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RISK!

RISK!
Mental Health
Storytelling
Family Dynamics
Friendship
Identity
Christmas
Personal Growth
Grief
Trauma
New York City
Motherhood
Love
Los Angeles
Resilience
Child Abuse
Covid-19
Family Relationships
Comedy
Risk!
Relationships

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? Faste... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes1221Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyPerforming ArtsArts

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Artwork for RISK!

Latest Episodes

Kenice Mobley grew up on a 1999 movie fantasy of the woman who travels the world, says yes to everything, and never flinches. As an adult she follows that ideal into a Paris sex club, a single shared baguette, and a straight-faced argument about whet... more

From April 2014, five people finding a way out.

Sean Crespo signs up for a sleep deprivation study to escape the worst summer job in Boston, then spends ten days plotting one act of privacy. Kate Greathead, dumped and displaced, discovers she can cr... more

Two people confront what it means to stay bound to someone who keeps letting them down.

Tuesday Thomas, a trans woman in LA with a lifelong pull toward unavailable men, meets a charming match on a dating app. The chemistry is undeniable, right up un... more

Marilyn Gilchrist is a professional dog trainer, and "Who Am I Now" is her conversation with Michael Shikashio, lifted from his podcast The Bitey End of the Dog. Kevin Allison sets it up and returns at the end with his own thoughts. This is a compani... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Marilyn Gilchrist
Dog trainer and canine trailing professional, who shares her recovery after a severe dog bite
The Canine School of Trailing
Episode: Still Dog People: Who Am I Now
Jill Karliner
Storyteller; author of the first story in this episode
Episode: Still Dog People: Two Truths
Mollena Williams
Storyteller featured on the Risk Live show in New York City
Self-described storyteller, performer
Episode: Mixed Feelings
Vicki Tollemache
Storyteller featured on the Dallas show
Dallas Comedy House (appearance)
Episode: Mixed Feelings
Mary Gossett
Storyteller, Best of Disability Stories participant
None stated
Episode: The Best of Disability Stories
Robin Gelfenbien
Longtime friend of the show; storyteller in this episode
Independent artist/Storyteller
Episode: Out of My Hands
Lesley Jones
Storyteller, recounting experiences with disturbing sexual content and a workplace dynamic
Independent storyteller
Episode: Live From San Diego!
Joy Keller
Writer and editor, Tantra Theater in San Diego
Tantra Theater/ renegadejoy.com
Episode: Live From San Diego!
Justin Hudnall
Storyteller, sharing a personal journey
Independent storyteller
Episode: Live From San Diego!

Host

Kevin Allison
Host of the show who anchors and guides live storytelling nights and introduces segments and guests; frequently centers the narrative frame and host's perspective.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 8.1k ratings
  • Risk! is important

    We cannot lose Risk, please support it on Patreon as I have and will continue to. The bravery and candor with which people share their stories - sometimes funny, sometimes gross, sometimes heart-breaking, often moving - can truly alter lives. Offering up experiences listeners might never even heave dreamt of having not only leads to a level of familiarity and openness with a given sensitive subject, it can also make other experiences listening feel less alone.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nick. C
    United Statesa month ago
  • Enough Already

    I just listened “ into the moving dark” I have wanted to become a patron but due to multiple surgeries and expensive medical issues I just didn’t feel I had the funds. I donate to several community support organizations. After hearing this story, I decided that nothing‘s going to change in this world unless we stand up and share our stories so that people can be exposed to alternative ways of thinking that might be more healthy for us all.. I am transsexual, I identify as male, and I feel deep s... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brokenboxer
    United States2 months ago
  • Wonderful Storytelling

    Intriguing-Accepting-Welcoming-Eye Opening-Surprising-Heartwarming. A glimpse into the human experience from many perspectives.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maybe.Sparrow
    United States3 months ago
  • Damn Good

    Been soaking this up for years now and recently way back into it. I’d say better than therapy, but therapy’s pretty damn good, too... Glad I took a Risk!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    postconsumer
    United States3 months ago
  • Expands my perspective

    I have been listening to Risk for a long time and appreciate the authenticity, intimacy, vulnerability, and breadth of stories shared from a multitude of perspectives. This podcast is so valuable and has greatly expanded my understanding of different people’s experiences. My favorite episodes are the uninterrupted stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Boggle Queen
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise vulnerable, high-stakes narratives and strong storytelling craft.
RISK! delivers authentic, intimate storytelling that broadens perspectives.
The host's energy and live-show feel are frequently highlighted, though some critique promotional pacing.
Guests and stories are described as provocative, moving, and highly engaging.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Quid Pro Quo, Revisited
Q: What motivated you to tell this story on stage after so many years?
The process of making the documentary helped lift the shame, and sharing the story on stage allowed Ed to transform personal pain into a broader platform for healing and accountability.
Create My Life
Q: What do you think he might have been getting out of this?
It seems he was using emotional manipulation to gain control and consistent emotional support without considering the needs of another person.
Create My Life
Q: What was the plan when he wants to travel to Thailand with you?
His plan seemed to revolve around future aspirations without a concrete plan, as he was often in a state of being 'one handshake away' from success.
My Secret Career: RISK! Reacts
Q: Do you think people can recover from making major life mistakes?
Absolutely; coming clean can provide a fresh start and mend broken relationships.
My Secret Career: RISK! Reacts
Q: What did your parents think when you told them the truth?
They were disappointed, especially my dad, which broke my heart.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About RISK!

What is RISK! about and what kind of topics does it cover?

RISK! curates unapologetically uncensored true-life stories told on stage by a rotating lineup of guest storytellers, ranging from comedians and actors to journalists and memoirists. Episodes blend intimate confessions with humor, trauma, resilience, and social commentary, often interspersed with live-show promos and audience engagement. A standout is the breadth of topics—from addiction and family trauma to identity and taboo experiences—delivered through vivid, personal narration that aims to both entertain and illuminate. The show's distinctive edge comes from its live, unfiltered format and a host who anchors diverse voices while highlighting vulnerability as a storytelling strength.

Where can I find podcast stats for RISK!?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for RISK!. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to RISK! and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does RISK! get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for RISK!, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for RISK!?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for RISK!, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does RISK! have?

To see how many followers or subscribers RISK! has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to RISK!?

These podcasts share a similar audience with RISK!:

1. Snap Judgment
2. The Moth
3. The Secret Room | True Stories
4. What's Ray Saying?
5. This American Life

How many episodes of RISK! are there?

RISK! launched 17 years ago and published 1221 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact RISK!?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for RISK!?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for RISK! from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for RISK!?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of RISK!. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on RISK!?

Recent guests on RISK! include:

1. Marilyn Gilchrist
2. Jill Karliner
3. Mollena Williams
4. Vicki Tollemache
5. Mary Gossett
6. Robin Gelfenbien
7. Lesley Jones
8. Joy Keller

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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