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In this episode of The Atlas Obscura Podcast, hear how John Ringling traded his wooden clown shoes for a life of luxury—then lost it all after transforming Sarasota, Florida into a circus capital.

Our podcast is an audio guide to the world’s wondrous, awe-inspiring, strange places. In under 15 minutes, we’ll take you to an incredible site, and along the way you’ll meet some fascinating people and hear their stories. Join us daily, Monday through Thursday, to explore a new wonder with cofounder Dylan Thuras and a neighborhood of Atlas Obscura reporters.