The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: Kelly's Hosting Playbook
Date: September 16, 2025

Episode Overview

In this extra-special episode of The Carpool Podcast, Kelly takes the lead to share her hard-earned, practical, and truly tangible tips for hosting at home. Rather than focusing on throwing big parties or entertaining according to strict etiquette, Kelly presents her "Hosting Playbook" for inviting one or two families over, offering not just general encouragement but step-by-step advice, time-saving hacks, and real-life examples for millennial moms (or anyone) who want to bring more in-person connection into their lives.

The episode is peppered with relatable anecdotes, candid thoughts on the value of community, and plenty of Kelly's signature “real-mom energy.” Lizz provides moral support (and some constructive critiques), making this an episode for seasoned hosts and beginners alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Importance of Hosting & In-Person Community

[09:48 - 14:29]

• Hosting as a Lost Art: Kelly expresses that regularly gathering in person is becoming less common but is more crucial than ever for families and communities.
  • "Now more than ever it is so important to prioritize your in-person relationships. Yeah, we all need to get offline." — Kelly [10:46]
• Building Community: She advocates for being proactive in building local friendships, church, and school ties, rather than waiting for a social life to "just happen."
  • "If you don't think you have a good community ... instead of always trying to search for that, start building it." — Kelly [11:50]
• Personal Growth and Example for Kids: Hosting is framed as beneficial not just for adults but for the whole family, including setting an example for children.

Breaking the Ice: The Art of Inviting

[15:32 - 16:38]

• Be Specific with Invites: Kelly recommends inviting with a clear activity and meal in mind, making it less awkward.
  • "Don't just send the text ... Instead you could be like, ‘Hey, do you want to come over and grill pork chops and let the kids swim?’" — Kelly [16:12]
• Include the Menu & Plan: Stating what's for dinner/activity sets expectations and makes arrangements easier for guests.

Prepping Your Home—Efficient, Realistic, and Shared

[16:38 - 20:09]

• Get Kids Involved: All family members—including the kids—help tidy up, turning hosting into a family affair.
• Tidy Strategically: Focus on must-see areas (entry, bathroom, main hangout spots), not perfection.
• Create Functional Spaces: Organize the party around cooking/hangout locations for flow and togetherness.
  • Example: Move lawn chairs outside by the fryer for a fish fry so hosts and guests are together.

Must-Haves to Make Hosting Easy

[20:11 - 22:42]

• Pantry Staples: Keep "hosting emergency" foods on hand.
  • Juice boxes/drinks for kids
  • Canned/frozen green beans ("a safe vegetable everyone likes" — Kelly [21:05])
  • Mac and cheese
  • Frozen cookies or ice cream with sundae fixings ("ice cream sundaes could not be an easier dessert" — Kelly [22:23])
  • Chips and salsa for quick appetizers

Meal Planning: The 'Keep It Super Simple, Add Sass' Approach

[24:07 - 26:29]

• Simple Structure: Dinner = protein + vegetable + starch + (maybe) dessert. "This isn't Thanksgiving dinner."
• Go-To Meals:
  • Grill-able meats (pork chops, fish, chicken)
  • Catered proteins (fried chicken from Walmart, BBQ pulled pork from a local joint, etc.), often not any pricier than DIY.
  • Freezer meal classics (baked ziti, enchiladas)
  • Comfort food winners: Spaghetti, chili, soups (especially for fall), and interactive meals (pulled pork nachos).
• On Potlucks: Never ask guests to bring the main protein, but dessert or drinks are fair game.
• Transparency Calms Stress: Telling guests exactly what you're serving removes pressure to "wow" or over-perform.
  • "They said yes to what exactly what you said you're making." — Lizz [28:35]

Products & Tools Kelly Recommends

[31:57 - 36:30]

• Paper Products (used only when hosting, not daily life)
  • Sturdy Chinette plates ("the GOAT" for adults — Kelly [32:24])
  • Dixie plates for kids
  • Plastic utensils (for convenience)
  • Sippy cups for little ones or clear disposable cups with lids and bendy straws (link in show notes)
• Drink Options: Keep on hand soda, beer, seltzers, white wine, and for parties, gallons of lemonade and iced tea ("it's three drinks in one" — Kelly [34:06]).
• Party Tools:
  • Ice bucket (essential since kitchen ice can be a bottleneck)
  • Sharpies for cup labeling (when using clear lids/cups)
  • Pre-cut parchment paper sleeves for easy cookie/grilling clean-up
  • 9x13 foil pans for serving and keep-warm (cook in advance and pop in oven warming mode)
  • Clamshell to-go containers for leftovers ("I want to send food home with people" — Kelly [36:13])

Making Hosting Less Stressful

[38:05 - 40:55]

• Prep in Advance: Use the oven's warming function and one-pan prep schemes to execute meals on time without a kitchen scramble.
• Streamlined Cleanup: Using disposable wares lets you relax and enjoy your guests instead of being stuck washing up.
• Leftover Love: Always send leftovers with guests—an act of generosity and a way to "share the abundance."

Hosting is for Everyone—Big House or Small

[41:00 - 43:20]

• Don't Wait for Perfection: "Doesn't matter how big your house is. In a way, the smaller the better, because it keeps people close." — Kelly [42:02]
• Real-Life Application: These tips work for hosting AND managing big family life.
• Future Experiments: Kelly's excited to try "Sunday Soup" nights in the fall and plans to report back after the season.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Hosting is kind of becoming a lost art, and I think now more than ever it is so important to prioritize your in-person relationships.” — Kelly [10:46]
• “If you don't think you have a good community ... instead of always trying to search for that, start building it.” — Kelly [11:50]
• “I think it's good for your family. I think it's good for your marriage ... you need new things to talk about.” — Kelly [14:05]
• “I want the playbook. So that's why I'm going to give you Kelly's playbook to hosting.” — Kelly [15:19]
• “Don't just send the text ... Instead you could be like, ‘Hey, do you want to come over and grill pork chops and let the kids swim?’” — Kelly [16:12]
• “I love having juice boxes because then it’s something easy for the kids.” — Kelly [20:49]
• “We’re doing a protein, a veggie and a starch. Like, that’s all I’m doing. And we have ice cream sundaes. Like, it’s not this big [deal].” — Kelly [24:46]
• “Never invite someone to your house and then ask them to bring the protein. That would be crazy.” — Kelly [25:44]
• “Doesn't matter how big your house is. In a way, the smaller the better, because it keeps people close.” — Kelly [42:02]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [09:48] — Kelly’s hosting philosophy and why in-person community matters
• [15:32] — How to make the invitation less awkward and more appealing
• [16:38] — Prepping your house efficiently for guests
• [20:11] — Pantry essentials and Kelly’s “always on hand” items for easy last-minute hosting
• [24:07] — The Keep It Super Simple, Add Sass approach to dinners
• [31:57] — Kelly’s must-have non-food items (paper products, drinks, serving ware)
• [36:13] — The overlooked magic of to-go containers for sharing leftovers
• [41:00] — The universal value of hosting, regardless of house size

Final Thoughts

This episode is a treasure trove of truly usable, down-to-earth hosting advice designed to lower the intimidation factor and make anyone feel ready to invite friends, family, or neighbors in—messy house, pile of kids, and all.

Above all, it’s a heartfelt call to “be the change,” prioritize real-life connection, and set the example (and comfort level) for your own family, regardless of past experience or current skill set.

Next Up: Stay tuned for Kelly’s update after “Soup Season” for winter hosting and more real-life lessons.