Haunting U

Episode 118-Live from Texas Haunters Convention 2026 Released 19 July 2026 Hosts: John Schelt, Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

We had a blast at Texas Haunters Convention and streamed a live show from booth 322.  This is the recording of that livestream. If you want to see the video, check out our YouTube page at https://youtube.com/live/XhpdtA-EqsU.

Resources mentioned during this episode:

Here are the featured vendors:

Dead ...

Episode 117-Haunt Actor Training with Drew Badger Released 15 July 2026 Hosts: John Schelt, Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

Its time to start thinking about how you will staff your haunt, and whoever you bring in to help can benefit from training.  Experienced Haunt Actor and Owner of Rabid Badger Haunt Consulting (not to mention host of the Big Scary Show), Drew Badger is here to talk all about actors.

Resources mentioned duri...

Episode 116-Community Sponsorship Released 02 July 2026 Hosts: John Schelt, Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

As we continue our march toward Halloween 2026, we want to find a way to engage local businesses and organizations to start building a support structure in the community.  Come brainstorm with us and take some ideas back to your own community. 

Resources mentioned during this episode:

See the layout here: https://www...

Episode 115-SCE 26 Layout II Released 15 June 2026 Hosts: Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

We've had so many guests and events on that we haven't talked about the haunt in while.  So lets catch up on where we're at with our build, and examine the layout we have developed.

Resources mentioned during this episode:

See the layout here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZlsWSaRtMZ/

Chamber of Haunters

Website: https://chamberofhaunters....

Episode 114-Social Media Marketing with Daveah Released 01 June 2026 Hosts: Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

If you want people to come to your haunt, they need to hear about it, and social media is an effective tool to help.  We're excited to welcome back the Marketing Director for Athens Scream Park, Daveah, to talk all about her social media marketing techniques. 

Resources mentioned during this episode:

Chamber of Haunt...

Episode 113-ECHC 26 Recap Released 15 May 26 Hosts: Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

Keoni attended the East Coast Haunters Convention in Oaks, PA on 25 April and met a ton of really cool people.  Hear about all his exploits here!

Resources mentioned during this episode:

S4 Lights: https://s4lights.com/

NextFriend AI: https://nextfriend.ai/

Fear Imagined: https://fearimagined.com/

Reapers Harvest: https://darkersideofhalloween.c...

Episode 112-April Fools Shenanigans (Finally) Released 01 May 2026 Hosts: John Schelt, Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

Happy April Fools! It took 30 days for the prank to come to fruition, but its finally here!  We take a break from haunting and just have a good time with some ridiculous shenanigans.  Come relax with us for an hour and then we'll get back to work.

Resources mentioned during this episode:

Chamber of Haunter...

Episode 111-Building a Business Plan Released 15 April 2026 Hosts: Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

Happy Tax Day! To celebrate such an auspicious holiday we're talking about developing a business plan for your haunt.  If you dream of going pro one day like we do, you want to listen to this discussion!

Resources mentioned during this episode:

Small Business Administration: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/wr...

Episode 110-Hauntcycling 101 Released 14 March 2026 Hosts:  John Schelt, Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

Haunters are some of the most creative people we know.  Finding the most ingenious ways to repurpose garbage into the stuff that make nightmares.  Come along with the hosts as they talk the basics of Hauntcycling.

Resources mentioned during this episode:

Home Haunters Award Show: https://www.hhawards.rip/index.php

...

Episode 109-Hauntfest 2026 Preview with Roseann Harpold Released 01 March 2026 Hosts:  John Schelt, Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

We welcome back Roseann Harpold, owner of Hauntfest to talk about the multitude of events they have planned for 2026. Whether you like shopping, music, haunted houses, movies, or laser tag, theres a Hauntfest event for you! Check it out now!

Resources mentioned during this episode:

Hauntfest: https...

Episode 108-Planning Halloween 26 Released 15 February 26 Hosts:  John Schelt, Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

We hope you had a wonderful Valentines Day. We spent the time planning out the rest of the year developing a schedule for future podcast episodes and figuring out what we want to build this year.  Check it out now!

Resources mentioned during this episode:

Chamber of Haunters

Website: https://chamberofhaunters.com...

Episode 107-Happy New Year with Kimberley Grant Released 11 January 2026 Hosts:  Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

Happy New Year! We welcome back Ms. Kimberley Grant, President of the Chamber of Haunters to talk about the exciting new plans the Chamber has in store for 2026.  From education to new programs, a simplified membership program and the reintroduction of the Magazine and the Chamber Bowl, 2026 is shaping up to be ...

Episode 106-Athens Scream Park Post‑Mortem Released 21 December 2025 Hosts:  Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

Happy Hannukah and Merry Christmas! We invited back Breck and Eli from Athens Scream Park and they brought along a few of their friends.  Join the Haunting U Hosts along with special guests Breck, Eli, Daveah, Rea, and Tori as they discuss their 2025 haunt season.

Resources mentioned during this episode:

Athens Scre...

Episode 105-2025 Post Mortem from Leslie's Basement Released 27 November 2025 Hosts:  Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

Happy Thanksgiving! The Haunting U Hosts are thankful for the opportunity to gather in Leslie's basement to debrief Halloween 2025, sharing behind-the-scenes stories about builds, camera footage, child actors, costumes, soundscapes, marketing, and more. They recap lessons learned and plans for 2026 — all w...

Episode 104-Campfire Stories 4 Released 31 October 2025 Hosts: John Schelt, Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

Happy Halloween! We are celebrating by reading four classic spooky stories and poems that are sure to fill you with thrills and chills.  Get in the mood for tonight's festivities with our latest set of Campfire Stories.

Resources mentioned during this episode:

Haunting U can be found at www.hauntingu.com.

Sanguine Creek E...

Episode 103-Weatherproofing Your Haunt Released 20 October 2025 Hosts:  Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

This episode covers the challenges of opening a charity haunted yard in October, including troubleshooting an RFID-based ghost hunt, using AI for prop inspiration, and detailed, practical advice on weatherproofing: securing tents, anchoring tombstones, protecting electronics, and preparing for rain, wind, snow, and extreme te...

Episode 102-Athens Scream Park 2025 Preview Released 27 September 2025 Hosts:  Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

Hosts Leslie Reed and Keoni Hutton sit down with Breck Avenmarch and Eli Weiss, co-owners of Athens Scream Park, to discuss the final preparations for their new  haunted trail in Gloucester, Ohio. 

They cover theme and backstory, construction and sound challenges on an outdoor paintball field, marketing strat...

Episode 101-HAH The Event Recap & Halloween Preps Released 07 September 2025 Hosts: John Schelt, Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

Sorry we're late! We've been super busy getting the haunt ready for opening. Hear all about it in this episode while we sprinkle in some of the best moments from HAH the Event III. 

Resources mentioned during this episode:

Haunters Against Hate The Event: https://www.hahtheevent.com/

Haunting U ca...

Episode 100-Live from Haunters Against Hate The Event III Released 09 August 2025 Hosts: Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed

Keoni and Leslie host a live podcast from the show floor at Haunters Against Hate the Event III.  This unedited cut is straight from the ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Louisville, KY.  If you'd like to see the video version, check out our YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@HauntingU

Resourc...