SEEING WHERE THE WIND TAKES US

Welcome to the carpool podcast with Kelly.

And I just think it's like a really good terminology.

So like if you have something you want to start, but you feel kind of like, oh, are people going

to think like I'm trying to make this a thing?

If you just call it your passion project, you're fine.

And Liz.

Yeah, she's like, you too think you've got it all figured out like that's cute.

That's adorable.

And I was like, okay, I do feel as though we said we don't have it all figured

out.

Time off starts now.

Welcome back to the carpool podcast with Kelly and Liz.

And today we're just going to see where the wind takes us.

Yeah.

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag?

What a lyric.

I mean like a pop song to just like use the word plastic bag just like so generically

is like kind of insane.

Could have you said like leaf?

Totally.

No correction.

Lady Gaga did the Super Bowl in 2017.

I know.

And I knew that.

We're so stupid.

I knew that.

Kelly has not stopped singing Bad Bunny though.

Like it's honestly so annoying.

And like let me just say like I saw such a profound, this is my fast lane philosophy.

Some of America was upset that the Super Bowl wasn't in English.

I am upset that I am not fluent in Espanol.

That's what I'm mad about.

I want to learn Espanol Spanish so badly.

And it's so funny at the Chicago Auto Show, me and Sam are like about to go to bed.

And Sam the only thing I don't like about her is she's a bit more of a night owl than

me.

Oh yeah.

No, I can't stand that.

And like we share a room and it's like you have to go to bed.

Like I'm turning the light off.

Like I'm ready for bed.

And we were like about to go to bed and then she like she was at the bed and

she was I only have nine minutes or I'm going to lose my Duolingo streak.

And I'm like what are you talking about?

Sam has a 1200 Duolingo streak in Spanish.

1200 days.

I could have never done anything that consistently in my entire life.

That's what I'm saying.

How many years?

1200 days.

And could you imagine like she had nine minutes left?

Like she could have lost it all at the Chicago Auto Show.

You see why she freaked.

So I need to download Duolingo.

I, Sydney, Sydney mom and I had this dream of doing German Duolingo and then one Thanksgiving

just like having a conversation in German and just surprising everyone with it.

And I was really into it for a long time and then I as you know like I said I can't

do anything consistently.

I stopped doing it.

But Duolingo is a great app.

It's so much fun.

Yeah.

I don't know.

But I don't know.

I mean I don't know the return 1200 days you've done it Sam I feel like you should be fluent.

How much Spanish does she know?

And see so I bought these new AirPods at the airport when I was traveling to Chicago

because I forgot my headphones.

I needed headphones.

And I had like Gen 1 AirPods.

So I was like I'm just going to commit like it's a it's a it's a business experience.

I'm going to buy the AirPods.

And I was like you know talking to the to the airport tech people and I'm like

which one should I get?

Well the new pro has the noise canceling and it has the live translation and I said hold

on what do you mean by that?

These AirPods apparently can translate.

That's so cool.

So I would like to re-listen to the Super Bowl Halftime show with my new AirPods.

Oh that's a good idea.

But I actually think like music is a good way to learn because I have no started

to learn and I'm not going to I'm not going to attempt to sing a Bad Bunny song

but I do now know the his popular song he's saying I wish I would have taken

more photos when we were together give you more basos and I believe hugs

is something along the lines of a braisos question mark.

Anyway, I'm also say is I'm going to download Lingo because I'm going to need

something to do now that my brick has arrived.

Now that's right.

I'm bricked.

Um, I said the funniest comment on when you were going rogue and posting

six reels in the day.

It's almost like Kelly needed her brick.

She needed to be bricked.

Your brick has arrived.

It has arrived.

No, I have not set it up yet.

Yeah.

Um, but it's arrived.

So I think I will probably be bricking tiktok, Instagram, my email

and I will not be bringing my Duolingo and I will just that will be

my new social platform.

It really is a lot of fun.

It's like a game.

Um, and I feel like at the beginning, like I feel like you have

like a pretty base, like American idea of Spanish just from like taking,

I guess you didn't even take, you took Latin in high school.

Like, you know, like a little bit of Spanish from like grade school and stuff.

So I feel like it's going to be really fun at first, but I will be curious

just to see if you can like speak a sentence.

Well, I can say don't answer to cabeza.

Um, Maddie found he showed me this guy saying the bad money

lyrics in English and he kind of sang it like bad bunny.

It was a, what was that VIP song that you always sing?

Oh, yeah.

VIP VIP.

Yeah, that's the only part you know.

No, I know what I know what the song's about, though.

And I do want to be clear, like, of course, I don't like a line

with like, I mean, all of the songs are.

I mean, you know, no, I mean, anyone, all the halftime

singers have like not they don't have questionable lyrics.

They don't really have a great message.

Yeah, but it was just it's not a worship song.

Anyway, it was just it was just interesting to hear it like

and a guy not just like saying it, but like singing it like like

lock bad bunny.

It was just fun to find it.

So anyway, all's to say is that's what I've been up to.

So yes, I'm about to be bricked.

I'm about to be fluent.

And I just want to like really continue to like just grow.

And I'm about to be sugar free.

Got a lot going on.

So I learned the craziest fact about Lent.

So I'm curious, do you know how many days Lent is?

Well, I assume it's 40.

Did you know that the Sundays don't count and it's actually 46?

No, wait, really?

I was following my favorite Catholic influencers, Annamoli.

And she was like, here are six facts about Lent.

You might not know.

And that doesn't make sense because it always feels like

longer than 40 days.

And I guess it does sometimes feel like more like 46 and 40.

That's what I'm saying.

I guess the Sundays don't count.

And do you remember in grade school?

Because Liz and I are like, we were the term like cradle

count, like we've been Catholic our whole life.

We went to Catholic grade school.

And do you remember in grade school how you always allowed

to like have like a cheat day on Lent and it was always Sunday?

And it was like, why is it Sunday?

Like that should be the holiest day.

Yeah, no, it doesn't feel right.

It's because like we still celebrate on Sundays.

Even though like the rest of Lent, like we're like kind of

preparing our hearts, mind and soul.

So it's actually 46 days.

So I will be actually going 46 day sugar free.

OK. And I'm not going to cheat because my whole point is I'm

going to I'm trying to detox.

Yeah, I don't like the cheat days.

No, I don't like the cheat days either.

Cheaters are for cheaters is what they're for.

Cheat days are for cheaters.

Now, my new thing is it's like because I've been really

starting because I'm prepping for this.

Like I'm not just going.

I'm going to Turkey, but I'm taking the necessary steps.

I bought a book, I think I've shared.

I'm eating all the sugar out of my house in preparation.

Like Sydney just brought me home Tim Tams from Australia.

I'm going to have to finish the sleeve before Wednesday.

I have those two.

She brought me some.

But then I just started thinking like, you know,

if I'm really trying to just do the detox.

Last night for dinner, we had barbecue pork nachos

and I slathered on the sweet baby rays.

Yeah.

And I fear that.

I fear as a sweet baby rays.

What's fallen my shirt loaded with sugar?

Like it's mainly sugar.

And that's why it's the best barbecue sauce.

So I think I could find like a barbecue sauce

sweetened with honey.

And I think I'm going to like go for that.

OK.

But no, it's it's going to be tough.

It's going to be tough for me.

And I was talking to a friend who recently did it.

And she was like the first.

She's like, I didn't know I had a problem

when like the first three days in, like I started shaking.

Like I was having sugar withdrawals.

Oh, my gosh.

No, I want that.

Yeah, I want to.

I mean, I'm so excited.

You want a transformation.

Well, yeah, I need to change everything in my life.

And like I'm excited like because the whole point

is it's like when I'm feeling stressed,

I'll be replacing that with like prayer and reflection.

But I'm feeling.

So not the sweet sugar, the sweet love of the Lord.

Exactly. So I'm like, I have a calendar printed,

which I actually need to print a new one because it only had 40.

I was like going to, you know, color in a square every time

I did a day.

No, I need one that's 46.

Can you fact check that on your iPad really fast?

Just make sure that's the fact. True.

How many days is lent?

Counting Sundays.

Google that. OK.

How many days is lent?

Including.

This just makes no sense.

Well, that's what I'm saying.

Forty six days of the six Sundays are included.

Elizabeth, I had no idea.

But it did always feel like it was dragging.

Well, and it also lent will never equal exactly 40 days,

including Sundays or not.

It doesn't really I kind of get that because it's like

Ash Wednesday is always on a Wednesday.

Good Friday is always on a Friday.

It's always be the same.

Wait, shouldn't it?

I don't know.

What if it's a leap year?

What if it is a leap year?

I don't know.

Huh.

Anyway, anyways,

aside from that, what else have you been up to?

We had dinner last night with the fam.

We had dinner last night.

Sydney came home from Australia

for not even for literally 24 hours.

We went out to dinner last night as a fam.

It was great. Got to see Sydney and Grayson

and they're moving to New York

together, which I am surprised we haven't like shared about that.

I guess mine's probably I was just kind of in denial from it.

And I feel like not really my my news to share,

but also they don't seem to be jumping on

sharing any information on social media.

So I guess we'll just talk about them.

Yeah, but they Grayson

has been always kind of wanted to move to New York.

That's where her her boyfriend's from Connecticut.

And so they've been doing long distance since they graduated

and they've been dating since they were sophomores in college.

So it's a very serious relationship.

We love him.

And she was like, I we need to be in the same city.

Like we're kind of at the age where we need to figure out if this is forever.

And it's like we have to be in the same city.

So she really wanted to move to New York

and Sydney was living in Australia

and like her visa was was running out.

And she kind of had to figure out what she was going to do.

And so Grayson was like, why don't you move to New York with me?

Sydney loves New York. She's always loved New York.

And so they are going to be living together,

which is like so crazy if you know Sydney and Grayson.

It is so crazy.

But I'm so excited for them to go on this adventure together.

And I was telling mom today, like, I mean,

we're we're so lucky because although we don't like pick a move to New York,

like we do get to go on a lot of adventures together,

the biggest one being like the car mom.

So I am excited for them to go on an adventure.

And they literally left at 7 a.m.

Two suitcases apiece.

They already they're and they already have an apartment.

They are driving straight to their apartment.

I don't want to share too much about like their jobs,

because that kind of feels like more of them.

But Grayson has a job. Sydney almost has a job.

Sydney's is hopefully auto related.

Grayson's is not. Yeah.

We'll share more like maybe we'll get them on the pod.

They're they're figuring it out.

And it's just so exciting because Grayson is the age

that I was when I moved to Dallas to like have my adventure.

And St. Louis is such a black hole where like everyone does go off

to go do something and then it pulls you right back in.

Like this is where you settle down and raise a family.

It's just kind of how it works.

So I do anticipate Grayson will be back.

Sydney's kind of a wild card for me.

I don't ever see Sydney again.

I don't know what I'm doing with her life.

Like I said, we're lucky to have Sydney

on American soil at this point.

Hundred percent.

Sydney will be very successful in her life,

but like I have no idea what that's going to look like.

Sydney's one of those people where just like things

just work out for her. Yeah.

I mean, I, you know, and Grayson is I do agree with you.

Like Sydney will never come back.

We'll never see her. Oh, we'll see her.

But like, Sydney will never live here, ever.

I have no idea.

I have no idea what Sydney's life holds.

The birds have left the nest.

And like this is mom, like now our parents

are officially empty nesters because, you know,

Grayson just moved back from college

and has been living at home selling car, saving money,

going to Whole Foods.

So now mom and dad are officially empty nesters.

Yeah, they are officially.

No one is no one's upstairs.

Yeah, that's crazy.

We were talking to our mom about it last night

because we were like, how do you feel?

She was like, it has been like a very slow burn of

kids like going off to college, coming back like it's been years

of like kids coming back and leaving and everything.

But she did say there is a level of just.

My mother, her chapter feels like it's officially closed.

She's like, I see you girls, yours is just starting

and you have so much ahead of you and mine is done.

And that's kind of like the craziest thing.

And then she kind of snarked us because she's like,

when you guys were talking about first time

I was being adorable, she goes, I think you two are adorable.

Yeah, she's like, you two think you've got it all figured out.

Like, that's cute.

That's adorable.

And I was like, OK, I do feel as though we said

we don't have it all figured out.

And we look to people who have older kids, but whatever.

Yeah, she definitely heard that how she wanted to hear that,

you know, totally.

So that was kind of crazy.

But we are excited because we are going to be visiting them

when we go to the New York auto show.

So the Kardashians will take New York.

Yeah. It'll be super fun.

It will be. I'm excited for them.

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So I did have like a fast line,

philosophically slash like career advice that I wanted to share.

Oh, OK.

And I don't remember what inspired this.

But I'm just going to speak like super frank, super direct.

But I remember when I was starting the car mom, I knew it was a good idea.

And I was really struggling like getting past the Xville of like starting

creating content.

And it was such a different time, even back in 2020, because like now

everyone dibbles and dabbles in content creation.

Like back then, like it was like it was like

Oh, what does she think she's doing?

You know, and.

I like had to like really feel like I feel like I really had to put myself out there.

So I remember like a verbiage that I used both publicly and privately with people

is I would say, oh, this is just my passion project.

Because like when you have the terminology passion project, you're not

to me, it kind of like put a put a put a blanket over the fact

like I wasn't trying to become an influencer.

I wasn't trying to make money.

I wasn't trying to do this.

Like I was just passionate about something.

It was kind of like filling my time.

And I kind of just would like say it very casually.

And it really did help me get over some of the like in-person interactions

I would have people like, what are you doing?

I'm like, oh, that, you know, it's just a passion project.

I'm just trying to like help people buy cars, you know.

Yeah.

And I just think it's like a really good terminology.

So like if you have something you want to start, but you feel kind of like,

oh, are people going to think like I'm trying to make this a thing?

If you just call it your passion project, you're fine.

You're almost just like downplaying it.

So like that way if like it doesn't like take off, you're fine.

You're just like, you're just like having fun.

Like it's just like something to fill your time.

It's a microphone.

I know that's like not like, you know, the best career advice.

That's like very realistic career advice.

Like sometimes it's just easier to get through the interaction.

Yeah. You know, and I'm just all about getting through the interactions.

Totally. That's a good one.

I do remember you would say that all the time.

Yeah.

That was smart.

It's just they explain it.

And I'm trying to think about like when I felt like it had like some legitimacy to it.

I think it was probably back then it was all about having 10,000 followers.

You know, yeah.

So I do think when I hit 10,000 followers, I was like, oh, it's like kind of like a thing I do now.

But there's still some people in our life that you have to.

You might still call it a passion project.

Oh my gosh, I know.

And that's just fine.

There are definitely still some people in my life who don't get it, don't understand it.

And think it's silly.

Well, yeah.

Much of what we do is silly.

Yeah, but like that's the magic.

But like that's and they just don't they just don't always see that.

But anyway, so that's just that was like something that came up.

I was like, if you need if you want to start something.

And I'm just like loving seeing everybody.

Like one thing with the Kabul Facebook page is like we're just a group of entrepreneurs.

You know, I know, I know.

And like I honestly can't wait for a side hustle summer to come back

because like I am so I'm just I'm loving this.

I'm loving seeing it.

Me too. We're just so side hustleable.

So side hustleable, I love it.

OK. So do you want to do last three?

Oh, yeah, we can do last three.

Or do you want to advise? I don't care.

I do have some advice questions.

Maybe we start with those and then we see where we're at.

I haven't been transacting a lot.

And there's like one thing I recently bought. Sure.

So as everyone knows, I have an obsession with.

Tea collection, tea collection.

I love their clothes.

I'm going to let you tell this story.

But like if I have to hear the story one more time.

Rude. So in the past 24 hours,

actually two of my followers, one's a follower, one's a friend

and a follower have recently reached out and offered me their tea collections.

Now I did pay, but I still robbed them.

At that point, like I probably need to pay them more.

They just gave me a really good deal on it.

But I want to be so clear, like I will pass it forward when that time comes.

I will give them away to the people who need them.

But I got the best tea collection halls for Libby and Hattie.

Like just wait till you see them in my stories.

They are going to be looking so adorable.

And tea is so good because they.

Like if they come out with a blue, that's the blue.

Yeah, I love that.

You buy a navy four years from now, it's the same navy.

And like, that's just so refreshing.

Like the Cosmic Berry is Cosmic Berry.

It's like, that's just the color that it is.

Yeah, I like that.

They're not, you know, years, years down, like even seasonally,

like coming out with a different version of a color.

No, so I love that.

I do appreciate it.

Also, tea did DM me back and I'm working on a code.

So. Wow, huge for you.

Huge for us.

And for us.

I think that's basically all I have bought, though, recently.

I just placed, I'm just like getting so excited for the summer

because everywhere is launching their summer clothes.

And I'm like, I feel like I have to buy them now.

I did place like a pretty hefty gap order for the kids.

I definitely jumped the gun a little bit, but those are some of the things

where like the shirts and the shorts are have the same colors in them.

And then they sell out or them like, and then they sell out.

So I went ahead and I like, I literally made a can but empty can

but and I pulled like a shirt that I liked and then I made sure

that I had at least two shorts that that shirt could transition with.

So I was pretty strategic about it, but I'm just so excited

for kids summer clothes and also, oh, my gosh, this for these

Halara jeans are supposed to be delivered this week.

Yeah, we're we're all waiting for this, Elizabeth.

Dude, I'm waiting for it.

Like I can literally only wear leggings.

Nothing else fits.

So I'm waiting for it.

I ordered the tall size, but they also had an extra tall and extra

talls were on that order until February 2nd.

So are they shipping together?

So they're shipping together, obviously, and they're supposed to be here.

But anyone who has DM me that they have them like swears by them

says they're amazing. I can't wait.

I'll just be curious to know if the taller or the extra tall is better

on a six foot frame. We'll find out.

No, I think you are going to be like.

Really?

Like cute and trendy in these, I really hope.

I really hope we'll see.

I'm excited for you.

I think we need to work like one summer hit.

Here's the good news.

Like you just got to get through these winter

uglies when you're like in between stage and then once the sun's out,

the bumps out.

And I think we really need to hone in on your pregnancy style a little bit.

No, when the sun's out, the bumps out because also the bump was too cold.

And also the bump isn't looking like a bump.

It's just looking like a bloat and like you can't a bloat can't be out.

You know, it would be a really good.

No, a bloat. A bloat cannot be out.

You know, it would be a really good side hustle idea.

What? A pregnancy stylist.

I could use one.

A stylist who specializes in pregnancy.

Mm hmm. Yeah.

Who just like knows the good pieces, like knows what's going to work well.

That's just like something to think about.

And if anyone wants to like trial run Elizabeth,

we have a huge speaking engagement in April that Elizabeth is going to need to fit for.

No, here's what I have.

We have a huge speaking engagement.

We're speaking at the Women Lead Change Conference.

We're opening up for Joanna Gaines.

Yeah, I'd say that's lower because I don't think people heard it.

Women Lead Change Conference.

We're speaking and we are opening up for Joanna freaking Gaines.

Like we are on the stage from two to two forty five

and she comes on the stage at two forty five.

Like we will share a green room.

We probably won't share a green room with her.

But no, she'll definitely have her own.

We will probably have a green room.

We'll probably pass her on our way off the stage, like through the back way.

It is.

Now, of course, it's better than following her,

but we would never follow her.

I'm so excited.

Like the room's going to be here's thing.

The rooms that are going to be packed

with in people like trying to get a seat to watch her.

Or it's going to be like bathroom break, lunch break for everyone.

Like where the bathroom lunch break?

That's fine.

Either way, actually, I'm fine.

I would prefer to be the lunch break.

I don't think we are, though.

I think it's going to be a packed room.

And it's so fun because like they they are not bringing the car.

I'm they're bringing the carpool.

Yeah.

So if you're coming to that conference

and also like to tell your business to send you be like,

I really think I could like benefit from this.

I want to do some continuing education

at this woman's conference and see if you can get your employer to send you

because I mean, the tickets are expensive.

Yeah. So anyway, I need a fabulous look for that.

Also, coming up, I'm going on a bachelorette trip.

That sucks.

We're going that sucks.

I know, I know.

It's my oldest friend and I am so excited to celebrate her.

I just like would have love to have done it.

Not six months pregnant or however pregnant I'm going to be.

And it's hard because like her and her sisters and her friends are like,

you know, they're getting married.

They're in the best shape of their life.

They're stunning.

And you're like, we're taking a boat and I'm just like already imagining

like tequila shots being ripped on the boat and I'm just going to be just.

In the background, like, hey.

No, it is like it is.

And is the miracle I don't be hard on yourself.

OK, all of that. Leave me alone.

It is one of the most isolating experiences you can have to be pregnant

on a bachelorette trip.

Like I think I think it's an isolating experience to be sober

when people around you are drinking.

Yeah, because I'm also my personality is not

super fun and bubbly can like be the life of the party when I'm sober.

Like I'm not saying I need to drink because I don't really drink that much

anyway, but like when everyone else is like singing and dancing

and everything because they're drinking, I'm like, I'm it's harder.

It's harder for me to get there.

So no, it's like so I agree with you.

It's not even that it's so hard to match the energy.

It's hard to match the energy sober

because I don't always know where the energy is at.

Yeah. So what is it?

So we need to pregnancy stylist.

What is it supposed to wear to a conference opening for Joanna Gaines

and a bachelorette party?

How pregnant will you be six months pregnant?

I think like five or six months.

Who can help?

Who can help? Let me know.

Let me know, please.

So that's the advice that I need, but we do have some advice questions

to get to if you're ready.

No, that's fine.

And that's fine.

We have some car ones.

We're starting with a non car one.

Sometimes I love the non car ones.

30th birthday advice.

My sister is turning 30 this year and it's a big deal for her.

I need some advice on what to get her.

She's married, has no kids and travels frequently.

I want to get her something meaningful, but my funds are really tight right now.

So I can't take her on a trip dot, dot, dot.

Now, here's my thoughts on a 30th birthday.

Funds are tight.

She says I'm working with limited information, but she's a traveler.

So she's clearly an experienced person and it's a big deal for her.

We had a super fun murder mystery party for my 30th birthday.

That is everything that I remember.

I do not frankly really remember what people got me as a gift for my 30th birthday.

What I do remember was that I was surrounded by people by loved

people I loved and I was celebrated.

So I feel like sometimes it's not about what you give them,

but it's an experience.

It's a day you spend with her.

It's like, hey, let's go get pedicures.

Let's go get lunch.

And, you know, you can do that in a cost effective way.

But to just celebrate her like she will always remember, oh, yeah,

my sister took me, we had like a sweet day and I felt really loved and celebrated.

Like that's what she will carry is the feeling not always like the physical

thing that you get her.

So like I wouldn't put so much pressure on a physical gift is my advice.

This is a hard one for me because I struggled so hard

with what to get a little bit for her 30th birthday.

And I am not a good gift giver like, sorry, I'm not.

I'm good with my kids, but like everybody else.

Like I'm not this like.

Sometimes I'm not thoughtful.

My brain just doesn't work that way because like I would do anything for Elizabeth.

But like I couldn't.

I got her un-American flag sweater from Tucker and I like lame, stupid, dumb.

I wore a lot, though.

Probably hate it.

I do agree.

Like I think it's not even.

I think, yes, the experience.

I think what also goes so far with gifts is the effort.

And I think it because, I mean, if you want to make it more than just like,

oh, I'm going to plan a day for us, it's like, can you?

What can you plan with so much effort and intentionality?

And, you know, if it's like you're just cooking dinner at home,

but like you, you know, have all of you have three different courses

and each one represents a different like her three decades or like.

Sure, yeah. Something you like that.

Like I just think intention is like the best gift.

Like I love when I feel like people

it's not even so much the time as it's just like they put a lot of thought into it.

Also, speaking of the murder mystery, Elizabeth, I want this for my

when's the next time I would have a big birthday? 40?

Yeah.

You might do it before.

I would need a lot of friends over this, so we might have to make it a carpool event.

But now they're selling traitors games.

Oh, my God, like a traitors party pack.

And I want to do a traitors game.

The murder mystery party was a lot of fun and like.

And we just bought the kid off Etsy.

Like it's not that big of a deal.

Grayson was the driving force behind it.

So Grayson bought it.

Yeah, bought it off Etsy or the Internet or something.

And then Grayson did have to like organize a ton beforehand.

And she couldn't really play because she had someone has to be

like the game master. So that was Grayson.

But we all dressed up.

It's so fun to dress up like everyone got into character.

It was it was just hilarious and so unique and just something that

it's so different from what you're normally doing.

So you could even throw your sister a murder mystery party.

And again, like it doesn't have to be super grand and everything.

But it's just people showing up, people getting character, people dressing up.

It's hilarious. But I loved your idea, though, just like.

Here are your three deck like the meal to represent her three decades.

Just like being so known and so seen.

Yeah, it feels so good.

It feels so good.

It's like it's like the best feeling ever.

Yeah, that's a good one.

That is a good one.

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OK, this is our next advice question.

Dad, car advice needed.

OK, proud, proud husband of a carpooler and a big fan of Crocktober.

I love his intro.

I'm in the market for a new car and like your input.

My wife and I have three kids, six, four and five months.

This past summer, we purchased a Honda Odyssey for my wife to drive

and it's been serving our family so well.

Your videos really help us make that decision.

So thank you.

I currently drive a 2014 Honda Accord, although I work from home day to day.

I have a monthly work trips that require me to drive anywhere from one

to eight hours both ways.

I have gone the practical route when it comes to cars,

but I'd really like to purchase something that's both practical and kind of fun.

Since we have the minivan, it's not necessary for this car to fit

the entire family as I occasionally drive one to two kids in my car.

I like the idea of having one vehicle that's four wheel

drive for snow purposes.

Some cars that I like are the Toyota Sequoia,

Ford F-150 and the Audi Q7.

I know those are so different, but I like sitting up.

So different.

That was like to my first.

I know, I think he's like really like World's Roaster.

Those are so different, but I like sitting up and I want a car

that I enjoy driving for my long drives.

I'm open to buying news, but I love your opinion.

What's the best bang for my buck and what vehicle you think would serve my needs best?

Yeah, so this is really interesting.

One, I don't think the Audi Q7,

I think you can just take the Audi Q7 straight off your list.

I just don't think it's going to be big enough.

And I don't like that car either.

Sorry.

I think you should get.

I don't know you well.

What's our dad generic dad name, Tom?

I think you should get Jen and Jim.

Jen and Jim.

I think you should get an F-150.

I actually do.

Because the thing is, like, you know,

of course, we're like, Oh, why aren't you talking about the Honda Passport?

Like you're gooped and gagged over her.

And they so am.

But the thing with the passport is like, I want to describe her as bang for buck.

Because you're only in the new car market.

And like the passport is an expensive car.

F-150s are the most popular car sold.

They are riddled in the used car market.

They don't change very often.

And I think you could just go find a great pre-owned F-150.

And it's a three across machine and you have the benefit of the bed.

Mm hmm.

So to me, it's all coming up F-150.

I love I love a minivan truck household.

I think that's like the ideal scenario.

That is so interesting.

I love a minivan truck household.

You're unstoppable.

You are. And I fully understand my husband drives a truck.

And obviously, I have like dying to get back to the minivan game.

I totally understand the wanting to have the second car for with four wheel drive

that I can handle the snow.

And also a truck.

OK, what happens when you have like a well,

actually, a minivan can hold a lot of cargo.

But like when you have like a fantastic marketplace

pickup that someone needs to go take.

Yeah. You know.

Yeah, the other thing that kind of stood out to me on the F-150,

which I don't know what his budget is, but he said he has long drives.

And so he's looking for something that might be kind of fun to drive.

If he could find one that has the blue cruise,

that could make his long drives a little bit easier.

So it's the like Ford's autonomous driving.

Yeah, could.

Because let me say Sequoia, too.

Yeah.

See, I just think like you're just getting it.

And it's like you already have the minivans.

You already have the third row.

I don't know if I would put your money on a third row.

I'd rather you put I'd rather you save your money.

I mean, the F-150 can still fit the fam.

You already have something that can, you know, you already have the car

you're taking. So I think like that would just offer more versatility.

I would say like if you decide that like you're after the gas mileage

and you don't want to drive something like a truck.

See, then I just think we're not going to have fun.

We're not going to have fun and good gas mileage.

Well, I shouldn't say we could look at electric,

but then like that's like a whole other monkey that's tough with long drives, though.

I'm locking in.

He said nothing about good gas mileage, to be fair.

No, that's true. He said nothing.

I'm locking in with the F-150.

OK, I agree.

OK, here is another advice question.

Sienna versus Odyssey.

Long time listener, first time caller.

I'm driving a 2017 Honey Tucson with two kids, two and a half and 10 months.

We're finally making the switch to a minivan.

I cannot wait.

We're hoping for at least four kids.

So this is a big decision for us.

We're stuck between the Sienna and the Odyssey.

As you know, Sienna's pros are that it's a hybrid and has ceiling vents,

while the Odyssey has the bends seated on all trims and the magic slide function.

My biggest question is third row access and the Sienna with rear facing car seats.

I plan to keep my kids rear facing for as long as possible.

We'll definitely have two rear facing seats for years, possibly even three at once.

Even with the removable middle seat and would

would getting to the third row be still be really tough

with rear facing car seats in both outboard, second row seats.

That's why we're leaning on Odyssey, but I'd love your thoughts.

Also, if Honda made the Odyssey hybrid and added ceiling vents,

they'd win every single time here's hoping they start listening to you.

Well, and that's the problem.

It's like they're giving out.

So this is such a good question.

This actually came up a lot on my recent tour of the Chicago auto show

because the Sienna is it's all wheel drive.

It's hybrid. It's ceiling vents.

It's got that total reliability.

It is not a car seat machine.

Yeah. And like if you're comparing

the car seat setup between that and the Odyssey, which you're doing,

the Odyssey is like so much better.

And the problem with the Sienna, for all those good things it has,

it doesn't have party tricks.

And I love a party trick.

I love a removable middle seat, a magic slide, a stow and go.

Like the other three minivans on the market all have their own party tricks.

Yeah. The Sienna is an SUV with captain's chairs.

Like it doesn't do anything.

It doesn't do anything fun. Yeah.

Like so you're basically getting an SUV with sliding doors.

You're not getting any more functionality.

Now, what could you do with rear facing car seats?

I think kind of like an easy solution to this

is you just get rotating rear facing car seats

and you rotate it forward facing for better third row access.

But no, it is harder.

I feel like I'm questioning.

I'm probably thinking you have two kids.

You don't know when you're having the other ones.

The family is still growing.

I know you're really going to prioritize like car seat versatility.

I think the Odyssey is the better van for you at the moment.

I think a Sienna totally works, but.

To me, like if you had four kids already and like two were in boosters

and you were on your way out, I'd be like either one.

I just think like you were really going to appreciate the versatility

that the Odyssey provides you and the ability to put any of the kids

in any of the seating positions and still have the third row access

and put the bench in, take the bench out, do the magic slide.

The third row is better for car seats than it is in the Sienna.

Like it's just got more versatility.

So for that reason, I am locking in with the Odyssey.

It really is crazy.

Like Odyssey, you had ceiling buttons.

Well, that's what I'm saying.

It's just like it's so what's that?

Hamilton song, the room where it happened, the room where it happened.

Where am I?

Give me in the room.

More decisions are being made in the room where it happens.

Like it's so.

Meronic.

Now, granted, the Odyssey has not had a major redesign as of late.

Correct. Yeah.

So maybe the next time it comes out with like a redesign, they will.

The car mom will have been making big enough splashes

that maybe they will recognize that.

Well, they actually I'm sorry.

That's not true.

They actually did do a refresh in twenty five.

And it was the biggest game spot.

The difference I've ever seen in my life.

I don't always believe in refreshes.

Just because you added a different variation of a wheel.

Calm down, like be so for real.

That's not a refresh.

Yeah, you know, I'm the refreshes are.

Oh, I think they're always disappointing.

It's like it's never what you want it to be.

Oh, I don't have that feeling, but the Odyssey one was disappointing.

I feel it.

And it's so funny. I was listening.

Oh, God.

No, you're good.

Well, I was listening to Doug Umira was on this podcast

called The Ice Coffee Hour and Tyler loves Graham from The Ice Coffee Hour.

He's just like a finance person.

Yeah.

But he does have good guests and he does very

I don't care about all of his interviews, but like I care what Doug Umira is saying.

And they asked him the question, like, which automaker automaker has been

disappointing you the most?

And I was like, oh, that's like a really interesting question.

Like, who's just like continuing to disappoint you?

And do you know what?

Do you want to guess who he said?

OK, it wasn't Honda, because that's what we're talking about. Right.

It was Honda. Oh, it was Honda. OK.

He goes, I just feel like and I thought his reasoning was really good.

He's like, I just feel like Honda.

Is playing things too safe?

They're not innovating and they're not taking risks that their other

competitors are doing.

And like, they're the last to do a hybrid.

They're the last to do an EV.

Their infotainment is not risk taking.

They're not introducing new segments of cars.

Like they don't have a truck.

And like if you look, I mean, they have the ridgeline.

But like the Tundra has been so successful for Toyota.

They don't have an offer.

I mean, now they have like the passport, but like they still don't have

the Land Cruiser Bronco competitor.

And, you know, like a Honda truck, like a Hyundai truck, a Kia truck.

I'm like, not that doesn't work for me.

A Volkswagen truck.

Like those don't do anything for me.

A Honda truck.

Honda could carry a truck.

That they don't have a truck.

I agree. At least a full-size truck.

A full-size truck.

They don't have a full-size SUV.

And I just thought it was kind of interesting take.

He's like, you know, they have their like bread and butter cars.

Like, I mean, the Accord is an amazing car.

The Odyssey is an amazing band and the CR-V is great.

And like they have those three cars.

And they're just like so relying on.

I guess like the if it's don't fix, don't break it.

But in the also it's like at some point

they're going to get left behind.

And like they could end the minivan conversation

with if they did the Odyssey, right, they could end the conversation.

You would maybe still have the carnival for like that look and those people.

But like it could take the Sienna.

It could for sure take the Pacifica out for sure.

For sure. Take the Pacifica out.

And also to your point on the like the carnival has proven

that you can make a minivan good looking.

Yeah. And just rip him off.

They don't own that.

And you know, the pilot, the pilot is good.

It could be better.

Was it Tyler who said if on a minivan,

if they just put the handles on the other side of the door,

it would look more like an SUV.

Oh, I don't know.

The second row handles.

It is interesting on the other side,

which is where they are on the SUVs can still open the same way.

But it would read less minivan.

That's so interesting.

Mm hmm. Oh, and then he also made the point

like, you know, Honda's luxury brand is Acura and Acura.

Honda is giving Acura no flowers.

Like they're not even I mean, where you have Toyota and Lexus.

Acura has two.

They have already X and I think they already did.

I think they literally just have the MDX and maybe like one TL like.

So I thought it was kind of I would have to think of that would be my answer.

But I thought he made compelling points for like, and again,

it's not that I don't like them.

I mean, I just recommended the Odyssey over it.

But like they are just it's like.

It's like they just need to keep trying.

Like they're not trying anything.

It was less than hot that it's something innovative.

I guess the removable middle seat in the pilot

was like the last innovative thing they've done.

OK, I do love the new passport is great.

So maybe I maybe I maybe I wouldn't say that.

Maybe I wouldn't say Honda. OK, who would I say?

I feel like Nissan struggles with their identity sometimes.

Well, I think that's a good one.

But I don't know if I would say.

But to like Doug's point, like the risks, like they're literally not even

they're not even risks at this point.

Like it's no Honda.

Yeah, Honda is just to take they're not taking any risks.

But it's literally not over.

It's like to put ceiling vents back in a minivan.

That's literally not even a risk.

That's just like a good idea.

I know. And like, I've never I don't have a good relationship with Honda.

And I'm not just saying that I don't have a good relationship,

but like I have PR contacts for probably every other manufacturer.

I don't even get invited to the Honda events.

This isn't going to help.

But. No, I mean, I think you just kind of hyped them up.

But also like respectfully.

What are you doing?

OK, are you ready for industry news?

Rise for the hot tea going on the auto industry?

I sure am.

Did you know Consumer Reports is like a best car of the year?

I feel like I don't.

I guess I guess not.

Well, my iPad just died, so you're going to pull it up.

Go to Consumer Reports Instagram.

I actually think you texted me this.

I'm really technically challenged today

because I gave my laptop to Sam because she needed a laptop.

And I've ordered a new laptop

and they keep saying they're attempting to deliver.

And I've got to see a person attempt to deliver.

I've been home like the last two days waiting to receive my laptop.

And they're like, oh, we attempted at 448.

I'm like, I was here.

I know, but it's your weird.

It's your weird driveway.

You know, I I opened up the gate.

There's was driving to my house.

I don't know.

All right. So what do you want?

What do you want me to report on here?

Oh, I wish you to pull up the graphic.

Oh, OK.

OK, so it's Consumer Reports is the best car of 2026.

I just wanted to say what they were because I thought they and I don't know.

I I texted this to Matt and I said,

let's get Consumer Reports in the podcast

because I wanted you to kind of defend your decisions here.

And their best misdemeanor was the Toyota Grand Highlander.

You know, which I would love for someone to defend that,

which I'm fine with that as your answer.

But I would just like to hear like, you know, is it worth it?

Why I would just like to hear why.

OK, best cars of 2026.

I'm sure their article probably says why.

Small sedan Honda Civic, midsize car Toyota Camry,

sub compact SUV, Subaru Crosstrak.

I disagree with that.

Who would you say?

I need to think about that.

Compact SUV, Subaru Forester.

I'm fine with that.

Midsize SUV, Toyota Grand Highlander.

That's their choice. I'm fine with that.

I'm not I'm not just I'm not offended.

Luxury compact Lexus NX totally disagree with that.

Luxury midsize BMW X5.

I'm fine with that.

I wouldn't be my choice, but I'm fine.

Small pickup Ford Maverick.

Cue.

Electric vehicle Tesla Model Y.

I'm honestly fine with that.

It's a good car.

Full size, full size pickup Ford F-150.

No, does they the question, where's the full size car?

It does feel like something's like glaringly missing.

OK, wait, I have like the whole article.

Let me read why they picked the Grand Highlander.

It's ready to find a three row SUV that's roomy enough to accommodate an adult

in every seat and still have space or cargo.

The Grand Highlander is that SUV, which makes it a near perfect people mover

when outfitted in a trim with 18 inch tires.

It's also unusually smooth to drive, but Toyota's real advantage

is it's 245 horsepower hybrid powertrain, which matches the standard

turbo engines acceleration when returning a stunning 35 MPG overall in all of our tests.

Fuel efficiently, that's on par with the best compact.

Yeah, so I mean, when you're not considering like car seats and children,

which is obviously our entire world, things are you look at cars a lot,

a lot differently.

Yeah, and the world's your oyster.

No, and I do like I want to be clear, like I do like the Grand Highlander

and I am very impressed with their hybrid.

And one of my friends who I met with today, who actually was one of the ones

who gave me the tea clothes, she has a Grand Highlander hybrid.

And she says, I she's like, I get 35 miles per gallon in this car.

She's like, I don't know how I'm ever going to go to a car with the worst gas mileage.

Yeah. So it does feel like for consumer reports, like MPG's drive

is very important to them.

I'm like kind of reading their other ones and that seems to be a common trend.

So that's kind of just what they're basing it off for.

But it is interesting because I hate to say this,

but I am pretty sure it was not an IHS top safety pick,

because they do believe the moderate overlap was not where it needed to be.

Can you confirm that?

OK, because that's why the Grand Highlander,

that was one of the reasons why the why the traverse beat out the Highlander

when it was when those two were going head dead for car of the year.

Let's see.

It is not a top safety pick.

So that's just interesting.

That's interesting.

OK, are you ready for ditch the drive through?

That's the only story I had.

Just like something I want to get consumer reports on, you know,

and I'm like always I would love to talk to them.

Yes, I'm ready for ditch the drive through where we give you an easy dinner

recipe to mix it up to get you out of your dinner.

Right. Disrupt.

This one comes from a listener.

So if you want like your own advice or to drive through,

you can always email us at hello at the car official dot com.

Yes.

Her subject line had me three ingredient lent ditch the drive through.

OK, Lent. OK, Lent.

OK, three ingredients.

Upon reading the problem, it wouldn't be for my kids,

but like this would be such a good like mom dinner.

The easiest lent approved DTD salmon bowls.

I know this is everyone has seen the viral salmon bowls,

but I have made them even easier when I serve them almost equally equal,

even to guests.

All you need frozen salmon, rice and the key in Asian salad kit.

Make the salmon and the air fryer.

Top with teriyaki or Japanese barbecue sauce.

If you have it, it's also fine without sauce, just some salt and pepper.

Cook your rice and mix the Asian salad kit together.

Serve serve rice, salmon and salad in bowls and you can separate it out for the kids.

Any toppings you have such as I or we love a combination of

Sriracha, Mayo, Japanese barbecue sauce, yum yum sauce, avocado,

sesame seeds, chili, onion, crunch.

No, I do love.

I used to be on that Asian crunch salad grind hard.

And I should get back to that.

The power of a salad kit.

Obsessed. Yeah.

I thought that's the next one one.

And that's like replace the protein in the salad kit with like any like

you could do a chicken Southwest and you could still have rice as the base.

Yeah, it's like a protein salad kit rice.

Yeah. And in all combinations.

Yeah. Yeah, that's a good one.

I'm hungry now.

And I'll make that for dinner.

But I still haven't eaten fish yet.

Oh, I have got to get together before Ash Wednesday.

Oh, that clocks a chicken.

I know. And I'm going to know I'm like not allergic

because like my hours is like you're not allergic to fish.

Just anchovies that I just still have been too scared.

So I may just take my fish fry to the hospital parking lot and eat it.

And just like wait a few minutes.

And just see what happens.

Yeah. Yeah, just see what happens.

I almost ate fish at the Chicago Auto Show

because like Sam, what is a paramedic?

And like that just would feel good.

And she's like, oh, I've emptied hundreds of people in my life.

I'm like, perfect. I'm going to eat this salmon right now.

She's like, Kelly, let's not ruin the night.

You're like, I know you're not.

But like, what if something happens

that we had to leave this great party?

And I was like, you're right.

Yeah. So she was right.

Yeah, she was right.

OK, with that, that is going to be our episode.

Hope you guys all have a great weekend.

I thank you so much for listening to the carpool podcast

and we will talk to you next time.

Wait, in the next time you talk to me,

we'll be the first day of lunch.

It will be my first sugar free day.

Ash Wenz. Ash Wenz.

Well, the next time we record a podcast,

it will we will be gearing up for Fat Tuesdays.

So. Oh, so we'll still be talking about food.

We'll still be talking about food.

We'll actually be probably be a very sugar heavy episode.

Very excited. All right.

We'll see you guys later. Bye. Bye.

Thank you for listening to the carpool podcast

with Kelly and Liz.

Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode.

And if you enjoyed riding with us, tell everybody you know,

there's room in the car for everyone.

SEEING WHERE THE WIND TAKES US

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