Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Latest Episodes:

Best News: Flying the Coop with Flamingo 492 Apr 13, 2022

Show notes

Luke and Elena discuss Band-Aid haute couture, a runaway flamingo living his best life in Texas, and a hyperpolyglot who finds empathy through language learning.

Roger Reeves, Anis Mojgani, Franny Choi, and Derrick C. Brown with The Helio Sequence Apr 08, 2022

Show notes

To celebrate National Poetry Month, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share listener-penned haikus and some of Live Wire's most memorable poet appearances: Roger Reeves explains why poetry is the harbinger of the future; Oregon Poet Laureate Anis Mojgani performs "Today's Love is Brought to You by the Letter John Sands;" Franny Choi discusses how she incorporated Google Translate into her latest collection Soft Science; and Derrick C. Brown teams up with indie band The Helio Sequence for a rhythmically-moving poetic experience.

Best News: Sobbing to Prince Apr 06, 2022

Show notes

Luke and Elena discuss "guilty" fan mail, one teacher's maligned footwear (and what his students decided to do about it), and newly discovered footage of a young Prince standing up for public school teachers.

Jamie Loftus, Jelani Memory, and Tolliver Apr 01, 2022

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello remember some beloved comic strip characters; comedian Jamie Loftus unpacks her newest podcast Aack Cast, which takes a deep dive into how the Cathy comic still pertains to feminist struggles today; writer and publisher Jelani Memory (A Kids Book About Racism) discusses how he launched a book series for parents and kids to tackle heavy topics; and soul-funk artist Tolliver performs his single "Say What!”

Best News: The Susie Burbank Rule Mar 30, 2022

Show notes

Luke and Elena discuss rolling mangos, the book lady of Danville, Virginia, and a happily ever after for a supposedly "gay" dog.

Chris Gethard, Julia Rosen, and Shakey Graves Mar 25, 2022

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello go deep as why we struggle with our favorite things becoming popular; comedian Chris Gethard chats about his latest road-tripping comedy special Half My Life and why he made a pit stop at the dubious Gatorworld theme park; science journalist Julia Rosen schools us on the invasive nature of earthworms, which could be threatening the maple syrup supply; and Americana singer-songwriter Shakey Graves recounts his daunting days as an auditioning actor, before performing the title track of his re-released debut album Roll the Bones.

Best News: The Backstreet Breakers Mar 23, 2022

Show notes

Luke and Elena discuss the lost mail of an all-Black, female WWII battalion, a Hawaiian cardboard shredding company that is helping businesses and the environment, and Luke's elusive days in a breakdance crew.

Silvia Vasquez-Lavado, Curtis Cook, and Patterson Hood Mar 18, 2022

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello talk "personal Mt. Everests;" writer and mountaineer Silvia Vasquez-Lavado discusses how she became the first openly gay woman to climb “The Seven Summits” while overcoming addiction and childhood trauma; comedian Curtis Cook explains why you shouldn't wear a suit to Red Lobster; and Patterson Hood, frontman of Drive-By Truckers, unpacks his decades-long collaboration with bandmates, then performs "Shake and Pine" from their forthcoming album.

Best News: Macho Nacho Man Mar 16, 2022

Show notes

Luke and Elena discuss appliance clocks, a veteran elementary school teacher who has raised over $100,000 to keep students from going hungry over break, and the recent discovery of the century-old Endurance shipwreck.

Andrea Nevins, Melissa Febos, and Pink Martini Mar 11, 2022

Show notes

Live Wire celebrates Women's History Month by honoring some unsung heroes from the past; filmmaker Andrea Nevins shines a light on the challenges and triumphs of female comedians in her documentary Hysterical; writer Melissa Febos opens up about her collection of essays, Girlhood, which looks at the forces that shape the lives of girls and the adults they become; and genre-bending musical group Pink Martini performs a soaring cover of the 1970s hit "I Am Woman."

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected