The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz
Episode: "Potato Salad Trauma"
August 19, 2025
Overview
In this lively and heartwarming episode, sisters Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John—third-generation auto-industry experts and millennial moms—serve up their signature blend of candid conversation, humor, and relatable mom-life insight. The main threads include Kelly’s “potato salad trauma” from her birthday, reflections on shifting family and school routines, the behind-the-scenes excitement of interviewing GM CEO Mary Barra, and their philosophies about gifts, hobbies, and home renovation. Listeners are welcomed into the chaos and joys of busy mom life, enhanced with car-seat safety advocacy, kitchen talk, and plenty of laughter.
Episode Highlights & Key Discussions
1. Monday Mood, Mom Life Routines & Season Changes
Timestamps: [01:41]–[03:13]
- Kelly and Lizz kick things off noting the “Monday that feels like a Monday,” sharing how back-to-school season provides both relief and new routines.
- Both reminisce about Missouri seasons: “I’m so ready for winter. Not even like fall will be great. I want it to be winter.” (Kelly, 02:19)
- Lizz shares the exhaustion of two weeks “solo parenting” while her husband was away, describing it as “forever changed by that experience.” She addresses criticism of her situation and sets the record straight about the struggles of living with family temporarily.
2. Kelly’s Birthday Bash & ‘Potato Salad Trauma’
Timestamps: [03:13]–[14:36]
- Kelly describes her birthday party: ribs, three lettuce-less salads, and watermelon courtesy of her mom.
- The story of the potato salad takes center stage, with Kelly explaining her stress:
“You would have thought it’s all I had going on. Every time we called, I'd be like, well, here's what I'm thinking with my potato salad.” ([05:44])- Lizz pokes fun at Kelly’s hyper-focus: “She was so stressed out about this freaking potato salad. It’s like, combine ingredients. Sister!” ([05:44])
- Kelly’s reflection: “When I get stressed, I like to take all of the stress I have about actual real, like, work problems and put them onto things in my life, like a potato salad.” ([06:00])
- The potato salad journey includes MSG debates, Trader Joe’s disappointments, and eventual research into proper chilling techniques.
- Top Salads Recap:
- 1st Place: Broccoli salad (co-created with ChatGPT!) — “It was the only salad that was...none left in the bowl.” ([10:32])
- 2nd Place: The unfortunate “cold mashed potatoes” potato salad, missing MSG.
- 3rd Place: Tomato/cucumber/mozzarella, but “had my proportions all out of whack.”
- Memorable quote: “Dad goes, I don’t know, Kel, it’s kind of missing something. I said, well, it’s missing MSG, so sorry.” (09:36)
- Broccoli salad highlight:
- “Me and ChatGBT whipped up the most amazing broccoli salad...she’s a sous chef.” (10:45–11:10)
3. Gifting Philosophy & The Joy of Collections
Timestamps: [11:36]–[14:36]
- Discussion about birthday gifting approaches.
- Mom gave Kelly a hosting set: utensil caddy, wine chiller, tray—"because you’re trying to master hosting."
- Sibling gift: Mackenzie Childs teapot, contributing to a slow-building collection idea.
- “I want to find a collection of kitchenware…for every Christmas, birthday, anniversary, just get me a piece from that collection. And it’s a splurge…something that’s going to bring me joy.” (Lizz, 13:06)
- The importance of having something special or signature: “I hope my kids fight over my Mackenzie Child’s pieces, because…‘that was so mom.’” (Kelly, 14:36)
- Hilarious mom moment: Marshalls clearance shoes and the phrase, “You are too successful to continue to wear this coat.” ([16:27])
4. Trip to Detroit: Interviewing GM’s Mary Barra
Timestamps: [18:41]–[27:00]
- Recap of whirlwind Detroit trip to interview Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors—described as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
- Discussion of nerves, prepping approved questions, and dealing with the gravity of meeting a major industry leader.
- “We had 30 minutes with her. We had multiple Zoom calls…to go over this 30-minute meeting. Like, she is the biggest wig I’ve ever met.” (Lizz, 19:11)
- Mary’s warmth: “She was so much warmer and delightful than I was expecting, don’t you think?” (Kelly, 20:09)
- “I’m way more comfortable answering the questions than I am asking the questions, because that’s a whole other art.” (Kelly, 21:16)
- Notable moment: Mary personally acknowledging Elizabeth: “Wait, and you’re Elizabeth, right?” (21:37)
- Reflecting on careers coming full circle—Lizz’s first job involved going to GM in Detroit years before.
- Car seat safety advocacy: Kelly’s in-depth Q&A in the GM proving grounds and car seat safety lab.
- Discusses detailed points about third-row head restraints and lower anchors for booster seats.
- "I think she was really receptive to it. And that was really exciting...” (Lizz, 23:21)
- Unique insight: Decisions behind labeling tether anchors clearly in GM vehicles—a customer-focused fight against design minimalism.
5. School Transitions, Grade School Years & Trunk-or-Treat Plans
Timestamps: [31:50]–[36:44]
- Return from Detroit syncs with “boom, first day of school”—Kelly’s son George starts kindergarten.
- Kelly shares her logic and lack of regret in “redshirting” George (holding him back a year):
- “It’s your only opportunity to kind of, like, slow things down a little bit... I get him at home for one more year, like, okay, I’m the winner.” (33:15)
- Optimism for grade-school parenting: “I’ve been waiting for the grade school years. I’m not the biggest, like, baby person... I just think kids are so fun.” (34:23)
- Pool party, trunk space (shout out, Expedition Max), and excitement for upcoming Trunk or Treat events and making content.
- Hilariously high standards for Trunk or Treat: “We need to be decorating our trunk. We need to be going all out.” (35:03)
- Plans to theme the trunk with Gabby’s Dollhouse decorations (for daughter Hattie), echoing the hosts’ brand of mixing family life with creative expression.
6. Nostalgia & Family Movie Night
Timestamps: [37:09]–[38:45]
- Kelly and Tyler to introduce their kids to “Shark Boy and Lava Girl,” sparking a side discussion on ‘90s/2000s kids’ cultural touchstones.
- Aspirations for Halloween costumes and possible Spy Kids marathon.
7. Home Renovation Updates & DIY Chat
Timestamps: [38:58]–[41:20]
- Lizz shares that her cabinet delivery means her renovation is on track.
- “I will be trick or treating in my neighborhood, so that’s exciting.” (Lizz, 39:25)
- Discussion of the highs and lows of home renovation content on social media; preference for satisfying before-and-after reveals.
8. Hobbies, Identity, & Finding Joy
Timestamps: [41:48]–[44:00]
- Conversation about making interests “your thing,” from Mackenzie Child’s collections to Detroit Lions fandom.
- “I’m just a girl with hobbies. I’m so interested. It’s not even hobbies. It’s just like interests...” (Kelly, 43:27)
- Lizz admires Kelly’s ability to turn new interests into joyful parts of life: “I’m really inspired by you for that.” (Lizz, 43:41)
- Emphasis on letting yourself adopt new hobbies/interests as a way to brighten life.
9. Dinner Ideas: Pulled Pork Nachos (Ditch the Drive Thru)
Timestamps: [44:28]–[47:44]
- Kelly shares plans for a weekday pulled pork nachos ‘ditch the drive thru’ dinner, maximizing leftovers from her birthday.
- Sheet-pan method, shredded cheese, Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce, and “borderline date night” goals.
- Lizz underscores: “Sweet Baby Ray’s. Gotta be Baby Ray’s. If you screw it up, it’s gotta be Baby Ray’s.” (46:55)
- Toppings brainstorm: sour cream, salsa, avocado, jalapenos—optional onions and cilantro.
Memorable Quotes
- On Mom’s “Tough Love” Gifting:
- “You are too successful to continue to wear this coat.” (Kelly, quoting Mom, 16:27)
- Birthday Food Stress:
- “When I get stressed, I like to take all of the stress I have about actual real, like, work problems and put them onto things in my life, like a potato salad.” (Kelly, 06:00)
- On Growing Collections:
- “For every Christmas, birthday, anniversary, just get me a piece from that collection. And it's a splurge…something that’s going to bring me joy.” (Lizz, 13:08)
- On Mary Barra:
- “She was so much warmer and delightful than I was expecting, don’t you think?” (Kelly, 20:09)
- On Motherhood Phases:
- “I just think the grade school years are so, so fun. I’m so looking forward to them... I’m already so lathered up for Trunk or Treat.” (Kelly, 35:03 and 34:23)
Notable Segments & Timestamps
- Potato Salad Drama and Broccoli Salad Triumph: [04:35]–[11:32]
- Birthday Gift Advice, Mackenzie Child’s Teapot: [11:36]–[14:36]
- Detroit, Mary Barra Interview, & Car Seat Lab: [18:41]–[27:00]
- School Milestones & Trunk or Treat Talk: [31:54]–[36:20]
- Ditch the Drive Thru: Pulled Pork Nachos: [44:28]–[47:44]
Tone & Style
Conversational, candid, and comedy-tinged, full of sisterly ribbing and encouragement. Kelly and Lizz maintain a warm and relatable atmosphere, inviting listeners to embrace the chaos, discover new interests, and find simple joy in everyday moments.
For New Listeners
This episode exemplifies why The Carpool resonates with millennial moms: it's about camaraderie, resilience, and finding joy in life's little (and sometimes chaotic) details. Whether it’s kitchen mishaps or industry interviews, Kelly and Lizz’s real-talk is both comforting and entertaining.