Dark Carousel Podcast

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.

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.https://www.instagram.com/perfectlyhaunted

The Journey Begins | Part 1Before there was Skar.Before there was Jingles.There were simply two people who discovered a passion that would change their lives forever.In Part 1 of this special two-part conversation, we sit down with Landen Gessner and David Amador to learn who they are beyond the costumes. We explore how they first found the haunt industry, what inspired them to become scare actors, the experiences that shaped them, and why haunting became more than just a hobby.From their first nights in a haunted attraction to the friendships, challenges, and unforgettable memories they’ve built along the way, this episode is about the foundation of their journey.Before you know the characters…Get to know the people.Welcome to the beginning of their story.https://www.instagram.com/loi_jingles_the_jester?igsh=MWsydXAzaTZ6ZWE2OA==

Some stories begin with a plan.Others begin with an accident.What started as an unexpected creative spark eventually grew into Macabre Intentions, one of the haunt industry’s most recognizable names in custom costume and character design. Founded by Joseph Goratowski, Macabre Intentions wasn’t born from a master blueprint or years of business strategy. It grew organically through passion, experimentation, and a relentless drive to create something unforgettable.From post-apocalyptic wastelands and industrial nightmares to cyberpunk horrors and cinematic creatures, Joseph’s work blurs the line between costume and living nightmare. Every creation tells a story. Every monster feels as though it existed long before the lights came on and will continue roaming long after they go dark.In this episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast, we dive into the accidental beginnings of Macabre Intentions, the sacrifices behind the art, the evolution of a creator, and what it truly means to dedicate your life to building monsters that leave a lasting impression.Because sometimes the greatest creations aren’t planned.Sometimes they happen by accident.And sometimes accidents become legends.🎠 This Carousel Will Never Stop Spinning.

This episode features Riddlez from Laurel House of Horror, but this conversation goes far beyond makeup, costumes, and scares. Behind the paint is a real person with real emotions, real struggles, real passion, and a story worth hearing.We talk about character creation, fear, performance, haunt culture, and the emotional side of becoming someone else every night for the sake of making people feel something. Because haunting isn’t just about being scary. It’s about expression. It’s about identity. It’s about taking the pain, the chaos, the anxiety, the trauma, and the passion and turning it into art.Don’t hold the pain.Express the pain.This episode dives into the reality that so many haunters understand but rarely say out loud. Sometimes the mask doesn’t hide who you are. Sometimes it finally reveals it.Welcome to the Dark Carousel Podcast.This carousel never stops spinning.

Step inside the madness with the newest episode of the Dark Carousel Podcast as Arthur and Steve sit down with the mastermind behind Horror Prop Shop, Dave. From viral magnetic horns and nightmare-fuel creations to the chaos of running one of the most recognizable brands in the haunt industry, this episode pulls back the curtain on the world most people never get to see.Dave opens up about the passion, pressure, setbacks, and insanity that come with building a haunt brand from the ground up. The conversation dives into convention stories, behind-the-scenes failures, wild customer interactions, the evolution of Horror Prop Shop, and what keeps him creating in an industry fueled by obsession and creativity.This isn’t just a conversation about props. It’s about dedication, identity, and why haunt culture becomes more than a hobby for the people who live it.Dark humor, real stories, and pure haunt energy from beginning to end.This carousel will never stop spinning.

Taylor Wright steps off the Pennhurst Asylum floor and into the podcast, dragging her warped brilliance with her. This episode dives into how she builds nightmares from scratch, why she refuses to water down who she is, and how her years as a makeup artist have shaped some of the most unforgettable haunt characters out there. She talks creativity, identity, chaos, and the strangely beautiful freedom that comes with embracing your own intensity. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to create something terrifying and still stay true to yourself, Taylor spells it out with zero hesitation. The carousel keeps turning, and she’s the kind of storm that makes the ride worth taking

This recap dives straight into the chaos, the artistry, and the unnerving dedication behind one of the most feral characters in the haunt world. The Brighton Banshee isn’t just a costume or a character… she’s a living, breathing psychological storm, and this episode cracks open the door to everything she pours into bringing that creature to life.As the 2025 season closes out, she returns to The Dark Carousel to peel back her own layers, reflecting on the evolution of the Banshee, the emotional depth behind her performance, and the raw passion that fuels her night after night. She talks about how she built this twisted persona from the ground up, how she slips into the mindset of madness, and why this character means more to her than most people will ever understand.It’s vulnerable. It’s intense. It’s the kind of conversation you only get with someone who doesn’t just play a monster… she becomes one.This episode is a tribute to the heart behind the horror and to a performer who refuses to hold anything back.

Tonight’s episode drags you straight into the workshop of Mason Lauster, the madman behind DreadWorks FX. This isn’t just makeup — it’s chaos bottled, shaken, and sprayed through an airbrush. Mason breaks down how he builds monsters that feel alive, the psychology behind haunt makeup, and the obsession it takes to keep an entire cast looking terrifying night after night. We dig into his past, his process, and the twisted passion that fuels every creature he creates.If you’ve ever wondered what goes on inside the head of someone who crafts nightmares for a living… buckle up. This one hits deep.This Carousel Never Stops Spinning.

In this emotionally charged and unfiltered episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast we welcome a phenomenal force from Field of Screams Maryland AvelWith nine years in the industry Avel has become more than just a performer in the fog They are a storyteller a truth-teller and a symbol of fearless self-expression in a world built on masks From the first scream to the final breath Avel shows us what it truly means to haunt not just the guests but the atmosphere the spirit and the moment itselfThis conversation goes deep We explore the roots of their passion the creation of their character and the emotional strength it takes to live with authenticity in a world of shadowsAvel speaks on identity creativity discipline and purpose And through it all they remind us that haunting is not just an act It is a part of who they areWhether you are a lifelong haunter a fan of the scene or someone who understands what it means to find yourself in darkness this episode will resonate in a powerful wayThis carousel will never stop spinning

This new episode is about confronting the weight of creation. It’s about how art made from blood makes people nervous but it also forces people to feel something real again. It’s about the way Vincent turns trauma into legacy. He walks right into his shadows and comes back with a masterpiece that can’t be faked. He takes the thing most people hide and uses it as the source of truth.This episode isn’t sensational. It’s vulnerable. It’s uncomfortable. It’s human.There’s this quiet power in hearing him speak plainly about why he does what he does. Not to shock. Not to offend. But because the soul deserves a medium that can’t lie. A medium that can’t be separated from the person who lived the pain.This is what The Dark Carousel Podcast does when it’s at its best. You tap into the secret pulse beneath the haunt world. You find the ones who have carved something true out of all the things most people bury.Vincent didn’t show you theatrics.He showed you blood as memory.Blood as ink.Blood as proof we’re here.🎠The carousel will never stop spinning.🎠

This episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast dives into the mind of Riot, a traveling actor who has spent the last five years pouring his soul into the world of haunting. From fog-filled nights to the roar of chainsaws and screams in the dark, Riot’s passion burns brighter with every season. 💀🔥We talk about the sacrifices, the brotherhood, and the thrill that keeps him coming back. It’s about more than just scaring people,it’s about finding purpose in the madness, family in the chaos, and pride in every scream earned.Five years in, and he’s only just getting started.🎧 Episode out now on all major platforms.🩸 This Carousel Never Stops Spinning 🎠

Buckle up haunters this is our longest episode yet and for good reason. We’re diving deep with the one and only Ms. Laurel (Angelica) a haunting legend whose name is carved into the very walls of Laurel’s House of Horror in Maryland.With 18 years of experience, Ms. Laurel’s story is more than just about scaring. It’s about passion, purpose, and a love for the art that refuses to fade. Her dedication shines through every scream, every performance, and every night she steps into character. She embodies what it means to live and breathe haunting, inspiring others to chase their own creative fire without fear.This episode isn’t just a conversation. It’s a celebration of resilience, artistry, and the unstoppable heart of a haunter.This Carousel Never Stops Spinning.