THE CARPOOL PODCAST WITH KELLY & LIZZ
Episode: "WE'VE GOT STUDIES"
Date: September 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively and relatable episode, sisters Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John dive into themes of family, mom-life, car luxuries, football fandom, women’s cycles, and auto-industry news—all with their signature humor and casual candor. Highlights include a wild farm morning, reflections on lottery dreams, the power of community, “ugly eras,” the making of a new Catholic millennial saint, and insights for minivan lovers and EV shoppers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Farm Life, Coyotes, & Generational Inspiration

[00:27 - 02:56]

• Kelly records at the family farm and, in a memorable moment, spots a huge coyote out the window (“Holy beep. That’s a huge coyote.” - Kelly, [00:49]).
• She shares admiration for Tyler’s grandma, Isla Fay, who, at 89, hosts preschool for five great-grandchildren and makes grape jelly with them, noting how remarkable that level of energy and organization is.

2. Powerball Dreams and Humble Plans

[02:59 - 06:34]

• Missouri had a winning Powerball ticket; Kelly and Tyler bought tickets and wait in suspense to see if they’ve won.
• Kelly claims, “I really don’t think if I won the lottery, it would change me... Of course, there’d be signs.” ([04:03])
• Daydreams ensue about a ten-car garage, buying dream cars for her kids, and funding quirky personal studies.

3. Football Fandom and the Joy of Being Part of Something

[07:31 - 14:22]

• Kelly retracts previous slander of football, now reveling in the fun of being a Detroit Lions fan.
• She describes the productivity boost of having the game on all day (“I had the most productive Sunday of my life because the game was on.” - Kelly, [10:32]).
• Memorable moment: The Lions kept a 49-game touchdown streak alive, scoring in the last minute of a losing game ([11:24]).
• Conversation about becoming fans: buy the sweatshirt, pick a team for whatever reason—no shame.

4. Menstruation, “Ugly Eras,” & the Moon Lodge Concept

[14:28 - 18:16]

• Lizz jokingly wonders if society should revive “moon lodges” (menstrual huts): “Should we consider bringing back moon lodges? The red tent menstruation huts?” ([00:18], reprised at [15:12]).
• Discussion on embracing “ugly eras”: “Again, we’re not saying you’re ugly. We’re saying you’re ugly right now.” (Kelly, [16:49])
• Honest talk about the cyclical nature of looks, productivity, and self-esteem; the challenges of post-childbirth cycles and jeans not fitting one week a month.
• Kelly, imagining a lottery win: “Maybe I’ll start a new business called Moon Lodges.” ([17:53])

5. Faith Corner: The First Millennial Catholic Saint

[18:46 - 23:52]

• Kelly shares “little Catholic news” about Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, who died in 2005 at 15 and was dubbed “God’s Influencer.”
• She recounts his life, website project on Eucharistic miracles, and details his canonization and reported posthumous miracles.
• Touching detail: His mother gave birth to twins on the anniversary of his death, who attended the canonization 15 years later.

6. Base Model Luxury: Small Life Upgrades

[25:22 - 29:33]

• Kelly’s tip: Buy a pack of black washcloths for makeup removal—no more ruining white towels ([26:13]).
• Lizz’s tip: Add flavored whipped cream (like pumpkin or maple) to coffee instead of trying new creamers for a little coffee luxury.

7. Auto Industry News

Mercedes G-Class Convertible (G-Wagon Goes Drop-Top)

[30:22 - 32:04]

• Mercedes brings back the convertible G-Class—a “good idea,” combining Jeep-like vibes with high fashion: “The car is like a runway, it’s not real-life ready.” (Kelly, [31:57])

Elon Musk’s $1 Trillion Pay Package Proposal

[32:05 - 33:49]

• Discussion of Tesla’s proposal for a $1 trillion compensation package for Musk, tied to ambitious company growth and robo-taxi expansion.
• Joking aside about studies they’d fund: “Elon, if you’re listening, we’ve got studies that need funding.” (Lizz, [33:26])

GM as #2 in US EV Sales

[34:25 - 37:23]

• GM is overtaking Ford in US EV market share, thanks to affordable EV offerings (example: $33K Equinox EV), scalable battery platforms, and self-built elements.
• Noted that GM’s multi-brand approach gives it an edge in diversification.

8. Minivan Love & “Deal Breakers” in Car Buying

[37:48 - 42:52]

• Lizz gushes about her Kia Carnival minivan: sliding doors, easy loading, community with other minivan moms.
• Base model luxury: how the third row and bench seat make road trips easier; feeling of driving an SUV with extra space.
• Kelly discusses the psychology of picking a car—you should trust your gut if a test drive doesn’t feel right.

9. Ditch the Drive-Thru: Salad & Spaghetti Nights

[42:52 - 48:54]

• Lizz recommends recreating restaurant salads at home for a satisfying “girl dinner.”
• Kelly resolves to create a signature spaghetti recipe for her children—discusses nostalgia of “mom’s spaghetti” and the simplicity of using store-bought sauce and white bread with butter.
• Potential for a taste-test segment between Rao’s, On the Hill, Prego, etc.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Should we consider bringing back moon lodges? The red tent menstruation huts?” — Lizz ([00:18], [15:12])
• “Holy beep. That’s a huge coyote.” — Kelly ([00:49])
• “If I won the lottery, it would not change me. Of course, there’d be signs.” — Kelly ([04:03])
• “I had the most productive Sunday of my life because the game was on.” — Kelly ([10:32])
• “If you want to be a football fan, go buy a sweatshirt. If that’s your reason, it doesn’t matter!” — Kelly ([12:13])
• “Maybe I’ll start a new business called Moon Lodges.” — Kelly ([17:53])
• “The car is like a runway. It’s not real-life ready.” — Kelly on the G-Wagon ([31:57])
• “When I see another carnival… I’m like, oh, hey mom. We're just moms be bopping around.” — Lizz ([38:01])
• “Every child likes their mom’s spaghetti.” — Kelly ([46:01])

Important Timestamps

• [00:49] — Kelly spots a coyote while recording.
• [04:03] — Lottery dreams and “signs” of new wealth.
• [10:32] — Football productivity revelation.
• [11:24] — Lions keep their touchdown streak.
• [15:12] — Discussion of moon lodges and menstrual cycles.
• [18:46] — Story of the millennial saint, Carlo Acutis.
• [26:13] — Kelly’s black washcloth tip.
• [29:10] — Evening coffee and beverage study jokes.
• [31:57] — “Runway ready” G-Wagon analogy.
• [33:26] — Joke about Elon Musk funding studies.
• [37:48] — Lizz's minivan love.
• [46:01] — Kelly on legacy and “mom’s spaghetti.”

Tone & Style

Warm, candid, casual, and comedic. The sisters use frankness and self-deprecating humor to connect with listeners, offer practical tips, and make even industry news feel relatable. They navigate between serious, sentimental, and silly with ease, going from Catholic canonizations to base model coffee hacks without missing a beat.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode covers everything from multi-generational family stories and football fandom to auto trends and earnest mom-life hacks, all while keeping things light and engaging. If you’re seeking a smart, funny dose of camaraderie and practical wisdom—with a millennial-mom perspective—this recap has you covered.