It's Halloween season! Matt and the crew go back out West to visit Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios, Hollywood, to prepare for part II of the horror conversation from earlier this season. Adam Marcus and his producing partner (and real life partner) Debra Sullivan join the show to dicuss all things horror. Marcus is best known for directing "Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday," and co-writing/producing with Sullivan various projects like "Texas Chainsaw" (2013), "Secret Santa" and "Conspiracy" (Val Kilmer). Matt has some tricks and some treats up his sleeve, bringing Halloween into the mix, to discuss nostalgia, real life horrors with set divas, biggest fears and more. They break the stigmas behind horror fans and the desire to create these frightening stories, and illustrate the soft, kindness and heart that is often overlooked.

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Less than 2 weeks out from the 2026 Midterm elections, front and center are attack ads from Republican candidates and PACs, making bogus claims like Dems forcing underage transgender surgeries, attempting to make the LGBTQ+ community the Boogey Man. Zach Joseph, a US Navy veteran and current Director of the Ohio Pride PAC, sits down at the table to discuss the culture war, political tokenism and his hopes for the future. Ohio Pride grades every bill and sitting politician for the state on their work towards or against true equality. While most Americans are worried about the cost of groceries, gas and healthcare, we're seeing weaponization of homophobia and transphobia, creating fears of people in bathrooms and men in women's sports. In Ohio, they're trying to push through a ban on Drag performances, and have never enshrined the right to gay marriage. Meanwhile, the cost of living is through the roof, unemployment is up, and few people see a solid path towards retirement. What's the "gay agenda" they're always touting? It's simply equality...and maybe a rainbow sidewalk on the way to a Drag brunch...but they'll settle for basic equality.

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What if joy isn't the reward for learning, but the lesson itself?
In this episode, Matt sits down with Allie Rivera Quiñonez, better known to millions of families as Ms. Appleberry from CoComelon's "The Melon Patch," alongside her sister, Nicole Rivera, Moonbug Media's Senior Creative Executive, for a conversation about children's media, creativity, family, and the big responsibility of helping shape little minds.

Together, they explore how children learn through music, movement, play, imagination, and occasionally making adults sing songs they swore they'd never have memorized. As The Melon Patch continues to reach families through YouTube Kids, Netflix, and Disney +, Allie & Nicole share the intentional approach behind creating content that teaches confidence, connection, curiosity, and emotional growth. Their shared vision has helped bring meaningful educational experiences to children around the world.

Of course, Matt couldn't pass up the opportunity to discuss one of his favorite topics: puppets. From beloved childhood characters to today's educational storytellers, they explore why felt, foam, and a little imagination can sometimes teach lessons that stick with us for a lifetime.

Whether you're a parent, educator, creator, or someone who still gets excited when a puppet enters the scene, this conversation is a reminder that the most meaningful learning often starts with wonder. Join us as we go there.

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