In this episode, Curt and Chris welcome Rob and Cecilia of Niagara Escapement who share their personal journeys, the genesis of their partnerships, and their philosophies on creating fun and accessible experiences. Topics include overcoming challenges, humor and accessibility in design, and finding success with a DIY mindset. The episode also explo…

The Brewers came out of the all-star break with two tense wins over the Minnesota Twins, and 20-year-old Jackson Chourio is still on fire. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe look at a busy week, including the draft, the all-star game and two games with several highlights. As the trade deadline approaches, doesn't this team have to add…

Curt and Chris welcome special guests Christine and Jeremiah from Exit Games OC. The discussion delves into the origins and inspirations behind Exit Games OC, the nuances of their popular '13th Basement' game, and the impact of escape rooms on their marriage. Additionally, they share insights on the technical challenges and creative processes invol…

The Brewers will take a 4 1/2 game lead into the all-star break, which isn't bad considering the team limped through the past two weeks, including a clunky 2-4 homestand against the Pirates and Nationals. Brewers reporter Todd Rosiak joins host JR Radcliffe to assess the Brewers at the midway point, including the team's biggest surprises and disapp…

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 t…

Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe look back at a shaky west-coast trip to Colorado and Los Angeles, which nonetheless ended with a salvageable 3-4 record. But how was Brice Turang not elected to the National League all-star team? The guys have thoughts on player balloting and the recent hiccups by a tired bullpen, plus the full-fledg…

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, a…

The Milwaukee Brewers finish a highlight-heavy homestand at 5-1, sweeping the reigning World Series champion Rangers and taking 2 of 3 from the Cubs. An unprecedented grand-slam binge has the Brewers playing an exciting brand of baseball. Host JR Radcliffe and Journal Sentinel Brewers reporter Todd Rosiak look back at the successful run, including …

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 Lukema…

A 3-4 West Coast road trip doesn't sound too bad, but the Brewers pitching staff continues to take on water; just what solutions can the Brewers muster to stay afloat through the final three-plus months? Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe discuss the surging Tobias Myers, the return of Freddy Peralta but the question marks elsewhere o…

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 challe…

Snoop Dogg! Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe spent quite a bit of time talking about the rap legend in the house Saturday, but they did find some time to talk about a 4-2 week of Brewers baseball, chock full of exciting endings. That included Sunday, when Blake Perkins' throw home helped atone for a big-time miscue earlier in the se…

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 man…

An injury to Robert Gasser has further thrown the Brewers starting rotation in flux, with another top prospect in line to make a start Tuesday as the Brewers return home. All things considered, a 2-4 week isn't terrible considering the Brewers faced two and maybe three Cy Young contenders. Brewers reporter Todd Rosiak and host JR Radcliffe recap th…

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 …

What a wild week of baseball in Milwaukee, with both Chicago teams coming to American Family Field and leaving with only one win. The Brewers went 6-1 and in the process got one over on former manager Craig Counsell, and not without some voiced displeasure from the home fans. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe discuss the many twists …

Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and host JR Radcliffe have a nice weekend bonus episode for you looking entirely at the Brewers minor league system (we know the Brewers took three of four from the Cubs; we're saving that for the normal Monday episode). They're joined by Spencer Michaelis of Brewers Fanatic to discuss all things minor le…

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…

The Brewers split six games in Miami and Boston, but the attention quickly turns to what's ahead, with the Chicago Cubs and Craig Counsell coming to Milwaukee for a four-game set. How has Pat Murphy proven to be different than Counsell (in ways that even manifested this week). Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe discuss. William Contre…

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 evoluti…

William Contreras continues to look like an MVP candidate, with his 13th pitch-homer off future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander the latest example. Brewers reporter Todd Rosiak and host JR Radcliffe discuss the unreal season from the Brewers backstop and revisit a trade that seems destined to live forever. In general, the power was there for the Bre…

Curt and Chris discuss The Sanctuary Escape in Oklahoma City with co-owner Louie Hernandez. The discussion covers the genesis and evolution of Louie's involvement in the haunted attraction and escape room business, highlighted by the intriguing backstory of the Sanctuary Haunted Attraction and Sanctuary Escapes. The conversation offers a deep dive …

Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe revisit a 4-3 week for the Brewers, one with a number of highlights, including an excellent debut start from pitcher Robert Gasser on Friday. Plus, Rhys Hoskins and Willy Adames deliver big-time home runs, Christian Yelich is back and mashing yet again, and the St. Louis Cardinals look ... bad. What'…

In this episode, Kelie and Shauna are joined by Emily Golinsky from Bright Moose Training to discuss the crucial differences between bullying and conflict in youth programs, camps, and schools. Emily shares insights on how to recognize the signs of both, strategies for prevention, and handling conflicts effectively. The conversation explores real-w…

Curt and Chris explore the intricate world of escape rooms with special guests Will and Kim from Escape Artist Greenville. From their humble beginnings rooted in a love for Halloween and immersive experiences to the challenges of building and operating their business, they share their journey. They discuss the evolution of their escape room designs…

The Brewers were in Wrigley Field to take on the Cubs and old manager Craig Counsell, but by then the story of the week had been written. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe discuss a turbulent Rays series featuring some controversial umpiring, a brawl, a debut for top prospect Tyler Black and Rickie Weeks as manager. Then came the Cub…

"To convert a new group to enthusiasts...that's the dream." Curt and Chris spend time with guests Scott and Kaylea from Immersive Machine. The conversation navigates through their personal journeys into the escape room industry, from Scott's transition from video game events to escape rooms and Kay's DIY home haunt transformations. They discuss the…

The Milwaukee Brewers were able to finish the week 3-4, but it wasn't a great overall stretch, if for no other reason that the team is down yet another starting pitcher (and this time for the whole season). Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe once again try to figure out how Milwaukee can piece it together, especially with Joe Ross str…

This episode dives into the transformative approaches Kelie and Shauna are implementing for staff training at their respective camps. From reinventing traditional methods to integrating dynamic activities. The conversation reflects on past experiences, anticipates future challenges, and explores strategies to enhance the camp experience for both st…

Curt and Chris speak with John Brooks from Black Mountain Escape in North Carolina. They learn all about the beginnings of Black Mountain Escape, Jon’s process in designing a game. the use of technology and actors, and the impact of community among escape room owners. They also explore the importance of historical connection and accessibility in ro…

In this episode, Curt Jackson interviews his cohost, Chris Kallal. Chris begins with his start in escape rooms. The discussion moves on and ranges from the integration of escape rooms in summer camp settings to the nuances of designing escape rooms for kids versus adults. Chris' CampBy Curt Jackson and Chris Kallal

In the inaugural episode of the Mystery Soup podcast, Chris Kallal interviews his co-host Curt Jackson, who shares his personal journey into the world of escape rooms. Curt talks about the epic road trip across 46 states he took with his partner Tina to play nearly 300 escape rooms in 8 months. Curt delves into his personal preferences for escape r…

The Milwaukee Brewers offense had another breakout day Saturday, part of a week that featured a series win in St. Louis. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the success, including the excellence of Brice Turang and Blake Perkins moving closer toward that elusive "sustainable" category, plu…

The Milwaukee Brewers' offense is en fuego. Before a competitive loss against old friend Corbin Burnes on Sunday, the team rattled off six straight games scoring at least seven runs, going 4-2 on the road in Cincinnati and Baltimore to move to 10-4 thus far, the best record in the National League. Which parts could be real, and what are the areas o…

The Milwaukee Brewers have to be happy with a 6-2 start to the season, but how sustainable is the success on the mound with the pitching staff low on reliable arms? Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe dig into the situation and how injuries have left the team without many reliable rotation options. But there's also plenty to like, incl…

Kelie and Shauna explore the portrayal of camp in movies, TV shows, and documentaries, touching on both fiction and non-fiction. They discuss the accuracy and cultural impact of camp-themed media, sharing their personal experiences and critical perspectives as camp professionals. The episode highlights a variety of titles, including 'Camp Nowhere',…

Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe look back at a wildly successful weekend in New York, where the Brewers swept the Mets to open the series 3-0 for the first time since 2018. Now comes the home schedule, beginning Tuesday against the Twins. They discuss a dust-up between Rhys Hoskins and the Mets, a promising start for Jackson Chouri…

Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe give you one last look at the 2024 Milwaukee Brewers season, with the rainout delaying the start to Friday. They discuss the injury to center fielder Garrett Mitchell, the last-second roster tweak that did not include hot-hitting catcher Eric Haase and some preseason awards predictions. National writ…

The Milwaukee Brewers are a mere four days away from the start of the 2024 Major League Baseball season, but this still looks like a pitching staff that has a ton of questions. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss why that's cause for alarm, and why it may not be. Can the offense overcome the losses taken by the pitching st…

Kelie and Shauna discuss their recent experiences and key takeaways from the ACA Tri-State Camp Conference. They touch on their busy travel schedules, staffing updates, and a variety of sessions attended at the conference. Highlights include discussions on staff recruitment, dealing with camper and staff behavior, the importance of respect over hie…

Brewers reporter Curt Hogg joins host JR Radcliffe on the latest episode of Microbrew to discuss the pitching situation in Milwaukee, with closer Devin Williams on the shelf for three months and a rotation that doesn't have a ton of high-profile options. Who gets Williams' spot on the roster? How does the opening-day roster look? What were the take…

Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe check in on Brewers' spring training with their Microbrew podcast, including an injury to closer Devin Williams that might sideline him for the start of the regular season. How exactly are the Brewers going to deploy their pitchers? Is Sal Frelick actually going to be a real candidate to play at thir…

Hosts Kelie and Shauna, after a series of serious episodes, decide to lighten the mood by introducing a fun, rapid-fire segment focused on camp traditions. Utilizing a wheel to randomize selections, they explore their experiences and thoughts on a variety of camp traditions, such as the Apache Relay, family/parent days, awards for campers and staff…

Brewers reporter Todd Rosiak joins host JR Radcliffe to share observations from Milwaukee's spring training experience thus far. It's been all about the kids, with opportunities for Jackson Chourio, Brock Wilken, Tyler Black, Jacob Misiorowski, Luis Lara, Cooper Pratt and many other names that Brewers fans will get to know over the next several yea…

In this episode, Kelie and Shauna, are joined by Shane Meserve, a consultant and trainer on mass violence and child abuse prevention, for a discussion on the topic of mass violence and its impact on children and camps. The episode focuses on ways in which programs like camps can aid in prevention, utilization of trauma-informed care, and maintainin…

Journal Sentinel writer Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe look at the stories of spring training so far for the Milwaukee Brewers, including the return of pitcher Brandon Woodruff on a fascinating deal. Plus, Sal Frelick is taking reps on the infield, Pat Murphy is winning the room and the questions we still have. Music intro: https://www.bensound.co…

Spring training is right around the corner and some preseason projections are out, so Journal Sentinel writer Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe take a look at the landscape and make some predictions: One likely, one controversial, one extra spicy and one insane. They also discuss the Brewers' newest roster addition, pitcher Jakob Junis, and dive into…

The Milwaukee Brewers and Baltimore Orioles made a blockbuster trade Thursday, with former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes dealt to the American League in exchange for two prospects and a draft pick. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe break down the deal. What did the Brewers get in return? Why was now the right time to trade thei…

Kelie and Shauna are joined by Claire Griffith, a recreation specialist working with cognitively impaired individuals. Claire addresses trauma informed care within a camp setting, stressing the importance of safety, trust, transparency, peer support, and collaboration, and acknowledging cultural, historical, and gender issues. They explore how trau…

Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe discuss the Milwaukee Brewers' big offseason addition, with first baseman Rhys Hoskins reportedly heading to the team in 2024. They discuss how he fits, what it means for the rest of the roster and where else the Brewers might try to bolster their roster in the final weeks of the offseason. Plus: Dev…