In this episode, we welcome Julia Halina Hadas, the magical mixologist behind Witchcraft Cocktails, to discuss how she blends her witchcraft practice with craft cocktail expertise. Julia shares her journey from San Francisco bartender to author, explaining how she transforms recipes into spells and why ingredients like herbs, crystals, and intention matter. We also dive into her latest book, Mystical Mocktails, her Halloween memories and traditions, and how she celebrates spooky season as a practicing witch.

Jason McKittrick, the artist behind The Cryptocurium and co-creator of the beloved Order of the Thinned Veil, joins Mike and Miranda in the lair to talk about Halloween, horror, and the art of handmade monsters. Jason shares stories from his childhood Halloweens, his love of vintage autumnal nostalgia, and the eerie inspirations behind his "handmade horrors," including his longtime fascination with Lovecraftian creatures. From sculpting rituals to a decade of creative chemistry with Sam Heimer — and even a peek inside his paranormal podcast Other Dangers — this episode is a celebration of spooky art and the magic of keeping Halloween alive all year long.

Meet the wildly creative Spooky Professor, a professional cosplayer known for bringing iconic horror characters, and her own original creations, to life at SoCal's biggest Halloween and horror events. From childhood Halloween memories and dream costumes to the painstaking process behind transformations like Poe and Gilly Anne Phibian, she shares what fuels her love of spooky cosplay. It's a fun, fang-filled look at Halloween, horror, and the art of becoming someone (or something) else for the night.

Meet Ben Farthing, a horror author whose love of Halloween and storytelling began in childhood and now fuels a body of work steeped in liminal spaces, nightmares, and eerie imagination. He joins the lair to explore his earliest Halloween memories, the traditions he keeps today, the writers and weird tales that shaped him, and the inspirations behind his viral books — including The 31st Trick-or-Treater and the "I Found Horror" series.

Composer and pianist Juli Draney joins the lair to explore the childhood Halloween memories and musical inspirations that eventually led her to create the whimsical world of Henry's Halloween. She shares how her early love of costumes, traditions, and storytelling shaped both the original book and its evolution into a full rock opera ballet that blends classical, metal, funk, and dance into a magical, immersive experience.

Halloween fine artist Christopher Cox explores the childhood memories, handmade costumes, and year-round traditions that shaped his lifelong love of the holiday. He also talks about the story behind his intricate sculpted creations and his brand October Rds, offering a look into his creative process, inspirations, and the magic that fuels his witchy, whimsical work.

Sandi and Terrence, the husband/wife duo behind Spooky Cat Press, join us in the lair to talk about their lifelong love of Halloween and how it continues to shape their family and creative lives. From the origins of their iconic designs to the creative process behind their expanding product line — and even their dreams for future spooky goods — this episode is a celebration of art, nostalgia, and Halloween magic.

Halloween is still lingering in the By Pumpkin's Light lair. Join Mike and Miranda for their annual Halloween Hangover episode as they swap stories from their 2025 season — the best haunts, the biggest surprises, favorite costumes, and maybe a few post-Halloween confessions. October might be fading, but the spooky spirit never does!

To close out October, Mike and Miranda sit down with Jake Hagen — better known online as @halloweenology and one of the standout competitors from Food Network's Halloween Baking Championship. From his earliest Halloween memories to his spooky life in Los Angeles and behind-the-scenes stories from the show, Jake shares how his love for Halloween and baking collide in the sweetest possible way.

Composer George Streicher and musician Sean Keller join Mike and Miranda in the lair to dive into the sounds of the season with a roundtable all about Halloween music. From childhood soundtrack memories to must-have playlist staples, hidden gems, and even the songs we'd stake through the heart forever, we explore what makes a track feel truly spooky — and which tunes deserve a place on your ultimate Halloween playlist.