
Risky or Not is a short podcast from Professor Ben Chapman from North Carolina State University, and Dr. Don Schaffner from Rutgers University. Dr. Don and Professor Chapman promise to do their best not to waffle, dither, dissemble or equivocate, and to give straight up answers about whether something is risky or not.
| Publishes | Daily | Episodes | 935 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Life SciencesScienceHealth & Fitness | |||

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of keeping candy in the bathroom.
Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
• hockey - Risky or Not?
• Carolina Hurricanes star Seth Jarvis' wild bathroom candy habits are getting so... more
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of licking someone else's ear wax off your finger
Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
• The Traitors - Wikipedia
• TaskMaster.Info - Taskmaster Australia, Season 4, Episode 2: W... more
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from racing a bike through belgian toothpaste (i.e., mud).
Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
• Video | Facebook
• Belgian toothpaste anyone? | Cyclingnews Forum
• Belgian t... more
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from leaving frozen berries out of refrigeration for 2 hours, refreezing and reusing later in a smoothie.
Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
• Microbiological Surveillance Samp... more
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I love this podcast. They answer food safety questions about whether something is risky or not. Some serious, some absurd like brewing tea in nacho cheese instead of water. That was a funny one and it was my idea. The hosts are awesome. And now they are doing a Simpsons arc which is my dream come true. Will they include the Simpsons waffle suggestions I suggested because I know how much they love waffle episodes? Only time will tell.
Previous to listening to Risky or Not? I knew most of the safe food handling rules I needed to know, which is great, but you often run into edge cases that don’t fit neatly under any of the rules. Since listening to the podcast, and gaining an understanding of the ‘why’ behind them, I can make informed decisions when faced with novel food safety questions, with an actual understanding of the specific risks involved in any particular food decision.
Just started listening to this show (Jul 2024). Really enjoying it. Love that it's a short podcast. Just have one recommendation that I have to imagine someone else has made: renaming the show "Risky or bisky?"
If it's not risky, than it's like a biscuit. Chow down!🤓
I love this show. I have learned so much and laughed along the way!
Love this show! The episodes are short but packed with lots of information. Don and Ben are great to listen to and make me laugh while I learn about the risks of eating food. But I obviously have to say that “the risks of not eating outweigh the risks of eating!” I’ve even submitted questions in a few times and received responses every time and have had my questions featured twice now. I only wish the episodes came out more frequently but the frequency is probably actually perfect to keep me int... more
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #33 | |
Apple Podcasts | #69 | |
Apple Podcasts | #127 | |
Apple Podcasts | #42 | |
Apple Podcasts | #109 | |
Apple Podcasts | #110 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Short, data-driven discussions about everyday food safety risks delivered in bite-sized episodes. Hosts Ben Chapman and Don Schaffner tackle questions ranging from kitchen practices to surprising food scenarios, weighing microbial risk, packaging, and handling with references to studies and real-world context. The format blends concise analysis, practical guidance, and light humor, making complex safety concepts accessible for curious listeners who want quick, evidence-based answers.
A standout trait is the hosts' commitment to clear risk judgments without over-dramatizing outcomes, plus frequent links to research and practical takeaways for both consumers and professionals. The show likely appeals to science-minded, health- and food-consc... more
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Risky or Not? launched 6 years ago and published 935 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Risky or Not? include:
1. Dr. Ellen Schumaker
2. Rachel Jackson
3. Pastor Pinkston
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