Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Latest Episodes:

Kevin Young (Short) Aug 17, 2018

Show notes

Kevin Young, acclaimed poet and poetry editor of The New Yorker, speaks on his writing process, the inspiration he gleaned from Prince, and the cross-section between hip hop and poetry in describing the black experience. Young also reads from his collection "Blue Laws," including a poem about boxer Jack Johnson – the first black heavyweight champion.

Simon Rich (Short) Aug 03, 2018

Show notes

A humorist, novelist, and television writer, Rich talks with Luke about his youthful appearance making him "seem like a pretty clever 14-year-old," which leads to the longest awkward pause in Live Wire history. As a bonus treat, humorous segments from Rich's books are performed by Faces For Radio Theater.

Barbara Ehrenreich (Short) Jul 20, 2018

Show notes

In this podcast short from the Live Wire archive, author and activist Barbara Ehrenreich ("Nickel and Dimed") speaks to Luke Burbank back in 2014 about her book “Living with a Wild God: A Nonbeliever's Search for the Truth About Everything," defining the mysterious "visions" she experienced as a lifelong atheist, and her unending quest for knowledge.

Tessa Fontaine, Moses Storm, Abdi Nor Iftin, and Laura Veirs Jul 06, 2018

Show notes

Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello relive their “great escapes;” writer Tessa Fontaine explains how learning to eat fire as a part of America's last traveling sideshow helped mend her broken heart; comedian and actor Moses Storm riffs on a childhood spent living in a bus with his missionary family; memoirist and visa lottery winner Abdi Nor Iftin recounts his journey from war-torn Somalia to rural Maine; and singer-songwriter Laura Veirs performs the T.S. Eliot-inspired “Margaret Sands” from her latest album “The Lookout.”

Mike Pesca, Anya Yurchyshyn, Robby Slowik, Lindsey Murphy, and Prom Queen Jun 22, 2018

Show notes

Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello talk “do-overs” with real and hypothetical tattoos; author Anya Yurchyshyn discusses her new memoir “My Dead Parents,” in which she explores aspects of her parents she never knew; journalist and podcaster Mike Pesca dissects the most intriguing “what ifs” in sports history; science vlogger Lindsey Murphy reveals how she engages her young “Fab Lab" audience; comedian Robby Slowik ruminates on the need for a national anthem; and doom-wop singer-songwriter Prom Queen gives herself a musical makeover with her track “Blonde.”

Paul F. Tompkins, Ijeoma Oluo, and Open Mike Eagle Jun 08, 2018

Show notes

Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal what takes them out of their comfort zones; comedian Paul F. Tompkins discusses the perils of improvising on his podcast “Spontaneanation” and shares the secrets behind writing his theme to the film, “Phantom Thread;” writer Ijeoma Oluo unpacks the themes of racial oppression in her new book, “So You Want to Talk About Race;” and hip hop artist Open Mike Eagle performs a track from his concept album “Brick Body Kids Still Daydream” about the Chicago Housing Project where spent time as a kid.

Episode #363: Hanif Abdurraqib, Beth Stelling, Dr. Mary Zelinski, and John Craigie May 25, 2018

Show notes

Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello talk personal “breakthrough” moments, including the Jimmy Buffett lyric that has eluded them both; poet and music writer Hanif Abdurraqib discusses essays from his critically acclaimed book “They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us” and why he's no longer willing to suffer for his art; Portland scientist Mary Zelinski shares the breakthrough research on male contraceptives; comedian Beth Stelling spins stories on childhood guinea pigs and skin conditions; and folk humorist John Craigie performs, “Let’s Talk This Over When We’re Sober and Not at Burning Man.”

Episode #362: Matt Young, Katie Nguyen, Brandi Tuck, and Tomo Nakayama May 11, 2018

Show notes

Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello recall times when they were way over their heads; Marine-turned-writer Matt Young reflects on how his experience in the military informed his gut-wrenching memoir “Eat the Apple;” Portland non-profit leader Brandi Tuck explains how bringing together musicians and homeless mothers can produce healing; comedian Katie Nguyen riffs on the new “dewy” beauty standard; and musician Tomo Nakayama plays the title track from his airport-inspired album “Pieces of Sky.”

Episode #361: Chapman & Maclain Way, Mary Pilon, Ahmed Bharoocha, Raley Schweinfurth, and Ron Artis II & The Truth Apr 27, 2018

Show notes

Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello talk about their true beliefs; Chapman & Maclain Way, creators of the Netflix docuseries “Wild Wild Country,” discuss the incredible true story behind the followers of guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh who established a controversial commune in 1980s rural Oregon; sports journalist Mary Pilon details the life of Olympian Kevin Hall and his struggles with the Truman Show delusion; high school senior Raley Schweinfurth explains her award-winning efforts to save Portland’s bees; comedian Ahmed Bharoocha questions the crow flight training program; and Hawaiian soul group Ron Artis II & The Truth perform “Searching for Answers.”

Episode #360: Lindy West, Sarah Gertrude Shapiro, Alex Falcone, Stephen Green, and Moorea Masa & The Mood Apr 13, 2018

Show notes

Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello confess their guilty pleasures; New York Times columnist Lindy West reveals how she tried to entice Donald Trump into blocking her from Twitter; Sarah Gertrude Shapiro unpacks how her Lifetime series UnREAL was inspired by her own troubled experiences as a producer of The Bachelor; comedian Alex Falcone shares his frustrations over the "fashion raccoons" of secondhand boutiques; Portland startup entrepreneur Stephen Green speaks on the importance of supporting local Black businesses; and soul group Moorea Masa & The Mood perform “Ever Moving.”

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected