The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz
Episode: "SHE'S A CAR MOM, SHE'S A COW MOM"
Date: February 27, 2026
Episode Overview
In this lighthearted and fun episode, Kelly and Lizz dive into the latest animal additions at Stumpe Farms, the joys and stresses of motherhood, car recommendations for grandmoms, and much more. They chat about family life, book club struggles, the art of finding your niche as a creator, and serve up some practical car advice—all infused with their signature humor and relatability.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Life Update: Meet Molly the Calf
[00:43 - 06:36]
- Kelly shares the story of coming home to a surprise new farm animal: a baby cow named Molly.
- Tyler, Kelly’s husband, unexpectedly brought home Molly, a "bucket calf," for the kids to raise for 4H, adding to their growing menagerie.
- Tyler joins in to explain why and how they brought Molly home as her mother couldn't feed both twins.
- Quote (Tyler, 05:15): "The cow just had twins and they were both healthy, but... the mom's not going to produce enough food to raise both of them in a healthy manner."
- Discussion about bottle feeding calves, using cow-specific formula, and plans to make Molly the farm mascot.
- Plans for more animals: piggies (Kelly's favorite) and lambs from the neighbors, creating a "petting zoo" atmosphere.
2. Book Club Woes & "The Girl Dinner"
[08:23 - 13:38]
- Kelly is stressed about finishing her book club pick, The Goddess of Warsaw, which she’s not enjoying.
- Book club pressure: choosing a book based on its cover, then facing the embarrassment if it’s bad.
- Critique of unrealistic plot points in The Goddess of Warsaw—with some spoilers.
- Quote (Kelly, 11:14): "If you're going to read this book... I don't think you should read it."
- Comparison to The Lion Woman of Tehran, praising books that linger in your mind.
- Book club format: "girl dinner" themes like air-fried sweet potatoes with cheese, chips, salsa, and embracing girl-friendly, stress-free gatherings.
3. Home Updates & Facebook Marketplace Hustle
[13:50 - 16:45]
- Lizz gives a pregnancy update and shares her obsessive phase of decluttering and selling on Facebook Marketplace.
- So far, she's made $326—all donated to their church.
- Discussion on the impracticality of baby shoes before kids start walking.
- Quote (Kelly, 15:15): "Some people love babies with shoes... but I don't do shoes till you can walk. If you're taking a couple of steps, you're going to walk in your socks at the Walmart. Sorry."
4. Micro-Journeys: Lent and Sugar Detox
[18:56 - 21:27]
- Both hosts are reflecting on their Lenten commitments: Lizz's 40-day decluttering journey, Kelly's ongoing sugar-free challenge.
- Quote (Lizz, 19:39): "They're micro journeys... even if you're not Catholic, doing a 40-day anything journey... you learn so much about yourself."
- Kelly discusses newfound awareness about sugar in everything, and the detox’s impact on her mindset about food and cravings.
- They discuss the isolating social impacts of dietary change, and how even minor challenges provide empathy for others facing addiction.
5. Base Model Luxury & Practical Beauty Hacks
[22:15 - 27:06]
- Kelly raves about $24 Asos Tall yoga pants: "They are so long, so stretchy, so thin... If I put these on, I would think these were Lululemon." [23:41]
- Her latest "base model luxury": frozen spoons for depuffing under eyes—a quick, accessible form of self-care.
- Both discuss skepticism about their ability to properly use beauty gadgets like gua sha.
- Quote (Lizz, 26:10): "I'm so mortified that I'm doing it the wrong way and that I'm doing more harm than good."
6. Social Media & The Power of Niches
[28:08 - 32:15]
- They analyze the success of highly focused social media creators, using examples like the "Orca Man" (orca whale content) and extreme fitness channels.
- Kelly’s advice for creators: "Don’t be scared to niche so, so down. Even if people are outside of your niche, they may find it interesting."
- Clear, focused identity—like their mission to help moms find the right car—is key in the crowded world of influencer content.
7. Car Mom Auto Show Announcements
[32:15 - 34:50]
- Early bird Auto Show tickets will be released soon, at half price compared to regular tickets.
- VIP Night will offer exclusive access, live music, St. Louis cuisine, open bar, and personal tours from Kelly.
- Travel itineraries available via their travel agent for different trip types (kids, girls trip, couples).
8. Advice Section - Birthday Surprises & Grandmom Car Shopping
[35:47 - 44:28]
- Listener dilemma: Is it OK to feel hurt by friends planning a surprise birthday a week late?
- Kelly and Lizz agree—intention matters, but friends could communicate better: "They have poor execution... but they sound like good friends." [38:19]
- Listener asks for a new car rec for a “grandmom” (wish list: spacious, reliable, not flashy, not tech-heavy).
- Main recommendations: Volvo XC90 or XC60 for style, safety, and not-too-techy interiors; Genesis GV80 as a wildcard; Buick Enclave as a value choice.
- Quote (Kelly, 43:41): "I really see a Volvo for her, actually."
9. Car Consultation Insights
[44:45 - 46:30]
- Sometimes, you don't need a new car. Families should consider if short-term pain (like tight three-across car seats for another year) is worth going into debt for a new car.
- Quote (Kelly, 46:05): "Sometimes that's just the answer... get through the next year of your life."
10. Demo Diaries: The Kia Carnival Hybrid
[46:33 - 51:29]
- Lizz is driving a new Kia Carnival Hybrid with "dentist-chair" style captain’s seats.
- Loves hybrid fuel-efficiency but finds the captain’s chairs clunky, heavy, and inconvenient for access to the third row.
- Quote (Kelly, 48:52): "They're clunk city. It's horrible."
- Realization that a front camera is a must-have feature for any future car purchase.
11. Segment: Ditch the Drive-Thru (Recipe Share)
[52:01 - 54:06]
- Lizz shares a family favorite: caramelized broccoli (steamed, browned butter, seasoned salt, lemon) and store-bought tortellini with homemade creamy tomato sauce (garlic, butter, tomato paste, heavy cream, parmesan).
- Kelly is having "girl dinner" while Tyler takes the kids to McDonald's, highlighting practical mealtime solutions.
12. Industry News: Minivans Make a Comeback
[54:41 - 57:00]
- Minivan sales up 21% in 2025; market share at its highest since 2019.
- Dads are now seen as major minivan advocates, especially for adventure and value.
- Quote (Kelly, 55:58): "The dads want the minivans. Tyler's begging me to get one."
- Comparison of minivan value versus SUVs—minivans offer more space for tens of thousands less.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- On surprise parties:
“There's nothing worse than... the fake happy birthday, while they were also planning the real happy birthday.” (Kelly, 37:56) - On sugar-free living:
“Before it had much more toxic control over my mind. Now I'm in control. And that feels really, really good.” (Kelly, 20:43) - On the power of the niche:
"If you have a clear niche, people who aren't even interested... will follow your content because it's so defined and interesting." (Kelly, 29:06) - On car advice:
"It's actually better to have good tech than bad tech... you'd rather have good tech that's more." (Kelly, 41:38) - On the realities of motherhood:
“Every year you own the car it could look different. But the good news is every year you own the car, it’s going to get easier.” (Kelly, 46:18)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [00:43] – Kelly meets Molly the calf
- [05:00] – Tyler explains bottle calf care
- [08:23] – Book club stress & “girl dinner”
- [13:50] – Decluttering and Facebook Marketplace
- [18:56] – Lenten journeys & sugar detox
- [22:15] – Base model luxury (Asos pants) and self-care hacks
- [28:08] – Social media & niches
- [32:15] – Car Mom Auto Show early bird sale
- [35:47] – Listener advice: surprise birthday dilemma
- [41:55] – Grandmom car recommendations
- [44:45] – Perspective: Do you really need a new car?
- [46:33] – Review: Kia Carnival Hybrid and captain’s chairs
- [52:01] – Family dinners and quick recipes
- [54:41] – Industry news: Minivan sales surge
Tone & Style
- Conversational, fun, and honest
- Playful sibling banter
- Candid, relatable takes on motherhood, family life, and the auto industry
This episode offers an entertaining mix of farm life surprises, practical mom hacks, relatable book club strife, niche Instagram wisdom, real auto advice, and a healthy dose of the car talk listeners love from Kelly and Lizz.
