We asked some of the most interesting folks in the community to open up about how they think about taking chances and the role risk has played in their lives and careers. Risk is by far the topic folks talk to us most about and we hope the responses below will help shed light on many different perspectives.

Steve Gelder

My best friend, who’s a civil engineer, very logical and risk-averse, was asking me about booking work as a stand up comic when that was my job. I explained the things I went through to get work in the clubs, and then told him a story of driving for two days to a club for a high-paying week headlining, only to arrive and find a sign on the door that they had closed. Read More>>

Jasmine Maya Royce

Most of my former career was all about taking risks. However, that word means different things to different people. A risk can be anything from small to huge. I dare greatly and have plotted my course on the fringe of creation. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t come with ups and downs. Read More>>

Kyshawna Johnson

I see risk as an essential part of growth. To me, taking risks means choosing faith over fear — whether that was leaving foster care without a safety net, pursuing my education while facing homelessness, publishing my first book, or launching a nonprofit from the ground up. Read More>>