Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Latest Episodes:

Demi Adejuyigbe, Jamie Loftus, and The War and Treaty Oct 08, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello discover what topics listeners would discuss on their hypothetical podcasts; comedian Jamie Loftus unpacks her Lolita Podcast, which reexamines the controversial literary classic through a feminist lens; comedian and television writer Demi Adejuyigbe (The Good Place, The Amber Ruffin Show) explains why he feels the creative pressure every September 21st; and powerhouse duo The War and Treaty perform the deeply personal song "Five More Minutes" from their latest album Hearts Town.

Marlee Matlin, Melissa Febos, and Ida Mae Oct 01, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share listener advice to their teenage selves; actor Marlee Matlin discusses her critically-acclaimed new film CODA and why she's advocating for Deaf actors to play Deaf roles; writer Melissa Febos opens up about her new collection of essays, Girlhood, which looks at the forces that shape the lives of girls and the adults they become; and British blues-folk duo Ida Mae performs the tender song "Raining for You" from their latest album Click Click Domino.

Mary Norris, Ryan O'Connell, and Dirty Revival Sep 24, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some favorite words submitted by listeners; grammar expert Mary Norris recounts her early days as a copy editor at The New Yorker and her foray into all things Greek; actor and television writer Ryan O’Connell explains how keeping his cerebral palsy a secret inspired his book and Netflix series Special; and soul-rock group Dirty Revival tear down the house with “Pipe Dreams.”

Mark Duplass & Natalie Morales, James Whiteside, and Dar Williams Sep 17, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some special skills that listeners dream of having; filmmakers Mark Duplass & Natalie Morales open up about forming a friendship while making the film Language Lessons, which they shot entirely on webcams; ballet dancer James Whiteside chats about his new memoir Center Center and the need for more queerness in classical ballet; and singer-songwriter and environmental activist Dar Williams explains why she's not sweating the headlines, before serenading us with "Time, Be My Friend" from her new album I'll Meet You Here.

Maria Bamford, Shain Brenden, and Brandy Clark Sep 10, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello consider the misconceptions our families have about us; comedian and actress Maria Bamford convinces us that anybody can create their own comedy special; stand-up comic Shain Brenden compares his former "single dad" status to a foreclosed home; and Grammy-nominated country singer-songwriter Brandy Clark spins her love of the film Jaws into the topical and heartfelt song "Bigger Boat."

Nichole Perkins, Lucy Walker, and Joshua Henry Sep 03, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello celebrate the songs lyrics that reflect our lives; writer Nichole Perkins discusses her memoir Sometimes I Trip On How Happy We Could Be and makes the case for why Niles Crane is sexy; Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Lucy Walker (Waste Land) unpacks her epic new documentary Bring You Own Brigade, which goes deep inside the devastation of California's wildfires; and Tony-nominated performer Joshua Henry (Hamilton) shows us how seductive our cellphones can be in his new song Guarantee.

Hari Kondabolu, Sarah Scoles, and Angelica Garcia Aug 27, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and guest announcer Hari Kondabolu admit to being undecided on matters of personal hygiene and bed-making; science journalist Sarah Scoles encounters some true believers at the International UFO Congress; and singer-songwriter Angelica Garcia performs "I Don't Believe in Death" from her album Cha Cha Palace.

SNL's Cecily Strong and Shad Aug 20, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello defy expectations this week; comedian Cecily Strong delves into her memoir This Will All Be Over Soon, which weaves themes of grief with moments of absurdity, like filming SNL with her phone during lockdown; Toronto rapper Shad chats about interviewing his heroes for the Emmy Award-winning Netflix series Hip-Hop Evolution and why he's fine with being the "nice guy" in rap music; plus, Shad performs "Out of Touch" from his prescient forthcoming album TAO.

Casey Cep, Matteo Lane, and Samantha Crain Aug 13, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello talk "do-overs" this week and hear from listeners about their finicky unfinished projects; New Yorker staff writer Casey Cep discusses her debut book Furious Hours, which follows a mysterious Alabama murder case that captivated beloved author Harper Lee; comedian Matteo Lane questions the job description of pharmacists; and singer-songwriter Samantha Crain details how her days as a child powerlifter prepared her for a life of touring, before performing "High Horse" from her album A Small Death.

Daisy Hernández and Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips Aug 06, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello fantasize about a post-pandemic life; writer Daisy Hernández unpacks her latest book The Kissing Bug, a reportage-meets-memoir which follows how Chagas disease affects Latinx communities; Wayne Coyne, frontman of The Flaming Lips, discusses playing a Covid-safe concert where both the band and the audience members are inside their own space bubbles; and we hear a performance of their hit song "Do You Realize" from inside the bubble.

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