Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Latest Episodes:

Mary Roach, Janesh Rahlan, and Amy Millan Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

Popular science writer Mary Roach dives into lab-grown organs, historical nose jobs, and unlikely hair transplants, as covered in her latest book Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy; stand-up comedian Janesh Rahlan riffs on learning Spanish as an Indian American growing up in Texas; and singer-songwriter Amy Millan (of the indie group Stars) recites her teenage monologue from Degrassi Junior High, before performing a track from her new solo album I Went to Find You.

Dana Schwartz, Jenny Odell, and Black Belt Eagle Scout (REBROADCAST) Oct 03, 2025

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.

Paul F. Tompkins and Meklit Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

Comedian and podcaster Paul F. Tompkins chats about taking his variety show Varietopia back on the road after his (surprise!) coronation as Live Wire's most frequently appearing guest; and vocalist Meklit offers her exquisite blend of Ethio-jazz during a performance of the track "Tizita" from her new album A Piece of Infinity.

Chuck Klosterman, and Making Movies (REBROADCAST) Sep 19, 2025

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.

Sam Sanders, Sandi DuBowski, and The Lowest Pair Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

Radio host and podcaster Sam Sanders makes the case for the three TV shows that he believes changed culture; filmmaker Sandi DuBowski discusses his documentary Sabbath Queen, which follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie over two decades as he grapples with orthodoxy, interfaith marriage, and his drag persona; and indie folk duo The Lowest Pair perform "Fall on My Knees"... a song which they once performed for 45 minutes at a medical marijuana market.

Jon Mooallem, Jenny Nguyen, and Laura Veirs (REBROADCAST) Sep 05, 2025

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.

Aubrey Gordon, Jean Grae, and Rogê Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

Podcaster Aubrey Gordon dives deep into topics tackled on her hit show Maintenance Phase,including the monopolization of weight-loss medications; multi-disciplinary artist Jean Grae explains why she's banning gum chewing and beatboxing at her funeral; and Brazilian singer-songwriter Rogê performs "A Lenda Do Abaeté" from his album Curyman II.

Lauren Fleshman, Joey Clift, and Who Is She? (REBROADCAST) Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

Record-breaking runner Lauren Fleshman unpacks her New York Times bestseller, Good for a Girl, a part-memoir, part-manifesto which challenges the male-built sports system; comedian and writer Joey Clift chats about his new Comedy Central digital series Gone Native, which delves into the weird microaggressions Native people are up against; and Seattle-based indie supergroup Who Is She? performs a cover of a Le Tigre song... which actually got them fired from a sports arena gig. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share what records our listeners would like to break.

Melissa Febos, Evan Ratliff, and Tropa Magica Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

Writer Melissa Febos discusses her latest book The Dry Season, wherein she explores the transformative—and at turns erotic—year she spent celibate; journalist Evan Ratliff takes us into the uncanny world of his podcast Shell Game, which examines the consequences of unleashing an AI version of himself out into the world; and psychedelic cumbia punk band Tropa Magica perform "Price of Life" from their album III.

Dylan Marron, and Brittany Davis (REBROADCAST) Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

Writer and podcaster Dylan Marron chats about his book and podcast of the same name, Conversations with People Who Hate Me, and how a phone call can forge a deeper connection than social media; and musician Brittany Davis explains how music became their first language as a blind person, before performing "Loud Loud World" from their EP I Choose to Live. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello unpack some unexpected topics of conversation.

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