

MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories
Ballen Studios
The Strange, Dark & Mysterious delivered in podcast format.Follow the MrBallen Podcast on Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes publish twice a week—every Monday and Thursday. Prime members can listen to new episodes 1-month early and all episodes ad-free on Amazon Music. Wondery+ subscribers can listen ad-free in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 22, 2024 • 32min
Wetsuits & Lasers
The guest, a man involved in a bizarre 911 call about his missing girlfriend, presents a strange tale of love and kidnapping. His erratic behavior raises suspicions during the police investigation. As detectives delve deeper, they uncover a twisted narrative filled with eerie clues about men in wetsuits and lasers. The story reveals a complex web of deception, emotional turmoil, and the harrowing journey of the victims, Denise and Aaron, who ultimately find resilience and healing amid the chaos.

Aug 19, 2024 • 40min
The Smell of Cyanide (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
In a gripping tale from 1986, a medical examiner discovers the smell of almonds, hinting at cyanide poisoning in a seemingly healthy woman. This shocking revelation leads to a nationwide investigation into her mysterious death. The story unravels the chilling circumstances surrounding the collapse of a bank vice president, revealing deep family secrets and a mother's horrific greed for insurance money. As detectives chase leads, the case escalates into a public health crisis, leaving everyone shaken.

Aug 15, 2024 • 27min
Stranger Than Fiction Vol. VI
Dive into bizarre tales of true events that blur the line between reality and fiction. Uncover shocking medical injustices from the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and a life-threatening incident involving a questionable delicacy. Discover the astonishing story of an octopus found in an esophagus, paired with a discussion on mental health. Finally, explore a karaoke night gone tragically wrong, where a simple song choice leads to a haunting fatal encounter. These stories will leave you questioning what’s real.

Aug 12, 2024 • 40min
Silent Screams (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
Sergeant Dan Birbeck, a seasoned officer who tackled a chilling crime scene in Texas, details a baffling case. He discovered a bloody scene with a missing victim while the family remained eerily silent nearby—sleeping and gaming through the chaos. Unraveling this mystery, he questions whether the family is hiding something sinister. The discussion also touches on the emotional toll of violent crimes, the complexities of evidence, and the darker secrets lurking within communities that often go unnoticed.

Aug 8, 2024 • 31min
Malicious
Dive into unsettling tales of deception and chaos rooted in dark relationships. One story reveals a man's shocking reaction when he discovers his wife's pregnancy with another man. Another tale takes a chilling turn during a Christmas dinner, uncovering sinister secrets behind a charming facade. These narratives illustrate the dangerous consequences of seemingly innocent actions and relationships, leading to heart-wrenching betrayals and life-altering fates.

Aug 5, 2024 • 38min
The Final Keystroke (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
A classroom of sixth graders waits in vain for their substitute teacher, leading to a chilling discovery at her home. The tragic story of the Cola family unfolds, revealing dark secrets behind their shocking murder. An agent uncovers critical clues at the crime scene, while the victim's son shares haunting memories. As family secrets and financial troubles come to light, unexpected twists emerge, implicating a relative. The podcast also hints at a mysterious illness affecting students, inviting listeners to explore even more strange occurrences.

Aug 1, 2024 • 26min
Medical Mysteries - "It Moves"
A young woman experiences a strange burning sensation while fishing in Alaska, leading to a disturbing discovery. She encounters a rare eye parasite that forces her to confront her own health in a chilling and suspenseful journey. As she grapples with the psychological effects of her infection, she learns to adapt to life at sea and the importance of health guidelines. This captivating story blends horror with relatable adventure, leaving listeners both fascinated and unnerved.

Jul 29, 2024 • 39min
The Artist (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
An art student stumbles upon a chilling mystery when she finds her roommate unresponsive in their Dallas apartment. This leads to a haunting investigation, revealing dark secrets about the people around them. The story takes a personal turn as it explores the power of art in dealing with loneliness and emotional struggles. As the investigation unfolds, jealousy and hidden motives emerge, culminating in a tragic yet poignant tribute to a life lost too soon, through a scholarship established in her memory.

Jul 25, 2024 • 31min
No Way Out Vol. V
Three chilling stories are shared in this episode: a husband wakes up to find his wife missing, a fatal mistake in a factory leads to tragic consequences, and an infamous caving incident unfolds with haunting images. The podcast explores individuals caught in impossible situations with no way out.

Jul 22, 2024 • 38min
The Hitman (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
A detective investigates a mysterious double homicide in a Chicago townhouse basement with a cryptic message written in blood. The chapter explores the brutal killing of a pregnant couple in Winnetka, Illinois, leading to the unraveling of the truth behind the chilling crime scene. The investigation delves into a murder case involving a seemingly upstanding individual named Victor, touching on the importance of hydration in the summer. Sergeant Calvatus leads an exploration into IRA connections and a teenage hitman's psychological issues, culminating in the arrest and sentencing of David for the murders.