HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters

Brian Foreman & Darryl Plunkie: Haunters, Scare Actors, Haunt Owners

Have you always wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes of Haunted Attractions, Scare Attractions, and Halloween? We tell those stories here!

  • 34 minutes 52 seconds
    Remembering Jan Knuth

    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."
    26 November 2025, 1:17 pm
  • 1 hour 42 minutes
    Midnight Syndicate: The Birth of Gothic, Horror, & Haunt Music

    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/

    9 October 2025, 1:13 pm
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
    Total Terror Haunted House: From Home Haunter to Pro
    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.
    21 September 2025, 5:00 pm
  • 1 hour 51 minutes
    Scare Actor Training & Managing with Fright Nights

    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/

    14 September 2025, 3:59 pm
  • 1 hour 45 minutes
    Halloween Hollow Haunted House: Starting from ground zero

    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

    11 August 2025, 1:22 am
  • 1 hour 18 minutes
    Woods of Terror: Scare acting, snakes, midways, & more!

    Eddie McLaurin is the creator and owner of the Woods of Terror haunted attraction in Greensboro, North Carolina.

    Here's a brief overview of his story: Family Legacy: The Woods of Terror sits on land that has been in McLaurin's family for generations, dating back to his great-grandfather, Simon Peter "Pa Pete" McCormick. Inspired by the Land: McLaurin was inspired to create the haunted attraction by the 26 graves on the family property that scared him as a child.

    Year-Round Commitment: He treats the Woods of Terror as a full-time job, dedicating himself to its year-round operation and improvement.

    Bone Daddy Persona: During the operating season, McLaurin takes on the persona of "Bone Daddy," leading parades and interacting with guests in makeup and costume, including a live snake.

    Community Engagement: He is known for engaging with his customers and giving back to the community, including supporting local businesses and charitable causes.

    Building a Haunted Kingdom: McLaurin is credited with building Woods of Terror into a highly-respected haunted attraction, creating a unique and immersive experience for visitors.

    Dedication and Hard Work: His success is attributed to his strong work ethic and commitment to his vision for Woods of Terror.

    Check out Woods of Terror here: https://woodsofterror.com/

    Become a Haunter's Toolbox member: https://www.haunterstoolbox.com/

    17 July 2025, 1:22 pm
  • 1 hour 49 minutes
    Terror in the Corn with Bart Butler
    Ask the Haunt Expert: Bart Butler from Terror in the Corn Hosted by HauntersToolbox.com Bart Butler is the show director for Terror in the Corn in Eerie, Colorado. Bart answers all of your haunted attraction-related questions. We'll discuss: -Scare Acting management -Scenic design & construction -Character Development -Getting more people to your Haunt -and ALL of your questions! Stalk Bart Butler at Terrorinthecorn.com Don't forget your ScareItBadges.com
    28 June 2025, 10:27 pm
  • 1 hour 13 minutes
    Haunt Marketing, Haunt Dolls, & Conjured Media
    Vendor Spotlight: Haunt Dolls/Conjured Media Hosted by HauntersToolbox.com Before Haunt Dolls was even a thought, Alex Berland, who also runs Conjured Media, a marketing agency that specializes in haunted attractions, would get crochet dolls as holiday gifts for his clients of the characters his team would create with them. The dolls were so well received and cherished that in 2024 it became obvious that the next step would be to launch a project dedicated to making pieces that the public could get their hands on yet still be something special they could display proudly. Haunt Dolls is an art project that merges the worlds of creepy and cute together, bringing limited edition collectables to life in yarn. A Haunt Dolls collectable is a physical manifestation of an artist's unique vision that you can proudly interact with and display. Check out Haunt Dolls: HauntDolls.com Market your Attraction: https://conjured.media/
    7 June 2025, 1:42 am
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
    Haunt Law: How to cover your a$$ with waivers, contracts, & preparation.

    Matthew Murphey is a Haunter and a trial attorney. Matt has worked in courtrooms since starting his legal career as a court-martial clerk in the United States Army in 1985.

    He also knows Haunted Attraction's legal roadblocks.

    We'll discuss: -Protecting yourself from legal battles

    -How to start a non-profit attraction

    -Employee contracts & applications

    -Waivers: Good or bad?

    -How to deal with local codes & laws

    -Insurance & Liability

    -Legal guidelines around your brand

    -Do you own your characters?

    -Advice for Home Haunters & HOAs

    Matt has tried cases to juries in three states and five federal districts as counsel. Matt's background in science coupled with his trial experience with prosecution agencies allowed him to transfer his trial skills to private practice fifteen years ago to complex patent and other intellectual property, financial institutions, and commercial litigation cases.

    Start, grow, & scale your haunted attraction business at HauntersToolbox.com

    Find Matt at themurpheylawyers.com

    22 May 2025, 11:11 pm
  • 1 hour 44 minutes
    How to get more people to your Haunted Attraction: Philip Hernandez
    Philip Hernandez, the founder of the Haunted Attraction Network and CEO of Gantom, answers all of your marketing questions. He has experience in social media, marketing, video & audio, theme parks, haunted attractions, public relations, press releases, and much more. Find Philip at HauntedAttractionNetwork.com Start and grow your haunted attraction at HauntersToolbox.com Reward, Retain, and Recognize your haunt staff with ScareItBadges.com
    28 April 2025, 12:36 am
  • 1 hour 38 minutes
    Create Killer Videos and Photos of Your Haunt with Haunting Media

    Scott and Jewel Simonson answer all of your questions about creating killer videos and photos at your haunt, marketing on a budget, retaining your actors, haunt technology, and other questions you have about Haunted Attractions.

    "Haunting Media was founded by experienced haunted attraction owners, who, much like you, understand the intricacies and importance of delivering a truly detailed and immersive experience. As we carefully crafted our own haunted attraction, it became apparent that our photos and videos should mirror this attention to detail.

    With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Haunting Media ensures that our content creation services cater to your specific needs. Each member of our team is not only highly experienced in the haunting industry but also exceptionally creative. We understand that no two attractions are alike; therefore, we take great pride in tailoring our offerings to suit your unique vision." -HauntingMedia.com

    Start or grow your haunted attraction at HauntersToolbox.com

    23 March 2025, 6:02 pm
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