The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

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COULD CRASH TESTS BE KELLY'S NEXT MICRO-HOBBY? May 20, 2026

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Lizz is officially in her third trimester but don't ask her if she is ready. The world has stopped until the Car Mom Auto Show and there's nothing else to talk about. Kelly is feeling the same, except when it comes to George's 7th birthday. She reveals what she got him this year and which one she thinks will be the biggest hit. Insurprisingly, Kelly is also working on a new micro-hobby: perfecting taking people a meal. Will she have it right by the time Lizz gives birth?

Then it's time for a chat with one of our favorite guests, Jessica Jermakian from the IIHS. There was a lot of talk about the 2026 and all the vehicles that were suddenly no longer top safety picks. So what happened? Jessica explains why changes in the testing and requirements pushed certain cars out. Also, Kelly is on her way to visit the IIHS headquarters, and Jessica will tell her what to expect.

KEYS TO LONGEVITY May 15, 2026

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It's a wedding weekend for Kelly and Lizz. Both with childhood friends, but different friends. Lizz is in the wedding and ready for everything that comes with it, pregnancy and all. Kelly is excited for Wedding Tyler to make an appearance. Speaking of Kelly, Tyler and weddings, there 10 year anniversary is just a couple of years away and the planning has already begun!

A big milestone is happening this week in the Stumpe household: George is graduating from kindergarten! It's a whole production and George will be dressed to the nines for the occasion. But the biggest milestone happened earlier in the week when Kelly's new American Girl doll finally arrived! Who was more excited, Kelly or her daughter?

An unintentional Fast Lane Philosophy is revealed as Kelly and Lizz discuss their amazing neighbors. They talk about why fostering those relationships is so important for so many reasons, including getting random calls for the kids to enjoy a bounce house. Good thing too as Kelly is getting summer ready to host the neighborhood parties.

Kelly has a base model luxury this week all about flavored water. Lizz's is the truck dinners she enjoyed for Mothers Day. Which one do you think is best?

In Industry News, they break down the release of the Audi Q9 and explain the destination fees you'll see at the dealership. Finally for Ditch the Drive Thru, Kelly is making her favorite pulled pork in the crockpot

MAYCEMBER IN FULL EFFECT May 13, 2026

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Maycember is here and Kelly's schedule is giving "bus, club, another club, no sleep" energy. Today her daughter gave her a mommy makeover at school, even though she feels like she's in her ugly era. Over at Lizz's house things are looking up as James is now potty trained! She shares all her tangible takeaways and tips on what worked for her. Hint: it's all about the potty content!

Important updates on the book that both Kelly and Lizz are reading for the Carpool Book Club. Is it a subtle dig at Ballerina Farms? Plus, the meal prep hack Kelly learned over the weekend might just be a game changer. But the most important update: Kelly has once again deleted her TikTok account!

Big question for the Car Mom this week: If you had to choose only five tech features for your car, which would you pick? Once you start thinking about it, the answer is not really that easy.

Don't forget the Car Mom Auto Show is approaching fast, and this year's event benefits a very important cause. Catch a Ride Network is an amazing organization that helps moms, families and others with transportation insecurity. Valerie Lefler is part of this effort and joined Lizz on the podcast to talk about how the organization started and what you can do to help. Learn more at catcharide.org

WHAT DOES ONE WEAR TO A CRASH TEST? May 08, 2026

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The Car Moms are getting ready for Mother's Day. Of course, Lizz's day might not be all sunshine and flowers as this is the weekend she chose to potty train James. Hopefully it will all go her way. Later in the episode, Kelly and Lizz share what they REALLY want for Mother's Day this year. Speaking of James, he's about to turn three and Lizz has some BIG plans. Literally BIG plans as she is renting a dinosaur fossil activation. This could be the next major kid's birthday party activity.

Kelly has been in a content drought, lacking anything good to watch with her husband. That was till they discovered 'The Men Who Built America' and now she is hooked. Lizz on the other hand is completely obsessed with the new season of Running Point. But content watching really won't be a priority for Kelly in the next two weeks as she makes her way to D.C. to see something REALLY cool!

A really important question in today's Ditch the Drive-Thru: are we eating enough kabobs? Kelly is on a kebab kick, and there is so much you could do! Lizz is experimenting with spicy food for James and son far it's going really well.

DON'T SLEEP ON THE MALL May 06, 2026

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The sparkle is back on the podcast!

This week, Kelly is in full teacher appreciation mode as she puts together gifts for her kids' teachers. But who scheduled Nurse Appreciation Week and Teacher Appreciation week on the same week? Lizz is basking in the glow of the end of solo weekends with the kids, at least for the time being. Her final weekend without Matty taught her a big lesson for the future: the mall is a great place to entertain the kids! Panda Express, Barnes & Noble and a playground all in one indoor place? Yes please!

Drama erupted in the Stumpe household when Libby's ponytail suddenly appeared on the floor instead of on her head. Who cut it off? The answer will surprise you! At Lizz's house, she is in full potty training mode with James. So it's no surprise that the first items in her Last Three Transaction is all potty training related. Kelly, on the other hand, is experimenting with Amazon fashion finds.

In Industry News, Honda is pulling back on their EVs and relying on their tride and true models. Hmmmm... who could have told you that would happen? Finally in Ditch the Drive-Thru, Kelly is reminding you of some Carpool classics!

THE HOTTEST OF HOT TAKES May 01, 2026

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You have hot takes, Kelly and Lizz have hot takes, we all have hot takes! Today on the podcast the Carpool moms are revealing their hottest of takes. Some you may agree with, others not so much. Plus, the hot takes from the Carpool Facebook group. Things will be getting spicy!

There's a ton of hot tea in the auto industry this week with Industry News. First, the Nissan Xterra may be released at a lower price which could be really good news for Nissan. AI is entering the auto space - is that a good thing or bad thing? Plus, the real story behind who is ACTUALLY buying most of the Cyber Trucks!

THE TRUTH ABOUT KELLY'S BOOK CLUB REVEALED! Apr 29, 2026

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In the midst of tornado warnings, Kelly and Lizz are ready for a new episode of the Carpool. Kelly has been traveling extensively, leading to some new conclusions. The biggest one: be nicer to people! So this week they are encouraging you to be nice to a stranger. Buy a stranger a cup of coffee, offer a compliment or just acknowledge the random person sitting next to you.

Meanwhile in her travels over the weekend, Lizz listened to the decluttering book and realized it was not for her. But some kindness from a stranger made her feel seen. Speaking of books, Kelly has a book club update and a big reveal on the truth behind the exclusive club.

Two advice questions this week have to do with the proper time to trade in your car. Then there is a very interesting one from a mom and her best friend's wedding. Will her friend never forgive her if she skips the wedding for her kid's first day of kindergarten?

In Industry News Kelly has the worst selling cars of 2026 so far. Finally in Ditch the Drive-Thru, Kelly is making ground chicken pizza and Lizz has some roast drama.

CARPOOL ON THE ROAD.... BUT NOT REALLY Apr 24, 2026

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THE ORIGINS OF THE CAR MOM - LIZZ'S VERSION Apr 22, 2026

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It's an all-Lizz episode of the Carpool Podcast today. This week, she tells her side of the story of how the Car Mom came to be. Hear how a call from Kelly led to her moving back home from Texas, quitting her job and working on the Car Mom full time. She also reveals why she initially disliked the name and what would happen if they ever fought over money. Plus, answering your questions from Instagram!

WHEN LIFE GETS BUSY, START A GARDEN Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

Kelly is firing on all cylinders! She's busier then ever, which is only about to pick up soon with even more travel. (BTW - who has a hook up with airport lounges?) But with everything going on you would think she would try to slow down right? NOPE! Now, she's starting a gardening project! And she won't be Chat GPTing it!

Lizz has decided now is the time to get her life in order, one day at a time. She's got a new method on how to get those big chores done every week and you may want to steal this one. Speaking of making your life better, Lizz also has a base-model luxury that is perfect as we get into summer: spa water.

It's been a while since Kelly and Lizz did a Last Three Transactions. Kelly is fully in her REPS era and is buying items to keep the kids entertained over the summer. It's all about stickers, "Where's Waldo?" books and word searches. Lizz is also buying stuff for the kids including blue sand and fish for a sensory bowl, dino shirts and a safety alarm for the door.

In Industry News, we'll be seeing a new Nissan Xterra in 2028 and Kelly has a new press car that she is excited about (mostly because it has a great name). Finally, Kelly and Lizz have to very different Ditch the Drive-Thrus: a lox salad and taco skillet.

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