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
Jan 23, 2024 • 31min
Ep. 16 | The Carancas Curse
In September 2007, a meteor strike leaves a massive crater in the high Peruvian desert, drawing curiosity seekers from miles around. Shortly after, people from the nearby town of Carancas start becoming violently ill. Some residents fear a curse has befallen them, but the truth might be much more frightening.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jan 16, 2024 • 34min
Ep. 15 | The Philly Killer
In 1976, a mysterious disease outbreak at a veterans' conference in Philadelphia sparks panic. Autopsy reports reveal victims' lungs covered in a thick layer, but the cause remains unknown. Dr. Fraser leads a team to investigate, facing public fear and conspiracy theories. The CDC struggles to find answers until an unexpected discovery leads to a breakthrough. Explore the origins and consequences of Legionnaires disease, including a fatal heart attack and the efforts of the CDC.
Jan 9, 2024 • 25min
Ep. 14 | Chimera
In late 2002, a 26-year-old single mother and her children take a DNA test as part of a welfare application. The results are shocking: they say she is not the mother. She has to find a way to prove the children really are hers or risk having them taken away from her forever.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jan 2, 2024 • 28min
Ep. 13 | Village of Death
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.
Dec 26, 2023 • 31min
Ep. 12 | Dark Killer
In 1998, a new mother begins experiencing intense full-body aches, unstoppable itching, and crushing fatigue. But everyone she talks to says it’s all in her head and the woman feels like she’s losing her mind. Will someone be able to figure out what’s wrong with her before it’s too late?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dec 19, 2023 • 33min
Ep. 11 | What’s Wrong with Vince?
In the spring of 2009, Dr. Benjamin Gilmer takes over a country medical practice in Fletcher, North Carolina. His predecessor is no longer running the clinic because he’s serving a life sentence for murdering his father. But, as Benjamin learns more about the case, he begins to wonder if the man is truly a cold-blooded killer or if there’s another explanation for his terrifying crime.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dec 12, 2023 • 38min
Ep. 10 | Sin Nombre
In the spring of 1993, young, healthy people of the Navajo nation start dying from a mysterious disease that fills their lungs with so much fluid that they suffocate. The CDC’s best scientists scramble to uncover what’s causing it before it spreads – and the answer might lie in a story from ancient Navajo legend.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dec 5, 2023 • 25min
Ep. 9 | Sleep Addict
In 2005, a high-powered attorney starts falling asleep for dangerously long periods at a time. No matter what she tries to keep herself awake, she constantly needs sleep, like an addict craves a fix. It gets so bad, she fears that one day she’ll fall asleep and never wake up again.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Nov 28, 2023 • 31min
Ep. 8 | A Rare Bird
In 2020, a career-driven young woman in Ohio begins to hallucinate strange sounds and feels phantom sensations in her body. She believes she’s going insane. But the real reason is far more disturbing. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Nov 21, 2023 • 33min
Ep. 7 | The Shadow/The Experiment
“The Shadow”When a woman’s unexplainable heart condition threatens her life, surgeons turn to a rare and dangerous operation. They have less than an hour to operate and find the cause of her condition. What they discover is jaw-dropping.“The Experiment”A New York City radio producer in her early 40s falls mysteriously ill after having dinner with friends. She goes to the doctor, but he can’t find anything wrong. As her symptoms worsen, she decides to take matters into her own hands and run a dangerous experiment on herself. Her discovery changes her life forever.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
