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Artwork for RISK!

RISK!

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

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 weeklyEpisodes1205Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyArtsPerforming Arts

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Artwork for RISK!

Latest Episodes

In San Francisco, 2014, four great storytellers took the RISK! stage at SF Sketch Fest:

Stephen Tobolowsky was directing the New York premiere of The Miss Firecracker Contest with Holly Hunter in the lead and a stalker with a ticket for opening nigh... more

Two stories from people who found themselves in situations they didn't choose and had to figure out what to do from inside them. Guest-hosted by the captivating Cyndi Freeman.

(Content note: references to torture)

Sofia Javed is a Pakistani-America... more

One chilly Seattle night in February 2014, four storytellers on the RISK! stage said some things they probably wouldn’t have otherwise said out loud.

Dan Savage told the story of his early days writing Savage Love in Seattle, doing drag to hide his ... more

It's summer 2014, and Bailey Swilley has a boyfriend she's been trying to leave for months and a father who is about to make that the least of her problems. When her dad goes into cardiac arrest, the family descends on his hospital room in Memphis, a... 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.

The Moth
The MothThe Moth
Snap Judgment
Snap JudgmentSnap Judgment and PRX
Heavyweight
HeavyweightPushkin Industries
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life

Recent Guests

Stephen Tobolowsky
Character actor, writer; known for Groundhog Day, Memento; has his own podcast The Tobolowsky Files
Actor, Writer
Episode: Live From San Fran 2014
Dana Gould
Producer/writer/comedian; has worked on The Simpsons, Seinfeld; notable stand-up
Writer, Comedian
Episode: Live From San Fran 2014
Nato Green
Comedian; host of The Nato Sessions; active in San Francisco comedy scene
Comedian
Episode: Live From San Fran 2014
Brendon Walsh
Comedian; known for The Bone Zone; appearances on Kimmel and Conan
Comedian
Episode: Live From San Fran 2014
Sofia Javed
Storyteller, former translator/interpreter at Guantanamo Bay
Risk! storyteller
Episode: Captives
Heather Minter
Storyteller, survivor sharing her experience of domestic violence and escaping an abusive relationship
Risk! storyteller
Episode: Captives
Summer Waldron
Local storyteller featured on stage
Episode: Live From Seattle!
Kelleen Conway Blanchard
Writer and storyteller
Episode: Live From Seattle!
Dan Savage
Sex advice columnist and public figure
Savage Love
Episode: Live From Seattle!

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 8k ratings
  • Wonderful Storytelling

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maybe.Sparrow
    United Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 States2 months ago
  • Risk!

    I love Risk! Beautifully told stories about pretty much any topic. Eye opening and heart felt

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Annie Conti
    United States2 months ago
  • The best!

    Obsessed with Risk! I’ve been listening for well over a decade. Always engaging and entertaining and thought provoking. Love Kevin like family. So thankful for everyone who makes Risk happen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kit Kat !D
    United States2 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.

Apple Podcasts
#11
United States/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts
#82
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#11
Canada/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts
#13
United Kingdom/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts
#61
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#106
United Kingdom/Arts

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. The Moth
2. Snap Judgment
3. Heavyweight
4. What Was That Like - True Stories. Real People.
5. This American Life

How many episodes of RISK! are there?

RISK! launched 17 years ago and published 1205 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. Stephen Tobolowsky
2. Dana Gould
3. Nato Green
4. Brendon Walsh
5. Sofia Javed
6. Heather Minter
7. Summer Waldron
8. Kelleen Conway Blanchard

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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