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Artwork for RISK!

RISK!

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

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 weeklyEpisodes1235Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsArtsComedy

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Artwork for RISK!

Latest Episodes

Three stories about laughing at exactly the wrong moment, and finding out it was the right one all along. Three ways of getting through it sideways.

Be Part of RISK!

🎟 See RISK! live⁠ in NYC - Tuesday, December 8, 2026

✍️ Pitch your story⁠

❤️ Su... more

Three wildly different stories from a night RISK! recorded live in Boston back in May of 2014, pulled from the archive and dropped back into the feed.

(Content note: attempted suicide)

Josh Poirier grew up as the kid every bully found, singled out ... more

At twenty-four, Allen Fetters is blindsided by the worst gallstone attack of his life. Too stubborn to call 911 or even a friend, he decides to drive himself to the ER, floors it down an empty road of green lights, on a collision course with a man on... more

Back from November 2021, this episode is just bonkers: original songs, sound collages, audio easter eggs, and other inanities stacked one on top of another.

We’ve got stamps.com jingles, a goth lament about needing a public toilet, TS Madison holler... 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.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Snap Judgment
Snap JudgmentSnap Judgment and PRX
The Moth
The MothThe Moth
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
Spooked
SpookedKQED and Snap Studios
Radiolab
RadiolabWNYC Studios

Recent Guests

Will Luera
Storyteller, regular on Risk!
Risk!
Episode: Live from Boston!
Josh Poirier
Storyteller, Boston-based performer
Risk!
Episode: Live from Boston!
Lillian DeVane
Storyteller, frequent Risk! performer
Risk! storyteller
Episode: Live from Boston!
Alec Gross
Contributor doing a Risk-themed music/interstitial segment
Episode: The Best of RISK! Inanity
Tom Brady
Guest voices referenced in the archival collage; cameo-style participation
Episode: The Best of RISK! Inanity
Clay Davis
Character from The Wire referenced in the episode
Episode: The Best of RISK! Inanity
Susan Kent
Storyteller recounting a Georgia childhood, interracial friendship, and prom memory
Individual
Episode: The Best of School Stories #2
Tara Clancy
Writer and storyteller sharing her NYC working-class upbringing and college journey
Self/Author
Episode: The Best of School Stories #2
Stacy Keene
Storyteller, Samaritan
RISK!
Episode: Live From Pittsburgh!

Host

Kevin Allison
Host of Risk! and guiding narrator across episodes; central figure in shaping storytelling arc.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 8.1k ratings
  • Consistently amazing

    I look forward to new/recycled episodes every week.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    futurexgirlfriend
    United States2 months ago
  • My go to podcast

    I’ve listened for years now and when ever an episode pops up , I always listen to it above all. Funny, moving, risky, great music and I love the one on one interviews Kevin has with guests when they tell a story.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lolpjngfsruvbdsstubdhb
    Australia2 months ago
  • 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 States3 months 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 States3 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 States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critique notes on pacing or perceived bias in hosting or topic selection.
Many applaud the host's facilitation and the range of topics from taboo to tender.
Listeners praise fearless storytelling and emotional honesty across episodes.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Non-Ethical Non-Monogamy
Q: Why did you feel the need to explore non-monogamy despite an open-relationship agreement?
The guest explains that emotional needs and life pressures in Milan, including loneliness and dissatisfaction with London, pushed him toward seeking excitement and connection outside the agreed boundaries, which he later realized was a breach of trust and communication.
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.

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?

This show centers on raw, true-life storytelling that ranges from provocative and boundary-pushing to intimate and transformative. Episodes often weave humor with vulnerability as narrators reveal personal histories about sexuality, relationships, family, trauma, and identity, all guided by a charismatic host known for shaping the arc of each tale. A hallmark is uncensored, live-format storytelling that balances shocking moments with empathetic closure, offering both entertainment and insightful reflections on human experience. Noteworthy is the show's consistent blend of fearless storytelling, workshop-like how-to context, and ongoing audience engagement through memberships and live events, which helps attract guests who are willing to pus... more

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?

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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. This American Life
4. Spooked
5. Radiolab

How many episodes of RISK! are there?

RISK! launched 17 years ago and published 1235 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. Will Luera
2. Josh Poirier
3. Lillian DeVane
4. Alec Gross
5. Tom Brady
6. Clay Davis
7. Susan Kent
8. Tara Clancy

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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