Leonard Pickel

Haunt Seminars

Welcome to our NEW series of online seminars just for Haunters! You don’t even have to leave your computer and you can watch/listen to these informative webinars straight from the comfort of your home. We get the Professionals from the Haunt Industry on video (recording available) and record the audio (MP3) so you can listen to the seminar if you can’t make the LIVE event. You will be able to watch or listen to these seminars when & wherever...
Cutting Edge Scenic Design

Mike ‘Tattoo’ Krausert: Spooky World, The Interactive Haunt, & Becoming a Haunt Designer

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:48 — 54.7MB) In Episode 37 of HaunTopic Radio we interview Mike ‘Tattoo’ Krausert from Cutting Edge Scenic Design and the Director of the famous Haunted Attraction Spooky World about the Interactive Haunted House that his team builds every year at the Transworld Halloween & Haunt Show. His team is known for their quick set up times & flexibility when working with highly detailed mobile haunts. We also discuss his experience at...
insane shane party

The Insane Shane Party, Disturbia Haunted House, & Transworld with Shane Dabbs

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:32 — 51.0MB) In Episode 36 we get ‘Insane’ Shane Dabbs, the man behind the Disturbia Haunted House & The Insane Shane Pre-Transworld Party, to open up a bit about a few different topics.  Here are a few topics we discuss with Shane in this show: How To Use A Token System to Make Your Attendees Wait Less What To Expect At the Insane Shane Party at Transworld Halloween & Haunt...
ScareHouse Haunted House

The ScareHouse: Interview with Scott Simmons from Pittsburgh’s Ultimate Haunted House

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:18:41 — 90.1MB) In Episode of 32 of HaunTopic Radio we interview Scott Simmons from The ScareHouse in Pittsburgh, PA and learn much more about what it takes to operate & manage Pittsburgh’s Ultimate Haunted House. We also get the story behind The ScareHouse, how Scott started out as a smaller attraction, and what it really took to get to where he is today. Plus a whole bunch more…. Here is...
3rd Street Asylum Haunted House

Live from The 3rd Street Asylum: A Complete Walk-Through & Guided Tour with Mike and Steve

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:45 — 61.5MB) In Episode 30 of HaunTopic Radio we get a behind-the-scenes guided tour with Mike Clouse & Steve Hoffine from The 3rd Street Asylum of Bonner Springs, Kansas. I get a short interview with the guys before we go through the Haunt with the lights on. They tell us about where they get their supplies, some useful prop tips for your Haunt, & great ideas you can use for...
Halloween Nation

Lesley Bannatyne: The Story Behind Halloween & What It Means Today

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:14 — 64.4MB) In Episode 28 of HaunTopic Radio we get Lesley Bannatyne to dust off her crystal ball & tell us remarkable stories of the past and other adventures of Halloween. She also turns the questions to us and we gave in. So you might here a couple stories from us about Halloween. We also learn where she found the inspiration behind her book about Halloween/Haunters & the Haunt Industry...
Composite Effects

CFX: The Evolution of Silicone Masks & What It Takes To Make One

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:10:21 — 80.5MB) In Episode 26 of HaunTopic Radio we interview Wes, Ken, & Diana from CFX or otherwise known as Composite Effects. We unmask each one of them and learn more about the silicone mask making process, where they get their creative inspiration, and how the silicone mask is an excellent tool for any Haunter. If you have never witnessed these masks in action…it is a completely different feel &...
Haunted Overload

Haunted Overload: No Halloween or Haunt Project is Too Big for Eric Lowther

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:45 — 56.9MB) In Episode 24 of HaunTopic Radio, we finally get Eric Lowther on the phone from Haunted Overload to get some advice on the steps from Home Haunting to Haunt Owner and How To Grow Your Haunt Business the Smart Way. Haunted Overload is an outdoor Haunted Attraction located in Lee, New Hampshire that Eric built & moved twice due to expansion and some business evolutions. You can find 30′...
Haunted Radio

HaunTopic Radio Archives

THESE ARE ALL OF OUR PODCAST EPISODES. WE TRY TO BRING YOU INTERESTING GUESTS FROM THE WORLD OF HALLOWEEN, HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS, & HOME HAUNTS. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER “THE HAUNTER’S TOOLBOX” FOR ALL INSTANT UPDATES & NEW EPISODES. ENJOY!!       EPISODE 36: INTERVIEW WITH SHANE DABBS FROM DISTURBIA HAUNTED HOUSE & INSANE SHANE PARTY EPISODE 35: STILTBEAST STUDIOS & SELLING HALLOWEEN INTERVIEWS EPISODE 34: SCARY CHRISTMAS JINGLES & TWISTED CAROLS EPISODE 33: INTERVIEW WITH HECTOR TURNER FROM...
How to Build a Haunted House

How to Design & Build a Haunted House with Leonard Pickel

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:48 — 36.4MB) In Episode 19 of HaunTopic Radio we get the Haunt Godfather Leonard Pickel back on the mic where we discuss many of the obstacles that Haunters face in today’s world of constant challenge. How to Save Money While Building Your Haunt, Why Stories are Important to the Success of Your Attraction, & How to Beat the Conga Line Effect By Changing Your Design are just a few of the...
Midnight Syndicate

Midnight Syndicate: Ed & Gavin Tell Their Story Behind the Music

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:00 — 56.1MB) Do you love Midnight Syndicate music and have always wanted to know more about the creators behind the tracks? We interview Edward Douglas & Gavin Goszka from Midnight Syndicate and get them to open up a bit about their journey as Dark Composers. If you have never heard of Midnight Syndicate then you have a few years of music to catch up on. They are the composers of...
CFX Mask

How to Make Your Own Mask and Where to Buy One…just in case.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:12 — 39.1MB) In Episode 10 of HaunTopic Radio we discuss the essentials for Molding Your Own Mask, Where to Get the Supplies, & Where to Buy One if you don’t want to spend the creativity & time to do it. Making your own mask for the first time can be a rewarding and learning experience & designing another one will be too. With a little cash and a few hours...
Scary Visions

Tips You Need To Know Before Starting Up Your Haunted House

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:18 — 38.1MB) In Episode 9 of HaunTopic Radio we’re using 3 of our interviews from Transworld; all providing useful information like Common Mistakes Haunters Make , How Social Media Can Help You Build Your Haunt Business, and a Website Where You Can Get Some FREE E-books on Starting UP Your Haunted Attraction. We will also be running our very first contest and giving away a Free Issue of Fright Times...
old tools

The Haunter’s Toolbox is Now Open

  The Haunter’s Toolbox is finally here! I have been working on some type of free training series that is strictly focused on helpful information for Haunters by Haunters…and here it is. All you have to do is give me your email address and I will start sending you an email each week. I’m picking some of my older popular posts, adding some new one’s, and creating some special content just for The Haunter’s Toolbox Subscribers. Here are some...

The Midwest Haunter’s Convention & The Scare-a-Torium with Kelly Collins

Posted 16 May 2013 in PODCASTS
midwest haunters 2013

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:05 — 45.9MB) The Midwest Haunters Convention is the last Haunt Industry Convention of the year in the United States. If you haven’t attended a Haunted Attraction Convention, Haunt Trade Show, or Haunted House Conference this year then this is your last chance! The Midwest Haunters Convention is located in Columbus,Ohio through the dates of June 7th through June 9th. Plus, a Pre-show Haunt Tour covering over 20 Haunted Attractions through June 5 & 6! There are still tickets and room available…but you better hurry… We get Kelly Collins on HaunTopic Radio to give you the details behind the Midwest Haunters Convention, all of the shows and events, and some news...

The West Coast Haunter’s Convention with Ed Roberts & Darryl Returns from HAuNTcon

Posted 07 May 2013 in PODCASTS
west coast haunetrs con

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:23 — 50.8MB) Are you a Home Haunter, Halloween Fan, or Haunted Attraction Owner who lives on the west coast or you want to take a trip somewhere that caters to you as a Haunter? Then the West Coast Haunter’s Convention is a good place to be. We interview Ed Roberts, the man behind the WCHC and the Nightmare Factory, and get the inside scoop on what will be at the convention and why you need to go. The West Coast Haunter’s Convention is in Portland, Oregon at the Doubletree Hotel and offers education and entertainment to Home Haunters, Haunt Owners, Halloween Fans, and everyone involved with the Haunt Industry. If...

The National Haunter’s Convention with Michael Bruner and Steve Randi

Posted 21 Apr 2013 in PODCASTS
National Haunters Convention

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:47 — 55.8MB) We packed this episode with double the fun! We get Michael Bruner in the dungeon and torture him for details on his event The National Haunter’s Convention (or The National Halloween, Horror, Haunted House, & Hearse Conversation) which will be at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA on May 3-5. We also turn to Steve Randi, a home haunter going to the pro side, and ask him what he expects from the National Haunter’s Convention this year and why he is setting up a Haunted Attraction in the middle of the convention floor! Michael Bruner gives you many reasons why you should not miss this year’s...

HAuNTcon 2013 with Bobbie Weiner, Dick Terhune, Alex Lohmann, & Henry Cowen

Posted 09 Apr 2013 in PODCASTS
Hauntcon 2013

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:21 — 64.5MB) In this episode of HaunTopic Radio, Darryl Plunkie goes solo and gets a few of the attendees and vendors on the mic to talk all things HAuNTcon. Guests such as Bobbie Weiner from Bloody Mary Make Up, Dick Terhune the famous Voice From Hell, Alex Lohmann from 13th Street Morgue/Dungeon of Doom, and Henry Cowen who provides Theatrical Supplies to Haunted Attractions. We also cover a few informative seminars and why you need to take advantage of them to succeed in the Haunt Industry. A peek into the Hearse Convention. And don’t miss out on the Haunt Garage Sale to get some deals on some discount products at...

Live From the Transworld Halloween/Haunt Show 2013 (Part 1)

Posted 28 Mar 2013 in PODCASTS
transworld haunt & halloween show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:52 — 51.4MB)   Wow! What a show! Yes…I’m talking about the Transworld Halloween and Haunt Show that was hosted in St.Louis,MO on March 7-10 2013. This was my 5th time attending and each time the experience is different. There are always new props, different faces, and exciting new events to participate in. Unfortunately, I only had one day to try to take it all in. I didn’t get to meet all of my friends there but I did manage to capture a few audio interviews for HaunTopic Radio. I also made a few connections with vendors who are excited to be donating more prizes to the lucky monthly winners of...

Page 1 of 2912345»1020...Last »