logo
episode-header-image
May 22
32m 53s

Closer to God

Ballen Studios
About this episode

Every now and again, I’ll find a story that’s just really upsetting to me. Now, obviously a lot of the stories I cover are all quite distressing. But today’s story, which is about a missing hiker named Mike Turner – it just really upset me. It actually made it really hard to record this episode. So, consider this your warning that I personally believe this is a very upsetting story, but an important story that we would not be covering if there wasn’t some real weight behind it. And I think the moral of this story, ultimately, is you really need to treasure your family while they’re still around.

Story name, preview & link to original YouTube video:


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.

Up next
Aug 7
What's in the Basement?
Today’s story is one I told several years back on YouTube, but in 2024 during my live tour, I brought this one back out and gave it a complete overhaul and ended up telling it live, and the audience absolutely loved it.Story name, preview & link to the original YouTube video:#1 - ... Show More
39m 30s
Aug 4
The Late Shift (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
In June of 1980, a car jolted to a stop in a parking lot on the outskirts of a small Utah suburb. The car door opened, a man stepped out into the darkness, and he stumbled across the parking lot towards the large building where he worked. He’d been drinking, and he was feeling it ... Show More
38m 35s
Jul 31
Medical Mysteries - "No Reservations/The Bitter End"
This story is a fan favorite from MrBallen's Medical Mysteries.No Reservations:A Spanish marathon runner develops a mysterious obsession with gourmet food. But what seems like an innocent new passion may be more dangerous than he thinks.The Game:After going through her normal mor ... Show More
33m 12s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2023
I Think My Grandfather is a Serial Killer: Part 2
This week we continue with Part 2 of an amazing story about the aftermath of a mysterious death of a young man's parents, when he is pulled to his hometown to reconnect with his estranged grandfather... Special than you to this amazing story's Author: Brandon Faircloth (r/Verasta ... Show More
48m 18s
Jun 2023
I Think My Grandfather is a Serial Killer: Part 3
This week we continue with Part 3 of an amazing story about the aftermath of a mysterious death of a young man's parents, when he is pulled to his hometown to reconnect with his estranged grandfather... Special than you to this amazing story's Author: Brandon Faircloth (r/Verasta ... Show More
38m 44s
Dec 2024
268: HIS FAMILY TOOK REVENGE | 17 True Scary Stories | EP 256
This episode includes narrations of true creepy encounters submitted by normal folks just like yourself. Today you'll experience horrifying stories about motels, grandparents secrets & tales from Japan. HAVE A STORY TO SUBMIT? LetsReadSubmissions@gmail.com FOLLOW ME ON - ►YouTube ... Show More
2h 38m
Jan 2025
274: A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR'S WORST NIGHTMARE | 10 True Scary Stories / Rain Ambience | EP 262
This episode includes narrations of true creepy encounters submitted by normal folks just like yourself. Today you'll experience horrifying stories about private investigators, the Appalachian trail & stories about getting revenge HAVE A STORY TO SUBMIT? LetsReadSubmissions@gmail ... Show More
2h 57m
Mar 2025
282: MY BEST FRIEND WAS A MONSTER | 33 True Scary Stories | EP 270
This episode includes narrations of true creepy encounters submitted by normal folks just like yourself. Today you'll experience horrifying stories about fake friends, Grandparent stories & how one redditor's roommate nearly killed them! HAVE A STORY TO SUBMIT? LetsReadSubmission ... Show More
3h 11m
Sep 2024
A Crime In Disguise - September 17 2024
Stay Safe - A Morning Cup of Murder Podcast Coming Soon!Have a close call with something horrifying? A dark family story you've been needing to share? What about an unexplained encounter? Share your stories with us by emailing them to staysafesubmissions@.com and they could be re ... Show More
9m 41s
Jul 8
301: MY TERRIFYING ENCOUNTER WITH THE CARTEL | Rain Ambience / 17 TERRIFYING True Scary Stories | EP 287
This episode includes narrations of true creepy encounters submitted by normal folks just like yourself. Today you'll experience horrifying stories about Mexico & tales off of Reddit. HAVE A STORY TO SUBMIT? LetsReadSubmissions@gmail.com FOLLOW ME ON - ►YouTube - https://www.yout ... Show More
2h 17m
Jun 26
Throwback: The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Today we're doing a throwback episode to one of our favorites from the early days of Stories Podcast. This week we have the classic cautionary tale. You can cry wolf all you want, but what happens when you come face to face with the real thing? Check out Stories RPG our new show ... Show More
18m 32s
Feb 2025
280: THERE'S A MANIAC HIDING OUT IN THE WOODS | 23 True Scary Stories | EP 268
This episode includes narrations of true creepy encounters submitted by normal folks just like yourself. Today you'll experience horrifying stories about the dark web, deep woods & how one lucky person escaped a near death encounter during a hike HAVE A STORY TO SUBMIT? LetsReadS ... Show More
3h 15m