The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode Summary: NEW COVER ART, SAME VIBE
Release Date: March 25, 2025

In the latest episode of The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz, hosts Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John dive into a blend of personal updates, insightful discussions, and industry news, all while maintaining their signature lighthearted and engaging tone. This episode, titled "NEW COVER ART, SAME VIBE," marks a significant moment for the podcast as Kelly and Lizz unveil their newly redesigned cover art and discuss the journey behind it. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the episode’s key segments:

1. Rebranding and New Cover Art (02:11 - 04:00)

Kelly and Lizz kick off the episode by celebrating their podcast’s rebranding and the introduction of new cover art. They reflect on the initial skepticism from their audience regarding the photoshoot and how the new art has been received positively.

• Lizz shares, “We just have to do it. Like, they need to cover our today. Like, come here, take a photo.” (02:47)

• Kelly adds, “We’re different people. We’re coming for the charts and we wanted to do something costume-esque, auto-related.” (03:13)

The sisters emphasize that while the visual aspect has changed, the core essence and content of the podcast remain the same. They highlight the importance of evolving to present a more professional image without compromising their authentic selves.

2. Personal Projects and Updates (04:40 - 06:10)

Lizz updates listeners on her new ventures related to car seats and upcoming collaborations:

• She mentions working with three pregnant friends to test various car seat combinations, sharing, “I'm really excited because this week I'm going to be playing around with a lot of different car seat combos and a lot of different cars.” (04:55)

• Lizz reveals her upcoming long-term loan of a Yukon, comparing it to the Chevy Traverse, and discusses the potential content around the Yukon versus Expedition.

Kelly supports the update, expressing enthusiasm for the new content, “It's gonna ride itself.” (05:20)

3. Pumping Advice and Lactation Consultation (14:40 - 19:00)

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to breastfeeding and pumping experiences. Kelly candidly shares her challenges and insights after consulting with a lactation expert, Tamari from The One With the Pump.

• Kelly admits, “I never watched any Instagrams on Pumping. I never watched the YouTube channel. I did no research on pumping because, oh, well, Kelly just told me how to pump.” (14:55)

• After her consultation, she highlights two critical areas of improvement: flange size and pumping duration. “She said I need to be pumping for 30 minutes because you missed some letdowns.” (15:16)

Lizz echoes the importance of seeking professional advice, cautioning against taking recommendations from non-experts. She states, “Don't take pumping advice from a car reviewer.” (18:24)

The sisters stress the value of personalized guidance from lactation consultants to ensure effective breastfeeding practices.

4. Inspirational Reflections (19:00 - 21:37)

Kelly shares a profound personal revelation about overcoming self-imposed limitations, drawing parallels between her experiences and those of her husband, Maddie, a Marine Corps member.

• She reflects, “If you have to, you will. And people only quit when quitting is an option. And when quitting is not an option, you can quite literally do things that you always thought you could never, ever do.” (20:22)

Lizz expresses admiration and inspiration from Kelly’s insights, reinforcing the message that perseverance can lead to unexpected achievements.

5. Auto Industry Drama and Safety Tips (32:17 - 37:43)

The hosts delve into recent controversies within the mom influencer space, particularly focusing on the drama surrounding Happiest Baby’s Snoo bassinet.

• Kelly outlines the issue: “Brooklyn Larson unexpectedly lost her newborn baby boy, Rocky, and prior to that, she received a $1700 Snoo bassinet.” (33:09)

• Lizz critiques the company’s handling of the situation, saying, “Happiest Baby... is downright insensitive in their handling of the partnership.” (35:12)

Additionally, they address a new scam targeting drivers with fraudulent toll road messages, advising listeners to stay vigilant against such threats.

• Lizz warns, “Government agencies and toll services are warning people to be cautious of the scam and to avoid clicking on the suspicious links.” (38:01)

6. Combating Buyer's Remorse and Car Maintenance Tips (38:57 - 44:19)

Kelly and Lizz discuss the concept of buyer’s remorse in the automotive context, coining the term “late-term buyer’s remorse” to describe the growing dissatisfaction with a vehicle after a few years of ownership.

• Lizz observes, “Let’s not get there again. You’ve been there. Let’s put different processes in place.” (41:05)

They advocate for maintaining pride in one’s vehicle through regular cleaning and organization to prevent clutter and dissatisfaction. Tips include:

• Kelly: “Schedule the clean in there. There is no other part of your house that you really never clean until it's too far gone.” (41:16)

• Lizz: “Keep your car as empty and clutter-free as possible.” (42:10)

These practical suggestions aim to enhance the driving experience and reduce financial and emotional strain associated with car upkeep.

7. Practical Tips and Recipe Segment: Ditch the Drive (44:27 - 47:14)

In the “Ditch the Drive” segment, Kelly and Lizz share easy dinner recipes and cooking tips to help listeners break free from mealtime monotony.

• Lizz introduces the concept of keeping meals simple yet flavorful, emphasizing the importance of choosing one element to “sass up” the dish: “Pick your three things that you’re gonna cook for dinner and then try to sass up one.” (45:35)

• She recounts a successful experiment with almond-floured zucchini, stating, “I'm telling you, it was really good.” (46:14)

Kelly supports the idea, suggesting, “Keep it super simple and super sassy.” (47:03)

This segment provides listeners with actionable ideas to enhance their cooking without feeling overwhelmed.

8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts (48:44 - 49:03)

As the episode wraps up, Kelly and Lizz reflect on the discussions and encourage listeners to subscribe and share the podcast. They reiterate the importance of maintaining their authentic vibe despite the new visual branding.

• Kelly: “Thank you for listening to the Carpool Podcast with Kelly and Liz. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode.” (49:02)

• Lizz: “See ya.” (49:03)

Key Takeaways

• Embrace Change: Kelly and Lizz successfully navigate their podcast’s rebranding while staying true to their original content and connection with listeners.

• Seek Professional Advice: When it comes to important aspects like breastfeeding, professional guidance is invaluable.

• Persevere Through Challenges: Overcoming self-imposed limits can lead to remarkable personal growth and achievements.

• Stay Informed and Cautious: Awareness of industry drama and scams is crucial for maintaining trust and safety.

• Maintain Pride in Your Possessions: Regular upkeep of your vehicle can enhance satisfaction and prevent buyer’s remorse.

• Simplify Daily Routines: Keeping mealtime simple yet interesting can alleviate the stress of daily cooking.

Notable Quotes

• Lizz: “We just have to do it. Like, they need to cover our today. Like, come here, take a photo.” (02:47)

• Kelly: “We’re different people. We’re coming for the charts and we wanted to do something costume-esque, auto-related.” (03:13)

• Kelly: “I never watched any Instagrams on Pumping. I never watched the YouTube channel. I did no research on pumping because, oh, well, Kelly just told me how to pump.” (14:55)

• Lizz: “Don't take pumping advice from a car reviewer.” (18:24)

• Kelly: “If you have to, you will. And people only quit when quitting is an option. And when quitting is not an option, you can quite literally do things that you always thought you could never, ever do.” (20:22)

• Lizz: “Keep your car as empty and clutter-free as possible.” (42:10)

This episode of The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz offers a rich blend of personal anecdotes, practical advice, and industry insights, all delivered with the warmth and humor that listeners have come to love. Whether you're tuning in for the latest auto news, parenting tips, or simply some engaging sisterly banter, this episode delivers on all fronts.