Bench Tested: A Ghostbusters Podcast

About Bench Tested: A Ghostbusters Podcast

Bench Tested is a Ghostbusters podcast built for the fans who care how the gear gets made. Hosted by Charlie, the show goes beyond surface-level fandom and gets into the craft behind the community: proton packs, traps, wands, flight suits, electronics, weathering, prop design, collecting, restoration, franchise work, and the creative decisions that make every build personal. Each episode features conversations with builders, makers, collectors, designers, and Ghostbusters community members who bring real experience to the bench. It is fan-driven, builder-focused, and made for anyone who has ever studied a reference photo, debated screen accuracy, upgraded a pack, or wondered what separates a good prop from a great one. Bench Tested celebrates the people keeping Ghostbusters craft alive: serious about the work, honest about the process, and always ready to compare notes.

Publisher

Harsh Media

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Mar 2026

Latest episode

28 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

20 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Oct 2026

   The Evolution of Ghostbusters Building with D.C.

   In this episode of Bench Tested: A Ghostbusters Podcast, Charlie Harsh sits down with David Callari, better known as D.C., for a conversation that spans nearly the entire evolution of Ghostbusters prop building. D.C.’s story starts in 1984 with cardboard proton packs, The Real Ghostbusters toys, and a lifelong fascination with the science and technology behind the gear. From there, he takes us back to the early prop-building days of the Paranorman era, when getting a proton pack meant long waits, limited options, and a lot more figuring things out on your own. The conversation then jumps into the modern era with HasLab packs, GPStar Extreme electronics, Wasteland Industries smoke systems, Mack’s Factory wands, and the growing ecosystem of upgrades available to builders today. D.C. also explains how he went from being a customer with questions to becoming part of the GPStar team, helping with social media, installation videos, community support, and builder education. Beyond the workbench, D.C. shares his experience with the NYC Ghostbusters, including charity events, STEM appearances, film projects, and the value of bringing builders together to learn from one another. This episode is ultimately about more than proton packs. It’s about how the hobby has changed, how knowledge gets passed from one builder to the next, and why the best part of building Ghostbusters gear is still sharing it with the community. Visit benchtestedpod.com for more interviews with the builders, makers, engineers, and creators behind the Ghostbusters prop community.

2. 

   14 Oct 2026

   Building Beyond the Blueprint with the Massachusetts Ghostbusters

   Some Ghostbusters props recreate what appeared on screen. Others begin with a question: what else could exist in that world? In this episode of Bench Tested: A Ghostbusters Podcast, Charlie Harsh sits down with Jeff Keenan of the Massachusetts Ghostbusters, one of the builders helping turn the group’s convention presence into a fully interactive Ghostbusters experience. Jeff discusses how he combines 3D drafting, 3D printing, and Arduino electronics to design original props and exhibits that cannot simply be copied from an existing build guide. The conversation explores his work on the group’s custom full-size 3D-printed Slimer, Firehouse backdrop, parade displays, Slime Lab experience, and other projects built for conventions, charity events, and community appearances. They also talk about designing from scratch, learning new technical skills one project at a time, adding electronics that make props feel alive, and balancing screen accuracy with durability, transportation, setup time, and public interaction. Jeff explains what changes when a builder moves beyond making a single display piece and starts creating an environment that hundreds of people can experience. Whether you are learning CAD, starting your first 3D print, experimenting with Arduino, or looking for ways to contribute to your local Ghostbusters franchise, this episode offers practical insight into building projects nobody has written instructions for yet. Visit benchtestedpod.com for more conversations with the builders, makers, and creators shaping the Ghostbusters community.

3. 

   30 Sept 2026

   Building Your First Ghostbusters Gear with Stantz Industries

   Where should a first-time Ghostbusters builder actually begin? In this episode of Bench Tested: A Ghostbusters Podcast, Charlie Harsh is joined by prop maker, designer, and longtime Ghostbusters builder Rhett J. Martin of Stantz Industries for a practical and wide-ranging conversation about building your first uniform, proton pack, and collection of Ghostbusters gear. Rhett explains why beginners should start with a comfortable flight suit, how to choose between Spirit, HasLab, 3D-printed, fiberglass, and scratch-built proton packs, and why budget, weight, durability, skill level, and intended use should guide every decision. He also walks through planning a build, test-fitting components, choosing appropriate materials, building troop-ready equipment, and avoiding common mistakes before they become expensive ones. The conversation goes far beyond beginner advice. Rhett shares stories from nearly three decades in the prop community, his work on proton packs, particle throwers, stunt belt equipment, paper props, and ecto goggles, as well as his contributions to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. He also discusses professional prop making, learning from failure, working safely with hazardous materials, and the importance of building something that works for you instead of chasing someone else’s approval. Whether you are assembling your first Ghostbusters costume, upgrading a Spirit Pack, planning a screen-accurate replica, or simply trying to understand where to begin, this episode offers honest guidance from a builder who has worked at nearly every level of the craft. Visit benchtestedpod.com for more interviews with the builders, artists, engineers, and creators shaping the Ghostbusters community.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Contact Bench Tested: A Ghostbusters Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.