Memory Makers Podcast

Hosted by Creative Works

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Episodes

150

Latest episode

Aug 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

August 19, 202620 min

Ep. 150 - How Smart AV Integration and Atmosphere Drive Revenue for FECs with Danielle Hardin

Ep. 150 - How Smart AV Integration and Atmosphere Drive Revenue for FECs with Danielle Hardin by Creative Works

August 12, 202637 min

Ep. 149 - How to Scale Your FEC Business Through A Positive Culture and Guest Connection with Chris King

On this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with Chris King, Partner and CEO at Monster Mini Golf. With over two decades of experience in franchising and family entertainment, Chris shares how maintaining an unwavering vision, connecting authentically with staff, and treating entertainment as the core deliverable drive sustainable success in the FEC market. "Mini golf isn't our product. Entertainment is our product. Mini golf is simply the vehicle that we use to entertain." — Chris King Chris also shares that when challenges arise, operators must balance genuine transparency with steady, optimistic leadership to guide their teams through turbulent moments.

August 5, 202630 min

Ep. 148 - How to Turn Underutilized Venue Space into Live Entertainment with Jack Slayton

On this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ is joined by Jack Slayton, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Game Show Studio. Together, they explore the shift toward live entertainment in Family Entertainment Centers (FECs) and location-based venues. Jack shares how transforming underutilized space into an immersive Hollywood-style game show experience drives customer engagement, creates repeat business, and delivers a unique draw for corporate outings and group events alike. "It brings in the groups and brings in people who are looking for fun, and you can almost share the customer inside those four walls… Hopefully they leave the show having so much fun that they want to stay and play with all their friends." — Jack Slayton Jack also dives into why great live entertainment isn't about hiring a showstopper; it's about finding an empowering host who can read the room, connect with guests, and bring out the absolute best and funniest in every group.

July 29, 202647 min

Ep. 147 - Fixing Frontline Retention through Leadership and Culture Secrets with Matt Heller

On this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with long-time friend, author, and attractions industry veteran Matt Heller from Performance Optimist Consulting. Matt’s journey in family entertainment and attractions began at age 18 as a ride operator, ultimately leading to over a decade as Senior Trainer of Leadership Development at Universal Orlando Resort. Today, Matt helps leaders across the attractions space grow through tailored coaching, books, workshops, and actionable strategies. "If you take your values and you say, 'I'm going to apply that value to every single one of those processes'—hiring, training, recognition, and discipline—it creates a very clear path for people and a clear understanding of what those expectations are." — Matt Heller Matt dives deep into the real dynamics behind frontline hiring, effective team development, and why traditional mid-season burnout is actually a leadership myth.

July 22, 202634 min

Ep. 146 - The Secret to High-Engagement Socials for Entertainment Venues with Crosse Bearden

On this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ chats with Crosse Bearden, Marketing & Events Coordinator at Recoil Trampoline Park in Valdosta, Georgia. Crosse shares his tactical playbook for local community outreach, short-form video content, and practical AI tools. Rather than cluttering feeds with standard promotional flyers, Crosse focuses on content that showcases pure excitement. Short video reels, silly team challenges, and raw arcade winner moments keep Recoil top-of-mind for local families. "What really drives people in the door at the end of the day is fun. They're looking for a fun, safe place to beat the heat and get indoors." — Crosse Bearden Crosse also breaks down Recoil's deep local roots. The venue partners with local non-profits to reward standout students, hosts special mid-week play sessions for homeschool co-ops, and relies on smart AI tools to draft quick email copy without losing park personality.

July 15, 202636 min

Ep. 145 - Finding New Sources of Inspiration with Danny Gruening

On this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with the founder of Action Lab Leadership, Danny Gruening, to discuss finding new sources of inspiration. When you run a family entertainment center, it is remarkably easy to get stuck in the day-to-day grind and lose sight of your "why." Danny dives deep into how isolation drains our inspiration and why true leadership relies on cultivating optimism rather than waiting around for a sudden burst of motivation. "Every time that we do that, we're robbing ourselves of the opportunity to just let our brains think and be and come up with cool ideas." — Danny Gruening Danny shares practical ways to reframe your daily stress, how to hack your environment for better mental hygiene, and why the secret to scaling your business lies in your daily systems, not just your lofty goals.

July 8, 202640 min

Ep. 144 - The Multi-Attraction Future of Cinema with Dennis McIntire

On this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with Dennis McIntire, VP of Strategic Development and Innovation at B&B Theatres. With over three decades of experience spanning marketing, construction, and corporate development, Dennis delves into the realities of blending movie theaters with arcades, bowling alleys, and food services, explaining why traditional theater logic often fails in the entertainment space. "A movie experience is not exactly the same thing that it was 20 years ago, 30 years ago… It always starts as a 'what if'. What if we put a playground in a movie theater?" — Dennis McIntire Dennis also reveals the ultimate business philosophy that drives their constant innovation. B&B Theatres has had its doors open for 102 years, so it's important to stay fresh, exciting, and highly profitable. He recommends asking a lot of "what-ifs" questions, stop treating different business models like they are the same, and remain willing to fail fast.

July 1, 202621 min

Ep. 143 - How to Beat the Budget and Outsmart the Layout of Your FEC with Katie Ross

iscuss how to beat the budget and outsmart the layout when designing your FEC. Katie brings over a decade of commercial and attraction design experience to the table, sharing insider secrets on how to turn physical spatial limitations into standout features, design with a "Pixar mentality" that satisfies both kids and parents, and phase out big projects to protect a budget while leaving room for future growth. "How do we take this idea that's living in someone's head and start to make that abide the laws of physics? It's a really fun puzzle to solve." - Katie Ross Stop settling for predictable layouts. This episode delivers the human-centric design tactics you need to scale up a new build or revitalize an old space, ensuring your guest experience remains unexpected, engaging, and absolutely never boring.

June 24, 202645 min

Ep. 142 - Why Small Footprint FECs Are Growing in Popularity with Clint Novak

On this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ is joined by Clint Novak, Owner of Novak Amusement Solutions and Planet Novak, to unpack the hidden opportunities within small-footprint family entertainment centers (FECs). As traffic patterns shift and large-scale buildouts become increasingly expensive, the mid-sized and smaller market models are having a massive moment. Clint shares his firsthand experience launching Planet Novak, a highly successful 3,000-square-foot claw arcade concept that is blowing past its first-year revenue projections. From treating your staff like hospitality Sherpas to optimizing the high-stakes world of premium plush inventory, Clint outlines what it takes to thrive in today's local entertainment economy. "Our staff is very intensive. They know when people walk in, they say hello. They're very welcoming. They play with the kids and adults... they want to make sure everybody's a winner." Clint also drops invaluable, easy-to-implement operational life hacks—like turning on hidden automated software features—that can instantly add six figures to an FEC’s bottom line. As traffic patterns shift and large-scale buildouts become increasingly expensive, the mid-sized and smaller market models are having a massive moment.

June 17, 202641 min

Ep. 141 - The Science of Shopping Applied to Family Entertainment Centers with Paco Underhill

On this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ sits down with Paco Underhill, global retail expert, founder of Envirosell Inc., and bestselling author of Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping. Paco shares his journey from hanging time-lapse cameras off 60-story skyscrapers to discovering how minor physical adjustments radically alter guest habits. He shares the critical differences in demographic comfort, the psychological weight of time, and why the most impactful leadership requires getting out from behind a desk. “The ability to communicate an understanding of science and be able to match it to the art of design was something that was just very popular and telling. And part of what we also recognize is while there are a series of biological constants, things that don't change within the context of our physical behavior, part of what we know is whether we're talking about the design of a store, a home, a hospital, a website, [or an entertainment venue,] there are a series of things that are in flux. The degree to which we recognize that design, whether it's physical or cyber, has to keep track of the evolution of us.” -Paco Underhill Together, Russ and Paco peel back the layers of customer interaction in a post-pandemic landscape, illustrating why the ultimate customer journey begins long before a guest reaches the front counter.