Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Latest Episodes:

Lindy West, Kirsten Johnson, and Leyla McCalla Jul 30, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello talk movies this week, including some countlessly watched favorites; New York Times opinion writer and bestselling author Lindy West unpacks why she's known as the official hater of Love, Actually; filmmaker Kirsten Johnson comes to terms with the life, death, and legacy of her father through her Netflix documentary Dick Johnson is Dead; and folk singer Leyla McCalla brings the musicality of Langston Hughes' poetry to life with "Song for a Dark Girl" from her recently re-released album Vari-Colored Songs.

Lulu Miller of Radiolab, Sopan Deb, and Moorea Masa Jul 23, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello touch on some fascinating things that are mystifying listeners; writer and Radiolab co-host Lulu Miller unpacks the problematic practices of turn-of-the-century taxonomist David Starr Jordan, the subject of her book Why Fish Don't Exist; comedian and New York Times contributor Sopan Deb discusses his memoir Missed Translations about reconnecting with his immigrant parents; and Moorea Masa performs her single "Honey."

Hanif Abdurraqib, Eula Biss, and Lydia Loveless Jul 16, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello discuss personal theme songs; cultural critic and poet Hanif Abdurraqib describes how his playlist project 68to05 reflects the origins of his personal music fandom; author Eula Biss unpacks the intersection of homeownership and white privilege in her newest collection of essays Having and Being Had; and alt-country singer Lydia Loveless performs "Say My Name" from her latest album Daughter.

Lidia Yuknavitch, Atsuko Okatsuka, and The Black Tones Jul 09, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello discuss what listeners have learned about themselves recently; writer Lidia Yuknavitch describes her latest collection of stories, titled Verge, as a series of devotionals to the outcasts among us; comedian Atsuko Okatsuka admits to her insecurities around teenage skateboarders; and Seattle-based rock group The Black Tones shred with "Mama! There's A Spider In My Room!" from their album Cobain & Cornbread.

Lori Gottlieb, Mitchell S. Jackson, Mohanad Elshieky, and Revel in Dimes Jul 02, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello unpack some unpopular opinions; author and psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb explains the importance of delivering a “compassionate truth bomb” to loved ones in need; Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Mitchell S. Jackson discusses his latest book Survival Math, in which he revisits painful relationships with the women from his past; comedian Mohanad Elshieky riffs on reading the Bible as a Muslim; and Brooklyn blues group Revel in Dimes perform “Tough City for Love.”

Ashley C. Ford and Amigo the Devil Jun 25, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some hypothetical memoir titles penned by listeners; writer Ashely C. Ford discusses her celebrated debut book Somebody's Daughter, which follows her experience growing up in Indiana with an incarcerated father; and gothic folk icon Amigo the Devil explains how his fascination with the macabre has evolved, before performing a rollicking version of "24K Casket" from his newest album Born Against.

Adam Mansbach, Maya Forbes & China Forbes, and Kurt Braunohler Jun 18, 2021

Show notes

In celebration of Father's Day, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some favorite fictional dads; writer Adam Mansbach discusses his path to publishing the hit "parenting" book series Go the F**k to Sleep; filmmaker Maya Forbes recounts being raised by her bipolar father, which inspired her film Infinitely Polar Bear; songstress China Forbes, of Pink Martini, performs The Northern Line from her sister's film; and comedian Kurt Braunohler offers his outrageous take on becoming a new father.

Chris Gethard, Clint Smith, and Faye Webster Jun 11, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello get excited about reviving some summer traditions; comedian Chris Gethard chats about his new road-tripping comedy special Half My Life and why he made a pit stop at the dubious Gatorworld theme park; Clint Smith, staff writer at The Atlantic, unpacks his latest book How the Word Is Passed, which tours landmarks and monuments that have shaped the collective conversation around slavery; and indie folk artist Faye Webster performs "Better Distractions" from her new album I Know I'm Funny haha.

Daniel Lavery, Michael Arceneaux, and The Head and the Heart Jun 04, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some financial advice penned by listeners to their younger selves; writer and Slate advice columnist Daniel Lavery explains how his latest book, Something That May Shock and Discredit You, revisits the media and myths of his past through the lens of his transition; New York Times bestselling author Michael Arceneaux unpacks the hard truths of student loan debt in his newest essay collection I Don't Want to Die Poor; and Jonathan Russell from indie folk group The Head and the Heart performs "Glory of Music."

John Green and Dessa May 28, 2021

Show notes

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some controversial 1-star reviews submitted by listeners; bestselling author and vlogger John Green (The Fault in our Stars) discusses his new collection of essays, The Anthropocene Reviewed, which expands upon his podcast to review different aspects of our human-shaped world, from Diet Dr. Pepper to sunsets; and rapper Dessa chats about her new monthly singles project, IDES, before performing her pitch-perfect track "Terry Gross."

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected