HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters

Haunt Owner/Operators & Hiring Managers   Is your attraction asking illegal or high‑risk questions on your job application?   Questions about age, allergies, T‑shirt sizes, or medical information may seem harmless—but when asked at the wrong stage of the hiring process, they can create real compliance issues for haunts.   Dave Ferrier of  FearSchool.com is teaming up with Justin Blackburn of Sitho...

We're going live with one of the true pioneers of the haunted attraction industry — David Bertolino, the founder of Spooky World.   If you've ever been through a professional haunt and wondered what really goes into creating those experiences, this is your chance to hear it straight from someone who helped shape the industry. From its early days as a haunted hayride to becoming a full-scale Hallow...

Hiring and managing a crew at your haunted attraction can be one of the most challenging tasks you'll encounter as an owner or operator.   What if it were easier?   Justin Blackburn, the innovator behind  Sithon.io , guides you through the journey of hiring, managing, & organizing your entire haunt operation.   -Hiring & firing -Scheduling -Management -Costume tracking -Time tracking -Background c...

How do you create a successful off-season haunted event? Are you spending your marketing budget effectively? What is changing in the haunt industry for 2026? And much more Haunt talk.  Philip Hernandez, creator of the Haunted Attraction Network and CEO of Gantom, answers all of your questions in this LIVE event. Haunter's Toolbox Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/haunterstoolbox Che...

In this episode, Dr. William Ramsay, aka Dr. TerrorEyes will present usable information on starting and growing a SAFE haunted attraction.   Here are a few topics that will be discussed:   -How did Haunted Houses start? -Why fire safety is essential at your Haunt -Are you doing Staff training correctly? -Employee forms & applications -Create signage that works -Haunt start-up tips -LOTS MORE!   He...

What's it really like to open and operate a Haunted Attraction business? Can your dream really come true? Can you do it by yourself? We answer all of your questions in this Master Class with Conner Beets from Imminent Doom Haunted House. Conner, a lifetime Haunt enthusiast, started and operated his first commercial haunted attraction this year (2025). At the age of 20 years old!   Conner's 5 Top T...

In this episode, we remember our friend and fellow Haunter, Jan Knuth. The Haunt world lost a good one. R.I.P. Jan Skaggs Knuth She was always a kind soul, loved Haunting, was an admin for this group, & even thought about me enough to include my opinion in her book "Not Afraid to Slay: Women of the Haunt Industry".   You will be missed…   Here is part of her obituary: "A memorial service for Janet...

Join the guys behind Midnight Syndicate, Edward Douglas & Gavin Goszka!  We ask them questions like: How to create your own haunt music? What inspires them to make music? Sound tips and tricks? Plus, we play the first 3 tracks from their NEW album Darkened Corners. Midnight Syndicate is an American musical duo known for creating dark, atmospheric, and gothic-themed instrumental music. Their tunes...

Join us as we discuss the Total Terror Haunt with Chip Wells in Virginia. Going from a home haunter to a commercial haunted attraction Create your own props with papier-mache How to operate and grow a haunted attraction How to manage your haunt crew and lots more...   Start and grow your Haunted Attraction at  HauntersToolbox.com   Stalk Total Terror at  TotalTerrorHaunt.com   Reward your scare ac...

Sammy Days & David Gricius are the Scare Actor Trainers and Scare Actors at Fright Nights in Southern Florida. Join us as we pick their brains... Learn how to recruit scare actors Learn how to train scare actors Learn how to manage scare actors Fright Nights is an annual Halloween event that occurs at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach, Florida. Open through the beginning of October...

Halloween Hollow Haunted House in Silver Point, TN, Has Everyone Screaming From Nashville to Knoxville, Tennessee, With Its Massive Outdoor Halloween Event! We answer your questions to the owners, Carroll Lee Moore III and Erica McElroy, as we discuss what it takes to own and operate the most unique haunted attraction in Tennessee. Start and grow your haunted attraction at HauntersToolbox.com Stal...

Eddie McLaurin is the creator and owner of the Woods of Terror haunted attraction in Greensboro, North Carolina. Here's a brief overview of his story: Family Legacy: The Woods of Terror sits on land that has been in McLaurin's family for generations, dating back to his great-grandfather, Simon Peter "Pa Pete" McCormick. Inspired by the Land: McLaurin was inspired to create the haunted attraction b...

Ask the Haunt Expert: Bart Butler from Terror in the Corn Hosted by  HauntersToolbox.com   Bart Butler is the show director for Terror in the Corn in Eerie, Colorado. Bart answers all of your haunted attraction-related questions.   We'll discuss: -Scare Acting management -Scenic design & construction -Character Development -Getting more people to your Haunt -and ALL of your questions!   Stalk Bart...

Vendor Spotlight: Haunt Dolls/Conjured Media Hosted by  HauntersToolbox.com   Before Haunt Dolls was even a thought, Alex Berland, who also runs Conjured Media, a marketing agency that specializes in haunted attractions, would get crochet dolls as holiday gifts for his clients of the characters his team would create with them.   The dolls were so well received and cherished that in 2024 it became...

Matthew Murphey is a Haunter and a trial attorney. Matt has worked in courtrooms since starting his legal career as a court-martial clerk in the United States Army in 1985. He also knows Haunted Attraction's legal roadblocks. We'll discuss: -Protecting yourself from legal battles -How to start a non-profit attraction -Employee contracts & applications -Waivers: Good or bad? -How to deal with local...

Philip Hernandez, the founder of the Haunted Attraction Network and CEO of Gantom, answers all of your marketing questions. He has experience in social media, marketing, video & audio, theme parks, haunted attractions, public relations, press releases, and much more.   Find Philip at HauntedAttractionNetwork.com   Start and grow your haunted attraction at HauntersToolbox.com   Reward, Retain, and...

Scott and Jewel Simonson answer all of your questions about creating killer videos and photos at your haunt, marketing on a budget, retaining your actors, haunt technology, and other questions you have about Haunted Attractions. "Haunting Media was founded by experienced haunted attraction owners, who, much like you, understand the intricacies and importance of delivering a truly detailed and imme...

Start, grow, and scale your Haunted Attraction at HauntersToolbox.com In this episode, we discuss many things like Scare Actors, Safety, Timed Ticketing, Wall panels, Haunt Construction, Tent Haunts, Outdoor Trails, International Haunts, and more! Leonard Pickel has over 50 years of themed attraction design and operations experience in year-round and seasonal installations, museums, and dark rides...

Start and grow your Haunted Attraction at HauntersToolbox.com Get Merit Badges and Name badges for your crew at ScareItBadges.com 2024 is over! What's in store for 2025?? We discuss many subjects in this episode. Topics like: Should you sell alcohol at your haunt? How to get free marketing Campfire rentals and selling S'Mores Concessions and merchandise sales Corn Maze Haunts Transworld Show prepa...

It stinks that we don't get to travel during October to visit haunted attractions because most of us are busy with our haunt businesses and projects.  Nick and Beverly Pappas have traveled thousands of miles yearly as Haunt customers and have seen things we haven't. Listen to their stories and get a peek at how Haunts are changing.  What are the trends coming for the industry? How do Haunts compar...

HauntPay created the annual Haunt Industry Survey because they needed reliable, recent data about the haunt industry. This is the fourth annual report and haunters revealed some surprising insights for the coming season! Marketing efforts got more sophisticated and more robust this year, with haunters using digital and offline platforms to promote their attractions. Crowd sizes are growing modestl...

A complete walkthrough of the Sithon management platform for haunted attraction staff/actors, why communication with your team is important, and things you can do this season to keep your staff coming back every year!   Things Sithon can do (all from your phone): -Custom Actor Recruitment -Scheduling -Actor/Staff Management -Costume Management -Time Tracking -Email & Text Notifications -Dedicated...

It's 30 minutes before the haunt doors open. You need a quick way to make some realistic wounds, cuts, and bruises that will stay on all night. We have those answers inside this podcast! You can also watch the full video here: https://haunterstoolbox.com/sfx Applying special effects makeup inside a haunted attraction is a unique skill. You have to be fast & efficient while creating a monster that...

There are a few ways to make more revenue with your attraction: 1) Raise your prices 2) Get more customers 3) Sell more to your current customers We will focus this master class on selling more to your current customers by using the space you already have. Things like themed dinners, private tours, and ticket upgrades allow you to charge more for unique experiences without needing extra space.  Sh...

How do I get more people to attend my Haunt? What does it take to stand out in today's market? Are there creative ways to grab attention without spending too much? We answer these questions and more in this Master Class with Laura Kilpatrick from FearWorm Hauntvertising. Become a member at HauntersToolbox.com to join our next Master Class. Start & grow your Haunt today! Visit FearWorm.com for your...