Is your micro-hobby listening to the podcast? Lizz is looking for a new one and really wants to stick to it this time. She's looking into spider plants and paint by numbers. Which one will she embrace? Kelly has plenty of micro-hobbies and right now she is concentrating on the family Christmas photo tradition.  After a little Kelly and Lizz chat, it's time to get into a fascinating chat with Jessica Jermakian from the IIHS. They recently released their list of cars perfect for the first-time driver in your family. She'll talk about what to look for in a teenager's first car, key safety features and how to prepare your kids to hit the road. Plus, Jessica shares a unique Ditch the Drive-Thru that has us inspired! 

It feels like it’s been forever since it was just Kelly and Lizz and they have SO much to talk about… and not talk about. While Lizz has been solo parenting for two weeks (an experience that has changed her as a person), Kelly has been prepping for her birthday. Did you know that making the perfect potato salad could cause a lot of stress and discussion? A lot of tangible takeaways here from Kelly’s potato salad trauma. In the end it all turned out to be the perfect evening, including some lovely gifts from her family. This leads right into a tangible takeaway from Lizz on how to start the perfect gift tradition.  The potato salad stress might have been a bit exaggerated by a MASSIVE interview for the Car Mom. Kelly and Lizz traveled to Detroit to chat with GM CEO Mary Barra. They gave a little preview of the interview as well as talked about the friends they did not make in the car seat lab.  Another massive milestone happened in the Stumpe household as George headed off to school for the very first time. Kelly is so ready to be in her “mom of school kids” era and already planning her truck-or-treat decorations. Speaking of family time, Kelly is ready to introduce her kids to “Shark Boy and Lava Girl” in hopes that they will want to dress as them for Halloween. Is “Spy Kids” next? Both movies go perfect with a Ditch the Drive-Thru favorite: pulled pork bbq nachos! 

This week on the Carpool Podcast it's half solo pod with Lizz and half interview with both ladies! First, Lizz discusses the use of ChatGPT in parenting, sharing practical ways it can assist with tasks like creating packing lists, bedtime stories, daily schedules, meal planning, and rainy day activities. She emphasizes the tool's ability to learn and tailor responses based on user input, making it a valuable resource for busy parents. Then, Side Hustle Summer continues as Kelly and Lizz speak with KL Shaw, founder of The Salary Bump, who offers insights into career transitions, networking, and salary negotiations. KL highlights the importance of knowing one's worth and preparing effectively for interviews, while also discussing the value of networking in job hunting.  Today's episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Clean Simple Eats⁠⁠. Use code 'Carpool20' at checkout to get 20% off your order and free shipping. ⁠⁠CleanSimpleEats.com

It's a big ol' update episode with just Kelly and Lizz today! First, the renovation at Lizz's house is moving right along. You could basically call her a general contractor, but please don't for legal reasons. But that isn't the only big news in the St. John household as Lizz is about to join the minivan mom family. What car is she driving now? Speaking of new cars, Kelly is starting to get the new car itch. She's been in her current ride for over 18 months, a record for her. What should she pick up next?  Since they are on the topic of cars and car seats, there is some DRAMA in the car seat community and Kelly needs to get some things off her chest. A new Evenflo car seat has a lot of people talking. Is it just a cash grab? It opens up a lot of talk about car seat safety tests and why the public doesn't get more information on the results.  Kelly is on her hostess grind and shares tips on how to become the perfect hostess. This leads Kelly and Lizz to talk about their upcoming Thawgust and they need your help! Got a recipe to submit? They want to hear it!  It's been a while and there is so much to break down in Industry News. First, there is no stopping Waymo as they are set to invade Dallas shortly with plans to expand further in the next year. Mary Kay is still giving their biggest associates cars and it's about to go all electric. A woman got revenge after her car got repossessed in the most sneaky way. Finally, one of Britney Spears' cars is about to go up for auction and might snatch a pretty penny.  Today's episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Clean Simple Eats⁠⁠. Use code 'Carpool20' at checkout to get 20% off your order and free shipping. ⁠⁠CleanSimpleEats.com

Kelly may have found an online scam she never knew existed and it all started with Ranger Rick! What she thought was a contest to get George to be a junior ranger, turned into spending way too much money to buy votes. Maybe Kelly and Lizz should do a junior car reviewer contest, but make it 100% legit?  Meanwhile, Lizz is seeing memes everywhere reminding her to enjoy all these moments when the kids are little because one day she is going to miss it. But will she really? No better person to ask than Kris! Oh and speaking of the kids being little, if you have little ones in the St. Louis area the next Just Between Friends sale is coming up and Kelly and Lizz have all the details.  Then, it's time to get into the meat of this week's episode with another Side Hustle Summer! Today Kelly chats with Olivia, a.k.a. The Marketplace Mom. If you've ever been nervous about posting items for sale on Facebook Marketplace, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Olivia talks about how she started listing things to sell and how it turned into an excellent side hustle. She'll reveal her listing tips, how to deal with the "Is this still available?" question, what to sell and what to buy on Facebook Marketplace. Plus, she reveals a super easy Ditch the Drive-Thru that will satisfy the entire family. 

The unofficial third host of the Carpool Podcast is BACK - Kate from Naptime Kitchen! She's got a new book coming out that is about to be your "How To Guide" for all things being an adult. It's called "I Just Wish I Had A Bigger Kitchen: And Other Lies I Think Will Make Me Happy" and she took us through the journey of the book came to be and talked a little bit about the special audio interviews you get when you pre-order the book, including one with our very own Kelly!  Since Prime Day has come and gone, Lizz thought this is the perfect time to do a brand new round of Last Two Transactions. First off, is our special guest Kate who finally jumped on the weighted vest train and is loving it. Lizz's life has been changed thanks to the sonic retainer cleaner she finally purchased. Finally, Kelly is the crafting queen thanks to all the craft supplies she had to buy over the last couple of weeks. Plus, Kelly's amazing Facebook Marketplace finds.  Since we have Kate, we must get her latest favorite Ditch The Drive-Thru meals. Right now, she is all about the versatility of a frozen meatball and told Kelly and Lizz some of her favorite ways to use them. Then she shared her frozen enchilada recipe that might be the first entry into Thawgust for 2025!  For all things Naptime Kitchen and pre-order Kate's new book, head to naptimekitchen.com

This week on the Carpool Podcast, Kelly and Lizz are talking to one of their favorite influencers Sam, known as Smaller Sam PCOS, who shares her remarkable weight loss journey and the challenges she faced along the way. Sam, who has lost 255 pounds, discusses her creative fast food hacks and recipes that are lower in calories and higher in protein, making them accessible for everyone. Her story is one of resilience, driven by the need to be healthy for her children amidst personal and family struggles, including her daughter's medical needs and her husband's battle with addiction. Sam's content is celebrated for its authenticity and relatability, offering practical advice for sustainable eating habits. The episode delves into her background with PCOS, her approach to food with her children, and her viral recipes. Today's episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Clean Simple Eats⁠⁠. Use code 'Carpool10' at checkout to get 10% off your order. ⁠⁠CleanSimpleEats.com

After a holiday weekend, Kelly and Lizz are back for another Side Hustle Summer. Lizz is broadcasting from home, Kelly from her local library It's a whole thing. But the good news is she is perfecting her fish fry and working to become the perfect hostess. Oh, and Tyler built a deck proving once again that the To Do lists work!  Moving on to this week's Side Hustle Summer entries, it's all about the parties! First, they'll talk to moms Maddy and Kendall that turned creating balloon arches for their kid's parties into Balloon Vibes CLT. They share how they got started and advice for anyone looking to get into the balloon business. Then, it's all about the animals with Pony Tails Parties. Suzanne shares how providing ponies for kid parties turned into a thriving petting zoo.  Today's episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Clean Simple Eats⁠⁠. Use code 'Carpool10' at checkout to get 10% off your order. ⁠⁠CleanSimpleEats.com

That's right, you're getting two episodes of The Carpool this week and today's episode is a very special car buying edition of the podcast! The episode features an in-depth discussion on the current car market, including the impact of tariffs on new car prices and the resulting effects on the used car market. Special guest Zach, CEO of Car Edge, provides insights into the importance of understanding vehicle financing, the benefits of leasing electric vehicles, and the challenges of navigating the car buying process. Additionally, the episode introduces Car Edge's tool for accessing original window stickers, aiding consumers in making informed decisions about vehicle features and pricing.

Side Hustle Summer is BACK and Kelly and Lizz have two great side hustles to inspire you this week. First, it's time to catch up and see what's the latest in the Stumpe and St. John Households. Kelly is on a vacation with the family at the lake that wasn't originally planned, but seemed like a great idea while the pool is getting installed at their home. While there, she is mastering the art of using the fryer. Will a smoker be next? Meanwhile, Lizz is officially out of her home while it gets renovated and it's in a total state of disarray. There's no turning back now!  Then it's time for Side Hustle Summer with two moms that found a way to make money and work with their family's schedule. First, they talk to Kim who started working as an Amazon Flex delivery driver as a way to work while taking care of her adult son with autism. She breaks down exactly how it works and what kind of money she makes. Not all heroes wear capes and our Amazon delivery drivers are definitely heroes!  Next, it's time to bring on Alexis who is the Car Mom's resident cotton candy maven! She started her cotton candy business while pregnant and had her first big event at the Car Mom Auto Show. Now, she is working private events and making enough money to buy a car. She talks to Kelly and Lizz about where she came up with the idea and how she's grown her business in the last couple of years. 

This week on the podcast, Kelly and Lizz are chatting with Charlotte, a.k.a. their brother Craig's girlfriend! She is also a physical therapist and Pilates instructor, and shares her journey from being a Division 1 rower to finding joy in fitness post-college. She emphasizes the significance of small, sustainable changes in diet and exercise routines. The episode also explores Charlotte's relationship with Craig, her integration into the Suntrup family, and her newfound passion for content creation on Instagram. Additionally, the podcast touches on Tesla's new robot taxis in Austin and offers a delicious burger bowl recipe.  Follow Charlotte at @char.tay.fit Today's episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Clean Simple Eats⁠⁠. Use code 'Carpool10' at checkout to get 10% off your order. ⁠⁠CleanSimpleEats.com

Kelly is out this week, but mom Kris is in! As a mom of five now adult kids, she is the PERFECT person to give advice for your next family vacation!  The conversation covers practical advice for planning family trips, including selecting convenient dates, choosing destinations based on family interests, and budgeting tips. Kris emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude when things go wrong, as these moments often become cherished memories. The episode also highlights the value of flexibility, allowing for spontaneous fun and creativity during trips. Additionally, Kris shares travel hacks, such as personalized snack bags for kids and the benefits of traveling with other families. So what makes a vacatio  successful? That is often realized in hindsight, through the fond memories created despite challenges. There is one trip in the RV with the entire family that is the perfect example of why that is SO true.  Today's episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Clean Simple Eats⁠⁠. Use code 'Carpool10' at checkout to get 10% off your order. ⁠⁠CleanSimpleEats.com

This week on the Carpool, Kelly and Liz discuss their summer experiences, parenting strategies, and introducing two guests with unique side hustles.  Kelly shares her summer rules for managing screen time and snacks with her children, emphasizing the importance of boredom for creativity. Liz talks about her upcoming move and concerns about pool safety for her toddler.  Then, Side Hustle Summer is BACK with two inspiring side hustles. Katie from Louisiana runs Lake Area Storks, renting stork signs for new parents, and Katelyn from Minnesota offers a laundry service, leveraging her love for laundry to earn extra income. Both guests share insights into their businesses, including startup costs, logistics, and client acquisition strategies. These are two side hustles you could start tomorrow!  Before they leave, Katie and Katelyn both share their Ditch the Drive-Thru go-to that is going to inspire your meal tonight!  Today's episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Clean Simple Eats⁠⁠. Use code 'Carpool10' at checkout to get 10% off your order. ⁠⁠CleanSimpleEats.com

Kelly is a little stressed as she is headed to Dallas for a three day shoot for two reasons. First, she will be without Lizz who is moving out of her house during that time. But the bigger issue is that Kelly is feeling like she is in her ugly era. Is it that time of the month or are they just getting old? Considering both ladies were recently mistaken for teenagers it may be the former instead of the latter. Speaking of getting older, Kelly is starting to think about what kind of car to get George when he gets old enough. Yes, he is only six now, but sixteen will be here before they know it. Unsurprisingly, she's thinking it will be a used car. But what kind? Oh, and for those wondering, George's 6th birthday party was amazing all thanks to the reptile man! In Industry News, the Dodge Durango is coming back. Will there be enough changes made to make it a safer car? Plus, the Bronco vs the Wrangler and Tesla stock is making a slight comeback. Finally in Ditch the Drive-Thru, Kelly has an Aldi hack to make your favorite Chick-fil-a meal. But what she REALLY wants to talk about is "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives." 

This summer Kelly and Lizz are getting you your next side hustle. They'll be featuring women who have taken matters into their own hands and started a side hustle to bring some extra money home. They're kicking it off this week with Kate, creator of Your Behind the Scenes BFF to talk all things virtual assistants.  But before that there are a couple things Kelly and Lizz must get into. That includes a short recap of Lizz's trip to Arizona and why it will probably be the last family trip for a while. In the meantime, Kelly is hacking her summer. First, she's organized her car specifically to include things she and the kids will need this summer. Then, she has made her kitchen into a fitness haven and is bringing her friends along for the ride!  And a quick update on making a "to do" list for your husband... it works!  Moving on to Kate, she explains how she got into the world of being a virtual assistant and how her background as a teacher led her to help others do the same. She talks about finding the skills you already have and making it work for a client. Plus, the importance of shooting your shot and how to determine your rate as a virtual assistant. Before she leaves, Kate gives us a super easy chili recipe for Ditch the Drive-Thru. 

Lizz is getting ready for a vacation, her first with the whole family in a LONG time! Matty has been working for the last few family trips so it's sorely needed. But can Kelly survive without Lizz? Will Lizz survive the trip with the sudden onslaught of the terrible twos?  At Kelly's house, she's preparing for George's impending birthday. This gives the ladies time to talk about birthday traditions. They discuss which ones they have begun for their kids and some of these ideas you're going to want to start for your kid's next big day!  Speaking of advice, Kelly got some great marriage advice from her mother-in-law. If they aren't doing the chores you're asking them to do, put it on a list. Men are more likely to do it if it's written down because it's not nagging if it's on a piece of paper.  In Last Three Transactions, Kelly and Lizz have been shopping as they get ready for summer. Kelly is preparing for the kids spending a lot of time at home with a pack of half cones, a fairy garden and an uncrustable maker. Meanwhile, Lizz is getting her yard ready with a new weed pulling device she can't stop raving about. Plus, colorful masking tape that will keep your kids entertained for hours and Matty's pajama find.  Kelly is getting concerned for Nissan in Industry News. With all the stories of layoffs, plants closing and projects canceled, could this spell disaster for the car brand?  Finally in Ditch the Drive-Thru, a listener submitted sausage recipe reveals Lizz's geography mix-up.  Today's episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Clean Simple Eats⁠⁠. Use code 'Carpool10' at checkout to get 10% off your order. ⁠⁠CleanSimpleEats.com

We need to talk about those Mother's Day expectations. Did you get to relax? If you've got young ones, the answer is most likely no. Once again, for Mother's Day Kelly just wants to be dad for a day. But not all was lost, she did get some new Crocs. Unfortunately, Tyler got her two pairs with the instructions to return the ones she didn't want. So her present just made more work.  But speaking of Crocs, talk about a brand that has been able to adapt with changing trends. There are so many brands that haven't been able to do the same. Where are Juicy Couture and Tom's shoes? Speaking of trends, Kelly is predicting that the next big food trend is pistachios.  Lizz needs to talk about the new version of Rodney Atkin's song "Watching You" with his now 23 year old son. Is this what she has to look forward to? It's making her dread the day her sons grow up and start to sing in cursive (which is a thing).  Moving on to some more enjoyable moments in music, Kelly and Lizz are presenting the Model Line-up of kids songs that go hard! These are the ones that you don't turn off when it starts to play and the kids aren't around. Yes, there are a lot of Disney tunes on this list. Who had the better picks - Kelly or Lizz?  George's birthday is quickly approaching and Kelly is giving up her "no birthday parties every year" rule and planning a big bash. Will there be a reptile guy? Yes! But please no gifts... Will anyone actually abide by that rule? Maybe it's time to give up that rule too because not everything is worth having a take on.  In Industry News, the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee is on the way and there is a lot to talk about. Plus, why not to freak out about the new car seat standards are nothing to freak out over.  Finally, in Ditch the Drive-Thru a listener sent in a pineapple pork chops recipe that is perfect for summer. And stick around through the end for the Chat GPT hack you're going to want to use tonight!  Today's episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Clean Simple Eats⁠⁠. Use code 'Carpool10' at checkout to get 10% off your order. ⁠⁠CleanSimpleEats.com

Kelly and Lizz are back from the Kentucky Derby with plenty of stories to tell, but first they're taking time to once again show love to a couple of their favorite snacks - Clean Simple Eats energy drinks and Built Puff bars. Aren't you glad we live in a time when they are available?  But back to the big story, a trip to the Derby to check out the 2025 Ford Expedition. The trip started with a four-hour drive filled with games and no music... unless you could the diss tracks Kelly and Lizz wrote. Yes, you read that right, they wrote diss tracks for the Carnival vs. the Odyssey. Could this be what finally gets the Car Mom to go super viral?  Once they got to Kentucky, the ladies were set up in some sweet digs with a lot of celebrities. Did they run into any of them? Well, they did make friends with a certain influencer during dinner...  Before the big event, was The Oaks race where the ladies got to try their hand at horse track betting and quickly realized that betting against each other was just as fun. Then they finally got to get into the 2025 Expedition and learned that Ford can be brilliantly petty. What did they think? Kelly and Lizz will break it all down.  After the Kentucky Derby, it was back to reality and cleaning out the fridge and pantry while getting ready for summer. But of course they can't end the podcast without talking about the ID Buzz recall. What does it mean for the future of the car?  Today's episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Clean Simple Eats⁠⁠. Use code 'Carpool10' at checkout to get 10% off your order. ⁠⁠CleanSimpleEats.com

The ladies are derby bound and trying to figure out what horse to put their money on. So far looking at the names no one is really catching their interest. But at least they will have the looks on point!  Back at home, Kelly has started her sourdough journey. While it may be intimidating, it sure is peaking her husband's interest. Speaking of trad wife, what is everyone doing this summer when it comes to planting vegetables and herbs? More importantly, how are you keeping them alive? Kelly and Lizz need to know! Especially Kelly who is currently going through chicken issues at the moment...  Speaking of higher learning, Kelly has become completely obsessed with Master Class! She's already learned so much and only had it for a short time. Meanwhile, big news at the St. John house as Matty has finished classes of his own and graduated with a degree!   Over on the Carpool Facebook page, a fascinating thread popped up with one mom asking for tips on how to have a productive Sunday. From meal prepping for the kid's lunches to packing the car for the week, the suggestions the Carpoolers came up with were so amazing they just had to share them this week on the pod.  In Industry News, the VW ID Buzz has signed on to be the car of the future for Uber taking on robot taxis. Are you at a point where you would be willing to rely on autonomous vehicles instead of driving? Then, the cars with the lowest and highest five year depreciation.  Finally in Ditch the Drive-Thru, we're making one pan chicken and veggies meals and how to sauce up your meal to really get you out of the dinner rut!  Today's episode is brought to you by ⁠Clean Simple Eats⁠. Use code 'Carpool10' at checkout to get 10% off your order. ⁠CleanSimpleEats.com

Podcasting can be hard. Kelly broke her mic and they're wasting on their good material on conversations when the mics are off. Either way, Kelly and Lizz are back to talk about the rudest comment they've gotten on social media that has them questioning if they are middle aged.  Meanwhile, they are preparing for the Kentucky Derby this weekend and there is a bit of a fashion emergency. Kelly thought she had her whole outfit ready and it turns out it might not be all arriving in time. Will they both be able to get their outfits together for the big day Saturday?  Lizz has a warning of a kidnapping scam that is going around and it's just another reason why AI can be really scary. However, Kelly would rather deal with AI than the people on the phone that have no idea what they are talking about. That's when we learn that if you need to get a problem solved to give Matty the phone.  Since summer is almost here, the ladies are sharing their summer bucket list for 2025. Kelly wants to learn how to jar jalapeños, purge the house of unneeded baby stuff, make herself an outdoor space with the perfect vibe and spend more time at the lake. Lizz wants to create a playroom for the kids, perfect her popsicle game and spend more time in the water.  There has been a trend going around the internet about Type C moms and it is so Lizz. What kind of mom is Kelly?  Finally in Industry News, there is a new car manufacturer in town called Slate and they are making a customizable truck EV. Will it become a thing or a flash in the plan? Then in Ditch the Drive-Thru, It's all about pulled pork sheet pan nachos and the chicken alfredo bake from Costco.  SHOP CLEAN SIMPLE EATS: https://glnk.io/0wvl/the-carpool Use code CARPOOL10