Episodes

  • Ep. 137 - Designing the Visual Magic of Attractions with Martin Kuntz

    Ep. 137 - Designing the Visual Magic of Attractions with Martin Kuntz
    May 20 2026
    On this special edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with Martin Kuntz, one of the longest-tenured employees at Creative Works to discuss how he designs the visual magic of attractions. Over his 15-year career with the company, Martin has worn nearly every artistic hat imaginable—sculpting, painting murals, and working as a key member of the design and engineering department. Martin shares what it was like to help grow Creative Works from a small team of 12 people into an industry powerhouse, and he takes us behind the scenes of some of his most memorable projects. "We've got our standard bread and butter themes, but clients always come to us with crazy ideas. Yeah, never would have occurred to me. We did a job in El Salvador where the client wanted bees versus wasps, which was very strange…" -Martin Kuntz Martin has built an incredible portfolio, including the meticulous digital fabrication work on the Peyton Manning statue outside Lucas Oil Stadium and a custom ice cream pig bench for a Michigan tourist town. He also dives deep into the recent refresh of the Mayday escape room experience, explaining how our team balanced paint, printed vinyl, and multimedia screens to achieve a truly authentic submarine environment without overdoing the weathering. Martin's insights offer a masterclass in collaboration, intentionality, and creative execution for anyone passionate about high-quality attraction design.
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    22 mins
  • Ep. 136 – Designing the Ultimate Guest Escape with Mike Whincup

    Ep. 136 – Designing the Ultimate Guest Escape with Mike Whincup
    May 13 2026
    In this special edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta sits down with a man who wears many hats in the family entertainment industry. Mike Whincup is the Chief Ride Designer at Galaxy Multi Rides and the COO of Do The Beach Franchising while at Amusement 360! Mike shares his unique journey from growing his family’s legacy as the world’s largest mechanical bull manufacturer to launching a highly immersive, beach-themed franchise. We dive deep into the intentionality required to move beyond generic "themed" spaces to create environments that transport guests. Whether it’s painting ceilings "Caribbean Blue" or designing custom fiberglass facades in-house, Mike explains how physical environments directly influence the emotional memories families carry home. "I want people to come in here and forget that they're in Chicago in the middle of winter, and it's going to be bright blue and bright colors." -Mike Whincup Mike reveals the secret to "Do The Beach"—creating a singular, efficient environment that blends soft play, inflatables, and classic attractions into one cohesive world where parents can relax while kids explore.
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    18 mins
  • Ep. 135 - Mastering Multi-Venue Sales and Community Impact with Danielle Walker of Legacy 925

    Ep. 135 - Mastering Multi-Venue Sales and Community Impact with Danielle Walker of Legacy 925
    May 6 2026
    On this special edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta sits down with Danielle Walker of Legacy 925 while at the Amusement 360 Event. Danielle shares her fascinating transition from the trade industry to the high-octane world of go-karting and multi-venue entertainment. We dive deep into the mechanics of managing sales for an entertainment district that houses everything from K1 Speed to exploring how to "value engineer" custom packages that protect margins while delighting guests. "I believe in question-based selling. There’s a difference between being an order taker and a salesperson. Our goal is guest experience, and if I can ask the right questions and put all the work on me, I make it easy for the guest to say yes." -Danielle Walker Whether you are struggling with point-of-sale fragmentation or looking to move from being an "order taker" to a "consultative partner," Danielle’s insights on question-based selling and community weaving offer a masterclass in growth.
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    27 mins
  • Ep. 134 - First Impressions of Your Venue

    Ep. 134 - First Impressions of Your Venue
    Apr 22 2026
    On this solo episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Danny Gruening shares a powerful realization from a recent site visit to Rev'd Up Fun in Detroit, Michigan. Despite being open for eight years, the venue looked as though it had launched just yesterday. Danny dives into how owners and operators often become "blind" to the small scuffs, stains, and wear-and-tear that guests notice immediately. "If your venue is a representation of you as an owner, or you as the operator, or you as the management team—what does your venue say about you?" -Danny Gruening This episode is a vital gut-check for anyone in the family entertainment industry. Danny challenges you to step back and evaluate whether your physical space truly reflects the high standards of your brand or if the "white noise" of daily operations has allowed your excellence to slip.
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    8 mins
  • Ep. 133 - Proactive Legal Strategies for Family Entertainment Centers with Kevin Lonzo

    Ep. 133 - Proactive Legal Strategies for Family Entertainment Centers with Kevin Lonzo
    Apr 15 2026
    On this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with Kevin Lonzo, founder of Lonzo Law, to discuss why the traditional "reactive" legal model is broken. Kevin shares his journey from FEC employee to industry-specialized attorney, explaining how attraction owners can protect their dreams through proactive counsel, subscription-based legal plans, and a deep understanding of the "three buckets of liability." "The simple answer is: how do you approach it? You call your lawyer before you put your name [on a contract]. If you are a business owner, you have to think through what you’ve gone through to get that business open." - Kevin Lonzo In the world of Family Entertainment Centers (FECs), liability is a core part of the business model. From high-speed go-karts to immersive laser tag arenas, every attraction brings a unique set of risks.
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    35 mins
  • Ep 132 - Insider Secrets from the Trade Show Floor (+New Studio Set)

    Ep 132 - Insider Secrets from the Trade Show Floor (+New Studio Set)
    Apr 8 2026
    On this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, we are debuting our brand-new, in-house designed studio set while Russ shares the latest industry insights straight from the aisles of the most recent trade shows. Russ and Danny sit down to deconstruct the massive shifts happening in the family entertainment world, from the psychological changes in how guests book events to the technology that is currently leaving traditional marketing in the dust.
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    34 mins
  • Ep. 131 - Reimagining Mini Golf with Robin Schwartzman and Tom Loftus of A Couple of Putts

    Ep. 131 - Reimagining Mini Golf with Robin Schwartzman and Tom Loftus of A Couple of Putts
    Apr 1 2026
    On this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with Robin Schwartzman and Tom Loftus, collectively as A Couple of Putts, to discuss their journey from a first date at a sculpture-garden course to competing on ABC’s Holey Moley and founding the American Mini Golf Alliance (AMA). This dynamic duo has traveled to over 14 countries and played more than 600 courses, transitioning from enthusiastic reviewers to sought-after design consultants. "Mini golf is on par with what I think people do with restaurants these days. They don't want to just go to the same chain in every city… They want to go to something that's totally unique and have that special experience." Tom Loftus Tom and Robin argue that the best courses offer more than just a game; they provide a physical escape from our screen-saturated lives. Whether it is through localized themes—like the world’s largest paintball—or high-tech projection mapping that responds to the ball’s movement, successful FEC operators must prioritize intentionality in their design.
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    56 mins
  • Ep. 130 - Building Better Player Experiences with David Spira of Room Escape Artist

    Ep. 130 - Building Better Player Experiences with David Spira of Room Escape Artist
    Mar 25 2026
    On this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with David Spira, the Co-Founder of Room Escape Artist and the Co-Host of Reality Escape Pod. With over 1,300 games under his belt, David brings a designer’s eye to the "Wild West" of escape rooms. We dive deep into the transition from software design to physical experience design, exploring why "hard" isn't always "better" and how the smallest details—from flickering lights to clean bathrooms—can make or break your guest's memories. "The more that the environment and the things they're doing within it are reinforcing that they're in another world, the better they're going to—the easier they're going to find really surrendering to the experience. And that's what you want." David Spira Whether you’re a veteran operator or just curious about the magic behind the door, this episode is a must-watch in intentional hospitality for any entertainment venue.
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    45 mins