Laugh to Keep from Screaming
Laugh to Keep from ScreamingRelease Date: June 24, 2025Host: Adam Berry Episode Description: Clowns: they were never just funny. In this chilling and surprising episode, Adam Berry explores our collective fear of clowns—from their ancient, shadowy origins to the personal phobias they trigger in people today. With psychological insight, historical depth, and real-world hauntings, this episode blends horror, humor, and healing in a way only This Haunted Life can.ACT 1: Comedy, Tragedy, and Terror Before there was Pennywise, there were pantomime tricksters, haunted jesters, and sad-faced fools. Adam dives into the long, layered history of clowns—where fear and laughter were never far apart. From ancient courts to modern crime scenes, the line between joke and threat gets blurrier than you think.How ancient clowns were designed to make people uncomfortableThe 19th century shift that turned clowns tragic—and terrifyingWhy clowns were never really “safe,” even before pop culture took overThe true crime case that permanently changed how we view the red noseACT 2: The Clowns That Haunt Our Dreams Why do so many people have such a visceral reaction to clowns? Adam talks to three people with deep-rooted clown phobias—each with wildly different reasons. These intimate interviews reveal surprising triggers, hidden traumas, and the subtle psychology that makes clowns uniquely unsettling.A horror fan who can watch killer clown films but can’t face the real thingA veteran whose childhood prank turned into lifelong anxietyA woman whose experience at a haunted house turned into a full-blown panic attackThe science behind why exaggerated faces and “hidden emotion” disturb usACT 3: Searching for the Real Killer Clowns What happens when a clown-phobic ghost hunter checks in to one of the most terrifying locations in the U.S.? Enter the Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada—home to thousands of clown dolls and eerie paranormal activity. This segment blends supernatural suspense with deeply emotional storytelling.First-hand account of investigating the Clown Motel (yes, it’s next to a cemetery)Encounters with haunted objects and possible child spiritsThe mysterious presence of “Charlie”—a life-sized clown that allegedly moves on his ownAn unexpected connection with a spirit who found peace in the unlikeliest placeACT 4: What’s Behind the Mask To close the episode, Adam looks at the brighter side of clowning—and the people who use it to heal, not harm. From legendary figures like Patch Adams to global clown doctors who bring hope into hospitals and war zones, this act is about reclaiming joy from fear.The legacy of Hunter “Patch” Adams and the power of playWhy clowning can be a tool for empathy, connection, and transformationA reminder that not all clowns hide something sinister—and some might just want a hugListen now if you’ve ever wondered why clowns get under your skin—or if you’re ready to look fear in the face and laugh anyway.Support the Show: Join our Haunted Life Patreon www.patreon.com/adamberry to get behind-the-scenes content, exclusive Q&As, and connect with fellow Hauntees.PLUS first access to “This After-Life” - a companion YouTube podcast where we explore each episode in more detail with special guests and have all the fun to be had! If you enjoyed the episode, share it with friends (or enemies — we don’t judge). Rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Connect with Adam:Haunted Life Patreon - www.patreon.com/adamberryInstagram www.instagram.com/adamberryTwitter www.twitter.com/adamjberryTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theadamberry?lang=en&is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=mobile&sender_web_id=7496753372930983454YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AdamBerryJPodcast Website www.HauntedLifePodcast.comAdam’s Website www.adam-berry.comProduction Credits:Host/Producer/Writer: Adam BerryCo-Producer/Music: Chad Rossi Provincetown Recording StudioWriter and Co- Producer: Julie TremaineArtwork: Laura Lineberry