Dave Hondel is the host of the popular ‘The Stage Door Show’ podcast, available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc. Dave celebrates independent artists of all genres and often has celebrities as guests on the show. I truly enjoy listening to his show, where he asks thoughtful questions that encourage inspiring answers. Dave has experience in many entertainment fields himself (film, music, photography), so he has knowledgeable insights to draw on, as well as curiosity that seeks to know more.
Three of Dave’s most popular podcast guests have been Jerry Mathers, Toni Basil, and Chris Kirkpatrick (‘NSYNC). Other notable guests have been legendary actor Ed Asner, legendary singer Deniece Williams, and more.
I wanted to delve into more details about Dave Hondel and his podcast, so I reached out to ask what or who inspired him to start it, how he got started with distributing it, how long he’s been publishing it, what challenges he’s had to overcome, and more. Read the interview below:
Wendy Shepherd: You always ask such great questions of your guests. Who or what inspired you to start doing an entertainment podcast?
Dave Hondel: About 20 years ago, I produced and directed music videos for R&B and Gospel artists; many of the artists with varied success. Some were Grammy winners, and some were newer artists who were recently signed by a label. During my time in the music business, I saw some artists who were not being treated appropriately by their respective labels and also were making some mistakes that newer artists tend to make, like showing up late to call times or to interviews, and seeing these missteps, I was inspired to do what I could to help newer artists. During the pandemic, I took the opportunity to start my podcast, “The Stage Door Show,” as a way to not only celebrate independent artists but also to have celebrities join the show to discuss their career paths and what pitfalls to avoid as a new artist.
We were able to amass many listeners, a substantial number of them newer, independent artists. I was able to use my contacts in the entertainment business to help book great guests, and we had a great start. Some early guests were Ed Asner, Chris Kirkpatrick (NSYNC), Deniece Williams, and Toni Basil. Celebrities love our platform, and many say they wish they had this resource when they were getting started.
W.S.: Was there a specific idea or influence that made you want to get involved in the podcasting world?
D.H.: My brother has been in radio for over 30 years, having his own show, and I was always in production, so being near a microphone has always been comfortable for me. I love talking to people, and I love to learn as much as I can about my guests because I genuinely care what they are saying, and I learn so much about how they became an artist and when they started experiencing the ability to make it their living. The main reason was to help the independent artist reach their goals in a tough industry.
W.S.: Where did you learn how to start and distribute your podcast? When did you launch your first episode?
D.H.: Our first episode launched on March 27th, 2020, and we are about to record our 300th episode. A friend of mine, who is a successful comedian, told me about a format for podcasting at the time. That was set up like a radio call-in type platform where you could take callers on the program, and it was set up like a radio station. I started with that format; however, there was a 2-second delay between the guest and me on the phone, so that we would talk over each other, and it took a long time to edit the show. I went to Spotify and was able to quickly set up a free account and an RSS feed. Every show I posted was sent out to several platforms just by posting it to Spotify. I also contacted iHeart Radio and applied to be on their large network and was accepted to be on their free app, which has proven to be one of my most listened to platforms.
W.S.: How long have you been doing interviews for your show? What are some challenges you had to overcome?
D.H. In March of 2026, we will hit our 6th year of doing interviews. The biggest challenge is that I have had a corporate career for several years, scheduling shows, working around my career, and spending time with my wife. Even though it is a challenge, I do not look at it as a negative at all. I’m very fortunate to have the job I do. I schedule shows when I’m available, edit and post them when I know I have free time to do so, as long as I continue to communicate with the artist and the PR/Management company they are represented by.
I have talked with more than one actor who has been in big movies and TV shows, and they have all told me independently that they have always had their main career outside of entertainment, all the while auditioning and booking roles. Some artists will take the leap and not have a steady job or income, and they become another casualty of the industry when they can no longer afford to live because they haven’t taken care of the essentials like paying rent and putting food on the table. I have always kept my career outside of entertainment to ensure a stable work/life balance.
W.S.: Can you tell me about your typical podcasting process, from idea to upload?
D.H.: I will usually reach out to artists that I like to watch or listen to. I also get contacted by Public Relations firms that may have an upcoming project to promote. Once I schedule a time for the interview, usually over Zoom, I will begin researching the guest and the project we are promoting. I always keep my talking points focused on what an independent artist listening to the show will find helpful as they absorb the conversation.
After the interview, I typically give the editing process a few days before posting the show to make sure the final audio output is as professional as possible. I then start to promote the interview on social media to inform my listeners when they can enjoy the interview. Normally, the night before the drop date, I will post it to my RSS feed, and by morning, it will be live on all platforms.
W.S.: What are some show highlights you can share? What topics/ genres do you typically cover?
D.H.: There are two highlights that stand out. I was one of Ed Asner’s final interviews before he passed away. That was very special to me. He was very complimentary of my work, which gave me confidence that I was doing a rather good job at interviewing people. My other highlight would be Toni Basil’s second appearance on the show, where she wanted to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her number one hit “Mickey” on my show as the exclusive interview. Toni loves The Stage Door Show and has been on three times over the past 6 years.
Our topics are how to navigate the entertainment industry the right way and how to present yourself on set or at auditions. The genres we cover would be anyone who could walk through a stage door of any kind. We’ve even had champion professional athletes on the show!
W.S.: If you could have anyone in the world as a guest on your show, who would it be?
D.H.: There are two. One would be Denzel Washington, and the other would be Kevin Costner. I’ve admired their work over the years, and I would love to ask them what they think the secret is to their longevity in such a hard business.
W.S.: Where do you see your podcast heading next? What plans or changes will there be?
D.H.: After the 300th episode around the first of the year, I am working on making the show more interactive, where we will not only conduct interviews, but also have a short story at the end of the interview, where actors would tell a story, complete with sound effects like old radio theatre shows of the past. The scripts would be written by independent writers. This will not only give the writers the chance to display their work but will also allow actors to highlight their skills. We may also add background music from independent musicians out there. We’re very excited about that!
W.S.: You have experience in the entertainment world. What projects are you working on that you’d like to let people know about?
D.H.: For the third year, I am the voice of the iconic window unveiling and light show at Rockefeller Center. Last time, I was fortunate to introduce Elton John to the stage, and this year, it’s the New York City Rockettes. I am also producing and editing a documentary that I cannot mention the name of, but it will be out in the first part of 2026. We will keep everyone updated on social media once it gets closer to release. Stay tuned for that!
W.S.: What do you want people to take away from the interviews you showcase on your show?
D.H.: There are two main things I want people to take away. One is to never quit, no matter how much you think the cards are stacked against you, keep pushing through. You will get to where you want to be if you just keep going. The second is to preserve the legacy of those who came before. Research the artists who paved the way for you, and do not forget them, and help keep their names and work alive in what you do.
Thank you, Dave! I look forward to hearing more about the documentary and will continue watching your business grow.
Everyone can check out more details about Dave Hondel at https://www.davehondel.com, and follow him on Instagram.
Photographer credits: Feature photo with art by Kayla Arroyo and NYC with bikes photo by Jessica Hondel.
