Working the Fright Shift

The Season 3 finale of Working the Fright Shift arrives with a reunion years in the making. Join me with Erica Sanchez and Dan Hodges, my scare comrades from the fog‑filled trenches of Knott’s Scary Farm—the little group we referred to as the Trio of Terror. Together, we spent countless nights crafting chaos, building characters, and unleashing fear on thousands of guests. Hear the stories born fr...

Join us with Ben Armstrong, co‑creator of Netherworld Haunted House, one of the most celebrated and influential haunted attractions in the world. Since its debut in 1997, Netherworld has become a benchmark for large‑scale horror entertainment—known for its towering creatures, original characters, cinematic environments, and a level of production design that helped reshape the modern haunt industry...

Tonight, we meet with Josh Roa-St. Pierre of Reichland Aslyum – this attraction stands as one of Southern California’s most memorable and ambitious home haunt experiences. Known for its detailed environments, committed performers, and a storyline that pulls guests deep into the chaos of a collapsing institution, Reichland has earned a reputation for turning psychological tension into full‑scale im...

This week’s Fear Architects are the masterminds behind OBAKEN, the trailblazing Japanese immersive horror studio redefining haunts through inventive storytelling and deeply psychological fear design. We explore their origins, their creative evolution, and the distinct artistic lens that has made OBAKEN a standout force in Japan’s modern horror landscape. For this special episode, a fully separate...

OBAKEN — Fear Architects【日本語版 / JAPANESE】 今回は「Working the Fright Shift」の特別日本語版をお届けします。 「Working the Fright Shift」は、ホラーアトラクション、ハロウィン、そして“恐怖”を生み出すクリエイターたちの世界を探るポッドキャストです。ホストを務めるTed Doughertyは、長年にわたりハロウィンやホラーをテーマにしたエンターテインメントの企画・演出に携わってきたクリエイターです。番組では、世...

 J. Eric Lynxwiler steps into the Fright Shift as an urban anthropologist, author, historian, and graphic designer whose deep connection to Knott’s Berry Farm has shaped decades of storytelling about the places we love and the shadows they leave behind. This week’s Horror Blueprint explores the unsettling transformations that twist the familiar into something uncomfortably new, and Echoes of the P...

In this episode, we meet Tim Fowler, the creative mind behind one of Southern California’s most inventive and beloved home haunts: The Farm Haunt . What began as a neighborhood passion project has grown into a standout force in the region’s Halloween landscape. From full walk‑through attractions to elaborate yard displays, The Farm Haunt has become known for transforming front lawns into immersive...

In this episode of Working the Fright Shift , Ted Dougherty sits down with two creative forces shaping the next wave of immersive entertainment: Allison Fox and Nate Weber of 88Twenty Group . Allison brings years of leadership in large‑scale experiential production, guiding teams through the complex world of themed entertainment and live events. Nate, a veteran in creative development and technica...

Season 3 of Working the Fright Shift opens with a landmark conversation recorded live at the world‑famous Halloween convention, Midsummer Scream . Ted Dougherty sits down with David Bertolino—the creator of Spooky World , one of the most influential and wildly ambitious Halloween scream parks ever built. Long before modern scream parks became the norm, Spooky World blended celebrity appearances, h...

Season 3 of Working the Fright Shift steps even further into the creative engine that powers Halloween entertainment. Hosted by Ted Dougherty—award‑winning author, writer, and director for Halloween theme park attractions—the podcast returns with a new slate of topics and conversations that spotlight the makers, thinkers, and storytellers shaping the future of fear. This season explores how the Ha...

As we bring Season 2 of Working the Fright Shift to a close, we return to our conversation with Ken Parks, the current Vice President of Creative Development for Corporate Planning & Design at Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, whose creative fingerprints are etched into the very soul of Knott’s Scary Farm. In this second chapter, we shift from stages to the legendary attractions he helped s...

In this week's Working the Fright Shift , we sit down with Ken Parks, the current Vice President of Creative Development for Corporate Planning & Design at Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, whose creative DNA is forever intertwined with the legacy of Knott’s Scary Farm. From his early days performing and writing shows to helping shape the groundbreaking world of Ghost Town Alive, Ken’s...

Haunt Comp takes center stage this week as we shine a light on the annual haunted house design competition that’s become a launchpad for rising haunt creators and a celebration of the craft behind immersive fear. Joining us as this episode’s Fear Architects are Xochilt Khoury, Executive Producer and Co‑Founder, and Taylor Scott, Executive Producer — two driving forces who’ve helped transform Haunt...

Joining Working the Fright Shift is Jordan of Cupcakes and Coasters, the sharp‑witted creator whose blend of theme park insight, humor, and honesty has made her one of the most recognizable voices in the UK coaster and attractions community. From deep‑dive essays to spirited critiques, she brings a perspective that’s equal parts fan passion and industry savvy. In this edition of The Horror Bluepri...

This week on Working the Fright Shift , I shine a spotlight on Jamie Weisgerber, the creative force behind Samhain’s Lot, one of Southern California’s most beloved and meticulously crafted home haunts. Jamie’s passion for Halloween, his cinematic eye for detail, and his ability to transform a neighborhood yard into a fully realized world have earned him admiration from fans, fellow haunters, and i...

Stepping into Working the Fright Shift this week is Jonathan Casco, the talented creator behind The Hauntline, a series that provides exciting live streams as well as documentary‑style explorations to chronicle the artistry, history, and heartbeat of the haunt community. Jonathan’s eye for mood, his reverence for the craft, and his ability to elevate haunt and review storytelling have made him one...

We dive into the wonderfully twisted world of Adam and Jess Dollins of AdamJessFX, the creative duo turning imagination into creatures, characters, and uncanny practical effects that feel startlingly alive. We outline their journey from immersive performers to full‑blown makers - equal parts artistry and deep respect for the craft of Halloween fun and fear.  In this week’s Horror Blueprint , we ex...

Arriving with a force all his own, Karl O’Connor joins Working the Fright Shift to talk about The Nightmare Realm, the internationally acclaimed Irish scream park known for its cinematic worlds and boundary‑pushing approach to fear. As co‑founder and creative visionary, Karl has helped transform the haunt landscape in Ireland and beyond, crafting experiences that are as theatrical as they are terr...

This week on Working the Fright Shift , I sit down with Claire Dunlap, co‑creator of Midsummer Scream and Spooky Swap Meet, and one of the most influential producers shaping the modern Halloween fan experience. Claire has helped build some of the most beloved Halloween gatherings anywhere, blending community, artistry, and a deep love of Halloween into every project she touches. In this episode’s...

Season 2 of Working the Fright Shift launches with this week’s Fear Architects, who are none other than the legendary Midnight Syndicate — the duo whose dark, orchestral soundtracks have defined the atmosphere of Halloween for nearly three decades. We dive into their origins, their evolution, their groundbreaking live shows at Cedar Point Halloweekends, and the creative alchemy that made them the...

Season 2 of Working the Fright Shift continues its exploration of the people and ideas shaping Halloween themed entertainment. Hosted by Ted Dougherty—award‑winning author, writer, and director for Halloween themed experiences—the podcast returns with new conversations that highlight the creators, performers, historians, and innovators driving this unique industry forward. This season takes a clos...

This creepy holiday bonus is wrapped in shadows and delivered straight to your ears as a gift of terror filled with fun frights! In The Horror Blueprint, we chart a twisted subgenre where eerie spirits gather at your door, caroling with shrieking voices screaming through the winter night. With a variant on Fear Architects, we twist the spotlight toward one of the great horror architects in history...

In our Season 1 finale of Working the Fright Shift , we’re joined by legendary scare actor and horror makeup artist Anthony Dalbis, our featured Fear Architect whose transformative characters and grotesque creations have stalked the fog for decades.  With a scream in his step and a brush in his hand, Anthony blurs the line between performer and creator—embodying terror while crafting the faces of...

This week on Working the Fright Shift , we’re joined by Salem and Sleepy Hollow historian Dani October, our featured Fear Architect whose deep dives into witch trials, folklore, and haunted heritage have cast a spell over scholars and scare fans alike.  With a passion for truth wrapped in mystery, Dani unearths the real stories behind the legends—revealing how history itself can be the most chilli...

This week on Working the Fright Shift , we’re joined by Shawn and Carmelle Marshall, the dynamic duo behind Parks and Cons, our featured Fear Architects whose tireless coverage of themed entertainment has become a lifeline for fans craving haunt news, park updates, and convention thrills.  With cameras rolling and mics hot, they’ve documented countless scare attractions from the front lines—captur...