The Carpool with Kelly and Liz: Episode Summary – "TWISTERS, AIRPORTS & BREAST MILK"

Release Date: March 20, 2025

In this emotionally charged and insightful episode of The Carpool with Kelly and Liz, hosts Kelly Stumpe and Liz St. John navigate through personal challenges, parenting hurdles, and their enduring sisterly bond. The conversation seamlessly weaves together stories of natural disasters, the stress of traveling with young children, and the heart-wrenching journey of managing a severe food allergy in their children. Additionally, they sprinkle in lighter moments discussing fashion choices, parenting hacks, and relatable daily struggles. Below is a detailed breakdown of the episode’s key segments, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for a comprehensive understanding.

1. Surviving the Storms: Personal Accounts of Severe Weather

Timestamp: [02:07]

The episode kicks off with Kelly recounting a harrowing experience during severe tornadoes in Missouri. A series of miscommunications and power outages led Kelly and her family to seek refuge at her parents' house alongside her daughter Grayson. The severity of the storm is underscored when Kelly mentions, “There were some parts of Missouri that were catastrophic” ([03:07]).

Liz adds her perspective, highlighting the rarity of tornadoes in their hilly region compared to places like Oklahoma. She reflects, “It's really scary... that it easily could have hit down close to our house” ([04:37]). This segment not only showcases their resilience in the face of natural disasters but also sets the stage for discussing the complexities of parenting under duress.

2. The Struggles of Traveling with Young Children

Timestamp: [05:51]

Liz delves into the difficulties of traveling with four young children, sharing her recent trip to Arizona. Describing it as a “redemption trip,” she emphasizes the mental and physical toll it took, especially managing car seats and toggling between breastfeeding and formula-feeding ([06:14]).

Kelly empathizes, noting how societal perceptions often marginalize families traveling with children. She laments, “Everyone else acting like you're an inconvenience” ([07:32]), expressing frustration over the lack of respect and understanding for parents navigating airports with kids.

3. Navigating Pediatric Health Challenges: Sloan's FPIES Diagnosis

Timestamp: [05:51]

A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to Kelly sharing her daughter Sloan's diagnosis of Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES). Kelly explains the relentless challenges they've faced, recounting, “Since Sloan has been born, I have tried four different formulas... she violently throws up everything in her stomach” ([15:23]).

She details the emotional and physical strain of managing this rare, non-IgE mediated food allergy, emphasizing the trial-and-error nature of finding suitable formulas. Kelly says, “It's a rare non IgE mediated food allergy that affects the gastro tract” ([16:21]), highlighting the scarcity of resources and support for such conditions.

Liz offers her unwavering support, sharing her own struggles with her son Fred’s eczema and the added burden of going gluten and dairy-free. She candidly admits, “I really can't say anything bad happened on the trips” ([05:47]).

4. Community and Support: The Village Around Them

Timestamp: [17:23]

The sisters reflect on the importance of community support, especially through social media. Kelly expresses immense gratitude towards friends and strangers who have offered breast milk and practical advice, stating, “It's the most selfless act that I've ever experienced” ([19:25]).

Liz echoes this sentiment, acknowledging the strength they draw from each other and their extended community. They emphasize the collective journey of parenting, underscoring the notion that “we're going to figure it out together” ([22:36]).

5. Balancing Parenting and Personal Life: Fashion and Daily Hacks

Timestamp: [25:31]

Shifting gears, Kelly and Liz discuss lighter topics such as managing their children’s wardrobes for Easter, debating the merits of festive pajamas versus practical sleepwear. Liz shares her creative approach, opting for “poison dart frog PJs” to inject fun into their children’s sleepwear ([30:24]).

They also touch upon beauty hacks, with Liz critiquing the reliability of press-on nails, sharing her frustrations with nails failing during busy weeks. Kelly adds her own experiences, highlighting the temporary solutions press-ons offer: “It's a really good option for when you have something coming up” ([38:23]).

6. Industry Insights: Auto News and Personal Experiences

Timestamp: [41:19]

Transitioning to auto industry news, Liz provides an update on her recent experience driving the Hyundai Santa Fe. She highlights the vehicle's practicality for families, despite initial reservations about its design: “The tech was great. The drive was... it had enough get up and go” ([44:24]).

Kelly shares her own appreciation for the boxy design aesthetic, stating, “I like a boxy car. That's my style” ([43:06]). They discuss the varying performance of hybrid vehicles, cautioning listeners to verify actual fuel efficiency beyond manufacturer claims. Liz remarks on the misleading nature of some hybrid labels, urging diligence: “Make sure you're double checking, like, what the actual miles per gallon are” ([43:28]).

7. Everyday Parenting Challenges: Transactions and Practical Tips

Timestamp: [26:25]

In a relatable segment, Kelly and Liz discuss their recent transactions and the everyday challenges of parenting. Liz shares her experience with purchasing airplane Wi-Fi to keep herself occupied during a flight, humorously weighing it against the cost: “‘It's one of those things where it's like a coffee. $8. Perfect” ([27:05]).

They also exchange tips on budgeting and prioritizing purchases, with Kelly highlighting her recent investment in a new breast pump to manage her supply better: “I'm doing power pumping, so it is a lot, Kelly” ([32:38]).

8. Healthy Boundaries and Self-Care: Digital Detox and Diet Choices

Timestamp: [48:07]

Liz opens up about her commitment to a digital detox, sharing how limiting phone usage has positively impacted her mental well-being. She states, “I'm committed to it. I love it. It's brought me so much just peace in my heart” ([48:23]).

Kelly relates by sharing her recent dietary changes, notably giving up sweets except for lactation cookies. Their conversation highlights the balance between self-care and the relentless demands of motherhood: “We're fine. We're doing good” ([50:10]).

9. Closing Thoughts: Embracing the Journey Together

Timestamp: [54:43]

As the episode draws to a close, Kelly and Liz reflect on the emotional rollercoaster of the day's discussions. They express gratitude for their listeners and reaffirm their commitment to supporting each other through life's ups and downs. Kelly concludes with, “So, anyway, thank you so much for listening to the carpool podcast, and we will talk to you next time” ([54:54]).

Notable Quotes:

• Kelly: “Everyone else acting like you're an inconvenience.” ([07:32])

• Liz: “Families just don't get enough respect in an airport situation.” ([07:32])

• Kelly: “It's the most selfless act that I've ever experienced.” ([19:25])

• Liz: “I'm committed to it. I love it. It's brought me so much just peace in my heart.” ([48:23])

• Kelly: “Make sure you're double checking, like, what the actual miles per gallon are.” ([43:28])

Conclusion

This episode of The Carpool with Kelly and Liz is a poignant exploration of the realities of modern motherhood, underscored by the sisters' unwavering support for one another. From battling severe weather and navigating the complexities of parenting young children to managing rare medical conditions and advocating for better societal respect, Kelly and Liz offer a raw and authentic glimpse into their lives. Their blend of vulnerability, humor, and practical advice makes this episode both relatable and inspiring for listeners navigating similar journeys.