RISK! — "Into the Moving Dark" (April 7, 2026)
Host: Kevin Allison
Storyteller: Annie Karnreich
Producer: Taj Easton

Episode Overview

This extraordinary, uninterrupted episode features a single, gripping story shared by Annie Karnreich. With unflinching honesty, humor, and heart, Annie recounts her journey through family bonds, trauma, survival, wrongful incarceration, and resilience as a transgender woman in rural America. "Into the Moving Dark" does not just illuminate a harrowing personal ordeal, but also bares the realities faced by transgender people navigating both violence and an unforgiving justice system. The result is a raw, indelible portrait of survival, healing, and hope.

Major Discussion Points and Key Segments

1. Family Ties and Portraits of Michael

• Timestamp: 02:34 – 11:00
  • Annie introduces her cousin Michael: a physically imposing man, renowned for his strength (arm-wrestling, tree-climbing), loyal and caring, but with a violent temper exacerbated by alcohol.
  • Their familial closeness is established — "closer to siblings than cousins."
  • Michael’s trauma stems from childhood abuse and his protective love for his mother.
  • Quote (06:25):

    “From as early a time as I can remember, I hate my father.” – Michael (Annie paraphrasing)

2. Coming Out and Michael’s Unconditional Support

• Timestamp: 11:00 – 15:45
  • Annie comes out as transgender to family and friends; Michael’s support is remarkable for its lack of equivocation.
  • Quote (13:23):

    “When I told him, he simply said: ‘I love you.’ No but, none.” – Annie

3. Warning Signs, Escalating Violence, and Betrayal

• Timestamp: 15:45 – 23:00
  • Michael’s temper worsens; a violent attack on his stepson marks a turning point, followed by increasing dependence on Annie and disturbing proclamations of love.
  • Alcohol-fueled mood swings create mounting tension and fear.

4. The Night of the Assault

• Timestamp: 23:00 – 32:30
  • Thanksgiving evening, Michael, drunk and enraged, invades Annie’s home, making explicit threats.
  • He attempts to assault Annie, who resists repeatedly. The situation escalates to violence, and Annie is nearly choked unconscious before finally defending herself with a brandy bottle.
  • The night culminates with Annie barricaded in her room, firing warning shots as Michael tries to break in. When he succeeds, she shoots him in self-defense.
  • Quote (28:10):

    “He began to choke me. ‘I love you, Annie.’ I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t breathe.” – Annie

5. Immediate Aftermath: Police, Guilt, and Family Response

• Timestamp: 32:30 – 38:30
  • Annie calls 911, is detained, and faces both compassionate and humiliating processing.
  • Family gathers in solidarity and grief; Michael’s brother embraces Annie, acknowledging Michael’s temper.
  • Quote (37:30):

    “He grabbed me in a hug and he said, ‘I know what happened. I know Mike’s temper.’ I thought I was gonna collapse, I was crying so hard.” – Annie

6. Systemic Injustice: From Survivor to Defendant

• Timestamp: 38:30 – 51:15
  • Despite initial confirmation that she acted in self-defense, Annie is re-interviewed aggressively, charged with first-degree murder, and sent to a men’s prison due to being transgender.
  • Describes solitary confinement and enduring both administrative cruelty and dehumanization.
  • Quote (41:15):

    “None of this made any sense. I hadn’t committed a crime. I survived one.” – Annie

7. Prison Life: Survival, Advocacy, and Transformation

• Timestamp: 51:15 – 58:00
  • Annie endures abuse and harassment as a trans woman in a men’s maximum-security prison; learns to fight, but eventually shifts to compassion, caring for inmates with dementia and teaching others.
  • Quote (56:40):

    “I started getting up in the morning and giving out hugs to cold hearted killers… I decided I was no longer going to be bitter and angry.” – Annie

8. Legal Resolution and Release

• Timestamp: 58:00 – 61:45
  • After lengthy delays and political obstacles, Annie accepts a plea deal for time served (18 months), seeing little hope for justice in the local courts.
  • Annie describes the moment of release, being reunited with family, and the vivid, sensory joy of freedom.
  • Quote (61:20):

    “I bit into the apple and it was crispy, sweet, juicy... It just felt like I had just been born.” – Annie

9. Return to Society: Stigma, Vulnerability, and New Beginnings

• Timestamp: 61:45 – 64:45
  • Annie faces extreme employment discrimination and social threats — including a petition and death threats from neighbors.
  • A new friendship and romance begin with Harold, whose kindness and support restore Annie’s sense of safety and belonging.
  • Quote (64:10):

    “Before the night was over, he purchased me a home. It was an RV… Just like that, I had a job, I had a home, and I was safe.” – Annie

10. Reflections and Podcast’s Power

• Timestamp: 65:45 – 67:31
  • Annie credits the podcast RISK! as a lifeline during their incarceration, illuminating the power of storytelling for those isolated and suffering.
  • Quote (66:30):

    “That podcast saved my life so many times… Kevin and his friends need to know how popular RISK! is within the prison system. You are saving lives.” – Annie

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On being believed:

  “Most of us know what it’s like to be against someone who has power over you. Real, true power.” (07:40, Annie)

• On Michael’s support:

  “He started saying things like, Annie, you’re the bestest. I love you more than everybody.” (14:32, Annie)

• On the violence:

  “He gave that giggle… And I don’t know what happened. Just like some sort of dark magic… He didn’t even look like the same person.” (26:30, Annie)

• On her transformation in prison:

  “I was never released to the general population. They put me in a block for serial killers and rapists… Because I was transgender, they labeled me as a pedophile.” (46:20, Annie)

• On post-release discrimination:

  “We don’t do transgender people. We don’t hire felons. You killed a coworker. Why would we hire you?” (62:30, Annie)

• On finding hope and love:

  “Just like that, I had a job, I had a home, and I was safe. And I was starting a beautiful relationship.” (65:04, Annie)

Final Reflections & Follow-up

Host Kevin Allison’s Reflections (67:31 – 69:36)

• Kevin expresses profound admiration for Annie’s courage, and for Taj Easton’s work coaching this story.
• Encourages listeners to support Annie’s GoFundMe to help with legal fees and awareness work for transgender rights in the justice system.

Annie’s Post-Release Vignette

• (68:54) Annie describes bigotry from neighbors post-prison, but also small human moments of breakthrough.

  “I put my hand out and shook his hand... Now when I go [home], he comes running out of his house — ‘Hey Annie, how are you?’” — Annie

Takeaways

• Annie’s story is a testament to endurance in the face of trauma and ongoing systemic prejudice, particularly at the nexus of transphobia and the criminal justice system.
• The central message is one of radical honesty, forgiveness, and compassion — both for herself and even for those labeled “monsters” by society.
• The episode is an invitation to bear witness, to listen without flinching, and to support real justice and healing for trans survivors.

Resources and Actions

• Support Annie:
  GoFundMe link (search for "Annie Goodyear" or see episode show notes)

• Support Risk!:
  Patreon: patreon.com/risk

Share this episode. Listen widely. Real stories save lives.

For full context and Annie’s own voice, listen to the complete episode on the RISK! feed.