Detailed Summary: The Wayback #71 | Kim Congdon
Podcast Information:
Title: The Wayback with Ryan Sickler
Host: Ryan Sickler
Guest: Kim Congdon
Episode: 71
Release Date: May 8, 2025
Description: Ryan Sickler and his guests take a seat in “The Wayback” for a nostalgic, wild ride filled with laughter, fond memories, and a touch of wistful reflection. Buckle up.
Introduction: Welcoming Kim Congdon
In the 71st episode of The Wayback with Ryan Sickler, host Ryan Sickler kicks off the conversation by expressing heartfelt gratitude to his audience for their continuous support. He enthusiastically introduces his guest, Kim Congdon, setting the stage for an engaging and nostalgic dialogue.
Ryan Sickler ([00:32]): “Thank you for real for supporting anything that I do. I don’t care what it is.”
Kim joins Ryan, bringing her unique experiences and stories to the table, promising listeners a memorable episode filled with personal anecdotes and reflections.
Haunted Beginnings in St. Augustine
Kim Congdon delves into her unconventional childhood, sharing that she was born and raised in a haunted house in St. Augustine, Florida. She recounts eerie family stories and the supernatural atmosphere that surrounded her early years.
Kim Congdon ([03:17]): “We lived in a haunted house when you were born.”
Kim describes how her parents resided in the guest house of one of the most haunted residences in St. Augustine. Although she was just a baby and had no direct experiences with the hauntings, family photographs reveal ghostly figures, sparking her lifelong fascination with the paranormal.
Haunted House Stories:
- Kim shares tales of ghostly apparitions, including white figures appearing in her baby photos.
- Her mother recounted haunting incidents, such as piano-related witchcraft attempts to revive a deceased daughter’s body.
- The house was a hotspot for paranormal investigations, once almost turning into a movie titled The House.
Kim Congdon ([04:24]): “She left me in the arms of these people... trying to revive her body with witchcraft.”
These stories paint a vivid picture of Kim’s eerie upbringing, blending family lore with supernatural elements.
Childhood Games and Early Mischief
As the conversation shifts to childhood, Kim reminisces about the imaginative and sometimes wild games she played with her sister, inspired by the wild antics of shows like Jerry Springer.
Kim Congdon ([08:26]): “We caught dad cheating or I was taking my sister away, like, I’m taking my kid.”
These games were not only a form of entertainment but also a way for Kim and her sister to cope with and escape from the tumultuous environment at home. The playful yet dramatic scenarios reflect their creativity and resilience as children.
Navigating Chat Rooms and Teenage Challenges
Kim opens up about her teenage years, particularly her experiences in online chat rooms. At a young age, she and her friend Rachel engaged with older men, a situation fraught with discomfort and potential danger.
Kim Congdon ([09:57]): “Perverts are relentless. You can roast them, you can make them feel shitty. And they’re relentless. They’re insatiable, truly.”
Kim and Rachel employed humor and sharp wit to deal with inappropriate advances, showcasing their solidarity and strength in navigating these challenging interactions. This period highlights Kim’s early encounters with online safety and the importance of friendship in overcoming adversity.
Family Dynamics and Embarrassing Punishments
Kim candidly discusses her relationship with her mother, whose disciplinary methods were often public and humiliating. These experiences have had a lasting impact on Kim’s views on relationships and conflict resolution.
Kim Congdon ([21:14]): “When I got my period, she called everyone in our family and made it so obvious at dinner.”
Her mother’s tactics included:
- Publicly shaming her by exposing personal matters.
- Dropping Kim’s clothes at school or work, forcing her to retrieve them in front of peers.
- Using embarrassment as a punishment for typical adolescent behavior.
These harsh disciplinary measures contributed to Kim’s reluctance to engage in public confrontations and her preference for resolving conflicts privately.
Struggles with School and Summer Classes
Academically, Kim faced fluctuating performance levels, often attending summer school as a result of poor grades. Her lack of academic focus was partly due to minimal parental pressure, contrasting with her sister’s more disciplined approach.
Kim Congdon ([23:00]): “Summer school was kind of fun. All the bad kids went and they sold good snacks.”
Summer school provided Kim with:
- A social outlet among peers facing similar academic challenges.
- Opportunities to enjoy simple pleasures like snacks, making the experience more bearable.
- A sporadic academic record, with her only straight-A year occurring when motivated by a peer, and a subsequent return to failing grades.
This inconsistency in her academic life underscores the impact of her home environment on her educational pursuits.
Family Karaoke Parties and Musical Influence
Kim fondly recalls her family’s love for karaoke parties, a significant part of their social life. These gatherings were not only fun but also a reflection of her parents' personalities and interests.
Kim Congdon ([26:37]): “She was in a cover band now.”
Key aspects of these karaoke parties included:
- Her mother’s favorite song was “Zombie” by The Cranberries.
- Her stepdad was actively involved in a cover band named The Comeback Kid.
- These musical endeavors fostered a lively and creative family atmosphere, despite underlying tensions.
Through these shared musical experiences, Kim developed a deep appreciation for music and performance, traits that continue to influence her life today.
Favorite Toys and Nostalgic Games
Reflecting on her childhood, Kim mentions some of her favorite toys and games that brought joy and creativity into her life.
Kim Congdon ([30:02]): “Dream Phone... it's a board game.”
Dream Phone:
- A popular board game where players call out to match with their “dream guy”.
- Involved playful interaction and a bit of teenage flirtation, encapsulating the innocent crushes of adolescence.
90s Projector and Flashlight Set:
- A nostalgic favorite that allowed Kim and her friends to create ghostly images on walls.
- Included a projector, flashlight, and a light pen for drawing, sparking endless hours of imaginative play.
- They often used it to create humorous and inappropriate drawings, adding a mischievous twist to their fun.
Kim Congdon ([31:10]): “We make inappropriate pictures... it was one of our favorites.”
These toys represent Kim’s creative spirit and the inventive ways she and her friends entertained themselves during their youth.
Conclusion and Promotions
As the episode winds down, Kim takes the opportunity to promote her various projects, ensuring listeners know where to find more of her work.
Kim Congdon ([32:03]): “Check out KimCongden.com, Childless Milf on YouTube, Magic Prank Show on Netflix, this podcast with Sarah Weinshank, The Kim Congdon Takeover, all out wherever you find podcasts.”
Ryan wraps up by expressing his appreciation for Kim’s openness and the joy she brought to the conversation.
Ryan Sickler ([31:54]): “You’re one of my favorites, and I love you. Thank you for doing. This is a lot of fun.”
Notable Quotes
- Ryan Sickler ([00:32]): “Thank you for real for supporting anything that I do. I don’t care what it is.”
- Kim Congdon ([03:17]): “We lived in a haunted house when you were born.”
- Kim Congdon ([08:35]): “Jerry Springer at five is wild.”
- Kim Congdon ([09:57]): “Perverts are relentless. You can roast them, you can make them feel shitty. And they’re relentless. They’re insatiable, truly.”
- Kim Congdon ([21:14]): “When I got my period, she called everyone in our family and made it so obvious at dinner.”
- Kim Congdon ([30:02]): “Dream Phone... it's a board game.”
- Ryan Sickler ([31:54]): “You’re one of my favorites, and I love you. Thank you for doing. This is a lot of fun.”
Overall Impression
Episode 71 of The Wayback with Ryan Sickler provides a captivating glimpse into Kim Congdon’s life, blending eerie childhood memories with humorous and challenging teenage experiences. The heartfelt and candid conversation highlights the complexities of family dynamics, the resilience developed through early adversities, and the nostalgic joys of youthful creativity. For listeners seeking an engaging and heartfelt narrative, this episode delivers a rich tapestry of memories and lessons learned.