I think I understand now

[u/Lufgow]

I've watched Mr. Ballen since he started on YouTube. I was hooked. I started listening to his podcast, which is true crime and his Medical Mysteries.

I see many people say his content isn't as good as it was in the beginning. Well, it's different for sure.

He stopped doing the Paranormal videos. He stopped doing the unsolved content and he stopped doing stories from real people claim crazy things.

I think that's why his content degraded over time. The content he's been doing since the Amazon signing is the same content we can get from That Chapter, Coffeehouse Crime and countless other channels.

What separated him was his genuine love of unsolved mysteries. I believe he's moved into True Crime and remastering old episodes.

[u/The_Atypical_Inker]

[REAL PHOTO OF MRBALLEN CHECKING REDDIT AFTER RELEASING A PARANORMAL STORY RECENTLY]

[u/Stormy_Sunflower → u/The_Atypical_Inker]

🤣🤣🤣

[u/FishermanNo5846 → u/The_Atypical_Inker]

That has to be his funniest picture. That shit made me cackle. Lmaooo

[u/The_Atypical_Inker → u/FishermanNo5846]

Says a thousand words, eh? Haha

[u/isabellakaterina]

Tbh, it doesn't bother me as much. I like almost everything he puts out. I haven't listened to medical mysteries as yet though. Also, I love true crime and have always found it interesting. His videos still hold my attention when I watch them. Also, I feel like sometimes the things he talks about are so dark that he needs a break. Like me, for example, I read a lot of horror and consume almost everything that's quite literally strange, dark, and mysterious. After a while, it can play on your mind. So maybe when he steps out of that box, give him a little grace and appreciation. Hope I'm making sense cause I tend to ramble 🤣💜

[u/Old_Archer_5577 → u/isabellakaterina]

Good points. I would definitely say Medical Mysteries is worth your while. It has the same tone and twists near the end, with a different type of darkness around the plot.

[u/isabellakaterina → u/Old_Archer_5577]

I'll give it a listen. Thank you 😊

[u/EluuSivee → u/isabellakaterina]

I stopped watching a lot of serious true crime for that reason. I like the medical mysteries podcast, as well as the wartime stories! Sure they are not the same as his original content that he was putting out, but times do also change! I have yet to take a deep dive into Redacted, but I'm sure that one's good too! Regardless, I will always support his channel. I found his YouTube at a time in my life when I was not doing so well. He is a great story teller and I can tell that he truly cares about the work he does. He's already done enough!

[u/isabellakaterina → u/EluuSivee]

Yes!!!!!! I agree with you!

[u/PastBerry6914 → u/isabellakaterina]

I’ve been binging on the medical mysteries I really like it.

[u/LumpyShoe8267 → u/PastBerry6914]

It’s my going to sleep podcast of choice

[u/Pristine_Bit7615 → u/isabellakaterina]

I love his stories and have watched some several times. He has a way of telling these stories like no other you tuber. I wish I could have afforded tickets when he toured

[u/isabellakaterina → u/Pristine_Bit7615]

Me too! I hope to someday see him live, but I live in the Caribbean, and I can't afford it right now. Hopefully someday though.

[u/Significant-Rent9153]

"If you're a fan of the strange, dark and mysterious delivered in story format, you've come to the right place."...THESE words are what brought millions to his channel and would return every time. This format is what his core audience came to see and hear. You're not saying anything wrong at all, you're not being mean, you're certainly not hating. If anyone tells you otherwise, they're the ones with the problem who can't handle hearing an opinion. You have every right to voice your opinion as to what you miss and the type of content you'd like to continue to hear. Now some people are perfectly happy with whatever he puts out. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. And I mean that. They'll voice their opinions about it, and they have every right to, and I would never say they shouldn't be allowed to. But for them to get upset with the people who prefer the original format (because, again, "strange dark and mysterious", THAT'S what brought them in to begin with), to try and stifle those people, it's asinine. To try and tell others simply "Don't listen to him anymore, just go away." it's basically saying "You're not allowed to like what you like." It's silly. What they don't get is this: If someone truly didn't like the channel and more importantly, the man who created it, if they didn't have the passion for something that meant something to them, they would just give up and not say anything at all. Those people would walk away. The real fans might not be pleased, yet they're still listening every week because that's what real fans do. They don't desert, they DON'T stop listening. And real fans will be genuinely honest. And I guarantee MrBallen would be the first person to say (just like any good content creator): "What do you think? How am I doing? Please be honest with me. I want this to be as enjoyable as possible for EVERYONE. What do you, the viewer/listener, like and don't like?" (anyway, for everyone reading, have a good day and be good to one another)

[u/Sourmoth → u/Significant-Rent9153]

I agree with most of what you're saying (not necessarily the way you said it, but that's by the by), but I think "strange, dark and mysterious" has a lot of broad range that doesn't have to be supernatural and paranormal, there is plenty about the seen world that is "strange dark and mysterious"

Also "stop watching" is not saying you can't like what you like, and therefore is not asinine, it is saying "you clearly DON'T like the current content so why spend your time watching and getting annoyed by content you're not enjoying"

I 100% agree everyone is entitled to give feedback, and I also agree Mr. Ballen would be the first to want to know and would be grateful for feedback, but he also has access to his video data and will see which videos are most popular and do best and also how they watch them (when they repeat bits, when they turn off etc), so I wouldn't be surprised if he tweaked his content based on all that.

[u/Ok_Rate5871 → u/Sourmoth]

I think for me it’s the very generic way the stories are being told now and the lack of reveal and details in the early parts of the story that are obviously a way to conceal the obvious reveal coming later in the story. The suspense for me isn’t there anymore. It’s almost like the studios got Involved and were like “true crime is super popular so just do that from now on”. The stories are a lot less strange dark and mysterious overall. It’s basically just a true crime podcast.

I remember the stories about the wolf creatures that attacked the house, or the bell ringing in the woods where the girls father came to rescue her and he heard it or the laughing creature outside the peoples tent. Those were the ones that got me hooked. It was a look into the unknown, not Just a story about a murder.

[u/Lufgow]

I binge watched these today. These are the stories that got me hooked. Well, add in Bells Canyon and Hinterkaifek videos as well.

[u/bahe2018 → u/Lufgow]

These were the best!! 🤩

[u/Medium_Ear847 → u/Lufgow]

Can you tell me how to get to Bells Canyon?🤣🤣🤣

[u/Public-Drag5524]

My favorite stories were the“places you can’t go”. I know he does them every now and again but when he first started they were basically back to back and that was when he was putting out 5 videos a week. I’ve always enjoyed everything he put out..except the one where the circus elephant was hanged. I could have gone my whole life without hearing that story lol.

[u/OkAbbreviations4817 → u/Public-Drag5524]

That happened about 30 minutes from me in Erwin,TN. Crazy story!

[u/bribribaby27]

You’re spot on but god forbid anyone ever have any slight criticism and his fans go nuts on you lol I love Mr ballen. His story telling is truly like no other, it’s literally ADDICTING lol and because he’s so talented we are going to be disappointed when things change, it’s normal.

[u/Lufgow → u/bribribaby27]

We live in a society today where you aren't allowed an opinion. Side effect of the social media generation. I'm not part of that. My opinion is as valid as anyone else.

Mr. Ballen has the right to do what he wants. And we, the consumers, have the right to support it or not. I'll always support John, but I have the right to be disappointed.

All of the "This again?!?" whiney babies can keep scrolling. They are just too narcissistic to do that.

[u/bribribaby27 → u/Lufgow]

Facts!

[u/Dark_Rottie18]

I'll watch and listen as long as he's willing. Still worthwhile content. Some may not be as long, but still great.

[u/Rachael510]

The only videos I’m not a huge fan of are the compilations, purely because I have my little ritual getting some snacks and a nice drink and getting invested in a new story. I like all kinds of his content and I think that’s because I just love the way he tells them. It’s each to their own though, everyone subbed for a different thing so I understand where you’re coming from. I love his paranormal ones

[u/nickebee → u/Rachael510]

What kind of snacks?

[u/GlamourGhoulx → u/nickebee]

I would also like to know about your snacks

[u/nickebee → u/GlamourGhoulx]

I like chocolate covered almonds while enjoying the strange, dark and mysterious

[u/GlamourGhoulx → u/nickebee]

Myself I’m a crisps gal, cheese and onion

[u/Rachael510 → u/nickebee]

Torres cured cheddar crisps, the ultimate champion of the world

[u/FrankaGrimes]

This. Again?

[u/lilloulou14 → u/FrankaGrimes]

It's getting pretty old

[u/FrankaGrimes → u/lilloulou14]

For real.

[u/28shawblvd]

I get my paranormal fix from Luke Lamana's Wartime Stories also under Ballen Studios. It's fantastic!

[u/kingspooky93]

The big thing that changed is that he went from uploading 3-5 times a week to once a week. But you gotta remember he has a wife and kids and he's started touring too. He needs time for himself and his family.

I'm not upset at all by the way things have changed, I'm just happy to see his videos.

I also think, unlike That Chapter and Coffeehouse, the way MrBallen tells the story, the way he presents everything makes it infinitely more interesting and enjoyable. And I really enjoy That Chapter.

I do think that if you're losing interest, you should check out some other creators who put out interesting content. One of my favorites is Fascinating Horror on YouTube. They cover mostly disasters and things in history where tragedy happened and what sort of laws and things were implemented as a result.

[u/Lufgow → u/kingspooky93]

I will check them out. I started listening to Mr. Nightmare recently as well. It's stories people share on Reddit, I believe, is read by AI. But they are very interesting stories.

[u/kingspooky93 → u/Lufgow]

I used to listen to those Reddit true scary stories all the time

[u/CrazyGround4501]

Whoa… less “That Chapter” slander, please.

[u/DipYoChip]

This is exactly why I don’t watch all of his videos anymore. I just watch the ones that seem interesting to me, but ya I subscribed for those exact type of videos you listed.

[u/Crystill]

This is getting so old. We get it, yall prefer his old stuff. It really doesn't need to be posted every day.

[u/IbKmart → u/Crystill]

For real 😂 I don’t ever see any other updates come across my phone for this sub, other than “why do Mr. Ballen videos seem to [insert complaint here]?” lol

[u/NeverAssumeWithMe]

I watched him religiously at the beginning, until he sold out to Amazon and it basically felt like he gave half his audience the finger. Then Amazon didn't care about the exclusivity and released their strong hold on the channel. But watching him from the beginning and then waiting for each episode, u can actually tell exactly when he started losing his passion and motivation. Now it's only about the commercialisation and profits, and u can tell.

[u/shanshanlk]

I love his videos. If you don’t like them, don’t watch. I started watching because I love being told stories and he is really good at telling them. I love that they are true stories. I love that he works with his mom and I love that he is a good family man.

I really get turned off when I see that someone is doing really well and others try to drag them down. It’s wrong and this man doesn’t deserve it.

My Dad always said “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

Please try practicing this in your daily life. You will see that it’s contagious and you will be a much happier person.

[u/FriendEllie75]

What I don’t understand is why these people feel the need to say anything. Just leave. We, the current fans, don’t need to hear the why or that they don’t like him anymore. Just be on your way and let us continue to enjoy his content.

[u/GinBuckets]

People should check out “booze and boos” on YouTube if they like Mr Ballen’s OG style. It’s not exactly the same, but it is definitely in the same stratosphere and those guys over there don’t have enough followers imo. I wish MrBallen would bring them in to his studios.

[u/Lackadaisical_ninja → u/GinBuckets]

Buy it's his storytelling talent that makes it SO GOOD. He has a gift, and maybe he just can't handle the demand. He has gone downhill. In many ways. Damn it. He has a way with captivation, and that will always be his claim to fame. Rip OG Ballen.

[u/Davidle3]

Mr. Ballen is here as in part of the group. I am sure he can comment whatever he wants. If he wants to comment he will.

[u/awkward-abalone]

Love his channel but it's definitely different. I wish the videos were longer like they use to be

[u/Successful_Sense_742]

Well look at it this way. Sitcoms and TV shows in general degrade over time. There are many YouTubers that have shows on the unexplained. He just changed up, hired writers, and basically had run out of ideas himself and didn't want to copy things done by other Tubers. One reason he did Medical Mysteries.

[u/Fluffernutter_918]

I agree, Im not quick to listen to his new stuff because it was no longer fitting what I was expecting. I still love how he tells stories (and honestly would rather listen to him than the other shows) but what I enjoyed most about the youTube shows was that I never knew what type of show it would be.

[u/Gullible_Practice282]

Well said!