The Dark Carousel Podcast

After 27 years in the haunt industry, Punx the Clown’s passion runs much deeper than the scares. From Nightmare on the Ridge in Auburn, Maine, his story is about dedication, creativity, community, and finding that fire again even when it starts to fade. Behind the mask is a haunter who truly loves what he does and the people who make this industry feel like home. 🎃🤡

Halloween isn’t just a season. For some of us, it’s a way of life.

On this episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast, we welcome Halloween Haunts 365 for a conversation that goes far beyond haunted attraction reviews.Behind the cameras and reviews are two individuals who share a genuine love for the haunt industry. They’re not just there to rate attractions or tell you where to spend your money. They’re there to build relationships, support fellow haunters, share stories, and become part of the community that makes this industry so special.We dive into their journey, the friendships they’ve built, the experiences that have shaped them, and what it truly means to be a haunter.Because at the end of the day, it’s not about who’s got the biggest haunt or the scariest attraction. It’s about the people behind the masks, the passion that brings us together, and the family we find along the way.We’re not just haunt fans. We’re haunters. And this carousel will never stop spinning. 🎠

Eddie McLaurin, better known as Bone Daddy, is the owner and mastermind behind Woods of Terror and McLaurin Farms in Greensboro, North Carolina. For more than three decades, Eddie has helped transform his family property into one of the most recognized haunted attractions in the country.

Now heading into the 2026 season, Eddie continues pushing Woods of Terror into new territory, including the arrival of Dee Snider’s Strangeland.

Haunter. Creator. Leader. Man of faith. And still finding new ways to make people afraid of the dark. 🌲💀

This one got deep.

We sat down with Allen Hopps to talk about his journey through the haunt industry, but the conversation became so much more. Allen opened up about his perspective on haunting, life, helping others, and what keeps him constantly moving forward.

An extraordinary man with a massive heart for haunting, creating, teaching, and helping others.

This wasn’t just about what Allen has done. It was about why he does it. 🎠

This carousel will never stop spinning.

If you love talking haunt shop, this is the episode for you! The Dark Carousel Podcast sits down with Sammy Taylor, better known as Chainsaw Sammy and host of Into the Fear, to trace her journey from where it all began to where her passion has taken her today. We dive into her years in the haunt industry, the experiences that shaped her, the love behind everything she creates, and just how insanely busy she will be this haunt season. This episode is about the people, the memories, the hard work, and the passion that keeps the haunt community alive. Two podcasts collide for an honest conversation about the journey and why haunting becomes so much more than something we do every October.

This makes that part more subtle and personal without laying it on too thick.

🎃 Pumpkin Riot Productions | Dark Carousel Podcast

On this episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast, we sit down with Bryan, owner and creator of Pumpkin Riot Productions out of Plainfield, Illinois.

Since 2020, Bryan has taken his love for Halloween and turned it into something incredible, creating masks, props, yard displays, and so much more. His work is fueled by passion, creativity, and dedication, but the heart behind it comes from somewhere much more personal.

A huge part of Bryan’s drive comes from the memory of his mother. Though she’s no longer here, the love and influence she gave him never left. He carries that with him, turning it into something meaningful every time he creates.

We dive into Bryan’s journey, his creative process, the story behind Pumpkin Riot Productions, and most importantly, what haunting truly means to him.



🎠 This carousel will never stop spinning.

Some people spend years finding a character that truly fits them. Others step into the fog and somehow make it look like they’ve been doing it forever.

This week, we’re joined by Spaz the Clown, a rising haunt performer who’s only been in the industry for a short time but is already making a name for herself with an unforgettable character, incredible energy, and a passion that can’t be taught. We dive into where it all began, the inspiration behind Spaz, the challenges of creating a believable clown, and what drives someone to willingly become the thing hiding in your nightmares. Because, naturally, that’s considered a perfectly reasonable hobby.

From heartfelt moments and behind-the-scenes stories to the excitement of building a haunt career from the ground up, this episode proves that experience isn’t measured only in years. Sometimes it’s measured in dedication, creativity, and the impact you leave on every guest who walks through your scene.

If you’re a haunter, a horror fan, or someone chasing a dream of your own, this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Step into the spotlight and prepare for a broadcast unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

On this episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast, we welcome the unforgettable duo bakR and Sadie Slaughter, two incredibly talented haunters whose hauntingly original characters have captivated audiences with their eerie 1950s-inspired performances. From bakR’s unsettling vintage broadcaster complete with his iconic APPLAUSE box to Sadie Slaughter’s chilling mannequin-like presence, these characters are far more than costumes. They are years of creativity, passion, dedication, and relentless refinement brought to life.

Join Arthur and Steve as they dive deep into the stories behind the makeup, the masks, and the madness. We explore how these unforgettable characters were created, the sacrifices made along the way, the challenges of staying fresh in the haunt industry, and the moments that reminded them why they fell in love with haunting in the first place.

This isn’t just a conversation about scary characters. It’s about the people behind them, the passion that fuels them, and the journey that transformed imagination into living nightmares.

If you’ve ever wondered what it truly takes to become an unforgettable haunter, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Some episodes are planned.

This one was pure chaos.

The Dark Carousel Podcast packed up, hit the road, and traveled all the way to Laurel, Maryland, to surprise the incredible cast and crew of Laurel’s House of Horror. What started as a road trip quickly turned into one of our favorite experiences yet.

We sat down with the talented actors, actresses, makeup artists, and the passionate people who bring this legendary haunt to life, hearing the stories behind the masks, the dedication behind every scare, and what keeps them coming back year after year.

This episode isn’t just about a haunted attraction. It’s about family, passion, creativity, and the people who make the haunt industry one of the most unique communities in the world.

Climb aboard the Dark Carousel and experience the laughs, the memories, and the heart behind one unforgettable visit to Laurel’s House of Horror.

🎙️ Never Stop Spinning.

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 unforgettable haunted experiences. From managing the daily chaos of a world-class attraction to building a culture driven by creativity and teamwork, Brit shares what it’s really like being at the center of one of the industry’s most beloved haunts.

Paul reflects on three decades of growth, challenges, lessons learned, and the evolution of Markoff’s Haunted Forest from its early days into the legendary attraction it is today.

This isn’t just a conversation about scares and Halloween. It’s a conversation about leadership, sacrifice, perseverance, and the people who dedicate their lives to creating moments that guests remember forever.

At its heart, this episode is about the love of haunting. The passion that keeps people building, creating, dreaming, and pushing forward year after year.

Because behind every scream, every set piece, every character, and every unforgettable night in the woods, there are people who truly love what they do.

Step behind the curtain and discover what haunting means to those who have devoted their lives to it.

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