Talking About A Carpool

Talking About A Carpool
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Talking About a Carpool takes you inside the real rugby journey. From schoolyard dreams to the professional stage, we unpack what it’s like to chase a contract overseas. Hear stories, lessons, and insights on pathways through Europe’s top competitions — Top 14, ProD2, Premiership, Championship, URC, and the European Cups. Whether you’re a young player, parent, or fan, this podcast helps you understand the opportunities, challenges, and choices behind pursuing rugby abroad — told with honesty, experience, and a carpool vibe.

  1. 1d ago

    Talking About A Carpool: Episode 49 – Pacific Pride, Rugby Rivalries & Life Beyond the Pitch

    This week on Talking About A Carpool, hosts ofahelotu(Sydney, Australia) and Semisi Telefoni, aka “The Wine Chief” (Auckland, NewZealand), unpack a packed rugby weekend, from Tonga and Samoa’s internationalrugby league campaigns to November tests and European club results. Theydiscuss the pride behind the pre-match challenges, question refereeingconsistency, and explore what professional pathways and strong governance meanfor Pacific rugby’s future. Segment 1: Talk Story Starts at (0:00:50) The boys catch upon family, work, Sydney’s changing weather and the return of rowing seasonbefore moving into rugby’s bigger talking points. They discuss proposedAnglo-Welsh league changes, broadcast deals, hip-drop tackles and the hooker’sbrake foot at scrum time, then reflect on the All Blacks’ tribute to their latehead of security. Segment 2: Da Big Wave Starts at (0:19:13) Australia versusSamoa and New Zealand versus Tonga spark honest conversations aboutofficiating, emotional control, wet-weather tactics and why Pacific fans bringso much to international rugby league. The boys also cover the women’s games,look ahead to the Australia–New Zealand finals, and wrap the November rugbyunion tests, including Tonga and Samoa’s wins, before asking what Pacific unioncan learn from league’s momentum. Segment 3: Da Latest Scoop Starts at (1:01:44) The Europeanwrap covers Top 14, Pro D2 and Champ Rugby results and tables, with updates onthe breaks in Prem Rugby and URC and the return of the Champions Cup andChallenge Cup. The boys discuss how international call-ups create opportunitiesfor club sides, revisit ownership and competition changes, and make their nextround of Champ Rugby picks. Outro Starts at (1:09:19) The boys close with family updatesand a look ahead to the rugby league finals and another busy rugby weekend. Gota question about rugby, pathways or life beyond the pitch? Send it through fora future Q&A. Follow us: IG & TikTok:@talkingabouta.carpool YouTube: @talkingaboutacarpool Email your questions: talkingaboutacarpool@gmail.com

    Talking About A Carpool: Episode 49 – Pacific Pride, Rugby Rivalries & Life Beyond the Pitch

  2. 5d ago

    Talking About A Carpool: Episode 48 – RLWC Round 3 Wrap, Euro Results & November Tests

    This week on Talking About A Carpool, hosts ofahelotu(Sydney, Australia) and Semisi Telefoni, aka "The Wine Chief"(Auckland, New Zealand), recap a massive weekend together — a Sips & Scrumswine tasting in the Hunter Valley and the historic Tonga vs Samoa Rugby LeagueWorld Cup match in Sydney. They break down all five European domesticcompetitions, review RLWC Round 3 results, preview the semifinals, and lookahead to the November international test window. Segment 1: Talk Story Starts at (0:12) The boys recap theirbig weekend — a golf day, a Sips & Scrums wine tasting hosted by Semisi for10 guests, and an early-morning drive to the Hunter Valley. They share storiesfrom the trip, including connecting with friends through Gordon Rugby andbringing along their videographer Joshy to capture the whole experience. Segment 2: Da Latest Scoop Starts at (3:20) Results andtables across all five European competitions: Top 14 (Pau stun Toulouse 34-14to end their seven-game winning streak, Montpellier smash Castres 69-10),Gallagher Premiership (Northampton score 28 unanswered to beat Gloucester28-14, Leicester go five clear), URC (Glasgow unbeaten on top, the Ox scrumdomination moment, three South African sides in the top four), Pro D2 (Oyonnaxleading on 38 points, Nevers still searching for a first win), and Champ Rugby(Worcester unbeaten after six rounds). The boys also do live tipping for theupcoming round across all five competitions. Segment 3: Da Big Wave Starts at (28:35) A full review ofRugby League World Cup Round 3, led by the Tonga vs Samoa match the boysattended live in Sydney — the electric atmosphere, a record 29,411 crowd,finding themselves seated next to Ardie Savea and Joseph Paulo, and the mutualrespect between Tongan and Samoan fans. They break down Tonga's win, Haumole'sstandout 80-minute performance, and other RLWC results including New Zealandrouting Fiji, Australia beating Cook Islands 66-6, and the incredible Lebanonvs France golden point thriller. They then preview the semifinals — New Zealandvs Tonga and Australia vs Samoa — before shifting to the November rugby uniontest window: Scotland vs All Blacks at Murrayfield, France vs Fiji, Wallabiesvs England at Twickenham, and more. Outro Starts at (1:00:10) The boys wrap up, wish Semisi'swife Ellie a happy birthday, and look ahead to next week's RLWC semifinal andfinal weekend. Got a question? Send it in and they'll answer it on the nextepisode.Follow us: IG & TikTok:@talkingabouta.carpool YouTube: @talkingaboutacarpool Email your questions: talkingaboutacarpool@gmail.com

    Talking About A Carpool: Episode 48 – RLWC Round 3 Wrap, Euro Results & November Tests

  3. Oct 27

    Talking About A Carpool: Episode 47 – November Test Window Preview & RLWC Round 2

    This week on Talking About A Carpool, hosts ofahelotu(Sydney, Australia) and Semisi Telefoni, aka "The Wine Chief"(Auckland, New Zealand), break down all five European domestic competitions,preview the November test window with squad announcements for every majornation, and wrap up the Rugby League World Cup second round — including thesold-out Tonga vs Samoa semifinal the boys are attending in Sydney. Segment 1: Talk Story Starts at (0:00:11) Ofahelotu shareshis daughters' school musical experience and the discipline behind performingarts, while Semisi recovers from a long Labour Weekend in Auckland balancingfamily, church, and work before travelling to Australia. Segment 2: Da Latest Scoop Starts at (0:04:05) Full round-upof all five European competitions: Top 14 (Vannes' first win over Clermont,Toulouse top of the table), Gallagher Prem Rugby (derby weekend home wins,Christian Wade's 101st try levelling Chris Ashton, Marcus Smith's 200th game),URC (Edinburgh unbeaten, Glasgow's comeback over Benetton, Leinster edgeMunster), Pro D2 (Montauban ends Oyonnax's streak, Provence eight from eight),and Champ Rugby standings. Segment 3: Da Big Wave Starts at (0:21:28) November testwindow preview with squad announcements for the Wallabies, All Blacks, FlyingFijians under new coach Jake White, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, andEngland. Plus Manu Samoa and Ikale Tahi Nations Cup squads. Then a full RugbyLeague World Cup second-round wrap: Tonga 36-0 Lebanon, Samoa 64-6 PNG, England82-0 France, New Zealand 82-16 Cook Islands, Australia 36-22 Fiji — with Tongaand Samoa into the semifinals and set to clash at a sold-out CommBank Stadium. Outro Starts at (1:02:39) The boys tease next week's recapof the Tonga vs Samoa semifinal and their Hunter Valley wine tour. Send yourquestions to talkingaboutacarpool@gmail.com. Follow us: IG & TikTok: @talkingabouta.carpool YouTube:@talkingaboutacarpool Email your questions: talkingaboutacarpool@gmail.com

    Talking About A Carpool: Episode 47 – November Test Window Preview & RLWC Round 2

  4. Oct 20

    Talking About A Carpool: Episode 46 – Champions Cup R1, Bledisloe Cup & RLWC Kickoff

    This week on Talking About A Carpool, hosts ofahelotu(Sydney, Australia) and Semisi Telefoni, aka "The Wine Chief"(Auckland, New Zealand), break down the opening round of the European ChampionsCup and Challenge Cup, wrap up the Bledisloe Cup double-header, and cover theRugby League World Cup kickoff. They also discuss salary transparency inPremiership Rugby, share a real-world lesson on managing agents, and paytribute to a member of the rugby community who passed away. Segment 1: Talk Story Starts at (0:12) The boys catch up ona massive weekend of sport — Ofa's trip to the Bledisloe Cup at Allianz Stadium(and getting turned away at the gate with member's passes), the buzz around theRugby League World Cup opener in Sydney, and Tongan community pride showing upacross Perth and South Auckland. They also pay tribute to a player who passedaway before a Champions Cup match and reflect on how the rugby community comestogether in moments bigger than the game. Segment 2: Da Latest Scoop Starts at (5:49) European rugbyreturns with Champions Cup Round 1 results across all four pools — Bordeaux'sdraw with Gloucester, Ben Tameifuna's shift to second row, Montpellier's win atBath where Billy Vunipola paid tribute, and Toulouse's 43-40 thriller overExeter. Plus Challenge Cup results, Pro D2 after seven rounds, and ChampionshipRugby Round 5. Top 14 and URC previews, Gallagher Premiership fixtures, RobLeota's release from Bayonne, Courtney Lawes and Ellis Genge on making Premsalaries public, and NZ Rugby losing its injunction against the NRL's PNGChiefs. Segment 3: Da Big Wave Starts at (24:30) Bledisloe Cupseries review — All Blacks win 2-0 (50-19 in Auckland, 43-21 in Perth,aggregate 93-40), whether the Bledisloe still holds its aura, and a case foraggregate scoring. Rugby League World Cup Round 1: Australia edge New Zealand24-22 in a classic, Samoa dismantle France, PNG beat Lebanon 42-18 in PortMoresby, Tonga make history beating England 30-12, and Fiji handle Cook Islands40-12. Women's RLWC results included. Segment 4: Da Kuleana [Managing Agents and Career Pathways]Starts at (44:27) A real-world story about a young prop navigating multipleagents pushing him to the same club — why it backfires, how clubs react toagent drama, and why choosing the right agent with the right network for yourplaying style matters. The boys explain how Kuleana episodes are beingrepurposed as standalone uploads on YouTube and podcast platforms for easieraccess to this evergreen advice. Outro Starts at (48:14) The boys tease next week's episodeand remind listeners to send in questions. Big week ahead with Ofa heading toAustralia and wine tastings on the schedule. Follow us: IG & TikTok: @talkingabouta.carpool YouTube:@talkingaboutacarpool Email your questions: talkingaboutacarpool@gmail.com

    Talking About A Carpool: Episode 46 – Champions Cup R1, Bledisloe Cup & RLWC Kickoff

  5. Oct 12

    Talking About A Carpool: Episode 45 – Bledisloe Cup, RLWC Kickoff & Pacific World Nations Squads

    This week on Talking About A Carpool, hosts ofahelotu(Sydney, Australia) and Semisi Telefoni, aka "The Wine Chief"(Auckland, New Zealand), break down a massive weekend of rugby. Ofa recaps histrip to Auckland for the Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park, the crew runs through allthe European domestic results and Champions/Challenge Cup draws, and theypreview the Rugby League World Cup kickoff plus the newly named Pacific squadsfor the World Rugby Nations Cup. No Da Kuleana this week — the boys apologizeand confirm it's being prepared as a separate standalone upload. Segment 1: Talk Story Starts at (0:00) Ofa shares highlightsfrom his Auckland trip — the All Blacks Experience at Sky Tower, the America'sCup sail on Auckland Harbour, a nice bottle of red with new friends, and thelegendary Sally Lunn cream bun from Glendon Bakery. The hosts also discuss thepodcast's direction and their evolving approach to covering European rugbyalongside the domestic competitions they know best. Segment 2: Da Latest Scoop Starts at (6:52) Full resultsacross all five European competitions: Top 14 (Toulouse stay top with a 45-34win over Bayonne, La Rochelle earn a bonus-point win at Lyon, Vannes collectinglosing bonus points but still searching for a first win, Pau and Toulouse withonly one loss each), Pro D2 (Montauban hand Brive their first loss, Oyonnax andProvence unbeaten, Nevers winless after six rounds, Colomiers surprisingly atthe bottom), Premiership (Northampton smash Bath 71-48, Leicester edgeGloucester 31-30, Sale beat Harlequins, Saracens thump Bristol 30-7, Gloucesterlead the table with Northampton, Sarries and Leicester in the top four, norelegation this year), URC (Glasgow beat Connacht 36-19, Bulls demolish Lions57-15, Stormers beat Sharks 39-22, Ulster and Munster draw 26-all after Munsterled 26-5 at the break), and Championship Rugby (Worcester still unbeaten at49-24 over Nottingham, Ealing bounce back with a 71-7 win over Hartpury,Coventry edge Blackheath 38-36, Doncaster smash Ampthill 56-26). Plus, the fullChampions Cup and Challenge Cup pool draws are broken down — all four ChampionsCup pools and three Challenge Cup pools, with key matchups highlightedincluding Gloucester vs Bordeaux and Saracens vs La Rochelle. Segment 3: Da Big Wave Starts at (21:02) Bledisloe Cupreview — All Blacks dominate the second half to win 50-19 at Eden Park after atight 17-14 halftime score. Ofa shares his in-stadium experience, thedifference between the Ka Mate and Kapa o Pango haka and what each signifies,Eden Park's atmosphere compared to NRL venues and the gaps in entertainmentrugby could learn from league, and thoughts on the Wallabies under Les Kiss.Then the Rugby League World Cup kicks off — Kangaroos vs Kiwis on Thursday,England vs Tonga in Perth, Jillaroos vs Samoa, Kiwi Ferns vs Fiji in Newcastle,and the Pasifika buzz building around the tournament. Finally, the newly namedWorld Rugby Nations Cup squads for Manu Samoa (featuring new converts includingSean Stevenson, Akira Ioane, and AJ Lam), Ikale Tahi (Sekope Kepu, AdamColeman, Malakai Fekitoa, Patrick Pellegrini, Manu Vunipola), and the FlyingFijians (Nathan Hughes, Sam Vunibaki among a 40-player extended squad), withNovember fixtures against Zimbabwe, Portugal, Spain, Romania, Georgia, HongKong China, France, Ireland, and Italy. Outro Starts at (46:48) The boys wrap up, apologize for themissing Da Kuleana segment (it's coming as a separate upload), and share theirgoal of reaching 1,000 listens this year. Email your questions and topicsuggestions for next week's episode. Follow us: IG & TikTok:@talkingabouta.carpool YouTube: @talkingaboutacarpool Email your questions: talkingaboutacarpool@gmail.com

    Talking About A Carpool: Episode 45 – Bledisloe Cup, RLWC Kickoff & Pacific World Nations Squads

  6. Oct 6

    Talking About A Carpool: Episode 44 – European Rugby Results, NRL Grand Final & RLWC 2026

    This week on Talking About A Carpool, hosts ofahelotu (Sydney, Australia) and Semisi Telefoni, aka "The Wine Chief" (Auckland, New Zealand), cover European rugby results across five competitions, review the NRL Grand Final, preview Bledisloe Cup One at Eden Park, and break down the Rugby League World Cup 2026 squad announcements. Segment 1: Talk Story Starts at (0:12) Semisi shares highlights from a long weekend — Amandine's under-16 Auckland rugby tournament where her side finished runners-up, sparking memories of the hosts' own Auckland representative days and a young Jonah Lomu signing jackets at a tournament. Ofahelotu celebrates his niece's wedding photos and pregnancy announcement, and recounts taking his three daughters to the NRL Grand Final in Sydney. Segment 2: Da Latest Scoop Starts at (6:39) The hosts run through European rugby results across five competitions — Premiership, URC, Top 14, Pro D2, and Championship Rugby. No Champions Cup or Challenge Cup fixtures this week. Premiership Rugby — (6:40 to 9:15) Gloucester lead the table after putting 48 points to nil on Harlequins, Leicester edge Newcastle 24-19, and Bristol pump defending champions Northampton 41-26. Bath and Exeter round out the top four, with no relegation confirmed this season. URC (United Rugby Championship) — (9:15 to 11:10) Glasgow and Ulster play out the first draw of the season at 33-all, Sharks stay undefeated at 2-nil, Edinburgh beat Stormers 17-13, and Munster edge the Bulls 26-22. The hosts flag the growing frustration with refereeing decisions across the game (10:30). Top 14 — (11:10 to 13:32) Round five sees Bordeaux smash Lyon 51-28, Racing demolish Perpignan 55-25, Pau win 43-40 in Normandy, and Castres fall 7-8 in a tight result. Toulouse sit top with 19 points, Pau second on 18, with Toulon struggling at 13th and Vannes yet to register a win. The hosts note the growing Pacific presence in French rugby. Pro D2 — (13:32 to 15:40) Pro D2 didn't play last weekend so the table is unchanged. The hosts look ahead to Mont-de-Marsan vs Brive and Angoulême vs Provence. The rugby awards ceremony in Paris is discussed, with Jack Willis from Toulouse named Top 14 Player of the Year. Championship Rugby — (15:40 to 17:20) Round three sees Coventry smash Nottingham with Seli Naiyalo grabbing a hat-trick in a 10-try rout, Cornish Pirates edge Ealing Trailfinders 35-33, Worcester win at Richmond 45-26, and Blackheath — the world's oldest club — claim their first win back in the second tier. Worcester lead the table after three rounds. Segment 3: Hot Topics Starts at (18:00) The hosts review the NRL Grand Final — the Roosters' dominant win over the Knights, Kalyn Ponga's brilliance, Daly Cherry-Evans finishing his NRL career with a title, and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's remarkable transition from union to league and his upcoming move to Japan. At (24:50) they preview Bledisloe Cup One at Eden Park, where the All Blacks haven't lost since 1994 — covering team news, Dave Rennie's return against his former side, and both hosts' predictions. At (33:10) they turn to the Rugby League World Cup 2026, discussing squad announcements for Tonga, Samoa, and the Kangaroos, and announcing a Sips & Scrubs tour to the Hunter Valley for the Tonga vs Samoa match. Da Kuleana: We are currently extracting Da Kuleana segments from our past full episodes and releasing them as standalone uploads. Once the back catalogue is complete, Da Kuleana will return to the full episode in a refined and improved format. Keep an eye on the feed for those drops. Outro Starts at (43:48) The hosts wrap up, share what's on for the week — school holidays, a rowing camp, and ofahelotu flying to Auckland for the Bledisloe. They invite listeners to email questions and tease next week's coverage of the Rugby League World Cup opener. Follow us: IG & TikTok: @talkingabouta.carpool YouTube: @talkingaboutacarpool Email your questions: talkingaboutacarpool@gmail.com

    Talking About A Carpool: Episode 44 – European Rugby Results, NRL Grand Final & RLWC 2026

  7. Sep 29

    Talking About A Carpool: Episode 43 – Euro Rugby Round One, NRL Prelims & Wallabies Upset

    This week on Talking About A Carpool, hosts ofahelotu (Sydney, Australia) and Semisi Telefoni, aka "The Wine Chief" (Auckland, New Zealand), cover the opening rounds of five European club rugby competitions, break down a massive NRL preliminary finals weekend, and unpack the Wallabies' big win over the Springboks. Segment 1: Talk StoryStarts at (0:00:00)The AFL grand final comeback by the Brisbane Lions, daylight savings in Auckland, and a look ahead at the NRL prelims and the Wallabies-Springboks test. Segment 2: Da Latest ScoopStarts at (0:02:25) Premiership Rugby — (0:03:00) to (0:08:23)Sale v Bristol, Northampton v Newcastle, a viral Bath intercept try, and Michael Vunipola's Leicester debut after his move from Vannes. URC — (0:08:23) to (0:13:50)All South African sides win round one, Leinster upset by the Lions, and the WRU's plan to cut Welsh pro sides from four to three. Top 14 — (0:13:50) to (0:16:49)Toulouse lead the table, Vannes still searching for a win, and La Rochelle's young side at Pau under Ronan O'Gara's philosophy. Pro D2 — (0:16:49) to (0:22:39)Oyonnax, Brive, and Provence unbeaten. Nevers winless. War stories from the Oyonnax away trip and a book recommendation from the Wine Chief. Championship Rugby — (0:22:39) to (0:26:45)Worcester top, Ealing unbeaten, Bedford Blues bottom. The new promotion model and why financial protection for clubs matters. Segment 3: Hot TopicsStarts at (0:28:30)RWC 2031 in the US under threat and 2035 bids from Spain, Italy, Japan, and the Middle East. NRL prelims — Newcastle's stunning 12-man upset of Penrith and the emotion of their first grand final in 25 years. Wallabies' 42-17 win over the Boks overshadowed by referee comms failures. Rugby Australia devaluing the Schoolboys jersey and New Zealand rugby's financial struggles and Super Rugby format review. Da Kuleana: We are extracting Da Kuleana segments from past full episodes and releasing them as standalone uploads. Once the back catalogue is complete, Da Kuleana returns to the full episode in a refined format. Keep an eye on the feed. OutroStarts at (0:57:48)The Wine Chief's upcoming VIP wine tasting, Sips and Scrubs at Tonga v Samoa in Hunter Valley, and your Q&A invitation. Follow us:IG & TikTok: @talkingabouta.carpoolYouTube: @talkingaboutacarpoolEmail your questions: talkingaboutacarpool@gmail.com

    Talking About A Carpool: Episode 43 – Euro Rugby Round One, NRL Prelims & Wallabies Upset

  8. Sep 21

    Talking About A Carpool: Episode 42 – Season 2 Kickoff: European Rugby, All Blacks vs Springboks & Pacific Nations

    This week on Talking About A Carpool, hosts ofahelotu(Sydney, Australia) and Semisi Telefoni, aka "The Wine Chief"(Auckland, New Zealand), kick off Season 2 with a full wrap of European rugbyresults across seven competitions, the All Blacks' historic tour of SouthAfrica, Pacific Nations Cup, and the Warriors' sold-out NRL clash at Eden Park.They also share what's ahead this season — sharper weekly episodes, standaloneKuleana uploads, and new resources for players and families navigating therugby journey. Segment 1: Talk Story Starts at (0:11) The boys are backafter a long break, catching up on life, family, and work. Ofahelotu and Semisishare updates on the upcoming Sips & Scrums tour to Hunter Valley withwinemaker Pierre Durand, plus plans to catch the Tonga-Samoa match in Sydney. Segment 2: Da Latest Scoop Starts at (5:10) Pro D2 roundfour sees Oyonnax, Provence, and Brive all unbeaten while Nevers and Béziersstruggle at the bottom. In Top 14, Racing Metro stun La Rochelle 20-10 away,Lyon start strong with three wins, and Vannes sit bottom after promotion. ChampRugby round one kicks off with Worcester on top after beating Bedford.Premiership and URC both launch this weekend — including Saracens vs Leicesterand a massive URC opener with Leinster vs Glasgow. Segment 3: Da Big Wave Starts at (23:16) The All Blacks'first tour of South Africa in 30 years — four provincial tour games and fourtest matches. The hosts break down the scrum battles, including RassieErasmus's tactical camera-angle play, the split-trophy concept held together bymagnets, and the Springboks taking the series 3-1. Pacific Nations Cup wrapswith Japan beating Fiji 20-15 for their first title since 2019, while Tonga andSamoa have been moved to the Tier 2 World Rugby Nations Cup — the hosts sharewhy that matters for Pacific rugby development. The Warriors' sold-out 50,000crowd at Eden Park against the Newcastle Knights gets a full review, includingthe fan base the club has built and what the NRL can learn from it. Outro Starts at (55:11) Season 2 is here — expect sharperweekly episodes, standalone Kuleana uploads from past episodes, and newsupporting documents for players navigating agents, finances, and club life.Email your questions to talkingaboutacarpool@gmail.com. Follow us: IG & TikTok: @talkingabouta.carpool YouTube:@talkingaboutacarpool Email your questions: talkingaboutacarpool@gmail.com

    Talking About A Carpool: Episode 42 – Season 2 Kickoff: European Rugby, All Blacks vs Springboks & Pacific Nations
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About

Talking About a Carpool takes you inside the real rugby journey. From schoolyard dreams to the professional stage, we unpack what it’s like to chase a contract overseas. Hear stories, lessons, and insights on pathways through Europe’s top competitions — Top 14, ProD2, Premiership, Championship, URC, and the European Cups. Whether you’re a young player, parent, or fan, this podcast helps you understand the opportunities, challenges, and choices behind pursuing rugby abroad — told with honesty, experience, and a carpool vibe.

Information

  • Creator
    Talking About A Carpool
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Talking About A Carpool
  • Show Website
    Talking About A Carpool