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Artwork for MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

Ballen Studios
Murder
True Crime
Murder Investigation
Brazil
Devon Guzman
Domestic Violence
China
Michelle Hetzel
Carrie Renner
Brandon Bloss
Rhonda Boggs
Allie Kemp
Cannibalism
Mike Turner
Florida
Romantic Relationships
Hiking Disappearances
Nick Robinson
Australia
Japan

MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark and 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. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

PublishesDailyEpisodes509Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

Latest Episodes

Tonight's story is a classic scary story. It's so unbelievable that I think a lot of people are going to have a hard time believing it, but when this happened in Hong Kong, this story got picked up by many major outlets and was covered extensive – so... more

Today, I’m going to tell you two stories about people who found themselves in hopeless situations. But they made an unexpected choice that changed their lives – for better or worse.

You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my Y... more

On a chilly February night in 2005, a young woman in Chicago was sitting down for dinner when her phone rang. It was her mom, who lived a few blocks away, and she told her daughter to come home... now. The young woman asked what was wrong, but her mo... more

Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 291.

In January of 2012, a police truck parked on a trail in Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California. A member of the K-9 Unit opened the door, and a police dog named Indiana ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Paul Cortez
Catherine's on-again-off-again boyfriend, known for his jealousy issues and alleged violent past.
Episode: Dancer in the Dark (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Oz Pearlman
World-renowned mentalist known for his performances with celebrities and professional athletes.
Episode: Storytime with MrBallen | Oz Pearlman
Tom Segura
A popular comedian and actor known for his storytelling abilities.
Netflix
Episode: Storytime with MrBallen | Tom Segura
Erin Brockovich
Famous environmental activist and author
Episode: Listen Now: Hysterical

Host

John Allen
Host of a true-crime and mystery storytelling show known for cinematic narration and multi-episode arcs.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 132.3k ratings
  • Says “you know” too mich

    Great podcast. Love how he tells the stories except for him always saying “you know” all the time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Twin mom 1654087
    United States6 days ago
  • The other podcast is better

    I really like the medical one but this one is great too. The description of new story’s is awesome and makes me want to listen to them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hellooooooooo222222000
    Canada6 days ago
  • Good show

    Enjoyed listening to show to fall asleep

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dtzcollins
    United States7 days ago
  • Sellout

    “Oh look, one more subscription for you” nah. I’ll pass.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MSUBear42
    United States9 days ago
  • Favorite of all time

    I love true crime but also like to have other strange and curious stories sprinkled in. This podcast provides the best of all worlds and the narrator is fantastic at telling stories. Literally my favorite podcast of all time and I can’t find anything else like it. Just wish they posted more- can’t get enough!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fatnatmuskrat
    United States10 days ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate the careful balance of suspense and factual detail, with strong production values.
Listeners praise the host's vivid storytelling and impossible-to-stop pacing.
Ads and sponsorships are a common point of critique, though some note early-access perks mitigate interruptions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Storytime with MrBallen | Rosie Grant
Q: What has this experience done for your relationship with mortality?
It has taught me that death becomes less scary as you talk about it more openly.
Storytime with MrBallen | Rosie Grant
Q: How did you start doing what you do?
I got started with this when I was trying to become a librarian and ended up interning at a cemetery during COVID.
Storytime with MrBallen | Oz Pearlman
Q: How do you prepare for your performances?
I've learned to remain calm under pressure, as it greatly contributes to success in mentalism.
Storytime with MrBallen | Oz Pearlman
Q: How does someone know they have the skill to be a mentalist?
People can be taught mentalism, but it involves innate talent similar to music; some may reach a ceiling despite learning.
Storytime with MrBallen | Oz Pearlman
Q: What is a mentalist?
A mentalist is a form of magic that involves skills developed over decades focused on how people think, using psychology, misdirection, and influence.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A suspenseful true crime and mystery show that delivers chilling, carefully told narratives in a storytelling format. Episodes often blend real cases with campfire-style retellings, explore puzzling phenomena, and weave in editorial notes, expert input, and sponsor messages. The host leans into a distinctive, cinematic narration that can feel like a late‑night campfire session, making complex cases accessible and highly engaging for listeners who enjoy twists, psychological angles, and cautionary takes around investigations and missteps. A notable edge is the mix of multi-story episodes, exclusive clips, and cross‑platform promotion that keeps production values high while expanding reach through companion channels and early-access options.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Bedtime Stories
2. Wartime Stories
3. Every Town
4. REDACTED: Declassified Mysteries with Luke Lamana
5. Morbid

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 509 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Paul Cortez
2. Oz Pearlman
3. Tom Segura
4. Erin Brockovich

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