RISK! Podcast – "The Best of RISK! #12"

Release Date: April 9, 2026
Host: Kevin Allison

Episode Overview

This "Best of RISK!" episode is the second most downloaded in the show’s 16-year history, renowned for its raw, jaw-dropping stories that range from hilarious to heart-wrenching and horrifying. Hosted by Kevin Allison, the episode showcases six outstanding true stories told by individuals unafraid to reveal what they "never thought they’d dare to share in public." These stories capture the essence of the show: honest revelations, emotional extremes, and the kind of intensity that might require listeners to pause, reflect, and resume.

Key Segments & Stories

[05:50] Richard Cardillo – "Transferable Skills"

Storyteller: Richard Cardillo (NYC-based storyteller)
Theme: Sexual awakening, leaving a repressive religious life, and self-discovery

Summary:

Richard recounts his experience of leaving a Catholic monastery after 14 years, coming out as gay in Lima, Peru, and his unexpected journey into sexual exploration and survival.
Balances a life of religious repression with the risks and revelations of embracing his sexuality in a hostile environment.
Finds himself drawn into a clandestine world of sexual favors, both for men and women, in the shadow of legal and cultural peril.
He seeks guidance in performing oral sex on a woman—something he never imagined—and hilariously compares the act to "licking a soft serve ice cream cone."
Story closes with real love and acceptance when Richard confesses his past to his longtime partner.

Notable Quotes:

“For 14 years, I was Brother Mark. So everything changed.” — Richard (06:44)
“Doesn’t every sixteen year old know what they want to do with their penis for the rest of their lives?” — Richard (06:28)
“You need the practice. You need this. You need the practice.” — Richard (12:06)
“Pretend it’s a hot summer day and you just bought a soft serve ice cream cone. And you gotta lick it real fast before it starts melting.” — Cheryl, his confidant (17:14)
“And I started licking as fast as I could. And you know something? Not one motherfucking drop hit that ground.” — Richard (23:09)

Timestamps:

[06:00] Leaving the monastery
[09:00] Encounter with Sergio
[13:00] Moral dilemmas, sex for the first time
[17:03] Learning how to please a woman
[22:00] Coming home and finding true love

[23:44] Michelle Buteau – "Too Cute for Bacteria"

Storyteller: Michelle Buteau (comedian)
Theme: Health scares, infertility, IVF journey, and humor through pain

Summary:

Michelle finds out she has a benign brain tumor after her mom gives her health insurance for Christmas—a gift she thanks and blames her mom for.
Navigates bewildering and humiliating doctor visits, including a memorable moment where she’s instructed to "milk her own breasts" for diagnosis.
Faces repeated cycles of IVF, miscarriages, and immense public and private stress—made worse by online harassment.
Injects humor throughout trauma (“The closest I’ve ever been to camping is eating sushi with my hands on the subway”).
Endures heartbreak and frustration, but ultimately chooses hope, considering surrogacy and adoption, celebrating her resilience.

Notable Quotes:

“I found out I had this tumor because I wasn’t getting my period.” — Michelle (24:16)
“Where were you the day your doctor asks you to milk your own breasts in front of him?” — Michelle (27:44)
“Everyone has this idea of like, what it’s going to be like when you have kids… For me, it’s like, my husband has to go into a room and jerk off in a dish…” — Michelle (29:33)
“I’m really too cute to be this sad.” — Michelle (41:26)

Timestamps:

[24:00] Health insurance + diagnosis
[27:30] Awkward doctor’s visit
[31:00] First cycles of IVF, hormone chaos
[36:00] Internet bullying, personal and public stress
[39:00] Repeated losses and open hope for the future

[47:14] Moloch Masters – "In the Shadows"

Storyteller: Moloch Masters (horror fiction writer)
Theme: Family secrets, inherited darkness, and confronting the unspeakable

Summary:

Moloch shares chilling family history: generational violence, abuse, and the normalization of the macabre.
Recounts childhood fascination with violence, her father's emotional distance, and shocking discoveries.
Finds her father’s hidden magazines pondering the best "meal" (hinting at cannibalism) and anatomy books.
An unsettling story: accepting and eating mysterious meat as a child—realizing later it was likely human flesh.
Confronts her father’s legacy with grim honesty, ultimately choosing to remember all of him—the good, the bad, and the horrifying.

Notable Quotes:

“If you were looking for darkness in my family, you didn’t have to look far.” — Moloch (49:19)
“He was throwing the rats in the microwave and he was watching them die.” — Moloch, on her great-grandfather (51:45)
“I forgive him and I love him.” — Moloch, on her father (68:57)

Timestamps:

[49:00] Family violence
[51:00] Animal cruelty and disturbing home discoveries
[55:00] Hidden anatomy/cannibal magazines
[60:00] Eating “ham”
[68:30] Father’s death and ethical reckoning

[69:40] Kevin Allison – "Kink Camp Ambush"

Storyteller: Kevin Allison (host)
Theme: Social anxiety, sexual adventure, consent, and letting go

Summary:

Kevin recounts his anxiety-filled return to "kink camp"—a secretive, uninhibited gathering.
Describes awkward early encounters, trying new experiences (like needle play), and facing fears.
Ambushed for a water-sports scene involving multiple men, Kevin finds paradoxical freedom in surrender.
Explores complicated feelings around consent and boundaries, ultimately standing up for himself amid the chaos.
Ends with unexpected kindness—the “guardian angel of water sports” provides the key to the secret laundry.

Notable Quotes:

“Just try to say yes and don’t yuck on someone’s yum.” — Bart, Kevin’s friend (71:03)
“What is consensual can shift in a moment.” — Kevin (84:04)
“With a click of those cuffs and being the center of attention and being dominated by two hot guys that I just instinctively trust, everything is shifting.” — Kevin (81:53)

Timestamps:

[70:00] Arriving at kink camp
[76:00] Needle play
[79:30] The ambush—water-sports scene
[84:00] Navigating boundaries and consent
[90:30] The secret laundry room

[91:27] Pollo Corral – "Redemption"

Storyteller: Pollo Corral
Theme: Cartel life, abduction, torture, and family redemption

Summary:

Pollo describes being abducted and tortured by a Mexican cartel after a drug shipment worth $700,000 disappears due to his miscalculation.
Endures beatings, captivity, torture (including electrical shocks), and starvation during weeks of being held hostage.
Family’s love is tested: his father sells everything (house, business, jewelry) to ransom him.
Pollo reflects on his youthful arrogance and mistakes—realizing the pain he’s caused, surrendering to a higher power in his darkest hour.
Tearful reunion with family, realization of unconditional love and the beginning of a deeply transformed life.

Notable Quotes:

“My dad standing right next to her looked at me and said, our love for you is not tithed to anything. It’s unconditional.” — Pollo (119:44)
“In that darkness and that brokenness…what if there’s something bigger than me?” — Pollo (114:07)
“Turns out that even the darkest moments of my life were redeemed by somebody who was looking out for me the entire time.” — Pollo (121:03)

Timestamps:

[92:00] The abduction
[100:00] Torture and captivity
[110:00] Calling his family, father’s sacrifice
[117:00] Release and reunion
[121:00] Redemption and reflection

[123:12] Tim C. – "Deliverance"

Storyteller: Tim C. (retired law enforcement, human trafficking specialist)
Theme: Child abuse rescue, the trauma of heroism, and what stays with us

Summary:

Tim details his work rescuing children trafficked for sex, focusing on a case where a father was renting out his own children and filming the abuse.
Describes busting the perp (with searing details), the emotional aftermath, and the profound, life-long trauma for the children—and himself.
Shares the moment a rescued nine-year-old girl offers him sex, heartbreakingly conflating survival and affection.
The little girl later took her life; her brother ended up in prison. The perpetrator was killed in prison.
Tim emphasizes the need for awareness, community vigilance, and the eternal toll on those who do this work.

Notable Quotes:

“Your babies are coming home.” — Tim C., to the children's mother (126:54)
“She offered me a blowjob under the table right there… From a fucking nine year old, you can’t process that.” — Tim C. (129:32)
“I tell these stories…to process and deal with my PTSD. And two, I want people to know that this happens, especially here in Seattle.” — Tim C. (139:44)

Timestamps:

[123:30] Investigative background
[125:00] Case details: rescue operation
[128:00] Aftermath with the children
[132:00] Lifelong impacts and advocacy

Memorable Moments & Quotes

“There’s a lot going on here. This is a perfect example of just how hilariously funny and sometimes beautiful, sometimes tear-jerking, and sometimes shockingly horrifying the show can be.” — Kevin Allison (03:19)
“Nothing is more important to us than word of mouth…Share these best of episodes.” — Kevin Allison (143:07)
“Pretend it's a hot summer day and you just bought a soft serve ice cream cone...” — Cheryl, via Richard Cardillo (17:14)
“I forgive him and I love him.” — Moloch Masters (68:57)
“You don’t fuck with us.” — Cartel message, via Pollo Corral (97:00)
“She offered me a blowjob under the table right there... From a fucking nine year old, you can’t process that.” — Tim C. (129:32)

Final Thoughts

This episode is a powerful, challenging example of the raw storytelling that defines RISK! It leverages humor to survive pain, confronts unspeakable evils, and celebrates both true vulnerability and deep love. Each story builds on the next, painting a broad, unfiltered panorama of the human experience—grim, redemptive, and always real.

Listener Advisory

Some stories contain explicit sexual content, violence, and references to abuse that may be disturbing to some listeners. Discretion is advised.

For more stories and info on the RISK! podcast, visit risk-show.com or follow @RISKshow on social media. Interested in storytelling workshops? Go to thestorystudio.org.

RISK! Podcast – "The Best of RISK! #12"

Release Date: April 9, 2026
Host: Kevin Allison

Episode Overview

Key Segments & Stories

[05:50] Richard Cardillo – "Transferable Skills"

Storyteller: Richard Cardillo (NYC-based storyteller)
Theme: Sexual awakening, leaving a repressive religious life, and self-discovery

Summary:

Richard recounts his experience of leaving a Catholic monastery after 14 years, coming out as gay in Lima, Peru, and his unexpected journey into sexual exploration and survival.
Balances a life of religious repression with the risks and revelations of embracing his sexuality in a hostile environment.
Finds himself drawn into a clandestine world of sexual favors, both for men and women, in the shadow of legal and cultural peril.
He seeks guidance in performing oral sex on a woman—something he never imagined—and hilariously compares the act to "licking a soft serve ice cream cone."
Story closes with real love and acceptance when Richard confesses his past to his longtime partner.

Notable Quotes:

“For 14 years, I was Brother Mark. So everything changed.” — Richard (06:44)
“Doesn’t every sixteen year old know what they want to do with their penis for the rest of their lives?” — Richard (06:28)
“You need the practice. You need this. You need the practice.” — Richard (12:06)
“Pretend it’s a hot summer day and you just bought a soft serve ice cream cone. And you gotta lick it real fast before it starts melting.” — Cheryl, his confidant (17:14)
“And I started licking as fast as I could. And you know something? Not one motherfucking drop hit that ground.” — Richard (23:09)

Timestamps:

[06:00] Leaving the monastery
[09:00] Encounter with Sergio
[13:00] Moral dilemmas, sex for the first time
[17:03] Learning how to please a woman
[22:00] Coming home and finding true love

[23:44] Michelle Buteau – "Too Cute for Bacteria"

Storyteller: Michelle Buteau (comedian)
Theme: Health scares, infertility, IVF journey, and humor through pain

Summary:

Michelle finds out she has a benign brain tumor after her mom gives her health insurance for Christmas—a gift she thanks and blames her mom for.
Navigates bewildering and humiliating doctor visits, including a memorable moment where she’s instructed to "milk her own breasts" for diagnosis.
Faces repeated cycles of IVF, miscarriages, and immense public and private stress—made worse by online harassment.
Injects humor throughout trauma (“The closest I’ve ever been to camping is eating sushi with my hands on the subway”).
Endures heartbreak and frustration, but ultimately chooses hope, considering surrogacy and adoption, celebrating her resilience.

Notable Quotes:

“I found out I had this tumor because I wasn’t getting my period.” — Michelle (24:16)
“Where were you the day your doctor asks you to milk your own breasts in front of him?” — Michelle (27:44)
“Everyone has this idea of like, what it’s going to be like when you have kids… For me, it’s like, my husband has to go into a room and jerk off in a dish…” — Michelle (29:33)
“I’m really too cute to be this sad.” — Michelle (41:26)

Timestamps:

[24:00] Health insurance + diagnosis
[27:30] Awkward doctor’s visit
[31:00] First cycles of IVF, hormone chaos
[36:00] Internet bullying, personal and public stress
[39:00] Repeated losses and open hope for the future

[47:14] Moloch Masters – "In the Shadows"

Storyteller: Moloch Masters (horror fiction writer)
Theme: Family secrets, inherited darkness, and confronting the unspeakable

Summary:

Moloch shares chilling family history: generational violence, abuse, and the normalization of the macabre.
Recounts childhood fascination with violence, her father's emotional distance, and shocking discoveries.
Finds her father’s hidden magazines pondering the best "meal" (hinting at cannibalism) and anatomy books.
An unsettling story: accepting and eating mysterious meat as a child—realizing later it was likely human flesh.
Confronts her father’s legacy with grim honesty, ultimately choosing to remember all of him—the good, the bad, and the horrifying.

Notable Quotes:

“If you were looking for darkness in my family, you didn’t have to look far.” — Moloch (49:19)
“He was throwing the rats in the microwave and he was watching them die.” — Moloch, on her great-grandfather (51:45)
“I forgive him and I love him.” — Moloch, on her father (68:57)

Timestamps:

[49:00] Family violence
[51:00] Animal cruelty and disturbing home discoveries
[55:00] Hidden anatomy/cannibal magazines
[60:00] Eating “ham”
[68:30] Father’s death and ethical reckoning

[69:40] Kevin Allison – "Kink Camp Ambush"

Storyteller: Kevin Allison (host)
Theme: Social anxiety, sexual adventure, consent, and letting go

Summary:

Kevin recounts his anxiety-filled return to "kink camp"—a secretive, uninhibited gathering.
Describes awkward early encounters, trying new experiences (like needle play), and facing fears.
Ambushed for a water-sports scene involving multiple men, Kevin finds paradoxical freedom in surrender.
Explores complicated feelings around consent and boundaries, ultimately standing up for himself amid the chaos.
Ends with unexpected kindness—the “guardian angel of water sports” provides the key to the secret laundry.

Notable Quotes:

“Just try to say yes and don’t yuck on someone’s yum.” — Bart, Kevin’s friend (71:03)
“What is consensual can shift in a moment.” — Kevin (84:04)
“With a click of those cuffs and being the center of attention and being dominated by two hot guys that I just instinctively trust, everything is shifting.” — Kevin (81:53)

Timestamps:

[70:00] Arriving at kink camp
[76:00] Needle play
[79:30] The ambush—water-sports scene
[84:00] Navigating boundaries and consent
[90:30] The secret laundry room

[91:27] Pollo Corral – "Redemption"

Storyteller: Pollo Corral
Theme: Cartel life, abduction, torture, and family redemption

Summary:

Pollo describes being abducted and tortured by a Mexican cartel after a drug shipment worth $700,000 disappears due to his miscalculation.
Endures beatings, captivity, torture (including electrical shocks), and starvation during weeks of being held hostage.
Family’s love is tested: his father sells everything (house, business, jewelry) to ransom him.
Pollo reflects on his youthful arrogance and mistakes—realizing the pain he’s caused, surrendering to a higher power in his darkest hour.
Tearful reunion with family, realization of unconditional love and the beginning of a deeply transformed life.

Notable Quotes:

“My dad standing right next to her looked at me and said, our love for you is not tithed to anything. It’s unconditional.” — Pollo (119:44)
“In that darkness and that brokenness…what if there’s something bigger than me?” — Pollo (114:07)
“Turns out that even the darkest moments of my life were redeemed by somebody who was looking out for me the entire time.” — Pollo (121:03)

Timestamps:

[92:00] The abduction
[100:00] Torture and captivity
[110:00] Calling his family, father’s sacrifice
[117:00] Release and reunion
[121:00] Redemption and reflection

[123:12] Tim C. – "Deliverance"

Storyteller: Tim C. (retired law enforcement, human trafficking specialist)
Theme: Child abuse rescue, the trauma of heroism, and what stays with us

Summary:

Tim details his work rescuing children trafficked for sex, focusing on a case where a father was renting out his own children and filming the abuse.
Describes busting the perp (with searing details), the emotional aftermath, and the profound, life-long trauma for the children—and himself.
Shares the moment a rescued nine-year-old girl offers him sex, heartbreakingly conflating survival and affection.
The little girl later took her life; her brother ended up in prison. The perpetrator was killed in prison.
Tim emphasizes the need for awareness, community vigilance, and the eternal toll on those who do this work.

Notable Quotes:

“Your babies are coming home.” — Tim C., to the children's mother (126:54)
“She offered me a blowjob under the table right there… From a fucking nine year old, you can’t process that.” — Tim C. (129:32)
“I tell these stories…to process and deal with my PTSD. And two, I want people to know that this happens, especially here in Seattle.” — Tim C. (139:44)

Timestamps:

[123:30] Investigative background
[125:00] Case details: rescue operation
[128:00] Aftermath with the children
[132:00] Lifelong impacts and advocacy

Memorable Moments & Quotes

“There’s a lot going on here. This is a perfect example of just how hilariously funny and sometimes beautiful, sometimes tear-jerking, and sometimes shockingly horrifying the show can be.” — Kevin Allison (03:19)
“Nothing is more important to us than word of mouth…Share these best of episodes.” — Kevin Allison (143:07)
“Pretend it's a hot summer day and you just bought a soft serve ice cream cone...” — Cheryl, via Richard Cardillo (17:14)
“I forgive him and I love him.” — Moloch Masters (68:57)
“You don’t fuck with us.” — Cartel message, via Pollo Corral (97:00)
“She offered me a blowjob under the table right there... From a fucking nine year old, you can’t process that.” — Tim C. (129:32)

Final Thoughts

Listener Advisory

Some stories contain explicit sexual content, violence, and references to abuse that may be disturbing to some listeners. Discretion is advised.

For more stories and info on the RISK! podcast, visit risk-show.com or follow @RISKshow on social media. Interested in storytelling workshops? Go to thestorystudio.org.