I have been a fan of the RISK podcast for well over ten years. It is the best storytelling podcast out there. Kevin Allison, the hot of RISK, is as good as it gets. Besides the podcast, Kevin teaches storytelling workshops. Listening to RISK is always a highpoint of my week.

Hands down the best story telling podcast ever!!!! Thanks guys!

RISK is a breath of fresh air, extraordinary storytelling that runs the whole gambit of topics. The iconic “we’ll be right back” whisper should be returned! It was such a staple of the show.

I’ve been listening to Risk since 2012 and have listened to every single episode. It’s simply the best!

Risk! has been my favorite for YEARS. Each story is incredibly unique and eye opening. Storytelling as compassion building is actively improving our understanding of each other and our community. I have so much love for their mission as well as it just keeps me company and keeps me entertained every week. 10/10

This has been one of my regular go-to podcasts for many years. It continues to be wonderful in so many ways. There are a variety of stories; raunchy, funny, provocative, and touching. I’ve laughed, cried, and had my mind opened. Seriously can’t say enough good things!

So this show is sweet, sad, and hilarious, at different points. Kevin said leaving a review would help the show, and like. We're ALL struggling right now so this is the least I can do for the many, many laughs. It's a terrific show!

This show has such amazing stories! I’ve been listening for years and these stories are so touching. This is sector’s a listen. The stories are all very different, so listen to at least two 😊

The show was great. It’s endless there are so many episodes. The stories are interesting. Everyone I’ve showed this podcast has ended up being a man listening to it.

I listen to a lot of info podcasts but when I just want a laugh or to hear a friendly voice, I head over to the Risk lounge for a cozy, familiar, nsfw ride. Thank for your warmth Kevin!

Great storytelling. Love that each episode covers different themes. I look forward to it every week.

This is always a must listen in my podcast rotation. Fearless and funny and often breathtaking storytelling.

Don’t believe the haters, skip through the ads and parts you don’t like- the stories are worth every second, you do not want to miss this

I’ve listened to hundreds of episodes over several years. It has some absolute wonderful stories. Unfortunately, the hosting and many stories are riddled with extremely left wing liberal bias. It would be much better if Kevin wasn’t using the show for his own personal soap box to spew hate and discontent for those who don’t think the way he wants. I would like to see the show be more genuine and less ambulance chasing of trendy liberal hate and aggression.

I like the stories but go in and out of being a consistent listener because the host Kevin is impossible to listen to. It’s literally 15 minutes every episode of him self promoting or endlessly talking about whatever he wants. His voice is grating, and his stories are tired. I really wish they’d get someone else to host this show , it looks like I’m not alone in this thought

I love the idea of listener stories. And embarrassing moments. And heartfelt stories. But 21-23 minutes of intro!? COME ON! I can’t deal with it. I can’t deal with the self promotion on every episode. I’m sorry. Listener be ware. The commercials and intro are the length of a drive home from work 😭

Great stories…but why are they always told from a victims point of view.

The stories are riveting, entertaining, enlightening. Love them all.

I found the show in prison and it gave me the much needed break from the monotony of life inside i am free now and can’t wait to continue listening thank you

Such an amazing show! I’ve been listening for many years. Thank you so much for all the work you do. I will always be a fan :) RISK! Will never die.

They might be great stories, but I'm sorry, I didn't get to hear any. On my first listen I tired very quickly of Kevin and his promotions.

I really want to love this podcast but there’s entirely too much fluff around the stories. Commercials are already a pause from the story but then add in the music intro random extra music etc. I don’t mind the host speaking but wow.

I absolutely love this podcast but on average 55% of its episode length is interlude or commercials. I get I’m consuming free art but maybe loose the expensive song licensing fees, which cuts back on the commercials and then just play the stories already… it always feels like oldtimey TV where you sat down for an hour long show but only got 25min of content. Rant over, thanks for the free art

I heard about this Podcast due to being an adamant listener of Dan Savage Lovecast Podcast, I feel compelled to say this podcast is extraordinarily therapeutic and uplifting while simultaneously being funny and engaging! I highly recommend this podcast to all my friends! It also has an excellent music playlist of incredibly talented songwriters and artists! You’re missing out if you don’t listen to Risk!

Kevin please stop dwelling on politics and thinking we want to hear you chime in during people’s stories. Some of us are ok with the political climate AND enjoy listening to story telling podcasts. Get over it!

Update: i tried coming back to Risk! Kevin talks ways too much, i cant do it. Original review: I have been a longtime supporter of Risk! I have supported their Patreon, bought the book, gone to in-person shows, and referred countless friends and family to not just the podcast and live shows, but even Kevin’s storytelling workshops. Now however, I am shocked that Risk- an iconic entity in an of itself- which has always been inclusive and encouraged diversity; is now encouraging SEGREGATION of people according to their personal medical choices by requiring proof of vaccination at their shows, which have FINALLY come back. Anyone who touts and retorts “science” as a reason for it clearly does not understand what science is actually proving. You have lost a loyal supporter Risk. Do better and stop the discrimination

❤️❤️❤️

It is in fact wonderful, but it would be 100 times better if the woman who came in from the blizzard had not been stunningly beautiful. The story would not be so predictable.

A++++++

I love the podcast. Stories are interesting, and there is such a great variety, they seem to tap into all aspects of life. Today I heard ( 11/8/24) remarks about old people sex. There are a lot of a very fit, very good looking 60 year-olds. Yes, young and hot is everyone’s first choice but keep in mind that some of the most beautiful people don’t know but a bit about how to get the most pleasure out of our bodies. A 60-year-old who is cool and has explored deeply knows a whole lot about how to have great sex. don’t diss it until you’ve tried it! I am transsexual and transitioned over 30 years ago. I’m terrified at the judgment and targeting towards my community. I am also 68. It’s interesting. That young people like to laugh about old people sex. I mean, I get it in teenagers but come on… When you’re 30 or over it’s ridiculous. If we are going to be kind and understanding about ALL communities, how about bringing in that empathy and compassion for us old folks who, many of us are very sexually interested if not active. We already feel crappy about the fact that our bodies are slowly dying on us, so keeping on the shame and embarrassment isn’t helpful. I am more in touch with my sexuality and my ability to give and receive pleasure now that I ever have been in my entire life. just just something to consider folks.

Risk is my favorite story telling show is emerges you in to the story teller pain, happiness or sadness it really knows how to let people connect to the story

Sad it took me so long to find this podcast, if you like genuine raw stories told by people you will absolutely love this. So many different types of stories I’d say there has to be at least a couple stories for everyone to enjoy. PLEASE CONTINUE DOING WHAT YOU DO!

Recently stories have been told with Kevin on the audio. He doesn’t need to chime in. It’s cringe to hear the yes and mhmms every second. Doesn’t seem genuine at all. Just let the guest tell the story.

I used to devour every episode of risk. Weekly since 2014. Now I pick and choose. It’s less risky storytelling these days- storytellers seem afraid to be honest and Kevin seems to feel the need to give warnings or fret over the morality of the storytellers… or worse yet, to pitch life coaching. I’m here for messiness, not perfection. The moral ambiguity lead to curiosity and introspection and appreciation for complexity and that was the amazing thing about this show. This change probably has to do with our current political climate more than the show and isn’t really the shows fault. One other constructive critique- the “interview style” stories are really hard to listen to because of Kevin’s constant interjections “mm!” “Mmhmm!” “Oh yeah!”. I skip every interview style episode. This style is new and is not representative of the show. If you go back to 2014-2019 you’ll get to the good stuff :) But the foundation and spirit is still there and I love Kevin’s heart. I hope the show gets back to its roots soon and that their financial issues resolve so we can focus on the stories.

I love risk but can't always play it in the car with my young kids because they repeat everything. " Risk Real" is all the best parts of risk. A huge variety of stories, they're hilarious, sad beautiful and I can't get enough!

My new FAVORITE podcast! My absolute go-to and an INSANE amount of material!!

The music at the end of this week’s story gave me total shivers. Well done! Risk! stories are always fascinating, often funny, sometimes moving, and frequently profound. I listen to a lot of podcasts, and this one stands out as one of the juiciest (Bawdy Storytelling and Savage Lovecast are the other two juicy ones that I click on the second they drop)! I also love Kevin for his vulnerability, lack of pretension, and his act of service getting people’s stories heard. In a world where we are increasingly isolated and we no longer sit around fires telling stories with our tribes every night, this type of work keeps us connected and preserves our humanity. When I have to be alone in the car or at home, storytelling podcasts and Risk! in particular keep me feeling like part of the human family. I like weirdness and queerness and this show provides a double dose most weeks! I feel like I’m with my folks. I love Kevin’s voice (and I find a lot of radio voices irritating). Kevin sounds cheerful and kind and silly and wacky. I’m excited to catch the show in my city and hopefully meet him!

I have been a fan of this show for quite a long time. That is until they decided to push politics and do a show completely revolving around the Democratic Party. This was extremely disappointing. For a show that is struggling and wanting more views, this was absolutely the worst decision for a show. You list my respect as a listener and I am questioning whether to even listen in the future.

This show is such a joy! It has helped me through so many hard times. I’m so thankful for all the laughs and outlandish to relatable stories. Thank you for keeping me company and helping to remind me we are all just human and doing the best we can.

Too gay for me, not my thing.

I enjoy listening to the majority of the stories but the vulgar, weird banter of the host gets old along with the music between stories. Tired of having to scrub past that. I’m here for the stories. I’d give it a higher rating except for that.

Just found this today and I’ve listened to 5 episodes already. Wonderful story telling and a well put together show

I stumbled upon “Risk” one day, I was fed up with true crime and listening to celebrities drone on and on about themselves. I needed something with substance, weight; but also lighthearted and funny. Risk has all of those qualities and I absolutely adore this show. Every single episode is captivating on one level or another and I think the host, Kevin Allison, is simply the best part. The end.

Risk! Is such a gem. It is my go-to for when I want a podcast that is ALWAYS engaging. It seriously has never let me down. I usually try to extend whatever activity I’m doing so I don’t have to pause the episode 😂 so many different amazing stories from so many different people. Makes me feel like a better human.

This was previously my favorite podcast for many years but the show has gone way downhill. Kevin and his team have become obsessed with censorship and only sharing stories that fit their political narrative. They have made everything about politics and their agenda and now if there is something even remotely controversial in a story there has to be a big discussion and disclaimer about it and storytellers morals and values have to be weighed an discussed. This show used to just let storytellers tell their stories and leave it at that but now it’s a constant whine about money and then a political agenda. I’m done with it.

Iv been listening since 2016 and this show has gotten me through thick and thin. There a people from all wakes of life that have shared their stories on Risk and to me there is no greater value than putting yourself in other peoples shoes. Having empathy is one of many things we could strive for as a society and this show gives us perspective and therefore creates the opportunities for people to be more understanding. Thank you Risk for all you do! P.s. I love hearing Kevin talk at the beginning and end of the show! He updates us on whats going on behind the scenes and also has created a community for the podcast. Keep it up Kevin!

This show always has great stories. The only negative is the host's banter and sometimes annoying music. I usually have to skip past an average of eight minutes of annoying yakking before I get to the stories. Otherwise, great great stories.

Disappointed as this was highly recommended to me. Trite stories that don’t read as believable- maybe loosely based on truth. Some are well told, most too predictable to be engaging.

I started listening to this podcast as background noise when I had a living situation with nothing to listen to or watch. It started out just when I slept. Stories would wake me up and I’d listen. I’ve been through the whole thing on two different platforms a few times now. I’ve actually heard probably 80% of the stories, since many are replayed. I’m about to start this again. I love it, and although Kevin sometimes runs me the wrong way, after giving him a chance, I couldn’t imagine this podcast existing without him. Kevin is this podcast and anyone can tell that he is so well lived in this community. I love this podcast and it has helped me through so much. Don’t ever stop. Please. I love David crab too! Listening to all theses people start young and after ten years they’re still going and I just love new stories from them.

Shows no respect politically. Why does politics have to be involved anyways?