Episodes

  • Now Entering the Big Top: VORTEX & SLINKY Unleashed!
    Jun 26 2025

    🎟️ Episode Bio Description:

    🎺 LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GHOULS…

    Grab your popcorn and hold your breath as the Dark Carousel rolls into a twisted tent of terror! This week’s center ring belongs to none other than the loud-laughin’, axe-swingin’, chaos-bringin’ clown duo: VORTEX & SLINKY (SLORTEX!) from Spooky World Presents Nightmare New England


    Join Arthur and Steve as they peel back the curtain on the glitter and gore to reveal the heart, soul, and madness behind two of the most hauntingly unforgettable characters in the haunt industry. From their emotional journey into character work to the love and labor that goes into every scream this isn’t just a show… it’s a freakin’ circus.


    🎡 Step inside, take a seat… because this carousel never stops spinning.


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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • MISCHIEF: THE SMILE THAT HUNTS
    Jun 17 2025

    This week, the carousel grinds to a halt for only one soul… and her name is Mischief.


    Step into the fire-lit fog as Arthur and Steve face their most chaotic and chilling guest yet—Kelsey Livengood, better known in the haunt world as Mischief the Clown. With her devilish smile, blood-red makeup, and a reputation that haunts both sides of the funhouse mirror, Mischief is more than just a clown—she’s a phenomenon.


    From crawling through padded rooms and owning magazine covers, to breaking boundaries in the haunt industry, Mischief opens up about character building, live show insanity, the dark psychology of clown work, and how the haunt community shaped her into the living nightmare we all admire.


    🎤 Behind the makeup.

    🔥 Inside the madness.

    🎡 And straight into the mouth of the carousel.


    This is one episode you don’t walk away from smiling.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Where Monsters Are Family – The Story of Woods of Terror”
    Jun 13 2025

    On this chilling episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast, we have the honor of welcoming one of the most respected and revered icons in the haunt industry—Eddie “Bone Daddy” McLaurin, the visionary mastermind behind Woods of Terror in Greensboro, North Carolina.


    With over 30 years of dedication, creativity, and raw passion, Eddie has transformed a haunted stretch of farmland into a legendary Halloween destination—one that draws thousands of thrill-seekers and actors from across the country each year. Woods of Terror isn’t just a haunted attraction—it’s a living, breathing ecosystem of fear, theatrical brilliance, and family. From the iconic Monster Midway to over 16 immersive haunted zones, Eddie’s work is a perfect fusion of artistry, adrenaline, and soul.


    But Eddie is more than just the face of Bone Daddy. He’s a protector of his monsters, a mentor to rising haunters, and a fierce advocate for zero tolerance toward bullying. His cast of over 100 performers isn’t just a team—they’re a family, united under a leader who pushes them to find their inner darkness while holding onto their sense of purpose, respect, and belonging.


    Eddie’s influence stretches far beyond the gates of his haunt. He’s known across the industry for his authenticity, leadership, and the spiritual depth he brings to his work. His story is one of endurance, creativity, and unwavering love for Halloween and the haunt community.


    To us, having Eddie on our show is more than just an interview—it’s a celebration. A moment of appreciation for a man who has helped shape what it means to be a haunter. His legacy runs deep, and on this episode, we dive into the soul of Woods of Terror, the birth of Bone Daddy, and the future of fear itself.


    This is more than a conversation—it’s a ride on the carousel… and tonight, it never stops spinning.



    On this Friday the 13th special of The Dark Carousel Podcast, we summon the spirit of one of the most iconic figures in the haunted attraction world—Eddie “Bone Daddy” McLaurin, the mastermind behind the legendary Woods of Terror in Greensboro, North Carolina.


    With over three decades of experience breathing life into nightmares, Eddie has built more than just a haunted attraction—he’s built a haunted kingdom. From the bone-rattling energy of the Monster Midway to the heart-stopping terror inside over 16 immersive zones, Woods of Terror is a place where fear becomes family and performance becomes purpose.


    In this unforgettable episode, we dive deep into the mind of the man who turned dirt and junkyard remnants into one of the most respected haunts in the world. We talk about what drives Eddie, how he protects and uplifts his cast of over 100 monsters, the importance of his no-bullying policy, and how his rules and structure have created one of the strongest haunt families in the industry.


    Eddie opens up about his spiritual ties to the land, the meaning of Halloween, the music that fuels him, and what it truly means to wear the face of Bone Daddy. We also explore the emotional core of haunting—the pain, the pride, the legacy—and ask: will he ever pass the torch?


    This episode isn’t just a conversation. It’s a celebration of leadership, loyalty, and the haunted spirit that refuses to die.


    The carousel never stops spinning. And on this Friday the 13th… it spins straight into darkness

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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Carnival of Screams: Inside the Mind of Cody Wilmot
    Jun 11 2025

    Step right up, freaks and fiends—this week’s episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast is not for the coulrophobic. We’re diving headfirst into the neon nightmare with the one and only Cody Wilmot, the creative genius behind the Killer Klowns Haunted Attraction at Land of Illusion in Middletown, Ohio.


    From twisted circus tents to blood-drenched big tops, Cody takes us behind the greasepaint to explore what it takes to bring this chaos-fueled clown world to life. Hear how he breathes soul (and terror) into every laugh, every squeak, and every scream echoing through the fog. Whether you’re a die-hard haunt actor or just love the sound of chainsaws in the dark, this episode will paint your nightmares in red and white stripes.

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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Heartbeat of Horror: Data-Driven Scares with Heather Doggett
    Jun 6 2025

    In this thrilling bonus episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast, we welcome Heather Doggett to discuss a groundbreaking innovation that’s redefining fear inside the haunt industry.


    With real-time biometric tracking, audiences can now compete with their friends to see who gets the most scared. Attraction owners get instant dashboards showing up-to-the-minute scare data, and even haunt staff compete to deliver the most intense frights.


    But that’s just the beginning…


    Heather reveals how this technology goes beyond fear—measuring frustration, contentment, and true audience engagement like never before.


    Get ready to step into the future of fear with Heather Doggett—only on The Dark Carousel Podcast.

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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • Echoes of the Banshee
    May 28 2025

    🩸EPISODE DESCRIPTION:

    In this bone-chilling installment of The Dark Carousel Podcast, Arthur and Steve descend into the haunted halls of Brighton Asylum for an exclusive, unfiltered interview with the ghostly icon herself — The Brighton Banshee.


    She’s more than a scream. She’s a symbol of torment, transformation, and terror. For the first time, the voice behind the shriek steps into the light to share the dark origin story of her character, the rituals that bring her to life, and what it truly means to scare for a living.


    You’ll hear tales of haunting performances, unexpected guest reactions, and the personal journey of becoming one of the most legendary figures in haunt history. This is a raw, eerie, and inspiring ride through fear, performance art, and the sacred madness of the haunt world.


    Turn the volume up and the lights down… the banshee is ready to speak.


    AVAILABLE NOW on Spotify and iHeartRadio.

    🕯️ For Haunters. By Haunters.

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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • From Flesh to Fear
    May 21 2025

    What does it take to become unforgettable inside the fog? In this episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast, Arthur (Snagz) and Steve (Mr. Sweets) rip open the guts of character creation and show you what really goes into building a haunt persona that sticks in guests’ minds long after the screams stop.


    From twisted backstories and blood-soaked costumes to psychological triggers and movement that disturbs, this one’s for the diehard haunters. Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned scare veteran, you’ll walk away with the tools—and scars—to create something truly terrifying.


    This isn’t about wearing a mask.

    This is about becoming the monster.

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Dinn Widdie Da Clown
    May 14 2025

    On this episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast, the guys sit down with the one and only Dinn Widdie Da Clown—a standout haunt actor from Laurel’s House of Horror, located at 935 Fairlawn Ave, Laurel, MD 20707. Dinn Widdie dives deep into how he first stepped into the haunt world, what the industry means to him, and shares some of his most unforgettable moments behind the makeup.


    So buckle up and brace yourself—this ride through the Dark Carousel is about to get twisted.

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    1 hr and 9 mins