Chris and Curt bring back their magazine-style format, where they delve into various topics related to escape rooms. They discuss marketing strategies for escape rooms through city quests, and creating an engaging social media presence. They share ideas for events that align with escape room themes, tools like the RFID whiz, staff incentives, and w…

Curt and Chris kick off a new format called the 'Magazine Edition,' where they cover diverse topics related to escape rooms, marketing, and more. The episode highlights include an interesting marketing idea, creative ideas for themed escape room parties, the use of plotters and vinyl cutters, and tips on engaging staff. They also share unique tools…

Curt and Chris sit down with guests Matt and Jessi, the owners of Oh! Key Escape Games in Idaho. They delve into the couple’s journey from teachers to escape room entrepreneurs. Matt and Jessi detail their passion for escape rooms, sparked by a surprise Father's Day adventure, leading them to create their own themed escape rooms like the unique 'Po…

In this episode, Curt goes solo as Chris is still out sick, and welcomes guest Matthew Stein, a multifaceted puzzle designer, violinist, and adventurer. They discuss Matthew's unconventional career path, the intricacies of puzzle design, and the magic of music. Matthew shares his profound experiences with letterboxing, escape rooms, and puzzle hunt…

Curt interviews Tanner Goldman, an escape room owner, general manager, and designer. Tanner shares insights on running multiple escape room locations across different states and discusses his creative process for designing escape rooms and special events. They delve into Tanner's background in community theater, his passion for escape rooms, and an…

Curt and Chris are joined by Kristina, the owner of One Way Out, an escape room business in Lynchburg, Virginia. They discuss her journey from a part-time employee at 16 to owning the business, the challenges she faced, and her plans for the future. Kristina shares insights about her various escape rooms, marketing strategies, merchandise offerings…

Chris and Curt explain their long absence. They dive deep into the complexities of managing and operating an escape room business. They discuss Curt and Tina's experiences with purchasing an existing escape room, updating games, marketing strategies, and the importance of customer feedback. They also touch upon Chris' creative initiatives like mobi…

In this episode, Chris interviews Curt. Why? Because Curt and Tina are now escape room owners. The episode covers Curt's transition from a camp director to an escape room enthusiast and owner, his experiences and challenges with owning Lock and Clue Escape Rooms in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and insights from traveling and playing numerous escape roo…

Curt and Chris explore escape rooms with enthusiasts Will and Hunter Voelker. They share quirky project updates, including hamburger-themed escape bags, and dive into the Voelkers' history with escape rooms. From their beginnings in Omaha after their marriage, to participating in national championships, and celebrating their soon-to-be 500th room, …

Curt and Chris interview Omer Aru from Escape Room Herndon. They discuss Omer's journey from being an engineer and salesman to an escape room owner. Omer shares insights on managing escape rooms, the creative process behind designing themes and puzzles, and his initial struggles in the business. They delve into the intricacies of the rooms Omer has…

In this episode, Curt introduces Sean Nash from Escape Room Novi in Michigan. With co-host Chris absent, Curt and Sean dive into Sean's journey from England to Michigan, his experience as a general manager, and his passion for puzzles and immersive gameplay. Sean shares the history of Escape Room Novi, discussing their wide array of themed rooms. T…

Curt and Chris welcome Mark Bloom from Keystone Escape Games in Reno to the show. Mark shares his journey from being an elevator mechanic to an escape room owner and talks about his future projects, including a large Area 51-themed escape room and a unique elevator game. The conversation covers various topics such as set design, puzzle creation, an…

Curt and Chris engage in a lively and detailed conversation with Robert and Joe from Giant Dream Productions. These two design and build turn-key escape rooms. Curt has played a handful of their games and really enjoyed them. The discussion covers various topics, including the creative processes behind designing immersive escape rooms, the unique c…

Curt and Chris chat with Katie and Audrey, the artistic minds behind Daydream Adventures, an immersive art escape room in Toronto. They discuss the origins of their business, their unique design process involving a team of artists, and the challenges they've faced, including opening just before the pandemic. Katie and Audrey provide insights into t…

Curt and Chris welcome Byron Delmonico, co-owner and CEO of RI Riddle Room, to discuss his journey in the escape room industry. Byron shares his passion for creativity and the importance of family, as well as his achievements, including being named the 2022 Rhode Island Small Business Person of the Year. The conversation touches upon the evolution …

Curt and Chris welcome Tanya and Paul from Lock, Clock, and Peril Escape Rooms. They discuss their journey from running a loan business and car audio shop to diving into the world of escape rooms. They talk about topics such as the design process for their self-built escape rooms, the importance of creating family-friendly experiences, and the chal…

Curt and Chris start off Season 2 with their red flags and dealbreakers in an escape room experience. From the annoyance of having to lock up phones and poor lighting to overly difficult rooms and crawling requirements. Then they move into what they want to see more of in an escape room experience. From discounts for multiple games and themed restr…

In the season one finale of the Mystery Soup podcast, hosts Curt and Chris discuss wrapping up their first season, which includes reflections on key episodes and their favorite takeaways. They consider implementing seasons for their show, share insights from their interviews with escape room experts, and delve into the importance of fun, theming, a…

Curt and Chris welcome escape room designer Vincent Stevens. They discuss his journey from nursing to escape room design, designing his first escape room in Oregon, and growing his business in Southern California. Vincent shares insights on his design process, favorite escape games, and his work with major clients like Sony. He emphasizes the impor…

In this episode, Curt and Chris interview Nicole and Tom from Nocturne Adventures. They discuss the background of their unique escape room business, their horror film inspirations, and the intricacies of designing and running immersive escape room experiences. Nicole and Tom share the challenges and rewards of owning an escape room, their design pr…

In this episode, Curt and Chris welcome Rob and Cecilia of Niagara Escapement who share their personal journeys, the genesis of their partnerships, and their philosophies on creating fun and accessible experiences. Topics include overcoming challenges, humor and accessibility in design, and finding success with a DIY mindset. The episode also explo…

Curt and Chris welcome special guests Christine and Jeremiah from Exit Games OC. The discussion delves into the origins and inspirations behind Exit Games OC, the nuances of their popular '13th Basement' game, and the impact of escape rooms on their marriage. Additionally, they share insights on the technical challenges and creative processes invol…

In this episode, Curt and Chris chat with Heather and J.R., the dynamic duo behind Boxed In Escape Rooms. The couple shares their inspiring journey of launching and growing their escape room business in Festus, Missouri, all while juggling full-time jobs and family commitments. Listeners will gain insights into their set design process, marketing t…

Curt and Chris interview Blake DeCiccio, a dedicated enthusiast of escape rooms. Blake shares her journey into the world of escape rooms, her favorite rooms and experiences, and the unique elements she has encountered globally. The discussion also covers the logistics of traveling for escape rooms, the differences between U.S. and European rooms, a…

Curt and Chris talk with the owners of CU Adventures in Time and Space, Chris and Anne Lukeman. CU Adventures is an escape room business based in the Champaign-Urbana (CU) area of Illinois. They discuss the origin of their business, the design philosophy behind their rooms, and the challenges they faced, particularly during the pandemic. The Lukema…

Curt and Chris speak with guests Stephen Lynch and Keith Edwards, co-owners of Puzzol Creative and Memphis Escape Rooms. They discuss their personal journeys and the development of their adventure museum, 'Amuse’, as well as the consulting services they offer to other escape room owners. Topics include customer service, game quality, and the challe…

Curt and Chris engage are joined by Kris McClelland from Escapetown Peoria. Kris shares her unique journey into escape rooms, highlighting her background in communications and theater and her transition from an enthusiast to a manager. The conversation delves into the operations at Escapetown, detailing the innovative escape room designs, staff man…

Curt and Chris focus on escape room design with escape room game designer and amusement park aficionado, Chris Moschella. Known for his humor-driven, immersive games, Chris shares his journey, inspirations, and game design philosophy. They dissect his notable works like 'Big Ma Bertha’s Fussin’ & A Feudin’ Moonshine Hill Hootenanny' and 'Professor …

Curt and Chris interview Andy Bauch, co-founder and CEO of Morty, an app that helps you discover, track, and review escape rooms and haunted attractions. They discuss Andy's journey from working as a software engineer at Disney to creating Morty. Andy also shares stories about his Lego art projects and how his work has occasionally intersected with…

In this episode Curt and Chris interview Shadd Copping, an experienced game master from Escape Ventures in Port Charlotte, FL. Shadd shares his journey from California to Florida, detailing his experiences in the escape room industry, including managing and acting in rooms. The discussion covers the role and challenges of a game master, the evoluti…

Curt and Chris discuss The Sanctuary Escape in Oklahoma City with co-owner Louie Hernandez. The discussion covers the genesis and evolution of Louie's involvement in the haunted attraction and escape room business, highlighted by the intriguing backstory of the Sanctuary Haunted Attraction and Sanctuary Escapes. The conversation offers a deep dive …

Curt and Chris explore the intricate world of escape rooms with special guests Will and Kim from Escape Artist Greenville. From their humble beginnings rooted in a love for Halloween and immersive experiences to the challenges of building and operating their business, they share their journey. They discuss the evolution of their escape room designs…

"To convert a new group to enthusiasts...that's the dream." Curt and Chris spend time with guests Scott and Kaylea from Immersive Machine. The conversation navigates through their personal journeys into the escape room industry, from Scott's transition from video game events to escape rooms and Kay's DIY home haunt transformations. They discuss the…

Curt and Chris speak with John Brooks from Black Mountain Escape in North Carolina. They learn all about the beginnings of Black Mountain Escape, Jon’s process in designing a game. the use of technology and actors, and the impact of community among escape room owners. They also explore the importance of historical connection and accessibility in ro…

In this episode, Curt Jackson interviews his cohost, Chris Kallal. Chris begins with his start in escape rooms. The discussion moves on and ranges from the integration of escape rooms in summer camp settings to the nuances of designing escape rooms for kids versus adults. Chris' CampBy Curt Jackson and Chris Kallal

In the inaugural episode of the Mystery Soup podcast, Chris Kallal interviews his co-host Curt Jackson, who shares his personal journey into the world of escape rooms. Curt talks about the epic road trip across 46 states he took with his partner Tina to play nearly 300 escape rooms in 8 months. Curt delves into his personal preferences for escape r…

Juicy Geniuses founder, Alexandra Cattoni, interviews Denver fashion designer, Brandi Shigley on the Juicy topic of female entrepreneurship. Tune in for this passion-filled interview where Brandi highlights the importance of finding your purpose in life and following your passion. Brandi is one of the trail-blazing women business owners in Denver. …

Juicy Geniuses Alexandra Cattoni and Leanne Kallal interview Evelyn Mezquita, Co-Founder of El Poder de Ser and True Self Living. Evelyn shares her story on how adopting the mindset of an Olympic Athlete started a chain of events that lead her to moving from Venezuela to San Diego and establishing a successful business with her partner, Leo.…

After spending 15 years in the corporate world, Jennifer had her Stroke of Juicy Genius shortly after running a multi-million dollar product launch when she realized that hadn't seen her 2 beautiful daughters for over 24 hours. She was working 100 hours/week on a consistent basis for a salary that was good, but definitely not worth the sacrifices s…

With a hectic schedule, constant travel, and ongoing business meetings, staying connected with partners and team members while also keeping on top of our biz can be challenging. If you're a Canadian traveler, or spend a lot of time in the US, you should definitely check out Roam Mobility. They have been a total life (and moola) saver for us while r…

Juicy Geniuses Alexandra Cattoni and Leanne Kallal interview Michelle Ghilotti, Founder of Michelle Ghilotti Int'l Branding+Design+Coaching. Michelle shares her story on how she went from working in a San Francisco Creative Hot Shop, building brands like Starbucks and Got Milk?, to founding her own successful heartful branding company.…

With a hectic schedule, constant travel, and ongoing business meetings, staying connected with partners and team members while also keeping on top of our biz can be challenging. If you're a Canadian traveler, or spend a lot of time in the US, you should definitely check out Roam Mobility. They have been a total life (and moola) saver for us while r…

In this Juicy Geniuses interview, Alexandra Cattoni and Leanne Kallal interview Christine Chang. Christine candidly discusses her life transition from science geek to high-profile photographer and she shares how you can change your life by finding your purpose. Tune in to listen to this successful female entrepreneur.…

Juicy Geniuses, Alexandra Cattoni and Leanne Kallal, interview jewelry designer, Shea Curry, on how to follow your passion. From broadway star to hollywood actress, this inspirational woman talks about how changing careers has allowed her to follow her passion and gives advice on how you can follow your passion too. Shea is an inspiring female entr…

Juicy Geniuses, Alexandra Cattoni and Leanne Kallal, met Jackie Dumaine at Marie Forleo's Rich, Happy and Hot event in NYC and were intrigued by her female entrepreneurship. In this interview, Jackie discusses her life transition from a media sales rep to a owning a successful yoga-events company. Jackie is a great example of how to follow your int…

Summer is right around the corner and with this splendid time of year comes bikinis, pools and fun outdoor sports! With fitness on our minds, it only seemed fitting to reach out to our good friend Olivia Keane for our Juicy Friday Interview this week! Olivia is a successful female entrepreneur and fitness coach and her passion and enthusiasm for li…

Juicy Geniuses, Alexandra Cattoni and Leanne Kallal, interview Suitcase Entrepreneur, Natalie Sission, on lifestyle design. Natalie is an example of a successful women business owner who lives life on the road. She lives a healthy lifestyle and demonstrates how finding your purpose can be fun and profitable! Natalie uses positive daily rituals and …

Juicy Geniuses, Alexandra Cattoni and Leanne Kallal, interview Loren Slocum on reinventing yourself. Loren, who also leads Tony Robbins seminars, shares her life transition and discusses how she went from waitressing to writing books and founding Lobella.com. She is a successful women business owner who attributes a lot of her success and can-do at…

Join Juicy Geniuses Alexandra Cattoni and Leanne Kallal as they interview female business owner Kristine Hoffman on how to turn your passion into profits. Kristine is the owner of Sail Bags Maui, a fashionable business that turns used kite-surfing sails into beautiful purses. She is a prime example of how finding your passion in life and turning it…

When it comes to following your passions, Kristin Berg is the poster child. This female entrepreneur lives and breathes the working life balance and knows all about finding your purpose. A life transition that took her from engineering student, to a Juicy business woman and founder of the Tango Social Club in Montreal, Canada.…