Dark Carousel Podcast

After 27 years in the haunt industry , Punx the Clown’s passion runs much deeper than the scares. From Nightmare on the Ridge in Auburn, Maine , his story is about dedication, creativity, community, and finding that fire again even when it starts to fade. Behind the mask is a haunter who truly loves what he does and the people who make this industry feel like home. 🎃🤡

Halloween isn’t just a season. For some of us, it’s a way of life. On this episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast, we welcome Halloween Haunts 365 for a conversation that goes far beyond haunted attraction reviews. Behind the cameras and reviews are two individuals who share a genuine love for the haunt industry. They’re not just there to rate attractions or tell you where to spend your money. They’...

Eddie McLaurin, better known as Bone Daddy, is the owner and mastermind behind Woods of Terror and McLaurin Farms in Greensboro, North Carolina. For more than three decades, Eddie has helped transform his family property into one of the most recognized haunted attractions in the country. Now heading into the 2026 season , Eddie continues pushing Woods of Terror into new territory, including the ar...

This one got deep. We sat down with Allen Hopps to talk about his journey through the haunt industry, but the conversation became so much more. Allen opened up about his perspective on haunting, life, helping others, and what keeps him constantly moving forward. An extraordinary man with a massive heart for haunting, creating, teaching, and helping others. This wasn’t just about what Allen has don...

If you love talking haunt shop, this is the episode for you! The Dark Carousel Podcast sits down with Sammy Taylor, better known as Chainsaw Sammy and host of Into the Fear, to trace her journey from where it all began to where her passion has taken her today. We dive into her years in the haunt industry, the experiences that shaped her, the love behind everything she creates, and just how insanel...

This makes that part more subtle and personal without laying it on too thick. 🎃 Pumpkin Riot Productions | Dark Carousel Podcast On this episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast , we sit down with Bryan , owner and creator of Pumpkin Riot Productions out of Plainfield, Illinois. Since 2020, Bryan has taken his love for Halloween and turned it into something incredible, creating masks, props, yard dis...

Some people spend years finding a character that truly fits them. Others step into the fog and somehow make it look like they’ve been doing it forever. This week, we’re joined by Spaz the Clown, a rising haunt performer who’s only been in the industry for a short time but is already making a name for herself with an unforgettable character, incredible energy, and a passion that can’t be taught. We...

Step into the spotlight and prepare for a broadcast unlike anything you’ve ever seen. On this episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast, we welcome the unforgettable duo bakR and Sadie Slaughter, two incredibly talented haunters whose hauntingly original characters have captivated audiences with their eerie 1950s-inspired performances. From bakR’s unsettling vintage broadcaster complete with his iconic...

Some episodes are planned. This one was pure chaos. The Dark Carousel Podcast packed up, hit the road, and traveled all the way to Laurel, Maryland, to surprise the incredible cast and crew of Laurel’s House of Horror. What started as a road trip quickly turned into one of our favorite experiences yet. We sat down with the talented actors, actresses, makeup artists, and the passionate people who b...

What does it take to help run one of the most respected haunted attractions in the country? In this episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast, we sit down with Brit Nussear, General Manager of Markoff’s Haunted Forest, along with longtime haunt visionary Paul, whose journey with Markoff’s spans more than 30 years. Together, we explore the passion, dedication, and relentless work that goes into creating...

For four years, Sparky has poured everything he has into the world of haunting. What started as a passion became an obsession, and that obsession became a legacy. From the legendary halls of Spooky World to the twisted nightmares of Fright Kingdom, Sparky has dedicated countless hours to perfecting his craft, creating unforgettable scares, and becoming a character that audiences never forget. Behi...

The Journey Begins | Part 1 Before there was Skar. Before there was Jingles. There were simply two people who discovered a passion that would change their lives forever. In Part 1 of this special two-part conversation, we sit down with Landen Gessner and David Amador to learn who they are beyond the costumes. We explore how they first found the haunt industry, what inspired them to become scare ac...

Sometimes all it takes is one question. When we sat down with Azazel, we expected to talk about haunting, characters, scares, and the road that brought him from Savannah, Georgia into the haunt world. We got all of that. What we didn’t expect was a moment that hit every one of us right in the chest. One question. One answer. And suddenly the conversation became something much bigger. This episode...

Some stories begin with a plan. Others begin with an accident. What started as an unexpected creative spark eventually grew into Macabre Intentions, one of the haunt industry’s most recognizable names in custom costume and character design. Founded by Joseph Goratowski, Macabre Intentions wasn’t born from a master blueprint or years of business strategy. It grew organically through passion, experi...

Step into a world where Halloween never really ends. In this episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast, we sit down with Panthemerman, the performer behind one of the most recognizable Beetlejuice characters in the haunt community. From his love of classic horror to the memories that first sparked his passion for Halloween, we dive into the story behind the character and the person who brings him to li...

From the legendary halls of Statesville to the nightmare-soaked world of Hellsgate Chicago, Sharky has become one of the most recognizable and unforgettable faces in haunting. But behind the cracked makeup, sharp teeth, and terrifying grin is something even more powerful… pure passion. This episode dives deep into the dedication it takes to live and breathe the haunt industry year after year. The...

This episode features Riddlez from Laurel House of Horror, but this conversation goes far beyond makeup, costumes, and scares. Behind the paint is a real person with real emotions, real struggles, real passion, and a story worth hearing. We talk about character creation, fear, performance, haunt culture, and the emotional side of becoming someone else every night for the sake of making people feel...

This week, the Dark Carousel Podcast steps directly into the nightmare world of Slashez & Scratches from Frightmare Farms in Palermo, NY. From terrifying character creation and scare acting psychology to social media horror culture and the passion that fuels haunting season after season, this episode dives deep into the minds behind two of the most intense horror characters we’ve ever featured. We...

Step inside the madness with the newest episode of the Dark Carousel Podcast as Arthur and Steve sit down with the mastermind behind Horror Prop Shop, Dave. From viral magnetic horns and nightmare-fuel creations to the chaos of running one of the most recognizable brands in the haunt industry, this episode pulls back the curtain on the world most people never get to see. Dave opens up about the p...

This episode shines a spotlight on Rob Gofourth, a haunter whose impact reaches far beyond any set piece or scare. Rob experiences life in a way most people never even notice, pulling inspiration from the unseen corners of the world and channeling it straight into the craft he loves. His dedication and passion stretch across continents as he travels the world helping haunted attractions grow, insp...

Taylor Wright steps off the Pennhurst Asylum floor and into the podcast, dragging her warped brilliance with her. This episode dives into how she builds nightmares from scratch, why she refuses to water down who she is, and how her years as a makeup artist have shaped some of the most unforgettable haunt characters out there. She talks creativity, identity, chaos, and the strangely beautiful freed...

Dinn Widdie Da Clown returns to The Dark Carousel not to play nice, not to sugarcoat, but to speak plainly and unapologetically about what it actually means to be a haunter. Coming straight out of Laurel’s House of Horror in Laurel, Maryland, this episode is about revenge in the real sense. Not bitterness, but reclaiming respect, pride, and identity in an industry that demands everything from you...

This recap dives straight into the chaos, the artistry, and the unnerving dedication behind one of the most feral characters in the haunt world. The Brighton Banshee isn’t just a costume or a character… she’s a living, breathing psychological storm, and this episode cracks open the door to everything she pours into bringing that creature to life. As the 2025 season closes out, she returns to The D...

For the 100th ride around this unhinged wheel of nightmares, Arthur and Steve decided subtlety can go cry in a corner. They show up fully transformed into Snagz and Mr. Sweets, stomping into the studio like two escaped fever dreams ready to break the internet. This episode goes live with all the chaos the Dark Carousel faithful expect. Mr. Sweets (Steve) comes in swinging his bat like he’s conduct...

Tonight’s episode drags you straight into the workshop of Mason Lauster, the madman behind DreadWorks FX. This isn’t just makeup — it’s chaos bottled, shaken, and sprayed through an airbrush. Mason breaks down how he builds monsters that feel alive, the psychology behind haunt makeup, and the obsession it takes to keep an entire cast looking terrifying night after night. We dig into his past, his...