The Mystery Soup Podcast

Chris and Curt bring back their magazine-style format, where they delve into various topics related to escape rooms. They discuss marketing strategies for escape rooms through city quests, and creating an engaging social media presence. They share ideas for events that align with escape room themes, tools like the RFID whiz, staff incentives, and ways to design immersive sets. The episode also tou...

Curt and Chris kick off a new format called the 'Magazine Edition,' where they cover diverse topics related to escape rooms, marketing, and more. The episode highlights include an interesting marketing idea, creative ideas for themed escape room parties, the use of plotters and vinyl cutters, and tips on engaging staff. They also share unique tools like the Zoom V3 for voice modulation, chroma dep...

Curt and Chris sit down with guests Matt and Jessi, the owners of Oh! Key Escape Games in Idaho. They delve into the couple’s journey from teachers to escape room entrepreneurs. Matt and Jessi detail their passion for escape rooms, sparked by a surprise Father's Day adventure, leading them to create their own themed escape rooms like the unique 'Potato Room' and 'Scrying Mirror'. They discuss thei...

In this episode, Curt goes solo as Chris is still out sick, and welcomes guest Matthew Stein, a multifaceted puzzle designer, violinist, and adventurer. They discuss Matthew's unconventional career path, the intricacies of puzzle design, and the magic of music. Matthew shares his profound experiences with letterboxing, escape rooms, and puzzle hunts, including the prestigious MIT Mystery Hunt. The...

Curt interviews Tanner Goldman, an escape room owner, general manager, and designer. Tanner shares insights on running multiple escape room locations across different states and discusses his creative process for designing escape rooms and special events. They delve into Tanner's background in community theater, his passion for escape rooms, and anecdotes from his journey in the escape room indust...

Curt and Chris are joined by Kristina, the owner of One Way Out, an escape room business in Lynchburg, Virginia. They discuss her journey from a part-time employee at 16 to owning the business, the challenges she faced, and her plans for the future. Kristina shares insights about her various escape rooms, marketing strategies, merchandise offerings, and staff management. The episode concludes with...

Chris and Curt explain their long absence. They dive deep into the complexities of managing and operating an escape room business. They discuss Curt and Tina's experiences with purchasing an existing escape room, updating games, marketing strategies, and the importance of customer feedback. They also touch upon Chris' creative initiatives like mobile escape rooms and unique merchandise, including...

In this episode, Chris interviews Curt. Why? Because Curt and Tina are now escape room owners. The episode covers Curt's transition from a camp director to an escape room enthusiast and owner, his experiences and challenges with owning Lock and Clue Escape Rooms in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and insights from traveling and playing numerous escape rooms. Curt discusses the importance of set design, c...

Curt and Chris explore escape rooms with enthusiasts Will and Hunter Voelker. They share quirky project updates, including hamburger-themed escape bags, and dive into the Voelkers' history with escape rooms. From their beginnings in Omaha after their marriage, to participating in national championships, and celebrating their soon-to-be 500th room, the Belkers recount their journey filled with reco...

Curt and Chris interview Omer Aru from Escape Room Herndon. They discuss Omer's journey from being an engineer and salesman to an escape room owner. Omer shares insights on managing escape rooms, the creative process behind designing themes and puzzles, and his initial struggles in the business. They delve into the intricacies of the rooms Omer has developed, his future plans, and the broader esca...

In this episode, Curt introduces Sean Nash from Escape Room Novi in Michigan. With co-host Chris absent, Curt and Sean dive into Sean's journey from England to Michigan, his experience as a general manager, and his passion for puzzles and immersive gameplay. Sean shares the history of Escape Room Novi, discussing their wide array of themed rooms. They also talk about the challenges of maintaining...

Curt and Chris welcome Mark Bloom from Keystone Escape Games in Reno to the show. Mark shares his journey from being an elevator mechanic to an escape room owner and talks about his future projects, including a large Area 51-themed escape room and a unique elevator game. The conversation covers various topics such as set design, puzzle creation, and the importance of creating an unforgettable cust...

Curt and Chris engage in a lively and detailed conversation with Robert and Joe from Giant Dream Productions. These two design and build turn-key escape rooms. Curt has played a handful of their games and really enjoyed them. The discussion covers various topics, including the creative processes behind designing immersive escape rooms, the unique challenges they face, and how their background in a...

Curt and Chris chat with Katie and Audrey, the artistic minds behind Daydream Adventures, an immersive art escape room in Toronto. They discuss the origins of their business, their unique design process involving a team of artists, and the challenges they've faced, including opening just before the pandemic. Katie and Audrey provide insights into their creative themes, the tech they use, and the s...

Curt and Chris welcome Byron Delmonico, co-owner and CEO of RI Riddle Room, to discuss his journey in the escape room industry. Byron shares his passion for creativity and the importance of family, as well as his achievements, including being named the 2022 Rhode Island Small Business Person of the Year. The conversation touches upon the evolution of his escape rooms, the significance of collabora...

Curt and Chris welcome Tanya and Paul from Lock, Clock, and Peril Escape Rooms. They discuss their journey from running a loan business and car audio shop to diving into the world of escape rooms. They talk about topics such as the design process for their self-built escape rooms, the importance of creating family-friendly experiences, and the challenges of running an escape room business. They al...

Curt and Chris start off Season 2 with their red flags and dealbreakers in an escape room experience. From the annoyance of having to lock up phones and poor lighting to overly difficult rooms and crawling requirements. Then they move into what they want to see more of in an escape room experience. From discounts for multiple games and themed restrooms to fun hint systems and providing parting gif...

In the season one finale of the Mystery Soup podcast, hosts Curt and Chris discuss wrapping up their first season, which includes reflections on key episodes and their favorite takeaways. They consider implementing seasons for their show, share insights from their interviews with escape room experts, and delve into the importance of fun, theming, and accessibility in escape room design. The conver...

Curt and Chris welcome escape room designer Vincent Stevens. They discuss his journey from nursing to escape room design, designing his first escape room in Oregon, and growing his business in Southern California. Vincent shares insights on his design process, favorite escape games, and his work with major clients like Sony. He emphasizes the importance of creating fun and engaging experiences ove...

In this episode, Curt and Chris interview Nicole and Tom from Nocturne Adventures. They discuss the background of their unique escape room business, their horror film inspirations, and the intricacies of designing and running immersive escape room experiences. Nicole and Tom share the challenges and rewards of owning an escape room, their design process, and the importance of atmosphere and set de...

In this episode, Curt and Chris welcome Rob and Cecilia of Niagara Escapement who share their personal journeys, the genesis of their partnerships, and their philosophies on creating fun and accessible experiences. Topics include overcoming challenges, humor and accessibility in design, and finding success with a DIY mindset. The episode also explores supplementary ventures like Dungeons & Dra...

Curt and Chris welcome special guests Christine and Jeremiah from Exit Games OC. The discussion delves into the origins and inspirations behind Exit Games OC, the nuances of their popular '13th Basement' game, and the impact of escape rooms on their marriage. Additionally, they share insights on the technical challenges and creative processes involved in escape room design, the importance of commu...

In this episode, Curt and Chris chat with Heather and J.R., the dynamic duo behind Boxed In Escape Rooms. The couple shares their inspiring journey of launching and growing their escape room business in Festus, Missouri, all while juggling full-time jobs and family commitments. Listeners will gain insights into their set design process, marketing tactics, and the essential role of community engage...

Curt and Chris interview Blake DeCiccio, a dedicated enthusiast of escape rooms. Blake shares her journey into the world of escape rooms, her favorite rooms and experiences, and the unique elements she has encountered globally. The discussion also covers the logistics of traveling for escape rooms, the differences between U.S. and European rooms, and the potential future of the escape room industr...

Curt and Chris talk with the owners of CU Adventures in Time and Space, Chris and Anne Lukeman. CU Adventures is an escape room business based in the Champaign-Urbana (CU) area of Illinois. They discuss the origin of their business, the design philosophy behind their rooms, and the challenges they faced, particularly during the pandemic. The Lukemans share insights into their creative process, bal...