake’s Besties segment—honoring pregnancy and infant loss.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Welcome Back, Sydney! (02:10 - 04:00)

• Sydney returns home after 10 months in Australia, with only a brief Hawaii family visit.
• She explains her move: "I was just grinding away at the dealership, grinding on my purpose and your purpose. And my good friend Ava was like, hey, you know, it wouldn't be impossible for you to come to Australia. Looked into it, guys. It's not impossible." (04:06)
• Sydney now works at a BMW dealership in Melbourne—handling deliveries, admin, and CRM work, not sales.

2. Life at a BMW Dealership, Here and Abroad (05:15 - 06:07)

• The sisters note the amusing similarities between BMW dealerships in the US and Australia, from desks to atmosphere.
• "It's, same same, but different. Like they have all the same furniture as the BMW dealerships in the States, which is kind of weird fun." – Sydney (05:46)

3. Australia Q&A: Dating, Food, and Culture Shocks

Dating Down Under (06:07 - 07:36)

• Sydney dispels the fantasy of being "Robert Irwin's American Girlfriend" (06:20)
• “Not only am I ten years older, but I’m four inches taller." – Sydney (07:11)
• Shares she's been on a couple of dates, but "nothing to write home about." (12:45)

Australian Food & Local Experiences (07:48 - 09:43)

• Melbourne food is "really good," with global cuisine at hand; she orders a lot more DoorDash than in the US.
• Favorite: Vietnamese pho (“foh” locally pronounced).
• Introduces the “sausage sizzle” at Bunnings (Australia's Home Depot), likened to the US Ace Hardware popcorn or occasional Lowe's hotdogs.

Drinking Culture Differences (10:11 - 12:04)

• Strict alcohol measurement: “Every single drink is measured in Australia. If you get a vodka soda, it is one shot, fully measured out, dropped in…” (10:16)
• Public intoxication not tolerated at bars, drinks are expensive and labeled by units (“standard drinks”).
• Legal drinking age is 18. “When you rock up to a bar and you’re like, oh my God, that is an 18-year-old. And it looks like one.” – Sydney (11:56)

4. Everyday Life in Australia

Living as an American Abroad (13:02 - 14:55)

• Locals often ask, "Are you American or Canadian?"
• Some like her accent, some don't; sometimes she mimics local speech to blend in.

Nature, Seasons, and Driving (15:05 - 17:41)

• Animal encounters: no dangerous animals in the city, but magpies can attack, cockatoos and parrots are common as “pests.”
• "Kangaroos are kind of like the white-tailed deer of Missouri." – Sydney (16:18)
• Australia is in spring while US is in fall: “...the winter wasn’t that bad, but it is so dry and windy, and houses aren’t insulated.” (16:53)
• She drives on the left side; adjustment is “a little spun around… but honestly, I’m so on autopilot.” (17:25)

5. Sydney’s Wish List, Shopping, and American Comforts (18:05 - 20:24)

• Keeps a wish list on her phone for gifts and splurges: new iPhone 17 Pro Max, gold earrings, nice tops and jeans.
• Favorite US products: "American deodorant, guys, that is just so superior." (19:55)
  • “That Secret deodorant, guys. Wow.” (20:13)
• Loves US grocery stores and Target: "One of my simple pleasures is going to the grocery store. I love perusing..." (20:35)

6. Last Three Transactions Game (21:12 - 28:53)

• Sydney’s first meal home: "Jimmy John’s Turkey Tom and a big Coke Zero." (21:29)
• Most recent splurge: $40 on Australian snacks (Tim Tams, gummy candy, cookies) to bring home.
• Kelly’s purchase: Cordless lamps for mood lighting.
• Family shopping strategy for upcoming farm party—discussing capsule wardrobes, kids’ outfits, and a burgundy utility jacket with leopard print.

7. Culture, Driving, and Licensing in Australia (30:23 - 31:51)

• Sydney got an Australian driver's license with full privileges at 25, no tests required, whereas locals don’t get full licenses until 21.
  • "I rock up there at 25 years of age and just get a full driver's license like that." (31:14)
  • Describes “P” plates system signifying driver experience.

8. Dish the Drive Thru Recipe: Aussie Stuffed Peppers (32:13 - 34:15)

• Sydney’s (well, her roommate Ava’s) favorite dinner: Bolognese stuffed bell peppers loaded with hidden veggies, marinara, ground beef, mozzarella, and sometimes rice.
• “We make stuffed peppers—they say capsicum down there, I will not be saying that.” – Sydney (32:37)
• "It tastes like Bolognese stuffed pepper... the greatest thing." (33:42)

9. Influencing and Instagram Woes (34:31 - 35:42)

• Lizz and Kelly urge Sydney to post more about her Australian adventures and recipes.
• Sydney: “I don’t think I do anything interesting enough.” (34:33)
• Kelly: “You do! You’re an American living in Australia…sometimes that’s just what people want to see.” (34:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Australian Drinking Scene:
  "Australians also hold that same kind of sentiment. But this is what I’ll say—in the US… you can go somewhere to drink as long as you’re not too drunk. In Australia, you actually… they will not let you in if you are very drunk…" – Sydney (10:16, 11:20)

• On Being Asked If She’s Canadian:
  “I've just never been asked so much if I'm Canadian before, which, you know, I don't mind.” – Sydney (13:13)

• On Shopping at US Stores:
  “You just don’t know how good you have it until you don’t have it.” – Sydney, excited about American deodorant and Target (20:24, 30:08)

• On Family Dynamics and Capsule Wardrobes:
  "Tyler’s the guy who… likes a shirt, likes a pair of boots, buys it in every color, multiple, multiple times… the man will be wearing the same thing 40 years from now." – Lizz (25:28)

• On Wish List Strategy:
  “When she sees something that she wants… she writes it down on her phone, which is smart. So then when birthdays, Christmas, maybe she gets some extra cash… she knows exactly what she wants.” – Kelly (18:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro and Quince Ad: 00:00 – 01:43
• Sydney Returns / Australia Backstory: 02:10 – 05:15
• BMW Dealership Differences: 05:15 – 06:07
• Robert Irwin Question: 06:07 – 07:08
• Australian Food / Sausage Sizzle: 07:48 – 09:37
• Bars and Drinking Laws: 10:11 – 12:04
• Accent and “Are you Canadian?”: 13:02 – 14:55
• Nature & Driving on the Other Side: 15:05 – 17:41
• Wish List & Shopping US vs. AUS: 18:05 – 20:24
• Three Transactions Game: 21:12 – 28:53
• Australian Driver's License Discussion: 30:23 – 31:51
• Dish the Drive Thru (Stuffed Peppers): 32:13 – 34:15
• Instagram / Influencer Debate: 34:31 – 35:42
• Industry News (Wagoneer): 36:04 – 39:38
• Blake’s Besties Pregnancy/Infant Loss Stories: 41:44 – 49:30

Auto Industry News (36:04 – 39:38)

• Jeep Wagoneer Changes:
  • Wagoneer model discontinued; only the Grand Wagoneer remains, now firmly branded as "Jeep."
  • Pricing more competitive, simplified trim levels: Limited Altitude, Obsidian, and Summit.
  • Main concern: "They've got to get their reliability under freaking control. They have to sell them. Dealers' lots are full."
  • Kelly's advice: "[If] you want an insane deal on a car, I'd try to go find a Wagoneer. Like a 25 Wagoneer. But I would lease it."

Blake’s Besties (Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness) (41:44 – 49:30)

• Several listeners’ stories of baby loss, grief, and healing; includes planting a tree in memory, marking significant dates, navigating COVID-era challenges, and heartfelt expressions of hope and remembrance.
  • “I think about our angel every single day. I can’t wait for the day I get to hold them and finally know if they’re a boy or a girl.” – Tanya (44:49)
  • “We love to think our nugget is still with us because I love drinking ice cold Coke Zero.” – Brianne (47:02)

Closing Thoughts

• The sisters continue to balance lighthearted sisterly banter with real talk about career, travel, and family. Sydney’s Australian adventure adds fresh perspective and plenty of laughs, while segments like Dish the Drive Thru and Blake’s Besties give the episode its signature blend of fun, practical tips, and genuine community support.

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