The Leftscape Podcast: ‘A Handmade Halloween Haunt (Episode 62)’

Every year just after Christmas, “amateur haunter” Joey Schweigert of Asbury Park, NJ sets out on a mission. He begins his plan to create the best home Halloween experience ever. His Halloween wonderlands for kids are a beloved part of the neighborhood holiday tradition, and they are more of the retro and whimsical variety than the frightening kind. This year’s creation will be a wizard’s den and dragon nursery where each child must pass three (fun and easy) tests before receiving a special handmade gift. Hear him chat with Wendy Sheridan about this year’s adventure as well as previous themes like Mad Scientist Lab, Jurassic Cottage, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, and Night Circus. Learn how Joey seeks to inspire neighborhood kids, and in case you were wondering, the secret to making gnome toenails and chicken lips!

November begins this week, so naturally the show starts with things to celebrate in the new month: Native American Heritage Month, Adopt a Senior Pet Month, Movember, NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), NoSHAVEember, and Vegan Month all happen in November. Daily celebrations and observances this week include National Candy Corn Day (October 30), Halloween, Samhain, and Girl Scout Founder’s Day (October 31), National Author’s Day (November 1), Deviled Egg Day and Bison Day (November 2), and National Chicken Lady Day, which honors Dr. Marthenia “Tina” Dupree. (November 4). Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 3, and in the U.S., state and local elections will be held on Tuesday, November 5. Birthday acknowledgments of the week go to Henry Winkler, Piper Perabo, John Candy, Vanilla Ice, Tim Cook, Nelly, Elizabeth Smart, Adam Ant, and Diddy.

In the All the News We Can Handle segment, Wendy and Robin Renée bid farewell to Rep. Elijah Cummings and discuss the importance of getting informed, voting, and supporting candidates in challenging races around the country. In the Why is this Awesome? segment, Robin asks Wendy for a primer on King Crimson and their classic, In the Court of the Crimson King. Wendy happily shares about one of her favorites.

The Leftscape – the shape of progressive conversation: “A Handmade Halloween Haunt (Episode 62)”