Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Author Danzy Senna unpacks the struggles of her protagonist to write the quintessential biracial comedy, in her newest (and very meta) novel Colored Television; filmmaker Penny Lane discusses her latest documentary Confessions of a Good Samaritan, which follows her personal quest to donate one of her kidneys to a stranger; and Brazilian rock duo Johnny Franco and His Real Brother Dom perform "We Used to Be Awesome." Plus, ...

Horror author Stephen Graham Jones unpacks the ethos of a "slasher" and explains why, after more than 30 novels, he can't stop writing; stand-up comedian Alex Falcone admits that he would rather die doing something he hates; and cumbia psychedelic punk band Tropa Magica perform “LSD Roma” from their album Y la Muerte de Los Commons. Plus, host Luke Burbank and Elena Passarello share the weirdest fears from our audience mem...

This special edition of Live Wire celebrates National Poetry Month, with performances by renowned poets Hanif Abdurraqib, Anis Mojgani, and Kaveh Akbar. Plus, former Poet Laureate of Utah Paisley Rekdal chats about demystifying poetry; singer-songwriter Kasey Anderson performs a tune inspired by a poem from his friend Hanif; and host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some original haikus penned by our liste...

New York Times bestselling author and podcaster Carvell Wallace unpacks his transformative memoir Another Word for Love, where he mines his own history of growing up, getting sober, and finding his voice as a writer; poet Joy Sullivan discusses her collection Instructions for Traveling West, which explores themes of home, luck, and starting again; and singer-songwriter Danielle Durack performs "Moon Song" from her latest a...

Poet and essayist Morgan Parker (You Get What You Pay For) unpacks the highs and lows of therapy... and how crying in The Gap afterwards is cathartic; writer and former professional soccer player Georgia Cloepfil explains how she hustled across the globe as an athlete, while weighing financial gain with her love of the sport; and Brazilian singer-songwriter Rogê performs his song “Existe Uma Voz” from his first US-released...

In his memoir Feh, writer Shalom Auslander attempts to escape his biblical upbringing and carve his own path, with a little help from Kafka; poet and former professional Muay Thai fighter Simon Shieh reckons with trauma, masculinity, and the art of healing in his debut collection Master; and singer-songwriter Kara Jackson performs her single "Pawnshop" from her album Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love?, live from th...

Cultural critic and podcaster Ira Madison III (Pure Innocent Fun) discusses how popular culture has largely shaped his reality... a notion that is put to the test when he faces off with his favorite author (and surprisel guest) Chuck Klosterman in a quiz about Chuck's cultural manifesto Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs. Comedian Riki Lindhome, of the comedy folk duo Garfunkel and Oates, chats about writing "dirty" songs as a ne...

Poet Roger Reeves explains how he tried to reach the universal through the personal in his first collection of essays Dark Days; stand-up comedian Sean Jordan unpacks why instructional videos on potty training your kids might be flawed; and singer-songwriter Erin Rae performs the title track of her critically-acclaimed album Putting on Airs, recorded live from Pickathon festival. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena...

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Emily Nussbaum (The New Yorker) unpacks her book Cue the Sun: The Invention of Reality TV, which explores our obsession and distaste for what she calls "dirty documentary;" pianist Thomas Lauderdale and vocalist China Forbes of Pink Martini chat about their 30-year journey with the genre-bending musical group, before performing "Una Notte a Napoli" from their album Hang on Little Tomato. Plus,...

Acclaimed author Rachel Khong explores the themes in her newest novel Real Americans, including what it means to bridge cultural and generational divides within families; superstar poet Danez Smith reads from their latest collection Bluff and tells us what poetry can and cannot accomplish; and singer-songwriter Danielia Cotton chats about her tribute album to Black country star Charley Pride, before performing her own trac...

Writer and activist Ijeoma Oluo unpacks her new book Be a Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World—and How You Can, Too, which shares conversations with those who are making positive changes in powerful systems; podcaster Sarah Marshall, host of You're Wrong About, reveals the real reason we take our shoes off at the airport; and singer-songwriter Anna Tivel performs "Disposable Camera...

In this Black History Month special episode, former U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith discusses her memoir To Free the Captives, which looks to uncover Black strength, continuance, and community by looking back at her own family’s history; poet Saeed Jones (Alive at the End of the World) unpacks the backstories behind some of his poems involving Billie Holiday, Maya Angelou, and Luther Vandross; and Ethio-Jazz musician Mek...

In the final episode of Damp January, Luke talks to his friend Nora McInerny – author and podcast host of Thanks for Asking – about what it means to basically not drink anymore. The two old friends chat about the drunken exploits of their youth, boozing through grief (and when enough is enough), and how to replace drinking with a “dopamine menu,” while Luke accepts that his relationship to alcohol might never be effortless...

Annie Rauwerda, founder of the social media account Depths of Wikipedia, shares some more obscure entries from the website, including "The Kentucky Meat Shower;" photojournalist Ivan McClellan discusses his new book Eight Seconds, an exploration of Black rodeo culture in America; and fiddler Sami Braman plays the title track off her latest album Riveter. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal what Wi...

Was it sheer alcoholism or just adolescent rage? Comedian, podcaster, and memoirist Moshe Kasher (Subculture Vulture) poses this question to himself in a conversation with Luke about his own journey through the 12-steps, which began as a teenager during the Nancy Regan-fueled era of “Just Say No.” Now sober for basically three decades, Moshe reflects on the mantra “one day at a time,” his curiosity around psychedelics, and...

Bestselling author Jamie Loftus unpacks her latest podcast Sixteenth Minute of Fame, where she talks to "internet famous" folks of the past, like NFL half-time legend Elvis Presto; stand-up comedian Hari Kondabolu explains why he's never performed on Long Island and how his iPhone might be stunting his parenting; and celebrated Americana band Blizten Trapper perform "Planetarium" off their latest album 100's of 1000's, Mil...

What’s really the harm in “moderate” (whatever that means) drinking? According to New York Times bestselling author Gary Shteyngart, absolutely nothing. Luke weighs the balance between sobriety and binging in a conversation about the joys of drinking with a man who loves his martinis… and has no dreams of living into his mid-80s. While recent research suggests alcohol may be more harmful than once thought, Shteyngart quest...