Podcast Summary: "IT'S ALL COMING UP MINIVAN"

The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz
Release Date: January 7, 2026
Hosts: Kelly Stumpe & Lizz St. John

Overview

In this lively and relatable episode of The Carpool, Kelly and Lizz ring in 2026 with fresh energy, plenty of car talk—especially minivans—and honest reflections about motherhood, everyday luxuries, and building sustainable habits. The sisters cover New Year mindsets, their evolving interests (“micro hobbies”), the minivan’s enduring appeal, thoughts on industry news from Stellantis and Mitsubishi, and finish with practical home and kitchen tips, all in their trademark warm and candid style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New Year Reflections & Words of the Year

Timestamps: 01:52 – 10:10

• Kelly’s Word: "Cadence"
  Kelly shares her word for 2026, inspired by her husband:

  “It just feels like this is the pace. Whatever pace we start this year – like, this is who we’re going to be.” (02:26)
  She wants to establish a sustainable rhythm for her family and herself post-baby-phase.

• Lizz’s Word: "Improve"
  Lizz is aiming for progress rather than perfection:

  "At the end of 2026, I want to look back and say, I improved in these areas of my life." (09:02)
  She loves the idea of using guiding questions for the year instead of standard goals.

• Both agree on embracing gradual progress:

  “Let’s crawl, walk, run.” – Kelly (10:10)

2. Micro Hobbies & Book Club Adventures

Timestamps: 04:00 – 08:37

• Micro Hobbies Philosophy:
  Kelly talks about reframing her “guilty pleasures” as micro hobbies.

  “Even like my guilty pleasures, when you just describe them as a hobby, all of a sudden you’re interesting.” (04:20)

• Kelly’s new hobby is reading, especially via audiobooks and book clubs; she’s excited to be “on the pulse in literature.”
• Kelly recommends “The Lion Women of Tehran” as her current book club read (06:55, 28:41).

3. The Minivan Deep-Dive: Culture, Merch, and Identity

Timestamps: 12:03 – 22:56

• “Never Say Never” Minivan Merch:
  The hosts excitedly debut new minivan-themed sweatshirts after an impressive pitch from listener Low:

  “She shooted her shot in such a major way…her opening line was, ‘Let me come across your desk.’ She slid on a desk—it was comedic genius.” – Kelly (12:27)

• Minivans and Their Drivers:
  Discussion about the passionate community of minivan owners:

  “No one likes their car more than someone who drives a minivan.” – Kelly (15:32)
  “You're gonna be a happy customer…once you have kids and you need space, and you are opening doors and…a car can function for you in such a positive, drastically better way.” – Lizz (15:43)
  Lizz swears by her Kia Carnival as the best-looking minivan (15:55).

• Pete Davidson’s "Cool Minivan" Trope:
  They riff on celebrities “making minivans cool,” with a nod to Pete Davidson’s partnership with eBay for a souped-up Honda Odyssey (17:15).

  “I'm just bored of that trope is all I can think of.” – Kelly (19:20)
  Both agree: why not make these innovative features (mini fridge, changing station) standard instead of one-offs?

4. Car Customization: To Stock or Not?

Timestamps: 20:13 – 22:00

• Kelly voices a strong opinion:

  “One of my hottest takes. I hate aftermarket accessories. Hate. For me, it's stock or bust…Dealerships only want the stock.” (20:13)

5. Minivan Nostalgia & Choices

Timestamps: 22:00 – 23:20

• Lizz acknowledges missing her minivan and admits—after trying other cars—that minivan life is simply easier.

6. Home Life Luxuries: The Hanger Segment

Timestamps: 26:09 – 28:20

• Lizz’s “base model luxury” is switching to wooden suit hangers for coats:

  “Putting my coats on these thick wooden hangers…it genuinely feels like a luxury experience.” (27:32)

• Kelly notes her preference for velvet hangers, while her husband opts for white plastic.

7. Micro Luxuries & Little Joys

Timestamps: 28:41 – 34:04

• Kelly shares a tiny luxury: always having a pack of gum. Lizz argues mints are classier:

  “Mints are so much classier. Because then you're not smacking and you don't have to find a trash can.” (30:05)

• Both discuss new kitchen trends (DIY Dairy Queen-style treats in a KitchenAid mixer).

8. Decluttering, Challenges & Closet Talk

Timestamps: 35:36 – 39:42

• The sisters discuss the January trend of household challenges (“getting rid of 500 items”, “No-Athleisure January”), but both don’t feel the pressure to join in.
• They express a desire to curate smarter, more comfortable wardrobes that work for real life, not aspirational visions.

9. Auto Industry News

Timestamps: 42:54 – 53:43

• Mitsubishi Montero Teaser:
  The hosts debate whether Mitsubishi can make a comeback with the promised 2028 Montero SUV.
  Lizz shares a traumatic story about the Outlander’s (lackluster) third row:

  “It ruined my Marine Corps ball because I got…so carsick…I feel like Mitsubishi robbed me of a lot that night.” (44:31)

• Stellantis Sales Slump:
  Sales across Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram are still struggling (“seventh straight annual decline”). Kelly thinks Jeep has too many models; Chrysler only makes minivans, which is, as she notes, “a trivia question.”
• Interesting Stat: Toyota dominates hybrid registration with 48% of the market (49:00).
• The Gas Gauge Arrow Origin Story:
  Kelly shares a human interest tidbit—crediting James Moylan at Ford for inventing the little arrow showing you which side your gas tank is on:

  “He got the idea while taking a company car to a meeting…” (51:03) Both agree this would make a great coffee table book: stories behind car features.

10. Ditch the Drive-Thru: Easy Recipes

Timestamps: 54:08 – 59:44

• Kelly’s Famous Beef and Veggie Soup:
  A crowd-pleaser for family gatherings and a great method for sneaking in more vegetables.

  “It is the most veggie-packed, salty, delicious soup you will ever have.” (55:10)

• Lizz’s (Pending) Rec:
  Planning to try a teriyaki chicken and rice bowl inspired by a favorite food influencer.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It just feels like this is the pace. Whatever pace we start this year – like, this is who we’re going to be.” – Kelly (02:26)
• “No one likes their car more than someone who drives a minivan.” – Kelly (15:32)
• “Being a person who has gum is, like, really…I thought we could have a gum conversation.” – Kelly (29:52)
• "I use that [fuel gauge arrow] feature all the time." – Lizz (52:12)
• “By the end of the year, just watch out. I'm gonna have my stock Kia Carnival, my Kindle, and my nice hangers. I'm a third of the way there.” – Lizz (28:20)
• “It is such a minivan episode. It’s all coming up minivan for us.” – Kelly (22:49)

Timestamps of Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |-----------------------------------------------|--------------| | New Year's Words/Goals | 01:52–10:10 | | Book Club & Micro Hobbies | 04:00–08:37 | | Minivan Merch & Culture | 12:03–22:56 | | Aftermarket vs. Stock Accessories | 20:13–22:00 | | Hanger/Closet Talk | 26:09–28:20 | | Base Model Luxuries | 28:41–34:04 | | Industry News & Car Features | 42:54–53:43 | | Ditch the Drive-Thru Recipes | 54:08–59:44 |

Language & Tone

• Casual, funny, sibling banter with candid admissions, light teasing, and occasional “real talk” about motherhood, home life, and personal growth.
• Accessible and relatable, especially for fellow moms or anyone interested in practical car advice and lifestyle tips.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a perfect snapshot of where Kelly and Lizz are at the start of 2026: optimistic, invested in family routines, minivan evangelists, and ready to find joy in both little domestic upgrades and broader industry trends. Whether you’re in the market for a new car (minivan especially!), seeking community in the chaos of motherhood, or wanting to elevate your home experience in small, smart ways, this show delivers—plus plenty of laughter along the way.

Links to the minivan “Never Say Never” sweatshirt and other show notes are in the episode description.