The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: YOUR CHILDREN ARE THE ENEMY, NOT YOUR HUSBAND
Release Date: October 31, 2024

Introduction

In this spirited episode of The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz, hosts Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John dive deep into the complexities of parenting, marital dynamics, and the ever-evolving auto industry. Skipping over the initial advertisements, the sisters jump straight into relatable conversations, blending humor with insightful discussions that resonate with millennial parents navigating the challenges of modern family life.

Parenting Challenges and Marital Dynamics

Kelly opens the conversation by humorously highlighting the Olympic-level task of coordinating family outfits, setting the tone for a heartfelt exchange about the strains of parenting.

• Outfit Coordination:
  Kelly (03:00): "finding coordinating outfits for every single person in your family. It is so hard."

The conversation swiftly moves to the pressures of balancing work-from-home responsibilities with parenting four young children. Lizz shares her recent experience with sleep deprivation and the inconsistent growth patterns of her children, shedding light on the unexpected hurdles mothers face.

• Sleep Deprivation and Growth Concerns:
  Kelly (03:04): "I cannot get over this. I just had Sloan's one month appointment checkup, and she is still smaller in weight and height than Libby was when she was born."

Lizz reflects on her family's history of larger babies, contrasting it with her current experience, and the discussion evolves into the emotional toll of parenting multiple young children.

• Emotional Toll of Parenting:
  Liz (19:41): "four kids has been really... I have a Tony's box going, a TV going, two kids crying. And that is."

The sisters candidly discuss the frustrations that can arise between partners, emphasizing that the real challenges stem from the children rather than from each other.

• Children as the Real Challenge:
  Kelly (15:44): "Your children are the enemy, and it's not your partner."

They delve into strategies for maintaining marital harmony, such as reflecting on the root causes of frustration and reinforcing the idea that both partners are on the same team.

• Maintaining Marital Harmony:
  Liz (16:04): "We are both going through this really hard thing together."

Gen Z Slang: Aura Points

Shifting gears, Kelly introduces the millennial word of the day, unpacking Gen Z slang to bridge the generational gap in language.

• Understanding Aura Points:
  Kelly (11:09): "An aura is being cool or respected, but when a person does something embarrassing or not seen in a good light, they will lose aura points."

Lizz reflects on the rapid evolution of Gen Z slang, noting how trends emerge and fade quickly, often tied to viral content.

• Evolution of Slang:
  Liz (12:42): "Gen Z's have so much more slang than the millennials did, because everyone's watching, like, similar content."

They discuss how certain terms, like "demure," quickly lose popularity, illustrating the fast-paced nature of contemporary language trends.

• Rapid Slang Trends:
  Kelly (13:28): "It's losing aura points."

Family Photo Coordination

The sisters share their trials and triumphs in coordinating family outfits for photos, a task many parents find daunting.

• Coordinating Outfits:
  Kelly (25:54): "finding coordinating outfits for every single person in your family. It is so hard."

Lizz suggests innovative ideas for simplifying the process, such as using popular color schemes and providing active links to outfit options, highlighting a potential opportunity for influencers to tap into this niche.

• Simplifying Family Photos:
  Liz (27:19): "But some of them are active. Here's my family photo advice."

They exchange tips on balance between prints and solids, the importance of making the parents stand out, and share personal anecdotes about their own family photo experiences.

• Personal Anecdotes:
  Kelly (29:31): "I'm a month postpartum, and I braved putting on jeans, and they did fit."

Gift-Giving Advice: Balancing Budgets

Addressing listener questions, Kelly and Lizz discuss navigating the complexities of gift exchanges during the holidays, emphasizing fairness without overspending.

• Listener Question on Gift Budgets:
  Kelly (31:11): "Does that mean I should spend $60 on her one kid?"

Lizz advises maintaining consistent spending per child, suggesting continued adherence to the $20 budget to avoid financial strain.

• Consistent Spending Advice:
  Liz (32:42): "I think I would spend $20."

They explore alternative gift exchange methods, such as secret Santa themed around books or snacks, fostering a sense of community and reducing individual expenses.

• Alternative Gift Exchange Ideas:
  Liz (33:28): "We do a secret Santa, but we're doing books."

Auto Industry Insights

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing the latest trends and news in the auto industry, leveraging Kelly and Lizz's expertise as third-generation auto-industry experts.

• Ford Bronco Sales Decline:
  Liz (35:34): "US sales of the Ford Bronco SUV are down 16% this year."

They reminisce about the hype surrounding the Ford Bronco and Kia Telluride, critiquing the inflated prices and the subsequent normalization of sales figures.

• Hype and Normalization:
  Kelly (36:12): "People were paying such a ridiculous amount over sticker for these Broncos."

Discussion shifts to the Motor Trend SUV of the Year announcement, revealing the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus as the winner. They contrast perceptions of luxury SUVs, debating the prestige associated with models like the Lincoln Escalade versus the Audi Navigator.

• Motor Trend SUV of the Year:
  Liz (37:59): "It's the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus."

They also critique the practicality of large SUVs with subpar third-row seating, using the new Infiniti QX80 as an example of a vehicle that fails to meet family-friendly standards despite its luxurious features.

• Practicality vs. Luxury:
  Liz (40:31): "If you don't have to use the third row, why would you ever choose to get 15 miles per gallon?"

Halloween Traditions and Family Fun

With Halloween coinciding with the episode's release, Kelly and Lizz share their unique Trick-or-Treat traditions, incorporating jokes to engage their children and foster social skills.

• Halloween Joke Tradition:
  Liz (45:24): "Why does a chicken coop only have two doors? Because if it had four doors, it'd be a sedan."

They illustrate how these traditions not only make Halloween more interactive for their kids but also add a layer of fun and learning to the festivities.

• Engaging Kids with Jokes:
  Kelly (46:14): "It's precious."

Cooking Segment: Ditch the Drive Thru

Introducing their "Ditch the Drive Thru" segment, Kelly and Lizz offer creative dinner recipes to help listeners avoid the monotony of standard takeout meals.

• Lemon Pepper Chicken Caesar Salad with Noodles:
  Liz (47:11): "Boil penny noodles or noodles of your choice. Cube chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Sauté them in a skillet with lemon pepper seasoning."

While debating the inclusion of lettuce in the dish, they highlight the importance of versatile, family-friendly recipes that accommodate dietary needs and preferences.

• Recipe Discussion:
  Kelly (48:00): "So, it has noodles and lettuce. Lettuce in it?"

Supporting Families Through Loss: Blake's Besties Segment

Towards the end of the episode, Kelly and Lizz introduce a poignant segment dedicated to families who have experienced infant or pregnancy loss. Inspired by listener Rachel's story, Blake's Besties aims to honor and remember lost children through shared memories and stories.

• Introduction to Blake's Besties:
  Kelly (48:54): "We have to start thinking about our Calm Car of the Year finalists and who's going to be on it."

• Encouraging Open Dialogue:
  Liz (51:26): "I think that a really big part of it is, like, being able to be there for the women who have experienced it and show up for them and support them."

This segment underscores the podcast's commitment to addressing sensitive topics with empathy and support, providing a platform for listeners to share their experiences and find solace in community.

Conclusion

As the episode winds down, Kelly and Lizz reiterate their invitation for listeners to participate in upcoming segments and express their gratitude for the supportive community they've built. They wrap up with warm Halloween wishes and a reminder to subscribe, ensuring that every listener feels included in their journey.

• Final Halloween Wishes:
  Kelly (45:00): "Happy Halloween."

• Subscription Reminder:
  Liz (53:35): "Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode."

Notable Quotes

• Coordinating Family Outfits:
  Kelly (03:00): "It is so hard."

• Children as the Real Challenge:
  Kelly (15:44): "Your children are the enemy, and it's not your partner."

• Understanding Aura Points:
  Kelly (11:09): "An aura is being cool or respected, but when a person does something embarrassing or not seen in a good light, they will lose aura points."

• Maintaining Marital Harmony:
  Liz (16:04): "We are both going through this really hard thing together."

• Lemon Pepper Chicken Caesar Salad with Noodles:
  Liz (47:11): "Boil penny noodles or noodles of your choice. Cube chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Sauté them in a skillet with lemon pepper seasoning."

• Encouraging Open Dialogue on Loss:
  Liz (51:26): "Being able to be there for the women who have experienced it and show up for them and support them."

This episode of The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz masterfully blends lighthearted banter with deep, meaningful conversations, offering listeners a comprehensive look into the multifaceted lives of two dedicated mothers and auto enthusiasts. Whether discussing the intricacies of parenting, the nuances of modern slang, or the latest trends in the automotive world, Kelly and Lizz provide valuable insights with warmth and authenticity.