Podcast Summary: The Wayback #68 | Andy Richter

Released on April 17, 2025

Host: Ryan Sickler
Guest: Andy Richter
Podcast: The Wayback with Ryan Sickler

Introduction

The episode begins with a lively welcome as Ryan Sickler introduces his guest, Andy Richter, to "The Wayback."

• Ryan Sickler (00:01): "Welcome back to the Way Back everybody. Ryan Sickler here. Excited to have this guest in the Way Back with me today. Ladies and gentlemen, Andy Richter here in the Way."

• Andy Richter (00:17): "Hi there."

Childhood Memories

Family Cars and Rear-Facing Station Wagons

Ryan kicks off the conversation by inquiring about Andy's experiences with classic family vehicles, specifically rear-facing station wagons—a nostalgic nod to earlier decades.

• Ryan Sickler (01:14): "I start this episodes always by asking people if they ever sat in this old school wagon."

Andy reminisces about his childhood, detailing the Pontiac and Oldsmobile station wagons his family owned.

• Andy Richter (01:21): "We had a rear-facing station wagon. Yes, I. We had a few of them... a red Pontiac station wagon with a rear facing seat."
  (01:28)

• Andy Richter (02:37): "And I would love to have that car."
  (02:37)

He elaborates on the unique features of these cars, such as the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser's electric tailgate that seamlessly integrated into the car's body.

• Andy Richter (03:24): "The glass would go down and then that goes into the bottom of the car, which has got to be like... That car had to weigh 6,000 pounds because, you know, like, just for the structure."
  (03:34)

Early Work Life: Paper Routes and Accidents

Andy shares his early entrepreneurial ventures, primarily his paper routes delivering local newspapers. He vividly describes the challenges and mishaps of this teenage job.

• Andy Richter (04:31): "I had two paper routes. And the Kendall County Shopper was like one of those Penny Saver kind of papers that would come out once a week, but it was like 400 of them."
  (04:35)

A memorable anecdote involves an accident where Andy broke his leg while delivering papers, highlighting the physical risks of such jobs.

• Andy Richter (06:47): "But because she was backing off of a grade, my foot got caught in like a pothole or something and it snapped my foot back... I had a broken leg."
  (06:47)

Family Background

Grandfather's Influence and Game Farm Road

The conversation delves into Andy's family history, particularly his grandfather's prominent role in Illinois politics and conservation.

• Andy Richter (09:27): "He was the director of conservation of the state of Illinois, and we had over like 40 varieties of trees in that place."
  (09:27)

Andy describes the family home on Game Farm Road, built by his great-grandfather, and how his grandfather's political connections influenced their lives.

• Andy Richter (14:16): "So my grandpa was the director of conservation in the state for two terms."
  (14:16)

He recounts stories of the family yard, stocked ponds, and the effort to maintain the beauty of their property, often funded by state resources.

• Andy Richter (17:32): "And we used to have... he worked on our yard, which I just never processed until later... our family, my mother and her sisters went to school in Springfield, Illinois, because that was the state capital."
  (17:32)

Family Vacations

Adventures with Aunt Pat

Andy reflects on the diverse family vacations, often centered around visits to his adventurous Aunt Pat, who lived in various cities across the United States.

• Andy Richter (21:23): "And we would go visit her. That was a lot of our trips."
  (21:23)

He narrates memorable trips to San Francisco, including youthful escapades like watching neighbors' nudity, which left a lasting impression.

• Andy Richter (24:31): "We saw, like, right across the way, there was a little penthouse built on top of one of the buildings... they were married. And they would get home and they were nude all the time."
  (24:31)

Disney World and Universal Studios

Andy shares his experiences visiting major theme parks like Disney World and Universal Studios, emphasizing the joy and lasting memories these trips provided.

• Andy Richter (23:38): "We stayed at Disneyland Hotel... That's the big one."
  (23:38)

He highlights how these vacations fostered a sense of adventure and familial bonding.

Snow Days and Childhood Activities

Playing in the Snow

Transitioning to winter memories, Andy discusses snow days, a quintessential Midwest experience. He fondly recalls listening to local radio stations for school closures and enjoying outdoor activities.

• Andy Richter (26:50): "We had a neat, pristine driveway."
  (26:50)

The Snow Accident

A particularly vivid story involves Andy and his brother engaging in roughhousing during a heavy snowfall, resulting in a significant head injury.

• Andy Richter (28:55): "I fell face first with my hands tied to my side down a slope... I had a broken leg and I... had a purple half apple on my head."
  (28:57)

This incident serves as a humorous yet poignant highlight of carefree childhood antics gone awry.

Conclusion

As the episode winds down, Ryan and Andy exchange final thoughts, with Ryan prompting Andy to share promotions for his shows. Andy expresses gratitude for being part of "The Wayback," bringing his nostalgic tales full circle.

• Ryan Sickler (31:13): "We got to get you out of here, Andy. Thank you very much for doing this."
  (31:13)

• Andy Richter (31:21): "Questions podcast and the Andy Richter Calling show on SiriusXM."
  (31:21)

The episode closes with warm farewells, leaving listeners with a rich tapestry of Andy Richter's personal history intertwined with broader reflections on family, work, and growing up.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Richter (00:19): "I always, I always talk belly and balls."
• Andy Richter (02:37): "I would love to have that car."
• Andy Richter (06:47): "I think it's broken. I think it's broken. I think it's broken."
• Andy Richter (24:31): "They were married. And they would get home and they were nude all the time."
• Andy Richter (28:57): "I had a purple half apple on my head."

This episode of "The Wayback" with Andy Richter offers a heartfelt journey through personal anecdotes, blending humor with heartfelt reflections on childhood, family legacy, and the adventures that shape our lives.