The Dark Carousel Podcast

Where Passion Meets Terror ( Brit Nussear)

What does it take to help run one of the most respected haunted attractions in the country? In this episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast, we sit down with Brit Nussear, General Manager of Markoff’s Haunted Forest, along with longtime haunt visionary Paul, whose journey with Markoff’s spans more than 30 years. Together, we explore the passion, dedication, and relentless work that goes into creating unforgettable haunted experiences. From managing the daily chaos of a world-class attraction to building a culture driven by creativity and teamwork, Brit shares what it’s really like being at the center of one of the industry’s most beloved haunts. Paul reflects on three decades of growth, challenges, lessons learned, and the evolution of Markoff’s Haunted Forest from its early days into the legendary attraction it is today. This isn’t just a conversation about scares and Halloween. It’s a conversation about leadership, sacrifice, perseverance, and the people who dedicate their lives to creating moments that guests remember forever. At its heart, this episode is about the love of haunting. The passion that keeps people building, creating, dreaming, and pushing forward year after year. Because behind every scream, every set piece, every character, and every unforgettable night in the woods, there are people who truly love what they do. Step behind the curtain and discover what haunting means to those who have devoted their lives to it. https://www.instagram.com/perfectlyhaunted [https://www.instagram.com/perfectlyhaunted]

Built on Passion, Driven by Purpose (Sparky )

For four years, Sparky has poured everything he has into the world of haunting. What started as a passion became an obsession, and that obsession became a legacy. From the legendary halls of Spooky World to the twisted nightmares of Fright Kingdom, Sparky has dedicated countless hours to perfecting his craft, creating unforgettable scares, and becoming a character that audiences never forget. Behind the makeup, the costumes, and the screams is a haunter driven by pure passion and an unwavering love for Halloween. Join us as we dive into the story behind the monster, the sacrifices made along the way, and the journey that continues to push him forward. This is more than a haunt career. This is a way of life. The nightmare continues. 🎠 This Carousel Will Never Stop Spinning. 🎠

The Journey Behind the Characters : part 1 ( Landen and David )

The Journey Begins | Part 1 Before there was Skar. Before there was Jingles. There were simply two people who discovered a passion that would change their lives forever. In Part 1 of this special two-part conversation, we sit down with Landen Gessner and David Amador to learn who they are beyond the costumes. We explore how they first found the haunt industry, what inspired them to become scare actors, the experiences that shaped them, and why haunting became more than just a hobby. From their first nights in a haunted attraction to the friendships, challenges, and unforgettable memories they’ve built along the way, this episode is about the foundation of their journey. Before you know the characters… Get to know the people. Welcome to the beginning of their story. https://www.instagram.com/loi_jingles_the_jester?igsh=MWsydXAzaTZ6ZWE2OA== [https://www.instagram.com/loi_jingles_the_jester?igsh=MWsydXAzaTZ6ZWE2OA==]

What Haunting Gave Me (Azazel Gacy)

Sometimes all it takes is one question. When we sat down with Azazel, we expected to talk about haunting, characters, scares, and the road that brought him from Savannah, Georgia into the haunt world. We got all of that. What we didn’t expect was a moment that hit every one of us right in the chest. One question. One answer. And suddenly the conversation became something much bigger. This episode dives into the passion behind the paint, the friendships built along the way, the struggles, the victories, and the reason so many of us keep coming back to this crazy world year after year. It’s about entertaining people, creating memories, and finding a place where you truly belong. Whether you’ve been haunting for decades or you’ve never stepped behind a mask, Azazel’s story is a reminder that passion isn’t something you find overnight. It’s something you fight for, build, and carry with you through every chapter of your life. This was more than a conversation about a character. This was a conversation about heart. Sometimes the mask tells a story. Sometimes the person underneath tells an even better one. 🎠 This Carousel Will Never Stop Spinning.

The World of Macabre Intentions

Some stories begin with a plan. Others begin with an accident. What started as an unexpected creative spark eventually grew into Macabre Intentions, one of the haunt industry’s most recognizable names in custom costume and character design. Founded by Joseph Goratowski, Macabre Intentions wasn’t born from a master blueprint or years of business strategy. It grew organically through passion, experimentation, and a relentless drive to create something unforgettable. From post-apocalyptic wastelands and industrial nightmares to cyberpunk horrors and cinematic creatures, Joseph’s work blurs the line between costume and living nightmare. Every creation tells a story. Every monster feels as though it existed long before the lights came on and will continue roaming long after they go dark. In this episode of The Dark Carousel Podcast, we dive into the accidental beginnings of Macabre Intentions, the sacrifices behind the art, the evolution of a creator, and what it truly means to dedicate your life to building monsters that leave a lasting impression. Because sometimes the greatest creations aren’t planned. Sometimes they happen by accident. And sometimes accidents become legends. 🎠 This Carousel Will Never Stop Spinning.