Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Latest Episodes:

Jeff Chang and Okaidja Afroso Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

Writer and cultural critic Jeff Chang breaks down this latest book Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America, which explores the life and legacy of the martial arts icon — from his days as a pesky college kid in Seattle to teetering on the brink of Hollywood stardom; plus, Ghanaian singer and guitarist Okaidja Afroso explains how he uses his native language of Gã to create a new musical sensibility, before performing his song "Nū Ké Là" (Water and Fire) from his Ancient Africa Wisdom Trilogy.

Aubrey Gordon, Jean Grae, and Rogê (REBROADCAST) Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

Podcaster Aubrey Gordon dives deep into topics tackled on her hit show Maintenance Phase, including the monopolization of weight-loss medications; multi-disciplinary artist Jean Grae explains why she's banning gum chewing and beatboxing at her funeral; and Brazilian singer-songwriter Rogê performs "A Lenda Do Abaeté" from his album Curyman II.

Jamie Loftus, Daisy Hernández, and Olive Klug Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

In this "Independence Day Special" podcaster and writer Jamie Loftus takes us on a roadtrip across America to understand the cultural and historical significance of the hot dog; writer Daisy Hernández unpacks her latest book Citizenship: Notes on an American Myth, which explores immigration and national identity; and singer-songwriter Olive Klug performs their single "Song About America."

Atsuko Okatsuka, Jack Balderrama Morley, and Tyler Ballgame Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka tells us about Craigslist comedy, her trend-setting haircut, and how she never left America after visiting Disneyland as a child; writer Jack Balderrama Morley dives deep into the architecture of reality TV in his new book Dream Facades; and singer Tyler Ballgame performs the title track off his debut album For The First Time, Again.

Melissa Febos, Evan Ratliff, and Tropa Magica (REBROADCAST) Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Writer Melissa Febos discusses her latest book The Dry Season, wherein she explores the transformative—and at turns erotic—year she spent celibate; journalist Evan Ratliff takes us into the uncanny world of his podcast Shell Game, which examines the consequences of unleashing an AI version of himself out into the world; and psychedelic cumbia punk band Tropa Magica perform "Price of Life" from their album III.

Sarah Marshall, Camille Dungy, and Kassa Overall Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

Podcaster Sarah Marshall (You're Wrong About) unpacks her latest series The Devil You Know, which dissects the tangled web of Satanic Panic in the 1980s and 90s... and why it still lingers today; poet Camille Dungy explores living and loving as a Black woman and mother in present day America with her latest collection America, A Love Story; and drummer Kassa Overall interprets classic 1990s hip hop as new jazz standards.

J. Kenji López-Alt, Ann Powers, and Khatumu (REBROADCAST) Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

Celebrated chef J. Kenji López-Alt schools us on the food history of teriyaki, nachos, and broccoli cheddar soup; music critic Ann Powers unpacks her latest book Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell, which explores the musician's life and career, while addressing her own feelings about tackling the legend; and singer-songwriter Khatumu dispels the rumors that she was an "industry plant," before performing her song "allergy season."

Earlonne Woods & Nigel Poor, Dylan Adler, and Margo Cilker May 29, 2026

Show notes

Earlonne Woods & Nigel Poor discuss how they launched their award-winning podcast Ear Hustle while Earlonne was still incarcerated — and why the stories they share inside and outside of prison are not about redemption; stand-up comedian Dylan Adler reveals what he considers a real missed opportunity on this college application essay; and singer-songwriter Margo Cilker chats about signing her first artist to her new label — her husband Forrest VanTuyl, who joined her to perform "Lowland Trail."

Gabe Henry, William Nuʻutupu Giles, and Sir Woman (REBROADCAST) May 22, 2026

Show notes

Writer Gabe Henry unpacks his book Enough Is Enuf: Our Failed Attempts to Make English Eezier to Spell, which humorously explores the centuries-long evolution of the Simplified Spelling Movement, where "laugh" most became "laf;" Hawaii-born Samoan poet and educator William Nuʻutupu Giles performs a piece that reflects on making art in the language of his colonizers; and singer Kelsey Wilson recounts the "trippy" experience that led to the formation of her soul group Sir Woman, before performing the track "High Praise" from their album If It All Works Out.

Avery Trufelman, Kyle Kinane, and Johnny Franco and His Real Brother Dom May 15, 2026

Show notes

Avery Trufelman, creator and host of the fashion podcast Articles of Interest, unpacks how the US military of World War II came to shape menswear as we know it today; stand-up comedian Kyle Kinane comes to terms with the amount of micro (and macro) plastics in this body; and Brazilian musical duo Johnny Franco and His Real Brother Dom deliver their delightful shtick with tunes, jokes, and old-school radio charm.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6