HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted House...

The Secrets of Spookyworld with David Bertolino

Released on 05/31/2026

We're going live with one of the true pioneers of the haunted attraction industry — David Bertolino, the founder of Spooky World.

If you've ever been through a professional haunt and wondered what really goes into creating those experiences, this is your chance to hear it straight from someone who helped shape the industry. From its early days as a haunted hayride to becoming a full-scale Halloween destination, Spooky World has set the standard for immersive scares, detailed sets, and high-energy performances.

During this live, expect real behind-the-scenes insight — not just about what you see as a guest, but what it actually takes to run a major haunted attraction year after year. We'll be talking about what works, what doesn't, and how the industry has evolved over time. Whether you're a haunt fan, actor, or someone thinking about getting into the business, this is a rare opportunity to learn from experience you won't find anywhere else.

Join the Haunter's Toolbox Facebook Group to attend the next live session if you missed this one: https://www.facebook.com/groups/haunterstoolbox

Find The Spooky World Book here.

Join the Haunter's Toolbox membership and start your own Haunted Attraction Business.

Reward, recognize, and retain your haunt crew with Merit Badges for Haunters ScareItBadges.com

How to Hire, Manage, & Organize Haunt Employees | Sithon.io

Released on 04/27/2026

Hiring and managing a crew at your haunted attraction can be one of the most challenging tasks you'll encounter as an owner or operator.

What if it were easier?

Justin Blackburn, the innovator behind Sithon.io, guides you through the journey of hiring, managing, & organizing your entire haunt operation.

-Hiring & firing
-Scheduling
-Management
-Costume tracking
-Time tracking
-Background checks
-Award tracking
-Staffing metrics

...all made easy!

Become a member of The Haunter's Toolbox facebook group to join the next one: https://www.facebook.com/groups/haunterstoolbox/

Training & coaching to start your own haunted attraction: https://www.haunterstoolbox.com/

Recruit, manage, & organize your attraction: https://sithon.io/

Haunted Attraction Network: Marketing, AI, Trends, and MORE!

Released on 02/19/2026

How do you create a successful off-season haunted event? Are you spending your marketing budget effectively? What is changing in the haunt industry for 2026? And much more Haunt talk.

Philip Hernandez, creator of the Haunted Attraction Network and CEO of Gantom, answers all of your questions in this LIVE event.

Haunter's Toolbox Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/haunterstoolbox

Check out what Philip is doing: https://hauntedattractionnetwork.com/

Start your own Haunted Attraction: https://www.haunterstoolbox.com/

How To Open a Safe Haunted Attraction | William Ramsay

Released on 01/17/2026

In this episode, Dr.William Ramsay, aka Dr. TerrorEyes will present usable information on starting and growing a SAFE haunted attraction.

Here are a few topics that will be discussed:

-How did Haunted Houses start?
-Why fire safety is essential at your Haunt
-Are you doing Staff training correctly?
-Employee forms & applications
-Create signage that works
-Haunt start-up tips
-LOTS MORE!

Here are a few of William's credentials:

-Producer of the SEHEC (Southeast Halloween Enthusiast Convention)
-Guest speaker at many Haunt conventions since 2007
-Co-manager at the Ocala Fear Fest Haunted Attraction
-Board-certified optometric physician: a eye and contact expert

Start your own attraction or grow your current one here: https://www.haunterstoolbox.com/

Start Your First Haunted Attraction | Imminent Doom

Released on 12/24/2025

What's it really like to open and operate a Haunted Attraction business? Can your dream really come true? Can you do it by yourself?

We answer all of your questions in this Master Class with Conner Beets from Imminent Doom Haunted House.

Conner, a lifetime Haunt enthusiast, started and operated his first commercial haunted attraction this year (2025). At the age of 20 years old!

Conner's 5 Top Tips for starting a brand-new haunt are…

1. Build outside city limits if possible! If you happen to be in the city limits… be in CONSTANT communication with your local Fire Marshall and don't try to fight them on codes. Believe me… You will not win that battle lol!

2. Invest Wisely! As cool as some of those massive props are at TransWorld… the quality often isn't what it is at the show when you receive your copy. When at a show, be sure to thoroughly inspect a prop to make sure it is built to last and will be a worthwhile investment for your show!

3. Train your actors!!! As cool as your sets and props may be, your guests only want one thing… to be terrified!!! You can have the most beautiful and high-tech animatronics known to man. Still, if you don't hold your actors to a standard and train them how to scare, develop characters, and pace themselves properly… your show will definitely suffer!

4. Work with and collaborate with your other local haunted attractions! We did a huge project this year called The Frightful Four of East Texas, featuring four local haunts, and it absolutely blew up into a huge deal! You can learn a lot from working with fellow industry experts from your area, and since you are all near each other… There is room for everyone to succeed by working together to drive more guests to your area around October!

5. Stay Humble! I cannot stress this one enough! Don't be a giant Douche for lack of a better word! Your show is not the best thing in the world, despite what you may think, and you will always have to work to improve your show year after year! Also, don't be afraid to ask for help. I haven't seen many haunts that absolutely one person builds, so I'm definitely willing to work with others!

Remembering Jan Knuth

Released on 11/26/2025

In this episode, we remember our friend and fellow Haunter, Jan Knuth.

The Haunt world lost a good one. R.I.P. Jan Skaggs Knuth

She was always a kind soul, loved Haunting, was an admin for this group, & even thought about me enough to include my opinion in her book "Not Afraid to Slay: Women of the Haunt Industry".

You will be missed…

Here is part of her obituary:

"A memorial service for Janet L. Knuth will be held on November 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastor Darren Theesen officiating.

Janet Leigh "Jan" (Skaggs) Knuth, 60 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Jan was born in Holdrege, Nebraska, on January 14, 1965, the second of three children, born to Wes and Monica (Valentine) Skaggs. She received her education from Holdrege Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1983. She pursued higher education and received a degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant from Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas.

Following her education for over 20 years, Jan worked as a Physical Therapy Assistant, starting in Holdrege at Holdrege Physical Therapy, and continued working across the state for Tabitha Home Health. Jan had a love for Halloween and scaring others since she was a little girl. She started a yard haunt at their residence, after a few years, it had grown so much that she bought a house to expand her vision and started Gray House Haunts. Jan also authored her own haunt book, Not Afraid to Slay, Women Of The Haunt Industry.

On November 12, 2005, Jan was united in marriage to Steven Knuth at the First Baptist Church in Holdrege. The couple made their home in Holdrege.

Jan enjoyed spending time at Johnson Lake and nurturing a beautiful garden. Her passion for animal welfare across the state, particularly for dogs, was inspiring. She was committed to providing a loving home to the most vulnerable dogs from shelters, and she was an asset on the board for the Holdrege Animal Rescue.

Jan's love and devotion to her family and friends were equally unwavering, and she consistently demonstrated kindness and generosity to those around her. Her laughter was infectious, and her kind-heartedness and loyalty were truly remarkable. Jan had no tolerance for injustice, and she was always a voice for the voiceless."

Midnight Syndicate: The Birth of Gothic, Horror, & Haunt Music

Released on 10/09/2025

Join the guys behind Midnight Syndicate, Edward Douglas & Gavin Goszka! We ask them questions like: How to create your own haunt music? What inspires them to make music? Sound tips and tricks? Plus, we play the first 3 tracks from their NEW album Darkened Corners.

Midnight Syndicate is an American musical duo known for creating dark, atmospheric, and gothic-themed instrumental music. Their tunes and ambient sounds are used in themed attractions worldwide.

Since 1997, composers Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka have produced what they call "soundtracks for the imagination," blending orchestral scores with sound effects to evoke a sense of horror, mystery, and fantasy.

Find their music: https://www.midnightsyndicate.com/

Start or grow your haunted attraction: https://www.haunterstoolbox.com/

Get Haunt Badges for your crew: https://scareitbadges.com

Join the Haunter's Toolbox Facebook group to attend events like these: https://www.facebook.com/groups/haunterstoolbox/

Total Terror Haunted House: From Home Haunter to Pro

Released on 09/21/2025

Join us as we discuss the Total Terror Haunt with Chip Wells in Virginia.

Going from a home haunter to a commercial haunted attraction
Create your own props with papier-mache
How to operate and grow a haunted attraction
How to manage your haunt crew
and lots more...

Start and grow your Haunted Attraction at HauntersToolbox.com

Stalk Total Terror at TotalTerrorHaunt.com

Reward your scare actors and staff with merit badges from ScareItBadges.com

Learn more about these attractions inside this podcast:

EXORCYSM
Nestled at the end of a desolate road, the old manor stands as a testament to time's cruel passage. Its once grand facade now slowly crumbles, with ivy creeping up its walls like skeletal fingers. The windows, shattered and grimy, seem to watch with a malevolent gaze.
Father O'Malley, a priest known for his unwavering faith and courage, had heard the whispers of the manor's dark history. Desperate to rid the town of its lingering evil, he enliststhe help of a team of seasoned ghost hunters. Armed with their equipment and steely resolve, they approached the manor under the cover of night.
Join the team on the investigation and discover the true horror that dwells in the old manor.

FELDGEISTER
As twilight descended, the corn maze loomed ominously against the darkening sky. The stalks, tall and dense, whispered secrets carried by the wind. The entrance, marked by an ancient wooden archway, beckoned with an eerie glow.
Visitors to the maze were warned of its sinister reputation, but curiosity often outweighed caution. Tonight, the maze was alive with the presence of monsters from German folklore, each more terrifying than the last.

Scare Actor Training & Managing with Fright Nights

Released on 09/14/2025

Sammy Days & David Gricius are the Scare Actor Trainers and Scare Actors at Fright Nights in Southern Florida. Join us as we pick their brains...

Learn how to recruit scare actors
Learn how to train scare actors
Learn how to manage scare actors

Fright Nights is an annual Halloween event that occurs at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach, Florida. Open through the beginning of October through Halloween, the event features multiple haunted houses, "scare zones," midway rides, food vendors, games, and live entertainment.

Stalk Fright Nights at https://www.southfloridafair.com/p/fright-nights

Start and grow your Haunted Attraction at https://www.haunterstoolbox.com/

Reward, recognize, and retain your actors with https://scareitbadges.com/

Halloween Hollow Haunted House: Starting from ground zero

Released on 08/11/2025

Halloween Hollow Haunted House in Silver Point, TN, Has Everyone Screaming From Nashville to Knoxville, Tennessee, With Its Massive Outdoor Halloween Event!

We answer your questions to the owners, Carroll Lee Moore III and Erica McElroy, as we discuss what it takes to own and operate the most unique haunted attraction in Tennessee.

Start and grow your haunted attraction at HauntersToolbox.com

Stalk the Halloween Hollow at HalloweenHollowHaunt.com

Reward, recognize, and retain your scare actors and staff at ScareItBadges.com

HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Hallow...