There's some BIG news to kick off the Carpool today, but we aren't spoiling it here! You gotta listen to get all the deets. Then, Kelly and Lizz have a lot to talk about on the Driveway Dumps. Kelly is getting rid of more items on Facebook Marketplace and is enjoying just putting them out for free. Lizz is getting in fights with random people in the comment section. Both are falling for the targeted ads on Instagram, leading to the purchase of a LARGE paint by number set. 

This week, Kelly and Lizz have a listener submitted Base Model Luxury and we're wondering why we never thought of this. Get ready for the Chuck-it Bucket! It doesn't sound glamorous, but we promise this could change your dinnertime routine! 

You are going to remember where you were when you heard today's Industry News. Stellantis is ending production on some of our favorite vehicles and we are not okay. Why aren't they coming to the Car Mom before they make any of these decisions?!? 

Finally, this week's Ditch the Drive-Thru is VERY needed by one of the mom's today who has been doing a TON of DoorDash lately!  If you love the "Everything But the Elote" seasoning from Trader Joe's, this elevated mac and cheese is going to make it to your recipe list asap. 

Finishing off the first week back to normalcy after the holidays and the Carpool ladies are getting back into the routine. They're both trying to make sure they are fully dressed in something other than athleisure. So far, they are noticing some major differences. But will it last?

It's time to see what Kelly and Lizz have been buying so far in 2026 with Last Three Transactions. Kelly kicks it off with a butter dish that has a very interesting story behind it that reveals a relationship truth we might not want to hear, but need to. Lizz has a reveal of her own as we discover she still is shopping at Victor's Secret. Plus, a bonus future transaction Kelly is trying to get done to get her husband to finally get some decorations on their bare walls!

Industry News is extra special this week as it is time for the Car Mom Car of the Year! Kelly and Lizz are revealing the top 4 contenders for the year. Did your favorite make the cut? Get your vote in now:

Finally in Ditch the Drive-Thru, Kelly talks about her easy homemade pizza. But why won't anyone just tell us moms what they want to eat?!?

Welcome to the first episode of 2026! Kelly and Lizz have survived the holiday break (barely) and ready to kick off a new year of podcasts. First things first, it's time to reveal their words for 2026 and these are some things we should all take with us into the new year. Speaking of words of the year, the unintentional word of the year for 2025 was coined right on this podcast: micro-hobbies! Kelly has a new one and it involves joining a club. Plus, her football micro-hobby is going strong and getting ready for the playoffs. 

Big announcement for the Car Mom, new merch is here! This one is for all the minivan lovers out there. Since they are on the minivan topic, it's time to talk about Pete Davidson's tricked out minivan. Are you over the "I'm getting a COOL minivan" cliche?  Kelly and Lizz also have some new base model luxuries. Some are better than others... 

Checking in with Industry News, Mitsubishi continues to try and find their way in automotives. So far they haven't been successful, could that change soon? Speaking of success, Stellantis sales are down once again for 2025. What can save them? 

In Ditch the Drive-Thru, Kelly made a beef soup that impressed the entire family on New Year's Day. It was so good that even Lizz had seconds! 

Get your "Never Say Never" sweatshirt now at tensionandthreadco.com

It's New Year's Eve and while many are excited to celebrate, Kelly and Lizz are not into the holiday. Could it be where they are at in their lives or is it just the holiday itself? The day they are excited for is January 5th!

Speaking of holidays, Christmas has come and gone and somehow the Stumpe household has made it illness free. The St John house wasn't so lucky, but everyone had a great Christmas. Kelly and Lizz break it all down along with the notes they made for next year.

Can't let this week go without a football update. If you have no idea what is going on in the NFL don't worry, Kelly has all the details you need to know. What will her next obsession be for 2026? Since they are on the subject, has Kelly or Lizz picked out their word for next year?

Kelly might sound sick, but it's Lizz's house that has been going through it for the last week. The flu hit her house hard with three ER visits and one 9-1-1 call. Luckily, everyone is on the mend and Lizz is back to tell her tale and give you some good takeaways in case your house gets hit over the holidays.

Everyone should be on the mend for the holidays and Kelly is getting really excited for the kids to open all their presents this year. She broke down the ones she is most excited about and let's just say it's going to be a good Christmas in the Stumpe household! 

A quick check in with Industry News has a big story coming from Volkswagen. Could this be the end of the ID. Buzz? Finally in Ditch the Drive-Thru a reminder that pigs in a blanket is a perfectly acceptable meal for the family. 

Today's episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Clean Simple Eats⁠⁠. Use code 'Carpool10' at checkout to get 10% off your order. ⁠⁠CleanSimpleEats.com

Lizz is out sick today, so it's all Kelly for this episode of The Carpool podcast! She's getting ready to be the hostess with the mostess for her beauty themed rob your neighbor party this week. Hostess mode is in full effect with the holidays! Speaking of the holidays, Kelly has new notes to add for December including mistakes on the Christmas cards, basics for the kids, keeping ready-made food in the fridge and candy cane fishing.

Then, it's time for a history lesson. A Car Mom history lesson. You may be new to the Car Mom and thinking "How did this even start?" Kelly breaks down the whole story from starting the Instagram page to getting flown all over the country to talk to major car companies. She shares the high and the lows and offers great tips for anyone looking to become an influencer.

Today on the Carpool Podcast, Kelly and Lizz welcome Shannon Stokely, a young mom and Instagram influencer known for her relatable content on motherhood and cooking. Shannon shares her journey of becoming an influencer, the importance of community among moms, and practical tips for stretching ingredients and meal prepping. The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating social media as a mom and offers easy dinner solutions for busy families, emphasizing the joy of cooking with creativity and resourcefulness.

Follow Shannon on Instagram @shannon_stokely

It's time for a Holly Jolly meter check! Are Kelly and Lizz in that Christmas spirit? Lizz has just started getting her decorations out and had an immediate realization about when the proper time is to put the decorations up. Kelly, on the other hand, is in full Christmas mode! Her gifts are bought and she's making a daily plan of what to do with the kids during the winter break. 

There are some major mindshifts happening with Kelly right now and it's about "blooming where you're planted" and "going deep not wide." What does she mean? It's a new theory she's exploring about cleaning the house and after hearing it you're going to want to change your mindset too! 

In Industry News, Consumer Reports have the best and worst car brands for 2026. Did your favorite make the cut? 

Then it's time to continue the Carpool Podcasts series of interviews on saving money at the grocery store. Today, Kelly and Lizz chat with Morgan of "Morgan Tayler at Home." She's a mom of almost four that started an Instagram page to help other families with a single income make that dollar stretch. She's got plenty of tangible takeaways including protein prep, things you can make from scratch and why you NEED to put a vacuum sealer on your Christmas list! 

To learn more about Morgan's meal plan visit morgantayler.com and follow her on Instagram @morgantaylerathome

It's December and the perfect time for an all-Christmas edition of The Carpool Podcast! Kelly is kicking it off by reviewing her notes from last Christmas. Then it's on to ideas to get you into the holiday spirit that are either free or super inexpensive. Festive Christmas pillow case anyone?!?! 

Next, it's time to make Christmas assumptions based on the car you drive. Which drivers are more likely to have their Christmas shopping already done? Who is most likely to have a real Christmas tree? They all make sense. 

Finally, it's a Christmas edition of Industry News with Chevy's newest commercial that will make you cry and holiday meal ideas in Ditch The Drive-Thru. 

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 feeling good post-Thanksgiving, or is it the new lighting? Either way today's episode is FULL of content! First, prepare to be jealous as one of the moms has all her Christmas shopping done thanks to Black Friday sales. Then, Kelly and Lizz break down their notes from the family Thanksgiving. No harvest Caesar salad - bad. Mimosas - good! 

This week's advice questions starts off with the kindest words Kelly and Lizz have ever received. A mom of almost four is looking for advice on what to expect when #4 arrives and Kelly has some encouraging words for anyone getting ready to expand their family. 

Industry News is SPICY today with big stories in auto. First, there are ten EVs getting dropped for 2026 and Kelly has the full list. Then, Tesla has decided to add buttons to their cars navigation system. Finally, congress is looking at rolling back safety requirements in cars to help the price point. Should you be worried? 

Finally, if you're looking for some tangible takeaways to help keep your family organized and save some money, Kelly and Lizz have a GREAT guest on the show today! Natalie is a mom of five homeschooled kids that shares her home cooking and kitchen tips on Instagram. She shares how she manages everything from cleaning the kitchen, getting laundry done and her #1 tip: PREP YOUR PROTEINS! Plus, she has a Ditch the Drive-Thru pizza recipe that you're going to want to make your next go-to meal.