Dark Carousel Podcast

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...

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...

She moves through the haunt world with the glow of nostalgic plastic pumpkins following her like loyal, grinning spirits. For 18 years, she’s poured her soul into this industry, shaping monsters with an airbrush gun that transforms bare skin into full-blown nightmares. Every blast of color carries intention, passion, and a craft sharpened by years of dedication. Her old-school hearse sits quietly...

In this emotionally charged and unfiltered episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast we welcome a phenomenal force from Field of Screams Maryland Avel With nine years in the industry Avel has become more than just a performer in the fog They are a storyteller a truth-teller and a symbol of fearless self-expression in a world built on masks From the first scream to the final breath Avel shows us what it...

Step inside the madness. In this episode, we descend into the twisted domain of Snuggles—a performer whose terrifying presence at Woods of Terror is only matched by the passion that drives him. Beneath the smeared paint and grotesque smile lies a heart dedicated to the art of the scare. Every scream, every lunge, every chilling stare has meaning. This is more than just a costume. It’s a calling. W...

This new episode is about confronting the weight of creation. It’s about how art made from blood makes people nervous but it also forces people to feel something real again. It’s about the way Vincent turns trauma into legacy. He walks right into his shadows and comes back with a masterpiece that can’t be faked. He takes the thing most people hide and uses it as the source of truth. This episode i...

He has been haunting for ten years but his heart truly lives inside Brighton Asylum. There are haunters who enjoy the season and then there are haunters who are built from it. Frankie is built from it. He drives two hours just to step into that place and he does it because he feels connected to those rooms in a way that goes beyond convenience or timing. It has become part of who he is. Brighton A...

This episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast dives into the mind of Riot, a traveling actor who has spent the last five years pouring his soul into the world of haunting. From fog-filled nights to the roar of chainsaws and screams in the dark, Riot’s passion burns brighter with every season. 💀🔥 We talk about the sacrifices, the brotherhood, and the thrill that keeps him coming back. It’s about more...

In this episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast, we step into the fog-filled backyard of one man’s obsession, Dark Acres. For 13 years, John Acors has transformed his own home into a 2000 square foot haunted world, built by hand, fueled by heart, and opened for one night only on Halloween. What began as a small neighborhood scare has grown into a tradition that captures the spirit of what haunting is...

Buckle up haunters this is our longest episode yet and for good reason. We’re diving deep with the one and only Ms. Laurel (Angelica) a haunting legend whose name is carved into the very walls of Laurel’s House of Horror in Maryland. With 18 years of experience, Ms. Laurel’s story is more than just about scaring. It’s about passion, purpose, and a love for the art that refuses to fade. Her dedicat...

From the depths of Reapers Revenge in Pennsylvania rises a makeup artist whose creativity turns fear into art Jess FX 💄🔥 Every brush stroke every airbrush burst and every design she creates tells a story of growth and transformation She’s entering her fifth haunt season stronger than ever improving herself with every monster she brings to life In this episode we explore her artistic journey her...

Welcome to Haunted Gallows in Burrillville, Rhode Island, where laughter turns to screams and passion fuels the darkness. In this episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast, Arthur Snagz and Steve Mr. Sweets step into the eerie world of Funny Bones, a veteran haunter with over thirteen years of haunting in his soul. Funny Bones isn’t just about scaring people—he’s about connecting with them. Every screa...