Live Wire with Luke Burbank

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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."

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."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello talk post-lockdown self-care; author and blogger Samantha Irby discusses her latest collection of essays Wow, No Thank You and settles some household disputes in the "Live Wire Court;" comedian Jackie Kashian casts doubt over the “empathic” abilities of her fellow comics; and Grammy Award-winning blues artist Fantastic Negrito takes us on a journey through his musical rebirth, before serenading us with "Nobody Makes Money."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello celebrate the trivial things we spend too much time debating; podcaster Anna Sale reveals how she gets to the heart of the matter in her podcast Death, Sex & Money and in her new book Let's Talk About Hard Things; writer Elissa Washuta explains how magic and witchcraft helped her get sober, as detailed in her collection of essays White Magic; and indie rock icon Juliana Hatfield performs "Mouthful of Blood" from her new album Blood.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello celebrate Mother's Day by sharing some favorite fictional moms submitted by listeners; award-winning writer Saeed Jones (How We Fight for Our Lives) talks about coming out to his mother; comedian Laurie Kilmartin delivers an outrageous set about single motherhood; filmmaker Barry Sonnenfeld chats about his complicated relationship with his mom, which he details in his memoir Barry Sonnenfeld, Call Your Mother; and singer-songwriter Alela Diance performs "Albatross" from her album Cusp, which explores her experience around becoming a parent.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello get nostalgic about childhood foods; comedian and podcaster Laci Mosley (A Black Lady Sketch Show, Scam Goddess) lends her expertise to real-life "sketchy" situations; musician Michelle Zauner, a.k.a. Japanese Breakfast, discusses her memoir Crying in H Mart, in which she reconnects with her late mother and their Korean heritage through a love of food; and multi-instrumentalist Kishi Bashi performs "Wait for Springtime" from his new EP Emigrant.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello relish in delightful things; comedian Cameron Esposito unpacks the ups and downs of making Zoom her comedy stage; poet Ross Gay ponders his fascination with themes of joy and gratitude, while chatting about his essay collection The Book of Delights; and indie folk trio The Lone Bellow share a song they wrote collaboratively while social distancing.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello consider some dream careers; playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes explains her love of the human voice and how eavesdropping has inspired her writing; essayist Lauren Hough recounts the various hats she's worn — including airman, cable installer, and cult member; and instrumental duo Black Violin ponder the balance they strike between hip hop and classical music.

To celebrate National Poetry Month, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share listener-penned haikus and invite three poets to the House Party; Roger Reeves tells us why poetry is the harbinger of the future; Franny Choi discusses how she incorporated Google Translate and the Turing Test into her latest collection Soft Science; and Derrick C. Brown teams up with indie band The Helio Sequence for a rhythmically-moving poetry performance.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reminisce with listeners about the most memorable live performances they've experienced; writer Hanif Abdurraqib discusses his new book A Little Devil in America, in which he unpacks the cultural and historical impact of Black performance; filmmaker Andrea Nevins shines a light on the challenges and triumphs of female comedians in her documentary Hysterical; and Americana singer-songwriter Shakey Graves celebrates the 10th anniversary of his debut album Roll the Bones by performing the title track.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share hometown slogans penned by Live Wire listeners; comedian Paula Poundstone makes time to chat between walking her dogs and bleaching her house; comedy writer Joey Clift, creator of Our Fifty States Project, explains how he crowdsourced musicians to make an album for every state in the union; and jazz vocalist Jimmie Herrod performs a spring-inspired song he composed during lockdown in his Manhattan apartment.

In honor of Women's History Month, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello celebrate amazing women through the ages; Mikki Kendall, author of Hood Feminism, explains how to right the historical wrongs of the mainstream feminist movement; comedian Jamie Loftus unpacks her Lolita Podcast, which reexamines the literary classic as a cautionary tale; and genre-bending musical group Pink Martini performs a cover of the 1970s hit "I Am Woman."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share listener acts of kindness; writer Shea Serrano discusses how he uses Twitter to raise funds for people in need, especially during the pandemic; comedian Brooks Wheelan recounts how he won a $500 bet with fellow comedian Nick Turner when he completed a marathon… hungover; and singer-songwriter Waxahatchee sings "Can't Do Much" off her album Saint Cloud.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello talk birds of all kinds this week; writer Matthew Gavin Frank discusses the controversial world of diamond-smuggling pigeons; filmmaker Davy Rothbart and his subject Cheryl Sanford unpack 20 years of filming her family in their documentary 17 Blocks; and musicians Andrew Bird & Jimbo Mathus, former bandmates of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, perform "Sweet Oblivion" from their new collaborative album These 13.

This week Live Wire celebrates Black History Month with groundbreaking Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, who reminds us of the power in self-belief; New Yorker poetry editor Kevin Young on his love of Jack Johnson, Prince, and pork; writer Clyde W. Ford, whose book Think Black outlines his father's experience as the first black software engineer in America; and a powerhouse performance from Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Amythyst Kiah.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello put a spin on some of our listeners’ favorite words and phrases; hip hop performer and activist Talib Kweli recounts stepping away from big-budget rap culture to become an independent artist; bestselling author George Saunders revisits his love of teaching through unpacking 19th century Russian literature; and singer-songwriter Jillette Johnson performs her incidentally-titled song "I Shouldn't Go Anywhere."

In celebration of Valentine's Day, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello give some love to the inanimate objects that get us through life; comedian Naomi Ekperigin, who co-hosts the podcast Couples Therapy with her partner, riffs on her reluctance towards motherhood; Poet Laureate of Oregon Anis Mojgani rewrites a love poem to reflect his post-divorce reality; and husband and wife duo The War and Treaty perform their heart-wrenching song "Five More Minutes."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello unveil some hidden talents; actor and best-selling author David Duchovny explains how his latest novel Truly Like Lightning is an attempt to have a larger conversation about America; jump rope world champions Nick and Kaylee Woodard test Luke's skills with a virtual lesson; and alt-folk artist Jensen McRae performs her harrowing new song "Wolves."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share the silliest ways listeners are getting through quarantine; grief expert and podcaster Nora McInerny offers tips on parenting during a pandemic; writer Jon Mooallem (The New York Times Magazine) discusses the survival lessons we can glean from his latest book about the 1964 Alaskan earthquake; and Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy serenades us with "Save It For Me," which he penned in the early stages of lockdown.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello recount the most impactful things anyone has ever said to them; actor Connor Ratliff explains how being fired by Tom Hanks inspired his hit podcast Dead Eyes, through which he unpacks showbiz rejection; professor of neuroscience Dr. Carl Hart makes the argument for responsible drug use; and folk icon and activist Ani DiFranco reflects on making her 22nd album Revolutionary Love with masked musicians during a pandemic.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal some surprising facts about their parents; author Dani Shapiro explains how a mail-in DNA test revealed a family secret, which formed the basis of her New York Times bestseller Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love; comedian and podcaster Chris Garcia pokes fun at his life choices by channeling his Cuban father; and Casey Neill & The Norway Rats perform “Savages” from their album Subterrene.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello discuss the mysteries they can never seem to solve; 99% Invisible podcasters Roman Mars & Kurt Kohlstedt unveil the hidden world of everyday design in their companion book The 99% Invisible City; writer Shayla Lawson takes the lead role in her new collection of essays This Is Major, in which she celebrates black womanhood; and Colin Hay, former frontman of Men at Work, performs an acoustic version of their hit song "Overkill."

In this celebratory New Year's special episode, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello make their resolutions for 2021; author and journalist Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall describes his gonzo attempts to find a cure for the hangover; Unlikely Hikers founder Jenny Bruso expands upon her mission to make the outdoors more accessible for all; and Portland's "First Lady of the Blues" LaRhonda Steele soars with a cover of Nina Simone's "Feeling Good."

In this "Best of 2020" holiday special, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello confess to being both naughty and nice this year; actors Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz discuss the secrets behind creating their long-form improv comedy series; comedian Atsuko Okatsuka shares a gut-busting anecdote about getting too close to a stranger's dog; and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Amythyst Kiah performs "Firewater."

Host Luke Burbank and Elena Passarello describe their dream lives; comedian Ian Karmel (The Late Late Show with James Cordon) takes down the masculinity of men's grooming products; Al Letson, host of investigative radio show Reveal, revisits an uncomfortable encounter with a far-right protester; writer Caitlin Kunkel tells us what women really want in her book New Erotica for Feminists: Satirical Fantasies of Love, Lust, and Equal Pay; and singer-songwriter Laura Gibson performs "Tenderness" from her latest album Goners.

Host Luke Burbank and Elena Passarello make some small wishes for the future; Jill Lepore, historian and staffer at The New Yorker, tells us about the first American company to predict voter behavior through the use of computers; writer Ijeoma Oluo envisions a future free from racism and sexism in her book Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America; and indie folk duo The Bengsons spread a little hope with their viral hit "The Keep Going Song."

Host Luke Burbank and Elena Passarello dream up their post-pandemic travels; star and co-creator of Broad City Abbi Jacobson recounts the highs and lows her solo cross-country road trip, as illustrated in her New York Times bestselling essay collection I Might Regret This; writer Nicole Chung discusses her journey to discover the difficult truth behind her own adoption, which formed the basis of her debut book All You Can Ever Know; and seven-piece soul ensemble The Dip perform their single “Atlas.”

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello give gratitude to some of their favorite things; Emmy Award-winning entertainer Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) makes the case against inside jokes in her new collection of essays I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are; MacArthur Fellow and poet Natalie Diaz explores the connection between poetry and basketball; and singer-songwriter Kevin Morby performs "Campfire" from his latest album Sundowner.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello describe the small things they've recently accepted; memoirist Thomas Page McBee shares what he learned about masculinity while training to become the first transgender man to box at Madison Square Garden; Dope Queen Phoebe Robinson reflects on managing debt and embracing "trash" culture; and Americana wunderkind Sammy Brue performs "Our Garden" from his EP Down with Desperation.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello chat about the movies they've watched countless times; 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.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share their most effective coping mechanisms during stressful times; journalist and activist Jose Antonio Vargas recounts coming out as an undocumented immigrant with the publication of his memoir Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen; poet Danez Smith praises personal heroes in their poem “My President;” and singer-songwriter Angelica Garcia performs the one-woman version of her song "It Don't Hinder Me."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reminisce about their most memorable Halloween costumes; filmmakers Cristina Costantini & Kareem Tabsch reveal the man behind the cape in their Netflix documentary Mucho Mucho Amor about famed Puerto Rican astrologer Walter Mercado; and singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell takes us to the underworld of Greek mythology to discuss her Tony Award-winning folk opera Hadestown, before performing one of its hit tracks "Wedding Song."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello get rid of some unnecessary things; poet Tommy Pico explains how writing as his alter ego "Teebs" allows him to be less self-censoring in his work; journalist Eli Saslow discusses Derek Black – the subject of his book Rising Out of Hatred – and how the once-heir to the white nationalist movement made a stunning transformation; comedian Emily Heller spins gut-busting analogies to online dating; and indie rock duo The Helio Sequence performs “Lately” from their album Keep Your Eyes Ahead.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share the small things that fascinate them; writer and Radiolab co-host Lulu Miller unpacks the problematic practices of turn-of-the-century taxonomist David Starr Jordan; comedian and New York Times contributor Sopan Deb discusses his memoir Missed Translations about reconnecting with his immigrant parents; and Moorea Masa performs her latest single "Honey."

Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello relive some of their greatest escapes; writer and former sideshow performer Tessa Fontaine explains how learning to eat fire helped mend her broken heart; comedian and actor Moses Storm riffs on why he and his mom once had the same platinum blonde hairdo; memoirist and green card lottery winner Abdi Nor Iftin recounts his journey from war-torn Somalia to rural Maine; and singer-songwriter Laura Veirs performs “Margaret Sands” from her album The Lookout.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello divulge some particularly small skills they've never been able to master; comedian and television writer Demi Adejuyigbe (The Good Place, The Amber Ruffin Show) explains why he feels the creative pressure every September 21st; journalist Drew Magary sets out to improve his terrible handwriting; and powerhouse duo The War and Treaty perform the moving song "Five More Minutes" from their soulful new album Hearts Town.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reflect on what they still have faith in during these uncertain times; 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; comedian Ahmed Bharoocha questions the flight training program for baby crows; high school student Raley Schweinfurth explains her award-winning efforts to save Portland’s bees; and Hawaiian soul group Ron Artis II & The Truth perform “Searching for Answers.”

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal their 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.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello tell stories of risks they've taken; Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Timothy Egan unpacks his relationship to faith during a thousand-mile trek across Europe that inspired his new book A Pilgrimage to Eternity; activist Jeannette Ward Horton discusses her organization NuLeaf, which advocates for minority inclusion in the legal cannabis industry; and indie pop duo Pure Bathing Culture perform "All Night" from their latest album Night Pass.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello consider what misconceptions their families have about them; comedian Maria Bamford convinces us that anybody can create their own comedy special; stand-up comedian Nore Davis riffs on the secret lives of school teachers and rescue animals; and country singer-songwriter Brandy Clark spins her love of the film Jaws into a relevant and heartfelt new song, aptly titled "Bigger Boat."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share what they wish they had been talked out of; Chioke I’Anson, the voice of NPR’s underwriting, admits to feeling self-conscious about the sound of his own voice; journalist Leah Sottile unpacks the symbiotic relationship between the federal government and fringe patriot groups, as investigated in her podcast Bundyville; and we pay tribute to the late singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle by sharing his 2017 performance of "Maybe a Moment."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello go down some internet rabbit holes; W. Kamau Bell breaks down the difference between white supremacy and white supremacists on his CNN documentary series United Shades of America; science reporter Julia Rosen schools us on the invasive nature of earthworms; 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.