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 tactics, and the essential role of community engagement. The discussion also delves into their collaboration with Puzzol Creative, the balance between radio and digital advertising, and the introduction of unique "Marathon" Medals. With entertaining behind-the-scenes stories and a fun speed round, Heather and J.R. provide invaluable advice and tips for aspiring escape room entrepreneurs.

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, and the potential future of the escape room industry.

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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 Lukemans share insights into their creative process, balancing fun with functionality, and their exciting new venture into mini golf escape rooms. They also offer advice for aspiring escape room owners and reflect on their favorite industry experiences.

CU Adventures in Time and Space

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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 challenges of maintaining creativity in a market divided between large chains and struggling local businesses. They also introduce PuzzolCon, a conference designed to help owners enhance their technical and creative skills, ensuring continued innovation and success in the industry.

Puzzol Creative

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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 management strategies, and the impact of different play modes on customer experience. Kris also discusses the challenges and memorable moments in the escape room business, illustrating her passion for puzzles and customer satisfaction.

Escapetown Peoria

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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 Bleehall’s Odditorium Emporium and Pie Shoppe,' while also previewing 'The Zombie and the Witch Doctor.' The discussion extends to business aspects such as character merchandising, cost transparency, and client interaction, with Chris's website, chris.plus, serving as a resource hub. Providing some fantastic insights for both designers and enthusiasts, the episode highlights the balance between storytelling, humor, and puzzle-solving to create engaging escape room experiences.

Chris' Website

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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 celebrity scandals. The conversation covers favorite escape rooms, features and updates for the Morty app, and the importance of community in the escape room industry.

The Morty App

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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 evolution of escape rooms, and personal stories from Shadd's experience as a game master. They delve into tips for beginner and enthusiast players, the debate on tipping game masters, and the qualities Shadd looks for in an escape room owner. Shad also provides a fascinating look at accommodating players with disabilities, the dynamics of group play, and his personal top 10 escape room list, emphasizing his love for immersive experiences. The conversation further touches on the prospect of owning an escape room, the importance of customer and employee treatment, and using platforms like Morty for escape room reviews.

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