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John B. Allen, known as MrBallen, is a former U.S. Navy SEAL, and storyteller specializing in strange, dark, and mysterious true stories. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Allen served as a Navy SEAL from 2010 to 2017, completing multiple deployments including to Afghanistan, where he was wounded and medically retired.
Launching his content career in 2020 on TikTok and YouTube as a form of therapy, he quickly amassed millions of followers with his engaging narratives of true crime, mysteries, and the unexplained, becoming one of YouTube's biggest storytellers.
Founder of Ballen Studios, he hosts the top-rated MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories and has authored graphic novels like MrBallen Presents: Strange, Dark & Mysterious: The Graphic Stories (2024) and Where Nightmares Live (2025).
Through the MrBallen Foundation, established in 2022, he honors victims of violent crimes and supports their families with education, training, and financial aid.
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NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.327% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-781-8900, for details about credit costs and terms.
John B. Allen Links:
Website - https://ballenstudios.com
YT - https://www.youtube.com/@MrBallen
X - https://x.com/mrballen
IG - https://www.instagram.com/mrballen
TT - https://www.tiktok.com/@mrballen
FB - https://www.facebook.com/mrballen
Podcast - https://ballenstudios.com/shows/mrballen-podcast-strange-dark-mysterious-stories
MrBallen Foundation - https://mrballen.foundation
Amazon Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0D98RD8HH
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
By Shawn Ryan4.9
4170441,704 ratings
John B. Allen, known as MrBallen, is a former U.S. Navy SEAL, and storyteller specializing in strange, dark, and mysterious true stories. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Allen served as a Navy SEAL from 2010 to 2017, completing multiple deployments including to Afghanistan, where he was wounded and medically retired.
Launching his content career in 2020 on TikTok and YouTube as a form of therapy, he quickly amassed millions of followers with his engaging narratives of true crime, mysteries, and the unexplained, becoming one of YouTube's biggest storytellers.
Founder of Ballen Studios, he hosts the top-rated MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories and has authored graphic novels like MrBallen Presents: Strange, Dark & Mysterious: The Graphic Stories (2024) and Where Nightmares Live (2025).
Through the MrBallen Foundation, established in 2022, he honors victims of violent crimes and supports their families with education, training, and financial aid.
Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:
https://tryarmra.com/srs
https://shawnlikesgold.com
https://ROKA.com – USE CODE SRS
https://shopify.com/srs
https://simplisafe.com/srs
https://tractorsupply.com/hometownheroes
https://USCCA.com/srs
https://americanfinancing.net/srs
NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.327% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-781-8900, for details about credit costs and terms.
John B. Allen Links:
Website - https://ballenstudios.com
YT - https://www.youtube.com/@MrBallen
X - https://x.com/mrballen
IG - https://www.instagram.com/mrballen
TT - https://www.tiktok.com/@mrballen
FB - https://www.facebook.com/mrballen
Podcast - https://ballenstudios.com/shows/mrballen-podcast-strange-dark-mysterious-stories
MrBallen Foundation - https://mrballen.foundation
Amazon Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0D98RD8HH
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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