Podcast Summary: The Wayback with Ryan Sickler

Episode 103: Zoltan Kaszas | The Wayback with Ryan Sickler #103 | Full Episode
Release Date: December 18, 2025
Guest: Zoltan Kaszas
Host: Ryan Sickler

Episode Overview

In this nostalgic and warm episode, comedian Zoltan Kaszas joins host Ryan Sickler in “The Wayback” to reminisce about his immigrant childhood, family dynamics, unusual living situations, and high school embarrassments. Blending humor with honest reflection, the pair dive into Zoltan’s journey from Budapest to Pittsburgh to San Diego, swapping stories about cultural adaptation, colorful classmates, and the little indignities of growing up. The episode is packed with laughter, memorable anecdotes, and the type of raw, heartfelt comedy that fans of the show have come to love.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Zoltan’s Immigrant Childhood (04:43–16:43)

• Hungarian Roots and Family History (04:43):

  • Zoltan was born in Budapest, Hungary. His father, a musician, left when Zoltan was a baby. He lived with his mother and grandmother until they moved to the US when he was four.
  • His mother married a Hungarian-American in Pittsburgh, which allowed them to emigrate.

• Adapting to America: Pittsburgh’s Hungarian Community (06:43):

  • There’s a strong Hungarian coalition in cities like Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Hungarian expats often seek each other out for support.
    • Notable quote: “Hungarians that barely speak any English...they go, we don’t know who you are, but we see name and we go, that’s Hungarian. And they show up just to support nationalistic.” – Zoltan (06:43)

• Stepfamily Turmoil & Living Situation (08:49):

  • Zoltan’s American stepfather was home constantly (due to layoffs). His stepsisters heckled him, telling him his mother wasn't coming home, a tormenting experience for a little kid.

• Mom Becomes a Live-In Housekeeper (09:43):

  • After a short-lived marriage, Zoltan’s mom becomes a live-in housekeeper for a wealthy Hungarian divorcee in Pittsburgh’s affluent Fox Chapel area, providing Zoltan with glimpses into both poverty and wealth growing up.

2. School Memories and Culture Shock (16:46–19:23)

• Learning English: Tiny ESL “Classroom” (16:46):

  • Zoltan was placed in a makeshift ESL class for just two kids: himself and a Japanese boy named Simon. “All they did was convert like a broom closet into the ESL classroom...they didn’t have anything.” – Zoltan (17:10)

• Childhood Humiliation: The Pee Story (18:10):

  • Zoltan recalls peeing his pants in kindergarten because of a strict teacher, resulting in a flooded computer lab and a humiliating walk home, pants soaked, with a note pinned to his shirt.

3. Moving West: From Pittsburgh to San Diego (19:14–25:37)

• A Year in a Wealthy Pittsburgh Home (19:14–19:44):

  • Zoltan’s mother endured unfair working conditions as a housekeeper but connected with other immigrant women in similar roles.

• San Diego & Living with Santeria (21:12–25:04):

  • They move to San Diego, live briefly with Mexican roommates—one of whom practices Santeria—bringing candles and nightly rituals into their lives.
  • Walter Mercado, a televised fortune teller, becomes an unexpected staple of their TV time.
    • “My mom had to put candles out this one time... ‘cause she’s gotta have good juju for the rest of 1995.” – Zoltan (23:23)

• Trailer Park Life & The Working Class Ladder (25:04–26:56):

  • After a year, Zoltan’s mom meets an El Salvadorian man and they move into his trailer in a relatively safe San Diego trailer park.
  • Zoltan reflects on how trailer parks can be perfectly nice, not matching negative stereotypes.

4. School Life in California (27:01–29:28)

• Elementary and Middle School Transitions (27:01–28:23):

  • Initial transfer to a tougher school, but then rezoning allows Zoltan to attend a nicer elementary.
  • He talks about reconstructed San Marcos High, its gigantic population, and bittersweet memories.

• Band Class: Faking It Until He Was Busted (31:18–32:22):

  • Zoltan “pantomimed” playing the alto sax for months, until called out in front of class:
    • “I had not blown into this thing in months...just the screech that came out of this thing...” – Zoltan (32:14)
    • “He knew that I’d been…(faking it), he just stared at me.” – Zoltan (32:22)
  • The hosts laugh about the universal embarrassment of failing at childhood endeavors.

5. High School Football & Local Legends (33:10–39:13)

• Sports Participation for Social Reasons (33:10):

  • Zoltan joined football to be with friends, not for athletic prowess. He jokes about being a "sixth-string" middle linebacker.

• Legend of Ronnie Cop: A Teenage Father on the Team (35:08–38:29):

  • A larger-than-life teammate arrives as a freshman, already with a child. His dedication to the game and raw power set him apart, even if his grades (0.5 GPA) foreshadowed a short high school tenure.
    • “We’re 14, freshman year...he shows up, he’s got a baby...he had a cigarette, and he’s like, see you later, fellas. And we’re like, what a man.” – Zoltan (36:00)
    • Zoltan recounts a viral story about Ronnie, culminating in Ronnie’s son commenting online, “That’s my dad he’s talking about, and I’m the baby.” (38:24)

• “We Should Have Supported Him Like Ed Reed Did” (38:29–39:13):

  • Ryan shares how NFL legend Ed Reed helped a college teammate-tied down by fatherhood-by organizing babysitting among the team.

6. Family Dynamics and Generational Change (39:24–43:52)

• Thirteen-Year Younger Half-Brother (39:24):

  • Zoltan reflects on being an only child, then suddenly having a much younger brother (half Hungarian, half Salvadorian).
  • “That’s a fusion restaurant.” – Ryan (39:36)

• Mom’s Evolving Parenting: From Tough Immigrant to Holistic Parent (40:45–42:07):

  • Zoltan describes how he was raised with an "Eastern European, no-nonsense" approach, while his brother got the "holistic, deodorant-smuggling" version.

• Trying to Reconnect with Roots & Extended Family (42:46–43:52):

  • Zoltan aims to get his mom to visit Budapest for his show, but she avoids it to dodge problematic old acquaintances:
    • “My stupid godfather just wanted the cash instead of...the teeth...he wants the sauce and whatever he’s into. And it pissed my mom off so bad, she’s like, I’m not coming.” – Zoltan (43:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On being the only Zoltan:
  • “I hope. If there’s a second I kill him.” – Zoltan (05:35)
• Hungarian Community Pride:
  • “We see name and we go, that’s Hungarian. And they show up just to support nationalistic.” – Zoltan (06:43)
• On Pittsburgh’s ethnic enclaves:
  • “It’s all sausages and all—that’s all your food right there.” – Ryan (06:27)
• Stepparent’s constant presence:
  • “He was home all the time. I think he got laid off. And so whatever he did, he no longer did.” – Zoltan (08:24)
• Band class fiasco:
  • “Just the screech that came out of this thing...” – Zoltan (32:14)
• On football and Ronnie Cop:
  • “He had a baby...we’re 14, freshman year...and he’s like, see you later, fellas. And we’re like, what a man.” (36:00)
• Walter Mercado and Santeria:
  • “Walter Mercado said I gotta leave two candles outside the front of the door.” – Zoltan (23:33)
• On half-siblings and his dad:
  • “I assume I have a bunch of, like, half brothers and sisters, I would imagine...the gypsy musician floating around...” – Zoltan (42:27)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment/Topic | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:43 | Zoltan’s Hungarian roots & immigration story | | 06:43 | Hungarian expat community & nationalism | | 08:49 | Stepsisters and adjusting to American family life | | 09:43 | Mom becomes a live-in housekeeper, Fox Chapel experience | | 16:46 | ESL class “for two,” culture shock in school | | 18:10 | Peeing pants in kindergarten, humiliation | | 19:14 | Move to San Diego; meeting immigrant networks | | 21:12 | Living with Santeria; Walter Mercado’s nightly rituals | | 25:04 | Trailer park living in San Diego | | 27:01 | School transitions, Alvin Dunn Elementary, Dangerous Minds bit | | 31:18 | Pantomiming in band class; getting caught | | 33:10 | High school football—sixth-string linebacker | | 35:08 | Ronnie Cop: teammate, teen father legend | | 38:29 | Ed Reed and supporting teammates’ families | | 39:24 | Half-brother, generational parenting shifts | | 42:46 | Trying to get mom to Budapest show, family drama | | 43:52 | Episode wrap-up, plugs |

Tone and Style

The conversational style is irreverently funny, honest, and at times poignant, maintaining the warm comic banter characteristic of both Ryan Sickler and Zoltan Kaszas. The stories oscillate between hilarious self-deprecation and touching glimpses into an immigrant family’s resilience and adaptation.

Final Notes

• Promotions:
  • Zoltan’s special “London Fog” is streaming on YouTube. He encourages fans to watch it on TV: “Apparently go watch it on your TV because it counts as more views.” (04:42)
  • Zoltan’s tour dates are at zoltancomedy.com.
  • Ryan’s special “Live and Alive” is also on YouTube.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who enjoys heartfelt storytelling, immigrant narratives, and the everyday absurdities of growing up between cultures.