AFTER ACTION REPORT
About this episode
Kelly and Liz kick things off with personal updates: one host is dealing with sudden chronic hives and is trying a low-histamine, no-carb, limited-dairy diet, while also juggling family health concerns. The conversation then shifts to weekend “after action reports,” including a St. Louis Zoo trip (go early, bring water/coolers, pack a blanket, consider a double stroller) and a farm update featuring a new trampoline, two piglets, and plans for chicks and lambs. They debate wellness trends like vibration plates vs. hopping, and a peep-toe heel comeback. The highlight is an interview with Jen Moran, CEO/president of the Chicago Auto Show, on why in-person auto shows matter, how family zones and immersive manufacturer activations boost buying decisions, and why some brands skip shows.
pelvic floor therapy
"I just don't really think like pelvic floor therapy is something I need because like it's just never, I've never noticed it as an issue."
Pelvic floor therapy is physical therapy for the muscles in your pelvic area. A therapist helps you strengthen or relax those muscles so certain problems can improve.
Pelvic floor therapy is a type of physical therapy focused on the muscles of the pelvic region. It’s often used to address issues like incontinence, pelvic pain, or recovery after pregnancy, and it can include exercises or biofeedback.
vibration plate
"I'm never going to buy a vibration plate. I'm just like, that's one wellness trend."
A vibration plate is a machine that shakes while you stand on it. Some people use it to exercise with less impact, but it’s not a magic fix and results can vary.
A vibration plate is a fitness device that creates whole-body vibration while you stand or do exercises on it. People use it as a low-impact way to stimulate muscles, but the evidence and benefits vary by goal and individual.
lymphatic drainage
"I think there's something called lymphatic drainage. I think that's the best way I've heard."
Lymphatic drainage is a way to help your body move lymph fluid. People talk about it for reducing swelling and helping recovery, but the exact benefits depend on what’s being done.
Lymphatic drainage refers to helping move lymph fluid through the lymphatic system. It’s often discussed in wellness contexts as a way to reduce swelling or support recovery, though specific claims depend on the method used (massage, exercises, or device-based approaches).
red light mask
"I feel the same way about red light masks. Like before you go buy a red light mask, like have you like done your whole skincare routine every day for a week?"
A red light mask is a skincare device that shines special light on your face. People use it to help with skin concerns, but it usually takes regular use to see changes.
A red light mask is a consumer device that uses red (and sometimes near-infrared) light for skincare, often marketed for reducing inflammation and improving skin appearance. The discussion frames it as something that may work, but only if you follow a routine consistently.
Quince
"[1043.9s] Um, yeah, things that make you go, hmm. [1046.6s] Today's episode is brought to you by Quince. [1048.5s] These days I'm all about quality over quantity."
Quince is a company that sells clothes. They’re advertising that their basics are made with nicer materials and are priced more reasonably than some other brands.
Quince is a direct-to-consumer brand that sells clothing and home goods, often positioned as “quality for less” compared with traditional retailers. In this ad, the host highlights wardrobe staples made with premium fabrics like European linen.
Nike Air Force ones
"They were Nike Air Force ones. [1435.7s] They wore sneakers with their cute outfit"
Nike Air Force 1s are a popular type of sneaker by Nike. In the conversation, it’s just being used as an example of the shoes people wear.
Nike Air Force 1s are a classic basketball-style sneaker from Nike. They’re widely worn as everyday casual shoes, so mentioning them signals a specific Gen Z/college-era fashion choice rather than performance footwear.
auto show
"We take you around the auto show. We see all the cars. It's basically like a bunch of mini car buying consultations all happening."
An auto show is like a big car showcase. Brands bring their newest cars (and sometimes prototypes) so you can walk around, look closely, and see what’s new.
An auto show is an event where automakers bring current models, concept cars, and new technologies to display to the public. People often use it to compare vehicles side-by-side, learn what’s coming next, and get inspiration for future purchases.
Midwest Automotive Media Association
"But it actually stands for the Midwest Automotive Media Association, of which we're all a part of, where we get to test drive fun vehicles and talk to journalists and manufacturers."
MAMA stands for the Midwest Automotive Media Association. It’s a group that puts together car events for people in automotive media, like journalists, where they can drive cars and talk to the companies making them.
The Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) is an industry group that organizes events for automotive journalists and media members. In the episode, it’s referenced as the organization behind the “mama event” where they test drive vehicles and meet manufacturers.
VIP tours
"our attendees love the fact that you were there and, you know, just the fact that you stayed for the VIP tours and you guided people around the auto show,"
VIP tours are special guided visits at events. Instead of wandering around on your own, you get a more curated route and usually access to more interesting areas.
VIP tours are special, invite-only or premium experiences at auto shows that typically include access to areas the general public can’t easily reach and guided walkthroughs. They often help attendees focus on specific brands, debuts, or technical displays.
activations
"I thought the manufacturers really brought some great activations this year. Yes."
“Activations” are the fun things a brand sets up to get you involved—like demos, games, or interactive displays. The goal is to make people remember the brand, not just look at cars.
In auto-show and marketing language, “activations” are branded experiences or events designed to engage attendees—often hands-on demos, games, or interactive exhibits. They’re used to create memorable brand moments beyond just displaying cars.
test drive
"...we decided to add actually a family zone where we have kids can test drive vehicles. They can hop behind the wheel of power wheels while their parents hop behind the wheel of vehicles outdoors."
A test drive is when you try a car before buying it. It helps you see if it feels right to you, and here they’re making a kid-friendly version for families.
A test drive is when a customer sits in and drives a vehicle to evaluate how it feels and performs in real conditions. In this segment, it’s used as an attraction for kids and families, mirroring the real buying experience in a kid-safe way.
power wheels
"They can hop behind the wheel of power wheels while their parents hop behind the wheel of vehicles outdoors."
Power Wheels are little electric cars kids can sit in and drive. They’re like a safe, kid-sized version of a real car.
Power Wheels are battery-powered ride-on toys for children that mimic driving a real vehicle. They’re commonly used at family events so kids can “drive” while adults test real cars nearby.
in-person aspect
"they can remove this like in-person aspect of the car buying process. And I just don't think you can buy a car without sitting in it."
“In-person” shopping means you go see the car yourself. The idea here is that you really need to sit in it and feel how it works, not just look at photos.
“In-person” car shopping means physically inspecting the vehicle and, ideally, test driving it. The discussion implies that touch and seating/visibility feedback are hard to replicate online, especially for families evaluating comfort and fit.
powertrain
"whether it's a gas-powered vehicle to hybrid, plug-in hybrid, any powertrain, size, SUV, large SUV, compact vehicle."
Your powertrain is the car’s “moving system”—the parts that make it go. It can be gas, hybrid, or electric, and each one drives differently.
A powertrain is everything that produces and delivers power to move the vehicle—typically the engine (or motors), transmission, driveshaft/axles, and related control systems. When people say “compare powertrains,” they’re usually comparing how different technologies feel and perform.
hybrid
"whether it's a gas-powered vehicle to hybrid, plug-in hybrid, any powertrain, size, SUV, large SUV, compact vehicle."
A hybrid uses a gas engine and an electric motor together. It often gets better gas mileage than a regular gas car.
A hybrid vehicle uses both an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor/battery. The system can improve fuel economy and reduce emissions, and the driving feel can differ from a purely gas car.
car buying process
"because I think when a family starts the car buying process, there's so many options. It's so overwhelming."
The car buying process is everything from picking a car to test-driving it and signing the paperwork. The point here is that it can feel overwhelming because there are so many choices.
The car buying process includes researching options, visiting showrooms, talking with salespeople, arranging test drives, and completing paperwork. The segment highlights how families can feel overwhelmed because there are many choices and steps before they can actually drive and decide.
Kia
"...and now I'm actually going home with a Kia like they were dead set on buying a Kia versus an Audi..."
Kia is a South Korean automaker that has grown quickly in the U.S. and is known for offering strong value and a broad lineup. In this segment, Kia represents the alternative brand a shopper switched to after test driving an Audi.
range
"They love the features, you know, the range and all of that."
Range means how far the car can go before it needs more power. For electric cars, it’s a big deal because it affects whether the car works for your daily driving and trips.
Range is how far a vehicle can travel before needing to recharge or refuel, and it’s especially important for EVs and plug-in hybrids. It’s a key factor in whether the car fits your typical commute and road-trip expectations.
ride and drives
"I think that more manufacturers are just investing in ride and drives and experiential events and that's really what an auto show is."
A ride and drive is when a car company lets you actually drive their cars for a short time. It’s usually set up like an event, not just a normal dealership test drive.
A “ride and drive” is an automotive event where manufacturers invite people to test-drive vehicles, often on a set route or course. It’s meant to replace or complement traditional auto-show displays by letting customers experience the car firsthand.
influencers
"they would do the auto show activations [2705.8s] and then invite the influencers for a weekend in Chicago. [2709.7s] And it's two birds, one stone."
In this context, “influencers” are creators with an audience who attend auto shows and share their experiences. Manufacturers often invite them to drive marketing reach and social media coverage.
meet and greet
"I've always, I've been not begging, [2714.7s] but I've tried multiple times to try to get a manufacturer [2717.7s] to host me and like a meet and greet at an auto show. [2722.2s] Cause I'm like, I'm already going to be there."
A “meet and greet” is a short, organized interaction—often with a brand representative, designer, or sometimes the vehicle itself—aimed at creating a personal connection. At auto shows, it’s commonly used to turn marketing into an experience that generates content.
car selection
"And I love for as much as I like the cars, I really like, my real passion is the car selection and the car buying process."
Car selection means picking the right car for you. Instead of just grabbing the coolest-looking one, it’s about choosing what fits your life—like how much space you need and how you’ll drive.
“Car selection” is the decision process of narrowing down which vehicles make sense for your lifestyle and priorities—like budget, space, fuel economy, and driving needs. It’s often where buyers can save money by avoiding mismatched trims or options they don’t actually use.
Britax
"They're literally putting car, we had Britax as you know, Kelly, Britax at our auto show. They were putting car seats in the vehicles, comparing, doing demos."
Britax makes child car seats. Here, they’re showing how those seats fit inside different cars so parents can see what’s practical and safe for their daily life.
Britax is a well-known child-safety seat brand. In the segment, they’re demonstrating how car seats fit and work in different vehicles, which is a practical way to evaluate real-world usability beyond just styling or specs.
Subaru
"[3005.0s] they try to engage people in different ways, but I will say Subaru. [3007.7s] I mean, if you know, I mean, Subaru just comes in. [3014.2s] And we love it."
Subaru is a car brand. Here they’re talking about how Subaru sets up its auto-show display in a way that really pulls people in and keeps them interested.
Subaru is a Japanese automaker known for marketing that leans into outdoor adventure and community events. In this segment, the hosts highlight Subaru’s auto-show booth as an example of strong customer engagement.
fully immersive experience
"[3014.2s] And we love it. And the consumers love it too, [3017.1s] because you literally go into their exhibit. And for those of you who haven't been [3020.1s] to an auto show or don't know what we're talking about, [3022.3s] it is a fully immersive experience where they call the five senses."
They’re describing an auto-show setup that tries to feel like a real place, not just a car behind glass. The goal is to make you experience it with your senses so you remember it.
A fully immersive auto-show experience uses multiple sensory elements (sight, sound, touch, smell) to make visitors feel like they’re “in” the product world. This is a marketing strategy to increase time-on-site and emotional connection.
Ford
"[3060.4s] I also think that, you know, Ford and Jeep are just, [3064.2s] they're killing it with their trash."
Ford is a big car company. The hosts are saying Ford’s auto-show displays are really engaging and fun to visit.
Ford is a major American automaker with large, high-budget auto-show activations. Here, it’s mentioned as doing especially well with themed attractions tied to specific models.
off-roading
"It's truly an amazing experience, but you get a sense of like how that could really feel, you know, off-off-road if you are into off-roading. But if you're not, it's just a fun, just a fun ride to take in the auto show."
Off-roading means driving on rough, unpaved, or trail-type surfaces instead of normal roads. It changes how the car feels and how it handles bumps and uneven ground.
Off-roading refers to driving on unpaved or uneven surfaces like dirt, rocks, mud, and trails. The speakers are contrasting the experience of off-road capability with a more casual auto-show ride, implying how terrain changes the feel of the vehicle.
Ford Bronco
"I mean, them having the Bronco like really has just kind of like made their whole display more interesting because it's allowed them to like lean way more off-roading in like their entire display than I think they ever normally would have."
The Ford Bronco is Ford’s off-road SUV. If it’s the centerpiece of their display, it usually means the whole booth is themed around going over rough terrain.
The Ford Bronco is Ford’s modern off-road SUV built to handle trails and uneven terrain. Mentioning it in the context of the display suggests Ford used the Bronco to anchor an off-roading theme and showcase capability through the show setup.
Audi
"because you didn't see an Audi or you didn't see a Mercedes or, you know, a name that Land Rover name that luxury brand"
Audi is a luxury car brand from Germany. The host mentions it because some people get upset when they don’t see Audi at certain auto shows.
Audi is a German luxury automaker known for models across sedans, SUVs, and performance trims. In the segment, it’s used as an example of a brand that some attendees expect to see at auto shows.
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