Welcoem to posts!!
in the future - u will be able to do some more stuff here,,,!! like pat catgirl- i mean um yeah... for now u can only see others's posts :c
Guess who's back?!?
After over two years, MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories is officially back on YouTube!!!
We know many of you love listening to your podcasts here, and we're thrilled to bring the original and *only* legitimate MrBallen Podcast channel back to life. And don't think I don't see you folks in the comments wanting more than one new show per week. If you're not a big podcast listener, give this a try. You don't even have to leave YouTube anymore to hear it!
New episodes will drop every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday as we catch up on past episodes. Once we're fully caught up, you can expect fresh episodes every Monday like clockwork.
Donât be fooled by the copycat channelsâthis is the genuine article. And that goes for everything else like merchandise, Medical Mysteries, and my other social media platforms. If you're suspicious about the channel or website, just click Home on my YouTube page. If the links there won't take you to it, it's not us. If you are getting messages from a âMrBallenâ that can't be found through those links, it is 100000% not me.
By the way, how did you all feel about the surprise Saturday release instead of Sunday? Let me know in the commentsâIâd love to hear your thoughts! We're going to do it again this Saturday at the same time as our usual Sunday episode.
Let's welcome back the MrBallen Podcast to YouTube with some likes and subs! Link in the comments.
- John
20K - 1.4K
An honest review of the graphic novel â jump to 8:00 in!
https://youtu.be/gL85etsIQQ4?si=8vC1O...
1.4K - 72
If you don't like secrets, you might want to skip this BIG announcementâŠ
But if that's of interest to you, you've come to the right place because these stories are all going to be strange, dark, or mysterious and that's all we do. And by âweâ I mean Ballen Studios and our Wartime Stories creator and Recon Marine vet, Luke Lamana in partnership with our friends over at Wondery.
When Luke partnered with Ballen Studios, I promised you that he and that radio voice of his were poised for BIG new things. Well, here's the first one: Redacted, a daring new podcast that brings the darkest government mysteries into the light.Â
Redacted will focus on covert government experiments, bizarre assassination attempts, espionage, newly declassified stories, and so much more. Imagine a non-fiction X-Files podcast where all the stories are backed up with declassified documents.Â
Launch is TODAY! As in RIGHT NOW!
Episode 1 and 2 are available wherever you get your podcasts. Just look up âRedacted Declassified Mysteriesâ or you can also search for Ballen Studios, and it'll pop right up.Â
When Luke tells you these stories are real, and the secrets are shocking, believe him.Â
âJohn
8.5K - 292
We keep checking big boxesâŠ
The book publishing world is nothing like YouTube. It's impossible to compare exactly, but I think a single book purchase gives us the momentum of thousands of YouTube views at the very least. And because of your enthusiastic support of the book and those great reviews, I have another announcement.
We've already checked off Amazon, the world's biggest online retailer. We even checked off the largest bookstore in the world, Barnes & Noble's 5th Ave location in New York City. But now we can say we've checked off the biggest big box of them all.
We are currently on the shelves of the world's biggest retailer, Walmart!!
Everything you touch gets electrified with such energy. The SDM family is seriously high voltage. Thank you!!
Quick bit of housekeeping. I noticed a few comments about us making a couple YouTube videos with illustrations from the graphic novel and some were wondering aloud if we were going to use them all.
I can promise you that is NOT the case. In fact, there is only one more of those videos planned and then THAT IS IT. No more.
Never say never, of course, but if we ever did another episode using illustrations from the book after that, it would have to be a very, very long time--i.e. years.
But while we're on the subject, can you guess the story we're using for the final episode?
â John
31K - 913
Time to give away more VIP accessâŠ
One of the most enjoyable parts of the tour for me is the early fan meet and greets. When I get on stage I really feel like I'm still talking with you.
So let's turn it up a bit. This Tuesday the 15th, I'll be in Washington, D.C at the Warner Theatre. We are going to pick 10 of you who get to the venue early and pull you inside for a special VIP meet and greet.Â
If you think you missed out here because you didn't get tickets, fear not. We just released a whole bunch of comp tickets just for that show. So thereâs more available. And no matter where you're sitting, you can still come early to get picked for some VIP treatment. But you have to come early!
And if the early bird gets the worm, what should the Like Button get?Â
See you in DC!
www.ticketmaster.com/event/150060D4DED6D3E7
19K - 630
Your magic is not to be trifled withâŠ
First things first, it's going to be a long time before I'll stop thanking you all for making the Graphic Novel such a success. As a story lover and teller, this book is a true passion project. But I have something to tell you that's less about passions and more about numbers. And it is incredible...
The absolute force that is the SDM community has worked its magic yet again. All your pre-orders, your online purchases, your trips to your local bookstores, and all those glorious 5-star reviews you wrote have seriously started to move the needle!
I'm being very serious now. This book has a real chance of getting on list of The New York Times Best Sellers! The New York Times Best Sellers!!!
CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?!
This is absolutely insane. I'll just blame all your reviews for getting me fired up because now I want us on that list!! Let's plant our flag with this book.
TODAY, WEDNESDAY, is the last day to celebrate Prime Day on Amazon. If you're thinking about buying the book or are just curious about it, please go read some of these reviews. And if you already bought the book and feel like showing off your 5-star writing skills, please go and drop a review there or wherever you got the book. I want to keep hearing from you. I will absolutely read every single review that I can.
My continuing thanks,
-John
14K - 717
I was on the âȘ@TamronHallShow⏠today! Have a look!
Our graphic novel (MrBallen Presents: Strange, Dark & Mysterious: The Graphic Stories) is available for purchase wherever you buy your books!
3.3K - 164
Best Birthday Ever..
I started this adventure as a storyteller of the Strange, Dark & Mysterious in 2020, as the pandemic shut the world down, and connecting with people online became more important than ever.Â
Now, four years later, here I am, watching as you all open up and read my very first graphic novel â and on my birthday none the less. What a true gift.Â
This journey has been incredible. And today, it really hit me.Â
As amazing as all the milestones have been â my first million subscribers on YouTube, launching a series of podcasts, starting Ballen Studios and our incredible victimâs foundation, and kicking off a live tour â nothing has felt as deeply personal to me as seeing my first book in your hands.
This book brings things full circle for me. Years before I became MrBallen, when I was in boot camp for the Navy, my mom used to mail me photocopied pages of my favorite books. Those books helped fuel my passion for storytelling. Now I have a book of my own, to share with you. Itâs something I could have never imagined back then, during training, and itâs something that would not be possible without your continued support.
That's simply a fact. So thank you.Â
Today itâs my birthday, and having you read these stories is the greatest gift I could hope for.Â
If you want to see Strange, Dark & Mysterious stories in a new, engaging format, itâs now for sale worldwide! Head to your favorite local bookstore, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, or order online from Amazon or wherever you get your books. Â
I am headed to go see it on the shelf myself right now. Thank you all for the birthday wishes!
â John
50K - 4K
***EDIT/UPDATE***
Candyman⊠Candyman⊠CandymanâŠ
Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio audiences were amazing! I see many of you posting about your experience on Instagram, Discord, Reddit, and YouTube. Thank you for all the positive reviews and sharing your experience with others.
Now I have left the Lone Star State for The Empire one. Anyone see me on GMA?
My next stop is home to Leopold & Loeb's "Crime of the Century" and Ruthie Mae McCoy whose story inspired the original 1992 Candyman horror movie.
I've told both of those stories to you here. And in less than 4 DAYS, I'm going to bring you new LIVE storytelling to the BIGGEST show of the tour!
WHEN: Friday, October 4th, 8:00pm
WHERE: The 3,500 seat Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois's historic Loop district.
This is your chance to be in one of my videos. Since this is our biggest show, we're going to take that opportunity to film fans sharing their passion for the Strange, Dark & Mysterious. Got a good story?
Check out the link below and I will see you in Chicago! Tickets start at $39.50 and there's still some left!!
Who's coming?
â John
www.ticketmaster.com/mrballen-the-strange-dark-mysâŠ
24K - 1.1K
I tell strange, dark & mysterious stories.
Listen to MrBallen's exclusive Podcast on Amazon Music! www.amazon.com/mrballenpodcast
Follow me on Instagram, Twitter and the rest of social media đ "@MrBallen"
2nd YouTube channel: @mrballenshorts
Join our Discord đ discord.com/invite/mrballen