Creepy clowns abound; “Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders”; Open-mic comedy in Philadelphia

Guests: Steven Schlozman, Joshua Foer, Ella Morton, Marrianne Beltle, Brandon Gorin, Ronald Metellus, Rachel Fogletto

Are killer clowns coming to your town?  A recent wave of creepy clown sightings has struck fear into communities from South Carolina to Pennsylvania, to upstate New York.  They have committed no crimes but their presence is unsettling. We’ll talk about many of us are unnerved by clowns.  STEVEN SCHLOZMAN, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, joins us to explain.  We’ll then turn to a gigantic flaming hole in the Turkmenistan desert and ancient zip lines in the Andes Mountains, two of the entries in a new book called “Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders.” We’ll listen to Radio Times producer Elizabeth Fiedler’s interview with two of the authors, JOSHUA FOER and ELLA MORTON. Then, producer Jon Ehrens explores the nuances of comedy “open-mics” in Philadelphia. Jon speaks with comedy newcomer MARRIANNE BELTLE, and more seasoned open-mic performers BRANDON GORIN, RONALD METELLUS, and RACHEL FOGLETTO.