Summary of "OUR MOM, THE PAGEANT QUEEN" Episode of The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Release Date: November 19, 2024

In the "OUR MOM, THE PAGEANT QUEEN" episode of The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz, hosts Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John welcome their mother, Chris, affectionately known as the "Pageant Queen," to discuss her experiences raising five children, her background in pageantry, maintaining a strong marriage, and sharing invaluable Thanksgiving traditions. The episode seamlessly weaves personal anecdotes with heartfelt insights, offering listeners a blend of humor, wisdom, and relatable family dynamics.

1. Welcome and Introduction (02:06 - 04:19)

The episode begins with Kelly and Lizz introducing their mother, Chris, highlighting her role as a dedicated mom and a long-time listener of the podcast. The sisters express their excitement to have her share her experiences on the show.

Liz [02:44]: "Well, mom, thanks so much for joining today. We know you're an active carpool listener, so it'll be really fun for you to listen back to this and see how you did."

Chris [02:58]: "It'll be cringey because I can't listen to myself talk."

2. Raising Five Kids: Balancing Time and Managing Mom Guilt (05:17 - 09:23)

Chris delves into the challenges of raising five children, emphasizing the constant juggle of attention and responsibilities. She describes parenting as "putting out fires" and highlights the importance of prioritizing each child's immediate needs.

Chris [05:28]: "With five kids, you realize you don't get mom's undivided attention all the time, but when you needed it, you got it."

Kelly and Liz reflect on the family’s understanding nature and the absence of lasting negative feelings despite the demanding upbringing.

Liz [06:20]: "I don't ever look back and feel like I didn't get my fair share or unloved or any of that."

They discuss the concept of "mom guilt" and how balancing responsibilities with personal time is crucial for both parents and children.

Chris [07:54]: "Most of my guilt would have been directed toward probably you and Elizabeth more than the young kids."

3. Chris’s Pageant Journey (11:01 - 13:13)

Chris shares her history in pageantry, recounting her experiences as a contestant and her interactions with future Miss America Debbie Turner. She candidly talks about being offered the Miss Missouri title but choosing to continue competing until she succeeded.

Chris [11:35]: "I was second runner up to Miss Missouri twice. I was offered the chance to be Miss Missouri to fill Debbie Turner's shoes, and I said, no, I'm going to try for it one more time."

Reflecting on her decision, Chris emphasizes the importance of perseverance and humility.

Chris [12:35]: "I was offered it and I declined it because I wanted to try one more year to win, and I just never did. So obviously, humility instills a good life lesson."

4. Maintaining a Strong Marriage (16:41 - 20:08)

A significant portion of the episode focuses on Chris’s enduring marriage. She attributes their strong relationship to mutual respect, shared faith, and intentional efforts to support each other. Chris highlights the importance of date nights and keeping the romantic spark alive despite busy family lives.

Chris [16:41]: "I think first of all, the foundation, if I'm, I mean, just in my marriage, is respect. So I think you need respect even more than you need love and air, quoting love."

She shares anecdotes about consistently prioritizing their relationship, such as dedicating Thursday nights to date nights, which has been pivotal in maintaining their bond over 25 years.

Chris [20:08]: "We always kind of kept our relationship going, and that was him. Because I probably would have just prioritized you guys."

5. Thanksgiving Traditions and Tips (22:42 - 34:20)

Chris imparts her extensive knowledge on hosting a successful Thanksgiving, sharing practical tips and cherished traditions. She discusses meal preparation strategies, such as smoking and baking the turkey the day before to save oven space and ensure dishes are ready on time.

Chris [33:12]: "Dad always slicing it at the last minute, and it's such a mess. Warming it back up slightly has been a game changer."

The conversation covers detailed planning methods, including setting specific tasks for family members to streamline cleanup and enhance the dining experience. The sisters reveal their own hacks, like using customizable place cards from Etsy to add a personal touch to the table setting.

Kelly [29:40]: "Here's a hack we did last year or so. I ordered just generic name placements for everyone who ever attends."

They also explore the importance of dining in the dining room, creating a festive tablescape, and incorporating family games to foster a sense of togetherness.

Chris [28:56]: "We eat in the dining room. That's special. Sometimes I pull out my china, and sometimes I just... It’s still in the dining room. It’s still kind of thing."

6. Embracing Chaos and Flexibility (21:54 - 23:41)

Discussing the unpredictable nature of family life, Chris and her daughters talk about the necessity of embracing chaos and being flexible with plans. They emphasize that not everything can go perfectly, and adapting to last-minute changes is part of creating a balanced and enjoyable family environment.

Chris [21:54]: "I think a strength of mine is that I'm not a huge planner, and I'm kind of just a go with the flow kind of girl."

Liz [23:12]: "Your favorite Friday. I also think that we like, something fun that we do that I'm sure we've shared on the car before is we talk the next day about, like, what went well, what didn't."

7. Listener Stories: Blake's Besties Segment (47:07 - 50:15)

The episode concludes with Blake's Besties, a heartfelt segment where Kelly and Liz read submissions from listeners who have experienced the loss of a child. Maria and Kylie's stories poignantly convey their grief and the support they found in the podcast community.

Maria [48:10]: "In 2017, I found out halfway through my pregnancy that our sweet baby had a terminal birth defect... Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this story."

Kylie [48:10]: "We lost our third baby, Maggie Marie, at 37 weeks... The heartbreak is overwhelming, but you will find your way, too. Thank you for what you do."

Chris joins in expressing her gratitude for being part of such an intimate and supportive conversation, reinforcing the podcast's role as a comforting space for its listeners.

8. Closing Remarks

Kelly and Liz wrap up the episode by thanking their mother and the listeners, encouraging them to share their own stories and stay connected with the podcast community.

Kelly [49:29]: "Oh, wow. Those both really got me today. Thank you so much for sharing those stories and for writing in and letting us talk about your babies."

Chris [49:53]: "It was fun."

Key Takeaways

• Balancing Family and Personal Life: Chris’s experiences highlight the importance of prioritizing, managing time effectively, and embracing flexibility to maintain harmony in a large family.

• Strong Marital Foundation: Mutual respect, shared values, and intentional relationship-building are crucial for a lasting marriage.

• Thoughtful Thanksgiving Planning: Practical tips and personal traditions can transform Thanksgiving into a special and memorable family event.

• Community Support: Sharing personal stories fosters a sense of connection and support among listeners, reinforcing the podcast’s role as a trusted community space.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Chris [05:28]: "With five kids, you realize you don't get mom's undivided attention all the time, but when you needed it, you got it."

• Chris [07:54]: "Most of my guilt would have been directed toward probably you and Elizabeth more than the young kids."

• Chris [16:41]: "I think first of all, the foundation, if I'm, I mean, just in my marriage, is respect."

• Chris [21:54]: "I think a strength of mine is that I'm not a huge planner, and I'm kind of just a go with the flow kind of girl."

• Maria [48:10]: "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this story."

• Kylie [48:10]: "Thank you for what you do."

This episode offers a blend of practical advice, personal stories, and emotional depth, making it a valuable listen for anyone navigating family life, marriage, or the challenges of parenting.