SEBASTIAN MANISCALCO Walked Into A Stranger's Home in Italy

Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers

Published: Tue Jan 28 2025

Sebastian Maniscalco joins Seth and Josh on the pod this week! He talks all about his Dad moving from Sicily to the States when he was 15 years old, taking a father son trip back to his father’s childhood home, not being a “vacation with other families” kind of family, how his personality differs from his wife’s while on vacation, the “vacation” envelope, and so much more! Plus, Sebastian chats about his show, Bookie! Support our sponsors: Airbnb Visit airbnb.com and book today Nissan So thanks again to Nissan for sponsoring this episode of Family Trips. Adventure calls in the first-ever Nissan Rogue Rock Creek. Learn more at NissanUSA.com Talkspace Get $80 off of your first month with Talkspace when you go to talkspace.com/trips and enter promo code SPACE80. To match with a licensed therapist today Public Rec Upgrade your wardrobe instantly and save 20% off with the code TRIPS at https://www.publicrec.com/TRIPS #publicrecpod

Summary

Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers: Sebastian Maniscalco Walked Into A Stranger's Home in Italy
Release Date: January 28, 2025

Hosts: Seth Meyers (Sufi) and Josh Meyers (Pashi)
Guest: Sebastian Maniscalco

I. Introduction and Guest Welcome

The episode kicks off with Seth (Sufi) and Josh (Pashi) engaging in light-hearted banter about football preferences, setting a relaxed and conversational tone. Seth expresses his disinterest in football when the Steelers are not performing, leading to humorous exchanges about family members' team loyalties.

At [07:06], the hosts introduce their guest, Sebastian Maniscalco, commending him as "one of the greatest living comedians" and expressing excitement to delve into his personal stories and experiences.

II. Sebastian's High School Bookie Experience

Sebastian shares a candid and humorous recount of his high school days when he and his friend Tom acted as unofficial bookies. He narrates how their venture spiraled out of control:

Sebastian ([02:43]): "We had one of our clients really in the hole, and that was great for us... But then that kid went on a run that night with just wins, and then we had to pay out. And that was it. So burned."

The conversation takes a playful turn when Seth humorously connects Sebastian's story to a family anecdote about a mysterious incident involving a creative writing teacher:

Seth ([03:29]): "And then my memory is the creative writing teacher mysteriously got his legs broken. And you claim you had nothing to do with it."

Sebastian elaborates on the fallout, admitting to inadvertently causing trouble due to slippery conditions during a snowy February in New Hampshire:

Sebastian ([03:40]): "I mean, you tripped as icy as New Hampshire. It was February."

The hosts reflect on the lesson learned from this escapade, highlighting the importance of responsible behavior even in youthful ventures.

III. Family Vacation Stories and Dynamics

Transitioning from high school antics, the discussion shifts to family vacations. Josh reminisces about his middle-class upbringing, detailing trips to the Wisconsin Dells, Michigan, San Diego, and Florida:

Josh ([08:43]): "We generally went to Wisconsin Dells or Michigan. We did take a trip to San Diego. We did take a trip to Florida."

Seth inquires about their father's perspective on these vacations, to which Josh responds that their father doesn't regret the trade-off between saving for real estate and cherishing family memories:

Josh ([08:49]): "No, he doesn't regret it. A lot of memories were made on those vacations."

The brothers discuss the budgeting methods their father employed, emphasizing a strict envelope system to manage finances during trips:

Josh ([28:04]): "He had about eight or nine envelopes... He had a vacation envelope. He had a dining envelope."

IV. Immigration Journey and Trips to Italy

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Josh's father's immigration from Sicily to the United States at age 15. The brothers explore the emotional and cultural implications of such a move:

Josh ([09:35]): "My dad was 15 when he moved from Sicily to the States."

Sebastian adds depth to the narrative by discussing the challenges and adjustments faced during this transition, including settling first in Mississippi before relocating to Chicago:

Josh ([10:15]): "They went to Mississippi first... then moved to Chicago."

The discussion takes a heartfelt turn as Josh recounts taking his father back to Sicily to reconnect with his roots after his father underwent quadruple bypass surgery:

Josh ([13:26]): "We went back to Sicily before he died. He hadn't been back in 50 years."

Seth and Josh express emotional reflections on witnessing their father's reconnection with his past, highlighting moments like the symbolic shaving of his father's long-held mustache:

Josh ([17:05]): "He ended up shaving his mustache off in Italy and never looked back."

V. Parenting and Family Trips with Children

The brothers delve into their experiences of planning and executing family trips with their own children. They discuss the challenges of balancing relaxation with activities that cater to young kids:

Josh ([36:39]): "We are traveling a lot... It's incorporating the cousins and what have you."

Seth shares insights into their approach to allowances and chores, emphasizing a balance between responsibility and reward for their children:

Seth ([30:00]): "We have the three envelopes: Save, Spend, Donate. They have to put two bucks in each."

The conversation touches on the contrasting dynamics between their own childhood vacations and their current family travel approaches, underscoring the importance of creating lasting memories for their children:

Josh ([53:06]): "Traveling with kids gives them a perspective that I didn't have growing up."

VI. Final Quick Questions Segment

In the closing segment, Sebastian Maniscalco responds to a series of rapid-fire questions from Josh and Seth, offering personal preferences and humorous takes on vacation scenarios:

Ideal Vacation:

Josh: "Relaxing."
Favorite Means of Transportation:

Josh: "Airplane."
Vacation with Any Family:

Josh: "The Keatons from Family Ties."
Stranded on a Desert Island with One Family Member:

Josh: "My family. My wife."
Recommendation of Arlington Heights as a Vacation Destination:

Josh: "No."
Visiting the Grand Canyon:

Josh: "No, not necessarily."

Seth commends Sebastian's thoughtful answers, reinforcing the blend of humor and sincerity that defines Sebastian's comedic persona.

VII. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Seth delivering a poetic recap of the discussed stories, blending humor with heartfelt reflections on family, travel, and personal growth:

Seth ([63:03]): "It started long ago. Papa Maniscalco came over from Sicily... That's what a 10 year..."

This closing monologue encapsulates the essence of the episode, celebrating the intertwining of family history with personal adventures.

Notable Quotes:

Sebastian Maniscalco ([02:43]): "We had one of our clients really in the hole... that was it. So burned."
Seth ([03:29]): "And then my memory is the creative writing teacher mysteriously got his legs broken. And you claim you had nothing to do with it."
Josh ([28:04]): "He had about eight or nine envelopes... He had a vacation envelope. He had a dining envelope."
Josh ([17:05]): "He ended up shaving his mustache off in Italy and never looked back."
Josh ([53:06]): "Traveling with kids gives them a perspective that I didn't have growing up."

This episode of Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers masterfully weaves Sebastian Maniscalco's personal anecdotes with the hosts' own family narratives, creating an engaging and relatable exploration of family dynamics, travel, and personal growth.