

RISK!
RISK!
If you like The Moth, This American Life or Snap Judgment, take a walk on the wilder side with RISK! Your colorful host Kevin Allison (of the legendary comedy group The State) helms this surprisingly uncensored show where people tell jaw-dropping true stories they never thought they'd dare to share in public. RISK! is hilarious, heart-wrenching and remarkably real. Think you've heard it all? Fasten your seatbelt.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 1, 2026 • 1h 3min
How Embarrassing
In this engaging conversation, storyteller Donna Steele shares a jaw-dropping tale about her mother’s unintentional public bowel incident that redefined her respect for her. Dare Campbell offers a humorous insight into the unexpected pitfalls of a BDSM date when forgotten medication leads to an awkward situation. Jen Bosworth delivers a gripping story of survival after being robbed and nearly sold into sex trafficking while volunteering in Paraguay, showcasing her quick thinking to escape. Their stories intertwine humor, embarrassment, and resilience.

Dec 30, 2025 • 51min
Hosts with the Mosts
JC Cassis, David Crabb and Cyndi Freeman share stories at RISK! live shows when they were hosting
🎤Live Story: Not That Casual by JC Cassis
As a young woman, JC is excited to go to a wild NYE party. A hot guy dances with her as if he's a middle school boy. She says he can be more casual. He takes out his dick and grinds on her. She tells him “Not THAT casual.”
🎤Live Story: Kitchen Nightmares! by David Crabb
After moving to LA, David invites new friends to try one of the few restaurants in his neighborhood open late, only to discover they’ve wandered into a real-life Kitchen Nightmares episode, the most chaotic restaurant ever.
🎤Livestream Story: Tipping Points by Cyndi Freeman
Cyndi's new boyfriend seems to be a dream boat. Jealous over her getting a big tip at her new bar job, his misogyny shows. Cyndi decides to dump him, whereas in the past, she had stayed too long with toxic people.
🌈 Support RISK! & Get Involved
• 🎟 See RISK! live on March 17, 2026 in NYC
• ✍️ Pitch your story
• ❤️ Support us on Patreon or make a one-time PayPal donation
• 📚 Shop merch or the RISK! book
• 🎓 Take storytelling classes with us• 🎥 Hire Kevin as a coach or get personalized videos To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 25, 2025 • 1h 8min
Holiday Stories Fan Favorites!
Elna Baker, a candid storyteller and comedian, shares a touching tale of adopting a misfit doll from FAO Schwarz, reflecting on unexpected losses. Musician Sarah Long Hendershot recounts a life-changing moment when a mysterious box of cash arrives during a tough winter, showcasing the power of community. Bartender Kate Bohl reveals her magical blizzard encounter with a stranded woman, where a slow dance to Billie Holiday creates a timeless connection, encapsulating the beauty of spontaneous moments. Each story intertwines humor, hope, and the spirit of the season.

Dec 23, 2025 • 37min
Holiday Stories #18
Ty Gentile, James Rana, and David Hu share yuletide tales about Christmas carols, unorthodox Santas, and of course, excretory health in our annual winter holidays special for 2025.
🎙️Radio Story: A Very Moving Christmas by David Hu
David’s dad has Alzheimer’s. David always struggled to understand how to give and receive love from his immigrant father. But when he buys his dad dearly needed laxatives for Xmas, it’s a touching moment of bonding.
🎙️Radio Story: The Widow’s Song by Ty Gentile
Struggling with homesickness, Ty gets a gig working as a Christmas elf in costume. He is surprised to find himself crying when an old widow breaks the tension in the crowd by breaking into song singing a Christmas carol.
🎙️Radio Story: Alternative Santa by James Rana
James gets a gig as a Santa and, in spite of being dark-skinned with a Muslim surname, he takes it and likes it. Then he’s asked to do a party for Kellyanne Conway (of the Trump administration) and is conflicted.
🌈 Support RISK! & Get Involved
🎟 See RISK! live in NYC on March 17, 2026
✍️ Pitch your story
❤️ Support us on Patreon or make a one-time PayPal donation
📚 Shop merch or the RISK! book
🎓 Take storytelling classes with us🎥 Hire Kevin as a coach or get personalized videos To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 18, 2025 • 49min
Holiday Stories #4
A Classic RISK! episode from our early years that first ran in December of 2013, when Alex Edelman, Jude Treder-Wolff and Danielle Kramer all shared Yuletide tales.
🎤Live Story: Oy to the World by Alex Edelman
In the story that eventually became his Broadway show and HBO special “Just For Us,” Alex shares how, in his childhood, his Orthodox Jewish family hosting Christmas to comfort a lonely friend led to life lessons.
🎤Radio Story: Winter Storm by Jude Treder-Wolff
Driving home for Christmas in a massive blizzard, Jude and her sister get into a huge fight in the car. Jude is going to reveal to the family that she’s leaving the country for a while and everyone is upset about it.
🎤Live Story: To Kids from 1 to 92 by Danielle Kramer
A rebellious teen, Danielle despises Christmas, but after moving away and experiencing the loss of her grandfather and father, she comes to cherish family traditions, realizing the love her parents put into the holidays.
🌈 Support RISK! & Get Involved
• 🎟 See RISK! live in NYC on March 17, 2026
• ✍️ Pitch your story
• ❤️ Support us on Patreon or make a one-time PayPal donation
• 📚 Shop merch or the RISK! book• 🎓 Take storytelling classes with us To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 16, 2025 • 38min
Sex & Supper
Nikki Bailey, a talented writer and comedian, shares an awkward yet humorous tale about self-acceptance and the pitfalls of a hookup gone wrong, complete with an unforgettable digestive mishap. Meanwhile, Hana Nobel, a poignant storyteller, recounts her attempt to spark intimacy after grief through messy food-play, only to end up with an unexpected rash. Their candid discussions about body positivity, vulnerability, and the chaotic intersection of food and sex will leave you both laughing and introspective.

Dec 11, 2025 • 39min
Desire
A Classic RISK! episode from our early years that first ran in September of 2013, when Amanda Egge and Nayland Blake shared stories about reconciling their own desires with the desires of others.
🎤Live Story: Servant’s Wages by Amanda Egge
Although she has little interest in the kink aspect of it, Amanda becomes intrigued that a BDSM "slave" would keep her total mess of an apartment clean for free. She quickly learns that her "slave" requires a lot of care.
keywords: erotic cleaning, fetish foot kiss, MySpace submissive, clean-for-free, dominant-submissive relationship, clutter addiction, prostitution metaphor, Craigslist slave, sobriety story
🎤Radio Story: Absorption by Nayland Blake
Nayland wants to attend the infamous Black Party, NYC’s premier leather event, but he doesn’t have a leather uniform. Instead, he goes in a sanitation worker’s uniform. But when he finds himself in a group sex situation there, he finally feels he fits right in.
keywords: Black Party NYC, queer leather community, uniform fetish, gay festival story, erotic confession, communal sex, nightclub kink, leather subculture, orgiastic dance
🌈 Support RISK! & Get Involved
• 🎟 See RISK! live!
• ✍️ Pitch your story
• ❤️ Support us on Patreon or make a one-time PayPal donation
• 📚 Shop merch or the RISK! book
• 🎓 Take storytelling classes with us• 🎥 Hire Kevin as a coach or get personalized videos To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 9, 2025 • 51min
We Are Family
Jillian Markowitz and David Joseph share stories about the secrets that haunt families.
🎤Live Story: Uncomfortably Close by Jillian Markowitz
Jillian’s relationship with her sister is tumultuous. There are childhood memories of playing with Barbies and a horrible clash over a burn accident. During her sister’s wedding, things get volatile, until they find a way to make up yet again.
keywords: sisters rivalry, toxic siblings, bachelorette trip gone wrong, childhood incident fallout, family conflict, emotional volatility, dangerous sibling dynamics, strained sisterhood, complex family ties, reconciliation tension
🎙️Radio Story: Queer Fears by David Joseph
As a creative, odd Black kid growing up in Queens, David frustrates his strict and macho father. When David is 15, his father takes him to meet his legendary Uncle Ron, a bachelor seen as the epitome of Black masculinity. David comes to realize his uncle lived behind a mask and died of AIDS.
keywords: black family dynamics, queer childhood, father-son tension, AIDS epidemic legacy, masculinity expectations, secret double life, Staten Island journey, uncle nephew story, coming-of-age confrontation, hidden illness
🌈 Support RISK! & Get Involved
• 🎟 See RISK! live in NYC March 17 and June 9, 2025
• ✍️ Pitch your story
• ❤️ Support us on Patreon or make a one-time PayPal donation
• 📚 Shop merch or the RISK! book
• 🎓 Take storytelling classes with us• 🎥 Hire Kevin as a coach or get personalized videos To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 4, 2025 • 44min
Making the Chain, Revisited
Christine Gentry revisits her story from 2016 called “Making the Chain” with Kevin Allison. She has many new insights, nine years later.
🎤Live Story: Making the Chain by Christine Gentry
Christine’s friend needs a kidney donor or she will die. Christine is not a match for her friend, but she is able to join a chain of people donating, created by Be The Match. The experience transforms her life.
keywords: Be The Match, dialysis, donation, donation chain, kidney, nephrology
🌈 Support RISK! & Get Involved
• 🎟 See RISK! live in NYC on Tuesday, March 17, 2026
• ✍️ Pitch your story
• ❤️ Support us on Patreon or make a one-time PayPal donation
• 📚 Shop merch or the RISK! book
• 🎓 Take storytelling classes with us
• 🎥 Hire Kevin as a coach or get personalized videos To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 2, 2025 • 51min
Not in Hiding Anymore
Mira Rivera and Rachelle Anne Warren tell stories about opening up & leaning into insecurities.
🎤Workshop Story: Sexual Healing by Mira Rivera
After her partner breaks up with her, Mira's confidence plummets. She goes on a series of dates in public with a hot guy who seems uninterested.One day, they have a date in private with weed and Mira discovers a whole new level of sexual and emotional chemistry.
keywords: bad dates, sexual chemistry, weed, sexual breakthrough, rebound
🎤Radio Story: Stranded by Rachel Anne Warren
Rachel spent years hiding her hair loss. When she finally stops running and faces what she’s been avoiding, she discovers the craft of wigmaking helps her rebuild her confidence and her sense of purpose.
keywords: hair loss, alopecia, wigmaker, wig, body image, alcoholism
🌈 Support RISK! & Get Involved
• 🎟 See RISK! live in NYC on December 11th and March 17th
• ✍️ Pitch your story
• ❤️ Support us on Patreon or make a one-time PayPal donation
• 📚 Shop merch or the RISK! book
• 🎓 Take storytelling classes with us
• 🎥 Hire Kevin as a coach or get personalized videos To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices


