Podcast Summary: The Wayback with Ryan Sickler – Episode 81: The Scar Brothers
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Host: Ryan Sickler
Guests: The Scar Brothers
Description: Ryan Sickler welcomes the Scar Brothers to "The Wayback" for an engaging trip down memory lane, filled with humorous anecdotes, heartfelt reflections, and insights into their creative endeavors.
Introduction and Welcome
Ryan Sickler kicks off Episode 81 by expressing gratitude to his audience for their unwavering support. He highlights the special nature of this episode, noting that it features a rare double guest appearance by the Scar Brothers.
Ryan Sickler (01:01): "Very excited today to have my guest here. This is a special treat. It's only the second time we've ever done the double guest here."
The Scar Brothers warmly greet the audience, setting a friendly and nostalgic tone for the episode.
Scar Brother 1 (01:36): "Oh, it feels so good to be in the way."
Promoting the Scar Brothers’ Work
Before delving into their stories, Ryan invites the Scar Brothers to promote their latest projects. They share details about their social media presence, live shows, and their unique approach to comedy.
Scar Brother 1 (01:49): "You can follow us on all any and all social medias at Scar Brothers. Brothers spelled all the way out. Come see us live. We do our tag it show regularly at the Comedy Store and at Largo."
They elaborate on their performance style, explaining how they interact with other comedians by writing and pitching jokes in real-time during live shows.
Scar Brother 1 (02:12): "We host the show and while they're performing, we're on the back of the stage just in the note sections of our phone, listening and writing tags and then pitching that. Then afterwards we pitch our tags on stage in front of the audience."
Ryan appreciates their collaborative spirit and the joy they find in supporting fellow comedians.
Ryan Sickler (02:46): "The joy I get watching you laugh at other comedians, but the generosity in your laugh, to me, is one of the best things in all of comedy."
Nostalgic Childhood Memories
The conversation shifts to the Scar Brothers' childhood, filled with vivid memories from their early years in St. Louis. They recount humorous and heartwarming stories about their family dynamics, upbringing, and the adventures they embarked on together.
Carpool Chronicles
One standout memory involves their aunt, Linda Wallace, who chauffeured them daily to various destinations. The brothers humorously describe the cramped and unconventional seating arrangement in their family car.
Scar Brother 1 (07:26): "She would drive us carpool to where. So it was to j. Like Hebrew school. But on the way, we would have to stop at her son's allergist so he could get a shot."
A particularly memorable incident occurred when their father decided to help a stranger on a rainy night, showcasing his compassionate yet perplexing decision-making.
Scar Brother 1 (09:35): "Our dad pulls over and picks this guy up. Which. That was our car."
Basement Adventures and Games
The Scar Brothers delve into their imaginative playtime in their finished basement, where they engaged in various games like indoor soccer and tag. They fondly remember the rustic ping pong table and the homemade games that filled their childhood with laughter and competition.
Scar Brother 1 (13:25): "We had our dad's old wood from the 1950s wood wood table... it would have like chunks of the wood. So then it became..."
They also reminisce about their passion for soccer, attending St. Louis Steamers games, and even celebrating their 12th birthdays at the arena.
Scar Brother 1 (15:38): "Which, back then, I think tickets were like five bucks or like seven bucks until it was awesome and the kids loved it."
Defining Moments and Family Bonds
The episode highlights pivotal moments that shaped the Scar Brothers' identities and strengthened their bond. From memorable road trips to visits with cousins who introduced them to new interests, these experiences played a significant role in their development.
Road Trips and Culinary Adventures
Their annual drives to Canton, Ohio, are recounted with enthusiasm, especially their visits to Shapiro's Deli in Indianapolis, famous for its hot corned beef on toasted rye.
Scar Brother 1 (31:07): "It's downtown, near Lucas Oil now. But, like, there was the best hot corned beef on toasted rye. The corned beef is so hot, it melts potatoes between it."
These trips not only provided culinary delights but also fostered a deep appreciation for family traditions and regional specialties.
Creative Pursuits and Early Projects
The Scar Brothers share anecdotes about their early forays into creativity, including their interactions with local radio personalities and their passion for music inspired by artists like Michael Jackson.
Scar Brother 1 (18:55): "We were like huge Michael Jackson fans, like back then because we were young boys and we were the right age to be a Michael Jackson."
Their collaborative spirit is evident as they discuss building a pinball machine at home, mirroring their childhood experiences.
Scar Brother 1 (22:00): "He bought an actual pinball machine, which he spent like a couple hundred bucks on this pinball machine... It was so joyous to have that thing there."
Adventures in Mischief and Lessons Learned
The brothers candidly discuss their youthful misadventures, including experimenting with alcohol and the occasional run-in with the law. These stories are shared with a mix of humor and reflective insight, illustrating the lessons they've learned over the years.
Scar Brother 1 (25:09): "We smoked some weed in high school and we, you know, like we, we drank and smoked weed and never really snuck."
A particularly sobering moment involves their encounter with the police during a wine coolers incident, highlighting their early brush with authority.
Scar Brother 1 (26:28): "And the cops rolled up and we were like, oh, like, we know. I mean, there's nowhere to run."
Exploring Identity and Family Secrets
A significant portion of the episode delves into the Scar Brothers' quest to uncover their true identities. They reveal a deeply personal story about discovering that they might be "pill twins" – twins conceived through fertility treatments rather than naturally.
Scar Brother 1 (55:27): "We're the products of fertility pills. We're not okay. Genetic twins. We were some medical 1972 pill twin."
The brothers recount their journey to verify their origins, including reaching out to media outlets and contacting forensic specialists. This exploration into their past leads them to create a two-man show titled "The Bourne Identity," which examines themes of identity, family, and self-discovery.
Scar Brother 1 (48:35): "that's what the show's about, and that's what we think life is about."
They emphasize the profound realization that understanding one’s parents and their histories is crucial to forming one’s own identity and becoming parents themselves.
Scar Brother 1 (49:26): "When you start to understand the full picture of the story of your family and your life and where you fit in, then you start to understand how hard it is to be a parent and that they were just doing their best."
Humorous Interludes and Visual Memories
Throughout the episode, the Scar Brothers share amusing stories and engage in lighthearted banter, often referencing nostalgic items like old hairstyles, vintage clothing, and childhood photographs. They showcase photographs from their past, highlighting how certain memories and shared experiences have shaped their bond.
Scar Brother 1 (43:00): "Look at that. Just put the bowl on it. Oh my God."
They also humorously discuss their identical but distinct appearances, reminiscing about how their mother distinguished between them as infants.
Scar Brother 1 (44:37): "So she can remember. We are dressed like silent... So the one time she dressed us exactly alike, we were six weeks old."
Promoting Current and Upcoming Shows
As the episode nears its end, the Scar Brothers return to promoting their current projects, including upcoming live shows and their tag-it style performances. They encourage listeners to follow their journey and attend their performances to experience their unique comedic style firsthand.
Scar Brother 1 (61:46): "SuperScalars.com has all of our dates in the middle of August, 14th through the 16th will be at CB Live. CB Live in in Phoenix. All those dates. SuperScalars.com."
Closing Remarks
Ryan wraps up the episode by expressing his appreciation for the Scar Brothers' participation and the delightful stories shared throughout the session. He looks forward to future collaborations and encourages listeners to tune in for upcoming episodes.
Ryan Sickler (62:09): "Thank you both. Dude, you're the best as always, Ryan Sickler on all your social media. We'll talk to y'all next week."
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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Ryan Sickler (02:46): "The joy I get watching you laugh at other comedians, but the generosity in your laugh, to me, is one of the best things in all of comedy."
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Scar Brother 1 (07:26): "She would drive us carpool to where. So it was to j. Like Hebrew school."
-
Scar Brother 1 (15:38): "Which, back then, I think tickets were like five bucks or like seven bucks until it was awesome and the kids loved it."
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Scar Brother 1 (25:09): "We smoked some weed in high school and we, you know, like we, we drank and smoked weed and never really snuck."
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Scar Brother 1 (55:27): "We're the products of fertility pills. We're not okay. Genetic twins. We were some medical 1972 pill twin."
-
Scar Brother 1 (48:35): "that's what the show's about, and that's what we think life is about."
-
Scar Brother 1 (61:46): "SuperScalars.com has all of our dates in the middle of August, 14th through the 16th will be at CB Live. CB Live in in Phoenix."
Key Themes and Insights
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Shared Childhood Experiences: The Scar Brothers emphasize the strength of their bond, forged through shared adventures, family interactions, and joint creative endeavors from a young age.
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Navigating Identity: A central theme is their exploration of personal identity, particularly in discovering they might be pill twins. This journey underscores the importance of understanding one's origins in shaping self-identity.
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Family Dynamics: Stories about their parents, especially their father's compassionate yet quirky actions, highlight the complexities and unconditional support within their family unit.
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Creative Collaboration: The Scar Brothers’ approach to live comedy and their tag-it show format illustrate their innovative methods of collaboration and real-time creativity.
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Humor in Adversity: Despite facing personal and familial challenges, the brothers use humor as a tool to navigate and reflect on their experiences, turning memories into engaging storytelling.
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Nostalgia and Reflection: The episode is a testament to the power of nostalgia, as the Scar Brothers and Ryan Sickler delve into past memories with a blend of humor and heartfelt reflection, offering listeners both entertainment and insight.
Conclusion
Episode 81 of "The Wayback with Ryan Sickler" offers listeners an intimate glimpse into the lives of the Scar Brothers. Through a tapestry of humorous anecdotes, poignant reflections, and discussions on identity and family, the episode captures the essence of lasting brotherly bonds and the journey of self-discovery. The Scar Brothers' upcoming projects, especially their two-man show "The Bourne Identity," promise to further explore these themes, potentially taking their heartfelt and humorous storytelling to Broadway. Ryan Sickler masterfully orchestrates the conversation, ensuring that even those unfamiliar with the Scar Brothers can appreciate the depth and charm of their stories.
