The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: NEW PUPPIES AND DINNER AUCTIONS
Date: March 11, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively, in-person reunion after over a year of virtual recordings, sisters and auto-industry experts Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John dive into a whirlwind of life updates, puppy fever, parenting antics, nostalgic purchases, and their unique experiences as working moms. The episode mixes relatable mom-life anecdotes, practical parenting tips, spirited discussions on auction strategies, and up-to-the-minute car industry news.
The show maintains its signature blend of authenticity, wit, and millennial mom realness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recording Together & Family Stories

• First in-person episode in over a year after both hosts relocated and transitioned to virtual podcasting, highlighting the new energy of recording face to face.
  “It's so weird to like see you in person and not have a screen buffering.” (00:41, Lizz)
• Kelly recounts a chaotic mom moment when her daughter Libby shattered her phone, leading to a 24-hour stint without her primary device and a humorous reflection on remembering phone numbers.

2. Teaching Kids Important Info

• Kelly emphasizes the importance of teaching children phone numbers through song—a practical safety tip—and shares the catchy version she uses with her kids and husband.
  "314220 46 and 62, that's my mom's cell phone. Can you call her on the phone?” (02:55, Kelly)

3. New Puppy Fever & Family Dog Traditions

• Lizz shares the emotional journey of getting a new red golden retriever, Indiana Jones Butter St. John ("Indy"), after the tragic loss of two previous dogs. She details the decision-making process, emphasizing timing with her upcoming maternity leave and logistical benefits.
  "I was thinking we're not getting a dog for years...and then I'm realizing there's no way of getting out of getting a dog." (08:13, Lizz)
• Both families have dog-naming traditions: Lizz’s after states, Kelly’s after presidents.

4. Naming Babies: Community Involvement & Husband Dynamics

• The anticipated arrival of Lizz’s third child sparks ongoing debates about baby girl names, with significant listener engagement in suggesting names.
• Maddie (Lizz's husband) vetoes some favorites for personal/historical reasons, while Kelly encourages ongoing name submissions.

5. The Work-From-Home Mom Identity Crisis

• Honest discussion on the challenges and guilt of defining oneself as a “working mom” while working from home in a digital role, and the imposter syndrome that can arise.
  “I sometimes have trouble identifying as a working mom. So I think talking about my child [care] makes me feel like...like you don’t deserve that.” (15:36, Kelly)

6. The Au Pair Experience & Selection Advice

• Kelly shares her thoughtful and positive au pair experience, emphasizing the importance of matching on family background and personality.
  • Tips: Seek au pairs from big families, of legal drinking age in the U.S., and with realistic expectations for English fluency.
  • The au pair’s car: a 2015 Kia Sportage with high mileage but strong performance.
  • Navigating language barriers and cultural immersion for both kids and adults. "The cultural immersion for my children is unbelievable...we FaceTime with her family a lot." (23:37, Kelly)

7. Parenting Humor: Kids, YouTube, and Nostalgia

• Laughter over introducing children to the classic "Charlie Bit My Finger" YouTube video, proving some content transcends generations.
  “Let me tell you, something stands the test of time...my three big kids were BELLY laughing.” (27:21, Kelly)

8. Real Talk: Emotional Wellness

• Normalizing the value of a good cry to reset as an overwhelmed parent, especially after hectic or solo-parenting weekends.
  “Sometimes you just have to cry and then you’ll be okay.” (28:46, Lizz)

9. Auctions: Strategy & Nostalgic Purchases

• Kelly recounts her adventures at a school dinner auction, including calculating value on nostalgic toys (a 1993 Loving Family Dream House dollhouse) and bidding strategies for live vs. silent auctions.
• Debate over the stress and social pressure of live auctions versus the stealth of silent auctions.
  "It takes a lot for someone to raise a paddle...I get crazy on the silent." (34:26, Kelly)
• The sentimental reasoning behind spending on vintage toys as "investments" and family heirlooms.

10. Auto Industry News: Volkswagen Atlas Redesign

• Frustration at not receiving an invite to the Atlas private reveal, despite their ranking as the #1 auto podcast.
• Predictions for the redesign: minor exterior updates, hopes for improved bench seat options, lower anchors in the 3rd row, and ceiling vents.
• Car of the week: Toyota Grand Highlander—reliability for “Toyota-only” families emphasized.

11. The Drive-Thru (Dinner Hack Segment)

• Creative dinner tip: Asian-inspired chuck roast cooked in the crockpot with soy sauce, garlic, and Japanese BBQ sauce, served over rice and steamed broccoli.
  "Super good to know. Like, it was so good." (53:37, Kelly)
• Using up stray condiments for meal planning and lamenting the lack of small-size condiment bottles.

12. Sugar-Free Challenges & Mom Guilt

• Kelly’s Lenten journey going sugar-free—struggles with cravings, timing sugar cravings to hormonal cycles, and the difficulty of resisting desserts at auctions and family events.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On teaching phone numbers:
  “If you have not taught your kids your phone number in song form, now’s the time.” (02:24, Kelly)
• On puppy fever:
  “The way I’m sick with puppy fever right now.” (06:03, Kelly)
• On being a working mom:
  “I feel like an imposter on the stay-at-home mom side, because you’re not a stay-at-home mom...so basically, you can’t win anywhere.” (16:36, Lizz)
• On the joy of nostalgia:
  “I really firmly believe it’s just one of the best made dollhouses ever made.” (30:39, Kelly)
• On silent auctions:
  “I get crazy on the silent, I’m not scared of a silent.” (34:33, Kelly)
• On value of a cry:
  “Sometimes you just need to cry...I cried this morning.” (29:00, Lizz & Kelly)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• In-person reunion & broken phone story: 00:37 – 02:10
• Song for kids’ phone numbers: 02:24 – 03:53
• Dog adoption story & naming traditions: 06:02 – 11:17
• Baby name update & audience influence: 11:22 – 13:53
• Working mom identity talk: 15:26 – 16:44
• Deep dive on au pair experience: 19:44 – 25:27
• Teaching English/querying language quirks: 25:27 – 26:34
• Classic YouTube and kids’ reactions: 27:08 – 27:54
• Emotional reset & good cry advice: 28:31 – 29:31
• Auction strategy & dollhouse acquisition: 31:01 – 33:01
• Silent vs live auction debate: 34:33 – 35:56
• Car industry news—Volkswagen Atlas: 47:02 – 51:09
• Dinner hack—Asian chuck roast recipe: 51:33 – 53:51
• Sugar-free journey and temptations: 55:58 – 59:56

Conclusion

This episode artfully blends the highs and lows of modern mom life—delighting in nostalgia, navigating new beginnings (puppy and baby), sharing practical wisdom, and always keeping it real with thoughtful humor and vulnerability. The sisters’ rapport and candor turn every segment, from parenting tips to car reviews, into something engaging, supportive, and authentically relatable.

If you missed the episode, this detailed summary gives you a clear window into the real talk, heart, and hilarity of Kelly and Lizz’s world!