Afterglow: Jason McKittrick + Sam Heimer

#88 Rick West | Midsummer Scream

Rick West, co-founder and creative director of Midsummer Scream, joins us to discuss his lifelong passion for Halloween and the haunt community. Rick shares his earliest Halloween memories, what sparked his dedication to documenting the themed entertainment and haunt scene through Theme Park Adventure, and how he celebrates spooky season by visiting dozens of attractions across the country. We also dive into this year's Midsummer Scream and the intricate planning behind the Hall of Shadows—the convention's centerpiece, featuring over a dozen mini-haunts and displays.

#87 Jenn Vasquez | Vamp Jenn's Corner

Jenn Vasquez, the vampire enthusiast and goth Mexicana behind Vamp Jenn's Corner, joins the lair to share her deeper connection to Halloween and the dark, macabre world she explores through her writing. Jenn talks about her childhood Halloween memories, how her love for gothic literature shaped her relationship with October 31st, and her year-round traditions that keep the spooky spirit alive. We dive into the intersection of her Mexican heritage and goth identity, discuss why representation matters in alternative and supernatural narratives, and explore her mission to uncover LA's hidden dark gems and celebrate the unorthodox. Plus, Jenn shares her fascination with vampires, her dream interview subject, the music that gets her into the perfect spooky headspace, as well as her top recommendations for a truly darkly inclined LA weekend.

Afterglow: Chelsea Celaya

Chelsea Celaya returns to celebrate In the Secret Spider Garden, her hand-illustrated children's picture book that was published this spring. We dive into the story behind the 32-page hardcover featuring four magical spiders tending to a whimsical garden, each nurturing a different childhood gift. Chelsea shares why she chose to hand-illustrate with watercolors and acrylic markers, the symbolism behind her spider characters, and how the poetry and visuals worked together. We also discuss Be Kind to Spiders Week, plus why she included real spider facts and research in the book and the self-publishing journey.

#86 - Ellen Gee | Autumn Brilliance Magazine

Artist, publisher, and event planner Ellen Gee shares her lifelong dedication to Halloween and how it manifests in everything she creates. We explore her childhood goth identity, what Halloween truly means to her soul, and how she celebrates year-round. Ellen digs into the creation of Autumn Brilliance Magazine — her passion project showcasing handmade Halloween art — and reveals how she curates the magazine's content and discovers new artists. Plus, she shares the story behind bringing Monsters and Merriment, Nashville's beloved Halloween art show, back to life.

Afterglow: Jason McKittrick + Sam Heimer

In our first Afterglow episode, we welcome back Jason McKittrick and Sam Heimer to celebrate year 10 of The Order of the Thinned Veil, their decade-long collaboration that treats Halloween as a year-round lifestyle, not just a day in October. Jason and Sam take us back to the beginning of their project, sharing how an idea between friends evolved into an annual membership experience beloved by the Halloween community, and we dive into how their creative partnership has grown over the last 10 years, how they approach world-building through their original pieces, and what's changed most since year one.