Live Wire with Luke Burbank-logo

Live Wire with Luke Burbank

PRI

Like late-night for radio, Live Wire is hosted by Luke Burbank (Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me) and artfully blends an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers, comedians, and cultural observers.

Location:

Portland, OR

Description:

Like late-night for radio, Live Wire is hosted by Luke Burbank (Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me) and artfully blends an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers, comedians, and cultural observers.

Language:

English

Contact:

3606 N. Mississippi Ave. Portland, OR 97227 503-548-4920


Episodes

Héctor Tobar, Jena Friedman, and Joseph

3/15/2024
Author Héctor Tobar explores the meanings and myths of the term "Latino" in his sixth book Our Migrant Souls; comedian and writer Jena Friedman (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm) chats about her debut collection of essays Not Funny and recounts the time she put her foot in her comedic mouth; and indie folk trio Joseph performs a cover of Tom Waits' song "Come On Up to the House." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello explain why you shouldn't attempt to be as funny as David Sedaris.

Duration:00:52:26

Sloane Crosley, Roz Chast, and Black Belt Eagle Scout

3/8/2024
Writer Sloane Crosley unpacks loss in her memoir, Grief is for People, which poignantly weaves the suicide of a dear friend with the burglary of her home; The New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast shares some of her weirdest dreams from her new illustrated book, I Must Be Dreaming, including meeting a rollerskating Fran Lebowitz; and indie rocker Black Belt Eagle Scout performs “Nobody” from her latest album The Land, The Water, The Sky.

Duration:00:52:27

REBROADCAST: Maria Bamford and Isabeau Waia'u Walker

3/1/2024
Comedian Maria Bamford chats about her new book Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult, which unpacks mental illness and the quest to belong... and why 12-step programs and the Suzuki Method have more in common than you might think. Then, singer-songwriter Isabeau Waia'u Walker performs her song "The Prince," written as a tribute to her father and the young men of Hawaii who often slip through the cracks. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some cult-adjacent experiences from our listeners.

Duration:00:51:37

Dave Hill and No-No Boy

2/23/2024
Comedian and writer Dave Hill dives into his newest book The Awesome Game, which makes the case for why hockey should be more popular in the United States, then tries his hand at the surprisingly popular genre of "hockey romance" novels; and singer-songwriter No-No Boy performs "Western Empress" from his latest album Empire Electric, which tells the history behind the grave of the first Japanese-American settler in Oregon. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share the most "awesome games" according to our listeners.

Duration:00:51:45

REBROADCAST: Ken Jennings, Erica Berry, and Making Movies

2/16/2024
Author and Jeopardy host Ken Jennings takes us on a journey to the afterlife with his latest book, 100 Places to See After You Die, and explains why contestant interviews are so darn awkward; writer Erica Berry discusses her debut book Wolfish, which examines all things "wolf" – from fables to fears; and international rock group Making Movies perform "Porcelina" from their album XOPA. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share versions of the perfect afterlife, according to our listeners.

Duration:00:51:33

EXTRA: Author Curtis Sittenfeld on the Longevity of Rom-Com Couples

2/14/2024
To celebrate Valentine's Day, this extra episode features author Curtis Sittenfeld (Romantic Comedy) in a game where she must decide if famous rom-com couples broke up or lived happily ever after.

Duration:00:09:58

Avery Trufelman, Camille Dungy, and Olive Klug

2/9/2024
Podcaster Avery Trufelman unpacks her podcast Articles of Interest, in which she reveals the history behind fashion and clothing, including prison uniforms and the debate over pockets; author Camille Dungy discusses her latest book Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden, which chronicles her attempts to diversify her garden in the predominantly white community of Fort Collins, Colorado; and singer-songwriter Olive Klug performs "Song About America," inspired by her experiences as a queer artist touring across the nation.

Duration:00:53:32

Black History Month Special: Tracy K. Smith, Saeed Jones, and Meklit

2/2/2024
In this Black History Month special episode, former U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith discusses her memoir To Free the Captives, which explores Black strength, continuance, and community by looking back at her own family’s history; poet Saeed Jones (Alive at the End of the World) unpacks the backstories behind some of his poems involving Billie Holiday, Maya Angelou, and Luther Vandross; and Ethio-Jazz musician Meklit performs the song, “I Want to Sing for Them All” as a tribute to her musical influences.

Duration:00:52:26

J. Wortham, Curtis Sittenfeld, and Margo Cilker

1/26/2024
Journalist J. Wortham (The New York Times Magazine, Still Processing) recounts what happened when they visited a nude queer beach in Oaxaca; author Curtis Sittenfeld discusses her newest novel Romantic Comedy, which flips the script on the celebrity love story; and singer-songwriter Margo Cilker performs "With the Middle" from her sophomore album Valley of Heart's Delight. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello highlight some favorite romantic moments in cinema.

Duration:00:52:25

REBROADCAST: Jamie Loftus, J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, and Danielle Ponder

1/19/2024
Writer and podcaster Jamie Loftus dives into her New York Times bestselling book Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs, a travelog on the cultural and historical significance of the American sausage; chef and food writer J. Kenji López-Alt tests his knowledge of cooking gadget infomercials; and R&B/Soul vocalist Danielle Ponder performs "So Long" from her debut album Some of Us Are Brave. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello go on some hypothetical road trips.

Duration:00:52:24

Hari Kondabolu, Kristi Coulter, and Quasi

1/12/2024
Comedian Hari Kondabolu discusses his new standup special “Vacation Baby” and how regrettably he blew off congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on her campaign trail; writer Kristi Coulter unpacks her memoir “Exit Interview: The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career,” which recounts the often soul-crushing work culture of an Amazon executive; and indie rock duo Quasi performs "Queen of Ears" off their new album “Breaking the Balls of History.” Plus, host Luke Burbank and Elena Passarello share some of the wildest things children have said to our listeners.

Duration:00:52:31

REBROADCAST: Ari Shapiro and Demi Adejuyigbe

1/5/2024
Ari Shapiro, journalist and co-host of All Things Considered, unpacks his new book The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening, which chronicles his reporting adventures across the globe, from Air Force One to the stage of the Hollywood Bowl; comedian and TV writer Demi Adejuyigbe explains how the WGA strike afforded him so much free time... to go to the Renaissance Faire. Plus, host Luke Burbank and Elena Passarello share stories of the most amazing strangers our listeners have encountered.

Duration:00:52:22

REBROADCAST: Timothy Egan and Dessa

12/29/2023
Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and acclaimed author Timothy Egan unpacks his newest book A Fever in the Heartland, which traces the Ku Klux Klan's expansion across America in the 1920s and one woman's crusade to stop them; rapper and poet proves she's more talented than AI by performing a poem she penned backstage using popular search terms. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal the most ridiculous challenges our listeners have accepted.

Duration:00:52:23

Paul F. Tompkins, José Olivarez, and Esme Patterson

12/22/2023
On the special holiday edition of Live Wire, comedian and podcaster Paul F. Tompkins talks about passive-aggressive Christmas carolers and the most tense rendition of “O Holy Night" he's ever heard; poet José Olivarez discusses his latest collection Promises of Gold, which explores the various types of love in our lives, from self-love to platonic love and over to romance; and singer-songwriter Esme Patterson performs her original Christmas song “If I.” Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share our listeners favorite holiday traditions.

Duration:00:51:37

EXTRA: Aparna Nancherla & Celebrity Lowlights

12/20/2023
In this podcast extra, comedian Aparna Nancherla (Unreliable Narrator: Me, Myself and Imposter Syndrome) is quizzed on the former "career lowlights" of some high-profile celebrities.

Duration:00:11:32

REBROADCAST: Laura Chinn, Mohanad Elshieky, and Jenny Conlee

12/15/2023
Writer and director Laura Chinn (Florida Girls) discusses her memoir Acne, which tackles her racial identity, Scientology, and of course... very oily skin; standup comedian Mohanad Elshieky riffs on embarrassing encounters with TSA and Uber drivers; and multi-instrumentalist Jenny Conlee, of The Decemberists, performs "Hawk" from her solo album Tides: Pieces for Accordion and Piano. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello hear from our listeners about what they obsessed over as teenagers.

Duration:00:52:19

Sam Sanders, Reggie Watts, and Sway Wild

12/8/2023
Podcaster Sam Sanders (Vibe Check) shares his hot takes on pop culture, from the Barbie movie to his favorite nepobaby; comedian Reggie Watts interprets his feelings about generation differences through a spoken word poem; and indie folk duo Sway Wild perform their song "Home," which was inspired by a two-month sailing voyage in British Columbia. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal our listeners' favorite moment in pop culture this year.

Duration:00:52:24

REBROADCAST: Dana Schwartz, Jenny Odell, and Black Belt Eagle Scout

12/1/2023
Novelist Dana Schwartz unpacks her gothic fantasy duology, Anatomy and Immortality, then dives into her podcast Noble Blood, which explores the bizarre and risqué lives of royals; writer Jenny Odell dismantles the clock in her newest book Saving Time while explaining it's unofficial motto: time is beans; and indie rocker Black Belt Eagle Scout performs "Don't Give Up" from her new album The Land, The Water, The Sky, which dreams up the atmosphere of her ancestral land of Swinomish. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal how our listeners love to "waste" time.

Duration:00:52:27

R. Eric Thomas, Ian Karmel, and NONBINARY GIRLFRIEND

11/24/2023
Author and columnist R. Eric Thomas shares anecdotes from his memoir Congratulations, The Best Is Over, including how baking cupcakes may have saved his life; standup comedian Ian Karmel makes the case for why Arby's is a farm-to-table restaurant; and indie group NONBINARY GIRLFRIEND perform the title track off their new album Big and Kind. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal the surprising differences between our listeners and their partners.

Duration:00:52:22

REBROADCAST: Kelsey McKinney, Brenda Shaughnessy, and Madison Cunningham

11/17/2023
Journalist and podcaster Kelsey McKinney (Defector) dishes on producing her juicy podcast Normal Gossip; poet Brenda Shaughnessy explains how her newest collection Tanya is partially an attempt to reconnect with her estranged college roommate; and Grammy-winner Madison Cunningham performs her single "Broken Harvest." Plus host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some niche gossip from our listeners.

Duration:00:52:23