By Pumpkin’s Light: Spring 2026 Guests
Did you know I co-host a podcast with Mike from All Hallows Geek? By Pumpkin's Light is our little side project where we get to know fellow creatives in the online Halloween community.
We’re just over three years into this adventure and closing in on 90 spooky creatives we’ve interviewed…with a handful of just-for-fun episodes thrown in for our listeners as well.
Our goal in producing an interview-style podcast is this: to introduce you to new content creators, small business owners, industry professionals, and other creatives who are dedicated to creating Halloween magic all year long.
There is a TON in the archives to enjoy. Jump around to the names you know. Check out the ones you don’t know who sound interesting.
Every conversation has been so much fun, and it is extra rewarding hearing from so many of you in person at events how much you’re loving joining us in the lair.
Here is your quarterly recap of everyone we’ve chatted with in the past season.
Spring 2026 Guests on By Pumpkin’s Light
Episode 80: Culliver Crantz
Welcome award-winning author Culliver Crantz to the lair to discuss his middle-grade horror series, “FrightVision,” where each book connects to a larger mysterious experiment. Culliver shares his childhood Halloween memories, reveals the truth behind his origin story involving “cursed screws,” and explains how spooky stories hook reluctant readers — including his work with young writers through FrightStorming workshops and “Exhibit A,” a collection of over 60 kid-authored tales. With the final FrightVision book releasing April 14, 2026, Culliver teases what’s in store and reveals which of his own monsters he’d be most terrified to face in real life.
Episode 81: Halloweeniacs
In this episode, we welcome Mike and Matt — part of the team behind Halloweeniacs, a podcast celebrating all things spooky on the 13th and 31st of each month. The guys share their childhood Halloween memories, discuss whether year-round Halloween culture is diluting the season's magic or making it better, and reveal their October traditions. We dive into how they connected to create Halloweeniacs, their famous "Reese's or a Rock" rating scale, and the most controversial "Rock" ratings they've ever given. We’ve also got a special edition of our Lightning Round to wrap things up.
Episode 82: ghouldaddies
If you haven't heard of the ghouldaddies yet, you're about to become a fan. Paul and Matthew, the LA-based duo taking the spooky corner of the Internet by storm, join Mike and Miranda to chat about their love of Halloween and horror, how they built their brand, and some of the incredible opportunities it's brought their way — from Knott's Scary Farm ambassadorships to horror movie premieres. Plus, they're sharing their must-visit SoCal spots and what they're most excited about this Halloween season.
Episode 83: Sean Keller
In this episode, we welcome writer, actor, musician, and producer Sean Keller to discuss his lifelong love of Halloween and the creative projects that keep him in the spooky realm year-round. Sean shares childhood Halloween memories from Northern California, reveals how he and his wife Chelsea Stardust plan their killer couple's costumes, and dives into his work writing horror for companies like Blumhouse and Hulu, creating original songs for films like Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends, and penning Slashed! The Musical—an 80s slasher musical.
We also explore the origin story behind The Killer Sounds of Halloween, his four-album series of original Halloween songs by fake bands, and how he inhabits alter egos like The Quickies, Krimson Ghost, and Dullboi to create music that feels instantly authentic and familiar.
Episode 84: Brandon Redenius
Brandon Redenius, founder of Black Mast, a merch company mixing the glamorous and gothic with camp and drag, joins the lair to share childhood Halloween memories from Northern California, his favorite spooky season activities, and how his love for Disney villains and pirates inspired the Black Mast name and aesthetic. He also shares what sets his bold, spooky, campy designs apart, his collaborative process creating merch for drag icons like Bianca Del Rio, and why he's passionate about slow fashion over fast-fashion giants. Plus, Brandon reveals his favorite part about connecting with fans at events like Midsummer Scream and his dream collaboration.
Who should we have on next?
Drop your suggestions in the comments, and we’ll do our best to get them into our line-up.
You can also sign up for our monthly newsletter for recaps of recent episodes and insights into what our past guests are up to now!
