When someone famous dies, there are a lot of different emotions that a person can feel.  We feel upset because their work and public persona often intertwine with our life experience and identity.  We may feel a strong connection to them due to their work resonating with us or helping us through hard times.  It also reminds us of our mortality.  

When we hear about a famous person’s death, it usually is something that sticks with us for a few days as the information plays out on social media.  But some cases are so horrible that they stick with us forever.

So get settled in, my spooky friends.  You are about to hear the stories of individuals who were gone before their time.  But be aware.  Today we will be talking about domestic abuse, suicide and graphic deaths.  Listener discretion is advised

Our website is the spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get some great creepy merch, and join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club, you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a member, and get a new episode each week. 

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People love treasure hunts for a variety of reasons.  Some use it as a way to explore their surroundings, and others use it as a way to bond with friends or family.  But let's be honest…the biggest reason is for a payday. 

There is one alleged treasure that many know precisely where it is.  For more than two centuries, treasure seekers have gone to a small island off the coast of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia in hopes of finding a treasure that is said to be everything from Marie Antoinette’s jewels to the treasures of the Knights Templar.  But getting this treasure is another story itself. 

So, get your shovels, my spooky friends.  You are about to hear about a legendary hoard that people are dying to get.

Our website is the spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get some great creepy merch, and join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club - you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a member, and get a new episode each week. 

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In January of this year, I was invited to be a guest on the Family Plot podcast to talk about Ernest Hemingway.  After we had recorded their episode, we all started to talk about various subjects, including cults.  It was Family Plot who told me about a cult that existed near where I currently live and some of their dark deeds.  I had to learn more, and that resulted in today’s episode.

So buckle up, my spooky friends.  You are about to hear the tale of a man who believed he was a prophet with absolute power, but discovered how quickly that power can disappear.  But before we start, it is time for a heads-up.  Today, we will be talking about adult and child abuse along with torture.  Listener discretion is advised.

Our website is the spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get some great creepy merch, and join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club - you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a member, and get a new episode each week.

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War brings out both the best and the worst in people.  It showcases the finest human qualities of idealism, courage, and self-sacrifice.  But it is also barbaric and, at times, futile.  When it looks like one side will win, many will do anything to gain victory.

So get comfortable, my spooky friends.  You are about to hear how the Nazis’ tried to use the occult against their enemies in their attempt to rule the world

Our website is the spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get yourself some great creepy merch, and join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club - you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a member, and get a new episode each week. 

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Introducing You Can't Read This Book (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE) from MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories.

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This is a special bonus episode of "You Can't"

One night in 2020, a woman named Beth Van Oss paced back and forth in a small room in the house she shared with her boyfriend, Mike, in rural Colorado. She dialed Mike’s phone number again, and put her phone to her ear. But just like the last time she’d called – he didn’t answer. Now, Beth was afraid. He had left that morning, headed for the woods, promising her that when he came back – they would finally have everything they had ever dreamed of. And he had taken something with him. Something that he had become obsessed with. Something that Beth had begged him to forget about, and throw away. But he had refused. And now, he was gone. Beth dialed the phone again, but this time, she called the police. 

For 100s more stories like these, check out our main YouTube channel just called "MrBallen" -- https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallen

If you want to reach out to me, contact me on Instagram, Twitter or any other major social media platform, my username on all of them is @mrballen

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

We took a deep dive into the Salem Witch Trials in our last two episodes.  We looked at not just what happened but how and why.  This story is not done yet, my spooky friends.  These trials brought pain, fear, and heartache to so many that it stained history.  These stains manifest themselves as the spirits of those who were falsely accused, and in some cases - as the spirits of those who did actions that resulted in death.

So step away from your caldron, my spooky friends.  Today, we are returning to Salem to look at the spirits who never left after the witch trials ended.

Our website is the spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get yourself some great creepy merch, and join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club - you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a fan club member, as well as a new episode each week.  

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Introducing What You Might Have Missed From the 2025 Met Gala from The Run-Through with Vogue.

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The Run Through is reporting live from the self-titled ‘war room’ where Vogue staffers spent last night's Met Gala publishing all your favorite stories! From Diana Ross’ 18-foot embroidered train to the baby grand piano strapped to Andre 3000’s back, we captured the ambiance of what it's really like to be a Vogue editor during one of the most impactful fashion evenings of the year. 

Then Chioma and Janicza Bravo, fresh from an Usher and Stevie Wonder post-dinner performance, join Chloe to dissect the night's biggest moments. Hint: Rihanna announcing her third pregnancy was a top highlight! 

PLUS: Zach Stafford, from one of our favorite podcasts Vibe Check, interviews Chioma in-studio to break down the importance of this year's theme. 

Want more sharp takes and cultural insights from Zach Stafford? Tune into his podcast Vibe Check-- it's your favorite group chat, come to life: https://link.podtrac.com/vibecheckmetgala

Special thanks to Kyle Murdock who mixed this episode. 

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

During the witch trials; everyone in Salem lived in fear, but some used this fear for their own advantage.  After all, if a person accused another of being a witch, and the accused was convicted - that person would be rewarded with the accused property.  Gossip was at an all time high, and while some were trying to continue living their everyday lives, others were looking at property maps to decide who would be the next to die.  

So take a break from your potion making my spooky friends.  We are about to  finish our tale about how fear and superstition resulted chaos.  But before we get started, I would like to give you all a bit of a warning.  Today, we will be talking about torture and violent deaths.  Listener discretion is advised

Our website is the one stop spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get yourself some great creepy merch, and to join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club - you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a fan club member.  

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Introducing Pharrell Williams Has Always Embodied This Year's Met Gala Theme from The Run-Through with Vogue.

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May Cover Star and 2025 Met Co-Chair Pharrell Williams joins Chloe and Chioma on today’s episode of The Run-Through! He walks listeners through his daily routine as the Creative Director of Louis Vuitton menswear/star producer/mogul, often inhabiting all three roles in a single day. He also reveals exactly often inhabiting all three roles in a single day. He also reveals exactly how Anna asked him to co-chair and shares his thoughts on this year’s theme, saying:

"It's going to be a very impactful, beautiful night where we celebrate the color Black. We celebrate the things that come from that color. We celebrate the mentality. We celebrate the plight. We celebrate the progress and the success."

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Life in the American state of Massachusetts during the 1600s was filled with challenges, hardships, and for some - opportunity.  Seeking religious freedom, many Puritans travelled over rough waters to create a new life in a little town outside Boston called Salem.  Once there, the Puritan’s lives revolved around family, work, and most of all - religion.  It was this along with colonial conflicts that resulted in accusations of witchcraft, and death.

So break out your wands my spooky friends.  You are about to hear a tale about how fear and superstition resulted chaos.  But before we get started, I would like to give you all a bit of a warning.  Today, we will be talking about torture and violent deaths.  Listener discretion is advised.

Our website is the one stop spot for everything spooky!  Go to https://horrifying-history-shop.fourthwall.com to watch our history videos, find our social media links, read our spooky blog, get yourself some great creepy merch, and to join our fan club! If you are a member of our fan club - you will receive a permanent discount in our store while you are a fan club member.  

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.