MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

Tonight, I have a very special guest joining me at the Campfire! Liana is a HUGE MrBallen fan, and I wanted to tell a few stories live, just for her.All proceeds from this episode will be donated to Liana's family to help with medical expenses following her leukemia diagnosis, as well as her father's ongoing battle with ALS. If you are able to help, please consider donating to their GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-lianas-battle-with-leukemia?cp_src=dAnd make sure to WATCH this episode on my YouTube channel next Friday, October 2nd at 2:00 p.m. ET! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's podcast will feature 2 stories that challenge our understanding of reality. The audio from both stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:#2 -- "By The Pool" -- A doctor is having a relaxing day at his pool when he sees something that can't escape him (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhAi2A2dABU)#1 -- "The Ride Home" -- There is a certain sub-genre of the SDM we have covered a handful of times, but believe me, this is by far the most compelling (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E4Vb_HVi-I) You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallenIf 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, I'm going to tell you four stories of people who thought their day couldn't get any worse... but they were wrong. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallenIf 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One night in March 1997, a man carried a muddy, black plastic case into a police station in the small town of Higginson, Arkansas. A local police officer had been murdered just three days ago, and the man desperately needed to see the detective who was leading the investigation. So once the man got inside, he headed straight to the detective's office, where he immediately opened the black case – and pulled out a gun. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallenIf 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 365.On the afternoon of March 24, 2006, an employee at a moving truck rental company in Ohio opened his desk drawer and grabbed a wad of cash. It had been a slow day, so the employee was using his downtime to organize a few recent payments. The money he'd just grabbed was from an all-cash deal that had happened a few days ago. At the time, the employee had been super busy, so he'd just taken the cash from the customer, flipped through it quickly to make sure the amount seemed right, then shoved the money in the drawer to deal with later. Now, he was actually counting it properly – and he really hoped the customer hadn't shorted him, or he'd have to track them down to collect. But as the employee counted the bills, he paused. Not because the amount wasn't right – but because there was something on the money that caught his attention. For a second, he wasn't sure what it was. So, he looked closer. And then, all at once, he understood what he was seeing. He stopped counting the money and started flipping through it as quickly as he could – and he kept seeing the same thing on almost all the bills. With his heart racing, the employee dropped the money, grabbed the phone, and called the police. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallenIf 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's podcast will feature 3 stories that involve people who were trapped - with “no way out.” The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:#3 -- "Bread" -- A DIY repair does not go to plan (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Nwh9sq7DI)#2 -- "Dead End" -- A man goes cave exploring in a very unassuming place (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JtAN6PS59o)#1 -- "The Cage" -- Urban explorers discover a horrifying scene during one of their explorations (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceXSZtJlAGA) You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallenIf 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, I'm going to tell you four stories about people who thought they had a handle on the situation they were in, but found out – way too late – that they'd really misjudged things. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallenIf 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One morning in January 1990, a man walked into a police station in Marseille, France, clutching a newspaper. He went up to the desk, and said he'd seen a sketch of a murder suspect in the paper that morning – and he knew who it was. He unrolled the newspaper... and held it up next to his own face. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallenIf 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 361.On a morning in early 1986 in Arizona, someone sat hunched over a desk, furiously writing a letter. And almost every line of this letter included a direct threat of violence this person was going to inflict on the recipient. They kept writing, embellishing every horrible thing that they wanted to do. Finally, they finished writing and read over the letter – it was explicit and terrifying, just as they'd hoped. They put the letter down, glanced at a cardboard box sitting on the floor, and smiled. Nobody would ever suspect that the contents of that plain box would soon help them carry out the bizarre murder plot they'd had running through their head for months. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallenIf 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's podcast will feature 3 stories that prove the deadliest threats are often the hardest to recognize. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast.Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos:#3 -- "Hot Snow" -- A summer camp experiences a weather phenomena, but it's not what it seems (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKeWsdjvnGc)#2 -- "Extra Help" -- An elderly woman falls in her bathroom (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR3S8dvTc50)#1 -- "Thump, Thump, Thump" -- A nightmare unfolds on a train during WWII (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1iibEUe5Wk) You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallenIf 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, I'm going to tell you four stories about people who went through incredibly strange experiences – and came out of them believing that everything that happened, had a purpose. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallenIf 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One morning in March of 1999, a detective in Norcross, Georgia leaned in closely to his computer screen. He was reviewing video footage his team had recorded at a murder scene – and finally, he arrived at the exact frame he wanted. He zoomed in and smiled. Because the thing he was looking for... wasn't there. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallenIf 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome back to the Campfire! Tonight, I'm sitting down with a legend of the outdoors, Steven Rinella from MeatEater. We swap stories in the Montana wilderness, including an experience from my own life that I truly cannot explain.Be sure to WATCH this episode on my YouTube channel on Friday, September 11th! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's podcast will feature 4 stories about how a single decision changed the lives of the people in these stories, as well as millions of others' lives around the world. The audio from all four stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast. Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos: #4 -- "The Four Dollar Crown" -- A shy kid leaves a lasting impression on a studio owner (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gGIgbHF51U) #3 -- "Money On The Line" -- A man takes a gamble to save his business (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1qXHn2O7cY) #2 -- "One Drink, Two Drink" -- A young man is kicked out of his prestigious position at his school's newspaper, what happens next changed millions of people's lives forever (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXUyvt2tUGQ) #1 -- "The Stripper's Advice" -- An aspiring actor takes a leap of faith in Hollywood (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad9hnxRPFkc) You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, I'm going to tell you three stories about people who tried really hard to be something that they were not. And not only do they get caught, but they also face extreme repercussions. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the fall of 2009, a college student sat in a crowded lecture hall in Southern California, listening to his professor. Suddenly, the doors swung open and three campus police officers walked in, followed by a man in a suit. The officers went over and whispered something to the professor, who leaned into his microphone. And before the professor even said a word, the student's stomach dropped – because he'd just realized what was about to happen. You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome back to the Campfire! Tonight, I have two very weird and equally creep stories to share... perfect stories to be told at the fire. Be sure to WATCH this episode on my YouTube channel on Friday, September 4th! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One summer day, a man named John Randolph was hiking through a remote forest in Colorado when he began to smell something terrible. Intrigued, he followed the smell until it brought him to this clearing, and in the clearing John saw what looked like an old campsite. Now, John is out in the middle of nowhere, so the idea that somebody was camping out out here, in what looked like a long term settlement, was pretty bizarre to John. John walked into the clearing to see what was going on, and when he turned the corner, he saw something in the middle of the campsite he just couldn't even process... it was so horrible, it just looked fake. But eventually, he realized what he was looking at was real, at which point John turned around and began sprinting out of there screaming for help. Story name, preview & link to original YouTube video: #1 -- "The Clearing" -- A man was hiking through a remote forest in Colorado when he smelt something terrible, when he followed the smell it brought him to a clearing where he stumbled unto a horrifying discovery (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHmmd6rGRSw) You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, I'm going to tell you three stories about people who thought they'd come up with the perfect plan, but instead, they actually planned out their own demise.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's podcast will feature 4 stories that prove the line between life and death can disappear in an instant. The audio from all four stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast. Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos: #4 -- "This Is It, Baby" -- They found the final recording from inside the cockpit (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCAXfw9MDxg) #3 -- "Don't Touch The Water" -- A seemingly innocent looking body of water (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDJ8_VFtexw) #2 -- "Out Of Bounds" -- A boy jumps a fence to retrieve a basketball (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JtAN6PS59o) #1 -- "The Knocking" -- A nature photographer faces a nightmare situation (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQROGpQqsQI) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, we have three stories about people who found a really amazing pastime that they thought had changed their lives for the better, but ended up realizing that actually, it was for the worse.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the fall of 2010, a detective dug through a dresser in a bedroom near Paris. He was looking for evidence, and when he pulled open the last drawer, he found five cell phones hidden inside. He powered one of them on and checked the call history and messages – then he opened the photos app and froze. He swiped to the next photo, then the one after that. There were dozens of them – and they all showed the same thing.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome back to the Campfire! I have a great story to tell. It's a classic ghost story – and not only are the elements in the story quite unnerving, but it also has a high degree of believability. There are quite a few people in this story who, independently, witnessed and experienced these events.   Be sure to WATCH this episode on my YouTube channel on Friday, August 21st! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's podcast will feature 3 stories about divers who underestimated what was waiting for them beneath the surface. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast. Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos: #3 -- "The French Pass" -- A small stretch of water in New Zealand that kills (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-ywxRasv5s) #2 -- "The 4th Chamber" -- 2 cave divers explore a deep underwater chamber... (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgBXb3W71DY) #1 -- "Don't Let Go" -- Number one rule in cave diving, NEVER let go of the dive line (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceXSZtJlAGA)   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, I'm going to share four stories about people who took big career risks in order to be as successful as possible. But, in each case, the risk did not pay off.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In January 1988, the clerk of a sporting goods store in a small town in Canada looked up as a man walked into his shop. It was below freezing outside, but the man wasn't wearing a coat. Just sneakers, ripped pants, and a thin, plastic rain poncho. The man grabbed a pair of ski pants off the rack, paid in cash, then hurried out of the store. But after he left, the clerk turned on the radio... and heard a breaking news report about a murder up the road.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 346. On a cold winter night in 1999, a man drove down a dark street towards his house in a small Iowa town. Suddenly, he saw something glowing in his headlights, and he slammed on the brakes. He got out of his car. And there, in the lights, he saw a dog standing all by herself. And she was making this soft squeaking sound like she was scared. The man slowly approached, talking to the dog as he walked. He knew everyone who lived in his neighborhood, and he'd never seen this dog before. He knelt down and kept trying to calm the dog. She didn't look hurt and she didn't have any tags. Slowly, the man coaxed her to follow him into his house. And over the next few weeks, he would try to locate her owner. But the man had no idea that this dog hadn't just wandered off… and that she was the key police desperately needed to solve a gruesome murder.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. And today's podcast features 4 stories that demonstrate that. The audio from all four stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast. Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos: #4 -- "A Miracle" -- A woman in rural Mexico feels a sudden an excruciating pain in her abdomen (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR3S8dvTc50) #3 -- "The Simulation" -- A man enters a flight simulator for routine training, you won't believe what happens next if there wasn't footage... (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd0cDk9ee_o) #2 -- "Deja Vu" -- After a doctor's office calls a patient for an upcoming surgery, a series of events unfolds that is truly stranger than fiction (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xBPT9pl_qA) #1 -- "The Silk Hat" -- A woman answers her front door in the middle of the night and sees someone wearing a black silk hat (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9M_rANk5Es)   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, I am going to tell you three stories about people who were just trying to do their jobs... and ended up facing an extremely unexpected – and dangerous – professional hazard.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On a cold night in November 2013, a woman sat in a hospital waiting room, wondering if her new husband would survive until morning. It was a cruel reversal – just months ago, she'd told him she was dying. And in fact, it was her terminal diagnosis that defined their marriage from the start. But now, it looked like she was the one who'd be making funeral arrangements.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome back to the Campfire! I have two awesome stories to share tonight. The first is about a woman in Japan in the early 2000s who has a totally bizarre occurrence on a train, and she documented the entire thing on social media. And the second story is about this really creepy creature who lives in the mountains of northern Thailand, and a village has a horrible encounter that has become a legend over time.   Be sure to WATCH this episode on my YouTube channel! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's podcast will feature 3 stories about people who are willing to do just about anything to get what they want. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast. Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos: #3 -- "Whatever It Takes" -- A couple are devastated when they find out they can't have children (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1iibEUe5Wk) #2 -- "The Audition" -- A struggling actor goes to extreme lengths to land a role he believes was meant for him (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBZpzvJG9j0) #1 -- "The Contest Winner" -- Two men meet each other at a hockey game, little did they know this chance encounter would change the course of both of their lives forever (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NucFAGE1li0)   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, we have three stories about people who are absolutely sure they've found the solution to all of their problems – but they are wrong, and other people have to face the consequences.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One morning in early November 1888, an engineer drove a steam train through the woods outside Chantilly, France. Everything was business as usual, until he noticed ahead, next to the tracks, there were two maintenance workers waving at him and frantically pointing at something on the ground in front of the train. The driver squinted, and as soon as he saw what they were pointing at, he lunged for the brakes.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 324. On a cold winter day in 2013, police officers rushed through the dense woods outside of a small town in Kentucky. They weaved their way through the trees, keeping their eyes peeled, and finally, one of them shouted out. He saw what they were looking for in the distance. The other officers quickly followed him into a clearing, and there, they saw a man with a long gray beard sitting in a large self-made camp. It looked like the man had been living out in the woods for months. The officers stared at him, and they almost couldn't believe it, because they had finally tracked down the man who they thought could help solve a murder that had taken place a year earlier in a town 150 miles away.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's podcast will feature 3 stories about inventions you've definitely heard of, but I guarantee you've never heard the strange reasons they were actually used or why they were created. The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast. Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos: #3 -- "The Spectacle" -- In 1939, a bloodthirsty crowd gathered in France (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MpR4k3-edc) #2 -- "A New Technology" -- A doctor's savage invention that helped save mother's lives during childbirth (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aviVsRAnMR8) #1 -- "Healing Hands" -- A doctor invents something that would change the medical industry forever (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad9hnxRPFkc)   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, we have three stories about people who have a lot of experience in a particular area. But their confidence is exactly the thing that causes them to make a disastrous mistake.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On a morning in 2012, a young man was looking out at his backyard in West Virginia. A few days of heavy rain had opened up a sinkhole in the garden, and he was trying to fill it in... when suddenly, he noticed something plastic. He knelt down and pulled a plastic grocery bag out of the mud. He opened it, and as soon as he looked inside, he dropped it and backed away.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome back to the campfire. This story took place in Malaysia in the 1970s. And even though when you first hear it, it's almost going to sound like urban legend. But it's not. Be sure to WATCH this episode on my YouTube channel on Friday, July 24th! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's podcast will feature 3 stories that involve people who were trapped – with “no way out.” The audio from all three stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast. Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos: #3 -- "Escalation" -- You'll never feel safe on an escalator again (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eHMOFfHKDw) #2 -- "Volunteer" -- After a swimmer goes missing in a lake, a local man is called to help (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3rccx8oyEk) #1 -- "The Messiest Place" -- A routine hospital stay turns into a disappearance no one can explain (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWsSQgn0h-0)   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, we have three stories about people who went to great lengths to make themselves look good. But in each case, this completely backfired.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One early morning in April 2012, a man hurried through some woods in coastal France. He lived nearby, and had seen a column of smoke coming from this area. So now he was there to make sure it wasn't a brush fire or something. And when he finally found the source of the smoke, he relaxed. It was just the smoldering remains of a bonfire. But as he approached, he smelled something that wasn't just burnt wood. And when the man finally saw what was in the fire, he felt sick.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tonight, I have two awesome stories to tell you. They are both of the strange variety. In both stories, we're going to talk about a tragedy, but it is not the tragedy that is the reason we remember these things. We remember these events, or we still talk about these events, because in both stories, there are elements that just nobody can fully explain. These are truly unexplained phenomena that are fascinating – that are terrifying – and I know you're going to love it. Be sure to WATCH this episode on my YouTube channel on Friday, July 17th! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, I'm going to tell you the story of one of the most talked about mysteries on the internet. And I think part of the reason this story is so mysterious and so intriguing is because there's this really unsettling audio recording that sort of confounds the whole mystery and really forces you to take a stance about what you think really happened. So, I'm going to tell you this story, and towards the end I'm going to play you that recording and you can decide what you think really happened.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In December 1988, a young woman was having coffee at her friend's house in the city of Tours, France. She excused herself to go to the bathroom, and when she opened the lid of the toilet, she saw two small, gold objects floating in the water. They looked like beads, or maybe broken pieces of jewelry. She leaned down to get a closer look – and then she realized what they actually were.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 315. On a day in 2001, a veteran homicide detective put on his gloves and stepped into a cluttered bedroom. He'd been working a murder case for months, but he still had no clear evidence pointing to any of his suspects. But a tip from an informant had led him to this bedroom, and he hoped he would find something useful. The detective searched the room, but nothing stood out to him amidst the mess – until he saw a piece of notebook paper sitting on a nightstand. On the paper was someone's list of goals they wanted to accomplish in life. The detective scanned the list. Most of the goals on the list were pretty standard stuff, but one goal immediately jumped out at the detective. Because one of the things on the list the writer wanted to achieve was to “Kill somebody and get away with it.”   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's podcast will feature 2 stories that show we may not be alone in this universe. The audio from both of these stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast. Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos: #2 -- "Flying Solo" -- An Australian pilot vanishes over a strange area in a bizarre series of events (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KLTog6DltQ) #1 -- "It Hovers" -- One of the most credible paranormal stories that proves we may not be alone in this universe (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcJA02_Im_k)   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, we have three stories about people who each have one big thing in their life that brings them a lot of happiness and purpose. But it also winds up being the thing that ruins their lives.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In December 1990, a worried father paced his kitchen, hoping his daughter would call. But the phone stayed silent, and an anxious pit formed in his stomach. He was worried his daughter was in trouble – and afraid that he, himself, had just accidentally done something to make things worse.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 311. On a morning in 2002, a man in Indianapolis, Indiana woke up in a cold sweat. His hands shook as he tried to block out the images he'd seen in his sleep, but he knew these images would not just go away – they would keep haunting him until he did something about it. He got out of bed and walked to his phone. He dialed 9-1-1 and said he needed to talk to a detective, because he was having dreams that showed him everything that had happened during a horrific murder all the way back in 1989. The dreams this man claimed to have would help reopen an unsolved murder case that had shocked Indianapolis thirteen years earlier. But these dreams would not answer the questions police had been wrestling with for years, and it would take them another decade to finally track down the killer.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's podcast will feature 2 stories that many people believe couldn't have happened by chance alone. The audio from both of these stories has been pulled from our main YouTube channel, which is just called "MrBallen," and has been remastered for today's podcast. Story names, previews & links to original YouTube videos: #2 -- "Bleeding Out" -- You couldn't have planned this even if you wanted to (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5Zr0gqa1yk) #1 -- "Three Hangings" -- This story might be one of the most compelling cases of divine intervention (Original YouTube link -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNDWVv-faiI)   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.