RISK! Podcast Episode Summary: "Foolish!"

Release Date: April 1, 2025
Host: Hope Brush
Episode Title: "Foolish!"

Introduction: Embracing April Fool's Day

In the "Foolish!" episode of RISK!, host Hope Brush celebrates the spirit of April Fool's Day by sharing jaw-dropping stories of pranks and foolish acts that listeners and guests have dared to undertake. The episode intertwines personal anecdotes with humorous and heartwarming tales, all centered around the theme of taking risks to execute memorable pranks.

Main Story: Zeke Nicholson and the Water Streeters Revolution

[02:06] Hope Brush kicks off the episode by introducing Zeke Nicholson, an actor, comedian, and writer, who recounts his unforgettable prank experience during his college years at Williams College.

Zeke Nicholson narrates the formation of the "Water Streeters," a fake a cappella group designed to parody and disrupt the existing a cappella culture on campus. Williams College, founded in 1793, boasts a rich tradition of a cappella groups that are deeply ingrained in its storied history. Zeke, an athlete with a secret passion for performance, felt overshadowed by the meticulous and prideful a cappella members. Determined to carve out his own unique identity, Zeke and his friends devised a plan to infiltrate and mock the established a cappella scene.

Notable Moments and Quotes:

• Planning the Prank:
  "We decided that we were going to crash Entry Sings as a fake a cappella group that was intentionally horrific at singing."
  (02:45)

• Executing the Prank:
  "We would kick in the common room door and like, bust in screaming and laughing and be like, 'What's up? We're the Water Streeters.'"
  (06:10)

• Growing Popularity:
  "The student body began chanting, 'Water what? Water Street. Water what? Water Street.' It was like a revolution had started."
  (17:00)

The Water Streeters’ antics ranged from noisy interruptions during performances to elaborate costumes and unexpected song choices. Their disruptive behavior culminated during the college's annual Mountain Day—a revered tradition where the entire student body hikes a mountain, enjoys apple cider donuts, and listens to a cappella performances.

During Mountain Day, as other a cappella groups finished their sets, the Water Streeters made their grand entrance, performing a humorous rendition of the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" theme song. To Zeke's astonishment, the students embraced their act, chanting their group's name and celebrating their rebellious spirit. This unexpected acceptance marked a victorious moment for Zeke and his friends, solidifying their place in the college's history.

Impact and Legacy:

Zeke reflects on how this prank not only provided an outlet for his creative expression but also bridged his athletic identity with his hidden passion for performance. The Water Streeters became a legendary part of Williams College lore, even earning a mention on the college's Wikipedia page under "former a cappella groups," albeit humorously labeled with a dead link.

Quote Highlight:

"I had found this outlet, strangely, with this weird kind of performance art piece that I had been seeking."
(10:15)

Listener Anecdote: Kristin Rutherford’s Underwear Prank

Next, Kristin Rutherford shares a hilarious April Fool's prank that targeted her husband. Known for her practical joking within her family, Kristin took her antics to the next level by tampering with her husband's underwear.

Kristin Rutherford explains how she meticulously sewed the fly up on a pair of her husband's tighty-whities and strategically placed them back in his drawer. Unbeknownst to her, her husband inadvertently packed the altered underwear into his luggage for a business trip.

Notable Moments and Quotes:

• Setting the Trap:
  "I decided to sew the fly up on a pair of his tighty whities... I stuck it in the drawer, just randomly, knowing one day he was going to find it and would get a good laugh."
  (23:25)

• The Aftermath:
  "He realized he couldn't use his underwear and had to run to the closest bathroom in just his underwear. He was puzzled and eventually discovered the prank which led to a humorous confrontation."
  (28:45)

The prank resulted in an awkward but funny situation where her husband had to navigate a professional setting with malfunctioning underwear. The story concludes with Kristin’s husband taking the prank in good stride, highlighting the playful dynamics of their relationship.

Quote Highlight:

"He said, 'Don't cry.' And I was like, 'No, you cry.'"
(34:52)

Additional Anecdotes: Sacha Lilac’s Piggy Prank

Sacha Lilac adds to the April Fool's spirit by recounting a mischievous prank involving baby pigs. Staying with friends for a week, Sacha decided to surprise them by hiding 86 baby pink pigs throughout their house.

Notable Moments and Quotes:

• Executing the Prank:
  "I proceeded to hide 100 baby pigs about the size of one knuckle on your thumb... I think I put one in the mixer and then I waited."
  (40:40)

• Friends’ Reaction:
  "They found 86 pigs! They thought there were more, and it became a hilarious scavenger hunt for them to locate all the hidden pigs."
  (42:30)

Sacha’s prank transformed an ordinary week into an unforgettable and laughter-filled experience for her friends, embodying the essence of taking risks to create memorable moments.

Quote Highlight:

"They found 86 pigs... I have not told them how many pigs there are."
(42:30)

Conclusion: Reflecting on Foolishness and Friendship

As the episode wraps up, Hope Brush reflects on the shared stories, emphasizing the joy and bonds formed through playful and foolish acts. The "Foolish!" episode serves as a testament to the creativity and courage of individuals who dare to step outside their comfort zones, even if it means risking a little embarrassment or chaos in the process.

Hope Brush also teases upcoming content, encouraging listeners to embrace their inner prankster and look forward to more daring stories in future episodes.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace Creativity: Taking risks in creative endeavors can lead to unforgettable experiences and lasting memories.
• Humor in Relationships: Playful pranks can strengthen bonds and add a layer of fun to personal relationships.
• Legacy of Pranks: Memorable pranks often become cherished stories that highlight the unique dynamics of communities and friendships.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "We decided that we were going to crash Entry Sings as a fake a cappella group that was intentionally horrific at singing."
  (05:22)

• "We were the proletariat chanting, viva la revolucion. This is our Bastille day."
  (17:00)

• "He said, 'Don't cry.' And I was like, 'No, you cry.'"
  (34:52)

• "They found 86 pigs... I have not told them how many pigs there are."
  (42:30)

For those who haven't listened, "Foolish!" offers a blend of humor, creativity, and heartfelt moments that showcase the lengths individuals go to create laughter and forge deeper connections. Whether it's orchestrating a campus-wide prank or executing a perfectly timed joke on a loved one, the episode highlights the rich tapestry of human experiences that make us embrace the foolish side within.