Making Magic

Betty Dodson & the Bodysex Revolution

Listen on

Episode notes

Who made the Magic Wand famous? Although it’s a worldwide sensation now, in the beginning the Magic Wand was largely popularized by one person, Betty Dodson. This episode tells the story of how Betty overcame a sexually repressed upbringing, left a sexually unsatisfying marriage, and changed countless people’s lives by leading all-nude masturbation workshops in her New York City apartment.

Guests this episode:

• Author & professor of gender & sexuality studies Lynn Comella (she/her)
• Sex toy historian & author Hallie Lieberman (she/her)
• Good Vibrations staff sexologist & Antique Vibrator Museum curator Dr. Carol Queen (she/they)
• Somatic sex educator & sexological bodyworker Casia Sobolewski (she/her)
• Writer, sex educator, & retired adult filmmaker Tristan Taormino (she/her)
• Author, sex therapist, & psychology professor Dr. Laurie Mintz (she/her)

Making Magic is hosted and created by Kate Sloan, edited and co-produced by Jamie Pityinger, and made possible by the generous support of Vibratex. Our podcast art is by Addison Finch.