John Allen has a knack for storytelling.

With his trademark backward cap, an endless collection of flannel shirts, and a laid-back style on camera, the much-loved YouTuber and podcaster, known as MrBallen, is now adding author to his growing list of achievements.

His debut book, “MrBallen Presents: Strange, Dark and Mysterious” (Ten Speed Graphic, 208 pages), is now available. This graphic novel features nine tales created in collaboration with novelist Robert Venditti and illustrations by Andrea Mutti.

At 36 years old, Allen began sharing stories on social media in 2020. His engaging narratives about true crime, supernatural phenomena, and spooky incidents have made him immensely popular on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, where he has amassed over 9 million and 8 million followers, respectively. He also has an exclusive podcast deal with Amazon that started in 2022 and has built a team at Ballen Studios to oversee both his own projects and those of others.

This autumn, he has kicked off a live storytelling tour across the United States.

Military Background and Nicknames

However, Allen was a storyteller long before his rise to fame. During his time in the U.S. Navy, he was affectionately called Shakespeare by his peers. “I was always talking,” he recalls.

Aside from telling stories, Allen enjoyed reading. In the introduction to his new book, he explains how his mother would send him chapters from Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books while he was undergoing boot camp in 2010.

Above all, he loved sharing strange, dark, and mysterious stories that inspired his YouTube channel, podcast, and now this book.

When his fellow SEALs would request stories, “the most captivating ones were the unsettling and scary ones,” he explains.

After leaving the Navy, he accidentally created a new nickname. While setting up his social media accounts and offering advice to aspiring sailors, people misread his name, calling him Mr. Ballen. Thus, his new identity emerged.

Crafting His Stories

Even though Allen is a skilled storyteller, he focuses on real and often tragic events rather than fictional tales. How does he maintain a respectful tone while sharing these stories?

“When narrating a story about a terrible event that someone has experienced, I approach it as if the family members or friends might view it,” says Allen. “I want them to feel that, while I may be doing this for my channel or podcast, I am doing it with respect.”

According to Allen, an effective story should not be exploitative but should connect the audience to the victim.

“Placing the audience in the emotional moment allows them to comprehend the tragedy of the event. They’ll remember the story because they felt the victim’s impact rather than just being shocked by the violence,” he explains, highlighting that it is a powerful storytelling method.

Among the narratives in his book, two are personal adaptations—one recounting a haunting experience from his teenage years, and another from his military service.

A Family of Storytellers

Allen isn’t the only gifted storyteller in his family. He lights up as he talks about them.

“My family is incredibly intelligent and academically talented,” Allen shares. “I never imagined I would be in a similar position years later, storytelling professionally and involving my family in it.”

His older sister, Evan Allen, serves as the creative head for Ballen Studios and was previously an investigative reporter for the Boston Globe. She was part of a team that earned the Pulitzer Prize for investigative journalism in 2021. Allen believes her achievements solidified his commitment to telling true stories responsibly.

Allen’s father, Scott Allen, also collaborates with him and was an editor at the Globe. Meanwhile, his mother, Jessie Thuma, is, according to him, “perhaps the most talented writer in our family,”

When Thuma embarked on her podcasting journey, she was busy juggling her job at a library in Quincy, Massachusetts, while collaborating with her son to craft the podcast episodes during its initial year.

Today, Allen has assembled a dedicated team for writing and research, with Thuma taking the lead as the main writer. “I don’t think we could have reached the podcast’s current success without her,” Allen explains. “Handling both YouTube and the podcast was overwhelming for me; I was really feeling burnt out.”

Discussing Mental Health and Sobriety

Although Allen’s achievements might appear straightforward, they involve a complex balancing act. He and his wife, Amanda, are raising three children. Allen has openly shared his experiences with mental health challenges, feelings of disorientation after leaving the military, and the significance of therapy. As his audience expands, he has become increasingly candid about his own life.

He disclosed that he has maintained sobriety since May. “I chose to share about my sobriety because I was truly struggling with substance abuse issues,” says Allen. This struggle began to affect various aspects of his life and his relationships. “I’ve found that openly discussing my traumas is one way I cope. That’s just who I am in my everyday life.”

According to Allen, the response from his audience has been overwhelmingly positive, with many individuals facing their own challenges reaching out to thank him. “As I progress, I hope to continue sharing more,” he adds. “And I genuinely hope it assists others along their journey.”