The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: GOD IS GREAT, BEER IS GOOD AND PEOPLE ARE CRAZY
Date: November 28, 2025

Main Theme / Purpose

In this lively episode, Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John offer a quintessential dose of lighthearted sister banter, all things millennial-mom, and a rundown of their latest transactions, auto-industry news, and personal hot takes. The episode bounces from relatable mom woes and gym rants to Black Friday shopping wins, holiday outsourcing debates, Dancing with the Stars feelings, and juicy auto industry insights, all underpinned by their no-nonsense, good-humored approach to life and motherhood.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Christmas Chores, Outsourcing, and Hate Mail

[00:05–15:51]

• Kelly’s Confession: Kelly doesn't enjoy Christmas tree decorating or wrapping presents and outsources it, stirring up some online criticism.
  • Quote (Kelly, 00:07): "I don't like to decorate my Christmas tree. I don't like to wrap presents... I love to do fun things with my kids. I don't like to do those things with my kids."
• Handling the Haters: Kelly discusses her approach to negative DMs, preferring voice memos for real talk and sometimes calling out persistent critics.
  • Quote (Kelly, 14:01): “If you ever do send me a hate message… you will get a voice memo from me. And I expect a voice memo back.”
  • She urges more online accountability and transparency.
• Lizz’s Support: Lizz backs up Kelly’s outsourcing: “Girls running a business, guys.” (13:45)

2. The Realities of the Powerlifting Gym

[03:37–11:03]

• Lizz's New Gym Experience: She details the quirks of her new gym—lots of self-filming, grunting, shirtless workouts, and even people working out nearly barefoot.
  • Tripods and Lighting for Socials: Both hosts respect the hustle (“I appreciate the hustle.” –Kelly, 05:53)
  • Excessive Grunting: Both agree it can be off-putting. (“That one is tough. If it got bad enough, I would leave mid workout.” –Kelly, 06:42)
  • Shirtless Men & Bare Feet: Uncomfortable for Lizz, crossing the line for both if toes are visible (“If you're seeing toes, you need to get out of there.” –Kelly, 08:50)
• Lizz's Dilemma: Despite the drawbacks, the gym’s convenience may keep her locked in (“I do think I’m stuck there.” –Lizz, 09:22)

3. Black Friday Shopping & Recent Transactions

[16:16–27:59]

• Black Friday Praise: The deals are genuinely good this year, much better than previous Prime days.
  • Quote (Kelly, 17:44): “These deals are good on Amazon and otherwise—very impressed.”
• Notable Purchases:
  • Anthropologie’s 30% off home section—“It was so exciting to have my name and Anthropologie’s name in the same sentence.” (Kelly, 17:56)
  • Stanley tumblers for $22—stocking up on gifts
  • Tea Collection kids clothing—their heirloom quality and great Black Friday pricing
  • White Fox and Comfort (CMFRT) branded sweatshirts for nieces and nephews, aiming to maintain “cool aunt” status
  • Outsourcing salad for Thanksgiving after a rough day—embracing exceptions to homemade traditions
  • Lizz’s homemade scones for Thanksgiving—a personal victory: “This must be what it feels like to be you, because I’m bringing something that’s homemade, that’s impressive.” (Lizz, 27:07)
• Mom-Life Switch-Up: The sisters note their alternating highs and lows, especially between busy motherhood and moments of thriving.

4. Dancing with the Stars Finale Recap

[28:05–36:56]

• Mixed Feelings on the Winner: Both Kelly and Lizz love both Alex and Robert—wishing they could have shared the win.
  • Quote (Lizz, 28:29): "They both deserve it... I cannot believe they said that they both got the most points or the most votes ever, and it was the closest that it's ever been. That's almost worse.”
• Finale Thoughts:
  • Five finalists was too many; would have preferred just four and an extra week.
  • Appreciation for seeing contestant placement for context.
  • Notable improvement of contestant Dylan over the season.
• Future Hopes: Suggestions for next season's cast include comedians and children’s entertainers like Blippi or Ms. Rachel. (“I feel like Blippi should be on it.” –Kelly, 33:53)
• Sadness About Season End: Both look forward to watching past seasons to fill the void.
  • Notable past controversy: Bobby Bones winning over Milo (“Apparently Bobby Bones gave back his trophy.” –Kelly, 36:35)

5. Juicy Auto Industry News (“Industry News” segment)

[37:03–45:17]

• The Female Crash Test Dummy: Transportation Dept unveils a more accurate female dummy, but Kelly calls it “basically a nothing burger” for now—developed, not required or widely used.
  • Quote (Kelly, 38:43): “It is exciting that they have developed this dummy. But… it doesn’t mean it's getting crash tested with…it's not a requirement yet.”
• Influencer Mishap at LA Auto Show: Viral video of TikTok creators destructively pulling apart a pre-production Jeep Recon—demonstrates lack of professionalism; Jeep clarifies the model isn’t built to production standards.
  • Quote (Kelly, 41:05): “You can definitely like point it out and question it without destroying the car.”
• Kia Telluride & Hyundai Palisade Hybrids: Anticipation for new family-friendly hybrids brings excitement; notable absence of similar options from GM.
  • Quote (Kelly, 43:56): “I’ve been saying for years...we just don’t have a lot of good hybrid options for families. And now they're coming.”
• Honda Pilot 2026 Upgrades: Long-awaited technology and screen upgrades finally catch it up to class competitors.

6. Ditch the Drive-Thru: Post-Thanksgiving Suppers

[45:34–47:24]

• Kelly’s Plan: Turkey tetrazzini—only if enough leftovers survive.
• Lizz’s Family Favorite: Crunchwraps—easy, satisfying, crowd-pleaser.
  • Quote (Lizz, 46:38): “They are so easy to make and pack a huge punch.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On outsourcing Christmas tasks:
  “Call me the Grinch who sold Christmas. Call me whatever you want. I’m a great mom. I love to do fun things with my kids. I don’t like to do those things with my kids.” –Kelly [00:07]

• On online hate and accountability:
  “If you ever do send me a hate message… you will get a voice memo from me. And I expect a voice memo back.” –Kelly [14:01]

• On relatable gym struggles:
  “If you're seeing toes, you need to get out of there.” –Kelly [08:50]

• On Black Friday:
  “These deals are good on Amazon and otherwise—very impressed.” –Kelly [17:44]

• On DWTS finale outcome:
  “They both deserve it... I want them to share it. I cannot believe they said that they both got the most points or the most votes ever, and it was the closest that it's ever been. That's almost worse.” –Lizz [28:29]

• On the new crash test dummy:
  “It is exciting that they have developed this dummy. But… it doesn’t mean it's getting crash tested with…it's not a requirement yet.” –Kelly [38:43]

• On family meal routines:
  “They are so easy to make and pack a huge punch.” –Lizz [46:38]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:05 – Kelly outsources Christmas decorating, receives hate
• 03:37 – Lizz’s powerlifting gym experiences
• 16:16 – Black Friday deals and recent purchases
• 28:05 – Dancing with the Stars finale recap
• 37:03 – Auto-industry hot takes: crash test dummies, influencer mishap, hybrids, Honda Pilot
• 45:34 – Ditch the Drive-Thru: Post-Thanksgiving recipes

Tone and Language

• Genuine, conversational, and humorous
• Open about struggles, with a self-aware and relatable lens on mom life, business, and internet culture
• Supportive sister dynamic, poking gentle fun at each other and themselves

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a lively, relatable round-up of real-life mom dilemmas, consumerist highs and lows, spirited TV fandom, and the latest scoop from the auto industry—served with sass, empathy, and the promise that sometimes you just have to outsource the holiday headaches, ignore the haters, and keep your shoes (and shirt) on at the gym.