Memory Makers Podcast

Hosted by Creative Works

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Episodes

140

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the Memory Makers Podcast, the show that helps you create amazing customer experiences and make more memories presented by Creative Works. This podcast explores the world of family entertainment centers through the eyes of the people who make it all possible - the Memory Makers. Creative Works' core foundation is based on making "Powerful and Emotional Memories" and they are now sharing that with YOU with insider knowledge, tips & tricks, as well as interviews with industry leaders.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 10, 202630 min

Ep. 140 - Why Your FEC Staff Needs an AI Force Multiplier Right Now with Armando Lanuti

On this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with Armando Lanuti to strip away the confusion and look at AI through a practical lens. As a business owner, you do not need to become a master programmer to reap the benefits of this technology. At its core, AI serves as an elevated search engine and a powerful time-saver, helping you tackle everyday challenges in your Family Entertainment Center (FEC). From optimizing your website for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) to building custom internal databases for staff training, this conversation maps out actionable strategies to implement right now. "Your self-worth is tied up into not your actual outcome of what you're doing, but the process of how you're doing it... If you adopt and utilize and learn how to integrate that new tool, you're going to be able to do more, and you're going to be able to use the things that make you uniquely you to solve problems." -Armando Lanuti Instead of fearing replacement, learn how to leverage these digital tools to boost your efficiency, reduce burnout, and give your team the freedom to focus on what they do best: creating powerful and emotional memories for your guests.

June 3, 202628 min

Ep. 139 - How to Eliminate Self-Imposed Limitations and Scale Your Entertainment Venue

On this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ and Danny dive deep into the self-limiting beliefs and self-imposed boundaries that trap Family Entertainment Center (FEC) owners in the daily grind. Pulling insights from industry events like Amusement 360, the duo challenges listeners to take a hard look at how their own mindset, business identities, and daily habits directly dictate their venue’s growth potential. "How am I complicit in creating the conditions I say I don't want? Because we all have things that we say we don't want in our life and in our business… sometimes those things are showing up because of something we're doing or not doing." -Danny Gruening If you feel like you are constantly firefighting instead of thinking strategically, it is time to reassess your leadership. Growth requires building robust processes, executing core fundamentals, and intentionally stepping back to allow your team to step up.

May 27, 202632 min

Ep. 138 - The Power of Story-Driven Architecture and Design with Doug Wilkerson

On this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with Doug Wilkerson, Principal and Creative at Dynamic Designs Inc., to unpack the critical elements that transform a physical location into a living, breathing experience that generates deep emotional connections. With over three decades of experience designing immersive environments for global giants like Walt Disney World, Legoland, and Main Event Entertainment, Doug shares his wealth of insider knowledge. He reveals why the most successful entertainment venues root every single finish, texture, and layout choice in a deeper narrative. "When you create a concept that's story-based, it goes deeper… It brings a soul to the project, number one, and everything is connected. So every decision that's made is driven by this overreaching story." -Doug Wilkerson Doug shares why balancing guest flow with seamless operational functionality is the ultimate secret to building a venue that resonates with visitors and stands the test of time.

May 20, 202621 min

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

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.

May 13, 202617 min

Ep. 136 – Designing the Ultimate Guest Escape with Mike Whincup

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.

May 6, 202627 min

Ep. 135 - Mastering Multi-Venue Sales and Community Impact with Danielle Walker of Legacy 925

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.

April 22, 20267 min

Ep. 134 - First Impressions of Your Venue

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.

April 15, 202635 min

Ep. 133 - Proactive Legal Strategies for Family Entertainment Centers with Kevin Lonzo

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.

April 8, 202633 min

Ep 132 - Insider Secrets from the Trade Show Floor (+New Studio Set)

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.

April 1, 202655 min

Ep. 131 - Reimagining Mini Golf with Robin Schwartzman and Tom Loftus of A Couple of Putts

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.