Explore every episode of the podcast Working the Fright Shift

This week on Working the Fright Shift, we’re joined by Salem and Sleepy Hollow historian Dani October, our featured Fear Architect whose deep dives into witch trials, folklore, and haunted heritage have cast a spell over scholars and scare fans alike. 

With a passion for truth wrapped in mystery, Dani unearths the real stories behind the legends—revealing how history itself can be the most chilling narrative of all. 

In our Horror Blueprint segment, we explore the elements of horror shape the way we experience fear. Then, in Echoes of the Past, I trace how haunts of yesterday helped my own creative journey. Light your lantern and step carefully… 

This week on Working the Fright Shift, we’re joined by Shawn and Carmelle Marshall, the dynamic duo behind Parks and Cons, our featured Fear Architects whose tireless coverage of themed entertainment has become a lifeline for fans craving haunt news, park updates, and convention thrills. 

With cameras rolling and mics hot, they’ve documented countless scare attractions from the front lines—capturing the pulse of the community one fog-filled walkthrough at a time. 

In our Horror Blueprint segment, we dive into haunt culture and explore how that shapes seasonal fear.  Then, in Echoes of the Past, I reflect on the shifting landscape of Halloween’s past and how that inspired my own creative path. Grab your lanyard and charge your battery… 

This week on Working the Fright Shift, we’re joined by special effects technician Jacob Larson, our featured Fear Architect whose mechanical mayhem and gruesome ingenuity have powered some of the most unforgettable scares in the industry. 

From home haunting to pneumatic terror, animatronic monstrosities, or blood rigs that erupt on cue, Jacob engineers the chaos that makes audiences scream, flinch, and come back for more. 

In our Horror Blueprint segment, we crack open the toolbox of fear.  Then, in Echoes of the Past, I trace the lineage of scare experiences, and how those screams shaped my own creative evolution. 

Buckle up and brace for impact… 

This week on Working the Fright Shift, we’re joined by media and haunt culture icon Hauntina, our featured Fear Architect whose digital presence has electrified the horror community with glam-gore tutorials, behind-the-scenes haunt tours, and unapologetic scary style.

With a flair for the theatrical and a pulse on what fans crave, Hauntina bridges the gap between creator and audience—turning every post into a celebration of fear, fandom, and fierce individuality.

In our Horror Blueprint segment, we explore factors that terrify and haunt us.

Then, in Echoes of the Past, I reflect on the evolution of Halloween and how those cultural shifts shaped my own creative journey.

Lights, camera, scream… 

This week on Working the Fright Shift, we’re joined by sound designer Dan Bieranowski, our featured Fear Architect whose sonic sorcery has rattled walls and spines across haunted attractions and immersive experiences. From guttural growls to spectral whispers, Dan crafts the invisible architecture of dread—using frequency, distortion, and silence to summon fear from the shadows.

In our Horror Blueprint segment, we tune into the psychology of a classic example of fear, dissecting how horror manipulates emotion and amplifies terror.

Then, in Echoes of the Past, I explore the legacy of horrors of long ago—and how those eerie echoes shaped my own creative path. 

Dim the lights and crank the subwoofer… 

This week on Working the Fright Shift, we’re joined by special effects horror artist Michael "Rib" Ribagin, our featured Fear Architect whose twisted creations have haunted stages, scream parks, and nightmares alike. As a master of blood, latex, and illusion, Rib brings monsters to life with a sculptor’s eye and a mad scientist’s flair—blurring the line between reality and terror.

In our Horror Blueprint segment, we peel back the skin (literally) on what makes visual fear so visceral. 

Then, in Echoes of the Past, I dig into the legacy of scare entertainment and how those gruesome inspirations shaped my own creative journey.

Sharpen your fangs and cue the fog… 

This week on Working the Fright Shift, we’re joined by scare actor specialist and haunt industry legend Scott "Tater" Lynd, our featured Fear Architect with a scream resume that spans coast to coast. Known for his electrifying performances and uncanny ability to read a crowd, Tater has spent decades perfecting the art of the scare—whether he's lurking in the shadows or training the next generation of haunt performers.

In our Horror Blueprint segment, we dissect the psychology behind the perfect scare and explore how timing, character, and chaos collide to create unforgettable moments.

Then, in Echoes of the Past, Tater and I swap stories from the fog—revisiting iconic scare zones, backstage antics, and the evolution of the scare actor as both artist and adrenaline engineer.

Grab your mask and costume… time to clock in.

This week on Working the Fright Shift, we’re joined by travel and theme park connoisseur Carly Caramanna, our featured Fear Architect with a passport full of haunted thrills. As a respected journalist and expert in immersive entertainment, Carly has explored the globe’s most iconic scream destinations, offering insider insight into what makes a haunt truly unforgettable.

In our Horror Blueprint segment, we break down the elements that elevate fear from fleeting to legendary.

Then, in Echoes of the Past, I journey through the evolution of scare attractions—from fog-drenched midways to cinematic nightmares—and reflect on how those experiences shaped my own creative path.

Buckle up, thrill-seekers… 

This week on Working the Fright Shift, we’re joined by Halloween scholar and scream-season sage Lisa Morton, our featured Fear Architect. As an acclaimed author and historian, Lisa has penned definitive works on the origins, evolution, and cultural impact of Halloween, making her one of the genre’s most trusted voices.

In our Horror Blueprint segment, we explore how folklore and fear intertwine to shape the stories that haunt us.

Then, in Echoes of the Past, we trace the spine-tingling lineage of scare experiences—from ancient rituals to modern haunts—and how those ghostly roots continue to influence my own creative work.

Light your jack-o’-lantern and settle in… the shift starts now. 

In this week’s Working the Fright Shift, we welcome legendary haunt visionary Jon Cooke as our featured Fear Architect—a creative force behind Plague Productions and a driving influence in the evolution of immersive horror.

Known for crafting bone-chilling experiences that blend theatrical storytelling with visceral scares, Jon shares his journey from scare actor to industry trailblazer.

In our Horror Blueprint segment, we dissect the psychology of fear and explore the emotional architecture behind unforgettable frights. Then, in Echoes of the Past, we unearth the haunted history of scare attractions and reflect on how those eerie echoes shaped my own creative path.

Tune in… if you dare.

Step into the shadowy world of Halloween-themed entertainment with Working the Fright Shiftwith Ted Dougherty, a captivating podcast that uncovers the artistry, history, and ingenuity behind the spine-tingling experiences that millions crave. Hosted by Ted Dougherty—renowned author, writer, and director in the themed entertainment industry—this show pulls back the cobwebbed curtain to reveal fascinating interviews with creators, actors, historians, and other professionals who craft these thrilling, immersive worlds. Each episode also dives into the rich history of Halloween attractions, delves into the macabre allure of horror media, and uncovers the tidbits and tales that have left a ghostly mark on pop culture. Whether you're a die-hard horror fan, an industry insider, or simply Halloween-obsessed, Working the Fright Shift invites you to explore the haunted heartbeat of this electrifying industry.