I loved this podcast but I’m sad that the end of the story is now behind a pay wall. I subscribe to Patreon for another podcast but they consistently post bonus stories and miscellaneous content, like most hosts using the Patreon platform. Please use Patreon for bonus content and people will gladly pay. Blocking the end of the story unless we pay is just inconsiderate and greedy.

Rodney tells these awesome stories that make you think, wish there were more stories, but he’s totally worth the wait.

Mr. Barnes, I truly love your work and I admire the suggestion by Mr. Ballen, but you’re slacking.. and the stories are not every Monday.. take too long to post imo but I love the stories.. but that’s what I wanted to say..

I’ve been listening to the episodes since the podcast started, and the stories were interesting, but now he seems focused on getting people to go to the web and pay to be a member to get a full story instead of like 60% of one. The stories weren’t good enough (certainly not scary) for me to stay, so I have unfollowed.

Rodney tells great stories! The format has changed so much, seemingly to get subscribers 🤷‍♀️ Definitely not a fan of the new format. I’m trying to force myself to tolerate it but I will likely end up un-following this podcast 🙁

I used to look forward to a fun story every week but now you have to pay to get the complete version. Very disappointing.

Too melodramatic sing song story. Soap operas aren’t my thing.

Don’t bother if you’re not a patreon subscriber you only get half of the story…

This used to be one of my favorite podcast. I’ve been listening from episode one and I am so very disappointed with the new format where you can only get the ending of the story if you pay for it I feel like that’s a slap in the face too loyal followers Who have been supportive income to your podcast for quality entertainment. I’m not saying that I’ll stop listening. I’m actually not sure, but I will say that I really hate the feeling of an incomplete story. And I feel like I can get better quality elsewhere

Rodney tells us stories that may be familiar but with twist to keep them interesting and interlaced with a personal narrative that weaves it all together.

Great story telling

Nice

I have been listening to this podcast since the first episode. It’s one of the few that I never miss. Last month they started a subscription format for “extended versions” of the show. Apparently an extended version means a version with a conclusion. I pay for podcasts when they provide quality extra content for that price. I have no problem with it. However, I absolutely refuse to pay for a podcast that dupes its long-time listeners in such a sneaky way. Sorry to unfollow you, Run Fool. You were one of my favorites, but charging $5 a month to get the ending to your stories is not the way to keep your listener base and certainly no way to expand it.

This is my favorite podcast and I’m so sad to say that now you have to pay to hear the end of the stories.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this podcast since the first episode and listen to it on Amazon Music, a paid platform. I just finished Radioactive Hornets Pt. 2 and was shocked to hear that in order to listen to the final episode of this 3-episode story, that you have to go to joinrunfool.com, sign up, and pay a monthly fee. I used to listen to another spooky/horror podcast that evolved into the same thing, with the host telling part 1 of multi-part stories and then saying you had to become a paying EPP in order to hear the rest of the story. He lost a LOT of listeners, and I’m not sure if the podcast even exists any more because I stopped listening. I I understand that bills need to be paid and Rodney should be able to make money from “Run, Fool,” and I want the podcast to be able to continue for a long time. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having a paid members-only area offering bonus content such as behind the scenes, extra episodes, livestreams, etc., and many of the podcasts I listen to do just that. BUT - hitting your listeners out of the blue with “if you want to hear what happened, go to website and pay” is probably not the way to attract a patron base.

I’m hiking this evening and listened to the podcast for the first time and it’s sooo good . You have a great voice for storytelling made my hiking more enjoyable and I’m hooked.

I love Run, Fool. I assume the narrator/host/storyteller is the writer. GREAT WRITING. Beautiful suspense. Scary. Dots all connect. Love this guy’s work.

I absolutely love this show. It took a while for Rodney’s narrative style to grow on me but oh how it has and every week I just want more, more, more. It’s not often you find a work of short fiction that is so well done and seems to be written in a way that respects the consumer so well, in a literary sense. Thanks, Mr Ballen, for the recommendation—Rodney is my new favorite storyteller.

Perfect! There’s not one thing I would change. Every episode is so well done. Ear worms was my first dealing with Run, Fool and I can’t get enough. Even my husband chimes along when I start the podcast at night when we lay in bed. I have to say the episode about dementia is so well done every emotion is felt. I’m sorry this happened to your mama. Thank you for sharing.

What a fantastic set of stories. The format is wonderful and the stories are just the right length to enjoy. They remind me of a well told campfire story. Excellent work crew thank you so much keep up the amazing work.

Me and my dad love your stories and please make more

This show is on par with scared to death and became a quick favorite of mine. So good!

Given the relatively short length of each episode, I'm always amazed at how well I feel I've gotten to know the characters by episode's end. Original takes on familiar themes - definitely my favorite new podcast.

Great stories. Great writing. Great voice! I’m really glad i found this podcast. Can’t stop listening

I love this podcast. The stores are entertaining and Rodney narrates them well. I don’t care that the format has changed a bit to center the stories about an ‘event’ that the narrator experiences or it’s about people he ‘knows’. It’s fun fiction and the stories are interesting.

I love the stories, and used to love listening every week, but the ad breaks feel constant now. It’s a shame.

Let me start by saying I’m a huge fan of Mr. Ballen and his work that’s why I gave it 3 stars instead of 1. I was excited to find more of Mr. Ballen’s true crime story’s but it’s definitely not true crime. Maybe just change the category?

Rodney does an amazing job of telling these stories. He makes them so interesting and entertaining that I feel like I am in that situation. The Earworm Special is my favorite one because it has so much suspense and thrill in it. Rodney is so amazing and I love this podcast!

I’m happy I came across the podcast. I promise you that you will not be disappointed.

I recently found this podcast and couldn’t stop listening. Rodney tells a great story! I look forward for new episodes. The season 1 finale is amazing! You definitely will NOT be disappointed.

This show is very nice not too long, not too short and not too much unnecessary chatter. The stories are fun, entertaining and original. I like that and I love the characters and explanations afterward, very insightful. Keep sharing the new content.

I listen a TON of horror content. I do not know how I’m just now finding this podcast, but here we are. This podcast is amazing. Rodney Barnes is one of the best horror podcast hosts around today. He is a wonderful speaker and his writing is beautiful. This podcast is a heartbreakingly poetic tribute to the host’s grandmother. 👵🏾🥹🥰She weaves in and out of different episodes; but even when she isn’t a character in an episode, her legacy and lessons on the importance of folklore, family, and love are throughout. I’m going to start this podcast over as soon as I catch up on episodes.

I love Mr Ballen podcasts and his narration style so when I heard a sample of Run, Fool! I loved it too. The way Rodney narrates is how it should be when telling stories like these. He sounds like a guy just telling you a story, but in a natural way. Not like he’s reading from a script. I need more shows because I got hooked and listened to them all too quickly. Great show!

Started listening as a Mr Ballen follower. Great addition to his stories. These stories are creepy and entertaining I have to be careful when I drive to them! Rodney is one of the best storytellers out there, keeps me on the edge of my seat!! Highly addictive.

Started great but the constant reruns n skipping weeks telling other stories from other podcast.. the last 2 months really changed my mind about this podcast

This podcast is awesome. I needed a break from true crime and gave this a try. Absolutely love it! The stories are great. Rodney’s storytelling skills are unmatched. However, after making it through the first 10 episodes, I found myself being skeptical of everything. Suddenly anything that went bump in the night freaked me out. Listener beware!! ;)

Hmmm someone watch “Bishop of Battle “

When books and podcasts weave product placements into their stories… it’s the end of creativity. You can have ad segments that are clearly separate from the story in podcasts, but keep them OUT of the story itself. Repulsive.

The stories told here at, Run Fool, I have never heard anywhere else, and I have listened to them all, tons and tons of scary stories in podcasts and on different YouTube channels. These stories are truly unique and they get you hooked. Fantastic narrator, wonderful quality!

This show is everything a horror/fiction anthology pod should be. Forget the elaborate soundscapes, over done voice acting (although, Mr. Barnes’ voice is lovely) and tired, old, cheesy tropes. This show is all about the exquisite writing. It delivers on such a cerebral level - you end up thinking about the story long after it’s over. Perhaps it’s because we’re similar in age/generation or because he sets each tale up with a creative narrative that’s always nostalgic and relevant. Deserves more than 5 stars.

I heard a preview of the show on another podcast I listen to and immediately ran to listen to the rest of the story, next thing I knew, I was binging the entire podcast. I love, love, love this podcast. It’s fun to hear scary stories the way we,(Black People) tell stories. One episode a week is not enough.

I can’t express how much I love this podcast from the stories to Rodney’s storytelling. It is amazing. The stories always have a great lesson to consider and you can tell he was made to pass along these stories to us. I also love how he reminisces on his grandmother which has brought me to tears thinking about my own. Rodney if you’re reading this, thank you so much for sharing your gift. I’m sure your grandmother is so proud and smiles on you often. And thank you for the Black Aggie story. It was touching and gave me the cry and smile I needed! Keep going!!

I am an avid podcast listener. I listen to a wide range, but I lean towards Cryptid and supernatural podcasts. This is one of the best I listen to. The presentation is what differentiates it from the others. It makes it seem so much more personal and real. I would recommend it to anyone remotely interested in anything strange.

Too many racist phrases.

I really like this podcast. Host is a good storyteller. I’ll be back for more episodes. Thanks!

When I tell you his voice is like butter!! It’s so soothing. Oddly enough these stories and his voice helps me go to sleep. The stories are well written and fun to listen to.

I stumbled upon this podcast and, as an avid fan of storytelling, AND this genre, had to check it out. The stories are well written and beautifully narrated. Be prepared to be taken on a journey with every story!

Honestly, I came from a couple of other podcasts I finished and I can say that this podcast has more than just potential. His voice is far from monotone and the pod’s content is far from messy- chaotic and intentional? Sure- because that’s how generational folklore stories are told. That is the beauty of the art. Anyone who thinks differently doesn’t understand the essence of storytelling in one’s community. Give this podcast a try, you won’t regret it.

I love that the stories are mostly based in actual lore. I love the host and the style. This is the best horror podcast I have ever heard. I binged the whole thing in two days

I absolutely love this show. Rodney is an amazing story teller and on a couple stories I got choked up. Glad I found Run Fool.