Live Wire with Luke Burbank

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 Wikipedia rabbit holes our listeners are falling down.

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 how addiction (not the substance) is the real enemy. 

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, Millions of Billions. 

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 questions whether forsaking life's small pleasures is worth it, given life's inevitable end.

Writer Noé Álvarez traces his family lineage through the history of the accordion in his latest book Accordion Eulogies: A Memoir of Music, Migration, and Mexico; professor of engineering Naomi Fitter introduces us to Jon, a stand-up comedian robot she developed who riffs on the dating life of a bot; and singer-songwriter John Craigie explains the awkwardness of running into fans at the post office, before performing "Judas" from his latest album Pagan Church. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share what our listeners would like their hypothetical robots to do. 

Has Luke just met his match? In a conversation with journalist Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall, author of Hungover: The Morning After and One Man's Quest for a Cure, Luke discovers that Shaughnessy’s love of the drink – and his knack for getting shaken up and stirred in – mirrors his very own. The two discuss tragically drunk writers of notoriety, the tendency to lie to their doctors, and the worst hangovers they’ve ever had. 

In a special episode of Live Wire, host Luke Burbank introduces our new limited series podcast Damp January. Over five episodes in January, Burbank explores his sometimes complicated relationship with alcohol through conversations with writers, podcasters, and others. In this selection from Episode 1, he chats with his mother, Susie, about her journey to sobriety. Then, The New Yorker's Adam Gopnik discusses his book The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery, in which he learns how to drive a car at age 55 and pee in public, before poet and singer Dessa performs her track "Crash."

Why not start at the beginning? Luke contemplates his complicated history of drinking, from balancing days as a public radio reporter with wild nights at Culver City’s iconic dive Tattle Tale Room, to making a public statement about quitting the drink… only to get back on the sauce. Then Luke sits down with his mom, Susie Burbank, to chat about her own road to recovery. 

Comedian and writer Ian Karmel pairs up with his sister Dr. Alisa Karmel to unpack the book they co-authored T-Shirt Swim Club, about growing up fat in a world made for thin people; stand-up comedian Zainab Johnson riffs on being one of 13 children; and Ethio-jazz artist Meklit performs the title track off her new EP "Ethio Blue." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello talk sibling rivalry.