Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Latest Episodes:

Isaac Fitzgerald on "Dirtbag, Massachusetts" May 26, 2023

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Writer Isaac Fitzgerald grapples with identity, forgiveness, and a new vision of masculinity in his searing memoir Dirtbag, Massachusetts; stand-up comedian Carmen Lagala explains how her love of the WNBA broke up a teenage relationship; and singer-songwriter No-No Boy performs "Boat People" from his album 1975, as a tribute to the millions who fled southeast Asia after the fall of Saigon. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello chat about childhood misperceptions.

Traveling Through Time with Dana Schwartz and Jenny Odell May 19, 2023

Show notes

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.

Chuck Klosterman Revisits The Nineties May 12, 2023

Show notes

In this rebroadcast, writer Chuck Klosterman (Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs) unpacks his newest book The Nineties and admits how the "slacker ethos" of the decade made him embarrassed to succeed as a writer; and international rock band Making Movies explains why it's difficult to separate activism from their music, before performing the title track off their album XOPA. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello get nostalgic for the 1990s.

Normal Gossip's Kelsey McKinney Defends Dishing May 05, 2023

Show notes

Journalist and podcaster Kelsey McKinney (Defector) dishes on producing her juicy podcast Normal Gossip; poet Brenda Shaughnessy explain 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 normal gossip from our listeners.

EXTRA: Normal Gossip's Kelsey McKinney Spills the "Jar of Tea" May 03, 2023

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In this podcast extra, journalist and Normal Gossip podcaster gives advice on gossip etiquette, from exes to eavesdropping.

Michelle Zauner (a.k.a. Japanese Breakfast) on "Crying in H Mart” Apr 28, 2023

Show notes

Musician and writer Michelle Zauner, a.k.a. Japanese Breakfast, discusses her memoir Crying in H Mart, in which she reconnects with her late mother and their Korean heritage through a love of food; stand-up comedian Sean Patton pokes fun at regional airports with a tough TSA; and singer-songwriter Kurt Vile confesses to being Philadelphia's best forklift driver, before performing "Flyin (Like a Fast Train)" from his latest album (watch my moves). Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal what our listeners would like to normalize.

The New Yorker's Adam Gopnik Tackles "The Real Work" Apr 21, 2023

Show notes

The New Yorker's Adam Gopnik takes us a journey of his new book The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery, in which he learns how to draw, drive a car at age 55, and pee in public; standup comedian Abby Govindan scams the KKK for a college class; and singer-songwriter Reckless Son chats about playing for the incarcerated at over 150 prisons across the nation, before performing his song "The Wisdom of a Child." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share what our listeners have mastered.

EXTRA: Christopher Walken Invites You to Become a Member Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

Luke and Elena explore their best celebrity impersonations in a desperate attempt to get you to join the League of Extraordinary Listeners!

Jon Mooallem Contemplates His "Serious Face" & The Sports Bra Turns 1 Apr 14, 2023

Show notes

Writer Jon Mooallem (The New York Times Magazine) discusses his newest collection of essays Serious Face and why you shouldn't tell your friend they look like a 1940’s Spanish bullfighter; chef Jenny Nguyen chats about opening her Portland bar The Sports Bra, which exclusively televises women's sports; and singer-songwriter Laura Veirs performs "My Lantern" from her latest album Found Light. Plus, Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello talk dream businesses.

EXTRA: Cheryl Strayed Gives Advice on "Tiny Meaningless Things" Apr 12, 2023

Show notes

In this podcast EXTRA, celebrated author Cheryl Strayed (Wild, Tiny Beautiful Things) dons her Dear Sugar persona to give advice on some meaningless (but fun!) everyday life scenarios.

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