The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: HOW TO WINTERIZE YOUR KIDS
Date: November 14, 2025
Hosts: Kelly Stumpe & Lizz St. John

Episode Overview

In this lively and practical episode, Kelly and Lizz—millennial sisters, moms, and third-generation auto industry experts—focus on how to “winterize your kids.” With personal anecdotes and actionable strategies, they share tips for keeping children entertained and households running smoothly through the long, challenging months spent mostly indoors. Along the way, they touch on recent car reviews (with strong opinions about the Nissan Armada), share their latest Amazon transactions, discuss product recommendations, and wrap up with a Dancing With the Stars recap and creative dinner ideas. All delivered in their signature conversational, authentic tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Construction Lights vs. Influencer Lighting (01:25–04:20)

• Kelly shares a lightbulb moment about using her husband's “$40 construction lights” for better podcast lighting instead of expensive influencer ring lights.
  • “Sometimes the construction workers just do it better than the influencers and we just need to recognize that.” (Kelly, 03:06)

2. Nissan Armada Review: The Unloved SUV (04:20–07:26)

• Kelly gives a brutally honest take on the Nissan Armada, highlighting its shortcomings compared to other full-size SUVs.
  • “It doesn’t win anything, though. Every car does something better than the Armada.” (Kelly, 04:53)
  • Family context: Their dad owns a Nissan dealership, yet the sisters remain unimpressed.
  • “...I literally went on and bought a car versus driving in Armada.” (Kelly, 07:01)

3. The Main Event: "Winterizing" Your Kids & Home (08:24–23:45)

What Does “Winterizing” Mean? (08:49–10:38)

• Not just boots by the door or coat drop zones—focus is on activities and entertainment to keep kids busy indoors and parents sane.
  • “We're talking about... what are the changes we're making inside of our home to make the kids entertain longer? Things less chaotic, fresh things for them to do...” (Liz, 08:58)

Bath Time as a Major Indoor Activity (10:38–15:09)

• Creative ways to extend bath time:
  • Bring in kitchen tools or non-bath toys for novelty (“bath rotation”).
  • Bulk rubber ducks: “What if I just bought a ton of rubber ducks?” (Kelly, 12:50)
  • Specialty bath items: Kid bath bomb "potions".
  • Organize bath toys in bins for easy rotation.
  • Kelly folds laundry or works while supervising long baths.

Art & Coloring Stations (15:20–17:29)

• Set up a “coloring station” with cut paper, fresh markers, pencils, and crayons.
  • Only give half-sheets of paper to save waste.
  • “That’s a dinner time activity. That’s 20 minutes that I’m getting back into my evening.” (Kelly, 17:30)

DIY Sensory Bins & “Big” Present Ideas (17:49–20:52)

• Shallow stacking bins filled with special toys—kinetic sand, magnetic blocks, stacking rocks, themed small-world play.
  • “...if you buy one pack, looks like this. This is what two packs look like. This is what three packs look like...” (Kelly, 19:49)

Considering Indoor Play Equipment (21:00–23:45)

• Possibly getting a gymnastics bar; Lizz plans to convert basement space for open play:
  • “I'm going to try and make my basement just... as open as I possibly can for running around... a big open runaround spot.” (Liz, 21:18)
• Setup toys in new ways during naptime/bedtime for independent morning play.
  • “Just don’t underestimate the power of... setting up their toys in a way for them, especially for a toddler.” (Liz, 22:08)

Painter’s Tape—A Must-Have Tool (23:20–23:38)

• “You can do so much with tape. That’s a busy toddler hack.” (Liz, 23:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Sometimes the construction workers just do it better than the influencers...” (Kelly, 03:06)
• “It doesn’t win anything, though. Like, it doesn’t do... Every car does something better than the Armada.” (Kelly, 04:53)
• “We’re talking about... what are the changes we’re making inside... to make the kids entertain longer?” (Liz, 08:58)
• “What if I just bought a ton of rubber ducks?” (Kelly, 12:50)
• “That’s a dinner time activity. That’s 20 minutes that I’m getting back into my evening.” (Kelly, 17:30)
• “Just don’t underestimate the power of... setting up their toys in a new way...” (Liz, 22:08)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Lighting hack & construction lights – 01:25–04:20
• Nissan Armada discussion – 04:20–07:26
• Winterizing Kids segment begins – 08:24
• Bath time strategies – 10:38–15:09
• Art/coloring station tips – 15:20–17:29
• Sensory/activity bins discussion – 17:49–20:52
• Basement/open play area & toy setup tips – 21:00–23:45

Product Recommendations

Beekeeper’s Naturals Immune Products (28:29–31:25)

• Inspired by a Skinny Confidential episode, both hosts are testing propolis sprays, honey, and royal jelly for immune support.
  • “...she creates products made out of bee things that bees create...propolis, royal jelly...” (Liz, 28:47)

Lands’ End for Kids’ 100% Cotton Tees (32:15–33:09)

• Lands’ End cotton t-shirts lauded for quality and durability.
  • “I just love, like, I know what t-shirts they have that are cotton. I just think they wash better...” (Kelly, 32:34)

Auto Industry News: 2027 Kia Telluride Redesign (33:23–38:29)

• Kelly and Lizz break down the new Telluride:
  • Significant redesign, more modern/Rangerover-like, three inches bigger, new flush door handles.
  • Added third-row latch positions & carseat tilt feature.
  • “This is like a Kris Jenner facelift. You know what I mean?” (Kelly, 33:41)
  • Cup holder drama: They switched to the old Palisade’s cup holders.

Pop Culture: Dancing With the Stars Recap (39:00–48:44)

• “I’m on fire. Last three weeks, I predicted who was going to go home.” (Liz, 39:00)
• Andy goes home after his best dance; speculation on the top four; performance analysis.
• “...When they did the tribute to those who have passed and Aaron Carter was on there. What? That was crazy.” (Kelly, 44:45)
• Prince William cameo, nostalgic Derek Hough footage—highlight moments for both hosts.

Ditch the Drive Thru: Easy Dinner Ideas (49:01–53:43)

1. Siete Enchilada Sauce Casserole (49:13–50:52)

   • Corn or flour tortillas, shredded chicken, Siete red enchilada sauce, cheese, bake. Toppings: jalapeños, onions, sour cream, avocado.
   • “The Siete enchilada sauce. Excellent. Here’s what you’re going to do...” (Liz, 49:16)

2. Barbecue Chicken Pizza (51:06–51:55)

   • Pillsbury crust, BBQ sauce, rotisserie/shredded chicken, cheese, red onion, jalapeños.
   • “Barbecue chicken pizzas tonight for dinner... barbecues sauce, rotisserie chicken, cheese, red onion...” (Kelly, 51:06)

   Both: Start with a big batch of shredded chicken to make both meals during the week.

Closing Micro-Hobbies & Project Teasers

• Kelly hopes to try keeping bees next spring: “Mark my words.” (Kelly, 53:57)

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a practical and highly relatable survival guide for parents facing long winter months. The hosts seamlessly blend mom hacks and home management ideas with car buying wisdom, product recommendations, pop culture recaps, and their trademark banter. Expect actionable tips, laugh-out-loud moments, and the sense that you’re right in the carpool lane with two of your funniest, realest friends.

Recommended for:

• Parents looking for fresh ideas to survive winter indoors with kids
• Moms researching car purchases
• Listeners who appreciate honest product tips
• Fans of lighthearted, engaging pop culture and lifestyle podcasts