S17 Ep1726: Where It Hurts
In this crossover episode with The Story Collider, Karen McCaffrey and Mary Cyn share stories that illustrate the importance of compassion in healthcare. šŸŽ¤Live Story: More than Survival by Karen McCaffrey (Content note: sexual assault, rape) After surviving rape and a traumatic hospital experience afterward, Karen transformed her pain into purpose. Decades later, she directed a sexual assault...
34m Mar 13
34m
S17 Ep1725: Metamorphosis
Michael McFadden and Adrianne Frost share stories about evolving feelings about their bodies over time.Ā  šŸŽ™ļøRadio Story: Growth by Michael McFadden Michael is a child swimming prodigy trapped in a grown manā€™s body who fails a humiliating puberty test, loses his athletic destiny, and ultimately redefines masculinity and self-worth beyond the pool and beyond his penis size. šŸŽ¤Live Story: Smoochi...
39m Mar 10
39m
S17 Ep80: The Best of Coming of Age Stories #2
Byron Bowers and Amy Salloway share experiences from their formative years. A part of The Best of Coming of Age Stories series. šŸŽ¤šŸŽ™ļøšŸ’»Live Story: My Father's Son by Byron Bowers At 10, Byron goes to visit his dad's crack-addicted father near the projects. Four years later, Byron is selling crack, and he breaks down, wondering how he let his life become like his fatherā€™s. šŸŽ¤Live Story: Sister Ac...
47m Mar 05
47m
S17 Ep1724: Private Parts
Ria Spencer, Mindy Myers and Josh Connors share stories about learning to feel at home in your body. šŸŽ¤Live Story: The Only Girl by Ria Spencer Six-year-old Ria is diagnosed with severe cradle cap and must enter an all-male Arkansas barbershop to have her beloved locks shaved. It might have been traumatic, but the men were supportive and encouraging.Ā  šŸŽ™ļøRadio Story: Ample Package by Mindy Mye...
37m Mar 03
37m
S17 Ep508: Family Secrets
A Classic RISK! episode from our early years that first ran in November of 2013, when Kitty Hailey, Christine Lee and Josh Healey share stories of surprising family situations. šŸŽ¤šŸŽ™ļøšŸ’»Live Story: Rollinā€™ With Grandma by Josh Healey Josh's Grandma-in-law gets a pinched nerve and requires medical marijuana. The hilarity ensues of him buying pot for this little old lady and helping her to smoke it....
53m Feb 26
53m
S17 Ep1723: Catastrophe
Emma Yarbrough and Joel Gonzalez share stories about learning and growing from hard times. šŸŽ¤Live Story: Searching for Blue Sky by Emma Yarbrough Emma believes an intruder has broken in her home but itā€™s a false alarm. It triggers memories of her PTSD following the murder of her beloved Aunt Day. Emma cherishes her auntā€™s memory and is stronger for it.Ā  šŸŽ™ļøRadio Story: Keeping Us Safe by Joel ...
44m Feb 24
44m
S17 Ep507: Live from Brown/RISD
A Classic RISK! episode from our early years that first ran in November of 2013, when students from Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design shared true stories at a RISK! live show on campus. šŸŽ¤Live Story: Over the Limit by David Jacobs As a kid, it took David a while to realize he had anger management problems. After a few unfortunate outbursts, a therapist helped him get a hol...
49m Feb 19
49m
S17 Ep1722: Lights Off, Pants Down
David Zellnik tells Kevin Allison about a moment of sexual liberation in a dark back room at a gay bar in the early 90s. Check out all of our Conversation Stories! šŸŽ™ļøConversation Story: Allowed to Look by David Zellnik David has a transformative night at a gay bar in the early 90s, during the ongoing AIDS crisis. It felt risky but it also helped him to feel more visible and confident in his i...
52m Feb 17
52m
S17 Ep79: The Best of Love Stories #4
Reba Sparrow and Smith Galtney share some of our favorite unusual love stories from our 16-year history. šŸŽ™ļøLIVE Story: Pleasant Mountain by Smith Galtney Smith had the perfect husband, house and home... till he returned to the crystal meth habit of his younger years. His husband was able to support Smith in getting to rehab and putting his life back together again. šŸŽ™ļøLIVE Story: Baby Love by...
39m Feb 12
39m
S17 Ep1721: Unrequited
Connor Oā€™Donoghue, JC Cassis and Jay Michel share stories about crushes and rebounds.Ā  šŸŽ™ļøRadio Story: I Was the Appetizer by Connor O'Donoghue A virgin with body shame issues, Connor falls for a straight guy he befriends in a psych hospital. He has a threesome with his crush and a girl, knowing the guy is only into the girl. Decades later, Connor sheds his sexual anxiety.Ā  šŸŽ¤Live Story: Never...
46m Feb 10
46m
S17 Ep504: Live From LA Storytelling Fest
A Classic RISK! episode from our early years when Brian Finkelstein, Carrie Wade and Matt Oberg told true stories at the live RISK! show for the 2013 LA Storytelling Festival. šŸŽ¤Live Story: She and I by Brian Finkelstein (Content note: miscarriage, suicidal ideation) Brianā€™s anxiety around marriage and fatherhood lead to a panic attack at a grocery store just before he learns his wife is pregn...
46m Feb 05
46m
S17 Ep1720: Come and Go
Ezra Holmlund and Sarah Adelman tell stories about things involving coming... and going.Ā  šŸŽ¤Live Story: Things Are Going South by Ezra Holmlund Ezra and his brother are at home when they begin to suspect a stranger has broken into their house upstairs. When the police arrive, the two brothers are mistaken for being the criminals. šŸŽ¤Live Story: The Long And Winding Road (To Semen Analysis) by S...
37m Feb 03
37m
S17 Ep184: The Riverside, Revisited
In memory of Jan Scott-Frazier, we revisit her 2011 story called ā€œThe Riversideā€ and, until now unreleased, her conversation about the story in 2021 with narrative therapist David Newman.Ā  šŸŽ¤Live Story: The Riverside by Jan Scott-Frazier (Content note: suicide) At 22, Jan moved to Japan, but was lonely, as foreigners often feel. She began to notice a woman who visited the same river she did, w...
47m Jan 30
47m
S17 Ep1719: How Can I Tell You?
Stella Mayerhoff and Rebecca Heron tell stories about the unbearable weight of truth. šŸŽ™ļøRadio Story: In Ways I Never Could Have Imagined by Stella Mayerhoff In the Democratic Republic of Congo, out in the field studying bonobos, Stella has to get a local man back home by lying to him, saying his baby is sick, when in fact, his baby has already died. Keywords: Congo field research, bonobos, p...
54m Jan 27
54m
S17 Ep503: Casualties
A Classic RISK! episode from our early years that first ran in October of 2013, when Janine Latus, Scott Whitney and Dan Telfer told stories about brushes with madness that left scars. šŸŽ™ļøRadio Story: Revelations by Scott Whitney (Content note: cults, suicide ideation) A Jehovahā€™s Witness struggling with his faith, Scott knocks on the door of a traumatized recluse to attempt to convert him. Th...
55m Jan 22
55m
S17 Ep1718: Sexploration
Shem, Nonye Brown-West and JC Cassis share stories of sexual discoveries. šŸŽ¤Live Story: Shem's Guide to Sexuality by Shem As a joke, young Shem's frenemy gives him a sexy book, but it's a feminist book and he learns less about eroticism and more about the emotional needs of middle aged American women.Ā  šŸŽ¤Live Anecdote: The Joy of Toes by JC Cassis JC marvels at the outsized role that menā€™s bi...
49m Jan 20
49m
S17 Ep501: Live From Chicago!
A Classic RISK! episode from our early years that first ran in October of 2013, when Stephanie Douglass, Shannon Cason, Lily Be and Jim Padar were at our very first show in that toddlinā€™ town. šŸŽ¤Live Story: You Donā€™t Know Jack? by Stephanie Douglass A high school erupts in laughter over a mysterious name on the morning announcements, sending a well-meaning teacher on a frantic mission to prote...
1hr 11m Jan 15
1hr 11m
S17 Ep1717: Create My Life
Ms. Aishia tells Cyndi Freeman about the time she navigated a complex, emotionally abusive relationship, and ultimately found the strength to prioritize her own happiness and independence. You can also watch this episode on YouTube. Check out all of our Conversation Stories! Conversation Story: Create My Life by Ms. Aishia EDITORā€™S SYNOPSIS: After leaving an abusive relationship, Ms. Aishia ...
1hr Jan 13
1hr
S17 Ep78: The Best of Funny Stuff #7
Thereā€™s nothing but laughs in our Funny Stuff compilations of classic RISK! stories on the lighter side. This week, Kumail Nanjiani and Alecia Altstaetter share about penile injuries and barf boats.Ā  šŸŽ¤Live Story: Pure Fuckmachine by Kumail Nanjiani Kumail learns how to masturbate and is so excited that he zips his pants too quickly afterward and cuts his penis on the zipper. šŸŽ¤Live Story: Tha...
32m Jan 08
32m
S17 Ep1716: Holiday Blues #3
Michael J Bennett and Jessica Piscatelli Robinson tell holiday stories that are new, true and kinda blue.Ā Ā  šŸŽ¤Radio Story: Santa's Revenge by Michael J Bennett Michael is a shopping mall Santa when his worst teacher from High School comes in with his kid. The rule of a store Santa is make no big promises the parents have to fulfill. Michael promises this kid the moon and a pony. šŸŽ¤Radio Story:...
35m Jan 06
35m
S17: In 2026, Jump In On RISK!
Kevin announces RISK!ā€™s goal this year -- helping listeners connect. More social events, more online fun, and Kevinā€™s latest online storytelling workshops. One starts on Jan 14, one on Feb 15. EmailĀ kevin@risk-show.comĀ to jump on in! 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://p...
7m Jan 05
7m
S17 Ep451: How Embarrassing
A Classic RISK! episode from our early years that first ran in September of 2013, when Kevin Allison, Jen Bosworth, Donna Steele and Dare Campbell all shared stories of humiliation. šŸŽ¤Radio Story: Motherā€™s Little Helper by Donna Steele (Content note: poop) Donnaā€™s mother has a strange habit of pooping in public. On this occasion, itā€™s into a McDonaldā€™s coke cup in a mall dressing room. Donna i...
1hr 2m Jan 01
1hr 2m
S17 Ep1715: Hosts with the Mosts
JC Cassis, David Crabb and Cyndi Freeman share stories at RISK! live shows when they were hosting šŸŽ¤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 ā€œNot THAT casual.ā€ šŸŽ¤Live Story: Kitchen Nightmares...
48m Dec 30, 2025
48m
S17 Ep77: Holiday Stories Fan Favorites!
Every holiday season, RISK! fans ask about this small handful of yuletide perennial favorites. Well here they all are, wrapped up in one neat package with a bow. Unwrap and enjoy these stories from Elna Baker, Kevin Allison, Sarah Long Hendershot, and Kate Bohl. šŸŽ¤Live Story: For the Love of Nubbins by Elna Baker Selling expensive, real-looking baby dolls for the holiday season at FAO Schwartz...
1hr 5m Dec 25, 2025
1hr 5m
S17 Ep1714: Holiday Stories #18
Ty Gentile, James Rana, and David Hu share yuletide tales about Christmas carols, Black Santas, and of course, excretory health in our annual winter holidays special for 2025. šŸŽ™ļøRadio Story: A Very Moving Christmas by David Hu Davidā€™s dad has Alzheimerā€™s. David always struggled to understand how to give and receive love from his immigrant father. But when he buys his dad dearly needed laxat...
34m Dec 23, 2025
34m
S17 Ep511: 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.Ā  šŸŽ¤Live Story: Oy to the World by Alex Edelman In the story that eventually became his Broadway show and HBO special ā€œJust For Us,ā€ Alex shares how, in his childhood, his Orthodox Jewish family hosting Christmas to comfort a lonely...
45m Dec 18, 2025
45m
S17 Ep1713: Sex & Supper
Nikki Bailey and Hana Nobel share stories about how messy things can get with food and sex, with guest host, Taj Easton. šŸŽ¤Live Story: That's Not Sexy, Baby by Nikki Bailey For Nikki, her hookupā€™s praise of her body is a boost to her self esteem. But when her digestive system acts up, she must become downright defiant about self-acceptance. keywords: Plus Sized Dating, Self-Acceptance, Queer,...
36m Dec 16, 2025
36m
S17 Ep450: 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. šŸŽ¤Live Story: Servantā€™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...
36m Dec 11, 2025
36m
S17 Ep1712: We Are Family
Jillian Markowitz and David Joseph share stories about the strains and secrets that come all too easily within families. šŸŒˆ Support RISK! & Get Involved ā€¢ šŸŽŸ See RISK! liveā  in NYC March 17 and June 9, 2025 ā€¢ āœļø Pitch your storyā  ā€¢ ā¤ļø Support us on Patreonā  or ā make a one-time PayPal donationā  ā€¢ šŸ“š Shop merch or the RISK! bookā  ā€¢ šŸŽ“ Take storytelling classes with usā ā€¢ šŸŽ„ Hire Kevin as a coac...
49m Dec 09, 2025
49m
S17 Ep186: Making the Chain, Revisited
Christine Gentry revisits her story from 2016 called ā€œMaking the Chainā€ with Kevin Allison. She has many new insights, nine years later. šŸŽ¤Live Story: Making the Chain by Christine Gentry Christineā€™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 lif...
41m Dec 04, 2025
41m
S17 Ep1711: Not in Hiding Anymore
Mira Rivera and Rachelle Anne Warren tell stories about opening up & leaning into insecurities.Ā  šŸŽ¤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...
49m Dec 02, 2025
49m
S17 Ep76: The Best of Gratitude Stories #1
Satori Shakoor and Paul Cibis share stories of thanksgiving. A part of our series called Gratitude Stories. šŸŽ¤Live Story: Thank You by Satori Shakoor Satoriā€™s loss of her mother and son is devastating. Later, she dates a man who gets a kick out of Satori being ā€œtoo much,ā€ and she is grateful to remember to live life over-the-top, and fully alive. keywords: none šŸŽ¤Live Story: My Lifeline by Pa...
33m Nov 27, 2025
33m
S17 Ep1710: The Day I Met ARFID: RISK! Reacts
Kevin hears Danielle Meinertā€™s ā€œThe Day I Met ARFIDā€ story from The Story Collider for the first time and gives you his hot takes. You can also watch this episode on YouTube! This is part of our RISK! Reacts series, where we listen to a story told on another show and give our first reactions. Hereā€™s the Spotify Playlist mentioned in the episode. And here is an article about the playlist from...
30m Nov 25, 2025
30m
S17 Ep449: Live From Austin!
A Classic RISK! episode from our early years that first ran in September of 2013, when RISK! had its first live show in the city that keeps it weird: Austin, Texas. šŸŽ¤Live Story: The Redhead by Paul Normandin Every year that his wife asked, "What do you want for your birthday?" Paul would answer, "A redhead." One year, his wife finally arranged for a hotel rendezvous with a redhead... who led ...
1hr 12m Nov 20, 2025
1hr 12m
S17 Ep1709: Do I Belong Here?
Jen Nails and Sandi Marx share stories about being who you are even, when itā€™s a pain in the ass.Ā  šŸŽ¤Radio Story: Permission to Be Myself by Jen Nails Jen struggles to fit in at her college acting program, which attempts to remove her from the class roster. Finally, her fellow students write to the administration appealing on her behalf and the school changes its mind.Ā  keywords: acting sch...
39m Nov 18, 2025
39m
S17 Ep182: Always A Woman, Revisited
Morgan revisits her story from 2012 called ā€œAlways A Womanā€ with Kevin Allison and considers how much has changed for trans folks in the 13 years since.Ā  šŸŽ™ļøRadio Story: Always A Woman by Morgan A biker and ironworker has a lifelong secret. After a nearly life-ending accident, Morgan finally decides to transition from man to woman. The people in her life are amazed, but they adjust. keywords...
46m Nov 13, 2025
46m
S17 Ep1708: Pretending to Be Human
Inky Montaine tells Taj Easton about how, before he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, he truly felt like he might have come from another planet.Ā  Check out all of our Conversation Stories! šŸŽ™ļøConversation Story: Pretending to Be Human by Inky Montaine Inky spent a lifetime switching masks but felt a certainty of unbelonging. Later in life, an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis didn...
1hr 3m Nov 12, 2025
1hr 3m
S17 Ep1707: A Breath of Fresh Air: RISK! Reacts (feat. Ray Christian)
On this Veteranā€™s Day, guest-host Ray Christian from Whatā€™s Ray Saying? hears Brian Simpsonā€™s ā€œFresh Airā€ story from So Say We All for the first time and gives you his hot takes. You can also watch this episode on YouTube! This is part of our RISK! Reacts series, where we listen to a story told on another show and give our first reactions. šŸŽ™ļø Story: Fresh Air by Brian Simpson (Content no...
24m Nov 11, 2025
24m
S17 Ep447: Boys and Girls
A Classic RISK! episode from our early years that first ran in August of 2013, when DC Pierson, Selena Coppock, Brad Lawrence and Nina Davis shared stories of love and loss. šŸŽ™ļøRadio Story: Let Me Sleep On It by Brad Lawrence In his youth, Brad finds and loses love with a fellow bookstore employee. Later, after marrying someone else, he sees his feelings for his fellow employee were just a cru...
1hr 15m Nov 06, 2025
1hr 15m
S17 Ep1706: The Living Room: RISK! Reacts
Kevin hears Diane Weipertā€™s ā€œThe Living Roomā€ story from Love and Radio for the first time and gives you his instant reactions. You can also watch this episode on YouTube! This is part of our RISK! Reacts series, where we listen to a story told on another show and give our first reactions. šŸŽ™ļø Story: The Living Room by Diane Weipert Through an unobstructed window, Diane observes the lives of ...
42m Nov 04, 2025
42m
S17 Ep75: The Best of Scary Stories, Vol. 1
Three of our favorite scary stories from Halloween specials of our past.Ā  šŸŽ¤Radio Story: The Thing by Thomas McKean When Thomas was a kid, he and a friend saw a shadowy oblong shape following them on a beach. Years later, he feels chained to his bed in the middle of the night when the same figure, then two more hover over him.Ā  keywords: Paranormal encounter, Shadow figure,Beach sighting,Slee...
54m Oct 30, 2025
54m
S17 Ep1705: Scary Stories #17: Bone-chilling!
Our 17th annual Halloween special with scary true stories about ghosts, corpses and mortal danger.Ā  šŸŽ¤Radio Story: Do You Know My Name? by Robert Oakes Robert leads ghost tours, but unlike his father, heā€™s unsure heā€™s a believer. After his father dies, Robertā€™s tour of a haunted house is visited by paranormal investigators, who have him ask a question to the spirits there which reveal a family...
1hr 22m Oct 28, 2025
1hr 22m
S17 Ep445: Edge Play
A Classic RISK! episode from our early years that first ran in August of 2013, when Mather Zickel, Jen Curran, Joel Kim Booster and Julie Threlkeld told stories of times they crossed over the edge. šŸŽ¤Live Story: Waiting for the Man by Joel Kim Booster Joel would love to find a kinky Dom to write "Bitch" around his asshole. One night, he plays with a Dom who is a huge disappointment. keywords:...
1hr Oct 23, 2025
1hr
S17 Ep1704: Hannah Sussman and Swapna Deshpande tell stories about coming to terms with mortality.Ā 
Hannah Sussman and Swapna Deshpande tell stories about coming to terms with mortality.Ā  šŸŽ¤Anecdote: Another Conversation with my Dead Mother by Hannah Sussman Hannah reflects on her relationship with her deceased motherā€”waking from a dream, looking in the mirror and eventually coming to peace with her own aging.Ā  keywords: mother daughter relationships, aging, grief šŸŽ¤Live Story: Each Other's...
37m Oct 21, 2025
37m
S17 Ep444: Live From Norfolk 2
A Classic RISK! episode from our early years that first ran in August of 2013, when Brad McMurran, Alicia Camden, and Sean Devereux told stories at the Norfolk Comedy Festival. šŸŽ¤Live Story: The Color Purple by Brad McMurran šŸŽ¤Live Story: Robbie Robbie by Alicia Camden šŸŽ¤Live Story: Train du Matin by Sean Devereux Sean dates a girl who he only sees when they are both drunk. When he decides to ...
56m Oct 16, 2025
56m
S17 Ep1703: The Lies That Bind
DESCRIPTION: Mishelle tells Taj her story of a lifetime lived with an abusive mother in an environment of relentless lies, instability and unspeakable violence.Ā  Check out all of our Conversation Stories! šŸŽ™ļøConversation Story: The Lies that Bind by Mishelle Roberts SYNOPSIS: (CONTENT NOTE: child abuse, child murder) Mishelle tells Taj about growing up in the shadow of hospitals, horrific me...
1hr 40m Oct 14, 2025
1hr 40m
Get Undomesticated
Candiace Dillard Bassett (Bravoā€™s Real Housewives of Potomac) and Michael Arceneaux (New York Times best-selling author and culture critic) have thoughtsā€¦and on Undomesticated, theyā€™re sharing all of them. Think of it like the group chat you wish you were in - brutally honest, funny, smart, and gloriously unfiltered.Ā  From viral TikTok drama to the celebrity news everyoneā€™s talking about (and ...
4m Oct 13, 2025
4m
S17 Ep443: Live From Norfolk 1
A Classic RISK! episode from our early years that first ran in 2013, when the RISK! live show came to Norfolk, Virginia.Ā Ā  šŸŽ¤Live Story: The Squatter by Billy Raim Billy is afraid to poop in public until he decides to let go of of that fear, as it was ruining a trip with friends to China, with disastrous consequences. keywords: Poop, Fear, China, Culture Shock šŸŽ¤Live Story: Sisterā€™s Keeper by...
46m Oct 09, 2025
46m
S17 Ep1702: Believe Her
Andrea Dunlop tells Kevin from the RISK! podcast her story ā€œBelieve Her,ā€ about the time her sister was prosecuted for Munchausen by Proxy child abuse and how this set her off on a long path towards advocacy, outreach and the pursuit of justice. Years later, her podcast and vigilante journalism led her to uncover irrefutable evidence of an unprosecuted, hideous crime, as well as towards healing...
1hr 20m Oct 08, 2025
1hr 20m
S17 Ep1701: Sweet Sixteen
On the 16th anniversary of the podcast, Jill Karliner and Kevin Allison share stories from their own sixteeny days.Ā  šŸŽ™ļøRadio Story: Save a Prayer for Jill by Jill Karliner When she was sixteen, Jill went to a Duran Duran concert in an attempt to fit in with her friend group and got so inside her own head about not enjoying it, she panicked.Ā  keywords: concert, classical, duran duran, rick sp...
1hr 17m Oct 06, 2025
1hr 17m