Submissions
SUBMIT YOUR STORIES!
Want to tell a story on the RISK! podcast, or maybe even at one of our live shows? Watch the video above! Then email a summary of what happens in the beginning, middle and end (don’t leave us hanging!) of your story in about 300 words and send it to pitches@risk-show.com. Make sure to tell us where you’re located as well!
If you strongly prefer to send a recording of you pitching the story, aim for 2-5 minutes in length and attach it to an email to pitches@risk-show.com. Tips on making recordings for us are at THIS LINK.
If you are pitching for a specific live show on specific date, check the theme of that night’s show (see the list below), and tell us which city you’re pitching for in the subject line of your email. For example, if you’re pitching for a show in Austin, Texas, the subject line of your pitch email should be “AUSTIN PITCH.” The theme is just a jumping off point, so if you have an excellent story that doesn’t fit the theme, still pitch it!
Remember: RISK! is not like other storytelling shows. It’s “where people tell true stories they never thought they’d dare to share in public.” We encourage our storytellers to step out on a limb, be brutally candid and emotionally raw. This is an uncensored show where taboos are tackled and people talk about things they ordinarily might not share in mixed company, but might save for their therapist. Stories can be hilariously funny, horrific, sad, beautiful… anything goes.
We recommend that everyone who is cast on the show to listen to this 50-minute ‘How-To’ talk on SoundCloud from Kevin called “What Every RISK! Storyteller Should Know!”
TIPS FOR PITCHING
On RISK!, we look for stories that meet one or more of these criteria:
A) The stakes are high. You felt there was a lot to be lost and/or gained in the circumstances.
B) You are emotionally invested. You really cared about or were fascinated by the situation and ended up thrilled or crushed or frightened, etc.
C) The experience was highly unusual. Your story features subject matter we’re not likely to have covered on the podcast so far.
D) Sharing this takes guts. Normally you’d only share this with a close friend. Or perhaps this shows a side of yourself you rarely show.
Here is what we like to see covered in a pitch:
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED
Tell us where you currently live so we know if we can consider you for a live RISK! show.
SET THE SCENE
Where were you in life when this began? What was your “deal”?
WHAT GOT THE BALL ROLLING
What motivated you to want to give, get or do something?
WHAT WAS AT STAKE
What hope or fear drove you? What did you stand to gain or lose? Were you surprised by complications?
HOW YOU TURNED THE CORNER
What finally changed this situation, for better or worse? Did you succeed or fail or feel a shift?
SO WHAT?
Why do you feel it’s daring to be sharing this? Why would a stranger listening to this story find it significant, affecting and worth remembering as they go about their lives?
SHOW THEMES THAT APPLY
Episode themes are always subject to change, but here are some themes we’re always looking for stories on.
This Can’t Be Happening. A time you thought, “I really don’t know if I can handle this.”
Turning the Corner. A time you broke through something or took a huge leap of faith.
Still Makes Me Laugh. A situation that became completely ridiculous.
Power. A time you felt like you were terrified or thrilled by a shifting power dynamic.
We’re also always looking for more stories from marginalized populations, people of color, groups that are underrepresented in the media, etc.
Themes and Deadlines for Upcoming RISK! Live Shows:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdowns, we will not be doing any in-person live RISK! shows until it is deemed safe and legal to do so. Until then, we will be presenting ongoing live online RISK! shows each month. You can pitch us stories for these live online shows as far in advance as you like, so don’t wait until the pitch deadline to send in your story!
You can pitch stories to be considered to be cast for these live online shows from anywhere in the world! Please note: in order to be considered for our online shows, you must be willing and able to appear on camera on Zoom via your computer or smart device with a strong and reliable internet signal and good lighting and sound so that the audience can see and hear you well. No professional equipment is needed as long as you can make sure you are well lit and easy to hear and see onscreen. We will provide all storytellers cast in our shows with guidance on how to look and sound your best.
Themes and Deadlines for Upcoming RISK! Live Online Shows:
Show Date: Friday, 11/20/20. Submission deadline: 9/18/20. Optional Themes: Mean, Perfection, Vulnerable
Show Date: Friday, 12/4/20. Submission deadline: 10/2/20. Optional Themes: Obsession, Out of Control, Dirty
Show Date: Friday, 12/18/20. Submission deadline: 10/16/20. Optional Themes: Holidays, stories of holiday cheer or holiday horrors
Virtual Shows 2021
Show Date: Friday, 1/15/21. Submission deadline: ASAP. Optional themes: Mean, Perfection or Vulnerable
Show Date: Friday, 2/12/21. Submission deadline: 12/18/20. Optional themes: Obsession, Outta Control or Dirty
Show Date: Friday, 3/12/21 Submission deadline: 1/8/21. Optional themes: Pride, Rabbit Holes or Robbery
NOTE: Feel free to send us any story pitch ideas you may have, and we will keep them in mind for future shows and let you know if they’re the right fit when the time comes!