Hey folks, this is Risk, the show where people tell true stories they never thought they

dare to share. I'm Kevin Allison, and every Thursday we release these special episodes

where we look back at content from our earlier years.

Hey, one little thing before we start. If you want to jump in on my online storytelling

workshops starting on February 15th, 2026, email me at Kevin at risk dash show.com for more info.

Now this week, it's the best of love stories. Number four, both of these stories

are highly unusual as far as what you might expect from an episode called love stories.

But of course, that's the way we roll. In a little bit, you're going to hear from

Reba Sparrow, the amazing co-creator and co-host of the Mystery Box show in Portland. That show was

retired, but there's still tons of wonderful mystery box content on YouTube. But before that,

we're going to hear a story of, well, you know how

in wedding vows they often talk about through the best of times and the worst of times?

Here's a story about a couple that made it through the worst of times. This is my dear friend,

Smith Galtney, an artist and storyteller, phenomenal photographer, who you can find at Smith Galtney, an artist and storyteller, phenomenal photographer, who you can find at

Smithgultene.com.

This was recorded at a risk live show in Brooklyn in 2016, and it's a story we call

Pleasant Mountain.

Thank you. Pleasant Mountain. So my partner, John and I were on a hike.

It's 2009.

It's a really hot day in August, but I'm wearing a long-sleeve shirt to cover the track marks on my arms.

I'm addicted to crystal meth, but shh, it's a secret. Shortly into the first incline,

an incline that wouldn't have fazed me about a year and a half before.

...