Podcast Summary: The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: IT'S GIVING TANGIBLE TAKEAWAY W/ MOM OF FIVE @homebeginswithlove
Release Date: December 3, 2025
Hosts: Kelly Stumpe & Lizz St. John
Guest: Natalie Johnson (@homebeginswithlove)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Kelly and Lizz launch a new mini-series focused on tangible takeaways for homemaking, grocery and meal savings, and real-life kitchen routines, featuring guest Natalie Johnson—mom of five, homeschooler, and creator of @homebeginswithlove. The hosts candidly discuss recent holidays, car industry news, and share their own evolving approaches to home cooking and family management. The episode is packed with practical advice for busy families, memorable conversations about motherhood, and an insightful interview loaded with actionable tips.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter & Black Friday Consumerism (00:06–04:36)

• The hosts joke about car trends ("They're cars and you're acting like it's a fashion purse" — Kelly, 00:06).
• Black Friday recap: Both hosts discuss sales, intentional shopping, and how they’d prefer "essentials sales" in off-peak months.
  • Lizz: “I have all my Christmas shopping done, and that feels incredible… I was very smart and intentional this year.” (02:35)
• Reflection on the joy and stress of the shopping season as moms.

2. New Mini-Series Preview: Homemaking Tangible Takeaways (04:11–08:42)

• New podcast mini-series: Weekly interviews with Instagram creators sharing kitchen, freezer, and budgeting tips.
  • Aim is to provide listeners with realistic strategies for saving at the grocery store, cooking more at home, and creative meal planning.
• Lizz expresses newfound joy and creativity in home cooking, reframing homemaking as a fulfilling, creative pursuit, not a fallback from a “real” career.
  • “Homemaking really uses your brain, uses your creativity, and if you look at it more like a purpose than just a chore, you’ll get more joy out of it.” — Lizz (05:00)
• Kelly aspires to move from "recipe follower" to true home cook, emphasizing flexibility and from-scratch meals.

3. Holiday Recaps and Postpartum Reflections (08:51–14:35)

• Both hosts offer candid holiday recaps, sharing Thanksgiving successes, what they would tweak for next year (e.g., having a post-holiday dinner ready), and the evolution of family roles.
• Reflections on motherhood: Both Kelly and Lizz talk openly about the intensity of early postpartum periods and how life changes as kids get older.
  • “You do become yourself again—you’re actually a better version of yourself.” — Lizz (13:01)
  • “You'll be so proud of the person you are once you get through that postpartum area.” — Kelly (13:47)

4. Listener Advice: Transitioning to Four Kids (14:35–19:58)

• A listener asks for advice on managing four children.
  • Kelly shares her authentic experience: The transition is tough initially but ultimately rewarding. She encourages systems and organization, and not to compare oneself to others.
    • “Four really forced me to get organized and take motherhood more seriously. We need processes—I am a family of six.” (17:32)
  • Lizz adds that the postpartum perspective can change depending on the day, reminding listeners to “make it to a year.”

5. Industry News: EVs, Physical Buttons, and Vehicle Affordability (20:03–33:02)

• Auto industry “hot tea”: Ten EVs are being discontinued by 2026, including models from Acura, Nissan, Genesis, Mercedes, Polestar, Ram, Dodge, Porsche, and Maserati.
  • Hosts analyze the turnaround from “everyone going EV” to brands walking it back, especially in luxury segments.
    • “They’re dropping them like skinny jeans!” — Kelly (20:26)
  • Discussion on how consumer interest and practicality dictate which cars survive (“The cream always rises to the top.” 22:20)
• Trends debate: Automakers are reversing course on touchscreens, now adding physical buttons back (especially Tesla), often as an upcharge.
  • “Things should not trend in cars so heavily. They’re acting like it’s a fashion purse.” — Kelly (23:20)
• Vehicle affordability & mandated safety features: Senate hearings are examining whether advanced safety regulations are making cars too expensive.
  • Lizz and Kelly favor keeping safety features but cutting luxury frills where possible.
    • “Let’s get a stripped-down safe version for folks who can’t afford all the extras.” — Lizz (30:34)
• Reflection on how car buying has become more about trends and less about basic needs, emphasizing the importance of functionality (32:01–33:02).

Interview: Natalie Johnson, @homebeginswithlove

Starts at 33:11

Introducing Natalie Johnson (Home Begins with Love) (33:11–34:09)

• Natalie's handle is inspired by a Mother Teresa quote: "If you want to change the world, go home and love your family."
  • “Felt like the perfect reflection on the fact that if you really want to change the world, go home and love your family.” — Natalie (33:30)

Natalie's Background & Family Life (34:09–37:07)

• Former chemical engineer; now a homeschooling, homemaking mom of five (ages 3–15).
  • “My 15-year-old can literally take my 3-year-old for a walk to play in the snow. That's huge.” — Natalie (37:07)
• Family routine is shaped by lots of together time and lots of food—three meals a day, every day.
• Systematic approach: prepping protein, batching, flexible routines.

Kitchen & Meal Systems for Big Families (37:40–41:47)

• Natalie’s essential tip: Always prep protein ahead (ground beef, chicken) for flexible, quick meals.
  • “Having prepped protein is life changing… you’re starting from something cooked, not from scratch.” — Natalie (38:18)
• Prefers a three-day mini meal plan for flexibility, not a strict weekly schedule.
• Two kitchen cleanup times: after lunch and after dinner. “I like to wake up to a clean kitchen—but I can walk past a dirty kitchen during the day.” — Natalie (40:04)

Household Management: Laundry, Cleaning, and Snacks (41:49–45:48)

• Kids do their own laundry by age six, working as buddies in pairs or groups.
  • “Once a kid hits about age six in my house, they can do their own laundry.” — Natalie (41:49)
• Daily family reset times: after lunch and before dad gets home—kids pitch in, incentivized by screen time after chores.
• System for snacks: packaged snacks only allowed off-premises (pool, park, co-op), saving money and preventing constant snacking.
  • “At home, you have to portion it out yourself. That system has saved us money.” — Natalie (45:21)

Practical Money-Saving & Meal Tips (47:13–49:33)

• Drinks: Only water and milk at home, soda/juice as treats for special outings.
• Bulk buying at Costco for produce and essentials.
• Avoids recipes that call for specialty, single-use ingredients.
  • Emphasizes using ChatGPT for easy recipe substitutions with existing pantry items.

Homemade Versus Store-Bought (49:33–52:06)

• Makes most bread and deli meats at home; does not make pasta but focuses on approachable from-scratch alternatives.
  • “Everyone's making bread now, but who's making summer sausage?” — Kelly (51:03)
• Encourages trying new things in the kitchen; “Just give it a college try—if it’s not perfect, you’ll still eat it and get better.”

Social Media, Inspiration, and Community (52:15–54:15)

• Natalie started her Instagram after reflecting on being a positive contributor online for her kids' future.
  • “The more people contribute to social media in a way you’d want your teens to be on it, the better it will be.” — Natalie (52:20)
• Advocates protecting one’s peace—curate your feed to be inspired, not drained.

Rapid-fire Questions with Natalie (54:15–56:41)

• Drives a 2012 Honda Odyssey; loves the removable center console for family travel flexibility.
• "Ditch the Drive Thru" recipe: King Arthur’s “Crispy Cheesy Pan Pizza”—prepare dough in advance for hassle-free homemade pizza.
  • “You only mix ingredients on whatever day you’re available… No mess, and my kids love this pizza every time.” — Natalie (54:40)

Memorable Quotes

• “Homemaking really uses your brain, uses your creativity, and if you look at it more like a purpose than just a chore, you’ll get more joy out of it.” — Lizz, 05:00
• “Having prepped protein is life changing… you’re starting from something cooked, not from scratch.” — Natalie, 38:18
• “Four really forced me to get organized and take motherhood more seriously. We need processes—I am a family of six.” — Kelly, 17:32
• “The cream always rises to the top.” — Lizz, 22:20
• “Everyone's making bread now, but who's making summer sausage?” — Kelly, 51:03
• “The more people contribute to social media in a way you’d want your teens to be on it, the better it will be.” — Natalie, 52:20

Notable Timestamps

• 00:06 – Car trends and Black Friday banter
• 04:11 – Mini-series announcement (homemaking tips)
• 13:01 – Postpartum “getting your pink back” insight
• 16:02 – Advice for transitioning to four children
• 20:03 – Auto industry news: EVs, buttons, vehicle affordability
• 33:11 – Interview with Natalie Johnson (@homebeginswithlove)
• 38:18 – Natalie's prep protein tip
• 41:49 – Kids’ laundry and family cleaning systems
• 45:21 – Home snack systems for saving money
• 54:15 – Rapid-fire questions: car, pizza recipe

Tone

Bright and conversational, balancing humor and sincerity. The hosts and Natalie approach homemaking, motherhood, and industry news with candor, self-deprecating wit, and a focus on tangible, actionable advice.

Conclusion

This episode is a treasury of real-life home management wisdom, relatable mom humor, and fresh industry insights. From pantry hacks to parenting tips and even car-buying philosophy, Kelly, Lizz, and Natalie deliver laughter, inspiration, and plenty of takeaways for busy families.