Live Wire with Luke Burbank
About
Available on
Community
626 episodes
Comedian and writer Scott Aukerman brings his wildly popular improv podcast to book form and reveals how a goofy name and an occupation is really how a character begins; astrophysicist Sarafina El-Badry Nance explores her own universe as a woman, scientist, cancer advocate, and one-time swimsuit model in her book rock ensemble and faux cult Family Worship Center perform "Snake Dance" from their new album n. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share the alter egos of some of our listeners.
Bestselling writer Lindy West () chats about her new podcast , which unpacks friendship, the news, and text threads; comedian Paul F. Tompkins takes a stab at some other P.F.T. acronyms; and soul ensemble Ural Thomas & The Pain perform "No Distance." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some texting habits that really irk our listeners.
Author Héctor Tobar explores the meanings and myths of the term "Latino" in his sixth book ; comedian and writer Jena Friedman () chats about her debut collection of essays and recounts the time she put her foot in her comedic mouth; and indie folk trio Joseph performs a cover of Tom Waits' song "Come On Up to the House." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello explain why you shouldn't attempt to be as funny as David Sedaris.
Writer Sloane Crosley unpacks loss in her memoir, , which poignantly weaves the suicide of a dear friend with the burglary of her home; The New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast shares some of her weirdest dreams from her new illustrated book, , including meeting a rollerskating Fran Lebowitz; and indie rocker Black Belt Eagle Scout performs “Nobody” from her latest album
Comedian Maria Bamford chats about her new book , which unpacks mental illness and the quest to belong... and why 12-step programs and the Suzuki Method have more in common than you might think. Then, singer-songwriter Isabeau Waia'u Walker performs her song "The Prince," written as a tribute to her father and the young men of Hawaii who often slip through the cracks. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some cult-adjacent experiences from our listeners.
Comedian and writer Dave Hill dives into his newest book , which makes the case for why hockey should be more popular in the United States, then tries his hand at the surprisingly popular genre of "hockey romance" novels; and singer-songwriter No-No Boy performs "Western Empress" from his latest album , which tells the history behind the grave of the first Japanese-American settler in Oregon. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share the most "awesome games" according to our listeners.
Author and Jeopardy host Ken Jennings takes us on a journey to the afterlife with his latest book, , and explains why contestant interviews are so darn awkward; writer Erica Berry discusses her debut book , which examines all things "wolf" – from fables to fears; and international rock group Making Movies perform "Porcelina" from their album . Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share versions of the perfect afterlife, according to our listeners.
To celebrate Valentine's Day, this extra episode features author Curtis Sittenfeld () in a game where she must decide if famous rom-com couples broke up or lived happily ever after.
Podcaster Avery Trufelman unpacks her podcast , in which she reveals the history behind fashion and clothing, including prison uniforms and the debate over pockets; author Camille Dungy discusses her latest book which chronicles her attempts to diversify her garden in the predominantly white community of Fort Collins, Colorado; and singer-songwriter Olive Klug performs "Song About America," inspired by her experiences as a queer artist touring across the nation.
In this Black History Month special episode, former U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith discusses her memoir which explores Black strength, continuance, and community by looking back at her own family’s history; poet Saeed Jones () unpacks the backstories behind some of his poems involving Billie Holiday, Maya Angelou, and Luther Vandross; and Ethio-Jazz musician Meklit performs the song, “I Want to Sing for Them All” as a tribute to her musical influences.
Journalist J. Wortham () recounts what happened when they visited a nude queer beach in Oaxaca; author Curtis Sittenfeld discusses her newest novel , which flips the script on the celebrity love story; and singer-songwriter Margo Cilker performs "With the Middle" from her sophomore album Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello highlight some favorite romantic moments in cinema.
Writer and podcaster Jamie Loftus dives into her bestselling book , a travelog on the cultural and historical significance of the American sausage; chef and food writer J. Kenji López-Alt tests his knowledge of cooking gadget infomercials; and R&B/Soul vocalist Danielle Ponder performs "So Long" from her debut album . Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello go on some hypothetical road trips.
Comedian Hari Kondabolu discusses his new standup special “Vacation Baby” and how regrettably he blew off congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on her campaign trail; writer Kristi Coulter unpacks her memoir “Exit Interview: The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career,” which recounts the often soul-crushing work culture of an Amazon executive; and indie rock duo Quasi performs "Queen of Ears" off their new album “Breaking the Balls of History.” Plus, host Luke Burbank and Elena Passarello share some of the wildest things children have said to our listeners.
Ari Shapiro, journalist and co-host of , unpacks his new book , which chronicles his reporting adventures across the globe, from Air Force One to the stage of the Hollywood Bowl; comedian and TV writer Demi Adejuyigbe explains how the WGA strike afforded him so much free time... to go to the Renaissance Faire. Plus, host Luke Burbank and Elena Passarello share stories of the most amazing strangers our listeners have encountered.
Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and acclaimed author Timothy Egan unpacks his newest book , which traces the Ku Klux Klan's expansion across America in the 1920s and one woman's crusade to stop them; rapper and poet proves she's more talented than AI by performing a poem she penned backstage using popular search terms. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal the most ridiculous challenges our listeners have accepted.
On the special holiday edition of Live Wire, comedian and podcaster Paul F. Tompkins talks about passive-aggressive Christmas carolers and the most tense rendition of “O Holy Night" he's ever heard; poet José Olivarez discusses his latest collection which explores the various types of love in our lives, from self-love to platonic love and over to romance; and singer-songwriter Esme Patterson performs her original Christmas song “If I.” Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share our listeners favorite holiday traditions.
In this podcast extra, comedian Aparna Nancherla () is quizzed on the former "career lowlights" of some high-profile celebrities.
Writer and director Laura Chinn () discusses her memoir which tackles her racial identity, Scientology, and of course... very oily skin; standup comedian Mohanad Elshieky riffs on embarrassing encounters with TSA and Uber drivers; and multi-instrumentalist Jenny Conlee, of The Decemberists, performs "Hawk" from her solo album Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello hear from our listeners about what they obsessed over as teenagers.
Podcaster Sam Sanders () shares his hot takes on pop culture, from the movie to his favorite nepobaby; comedian Reggie Watts interprets his feelings about generation differences through a spoken word poem; and indie folk duo Sway Wild perform their song "Home," which was inspired by a two-month sailing voyage in British Columbia. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal our listeners' favorite moment in pop culture this year.
Novelist Dana Schwartz unpacks her gothic fantasy duology, and then dives into her podcast , which explores the bizarre and risqué lives of royals; writer Jenny Odell dismantles the clock in her newest book 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 , 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.
Author and columnist R. Eric Thomas shares anecdotes from his memoir , including how baking cupcakes may have saved his life; standup comedian Ian Karmel makes the case for why Arby's is a farm-to-table restaurant; and indie group NONBINARY GIRLFRIEND perform the title track off their new album . Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal the surprising differences between our listeners and their partners.
Journalist and podcaster Kelsey McKinney () dishes on producing her juicy podcast ; poet Brenda Shaughnessy explains how her newest collection is partially an attempt to reconnect with her estranged college roommate; and Grammy-winner Madison Cunningham performs her single "Broken Harvest." Plus host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some niche gossip from our listeners.
Comedian Paul F. Tompkins chats about his improv comedy podcast , where he and fellow comedians re-enact posts from the app Nextdoor; poet Safiya Sinclair discusses her memoir in which she recounts growing up Rastafarian in Jamaica under the strict patriarchy of her father; and singer-songwriter Isabeau Waia'u Walker performs her song "All My Friends Think I'm Okay." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some unhinged behavior from the neighbors of our listeners.
Record-breaking runner Lauren Fleshman unpacks her bestseller , a part-memoir, part-manifesto which challenges the male-built sports system; comedian and writer Joey Clift chats about his digital series , 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.
Comedian and writer Aparna Nancherla discusses her memoir and why her mother made her order pizza to combat her shyness stand-up comedian Gary Gulman riffs on the false notion of dangerous scissors in elementary school; singer-songwriter and historian No-No Boy performs his song "1603," featured on his latest album , which tells the story of the first non-Native sighting of Oregon by a multicultural crew of sailors who fell through the cracks of history. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello learn about the times our listeners suffered from impostor syndrome.
Celebrated author Cheryl Strayed () revisits her collection of advice columns, which celebrates its tenth anniversary and has recently been adapted as a Hulu series starring Kathryn Hahn; writer Joseph Earl Thomas unpacks his memoir , in which he describes how geek culture saved him from his hazardous upbringing; and singer-songwriter Stephanie Anne Johnson performs their song "The Day That You Begin." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some life advice from our listeners.
Comedian Gary Gulman () discusses his memoir his struggles with mental health, and the awkwardness of being recognized in the psyche ward; Oregon Poet Laureate Anis Mojgani reads from his newest collection and makes the case for why poetry exists all around us; singer-songwriter Olive Klug touches on the TikTok generation of songwriting, before performing her song "Raining in June." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share the ways in which our listeners have been unexpectedly cheered up by others.
Poet and essayist Ross Gay () dissects privilege, pain, and skateboarding, all themes from his newest book ; Michelin Star chef Iliana Regan outlines her journey from farmer's markets to foraging, while creating a new dining experience in the wilds of Michigan; and singer-songwriter Baroque Betty, accompanied by Mood Area 52, performs the title track off her album . Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share our listeners' perfect weekends.
Comedian and writer Scott Aukerman brings his wildly popular improv podcast to book form and reveals how a goofy name and an occupation is really how a character begins; astrophysicist Sarafina El-Badry Nance explores her own universe as a woman, a scientist, a cancer advocate, and a one-time swimsuit model in her book rock ensemble and faux cult Family Worship Center perform "Snake Dance" from their new album n. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share the alter egos of some of our listeners.
Comedian Hari Kondabolu ( unpacks his most popular tweets and dives into why Bert and Ernie need couples' therapy. Then, singer-songwriter Margo Cilker explains why she might have cow poop on her sleeve at any given time backstage, before performing "Tehachapi" from her debut album Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello get nostalgic for some snacks from the past.
