Memory Makers Podcast

On this solo episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Danny Gruening shares a powerful realization from a recent site visit to Rev'd Up Fun in Detroit, Michigan. Despite being open for eight years, the venue looked as though it had launched just yesterday. Danny dives into how owners and operators often become "blind" to the small scuffs, stains, and wear-and-tear that guests notice immediately. "If...

On this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with Kevin Lonzo, founder of Lonzo Law, to discuss why the traditional "reactive" legal model is broken. Kevin shares his journey from FEC employee to industry-specialized attorney, explaining how attraction owners can protect their dreams through proactive counsel, subscription-based legal plans, and a deep understanding of the "three b...

On this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, we are debuting our brand-new, in-house designed studio set while Russ shares the latest industry insights straight from the aisles of the most recent trade shows. Russ and Danny sit down to deconstruct the massive shifts happening in the family entertainment world, from the psychological changes in how guests book events to the technology that is curr...

On this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with Robin Schwartzman and Tom Loftus, collectively as A Couple of Putts, to discuss their journey from a first date at a sculpture-garden course to competing on ABC’s Holey Moley and founding the American Mini Golf Alliance (AMA). This dynamic duo has traveled to over 14 countries and played more than 600 courses, transitioning from ent...

On this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with David Spira, the Co-Founder of Room Escape Artist and the Co-Host of Reality Escape Pod. With over 1,300 games under his belt, David brings a designer’s eye to the "Wild West" of escape rooms. We dive deep into the transition from software design to physical experience design, exploring why "hard" isn't always "better" and how the s...

On this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with Armando Lanuti, Owner and President of Creative Works, for a deep dive into the changing landscape of virtual and mixed reality. While VR was once viewed as a high-tech novelty, it has matured into a sophisticated anchor for modern family entertainment centers. Armando discusses how the industry has shifted from consumer-grade exper...

On this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with Jerry Merola, Managing Partner at Amusement Entertainment Management, LLC, where we discuss how to navigate FEC financing. Jerry shares his deep expertise on how the financing landscape has shifted post-2020 and why "pre-approval" is a myth in the commercial world. From the necessity of independent feasibility studies to the art of...

On this special edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ concludes our special 4-part series featuring the finalists for the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) FEC of the Year award! We finish our series with the one and only, Bucky Mabe of Downtown Flavortown (FACE Amusement) in Pigeon Forge, TN. Bucky shares how their "FACE" core values (Faith, Attitude, Consistency, and Excellence)...

On this special episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ continues our special 4-part series featuring the finalists for the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) FEC of the Year award! We are next joined by Jenny Emley, one of the visionaries behind High 5 Exchange, who shares the heart behind their success, "Second Mile Service." This principle, inspired by Chick-fil-A, challenges team...

On this special edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ continues our special 4-part series featuring the finalists for the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) FEC of the Year award! We are joined next by Chris Barton, Assistant General Manager of Uptown Alley in Surprise, Arizona. Chris shares how this 60,000-square-foot powerhouse has evolved from a bowling-centric hub into a divers...

On this special episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ kicks off a special 4-part series featuring the finalists for the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) FEC of the Year award! We first sit down with Doug Mechling, owner of Star Lanes Polaris in Columbus, Ohio. Doug takes us behind the scenes of their 35,000-square-foot facility, sharing how they transformed a former Circuit City...

On this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with Laura Zorn, owner of Bravoz Entertainment in Jacksonville, to discuss the practical and profitable integration of AI in family entertainment centers. Forget the "robot takeover" tropes, Laura explains how she’s using smart automation to solve the biggest headaches in the FEC world. From hitting an 80% close rate on birthday parties...

On this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Danny dives into the historic turnaround of Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers and his strategy for high performance FEC teams. After decades as one of the losingest programs in college football, Coach Cignetti arrived in Bloomington and delivered a 16-0 perfect season and a national title by 2026. This isn't just a sports story; it is a masterclas...

In this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with industry veteran Craig Buster (COO of Pinz LA and former GM of Wild Island Coconut Bowl) to peel back the curtain on why repeat visits aren't accidental. Craig shares why the first and last five minutes of a visit are your most critical windows and explains how empowering your frontline staff can transform a customer complaint into...

In this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta talks all about why your FEC needs zombie loyalist. Utilizing Peter Shankman's book, Zombie Loyalist, Russ breaks down how small, obsessive acts of "surprise and delight" can transform your business. We aren't talking about expensive marketing gimmicks or massive capital investments. We’re talking about the power of the human connection:...

In this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ and Danny dive into the evolving landscape of Family Entertainment Centers (FECs), exploring the crucial differences between short-term fads and long-term industry trends. From the rise of mixed reality and personalized guest data to the game-changing efficiencies of AI and hybrid revenue models, we provide a "tasting menu" of the innovations that...

In this holiday edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta takes a moment to step back from the usual interviews to celebrate a year of memories and shares what's ahead. Reflecting on a massive year that saw viewership spike by over 122%, Russ shares exclusive data from Spotify and YouTube that highlights what truly resonates with the FEC industry—from deep dives into opening new venues...

In this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening strip away the post-pandemic "baggage" of the word pivot to explore business pivoting strategies for FECs. They discuss the psychological hurdles, such as the sunk cost fallacy and ego, that keep leaders stuck in failing patterns and introduce a powerful decision-making framework categorized by hats, haircuts, and tatt...

In this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta sits down with Creative Works Owner & President, Armando Lanuti, to unpack one of the biggest hidden challenges operators face: how to find (and fix) the real issues in your business. Armando exposes why many business owners only solve surface-level problems rather than the root issues. From weekly team pulse checks to the power of simpl...

In this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta shares his biggest takeaways from weeks on the road and a powerful week in Orlando at IAAPA 2025. From emerging FEC trends like compact physical experiences, micro-escape rooms, and tech-driven engagement, to operators boosting revenue through smart new additions, Russ breaks down what’s resonating right now. He also highlights the growi...

In this special episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, we come to you straight from the show floor at IAAPA, where Russ and Danny break down the mindset of sprint vs marathon in business. This episode digs into how operators and vendors alike can avoid burnout, anticipate roadblocks, stay focused on what actually moves the needle, and maintain the consistency needed to create powerful and emotional...

In this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta sits down with Bob McCall, Principal at JKRP Architects, to discuss how the right architect can save you time, money, and headaches. Bob shares how early collaboration with your architect can prevent costly mistakes, streamline development, and create smarter, more profitable family entertainment centers. He shares expert insights on com...

In this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Danny flips the script and interviews longtime host Russ Van Natta, diving into how leaders can be curious, not assumptive. From industry evolution and leadership growth to the power of curiosity and intentional reflection, Russ shares insights on what it takes to create memorable, meaningful experiences for both guests and team members. He also opens...

In this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta sits down with John Feltz from Betson Enterprises to discuss how small changes drive big profits in your FEC. As part of the Amusement 360 Partner Series, John shares how simple, strategic adjustments, like rotating your game layout every few months, can make your arcade feel brand new and boost revenue without major investments. From op...

In this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta sits down with Nate Murray of Delta Strike for an in-depth conversation about mastering modern laser tag operations. As part of the Amusement 360 Partner Series, Nate peels back the curtain on how operators can fine-tune every part of the experience—from game formats and tech integration to storytelling and guest flow. Russ and Nate swap...