John Allen is the founder of Ballen Studios and the creator and host of MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories. A former U.S. Navy SEAL, Allen began sharing stories online in 2020 and quickly became one of the internet’s most recognizable storytellers, building an audience of more than 10 million subscribers on YouTube and millions more across podcast and social media platforms.

His podcast consistently ranks among the top true crime shows, and his storytelling has expanded beyond digital platforms into New York Times bestselling graphic novels and live touring. Allen also founded the MrBallen Foundation to honor victims and support families affected by violent crime.