Podcast Summary: The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: "SEEING WHERE THE WIND TAKES US"

Release Date: February 13, 2026
Hosts: Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John

Episode Overview

In this spontaneous and lighthearted episode, Kelly and Lizz embrace an open-ended format, letting the conversation "see where the wind takes us." The sisters cover a range of topics including language learning ambitions, family updates (like moving adventures and empty-nesting), Lent preparations, thoughtful career and gift-giving advice, car-buying questions, and some auto-industry hot takes. Throughout, their dynamic is candid, relatable, and peppered with their signature humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Language Learning, Bricks & Bad Bunny

• Kelly’s Motivation: Inspired by Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show and her envy over not being fluent in Spanish, Kelly discusses her desire to learn the language.
• Duolingo Dedication: Sam, a friend, has an impressive 1200-day Duolingo streak in Spanish, sparking awe and motivation in the hosts.
  • [02:04] Kelly: “Sam has a 1200 Duolingo streak in Spanish.”
  • [02:05] Lizz: “I could have never done anything that consistently in my entire life.”
• Tech Upgrades: Kelly upgrades her AirPods at the airport, marveling at the translation features and discussing learning through music.
  • [03:08] Kelly: “These AirPods apparently can translate… I would like to re-listen to the Super Bowl halftime show with my new AirPods.”
• Digital Detox ("Bricked"): Kelly receives her “Brick” – a device to intentionally limit her app usage – and plans to focus more on language learning apps instead of social media.
  • [04:19] Kelly: "Now. I have not set it up yet. Yeah, but it's arrived. So I think I will probably be bricking Tik Tok, Instagram, my email, and I will not be bringing my duolingo..."

2. Lent, Sugar, and Faithful Detox

• Sugar-Free Commitment: Kelly is preparing for Lent by going sugar free for the full 46 days (after learning Sundays don't count toward the traditional 40 days of Lent)—a fact that surprised both hosts.
  • [06:14] Kelly: “Did you know that the Sundays don't count and it's actually 46?”
  • The sisters discuss strategies, challenges, and the physical and spiritual aspects of giving up sugar.
  • [07:14] Kelly: "Cheat days are for cheaters..."
  • Replace sugar stress-relief with prayer and reflection.

3. Family Updates & The Empty Nest

• Siblings’ Adventures: Sydney and Grayson are moving to New York together, leading to the Stumpe parents officially becoming empty nesters.
  • [13:06] Kelly: "The birds have left the nest...our parents are officially empty nesters."
• Reflections on Motherhood: Their mom shares that this marks the end of her hands-on parenting era, sparking reflections on life phases.
  • [13:29] Lizz: “She did say there is a level of just...my Motherhood chapter feels like it’s officially closed.”
• Sisterly Doubt and Parental Humility:
  • [14:10] Lizz’s Mom: “You two think you've got it all figured out. Like, that's cute."
  • [14:13] Kelly: "That's adorable."

4. Career Advice (“Passion Projects”)

• How to Start Without Overcommitting: Kelly shares pragmatic advice to label any new endeavor as a "passion project" to avoid judgment or pressure.
  • [00:03] “If you just call it your passion project, you’re fine.”
  • [18:53] “If you have something you want to start...if you just call it your passion project, you’re fine.”
• Building Legitimacy: The conversation touches on how things shift once your project feels “legit,” but reminds listeners that not everyone may get it—and that’s okay.

5. Car Buying & Auto Industry Q&A

• Dad Car Dilemma: Listener Jim wants a fun yet practical second vehicle for long work drives, sometimes with kids, ideally four-wheel drive. Hosts recommend a used Ford F-150 for versatility, market options, and complementary household utility with a minivan.
  • [37:29] Kelly: “It’s all coming up F150.”
  • [37:38] Lizz: “I love a minivan truck household.”
• Sienna vs. Odyssey for Large Families: Another listener asks about minivan choices prioritizing car seat versatility. Kelly strongly recommends the Odyssey for its party tricks (magic slide, bench seat, car seat flexibility).
  • [42:09] Kelly: “I am locking in with the Odyssey.”
• Auto Industry Hot Takes: Discussion of Consumer Reports’ “Best Cars of 2026,” critique of Honda’s risk-averse strategy, and the lack of party tricks in the Sienna.
  • [45:18] Kelly: “They could end the minivan conversation...if they did the Odyssey right.”

6. Gift-Giving & 30th Birthday Ideas

• Meaningful Gifts on a Budget: Both hosts stress that experiences and intention are more memorable than physical gifts, especially for milestone birthdays.
  • [29:39] Kelly: “It's not about what you give them, but it's an experience. It's a day you spend with her.”
  • Creative suggestions: murder mystery or “Traders” party, meal representing three decades, a day together.

7. Fashion & Pregnancy Style

• Seasonal Shopping: Excitement over children’s summer clothing hauls and the practicality of brands like Tea Collection and Gap.
• Pregnancy Style Ideas: Lizz seeks advice for styling her bump at a work conference and a bachelorette trip, musing that a pregnancy stylist is a needed business.
  • [24:29] Kelly: “A pregnancy stylist... who specializes in pregnancy... just something to think about.”
  • Upcoming speaking engagement: Opening for Joanna Gaines at Women Lead Change Conference.

8. Ditch the Drive Through: Easy Lent Recipe

• Listener-submitted three-ingredient salmon bowls for Lent: frozen salmon, rice, and an Asian salad kit, customizable with various sauces and toppings.
  • [52:42] Lizz reads the recipe tip and Kelly responds: “Protein, salad kit, rice. And in all combinations.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:05] Lizz: "I could have never done anything that consistently in my entire life."
• [05:18] Kelly: "Of course, I don't, like, align with...all of [Bad Bunny’s] songs are...you know."
• [06:14] Kelly: "Did you know that the Sundays don't count and it's actually 46?"
• [14:10] Lizz’s Mom: "You two think you've got it all figured out. Like, that's cute."
• [18:53] Kelly: “If you have something you want to start but you feel kind of like, oh, are people going to think, like, I’m trying to make this a thing? If you just call it your passion project, you’re fine."
• [37:38] Lizz: "I love a minivan truck household. I think that's like the ideal scenario."
• [42:09] Kelly: "I am locking in with the Odyssey."
• [45:18] Kelly: "If they did the Odyssey right, they could end the conversation."
• [29:39] Kelly: "It's not about what you give them, but it's an experience. It's a day you spend with her."
• [24:29] Kelly: "A pregnancy stylist... that's just like something to think about."

Important Timestamps

• 00:03 - 00:42: Open discussion on “passion projects” as a safe way to experiment
• 01:12 - 02:25: Spanish learning talk, Duolingo streak impresses
• 03:08 - 04:33: AirPod tech, live music translation, and bricking digital distractions
• 06:04 - 09:05: Lent, sugar fast plans, surprising facts about Lent duration
• 10:06 - 14:14: Family dinner, siblings’ move to New York, parents as empty nesters
• 17:19 - 19:42: Fast lane philosophy: labeling projects as "passion projects"
• 22:08 - 24:38: Fashion, kids’ clothing hauls, pregnancy style challenges, and upcoming conference plans
• 29:39 - 32:12: Advice on gift-giving for milestone birthdays
• 35:16 - 39:13: Dad car Q&A: F-150 as the top pick
• 39:17 - 44:34: Minivan debate: Odyssey vs. Sienna, Honda’s missed opportunities
• 48:01 - 51:28: Industry news, Consumer Reports best-cars discussion
• 52:29 - 54:31: Ditch the Drive Through recipe: Lent salmon bowls

Tone & Language

From witty banter to practical seriousness, Kelly and Lizz keep things genuine, humorous, and affirming, maintaining a conversational style filled with self-aware wit and sisterly support. They move easily between fun, personal updates and providing actionable, no-nonsense advice.

For Listeners

This episode is a perfect entry point for The Carpool’s signature blend of lighthearted family chat, creative advice, and thoughtful automotive expertise—useful whether you're buying your next vehicle, looking for life hacks, or just want some relatable mom talk.

Note: Ads, intros, and outros have been omitted for clarity and focus on substantive content.