Tricks, Treats and Trends
Summary
Host Rachel Abrams explores the state of Halloween in 2026, beginning with a culinary tour of trending candies like Nerds Gummy Clusters and Skittles Popped. She then discusses the year’s most popular costumes with Louis Lacerra II, highlighting cultural references from Taylor Swift to Erling Haaland. Finally, reporter Callie Holterman updates listeners on the viral 12-foot Home Depot skeleton, noting its new Bluetooth capabilities and the record-breaking $13.5 billion spent on Halloween decorations this year.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Lincoln in the Bardo, Ultra Running, and NYT
Introduction: The evolution of Halloween traditions
Candy trends: Top sellers and the rise of sour flavors
Tasting Nerds Gummy Clusters: A viral TikTok hit
Tasting Skittles Popped: Innovation in candy texture
Tasting Cry Baby: Nostalgia and sour candy challenges
The economics of candy: Inflation and chocolate shortages
Sponsors: Schwab, Z-Biotics, and Sattva
Costume culture: Louis Lacerra's creative approach
2026 Costume Predictions: Pop culture references and memes
Sponsors: Ultra Running, FIGS, and Quo
Halloween decorations: A tour of the store and Skelly
Callie Holterman: The viral history of the 12-foot skeleton
Why Skelly became a meme: Social distancing and creativity
Halloween spending: Record highs and retail strategies
Skelly upgrades: Bluetooth, AI voices, and new features
Closing remarks and credits
Sponsor: FIGS scrubs
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