
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


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
By Shawn Ryan4.9
4221442,214 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

229,444 Listeners

3,550 Listeners

23,344 Listeners

153,799 Listeners

1,267 Listeners

1,157 Listeners

30,787 Listeners

987 Listeners

1,782 Listeners

27,852 Listeners

10,918 Listeners

10,206 Listeners

2,972 Listeners

6,420 Listeners

733 Listeners

2,406 Listeners

4,259 Listeners

809 Listeners

40,431 Listeners

60 Listeners

2,268 Listeners

3,354 Listeners

2,942 Listeners

88 Listeners

637 Listeners

17,092 Listeners

591 Listeners

12 Listeners

42 Listeners

772 Listeners

3 Listeners

2 Listeners

8 Listeners