The Carpool with Kelly & Lizz: "TEAM ROBERT IRWIN"

Episode Date: October 2, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

In this lively episode, Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John—the sibling auto-industry experts and dynamic duo behind The Car Mom—deliver big energy as they recap Dancing With the Stars (DWTS), share home renovation updates, discuss influencer life hacks, chat mom routines, and embrace their signature blend of humor, honesty, and family-first priorities. The recurring theme? Navigating chaos, finding joy in the everyday, and always keeping it relatable—plus, a passionate campaign to get Robert Irwin cast as the next Bachelor. The episode also closes with a heartfelt “Blake’s Besties” segment, honoring families who have experienced infant loss.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Home Life & Renovation Updates

[00:43–04:48]

• Kelly is elated to have moved back into her newly renovated home:

  "There is no place like home." (Kelly, 03:48)

• Describes the relief and happiness of leaving in-law accommodations and returning to her own space, especially with fall and the holidays approaching.
• Lizz sympathizes and recounts upcoming driveway repairs and unavoidable future stints at her parents' house, forecasting sibling cabin fever.

2. Influencer Tips: The Power of Shop My

[01:16–03:10]

• Kelly and Lizz highlight the platform “Shop My” for aspiring influencers, contrasting it with LTK/LikeToKnowIt:

  "Shop My also loves the micro influencers... the girls swimming in PR." (Lizz, 02:33)

• Practical advice: Get on Shop My for PR opportunities and share/referral codes with listeners.

3. Dancing With the Stars: Episode Recap

[05:40–23:02]
A major chunk of the episode is devoted to a meticulous and highly entertaining breakdown of each contestant’s performance, style, and even song choices, with strong opinions and signature candid critique:

Judging & Format Critique

• Complaints about inconsistent judging:

  "The judges...never match the scores. They're trying to be funny. They're not. Sorry, you're not funny." (Lizz, 07:24)

Performance-by-Performance Hot Takes

• Jen Wives: Underrated—deserved a higher score.
• Lauren: Sent home; described as "snooze" and overthinking the choreography, especially with her own Fifth Harmony song.

  "How embarrassing is that? She goes home on the week where it’s her song..." (Lizz, 08:57)

• Danielle Fishel: Major improvement, visually stunning, "Topanga" gets the whole Stumpe family invested.
• Jordan Chiles: Emotional, disciplined dance without relying on gymnastics tricks.

  "Literally chills. That is a dance I will go...one of my favorite dances again." (Kelly, 12:21-12:27)

• Dylan Efron: Unimpressive, "does nothing" for the hosts, Daniella the pro "did all the work."
• Elaine: Impressive for her age (54), bold performance. Some confusion about song choice.
• Whitney: Costume/shoe mismatch noted; fun to watch, but explicit lyrics criticized for family viewing.

  "Can't believe they could say the word ass on the song...because I’m watching with my children." (Lizz, 15:33)

• Scott: Choreography deemed “too girly,” routine failed to impress.
• Hilaria Baldwin: Great dancer; confusion over her age versus appearance. Kris Jenner’s attendance as her guest noted.
• Andy: Lovable "sweet, tender guy."

  "It reminded me of a dad dancing with his daughter at her wedding." (Kelly, 19:24)

• Robert Irwin: Absolute fan favorite, hosts campaign for him to be next Bachelor:

  "Robert Irwin needs to be the next Bachelor. Pay the man whatever he wants." (Lizz, 20:10)

  • Shirt-rip and risque choreography get “mom critique,” but Robert’s genuine reactions earn universal affection.
• Alex: Standout potential winner, energetic performance.
• Kardashian Cameos: Kim (2008) and Rob (2011) both competed on DWTS—an interesting aside.

4. Bad Bunny & The Super Bowl Half-Time Show Take

[24:23–26:13]

• The hosts discuss controversial listener feedback after their tepid reactions to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl selection:

  "Some DM’d saying, 'You need to educate yourself, he hates America,' and some saying, 'Wow, your white girl is showing. He’s the biggest artist in the world.' ...You can’t win." (Lizz, 24:52–25:53)

• Ultimately, both agree: He’s a global star; they don’t personally listen to his music, but support the NFL’s strategy.

5. Car Content Updates: Press Cars in the Driveway

[26:13–26:51]

• Kelly is excited about her “two press cars in the driveway”: the Escalade IQ (lots of tech) and Toyota 4Runner (little/no tech).

6. Last 3 Transactions: Real-Life Mom Purchases

[27:02–39:39]

• Kelly: Silver wipes for a meaningful family heirloom (her mother’s pageant award), a basic Amazon toaster, a wood floor mop, and a Marine Corps car magnet (with a tale about getting stopped by a park ranger).
• Lizz: Dry cleaning (debate about whether to dry clean golf polos), TikTok inspired handheld steamer, Gabby’s Dollhouse mini karaoke machine for Hattie’s birthday.
• Entertaining offshoots include memories of their talented mom singing for the Pope, and stories about their kids’ peer-influenced birthday and gift wishes, including a Lamborghini and Nike Dunks.

7. Ditch the Drive-Thru Recipe

[44:06–45:26]

• Kelly shares her quick family meal: steaks, roasted potatoes, asparagus, plus homemade chocolate chip cookies (classic Nestle Toll House recipe):

  "Honestly, shut up. Grab the Nestle Toll House and make the recipe on the back. It’s foolproof." (Lizz, 45:14)

8. Blake’s Besties: Honoring Infant Loss

[46:00–50:19]

• The segment opens with a gentle trigger warning and features listener-written tributes to children taken too soon. The hosts read each story with care, validate grief, and honor the children’s memories with empathy and compassion.
  • Everett (shared by Kirsten): "I carried him for his whole life, and we will spend the rest of ours missing him. We love you forever, Everett." (Kelly, 47:19)
  • Carter (shared by Sophia): "Hudson now says, 'Hi, Carter' when he sees his brother in pictures." (Lizz, 48:47)
  • Matthias Peace Baker (shared by Shannon): "All he ever knew was love." (Kelly, 49:35)
• Lizz’s reflection:

  "I also want to hear funny stories about Carter saying hi to Lightning because, like, they were all our children and all their stories deserve to be talked about and remembered." (Lizz, 50:07)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Shop My:

  "They're coming for ltk’s neck." (Kelly, 01:38)

• On Homecoming:

  "There is no place like home." (Kelly, 03:48)

• On DWTS Judging:

  "Their critiques or their comments never match the scores. They’re trying to be funny. They’re not. Sorry, you’re not funny." (Lizz, 07:24)

• On Robert Irwin:

  "Robert Irwin needs to be the next Bachelor. Pay the man whatever he wants." (Lizz, 20:10)

• On Mom Rumors:

  "You think we can prep Easter eggs?... We barely get our life together to record two podcasts a week." (Kelly, 31:05)

• On Peer Influence:

  "I'm so over all of this peer influence on my children... The way that my kids didn’t know things existed, and now they want them." (Lizz, 38:13)

• On Handling Loss:

  "In the same episode where I can share funny stories about, you know, George wanting a Lamborghini, I also want to hear funny stories about Carter saying hi to Lightning, because their stories deserve to be talked about and remembered." (Lizz, 50:07)

Key Timestamps

• [00:43] Kelly celebrates returning home after renovations.
• [01:16] Influencer hack: Get on Shop My to grow PR opportunities.
• [05:40–23:02] In-depth Dancing with the Stars recap, contestant-by-contestant.
• [24:23] Bad Bunny Super Bowl controversy.
• [26:13] Press car updates.
• [27:02–39:39] Last 3 purchases (toaster, silver polish, kid gifts, etc.), plus home management anecdotes.
• [40:36] Kelly’s tale of a park ranger parking lot "ticket."
• [44:06] Ditch the drive-thru dinner: steak night with classic cookies.
• [46:00] Blake’s Besties: honoring infant loss with listener submissions.

Tone & Style

Conversational, warm, self-deprecating, and always authentic—with quick switches between humor and heartfelt, from bantering about pop culture and daily messes to pausing for meaningful, emotional connection over motherhood and loss. Both hosts use “real-life friend” tone, create space for vulnerability, and don’t shy away from calling out cultural moments—funny or awkward.

For New Listeners

This episode provides a perfect snapshot of The Carpool: unfiltered family updates, practical mom-life tips, pop culture commentary, candid entertainment recaps, listener involvement, and true community care. Even without watching DWTS or following on social, listeners will feel included, informed, and uplifted. The Blake’s Besties segment in particular is a testament to the podcast's ability to connect community through both light and difficult conversations.

To submit your own stories for Blake’s Besties:
Email: hello@thecarmaofficial.com