The Atlas Obscura Podcast Dylan’s Mailbag: Waiting in Lines, Traveling with Mixed Budgets, and Unexpected Layovers
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May 12, 2025 Yolana Zimmerman, a trailblazing medical clown and educator from Israel, shares her unique journey from acting to healing through humor. She discusses the transformative power of laughter in hospitals and the deep connections medical clowns forge with young patients. Yolana also reveals the rigorous training involved and the emotional challenges of clowning in high-stress environments. With a focus on nurturing future generations, she emphasizes the pivotal role of joy in the healing process, making her insights both inspiring and enlightening.
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Yolana's Path to Medical Clowning
- Yolana Zimmerman found her calling in medical clowning after joining an improv group and attending clown workshops.
- She embraced her childhood nickname "Yo-Yo" as her clown name, connecting personal identity with her profession.
History of Medical Clowning
- Medical clowning has roots as far back as Hippocrates, linking humor directly to health.
- Historical pioneers like the Fratellini Brothers helped shape modern therapeutic clowning in hospitals.
Train Beyond Clowning Basics
- To be an effective medical clown, you must master clowning first, then develop additional hospital-specific skills.
- Medical clowning requires extensive training beyond typical clown work, including sensitivity and practical knowledge.