THE ORIGINS OF THE CAR MOM - LIZZ'S VERSION
About this episode
Liz shares how “car mom” began as a COVID-era Instagram idea from her sister Kelly—reviewing used cars specifically from a mom’s perspective. After Liz was furloughed and needed a new focus, she helped pivot the content to YouTube, got the channel monetized, and eventually quit her job to work full-time. The conversation also covers how the “carpool” podcast name came together, the brand’s early growth, and the mission of helping families find safe, fitting cars. Liz reflects on their tight partnership, major milestones, and speaking at a women in automotive conference.
car mom
"I think that's an amazing idea the only thing is I don't think the car mom is like the right name so I think we need to workshop the name but I like love the direction you're going in anyway like the next day she sends me a logo she sends me like she's got the trademark going like we're going with the car mom"
“Car mom” is basically a label for a person who talks about cars in a way that fits family life. It’s more about how you use and choose a car than about any one specific car model.
“Car mom” is a social identity/creator niche where someone shares car-related opinions, shopping, and ownership experiences from a family-oriented perspective. It’s not a specific vehicle or mechanical concept, but it shapes what topics get discussed (practicality, safety, cost, and day-to-day usability).
trademark
"the next day she sends me a logo she sends me like she's got the trademark going like we're going with the car mom"
A trademark is legal protection for a brand name or logo used in commerce. In this context, getting a trademark for “car mom” helps prevent others from using the same branding for similar content or products.
car drive to Iowa
"if I bring some of our podcasting equipment with me with us in our four-hour car drive to Iowa so if I'm able to successfully have us record a podcast whilst driving"
They’re talking about a long road trip and whether they can record the podcast while driving. It’s mainly setup for the episode, not a car-tech topic.
The hosts discuss recording while traveling, specifically during a long car trip. This is more about the episode logistics than automotive knowledge, but it frames why they’re talking about the car experience.
podcasting equipment
"the only way we can do that is if I bring some of our podcasting equipment with me with us in our four-hour car drive to Iowa"
They mention bringing podcasting gear to record on the road. This is not an automotive term, but it’s a structural detail about how the episode is produced.
automotive dealerships
"let's see the year's 2019 I am two years out of college I'm working a digital marketing job for automotive dealerships it's fine"
Working for automotive dealerships typically means being involved in sales, marketing, and customer acquisition for specific brands or local stores. That dealership context often influences how people talk about pricing, incentives, and what buyers actually experience.
COVID happens the world shuts down
"2020 comes around COVID happens the world shuts down there's so much uncertainty in the world and I get furloughed from my job"
COVID caused a lot of closures and changes in how people lived and worked. That disruption is part of why the speaker’s life situation changed so quickly.
This refers to the COVID-19 pandemic causing widespread shutdowns and major disruptions to daily life and employment. It’s relevant to the timeline of how the speaker ended up in a new city and had the opportunity to pivot into a new project.
furloughed from my job
"2020 comes around COVID happens the world shuts down there's so much uncertainty in the world and I get furloughed from my job so I'm now living in a new city I have no job"
A furlough means your job temporarily pauses and you’re not working for a while. It often happens when companies have to slow down, like during COVID.
A furlough is when an employer temporarily reduces or stops work, often due to economic conditions, while the employee is not actively working. In the context of the story, it explains why the speaker suddenly had time and uncertainty during the COVID shutdown.
start an Instagram where I review cars specifically for moms
"Kelly it was it was unusual for Kelly to like call me or like have like new business ideas or whatever she says I want to start an Instagram where I review cars just specifically for moms"
They talk about starting an Instagram that reviews cars for moms. The idea is to focus on one type of person and explain cars in a way that fits their lifestyle.
The hosts discuss creating a niche social-media channel focused on car reviews for a specific audience: moms. This is a “content strategy” topic—choosing a target demographic and tailoring the message to their needs.
workshop the name
"I don't think the car mom is like the right name so I think we need to workshop the name but I like love the direction you're going in anyway like the next day she sends me a logo"
“Workshop the name” refers to iterating on branding—testing different wording, tone, and clarity—before settling on a final identity. Here, they’re treating the name as part of the product/brand strategy for their car community.
content
"[721.0s] has been so wonderful and I had friends in like a really great community at the [727.7s] time of my life who were encouraging me to do it my parents were like hey you [733.2s] seem to have you guys you girls like seem to have a plan this could grow like [737.9s] no one and no one in my life told me not to no one in my life thought I was [742.6s] irresponsible everyone could see that it was going to be a good move so I did it [748.8s] I did not make any money for a few months"
The hosts discuss producing and distributing “content” (podcasts, footage, uploads) as part of building an audience. In creator terms, this is the workflow: filming, editing, sending assets, and publishing.
ceramic coating
"new recipes and even just throwing together quick weeknight meals and it actually feels simple their ceramic coating is naturally non-stick so you don't need a ton of oil or butter and everything just slides right off the pan cleanup is fast which makes a huge difference when you're already juggling"
Ceramic coating is a special non-stick layer on a pan. It helps food release more easily, so you usually need less oil and the pan is easier to clean.
Ceramic coating is a non-stick surface applied to cookware. It’s designed to reduce sticking so you can use less oil or butter, and it can make cleanup faster.
women's conference
"...the reason Kelly is not on here is because the carpool is going to speak at this women's conference this week which is something that is just the craziest guys the craziest thing because like I remember sitting..."
They’re talking about a women’s automotive conference where the Carpool is going to speak. It explains why one host isn’t on the episode and gives context for the event.
The segment discusses the Carpool speaking at a women-focused automotive conference, including audience size (in-person and online). This is a structural episode topic because it sets up why Kelly isn’t present and frames the hosts’ public-facing roles.
micro hobby
"...kind of questions I'm getting kind of some repeat questions are just like did you think this was another micro hobby for Kelly when she started did you think it was cringe like really what were your initial thoughts on the car mom..."
A “micro hobby” is just a small interest at first—like a niche thing you get into before it becomes a bigger deal. They’re asking whether Kelly’s car-related content started that way.
A “micro hobby” is a small, niche interest that starts with a limited audience or personal curiosity before it grows into something more public. Here, it’s used to question whether the “car mom” idea began as a minor side interest for Kelly and then expanded.
Infiniti QX60
"next day after I get engaged Kelly Kelly and I go on our first brand trip it was to see the new Infinity QX 60 to Napa and it was like the most incredible trip ever it was one of those really like pinch me moments because like we we felt"
The Infiniti QX60 is a larger SUV made for carrying people comfortably, often for families or road trips. It’s meant to feel smooth and relaxing when you’re driving for a while. That’s why it can be a popular choice to talk about when someone describes a trip or a new vehicle experience.
The Infiniti QX60 is a midsize luxury SUV designed for comfortable family travel, with seating for multiple passengers and a focus on a smooth, quiet ride. It’s the kind of vehicle that often comes up in “brand trip” stories because it’s built to make longer drives feel effortless. In a podcast, it may be discussed as an example of how Infiniti positions its SUVs for everyday comfort and road-trip use.
auto show
"[1556.0s] which auto show has been like the most amazing the the first auto show that was [1561.1s] a really really cool experience Kelly and I we had the first auto show I [1565.3s] think in 2022 and we had it at our family dealership"
An auto show is like a big car event where people can go look at cars in person. Dealers and companies use it to show off new vehicles and meet potential buyers.
An auto show is an event where automakers and dealers display vehicles to the public. It’s often used to generate interest, let people experience new models, and connect buyers with dealerships and brands.
family dealership
"[1565.3s] think in 2022 and we had it at our family dealership and the reason we were [1571.9s] able to have it on our family dealership is because from the repercussions of [1575.1s] COVID there was not a lot of inventory"
A family dealership is a car store run by a family instead of a big corporate chain. That can mean they’re more personally invested in the community and their customers.
A family dealership is a dealership owned or operated by a family, often with long-term local ties. In practice, this can affect how events are run, how customer relationships are built, and how inventory and staffing are managed.
COVID repercussions on inventory
"[1565.3s] think in 2022 and we had it at our family dealership and the reason we were [1571.9s] able to have it on our family dealership is because from the repercussions of [1575.1s] COVID there was not a lot of inventory so we were able to really clearly like [1579.9s] easily clear the lot so we were able to host it there"
COVID made it harder for dealerships to get cars, so there were fewer vehicles available. With less inventory around, it can be easier for a dealership to manage what they have and run events.
The pandemic disrupted global supply chains, which reduced vehicle inventory at many dealerships. When inventory is tight, dealers may be able to “clear the lot” more easily and host events with less competition from other available stock.
help families buy cars and find the right car
"[1660.7s] to be honest with you but we have really great big things coming we want to [1667.5s] continue to just help families buy cars and find the right car for them we"
“Finding the right car” means picking a car that actually fits what a family needs, not just the one that’s easiest to buy. It’s about things like space, safety, and cost.
“Finding the right car” usually means matching a vehicle to a buyer’s needs—budget, space, reliability, and intended use—rather than just choosing what’s available. For families, this often includes considerations like practicality, safety, and total cost of ownership.
help families find cars that work for them and they're safe for them
"the mission has remained the same which is to help families find cars that work for them and they're safe for them and the fit their family"
They’re talking about choosing a car that fits a family’s life and keeps them safe. That usually means looking at how practical it is and how well it protects people in crashes.
This is a buyer-focused concept: selecting a vehicle based on family fit and safety rather than just performance or style. It implies evaluating things like seating, usability, and crashworthiness to match real-world needs.
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