

MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries
Wondery | Ballen Studios
The human body is a miracle. But when it’s not working, it can be the stuff of nightmares. On this new series from master storyteller MrBallen, we’re sharing medical horror stories and diagnostic mysteries that are surgically calibrated to make your blood run cold.From bizarre, unheard-of diseases and miraculous recoveries to strange medical mishaps and unexplainable deaths — you’ll never hear the phrase “heart-stopping” in the same way again. MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between MrBallen and Wondery, the award-winning company behind Dr. Death.Follow MrBallen's Medical Mysteries on Amazon Music, the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes publish for free every Tuesday. Prime members can listen to new episodes early and ad-free on Amazon Music. Or, you can listen episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or by visiting https://wondery.com/links/mrballens-medical-mysteries/ now.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 28, 2025 • 31min
Fan Favorite | Needle in a Haystack
A young mother battles a rare and deadly bacterial infection affecting her daughter, prompting a CDC investigation that raises alarms of potential bioterrorism. Meanwhile, an investigator in Agda, France, uncovers a web of intrigue involving corrupt practices and claims of divine intervention. The podcast also dives into the tragic mystery of Jinx the dog, shedding light on the impact of melioidosis on families and communities. Tension mounts as answers remain elusive, leaving listeners enthralled by the dark complexities of these medical mysteries.

Aug 26, 2025 • 34min
Fan Favorite | It Came From the Basement
Dive into a harrowing tale of a mother’s quest to uncover the truth behind her son's sudden epilepsy. From traumatic school days to the chilling investigation of water contamination in Niagara Falls, the narrative intertwines personal struggles with broader community health issues. As a novice reporter reveals shocking municipal negligence, we follow Lois as she bravely fights against toxic secrets influencing her child’s school. The blend of medical mystery and urgent activism paints a gripping picture of a mother’s love and determination.

Aug 25, 2025 • 16min
Introducing: American Criminal
Delve into the twisted beginnings of Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole, two infamous figures in the world of crime. Uncover the chilling connections between a child's murder and notorious criminals amid a backdrop of media frenzy. Explore a dark friendship that hints at innocent adventures hiding sinister pasts. Join Sandra May Dubs on a fateful journey before her life is tragically cut short, entwining her story with a series of unsettling murders that shake a Texas community to its core.

Aug 21, 2025 • 34min
Fan Favorite | The Philly Killer
Following the epic crossover between MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries and Redacted: Declassified Mysteries, hosted by Luke Lamana, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes where the line between medical mystery and dark conspiracy becomes blurred.Throughout the United States, the summer of 1976 is a celebration of two hundred years as a nation. That is, until attendees of a veterans’ conference in Philadelphia start dying of a frightening new disease. As the CDC scrambles to stop the outbreak, the country’s joy turns to terror. Will they stop the spread before a new pandemic emerges? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 19, 2025 • 25min
Fan Favorite | Blood Feast
Following the epic crossover between MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries and Redacted: Declassified Mysteries, hosted by Luke Lamana, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes where the line between medical mystery and dark conspiracy becomes blurred.One night in 1944, over 300 patients at a mental hospital in Oregon become violently sick after eating dinner. Many of them die. An investigation is quickly launched to determine the source of this deadly illness. Was there something wrong with the food itself? Or could it have been the work of a deranged killer?Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterFollow MrBallen's Medical Mysteries on Amazon Music, the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes publish for free every Tuesday. Prime members can listen to new episodes early and ad-free on Amazon Music. Or, you can listen episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or by visiting https://wondery.com/links/mrballens-medical-mysteries/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 14, 2025 • 28min
Fan Favorite | Village of Death
Following the epic crossover between MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries and Redacted: Declassified Mysteries, hosted by Luke Lamana, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes where the line between medical mystery and dark conspiracy becomes blurred.In September of 1998, people throughout Malaysia start dying of a disease that attacks their brains. The authorities think they know what it is, but one scientist believes they are making a dangerous mistake. It’s up to him to convince his superiors before the outbreak spirals out of control.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 12, 2025 • 25min
Fan Favorite | Death from Above
Following the epic crossover between MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries and Redacted: Declassified Mysteries, hosted by Luke Lamana, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes where the line between medical mystery and dark conspiracy becomes blurred.In the town of Oakville, Washington, chaos erupts when mysterious blobs start falling from the sky – and anyone who touches them ends up in the hospital. As scientists struggle to understand what the blobs are, Oakville’s terrified residents are left to wonder if they’re the victims of a natural disaster… or a targeted attack.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterFollow MrBallen's Medical Mysteries on Amazon Music, the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes publish for free every Tuesday. Prime members can listen to new episodes early and ad-free on Amazon Music. Or, you can listen episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or by visiting https://wondery.com/links/mrballens-medical-mysteries/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 5, 2025 • 38min
Ep. 96 | A Redacted Medical Mystery: Red Menace/Weather Warriors
In this special MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries and Redacted crossover episode, MrBallen and Luke Lamana join forces to bring you two shocking stories of the military testing bizarre, deadly weapons of war in secret. In “Red Menace,” a 75-year-old pipe fitter in San Francisco wakes up feeling tired and weak for seemingly no reason. Worst of all, his urine is bright red. And he’s not the only one. Doctors have to act fast to discover the true nature of this terrifying phenomenon. And on “Weather Warriors,” the U.S. Army goes to extreme lengths to disrupt Viet Cong supply lines through a classified program called Operation Popeye. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterFollow MrBallen's Medical Mysteries on Amazon Music, the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes publish for free every Tuesday. Prime members can listen to new episodes early and ad-free on Amazon Music. Or, you can listen episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or by visiting https://wondery.com/links/mrballens-medical-mysteries/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 29, 2025 • 26min
Ep. 95 | Two Hearts Beat As One
After sitting down for a nice meal with her husband, a woman becomes violently ill and has to be hospitalized. But the problem isn’t her stomach – it’s her heart. Making things even stranger, her husband ends up in the ER too. And if their doctors can’t find the common denominator between their cases… both husband and wife could end up dead. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Follow MrBallen's Medical Mysteries on Amazon Music, the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes publish for free every Tuesday. Prime members can listen to new episodes early and ad-free on Amazon Music. Or, you can listen episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or by visiting https://wondery.com/links/mrballens-medical-mysteries/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 22, 2025 • 30min
Ep. 94 | The Leftovers
An ambitious lawyer grapples with relentless health issues after childbirth, leading her to urgent medical care just before a pivotal career moment. The narrative unfolds Sophie's battle with complications from her C-section, where a life-threatening sepsis diagnosis tests her resilience. As she uncovers chronic abdominal pain linked to a forgotten appendix remnant, her path to recovery reveals the intricate nature of medical mysteries. Throughout her journey, the emotional toll of unexpected challenges resonates deeply.