The Carpool Podcast with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: JARRINGS SEEMS SO JARRING
Release Date: October 31, 2025
Hosts: Kelly Stumpe & Lizz St. John

Episode Overview

This episode is a quintessential catch-up for Kelly and Lizz, filled with lighthearted Halloween plans, autumn comfort food, kitchen “micro hobbies,” fashion finds, and rich personal reflection. The duo bring their signature millennial-mom energy to conversations about serving at school, trying new skills like canning jalapenos and sourdough bread-making, the challenge of real (not surface-level) social interactions, and the latest in cars and pop culture. Personal vulnerability is on display with their “Blake’s Besties” segment, which provides space for stories of infant and pregnancy loss. The show’s tone blends friendly banter with thoughtful insight, mom-life humor, and moments of true connection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Halloween Plans, Trick-or-Treating, and Chili Logistics

• Kelly and Lizz share their Halloween plans, choosing a sibling’s neighborhood for trick-or-treating because it’s “the vibe”—flat streets, close houses, lots of participation.
  • "It’s all about having friends in good suburban neighborhoods." — Lizz (00:48)
  • Trick-or-treating success is contingent on neighborhood geography and community culture.
• Both are making chili—one for family, one for teacher-parent conference night dinner.
  • Debate over how to transport chili fixings (solution: cheese and sour cream in a small cooler; 02:20).
  • Fixings chat: green onions are a favorite but go bad because nobody else uses them.

2. Micro Hobbies: Jarring Jalapenos and Blowout Dreams

• Lizz’s obsession: sourcing the best home-canned jalapenos, inspiring her to want to learn canning:
  • "Jarring seems so... jarring is what it is. It’s just the pressure of like, did it seal?...And then you just stick it on your shelf and hope mold doesn’t grow. Like, I don’t like that. It’s so stressful." — Lizz (04:14)
• Kelly wants to master the at-home blowout:
  • "If I could have a blowout...it would be over for everyone. It wouldn’t be fair." — Kelly (05:32)
• They discuss the value of investing in skill-building with high ROI, especially as busy moms who want to hack their daily routines.
• Weekly "micro hobby" accountability check-ins are proposed (08:58).
  • "If this takes me six months to perfect, I will figure it out if I stay focused on it." — Kelly (09:08)
• Goal setting: Lizz to get her jalapeno recipe; Kelly to study blowout techniques, maybe even book a professional blowout to learn.

3. Conversation Depth & Social Interactions

• Lizz reflects on striving for deeper conversations at gatherings instead of surface-level small talk:
  • "I'm ready to go a layer deeper. So at the next function like that, watch out, because I'm planning on cornering...I'm going to ask, like, you know, how your relationship with Jesus is or like, I'm going to get crazy with it." — Lizz (10:32)
• Both prefer fewer connections but meaningful engagement.

4. Fashion Finds & Shopping Habits

• Lizz is emulating style influencer Merrick and recreating a Thanksgiving outfit (chocolate-brown boots and pants, Old Navy sweater).
  • Spends time discussing the challenge of keeping up with trends and shoe/boot types, particularly with the resurgence of chocolate brown as a neutral:
  • "I'm over it. I'm exhausted. I missed the days when all you needed was a riding boot." — Lizz (14:19)
• Kelly shares her sneaker buying habits and laundry struggles, emphasizing the need to streamline wardrobe management.

5. Sourdough, Mason Jars, and the Joy of Kitchen Projects

• Kelly is “back in her sourdough era,” advocating for friends teaching friends, sharing bread, and exchanging skills.
  • "This is your sign. If you are a sourdough girl and, like, you know what you’re doing, invite your friends over and freaking teach them." — Kelly (22:44)

6. Car Industry Quick Hits

• Kia Telluride 2027 Preview:
  • First look at the next-gen boxy model; hosts appreciate the gradual, not radical, design change, referencing the Palisade “jump scare.”
  • "It’s still boxy...they maybe should have kept one that was slightly rounded…they’re looking kind of similar." — Kelly (25:50, 25:53)

7. “Just Drive Through” & Grocery Budgeting Inspiration

• Lizz shares an easy, budget-friendly dinner idea: baked chicken thighs and roasted veggies served with rice and Trader Joe’s yellow curry sauce, inspired by a $300/month grocery TikToker, Nicole Sevenson (27:09).
  • Discussion on tips to stretch a grocery budget, handling critical social media comments, and the importance of learning from resourceful cooks.

8. Dancing with the Stars Recap

• Detailed and passionate recap of recent “DWTS” episodes, including:
  • Agreeing that Jen was lacking in personality and connection, making her exit unsurprising.
  • Fear that Andy will overstay due to popularity despite weaker dance skills.
  • Rooting for Elaine, Alex, and Robert for their personalities, improvement, and drive.
  • "If Andy beats out anyone else, I'm gonna be pissed because he's not more of a sweetheart than Robert. He hasn't shown more drive and ambition to be there than Elaine…" — Kelly (34:48)
  • Conversation about “sexy” professional dance chemistry and what is fun vs. uncomfortable for them as married women.
  • Affirmation that the weekly mad-dash excitement of eliminations and scoring is the heart of the show’s appeal.

9. Blake’s Besties: Infant and Pregnancy Loss Stories

• In honor of Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, listeners and a team member share stories of heartbreak, hope, and the impact of kind nurses during pregnancy loss.
  • Nicole: Experienced multiple miscarriages and the later miracle of healthy twins.
    • "I believe they're with my dad and God, being loved and cared for until we meet again. That thought brings me peace through the heartache." — Nicole’s story (44:50)
  • Sam (Mama Knows Car Seats): Shared about the loss of her daughter Kylie and the comfort found in subsequent sibling Lincoln.
  • Anonymous Listener: Thankful for nurses during the isolation of a COVID-era DNC, ending with the arrival of her rainbow baby, Caroline.
  • Lizz and Kelly express deep gratitude and compassion for all who shared their stories:
    • "You are so strong. You are amazing. And we love you." — Kelly (51:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Jarring seems so... jarring is what it is." — Lizz (04:14)
• "If I could have a blowout...it would be over for everyone. It wouldn’t be fair." — Kelly (05:32)
• "That's what my husband's for...I'm ready to go a layer deeper." — Lizz (10:30)
• "Chocolate brown is a neutral." — Kelly (15:00)
• "This is your sign. If you are a sourdough girl and, like, you know what you're doing, invite your friends over and freaking teach them." — Kelly (22:44)
• "I need to wear the soles off. But now that Merrick has them, I'm telling you, she’ll be showing them multiple times." — Lizz (16:48)
• On grocery budgeting: "If it's not for you, it's not for you. But, like, you're missing the point…she’s still kicking your butt." — Lizz (30:34)
• "You are so strong. You are amazing. And we love you." — Kelly (51:04)

Key Timestamps

• 00:32–03:10: Halloween plans & neighborhood trick-or-treat evaluations
• 03:27–04:54: Jalapeno canning micro-hobby; “jarring seems so... jarring"
• 05:13–06:40: Micro hobby deep dive: blowout hair skills
• 09:08: Weekly “micro hobby” check-in commitment
• 10:36–11:13: Real conversation vs. “surface level” socializing
• 13:12–16:46: Chocolate brown fashion trend, boots, and shopping habits
• 22:44–24:38: Sourdough revival and mason jars discussion
• 25:00–26:33: New Kia Telluride sneak peek & car opinions
• 27:09–32:24: Budget dinners, grocery hacks, and resourceful TikTok inspiration
• 32:51–41:17: Dancing with the Stars recap: opinions, favorite contestants, show excitement
• 44:51–51:04: Blake's Besties: listener stories of loss and hope

Tone & Style

• Conversational, humorous, warm, and inviting
• Blends practical advice, vulnerability, and sisterly banter
• Respects emotional gravity of “Blake’s Besties” stories with empathy and sincerity

For New Listeners

This episode offers a window into the real-life joys, struggles, and ambitions of two car-savvy moms. You’ll find equal parts laughs, honest talk about skill-building and fashion, emotional support for those dealing with loss, and enough car and pop-culture news to keep things lively. If you want millennial-mom company that’s as caring as it is fun, this is a great one to start with.

Advertisements, intros/outros, and non-content sections have been omitted for clarity and focus.