National Park After Dark 350: Cheers to Five NPAD Years
Jan 26, 2026
They walk through five years of memorable production mishaps and format changes. They revisit wild trail tales, cringe-worthy early moments, and the origins of catchphrases and merch. Skincare rituals, alternate career daydreams, and the hardest research projects get airtime. Live show antics, group trip highlights, and listener stories round out the celebration.
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From Vet Tech Chats To A Podcast
- Cassie and Danielle started National Park After Dark after bonding as vet techs and staying connected when they moved apart.
- Danielle pitched the podcast idea in late 2020 and they launched in January 2021 with minimal gear and no production team.
Focus Each Episode On One Story
- They adapted their format after early episodes proved two stories per episode was unsustainable and cut into deep dives.
- Focus on a single story allows deeper research and a consistent episode structure.
Ian Composed The Iconic Intro
- Danielle's late partner Ian composed the show's guitar intro and provided multiple versions until they found the right spooky-campy tone.
- He also performed a guitar rendition for a Salem Maritime episode and joined a Moment House livestream, proud of his contribution.
