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 monster standing over his bed – pointing a shotgun at him. 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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 remote ravine. What they found was a dark cave and a haunting sound echoing from the depths—a sound that signaled they were no longer alone.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.
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 cases in history... (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw9UOmib5hE)#2 -- "A Family Ritual" -- A family performs a sickening ritual (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V61B4JTczJM)#1 -- "The Helping Hand" -- After a hand washes up on a shore in Florida, a mysterious case begins to unravel (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eHMOFfHKDw) 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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 "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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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 see again. Looking at it now, she knew she had to call the police right away. 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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 YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eklLi4LdTWk)#2 -- "The Bennington Triangle" -- Hunters goes missing in haunted forest (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-Kvc3wbSfw)#1 -- "Incommunicado" -- A man staying an extremely remote cabin stops communicating with his friend (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KLTog6DltQ) 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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" - 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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 until the bomber was found, nobody knew what the next box would contain. 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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 (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHkpDWBmRO8)#1 -- "The Path Less Traveled" -- A discovery in a forest would have devastating consequences (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk9ijAskoRY&t=1s) 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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 gear right now. Because there was a chance – that what he was wearing, could kill him. 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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 ski masks emerged from the bushes, and rushed the guard. They grabbed him, and slammed his head against the outside wall of the warehouse, and the guard fell to the ground in a daze. One of the thieves quickly gagged the guard, bound his hands and feet, and said he needed to keep his mouth shut if he wanted to stay alive. Terrified, and struggling to keep his eyes open, the guard watched as the two thieves opened the warehouse door and ran inside. This robbery would shake the local community, but it was nothing in comparison to the horrific crimes it would set off, and the gruesome discovery the police would soon make on the outskirts of town. 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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’s Trash" -- A woman finds something in her husband's office trash can that would change their lives forever (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1qXHn2O7cY)#2 -- "Accidental Superstar" -- This person had a full blown "normal" career when something totally random made them an A list celebrity (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPfcCindxhg)#1 -- "The Shiner" -- A man gets into a fight at a McDonald's the night before his big job interview (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXUyvt2tUGQ) 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Devil's Diary (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
One night in December of 2009, a man dug through a pile of papers and photo albums inside an RV parked in Texas. This man had recently bought the trailer after its previous owner had died, and it was full of junk that he was now trying to sort. As he rifled through documents, he stumbled on a stack of old notebooks. He opened one, and started reading – and as he did, he felt his heartbeat pick up. Because the notebooks were diaries – and they were full of handwritten rantings about demons, monsters, and a deal with the devil. But that wasn’t what really scared him. What really scared the man... was the writer’s horrifying confession. 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Fan Favorite - "The Piranha"
This story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 335.In 2011, a police officer spotted a woman on a busy street in Japan, and he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He looked at a photo on his phone, and then back at the woman, it was definitely her. He’d been tasked with finding this woman and bringing her back home, it was a pretty basic task, but he’d managed to complete it way faster than he thought he would. The officer rushed down the street, greeted the woman, and she confirmed she was the person he was looking for. He led her back to his car, drove her home, and that was that. But what the officer could not have possibly have imagined, was that locating this woman and bringing her home was about to unravel 25 years of unimaginable horrors – and lead to one of the most bizarre cases Japanese investigators had ever seen. 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Unreal
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 -- "Just a Bit Cramped" -- A horrifying accident that has a very unlikely outcome (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN512apbI8o)#2 -- "Scenic Route" -- A woman gets into a car accident on her way to work (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQMMgU2c69U)#1 -- "Out With a Bang" -- A funeral ends with a deafening roar (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6bh7mhT1Lk) For 100s more stories like these, check out our main 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Shipwrecked (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
In the early morning hours on a Saturday in 2013, a man dressed all in black hid in the shadows on a side street in downtown Antwerp, Belgium. The man had lost track of how long he’d even been there, but he didn’t care. He’d hide in the shadows for as long as he had to, waiting patiently for the right moment. Finally, he heard stumbling footsteps, and he felt a jolt of energy run through his body, and he crouched down, ready to lunge. 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Touch Me and Die (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
On the afternoon of September 30th, 1991, an investigator in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania walked carefully through a college chemistry lab – that was also a potential crime scene. The room was a complete mess, with construction debris all over the place and lab equipment strewn across the countertops. It was so cluttered that the investigator hardly knew where to begin. But then he noticed something laying on a nearby counter – it was a soiled rag with a handwritten note sitting next to it. And when he read the note, he gasped. Because he realized that he could be the next to die. 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.