Podcast Summary

Podcast: Bawdy Storytelling
Host: Dixie De La Tour
Episode: 59 – “Hunger and Optimism” (Storyteller: Tuesday June)
Date: January 31, 2019

Episode Overview

This episode of Bawdy Storytelling, hosted by sexual folklorist Dixie De La Tour, centers on themes of sexual discovery, vulnerability, and community support within kink and sex-positive spaces. The highlight is storyteller Tuesday June’s raw, hilarious, and moving account of a night at San Francisco’s legendary sex club, the Power Exchange. The episode explores navigating boundaries, the unpredictability of sexual encounters, and the surprise sense of safety that can emerge even in the most vulnerable moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dixie’s Introduction and Reflections

• [01:50] Dixie shares a personal update on coping with depression, her partner’s job loss, and the challenges of adjusting routines.
  • Positive moments include helping an erotic artist craft her story and receiving a touching voice memo from a fan.
  • Dixie encourages listeners to connect by sending voice recordings or seeking her for storytelling coaching.
  • Quote: “Attaching a voice memo, talking to me, that would make me really happy.” (03:10)

Tuesday June’s Story: From Awkward First Date to Sexual Self-Discovery

Setting the Scene

• [04:53] “Okay, so I’m laying on my back and I’m naked, and I have three lovely assistants to this side. And I have my date Jeff in fucking position in front of me…”
  • Tuesday finds herself on a massive circular bed at a sex club, an audience of 75 watching.
  • The story flashes back to explain how she landed there.

The Disastrous First Date

• Tuesday and Jeff meet via alt.com; hope is high due to matched dom/sub dynamics and detailed pre-date kink checklists.
• Romantic Letdown: At dinner, they realize there’s no chemistry – “Anthony Michael Hall showed up. Very fuckable to somebody, but not me.”
  • They opt to continue the evening as friends and head to the Power Exchange, San Francisco.

Consent and Cautious Beginnings

• [08:00] Unfamiliar and nervous about the club, Tuesday insists on stopping at a bar (Martoonies) to discuss boundaries and have a consent conversation.
• Amidst a loud drag show, Jeff begins groping her while asking what she wants to drink, highlighting awkward sexual negotiation:
  • Quote: “I don’t know if you can keep me safe. Can you keep me safe? Because I’m fucking terrified.” (09:48)

First Experiences at the Power Exchange

• Entering the club, there’s a coat-and-clothing check; Tuesday keeps her coat for a sense of safety.
• The club has cells and a “fuck swing.” Intrigued, Tuesday tries the swing:
  • Quote: “What’s really great about fucking in a fuck swing… I now know what ‘go with the flow’ means. It was just all lovely.” (11:45)
  • Performing in front of the crowd, she discovers a new kink:
  • Quote: “They all had the same look on their faces, and it was this combination of hunger and optimism… I’m an exhibitionist. Okay, now I know.” (12:11)

The Quest for Double Penetration (and the Joy of Volunteers)

• Tuesday and her new friends continue to various areas, collecting a supportive crew.
• She declares a fantasy—double penetration—though she’s never tried anal sex, clarifying her focus is on “just being greedy.”
• Comic Misadventures:
  • The youngest volunteer, John, fetches his cousin who resembles “Weird Al Yankovic” with a heavy French accent and appoints himself director (“You here? Whoa. No, no, no, no...").
  • Despite enthusiasm, the attempt fails.
  • Quote: “We failed. We totally failed. All my bad. I could never get in a position where deciding that having anal sex for the first time in double penetration was a good idea.” (16:34)

Vulnerability and Protection

• After 6 hours in the club, Tuesday is relaxed on the round bed. Jeff leaves to get water, accidentally swinging the gate to the audience open.
• 75 men began advancing toward Tuesday, but her three new friends instantly leap to protect her.
  • The onlookers, realizing Tuesday’s distress, apologize and push each other back, restoring the barrier.
  • Quote: “In that moment, my three friends are like a pack of sheepdogs. They rear up like they're gonna kill every man that walks through that gate.” (17:45)

Revelation and Emotional Impact

• Tuesday, in an atmosphere ripe for danger, is overwhelmed by the group’s respect and empathy.
  • Quote: “In that moment, something in me broke. Something in me broke open. I was in a room with 75 fierce protectors in a situation that could have been the worst night of my life... But most importantly, I never felt so safe. And I'll never be the same.” (18:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [09:48, Tuesday June]: “I don’t know if you can keep me safe. Can you keep me safe? Because I’m fucking terrified.”
• [11:45, Tuesday June]: “What’s really great about fucking in a fuck swing… I now know what ‘go with the flow’ means.”
• [12:11, Tuesday June]: "They all had the same look... this combination of hunger and optimism… I'm an exhibitionist. Okay, now I know."
• [16:34, Tuesday June]: “We failed. We totally failed... I could never get in a position where deciding that having anal sex for the first time in double penetration was a good idea.”
• [17:45, Tuesday June]: “…my three friends are like a pack of sheepdogs. They rear up like they're gonna kill every man that walks through that gate.”
• [18:22, Tuesday June]: “I was in a room with 75 fierce protectors in a situation that could have been the worst night of my life. I've never felt more vulnerable. I've never felt more innocent. But most importantly, I never felt so safe. And I'll never be the same.”

Important Timestamps

• [01:50] – Dixie’s introduction, personal reflections, and fan mail highlights
• [04:53] – Tuesday June begins her story at the Power Exchange
• [08:00] – Consent talk at Martoonies bar
• [11:45] – Discovering the thrill of exhibitionism in the fuck swing
• [12:11] – Embracing newfound exhibitionism
• [16:00] – Double penetration fantasy and failed attempts
• [17:45] – Group protects Tuesday, pivotal moment of vulnerability and safety
• [18:22] – Emotional conclusion and Tuesday’s transformation

Tone & Storytelling Style

The episode weaves humor, candor, nerves, eroticism, and unexpected tenderness. Tuesday’s storytelling mixes self-deprecating wit with sincerity, and her journey—from anxious “virgin” in the kink scene to discovering her needs and boundaries—is both entertaining and poignant. The club setting is described with wide-eyed curiosity, laced with vulnerability and ultimately, a sense of belonging and profound safety.

Final Thoughts

“Hunger and Optimism” spotlights how the sex-positive community, even in chaotic or intimidating environments, can manifest remarkable solidarity and care. Through Tuesday June’s eyes, listeners get an authentic window into both the awkwardness and power of exploring sexuality, with a highlight on trust, boundary-setting, and the sometimes-surprising heroism of fellow travelers in unconventional spaces.