We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dave Hondel. Check out our conversation below.
Dave, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I believe that a lot of people, all over the world struggle with anxiety and depression. Given the ever increasing demands placed upon them, not only monetary expectations, but social expectations. With social media becoming an almost addictive habit that many people have, it almost adds to the enormous pressure to be a certain type of person that people either want us to be or try and force us to be.
If we do not conform with what society says we should be, there’s a shame that is placed upon us. I also think that for many cultures, depression is considered weakness, which adds to the stigma that saying you need help comes with, especially men in my opinion. Men are taught to be strong and masculine at an early age and unfortunately many struggle internally when they need help, but are afraid to seek it.
I lost my father to suicide at an early age and I have been outspoken about depression for a long time and because of my experience, I try and treat every person I meet with kindness and respect, not knowing what struggle they may be facing at that time.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dave Hondel and I grew up in Minneapolis, MN, I am the host of the podcast, The Stage Door Show, heard on all platforms.
What led me to be a podcast host started in the 1980’s. I was always interested in making movies at an early age and when Hollywood came to town to film movies such as Purple Rain, Mighty Ducks, Grumpy Old Men and several others, I was cast as an extra on some projects and caught the filmmaking bug. In high school, I was part of our first TV production class with a full working studio. I made student projects alongside classmates, actor, Steve Zahn and Professional Wrestling Producer, David Webber. With this great experience, I went on to make short films and eventually, through networking, became a music video producer and director. I was fortunate to have some success with a song that was nominated for a 2008 Grammy Award “I Apologize” by artist, Ann Nesby.
As the industry went through a sort of evolution throughout the years, TV networks went from playing music videos, to airing reality shows in their place and I continued to work my day career as a corporate trainer and directed music videos as the opportunities arose.
During the Covid pandemic, I decided to take advantage of being home and set up a studio. I began recording my first podcast, The Stage Door Show. Using my contacts in the music business and reaching out to public relations companies, I started interviewing celebrities about their career paths and journey in the entertainment industry to try and help young artists that listen to the show reach their potential. One of my first interviews was with the legendary, Ed Asner. I was hooked after that interview and now, I am about to record my 300th podcast that can be heard on iHeart Radio, Apple, Spotify and many others. Since that time, I have had a variety of artists to ensure I reach a broad audience base. Our goal is to celebrate the independent artist of all genres in the art world.
The great part of this has been the celebrities we interview love what we’re doing so much that they ask to return to the show often and also follow some of our independent artists that we showcase. For me, it’s been an amazing journey being able to meet and become friends with artists from around the globe. We have no intentions of slowing down or ending any time soon. We love that we have loyal listeners and are gaining new ones every day. It’s been exciting.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I was in about 5th grade and they were looking for an emcee for the school’s talent show. I was incredibly shy and would often sit in the back of the room where nobody would see me. My teacher asked me to emcee the event, which was held in front of the entire school population. For some reason, I agreed to do it because nobody else would. I was so nervous that I became physically ill. But something inside me said “you can do this!” I had internal arguments with this voice and somehow the voice won and there I stood, in front of all of my classmates about to introduce the first act, a piano performance of Rhapsody in Blue. I mispronounced it (not knowing I did), but from that point on, I was a different person. I was confident, stood straight and announced each act as if I was Ed Sullivan himself introducing the Beatles. It was exhilarating and it was a turning point in my young life. A shy young man, who lost his father, who now, could do anything I set my mind to. It was a life changing event for sure.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
When I was growing up, my mom remarried and my stepfather did not see eye to eye with my brother and I, so there was always tension in the house. My mom was a housekeeper for many years and did everything she could to make ends meet. We barely made it. Because of my relationship with my stepfather and the fact that he and my mom had a lot of heated arguments, I was embarrassed to have anyone over to my house, so I spent a lot of time at the local park with friends to avoid being home. We always had the knockoff version of the newest shoes or clothes, which my friends would readily recognize, but I always knew that the struggle we went through taught me from a very young age that if you want something, it was never handed to you. You had to work hard to earn everything.
I have always kept that mindset with me through adulthood. To this day, I still shop at the thrift stores and secondhand shops because I have always been taught to not be wasteful, especially with money. I feel that if everything I did was a success, there would be no reason to reinvent myself. I feel that unless you have some struggle and learn how to overcome, you become complacent.
I feel that all of the struggles I faced as a child was a blessing and I always know it was that way to prepare me for the future.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think that my friends will tell you that what really matters to me is compassion towards others. I think when you grow up in a dysfunctional dynamic, you never want anyone else to experience that, so you go out of your way to be nice to people and make their day a little better. There are times that I feel down myself and it’s hard to boost someone else’s day, but whenever I can, I try and be the bright spot for others when I know they’re having a tough day.
It doesn’t take a lot to say hello or hold the door for someone. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I always end all of my podcasts with this very question. Not because I know how I would answer this, but because, I’m always interested in what others will say.
I can only hope that people will think that, although I wasn’t a perfect person, I always treated everyone with kindness and respect. That when it’s all said and done, “Dave was a good guy.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.davehondel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestagedoorshow/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestagedoorshow/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStageDoorShowOfficial
Image Credits
Photo Credits: Elliott Ramsdell, Kayla Arroyo
