Live with Sondra

Welcome to this episode of Live with Sondra , where we explore the art, psychology, and emotional power behind haunted attractions and immersive storytelling with Norman Gidney, Owner and Creator of Horror Buzz and Creative Producer in Themed Entertainment . From lifelong haunt fandom to building Horror Buzz into a platform with more than 15 million views, Norman has spent decades studying what ma...

🎙️ Live with Sondra: Stop Losing Profit — The Power of Embedded Payments ft. Mark Passifione Welcome to this episode of Live with Sondra , where we uncover one of the most overlooked revenue leaks in attractions, venues, and entertainment businesses: payments . Joining Sondra (and Bron) is Mark Passifione, SVP of Integrated Payments at Explore Pay , a payments expert who helps software platforms a...

🎙️ Live with Sondra: Waterpark Wealth — Maximize Revenue from Concept to Launch ft. Ken Handler Welcome to this episode of Live with Sondra , where we take a deep dive into how today’s most successful water parks engineer revenue on purpose . Joining Sondra is Ken Handler, President of Global Management Amusement Professionals (GMAP) —a trusted turnaround expert with over 30 years in the attractio...

🎙️ Live with Sondra: From Vision to Reality — Secrets of Themed Fabrication ft. Michael Acevedo Welcome to this episode of Live with Sondra , where we go behind the scenes of the attractions industry to uncover how immersive worlds are built—from the first creative spark to the final guest experience. Joining Sondra is Michael Acevedo, Manager of Business Development at Nassal , a global leader in...

🎙️ Podcast Title: Quilting Culture: Kind Leadership for Growth Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" where we explore the transformative power of kindness in leadership with Nathan Caldwell, Owner and Keynote Speaker at Empowering Kindness . Nathan is a leadership expert and author who has guided teams through high-stakes transitions like mergers and acquisitions, and now teaches executive...

Welcome to this episode of Live with Sondra , where we uncover how artificial intelligence is quietly transforming guest experiences in attractions. Joining us are Takashi Nakaguchi, Co-Founder & CEO of Nutmeg , and Antonio Giordano, Business Development Lead at Nutmeg , two innovators redefining how technology enhances every step of the guest journey. In this session, Takashi Nakaguchi and An...

Welcome to this episode of Live with Sondra , where we head north to unpack how Canadian operators balance smart pricing, people-first leadership, and sustainable park profit. Our guest is Bob Williams, General Manager of Calaway Park —a three-decade industry leader known for operational excellence, service culture, and community impact. Join us for an informative episode of Live with Sondra . In...

Welcome to this episode of Live with Sondra , where we dive into the world of multi-unit operations and strategic leadership in the attractions industry. Joining us is Bron Launsby, CEO of Action Park Group , a visionary leader driving growth and innovation across multiple parks. In this session, Bron Launsby and Sondra will explore: Multi-Unit Strategy & Scalability : How Bron manages operati...

🎙️ Podcast Title: Secure Automation: Stop Losing $25M+ to Risk Gaps Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" where we dive into the critical intersection of automation, cybersecurity, and operational growth with Shannon Noonan, CEO and Founder of High Noon Consulting . With over 18 years of experience in IT compliance and security strategy, Shannon helps organizations protect revenue, streaml...

Podcast Title: Tech Meets Nostalgia: Building Future Parks Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" where we explore the art and strategy behind designing theme parks that blend cutting-edge innovation with timeless emotional storytelling. Joining us is Markus Mack-Even, Founder and CEO of Mack Management Entertainment , whose global portfolio includes Universal Studios Singapore, IMG Worlds...

🎙️ Podcast Title: Data-Driven Culture: Engaging Modern Audiences Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" where we explore how attractions and cultural institutions can harness data to personalize guest experiences, boost attendance, and build long-term loyalty. Joining us is Chloé Grossmann, Area Manager at Arena Metrics , who works with organizations across 15 countries to implement CRM and...

🎙️ Podcast Title: Strategic Resilience: Leading Attractions Through Change & AI Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" where we explore how strategic leadership, resilience, and customization can empower attractions to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. Joining us is Steve Gavatorta, Coach, Author, and President of the Steve Gavatorta Group , who brings over 20 years of experience...

🎙️ Podcast Title: The Future of Refund Protection in Theme Parks & Attractions Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" where we explore how refund protection is reshaping guest experience, revenue strategy, and customer loyalty in the attractions industry with Morgan Abney, Partner Manager at Protect Group . As ticket prices rise and guest expectations evolve, Morgan shares how flexible...

🎙️ Podcast Title: Power Up Your Success with Collaborative Strategies Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" where we explore how collaboration can unlock growth, innovation, and team alignment with Deana Jean, Founder of Collab Queen and Strategic Collaboration Expert . Deana helps organizations and entrepreneurs embrace collaboration to tackle hard things—from scaling businesses to naviga...

🎙️ Podcast Title: F&B as Destination: Driving Attraction Success Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" where we explore how food and beverage can become a powerful driver of guest engagement, revenue, and brand identity with Ken Whiting, CEO of Whiting Foods and former Chair of the Board at IAAPA . With over 40 years of experience in the attractions industry and a legacy rooted in fami...

🎙️ Podcast Title: Live Experience Data: From Insights to Audience Impact Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" where we explore the intersection of entertainment, ticketing, and data with Cody Lassen, Tony Award-Winning Producer and Principal at Cody Lassen & Associates . With a portfolio that spans Broadway, film, and music—and over $951 million in collective box office revenue—Cody b...

🎙️ Podcast Title: Exceeding Expectations: Culture and Experience Design Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" where we explore the powerful connection between internal culture and guest experience with Phil Bruno, Chief Experience Officer and Founder of Treat Experiences . With over 45 years in hospitality and attractions—including 17 years at Anheuser-Busch—Phil has trained over 100,000 p...

🎙️ Podcast Title: Community Powered Economies: A New Era for Attractions Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" where we explore the intersection of gamification, tech, and community with Jaye Watts, Founder and CEO of Coexist . Jaye is a Grammy-winning recording artist, AI ethics advocate, and visionary in building inclusive, gamified ecosystems that drive loyalty, engagement, and impact....

Podcast Title: Spatial Computing: AI, VR, and The Future of Attractions Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" where we explore the cutting edge of guest experience design with Steve Smith, CEO and President of Tana Solutions, Inc. Join us for a visionary conversation about how immersive technology is reshaping the attraction industry from the inside out. In this session, Steve Smith and So...

🎙️ The Secret to 60% Foot Traffic Growth Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" where we unlock the power of grassroots marketing and data-driven strategy with Chelsea Werner, Director of Key Partnerships at Radius . If you're an attraction or business looking to boost foot traffic by 30–60%, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. Join us for an energetic and insightful session as Che...

Welcome to this episode of "The Power of Imagery: Your Park's Visual Story" where we explore how intentional visuals turn curiosity into ticket sales. Join us for an informative episode of "Live with Sondra" featuring Stephanie Tassone, Founder of Stephanie Tassone Creative , whose design, photography, and map artistry help attractions craft cohesive visual stories across web, social, and on-site...

Welcome to this episode of "Transforming Spaces" where we dive into the rise of downloadable theme parks and the future of interactive play. Join us for an inspiring episode of "Live with Sondra" featuring Aidan Wolf, CEO and Co-Founder of DreamPark , and recent Shark Tank success story who is reimagining what theme parks can be. In this session, Aidan will dive into: Designing with Community: How...

Welcome to this episode of "Mastering Resilience" where we dive into leading attractions through change, challenges, and the rise of AI. Join us for an informative episode of "Live with Sondra" featuring Steve Gavatorta, President/Owner of Steve Gavatorta Group , who empowers individuals and organizations to achieve peak performance and resilience. In this session, Steve will dive into: Strategic...

Welcome to this episode of "Data-Driven Culture" where we dive into how data can transform the way attractions and cultural institutions engage with today’s audiences. Join us for an informative episode of "Live with Sondra" featuring Chloé Grossmann, Area Manager at Arenametrix , who specializes in helping organizations build stronger customer relationships through smart data strategies. In this...

Welcome to this episode of "Bowling & Beyond" where we dive into how social gaming is transforming the attractions industry and driving Location Based Entertainment to new heights. Join us for an informative episode of "Live with Sondra" featuring Bart Burger, Director of Marketing & Investor Success at QubicaAMF , who brings over 40 years of industry experience and insights into bowling’s...