Why is Ben Kissel no longer hosting ‘Last Podcast on the Left’?
The host of a true crime podcast dedicated to addressing the “dark side of humanity” has been accused of abuse by several women.
According to Rolling Stone, four women have made claims that Ben Kissel, former co-host of “Last Podcast on the Left,” treated them inappropriately. The allegations range from misconduct to physical violence.
Kissel has denied the allegations. He sent the following statement to Rolling Stone:
“Through weeks of intense therapy at an in-patient facility I have realized that I use alcohol as a way to try to cope with childhood trauma. In addition, I tend to gravitate towards relationships with other trauma survivors, which, of course, can make for a toxic combination.”
“I had a long-distance relationship with Taylor (Moon) over the course of about 15 months. We never lived together. Our connection mostly consisted of text messages and phone calls followed by brief in-person visits, all of which were marred by frequent arguments instigated by Taylor which is why I ultimately chose to end the relationship on July 22nd.”
“While the unhealthy nature of our relationship took a toll on my mental wellbeing, I want to make it clear that I have never been physically or verbally abusive with Taylor or any other woman in my life. Thank you all so much for your support during this turbulent time as I focus on and prioritize my mental health. As fans who have listened to me over the years know, I encourage everyone to spread love even in the midst of adversity.”
Who is Ben Kissel?
Kissel is a podcaster and comedian known for co-hosting “Last Podcast on the Left,” a true crime/comedy podcast that centers on real-life horror stories. The podcast was launched in 2011 and has grown exponentially since, with over 1 billion listens and over 17,000 members on Patreon.
In an episode released on Sept. 13, co-hosts Marcus Parks and Henry Zebrowski announced Kissel would be taking an indefinite hiatus from production in order to focus on his mental and physical health. On Oct. 5, they posted on Instagram that Kissel would be leaving the podcast permanently but did not provide the reason for his exit.
What are the allegations against Kissel?
Several women who dated Kissel alleged he was physically and verbally abusive, according to Rolling Stone. A woman who met Kissel in 2017 said she felt “violated” after their interaction, and alleged he made inappropriate comments and kissed her without her consent.
Mackenzie Joy Brennan, a former contributor to “SPUN,” a podcast on the Last Podcast network, told Rolling Stone she had also witnessed Kissel exhibit volatile behavior.
What has ‘Last Podcast on the Left’ said about the abuse allegations?
“Last Podcast on the Left” co-hosts Parks and Zebrowski posted a statement to Instagram that said they were unaware of any “alleged abusive behavior.”
In a separate statement posted to their Instagram story, they asked fans not to participate in any harassment of Kissel’s ex-girlfriend.
Anyone experiencing intimate partner abuse or concerned that someone they know might be in an abusive situation can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline via call, chat or text.
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