MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories
MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories is a true crime and mystery podcast that presents strange, dark and mysterious content delivered in story format. The program is hosted by John Allen a.k.a. MrBallen. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes 7-days early and ad-free.
Episodes
Teke Teke | Campfire Stories with MrBallen
Tonight, I have a great story to tell you. It reminds me of when I was a kid, I used to go camping with my family out in western Massachusetts – we'd sit around a campfire, and my parents would tell me and my sisters ghost stories. It was unclear how true the stories really were, but they were all terrifying. And this story that I'm going to share with you is from Japan, and it happened over 50 ye
Deadly Plans
Today’s podcast will feature 2 stories about people who went to disturbing lengths to carry out their plans. The audio from both of these stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.
Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:
#2 -- "The Last Tenant" -- He told them he wasn't going to leave... (
An Unlikely Witness (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Today, we have two stories about individuals who go above and beyond to make sure investigators have what they need. And in both instances, this turns a case that should be straightforward into something completely shocking.
You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallen
If you want to reach out to me
Too Much Blood (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
One night in the summer of 2003, a man approached a drug dealer on a corner in Rochester, New York. The man stepped close to the dealer and whispered that he was a cop... but he wasn’t here to bust the dealer, or to buy from him. Instead, he had a request: he wanted the drug dealer to help him catch a killer.
You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just
Fan Favorite - "The Lipstick on the Wall"
Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 285.
On a summer morning in 2001, a woman in Alabama woke up in a cold sweat – like she’d just had a nightmare. But the woman knew what she saw while she was sleeping was not a bad dream – it was real. So she grabbed her phone and made a frantic call. Later that morning, police arrived at an old wooden house on the outskirts
A Trail of Questions Vol. II
Today’s podcast will feature 3 hiking horror stories that are still shrouded in mystery. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.
Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:
#3 -- "Stephen Thomas" -- A hiker leaves his tents to confront someone or something... and he
You Next (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Today’s story is about a simple family living a simple life on a simple farm in England. And even though that might sound really nice, this simplicity is actually the exact reason that everything goes wrong.
You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallen
If you want to reach out to me, contact me on I
Closing Time (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
On an evening in September 2017, a woman in Massachusetts came home from work to an empty house. Her boyfriend was gone, but she saw that his wallet and phone were still right there on the counter. And on the kitchen table were three envelopes. She opened them. One was his last will and testament. The second was a note for her. And the third... was a letter addressed to the family of a woman who'd
The Devoted Wife | Campfire Stories with MrBallen
Tonight, I'm going to tell you a very famous story from Thailand. The story was recommended to me by a fan, and I had never heard of it before. And the second I started looking into it, I knew – that I had to tell this one sitting in front of a campfire. As you listen, you might think you can guess what’s going to happen next – but I had never heard anything like this before, and I bet you haven’t
The Mistake
Today’s podcast will feature 3 stories about people who made grave mistakes. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.
Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:
#3 -- "The New Member" -- A church witnesses something horrifying as their pastor begins a ceremony (Orig
Stuck (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Both of today’s stories are about people who made big choices that they thought would improve their lives. But neither of them took the time to learn exactly what they were signing up for, and that led to disaster.
You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallen
If you want to reach out to me, contact
Fan Favorite - "The Monaco Matriarch"
Today's story is a completely NEW retelling of a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 382. The audio has been newly recorded and edited.
On the morning of May 17th, 2014, a detective wrote furiously as she sat next to the hospital bed of a mortally-injured 77-year-old woman. The woman had been in a coma for the last ten days, and the detective had been desperately working to figur
Stranger Than Fiction Vol. XIV
Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. And today’s podcast features 3 stories that demonstrate that. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.
Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:
#3 -- "Inkling" -- A homicide detective stumbles upon a picture he can't b
Safe for Now (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Today we have two stories about people who had close brushes with death, and were absolutely certain that they had escaped harm and could move on with their lives. They... were wrong.
You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallen
If you want to reach out to me, contact me on Instagram, Twitter or any
The Night Shift (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
On an afternoon in December 1991, a woman in small-town Utah opened her mailbox. Inside was a credit card bill, addressed to her husband, who'd disappeared a week ago. The woman found this strange, because she didn't even know her husband had a credit card. And when she ripped open the envelope and read over the charges, she realized that her missing husband had been keeping an even bigger secret
Healed and Hunted | Campfire Stories with MrBallen
Tonight at the campfire, I'm going to share one of the most credible alien abduction stories ever.
Be sure to WATCH this episode on my YouTube channel! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Origins Vol. II
Today’s podcast will feature 4 stories about how a single decision changed the lives of the people in these stories, as well as millions of others lives around the world. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.
Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:
#4 -- "The
Strange Solutions (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Both of our stories today start with people who are just looking for a solution to their problem. But finding that solution… ends up being the worst thing that ever happened to them.
You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallen
If you want to reach out to me, contact me on Instagram, Twitter or any
The Mayor's Wife (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
On an evening in August 2000, a city council candidate stood behind a podium at a high school in small-town Alabama. He was speaking about why he'd entered the race, and he said he wanted a platform to discuss an important issue – the unsolved murder of a local school district employee. Right there, in front of all the news cameras and microphones, the candidate said he knew who committed the crim
Fan Favorite - "The Shadow in the Doorway"
Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 392.
In the early hours of Thursday, February 21st, 2008, a six-year-old girl woke to a creaking noise down the hallway outside her bedroom door. It was a blustery night in rural Nevada, so she figured it was just the wind bending frozen tree branches in the yard. But then another creaking noise filled the house, this time ev
In Plain Sight
Today’s podcast will feature 3 stories about dark secrets that were hiding in plain sight all along. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.
Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:
#3 -- "Dating Game" -- A reality show contestant isn't who he says he is... (Orig
Tragedy by Design (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Both of today’s stories are a reminder that even the most joyful events or celebrations can take a horrific turn, if just ONE tiny thing goes wrong.
You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallen
If you want to reach out to me, contact me on Instagram, Twitter or any other major social media platform,
A House Divided (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
On a Monday morning in February 2003, a man in suburban France got a phone call from a number he recognized. He answered it, but all he heard on the other end was static and muffled voices in the background. He could just barely make out a conversation between two women. They were talking about a murder, and one of them said they needed to come up with an alibi.
You can WATCH all new & exclusive
The Cemetery/Kandahar Giant | Campfire Stories with MrBallen
Tonight, I have two stories to tell you. And what makes these exceptional is that they're both just excellent stories to be told around a campfire.
Be sure to WATCH this episode on my YouTube channel! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
No Way Out Vol. X
Today’s podcast features 3 stories that involve people who were trapped - with “no way out.” The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.
Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:
#3 -- "A Crush on a Cruise" -- A cruise ship's unexpected catastrophe... (Original YouTub
Thou Shalt Not Covet (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
On the evening of August 10, 2005, a man in New York City answered the phone at the office where he worked. A woman’s voice came over the line, and she asked to speak with one of the man’s employees. He replied that that employee actually hadn’t shown up for their shift that afternoon. That’s when he heard a shift in the woman’s tone, and she told him in a trembling voice that she needed to hang u
Unreal Vol. II
Today’s podcast will feature 3 stories that sound impossible – moments so unlikely, they shouldn’t exist… yet somehow, they do. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.
Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:
#3 -- "Scooped" -- After a tragedy at sea, a truly unb
The Price of Preparation (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Today we have two stories about people who finally got to attend an event that they’d been working toward for years. But in both cases, actually going – would turn out to be the biggest mistake of their lives.
You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallen
If you want to reach out to me, contact me o
Concrete Evidence (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
One evening in April 2006, a person sat at their kitchen table, frantically cutting up the page of a newspaper with some scissors. They were working on an important project, and it was almost done. They finished cutting the final letter from the page and pasted it onto a sheet of paper. Then they leaned back to read the message they’d assembled from the scraps. It was a warning. And they were sure
Fan Favorite - "The Knot"
Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 388.
On a September afternoon in 2000, an FBI forensics analyst stood in her lab in Quantico, Virginia, staring into a microscope in confusion. She was looking at two strands of hair that were evidence in a murder investigation. And something wasn’t right. She checked the label on the evidence bag the sample came from, then l
Hidden Threat
Today’s podcast will feature three stories that remind us the most dangerous threats are oftentimes the ones you can’t see. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.
Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:
#3 -- "Underwater Building" -- Friends investigate odd str
Fatal Hubris (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Today we have two stories about people who craved attention or status – but instead of glory, they got absolute carnage.
You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallen
If you want to reach out to me, contact me on Instagram, Twitter or any other major social media platform, my username on all of them
The Traffic Stop (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Before dawn in March 1997, a police captain was patrolling the outskirts of a small town in North Carolina. He saw a Jeep parked on the shoulder of the highway with its headlights on. He pulled over, and as he walked closer to the Jeep, he heard the engine running. The driver's side window was rolled down, and there was no one inside. But just then... a cell phone on the passenger seat started rin
Fan Favorite - "Death of a Ladies' Man"
Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 384.
One afternoon in January of 1998, a prosecutor for the state of Georgia sat in the very back row of seats in a courtroom where a divorce trial was unfolding. The prosecutor was not involved in the divorce case – he handled murder trials. But he had come here today, because he had gotten a very surprising phone call about
The Unexpected
Today’s podcast will feature 3 horror stories with completely unexpected endings. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.
Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:
#3 -- "After The Riot" -- A man's son goes missing during a prison riot (Original YouTube link -- ht
Blind Faith (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Our two stories today are about people who believed in something so strongly, that it informed every single choice they made. And unfortunately for them – those choices led them down a very dangerous path.
You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallen
If you want to reach out to me, contact me on Ins
In the Dump Truck (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
In June 2005, a customer at a gas station in Derry, New Hampshire carried a prepaid cell phone to the counter. They paid for it in cash, then they went out to their car and cut open the packaging. They dialed a number to activate it, but when the customer service rep asked for their name, they hesitated. The whole reason they'd bought this prepaid phone was so that no one could trace the calls bac
Prisoners | Campfire Stories with MrBallen
On today's Campfire episode, I have a great ghost story.
Be sure to WATCH this episode on YouTube next Friday, April 3 at 2:00 p.m. ET. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Reality Glitch
Today’s podcast will feature 3 stories that seemingly break reality. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.
Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:
#3 -- "The Friend" -- Paranormal enthusiasts will enjoy this one (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.co
Playing with Fire (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Both of these stories are about two people who do not feel safe in their homes. And authorities can't help either of them until the situation spirals out of control.
You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallen
If you want to reach out to me, contact me on Instagram, Twitter or any other major socia
As Seen on TV (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
One night in March of 2016, two friends sat on a couch in Lunel, France, watching a true crime show on TV. The episode hit close to home – literally – because it was about a missing person who had vanished just miles from where they lived. Suddenly, in the middle of the show, one of the friends stood up and started pacing around the room, muttering to themselves. The other friend asked what was wr
Fan Favorite - "Murder and Meditation"
Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 359.
One September afternoon in 2003, a woman in Tucson, Arizona, heard a knock on her front door and answered it. She was surprised to see a Tucson police detective standing on her front steps, and even more surprised when the detective started asking a bunch of questions about her next door neighbor. The woman was a law-abi
Under the Surface
Today’s podcast will feature 3 stories that make you realize, not everything is as it seems. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.
Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:
#3 -- "On The Prowl" -- A local urban legend turns into a nightmare (Original YouTube lin
Gone for a Jog (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
One day in January of 2018, a police officer walked through the woods near the town of Gray, France, following a trail of blood. It led to the body of a person who had been shot in the head. It seemed to be a suicide, but the police officer had some questions. Because this wasn’t the first body they had found here in the past few months.
You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episode
Adrenaline Rush | Campfire Stories with MrBallen
I'm back by the fire, and I have an epic survival story to tell you.
Be sure to WATCH this episode on my YouTube channel. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Beneath the Surface (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Both of today's stories are about just how hard it is to really know someone, and the consequences of assuming you do.
You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallen
If you want to reach out to me, contact me on Instagram, Twitter or any other major social media platform, my username on all of them is
Who's At The Door (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
On an early morning in December 1991, a woman woke up to pounding on the door of her home in Largo, Florida. She could hear a woman outside screaming for help. She rushed out of bed and opened the door – and saw her neighbor on the doorstep, drenched in blood. Her head was covered in gashes. Her throat had been slit. But before she could say a word about what had happened to her, she fell back and
Fan Favorite - "You Can't Hide Here"
Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 300.
On a dark fall night in 2010, two detectives stood in the street in an upscale suburban neighborhood outside of Boston, Massachusetts. In the middle of the road – lit by their flashlights – lay the body of a teenage boy. These were two veteran detectives, but neither of them had ever seen the type of brutal violence that
Stranger Than Fiction Vol. XIII
Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. And today’s podcast features 3 stories that demonstrate that. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.
Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:
#3 -- "What’s Wrong with Mommy?" -- Christmas day becomes a nightmare (Ori
A Pyrrhic Victory (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Both of today's stories are about people who actually achieved their big career ambitions... but at an extremely high cost.
You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallen
If you want to reach out to me, contact me on Instagram, Twitter or any other major social media platform, my username on all of th
Take Out (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
On June 20th, 2004 a restaurant manager stood at the host stand of a seafood spot in Orange County, California. It was the dinner rush, and he was on take-out duty. So when a customer came in to ask about their to-go order, the manager hurried off to grab it. He found the order, and carried it back out. And as he rang the customer up, he could tell they were in a hurry. They kept looking over thei
Fan Favorite - "Big Bang"
Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 281.
On a fall evening in 1996, a young detective sped through the streets of Tucson, Arizona towards an upscale country club. All he knew was that someone had reported an explosion in the area, but he didn’t know what had caused it. Minutes later, the detective pulled into the country club parking lot and as he got out of hi
Do Not Disturb
Today’s story has a very surprising ending, and I do sort of tip off what actually happens early-ish on in the story, but I’d be very surprised if people actually pick up on it and put it together before I reveal what actually happened.
Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:
#1 -- "Do Not Disturb" -- Two sisters take a vacation to Thailand, but the strange events that happen n
In Too Deep (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Today's stories are about how sometimes doing what you think is the right thing... can actually be the most dangerous choice you can make.
You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallen
If you want to reach out to me, contact me on Instagram, Twitter or any other major social media platform, my userna
The Turquoise Necklace (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
On an evening in March 1974, an investigator in Salt Lake City, Utah sat across an interrogation table from a man who claimed he had psychic powers. The deputy had been skeptical… but now this self-described psychic was giving him a bunch of incredibly specific visions about the case. It was enough to make the deputy wonder… was this man really a psychic, or was he actually the killer?
You can W
Fan Favorite - "Murder by the Slice"
Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 269.
On a spring night in 2009, a middle aged married couple was closing up the local pizza place they ran in a small Virginia mountain town. The husband walked to the back of the restaurant and grabbed a large bucket of ice. He carried the bucket out the back door, and dumped the ice into the grass. He stood up and felt the
No Way Out Vol. IX
Today’s podcast features 3 stories that involve people who were trapped – with “no way out.” The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:#3 -- "A Friendly Wave" -- A girl on her newspaper route notices a man waving in a very pecul
The Best Laid Plans (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Today’s stories are about people who try to control fate… and end up causing historic levels of destruction. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallenIf you want to reach out to me, contact me on Instagram, Twitter or any other major social media platform, my username on all of them is @mrballen Ho
The Rumor Mill (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
On the morning of December 10, 1995, a detective walked into a house on a quiet street in the suburbs of Tucson, Arizona. An officer led him down the hallway to the bedroom – and when he looked inside, he froze. He'd seen a lot of crime scenes before, but this was one of the worst. There was blood all over the walls, the floors, and the mattress. It looked like this should be the scene of a murder
Fan Favorite - "The Artist"
Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 251.On the afternoon of September 10, 2009, an art student walked inside her off-campus apartment in Dallas, Texas, and immediately began making herself a late lunch. Her roommate didn't come out of her bedroom to greet her, but to be honest, this wasn't totally unusual. The two of them, despite being roommates, were not actu
Frozen Hell
Today’s podcast will feature 3 stories about people who headed into the extreme cold, and never returned. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:#3 -- "Over the Horizon" -- A morbid discovery was made on an oceanic voyage in
The Devil is in the Details (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Today, I’m going to tell you two stories about people who wanted to do something impressive – and came up with a really ambitious plan. But they overlooked one crucial detail that became the difference between life... and death. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallenIf you want to reach out to m
Cops and Robbers (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Just after midnight on May 12, 2006, a man woke up in his quiet London suburb to the sound of pounding on his front door. He answered it and found his neighbor standing outside, looking shocked. The neighbor said something had happened to the man’s sister. The man immediately ran down the street, towards his sister’s house. He was afraid of what he’d find, because he was always warning her to be m
Monsters Among Us Vol. V
Today’s podcast will feature 3 stories that will make you wonder how many monsters you may have encountered in your life. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:#3 -- "The Home Gym" -- A family gets ready for a normal Friday,
Inspired By (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Today's story is about a fiction writer who used her own life as inspiration – until her life took a tragic twist that no one would believe if she wrote it in a book. It’s a reminder that some stories... are better left untold. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallenIf you want to reach out to me
The Green Monster (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
In the early morning hours of March 27, 2003, a four-year-old boy was lying in bed in rural Ohio, when he suddenly heard his door open. He assumed it was just his great-grandparents checking in on him, and he pretended to be asleep. He heard the floorboards creaking as someone stepped into his room, and approached his bed. The boy peeked his eyes open just a tiny bit... and he saw a huge, green mo
The Death Song | Campfire Stories with MrBallen
In today’s episode, we are doing something a little different. For the first time ever, I’m taking the "Strange, Dark, and Mysterious" stories outside to a literal campfire to bring you a tale that is as unsettling as it is historic.Hundreds of years ago in what is now Richland County, Wisconsin, a search party from the Ho-Chunk Nation followed the tracks of three missing hunters deep into a remot
Devotion
Today’s podcast will feature 3 stories about acts so strange and unsettling, they blur the line between devotion and madness. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:#3 -- "Exit Interviews" -- One of the most infamous cult cas
Desperate Measures (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Today, I’m going to tell you two stories about people who unknowingly risked everything to travel to their dream locations – and didn’t realize they were in danger until it was too late. Their stories remind us that careful planning is not always enough to keep us safe when we travel far from home. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBa
Dancer in the Dark (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
In December 2005, a young woman walked down a sidewalk in New York City. There were Christmas decorations on all the buildings she passed – but as she walked by a newspaper stand, she saw something that was so shocking, she literally stopped in her tracks. Because right there, on the front page of multiple newspapers — was a picture of the one thing in her life, that she’d hoped she would never se
Fan Favorite - "You Can't Leave That Way"
Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 318.This story is about a woman who goes missing from a psychiatric hospital in 1900. Now at first, this story will seem like a pretty ordinary missing person case. That is, until you reach the very end. Lets just say, this story has one heck of a plot twist. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my Y
The Unexplained Vol. II
Today’s podcast will feature 3 stories of missing people that we just can’t explain. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:#3 -- "The Yellow Smoke" -- A bizarre series of events leaves a family without any answers (Original
Panic Attacks (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Today, I’m going to tell you two stories about people who communicated with the right intentions, but didn’t fully think through the risks of what could happen when their message was heard. These stories remind us that sometimes, our zeal can lead us down a path we can’t turn back from. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - http
The Preacher's Fiancée (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
One morning in May 1993, a man living outside Chicago, Illinois, stepped out onto his front porch – and froze. There was a shoebox sitting there, with a note that said “To Sandra” – but no one named ‘Sandra’ lived at his house. The man’s heart started to race. There was a bomber on the loose, and the whole city was on edge – so he called 911. The box on his porch would turn out to be nothing, but
Storytime with MrBallen | Rosie Grant
Joining me is the amazing Rosie Grant! Rosie is the creator behind Ghostly Archive on Instagram & TikTok, where she researches and re-creates recipes found on gravestones. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
For a Price
Whether it's fame, fortune, or the thrill of adventure — none of it comes without a price, and today's 3 stories demonstrate that.Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:#3 -- "Surge" -- A couple's dream vacation turns into a nightmare (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9en1PDgpAI)#2 -- "Stowaway" -- A runaway wants nothing more than to see the world (Origi
The Happy Couple (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
On July 4th, 2018, a paramedic was hurrying through a hospital in England when his supervisor flagged him down, looking worried. She asked if he had been one of the paramedics on a specific call a few days ago. Surprised, he said yes. The call had been pretty typical, so he didn’t understand why she was asking. But his supervisor said she’d explain in a minute – first, he had to take off all his g
Fan Favorite - "The Red Sandals"
This story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 344.In 1984, in a small city in northeastern China, a security guard stood outside of a warehouse, working an overnight shift. The guard heard a noise coming from some bushes nearby, but he didn’t think much about it. This was a safe town, and usually the hardest part of his job was staying awake. But suddenly, two thieves in sk
Origins
Today’s podcast will feature 3 stories about how a single decision changed the lives of the people in these stories, as well as millions of others lives around the world. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:#3 -- "One Man’
When Your Eyes Deceive You (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Today, I’m going to tell two stories that highlight how the world around us – and even people’s own eyes – can play tricks on them. Sometimes, what people think they see isn't what's really going on at all. But once people have convinced themselves of something, it can be hard for them to change their minds... and that can lead them into deadly situations. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBalle
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