Kevin Allison, host and creator of Risk! joins Asher and Julia as our first guest.  They talk about the origins of Risk!, what it’s like telling uncomfortable stories in front of people, and getting fingers stuck in holes.

Kevin Allison is the host and creator of the wildly popular podcast, RISK!, where people tell true stories they never thought they’d dare to share. After starting from scratch in Kevin’s bedroom in 2009, RISK! has grown to have over 1 million downloads per month and has featured stories from Margaret Cho, Kevin Nealon, Andy Dick, Sarah Silverman and regular folks from around the world. Kevin is also a member of the legendary sketch comedy group The State, whose 90’s MTV show remains a cult classic. In 2011, he created storytelling school The Story Studio, where he teaches performers and professionals from all fields how to wow a crowd with their own true stories.



Kevin Allison

The Whole Story is a podcast modeled after that panel discussion at storytelling festivals that you always miss.

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In our season 2 finale, we talk to three of the foremost experts and pros at producing.  We talk curation, pitches, honesty, listening, and all things that go into a story, a show, and well, people.

Peter Michael Marino just returned from a triumphant run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe where he performed his one-man improvised comedy Show Up for 23 days straight. For upcoming dates, visit www.showuptheshow.com.

He is currently co-producing the new festival TrumpCON (http://www.horsetrade.info/) and SoloCom (https://thepit-nyc.com/festivals/solocom-2017)

Elna Baker is a writer and comedic storyteller. She’s a regular contributor on This American Life and has appeared on The Moth Radio Hour, Prairie Home Companion, BBC Radio 4, All Things Considered, WTF with Marc Maron, Studio 360, The Joy Behar Show and in the book The Moth: 50 true stories. She’s written for The New York Times, ELLE, Glamour, Men’s Journal, O Magazine, Rookie, Refinery29, and More Magazine.

Her memoir The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance was published by Penguin, earning four stars in People Magazine and the 2010 AML award for best humor writing. She currently scouts stories for This American Life and performs throughout NYC.

Robin Gelfenbien is a NYC-based storyteller, writer and comedian who’s performed at The Moth, RISK! and Mortified. She’s the Creator and Host of the storytelling series and podcast, “Yum’s the Word,” that features her homemade ice cream cakes.

The show has been named one of the “5 Best Storytelling Series in NYC” by CBS, a New York Times and Time Out New York Critic’s Pick and Bon Appetit raved, “We love Yum’s the Word.” Guests have included Tim Gunn, Jason Biggs, The Daily Show’s Aasif Mandvi, Joy Behar and stars from “Orange is the New Black.” Robin has written jokes for emcee Rosie O’Donnell at The Matrix Awards where featured presenters included Martha Stewart, Rupert Murdoch, Hillary Clinton and more.

Season 2 finale: Producing Panel

This episode we get inside this thing we call storytelling and mess around with its form.  Anita Flores and Brad Lawrence talk to us about how they like playing around and challenge this thing called “storytelling.”  We talk about long form, animation, interviews, pacing, and all kinds of tips and tricks and tactics that we use in performances.  How can we keep challenging what stories are, how we tell them, and all of those things?  Anita and Brad tell us their takes on all of this and much more!

 

Brad Lawrence is a critically acclaimed storyteller and solo performer. He has appeared on the Moth Mainstage, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and before audiences all over the United States. Most recently he has joined the production team of RISK! The show where people tell stories they never thought they’d dare to share.

 

Anita co-hosts a monthly show called Party of Two where comedians tell stories about dating in the modern world. She has a Youtube channel called Queso where she and her friends make comedy videos. Follow her on Twitter at @anitajewtina for important updates on pizza and Kelsey Grammar’s career.

Season 2: Form

This episode we talked to four members of the DPC (Dead Parent Club) at a live panel.  Susan, Marc, Sharon, and Robert all share pieces of their lives that are the most vulnerable and hardest to share.  We talk about the origins of the DPC storytelling community, how dealing with loss through storytelling helps, and advice to all of us who aren’t part of the club - but will be one day.  We also chant “Susan Kent!” a few times for good measure.

Robert Commiskey is a writer and storyteller, having performed in the UK and New York. He can currently be seen around New York and is less poor than he was last year.

Susan Kent is a Brooklyn-based writer and storyteller whose work has appeared on Snap Judgment, RISK!, and The Moth Radio Hour and podcast. She is the founder of the Dead Parents Club Storytelling Series and Festival, and the host and curator of Tell It: Brooklyn, which is coming to the Cinder Block Festival on September 9 at Hell Phone in Bushwick.

Sharon Spell ​is the author of a hilarious show about the heartbreaking loss of her parents​. “You’re Doing Great!” played to a full house at the Tank’s Dead Parents Club Solo Show Festival in 2016. She’s appeared on the Moth Mainstage and ​is the ​host of The Sharon Spell Show comedy podcast​. She can be seen on stage at U​pright ​C​itizens ​B​rigade​ and ​on shows ​around NYC. Her visual art is also out about town. She’s into jokes, art and joie de vivre. No bummers!

Marc L Abbott is the author of the YA novel The Hooky Party and the children’s book Etienne and the Stardust Express. He is the director of the horror short SNAP and the online horror series Anthorrorgy. A two-time nominated actor, a 2015 Moth StorySlam and GrandSlam winner. He is the host of the monthly open mic Maaan, You’ve got to hear this! at Precious Metal in Bushwick, Brooklyn. He has written and performed two one man shows; Of Cats and Men: A Storytellers Journey and Love: African-American Style which was featured at the EATS festival at the TADA Theatre. He is also co-host of the podcast Beef, Wine and Shenanigans which airs twice a month and a member of the HWA.

Season 2: "Dead Parent Club - Live Panel"

This week, Julia and Asher go behind the bar.  Or rather, talk to people who do.  Amy and Sean are seasoned bartenders in NYC, which means they hear all kinds of stories, give out all kinds of advice, and meet all kinds of weird people.  We talk about what a regular means, what starting off in bartending is like, and just how much people are willing to expose to people serving them booze.  

Sean O’Brien is a comic/storyteller originally from Lavallette, New Jersey.   He runs a monthly comedy show  Titled Dummies&Company; in Brooklyn NY. sean is a Moth Grandslam champion and can be seen at various comedy clubs all around the Tri-State Area.

Amy Whitehouse is a New York City native working in the restaurant industry for almost 10 years.  

Season 2: "Bartending"

In a surprise mini episode, Julia asks Asher about the storytelling festival he’s producing.  Speak Up, Rise Up kicks off on Monday, August 14th and will showcase a week of stories from communities and people we don’t get to hear from.  Featuring shows from Ophira Eisenberg, Josh Johnson, Aparna Nancherla, Aisha Harris, Shannon Cason, and so many more.  

Check out www.speakupriseup.com for more info and check out some shows, especially because Julia will be in Mexico.  

Kevin Allison

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