Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Latest Episodes:

Emily Flake, Tessa Hulls, and Pure Bathing Culture Apr 19, 2024

Show notes

Cartoonist Emily Flake (The New Yorker) reveals Joke in a Box, her 70-card deck of creative prompts, which results in some live cartooning from the stage; writer and artist Tessa Hulls discusses her graphic memoir Feeding Ghosts, which looks at the three generations of Chinese women in her family; and indie pop duo Pure Bathing Culture perform "The Memento" from their latest album Chalice. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello tells us some favorite (short) jokes.

Gary Gulman, Anis Mojgani, and Olive Klug (REBROADCAST) Apr 12, 2024

Show notes

Comedian Gary Gulman (The Great Depresh) discusses his memoir Misfit: Growing Up Awkward in the '80s, his struggles with mental health, and the awkwardness of being recognized in the psyche ward; Oregon Poet Laureate Anis Mojgani reads from his newest collection The Tigers, They Let Me and makes the case for why poetry exists all around us; singer-songwriter Olive Klug touches on the TikTok generation of songwriting, before performing her song "Raining in June." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share the ways in which our listeners have been unexpectedly cheered up by others.

Moshe Kasher, Mohanad Elshieky, and Glitterfox Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

Comedian and writer Moshe Kasher dives into his new memoir Subculture Vulture, which explores the six communities which shaped his life, from AA and Burning Man to sign language interpretation and his ultra-Hasidic upbringing; stand-up comedian Mohanad Elshieky tells us why he might be the most dangerous man in America; and indie band Glitterbox perform their single "TV." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello chat about some niche subcultures our listeners have belonged to.

Scott Aukerman, Sarafina El-Badry Nance, and Family Worship Center (REBROADCAST) Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

Comedian and writer Scott Aukerman brings his wildly popular improv podcast Comedy Bang! Bang! to book form and reveals how a goofy name and an occupation is really how a character begins; astrophysicist Sarafina El-Badry Nance explores her own universe as a woman, scientist, cancer advocate, and one-time swimsuit model in her book Starstruck: A Memoir of Astrophysics and Finding Light in the Dark; rock ensemble and faux cult Family Worship Center perform "Snake Dance" from their new album Kicked Out Of The Garden. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share the alter egos of some of our listeners.

Lindy West, Paul F. Tompkins, and Ural Thomas & The Pain Mar 22, 2024

Show notes

Bestselling writer Lindy West (Shrill) chats about her new podcast Text Me Back, which unpacks friendship, the news, and text threads; comedian Paul F. Tompkins takes a stab at some other P.F.T. acronyms; and soul ensemble Ural Thomas & The Pain perform "No Distance." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some texting habits that really irk our listeners.

Héctor Tobar, Jena Friedman, and Joseph (REBROADCAST) Mar 15, 2024

Show notes

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.

Sloane Crosley, Roz Chast, and Black Belt Eagle Scout Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

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.

Maria Bamford and Isabeau Waia'u Walker (REBROADCAST) Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

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.

Dave Hill and No-No Boy Feb 23, 2024

Show notes

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.

Ken Jennings, Erica Berry, and Making Movies (REBROADCAST) Feb 16, 2024

Show notes

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.

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