MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories
Episode: MrBallen and the Art of Storytelling
Release Date: June 25, 2025
Host: John Allen
Special Guest: Evan Allen
Sponsor: Audible
Introduction & Hosts
In this special live episode of the MrBallen Podcast, hosted by John Allen of Ballen Studios, John is joined by his sister, Evan Allen, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer. The duo explores the intricacies of storytelling, detailing their collaborative process and the techniques that make their stories compelling and engaging.
John Allen [00:00]: "I tell stories for a living. I sort of fell backwards into this."
Evan highlights her pivotal role in the creative side of Ballen Studios, emphasizing her prowess in research and writing.
Evan Allen [03:21]: "Evan is vastly superior at researching and writing and frankly, storytelling in its purest form."
Collaboration with Audible
The episode delves into Ballen Studios' collaboration with Audible, a platform that shares their passion for bringing great stories to life through spoken word. They discuss Audible's book club and how it serves as a catalyst for selecting and dissecting powerful narratives.
John Allen [03:55]: "That's spot on. I've been memorizing that line for, like, hours."
Story Selection: The Debutante
Evan introduces "The Debutante," an investigative audiobook by Jon Ronson that examines the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995. The story explores the controversial theory that Timothy McVeigh did not act alone, suggesting possible federal government involvement through an informant named Carol Howe.
Evan Allen [04:23]: "The Debutante takes you into this world where you realize there's so much more to that bombing to include."
John and Evan appreciate how the story incorporates a character on a quest—Ronson's investigation—highlighting the importance of character-driven narratives.
John Allen [09:01]: "With that, Evan, I want to talk about your role and how you go about selecting stories."
Storytelling Techniques
The siblings discuss fundamental elements of compelling storytelling, such as character, quest, and surprise twists. They emphasize the importance of withholding information to build suspense and deliver impactful revelations.
Evan Allen [24:44]: "That's what makes our stories, if you think about them, they're all constructed, heading towards the twist and the reveal."
John explains their disciplined approach to writing, ensuring that each story maintains suspense without giving away crucial plot points prematurely.
John Allen [46:37]: "We think of it as, like, zooming the camera really, really, really close in so you lose all the context."
Examples of Engaging Stories
1. Dyatlov Pass Mystery:
John recounts the mysterious deaths of nine skilled hikers in the Ural Mountains during the 1950s. The military's investigation concluded an "unknown unnatural force" was responsible, leaving the case unresolved and ripe for storytelling.
John Allen [10:36]: "It's a pretty big deal at the time. People were closely following the story and abruptly the Russian government stopped the investigation."
2. A Man's Experience in Cameroon:
Evan narrates a story about a man in Cameroon who wakes up feeling ill, only to discover that a burst of carbon dioxide from a crater lake has killed thousands in his town. The narrative is delivered through his limited perspective, enhancing the suspense and eventual revelation.
Evan Allen [26:14]: "We do it through point of view. We do it through omission. We're locked in this man's point of view. We can only know what he knows."
3. Ellie Lobel's Mysterious Illness:
John shares the poignant tale of Ellie Lobel, who suffers from a mysterious, debilitating illness for years. Her decision to embrace her impending death is unexpectedly reversed when a swarm of bees stings her, curing her Lyme disease—a twist that underscores the power of perspective in storytelling.
John Allen [53:50]: "Ellie Lobel, because this end of life care person is there to help her die, does just that puts Ellie back in bed. And for three days she laid in bed and she didn't die."
Personal Background & Influences
Evan and John reflect on their upbringing, heavily influenced by their mother's dedication to reading and storytelling. This foundation in literature and narrative shaped their paths—Evan into investigative journalism and John into storytelling through podcasts and YouTube.
Evan Allen [20:33]: "When we were growing up, my mom was very like, she's kind of a hippie. No TV. We got to watch a half an hour or an hour of Masterpiece Theater on Saturdays."
John shares anecdotes from his time as a Navy SEAL, where his penchant for storytelling earned him the nickname "Shakespeare," illustrating the universality and instinctive nature of storytelling.
John Allen [21:12]: "I would just default to telling stories about things that didn't really have much to do with what I was supposed to be presenting, but it got me through the presentations."
Medium Differences: Podcast, YouTube, and Graphic Novels
The discussion transitions to how different mediums influence storytelling approaches. They compare writing for podcasts versus YouTube and delve into their ventures into graphic novels. John emphasizes the importance of adapting storytelling techniques to fit the medium, ensuring that each format retains its unique strengths.
Evan Allen [62:42]: "We have different writers for it. It's like an entirely different thing, and that's due to the medium."
John highlights their graphic novels, particularly the upcoming "Where Nightmares Live," and how the transition from YouTube to graphic novel to audiobook requires distinct narrative strategies.
John Allen [64:38]: "They put together the first graphic novel, which was a New York Times bestseller. ... I'm going to do it again for the second graphic novel, which is coming out this fall."
Future Projects & Conclusion
Evan and John hint at future projects, including their second graphic novel and its audiobook counterpart, promising continued excellence in storytelling across various platforms. They reiterate their commitment to delivering engaging, twist-filled narratives that captivate their audience.
John Allen [64:52]: "Where Nightmares Live. And there will be an audiobook component that you should totally go look for on Audible."
As the episode wraps up, they encourage listeners to explore Audible's vast collection of stories and to engage with their YouTube channel for more captivating tales.
John Allen [62:34]: "Think about just the discipline of, if you want a story to land, you start with the end."
Notable Quotes
- John Allen [00:00]: "I tell stories for a living. I sort of fell backwards into this."
- Evan Allen [04:23]: "The Debutante takes you into this world where you realize there's so much more to that bombing to include."
- John Allen [09:01]: "With that, Evan, I want to talk about your role and how you go about selecting stories."
- Evan Allen [24:44]: "That's what makes our stories, if you think about them, they're all constructed, heading towards the twist and the reveal."
- John Allen [46:37]: "We think of it as, like, zooming the camera really, really, really close in so you lose all the context."
- John Allen [53:50]: "Ellie Lobel, because this end of life care person is there to help her die, does just that puts Ellie back in bed."
- Evan Allen [62:42]: "We have different writers for it. It's like an entirely different thing, and that's due to the medium."
- John Allen [62:34]: "Think about just the discipline of, if you want a story to land, you start with the end."
Final Thoughts
This episode offers an insightful exploration into the art of storytelling, demonstrating how intentional narrative techniques and a deep understanding of various mediums can transform ordinary tales into extraordinary experiences. Evan and John Allen showcase their expertise and passion, providing listeners with both entertainment and a behind-the-scenes look at crafting compelling stories.
Explore More:
For more intriguing stories and storytelling insights, visit the Mr. Ballen YouTube Channel and delve into Audible's extensive collection of mysteries and true crime narratives.