Interesting and engaging, thank you!

What’s going on with the story selections. They used to be thoughtful and interesting. This latest episode was another pointless Jerry Springer show.

There have been some good episodes in the past, but the show has become full of cringy lowlifes with tales from the trailer park.

I found this podcast a few weeks ago after a suggestion from a friend. I have been binging every episode since then. Ben is a great host with a great variety of guests! Love it!!

It’s as if nearly everyone with a “secret” comes directly from central casting- the same world views, normative expectations and more often than not the same vocal fry and pattern of speaking. Like they all had the same cookie cutter lifestyle stamped indelibly on their personalities. The secrets revealed are seemingly soap opera sordid. Titillating events that small minded bullies love to use to keep score.The kind of things that nice church going middle class people would never do and definitely judge and shun those who did. More often than not the story ends with the person returning to their lives similar to how it was before- except they have this “secret” that they can hold onto as something that makes them “ special” as they continue on in conformity. The whole concept of “having a secret “ is based around shame, guilt and projection. While telling secrets about oneself is cathartic listening to the type secrets that routinely get people “cancelled” knowing that this person is “safe” while multiple others have their lives ruined for doing the same thing has this shallow flavor of ick.

At first episodes were a good listen. After initial binge giving a chick getting played and venting is no good. And giving “benevolent” drug dealers and users also no good. These losers are losers and maybe so is Ben. No stars Ben. Pick better secrets.

I look forward to every episode. Ben does a great job hosting.

Don’t waste your time.

Some episodes are really interesting and funny and some are just too annoying and unbearable to listen to. I also feel like I wasted my money on unlocked because I don’t care too much for the host for the unlocked episodes. I loved the episode “His name was trouble” was such a cute story. But I could care less for the girl in the “escape from gilli t” and “kill bill”.

It was a little difficult listening to Charlee. She literally came across as taking no responsibility for her actions. Her lesson , don’t be too trusting instead of she made bad choices and threw kids in the mix. If there were a saving God he would of protected her from having not 1, not 2 but 3 kids. But I do like your podcast!

There have been great episodes, but it was incredibly disappointing to hear Ben laugh along with a guest who admits to extortion and concocting false allegations for petty revenge. It’s fine to let a guest dig their own grave, but you don’t need to join them in it. You can do (and have done) so much better. Regretfully unsubscribing.

I really enjoy this podcast 90% of the time. Some of the stories don’t connect for me, I prefer the deeper conversations, so I tend to skip the silly ones but it’s a great show.

Mars needs therapy and the revenge model is toxic.

really enjoying the podcast

I don’t even know where to begin with how awful this was. The person telling their story is SO obviously lying and I would be willing to bet has made up the majority, if not all, of the details. It’s extremely transparent that she concocted these strange (and super boring) escapades for whatever reason…to get on the show maybe? This is the type of person who gets off on catfishing. Not only is her story likely total fiction, but she is perpetuating the stereotype of the ignorant, privileged, culturally inept American tourist. It was utterly gross to hear and I can’t believe she was given a platform. This person is an adult? It felt like I was listening to an immature 14-year-old describe what they imagine a backpacking trip is in a desperate attempt to sound like what they think is cool. Even IF true, there was zero value to her story. It was a complete waste of my time and I had to turn it off half way through — it was that bad. This was the first episode I’ve listened to and i think it will also be my last. Yikes.

Some of the stories are wild, some are touching, and many are reflective of the relatable things in life that we keep secret because we think we’re alone - but we aren’t. But has a great voice and plenty of compassion for his guests, giving them a safe place to cleanse their souls.

I love this podcast!! I find it to be one of those podcasts you can listen to while you work. Needless to say I’ve been binging on this every day while working and it’s so good and I’m also getting lots of work done. I wanted to leave a review before I got back to work.

I love this podcast, but one thing really bothers me-the way every guest says the word ‘exactly’: Exa-CTUH-ly. Every single letter, every single syllable MUST be sounded out. It’s like each guest is instructed to pronounce it this way before being in the show. I guess it stands out to me because it’s a word repeated throughout every episode as they tell their story. Great podcast though, just a side note. Weird review, I know.

What a sweetheart!!! He’s so strong! I’m so impressed! Thanks for sharing!

My favorite podcast. I love Ben’s voice, his empathy and the great advice he gives to storytellers. He is sincere and asks really excellent questions so we get the full story. I learn from his suggestions and ideas and he feels and sounds like a great therapist. I’d like to know his background and education. Journalism? POD ON BEN

The concept is good. And the stories are pretty interesting, but in several episodes the cuts have been messed up. Like the editor took a portion of the story and stuck it in a random place. I feel like I’ve missed several chunks of the story and listened to other parts twice. Long chunks. I’m still in earlier episodes so maybe this gets fixed later, but it’s really frustrating. If the editing and quality gets better I will change my review. Don’t hate it enough not to listen the stories are good.

I love this show and wait for it to post weekly. The hosts voice is calming. He makes his guests feel comfortable and allows them to feel all the emotions. It’s like having that one friend you can live vicariously through their ordeals. Great show, Great Secrets, Great Host Give it a listen! You won’t be sorry!

Stereotypical westerner backpacker behavior and story in SEA, really not a secret. Stopped listening after she described poverty in Pai, Thailand as “hippie,” so ignorant and gross. I hope she found what she was looking for in life.

..the host asks so many leading questions! I wish he didn’t try to impose a tidy moral lesson onto every guest.

some stories are nearly impossible to listen to simple because of the sound quality.

I started from earlier stories and now caught up. It is evident that stories are getting worse: “secrets” are lame, creation of fake suspense is laughable, host’s questions are irrelevant pretty much most of the time. At first I was thinking getting Unlocked, but now don’t think it would be worth it as I will most likely stop listening.

There are some good stories and some are frustrating, have no payoff or the guest sets off my b.s. meter so I move on to the next ep. Oddly most stories are from females so it must be the demographic for this pod. Ben reactions can be a little too sensitive and persuasive, leading the guest to play into the victim stance.

Don’t waste your time with Unlocked. It’s just bad and cringeworthy. The episode in which Susie Lark wholeheartedly sympathized with Jude is particularly unpleasant.

Better editing to cut out redundant content could take this podcast to new heights.

This show took some warming up to, but it gets better with every episode- the sound quality, the stories, the interactions between host and guest. Episode 204 “Candy Bar Blackmail” not only is my favorite episode from this show, but one of my favorite podcast episodes of all time. Just the kind of story we need to hear during heavy times like now.

This is my favorite podcast of all. People tell their secrets anonymously so they can let it all out. Fascinating at times, sad at times, terrifying at times, heartwarming at times but always intriguing. The thing that I think makes this podcast so satisfying is Ben’s style. His tone is even, regardless of content, never judging and always honest. He draws pieces out that fit the puzzle. Makes you want him for a friend. POD ON BEN!!!❤️

Love the content, I can pick a story to fit my mood. I love Bens voice, very soothing and he asks great questions, just what I was thinking! Pod on Ben!!

Love this show!!

I really love this podcast. Its great while at work. The stories are very interesting and the questions Ben asks are what Im also asking in my head. My biggest annoyance is the constant Dipsea ads. Im no prude, but promoting a company that produces basically audio-pornography for women on a male hosted podcast gets very old, especially as a gay man.

Jackie Kane was great!

Super interesting concept but this is never a go to show for me, even after following for over a year.

Scripted

Ep 99 in my own skin, love her for sharing. I have severe Crohn’s, that effects my everyday., eat … diarrhea…, no matter med or location. Not even close to her situation and she spoke out! Go girl love your fam for sticking out the worst and would love an update . One of my four children has a severe form of lupus… several conjoined dig noises..)

Wow. Did not expect to be in tears @ 3/4 way through. What Evan was willing to share meant a lot to me personally. What he said about the 1990s was equally true in 1986 when an experience left me feeling it was all my fault because I had been drinking. I’m similar age to Evan & I too think I should be over it. I’m so sorry this happened to you. But know that sharing your story helped this one person- and likely so many others. Thank you. 🙏

This story was incredible. Alice you are so genuine and authentic throughout the entire interview it is truly shocking you went through such a horrific experience. Your emotional moments when your voice broke, you cried and sad tears must have be falling, my heart actually hurt for you. How Brave of you to share your story as you continue to Heal. May all your upcoming present moments of joy and happiness continue to be the exact Rx to soothe your Heart and Mind. I bet you are a spectacular mom, just sayin’ :-)💜

It was suggested to me and so I tried it out. I started from the very first story and so far I’m on 52. I really love how different the content is from other podcasts I’ve listened to and I love the hosts. Both Ben and Dahlia are easy to listen to. Pod on!

Pod on Ben!!

I enjoy hearing these stories and Ben is great host. Some are really drawn out and little disappointing. I know these are stories told by individuals but I wish they would learn how to speak a statement without an inflection at the end of a statement. It’s very distracting.

I stumbled upon this podcast at the end of last week and haven’t stopped listening since! I love the format of the show and Ben is such an AMAZING interviewer. The questions he asks and the empathy he shows to the guests is just next level. Absolutely love the range of topics and different types of secrets discussed. Keep up the good work!

I like this podcast - nice, compassionate interviewer. Very sad that Sasha’s family passively enabled the grifters to steal what was rightfully the mother’s inheritance. The money and property should go to family not some creepy neighbor.

Ben is truly an incredible podcast host.. the stories are wild and so interesting and he does an awesome job validating these peoples feelings. #1 podcast out there!! thank you!!!!!

I love the questions that the host asks the guest in episode 191. I think he is all of us in that the story doesn’t make any sense. He doesn’t put her out on blast, but he does ask the common sense questions that we are asking while we listen. I guess they didn’t have an alternative episode this week. All other stories are great! This story teller is not believable. Mental health issues maybe?? Great podcast overall

You’re bound to hear something new. Somethings you’ll like, somethings you won’t and some will just make you laugh out loud.

Maddening episode! Why did the family not file a police report and find support organizations for elder abuse cases? So frustrating! The interviewee tells the story like it’s soapy gossip. This poor uncle! Totally illegal! Why didn’t they at least look for legal help! Try at least. My gosh so sad.

I have been binging the show from the beginning and I came across ‘Despicable Houseguest’. I cried from laughing so hard. Ben’s laugher encouraged my laughter. 😂 Probably my favorite episode so far.