A Classic RISK! episode from our early years that first ran in July of 2013, when Trevor Noah and Robin Gelfenbien shared about scars they've healed from.
🎤Live Story: Vargas by Robin Gelfenbien
In college, Robin is bullied by a whole pack of frat brothers who call her "Vargas," after a character in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. In the end, she gets to confront the leader of the group about it.
CURRENT keywords: bullying, frat life, hazing, sexism
🎤Live Story: The Best Looking Person in the Family by Trevor Noah
Growing up in South Africa during Apartheid, Trevor watched his mother deal not only with the prejudice they were facing, but with an abusive boyfriend who shot her in the head.
CURRENT keywords: Best Of Risk, celebrity storyteller, South Africa, apartheid, prejudice, abuse, violence
🌈 Support RISK! & Get Involved
• 🎟 See RISK! live in NY: September 25th and December 11th
• ✍️ Pitch your story
• ❤️ Support us on Patreon or make a one-time PayPal donation
• 📚 Shop merch or the RISK! book
• 🎓 Take storytelling classes with us
• 🎥 Hire Kevin as a coach or get personalized videos
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://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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42:53
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42:53
My Secret Career: RISK! Reacts
Kevin hears C. J. Guy’s “My Secret Career” story from The Secret Room 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.
🎙️ Story: My Secret Career by C.J. Guy
CJ reveals his secret career path that started with dropping out of law school without informing his family and becoming a flight attendant. He maintained the lie for eight months until his sister discovered the secret.
keywords: flight attendant, law school, german, hogans heroes, lie, secret
🌈 Support RISK! & Get Involved
• 🎟 See RISK! live in NYC (December 11th, 2025)
• ✍️ Pitch your story
• ❤️ Support us on Patreon or make a one-time PayPal donation
• 📚 Shop merch or the RISK! book
• 🎓 Take storytelling classes with us
• 🎥 Hire Kevin as a coach or get personalized videos
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://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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36:49
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36:49
Young Rebels
A Classic RISK! episode from our early years that first ran in June of 2013, when Ethan Ullman, Katy Frame, Ben Lerman and Rob Lathan share stories about youthful indiscretions.
🎤Live Story: The Amazing Adventures of Ethan and the Lunch Monkey by Ethan Ullman
In school, Ethan and a friend call a lunch lady who was mean to them "the Lunch Monkey." Called to the principal's office, they invent a comic book series they claim they were referencing, about a superhero by that name.
CURRENT keywords: sophomoric humor, boys will be boys, in trouble
🎤Live Story: Good Vibrations by Katy Frame
As a kid, Katy plays with things that vibrate around her private parts. She devises a machine of her own out of a mechanical toy set. Her parents shame her for it and it’s not till years later that she learns vibrators are common.
CURRENT keywords: sexual exploration, vibrators, bird and bees
🎤Live Story: Intense Friendships in the Bus Depot by Ben Lerman
In his teen years, Ben forgets he left a gay porn video in the VHS at home while he’s off at a music festival. He calls his mom to make a convoluted excuse, but it doesn’t fly.
CURRENT keywords: gay kids, in the closet, secrets and lies
🎤Live Story: Where the World Is by Rob Lathan
In college, Rob is bullied by frat brothers, but finds acceptance when he drinks huge amounts as they dare him to do. One night he drinks himself into a coma, with a blood alcohol level normally considered certain death.
CURRENT keywords: near death, alcohol poisoning, peer pressure, hazing
🌈 Support RISK! & Get Involved
• 🎟 See RISK! live in New York (9/25)
• ✍️ Pitch your story
• ❤️ Support us on Patreon or make a one-time PayPal donation
• 📚 Shop merch or the RISK! book
• 🎓 Take storytelling classes with us
• 🎥 Hire Kevin as a coach or get personalized videos
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://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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59:05
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59:05
The Rebound
John F. O'Donnell tells Kevin about that time he got kicked out of his favorite comedy club. You can also watch this episode on YouTube.
Check out all of our Conversation Stories!
🎙️Conversation Story: The Rebound by John F. O'Donnell
John starts out in the New York comedy scene, dealing with his bi-polar disorder, plus memorable encounters during his early days as a comedian.
keywords: Bipolar I Disorder, lithium, mental illness, comedy, comedian
🌈 Support RISK! & Get Involved
• 🎟 See RISK! live in NYC (September 25) or (December 11)
• ✍️ Pitch your story
• ❤️ Support us on Patreon or make a one-time PayPal donation
• 📚 Shop merch or the RISK! book
• 🎓 Take storytelling classes with us
• 🎥 Hire Kevin as a coach or get personalized videos
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://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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42:11
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42:11
The Best of Self-Help Stories #3
Tommy Galan and Marc Amigone share stories about helping others by helping themselves.
A part of our series called Self-Help Stories.
🎤Live Story: Just Commit by Tommy Galan
Tommy drinks and drinks. His final days of drinking almost destroy his family life. When a mentor tells him to "just commit" to whatever he feels will work best for him, he gives up the bottle.
🎤Radio Story: Life is a Gift by Marc Amigone
Marc takes a trip to Thailand to study rock climbing, despite his parent's objections. He nearly paralyses himself in a climbing accident. His parents help him heal, but he still feels risks are worth taking.
🌈 Support RISK! & Get Involved
• 🎟 See RISK! live in NY (9/25) or (12/11)
• ✍️ Pitch your story
• ❤️ Support us on Patreon or make a one-time PayPal donation
• 📚 Shop merch or the RISK! book
• 🎓 Take storytelling classes with us
• 🎥 Hire Kevin as a coach or get personalized videos
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://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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? Fasten your seatbelt.
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