“I’m sure I have quirks that the listeners could probably build a drinking game around, but all I can do is be me!”
Have you tuned into the Danglin’ After Dark podcast yet?
If you haven’t, you’re missing out, because it’s a hoot and features some of the best-known talent in the adult industry. Described as a show “about all things adult” covering “sexuality and all the things that make us tick” it’s hosted by the charismatic and witty Dick Dangle who says Danglin’ After Dark is as much about comedy as it is about sexuality “because making people comfortable with these topics is half the battle.”
Obviously, Dick’s secret sauce works (excuse the bad pun) as Danglin’ After Dark has been running for eight years and has over 400 episodes and counting. Here’s a guy who knows how to wield an interview and get the most out of his subjects.
Which brings us to this interview.
It hardly seems fair that Dick is always interviewing everyone else, and no one interviews him. YNOT had to correct this appalling oversight, so here we are. Enjoy some behind the scenes time and get down and dirty with the man, the myth, the legend, Dick Dangle.
How did you get your start in podcasting?
Back when dinosaurs walked the earth, a friend of mine was a part of a podcast and asked if I’d like to join in. After a year or so of being on that show, I told the host (my friend and my show guest host The Stepfather) about my idea. He thought it had potential, so we recorded a few tests and then ran with it.
It blows my mind to think I’m now over 410 episodes into this!
What was the impetus to start Danglin’ After Dark?
A lot of it came from my love of the adult industry and wanting to present it in a positive light. My first convention was in 2008, and since then, my love has only grown. It also came from my comfort with sex and my own sexuality. I enjoy being open about my experiences and letting listeners know that sex isn’t always perfect, but it can always be fun!
What do you love about interviewing people from the adult industry?
I really enjoy getting to know people but engaging with and getting to know adult performers and sex workers is amazing. I love presenting a different side of them. It’s easy to ask the standard, hackneyed questions, so I try to let them show their personality and creativity.
If I do have fun with a topic or question, I use it as a way for them to show their sense of humor. You can hear performers relax when they realize how I conduct interviews. It’s about letting the listener know the person behind the performer. And being able to call a number of these fantastic people my friends is more than I could ask for!
What goes in to creating a show and getting it ready to hit the airwaves?
A lot more than people may think. I look for articles to talk about that can be fun and informative. If I’m doing an interview, the information-to-question process can take an hour or so. Recording all the parts, editing, uploading and such can take about 3-4 hours per episode. It’s probably more than most shows, but I like to make sure Danglin’ After Dark is as listenable as possible. And since I’m a one-man crew, it can take some time to make sure I stay ahead of the game.
How long has the show been on and why do you think it continues to be so popular with listeners?
My show launched in July 2014, so over 8 years. It’s crazy to think it’s been that long! It’s popularity still surprises me, but I think listeners enjoy it because it’s fun, but not overly sophomoric. Also, I have great co-hosts who each bring something different to the show (The Stepfather, Dahlia Dee, and Madalynn Raye). And I think I approach the topics in a comfortable way, which makes it more relatable and accessible – being creative with description and not just graphic is entertaining to me.
I’m sure I have quirks that the listeners could probably build a drinking game around, but all I can do is be me!
You were generous enough to give away over 500 Playboy Magazines for prizes at the Exxxotica Expo in New Jersey back in October. How did you collect so many over the years, and how did you find it in your heart to let them go?
I would pick up groups of magazines from time to time online, but when I started to gain a good collection, I decided to see what I could curate. When many people got away from physical media, I dove in! My record and CD collection will attest to this as well! Before I knew it, I had almost every Playboy issue from 1969-2014! And that doesn’t count all the other brands I have.
The magazines I’m parting with were extras from the bundles that I bought, so why not spread the wealth and make like-minded people happy?
I mean, who doesn’t like free and sexy nostalgia?
When was the first time you looked at a Playboy Magazine? How old were you and were you scared to get caught? Any stories?
So scared! LOL! I was in my early teens, and I was sleeping over at a friend’s house when he told me about his Dad’s Playboy stash in the basement. They were from the 1970’s. When my friend fell asleep, I went down and looked through them all. Needless to say, I slept over there a lot!
Do you have any funny behind the scenes stories of working on the podcast?
Every once and a while, I’ll place a blooper at the end of the episode. They don’t fit in the flow of conversation or maybe something happens in-studio, but they are too funny to take completely out. But my funniest was recording an interview in a gentlemen’s club a few years back and having two dancers and two costumers walk in. The ladies were in a state of undress. It was a stare-down for the ages! One dancer said, “We’ll find another room.” and closed the door. LOL!
All kidding aside, what do you hope to achieve with your podcast?
Personally, a lot of what I want to do is based in continuing to express myself and have fun.
I have several projects that are in development that will hopefully be released by spring 2023. I’m open to so many ideas. I believe in the adult community as a community in its truest sense, so I love the thought of collaborating with people, sharing my knowledge and allowing others to find their voice in whatever manner that may be. Then, when no one is looking, I will take over the world! Muahahahaha! Wait, did I say that out loud?
What goals do you have for Danglin’ After Dark in the next few years?
My goals are to continue to grow my audience, learn as much as I can, and try to get on other shows and podcasts to spread the word of Pervert Nation. I also like the thought of helping others develop their own shows. A lot of what I want is to be a good representative for the adult community. Life is too short to not live the life you want!
Follow Dick Dangle on Twitter @TheDickDangle and Instagram @danglinafterdark. Catch his episodes on his website at DanglinAfterDark.com and subscribe on iTunes.
