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.

https://www.instagram.com/perfectlyhaunted

For four years, Sparky has poured everything he has into the world of haunting. What started as a passion became an obsession, and that obsession became a legacy. From the legendary halls of Spooky World to the twisted nightmares of Fright Kingdom, Sparky has dedicated countless hours to perfecting his craft, creating unforgettable scares, and becoming a character that audiences never forget. Behind the makeup, the costumes, and the screams is a haunter driven by pure passion and an unwavering love for Halloween.

Join us as we dive into the story behind the monster, the sacrifices made along the way, and the journey that continues to push him forward. This is more than a haunt career. This is a way of life.

The nightmare continues.

🎠 This Carousel Will Never Stop Spinning. 🎠

The Journey Begins | Part 1

Before 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==

Sometimes all it takes is one question.

When we sat down with Azazel, we expected to talk about haunting, characters, scares, and the road that brought him from Savannah, Georgia into the haunt world. We got all of that. What we didn’t expect was a moment that hit every one of us right in the chest.

One question.

One answer.

And suddenly the conversation became something much bigger.

This episode dives into the passion behind the paint, the friendships built along the way, the struggles, the victories, and the reason so many of us keep coming back to this crazy world year after year. It’s about entertaining people, creating memories, and finding a place where you truly belong.

Whether you’ve been haunting for decades or you’ve never stepped behind a mask, Azazel’s story is a reminder that passion isn’t something you find overnight. It’s something you fight for, build, and carry with you through every chapter of your life.

This was more than a conversation about a character.

This was a conversation about heart.

Sometimes the mask tells a story. Sometimes the person underneath tells an even better one.

🎠 This Carousel Will Never Stop Spinning.

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.