Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Writer Cecily Wong chats about her book Gastro Obscura, which features fascinating food stories from across the globe, including psychedelic honey that was once used as a weapon in old world Turkey; and Grammy Award-nominee Andrew Bird explains how he balances painful shyness with being a public figure, before performing "Make a Picture" from his latest album Inside Problems. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello dish out some yums and yucks from our listeners.

In this podcast EXTRA, Michelin star chef and forager Iliana Regan (Fieldwork) plays a round of "Metal vs Mushroom," wherein she must discern between a metal band or a mushroom strain. Cramp Balls, anyone?

Poet and essayist Ross Gay (Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude) dissects privilege, pain, and skateboarding, all themes from his newest book Inciting Joy; 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 Sobering Up. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share our listeners' perfect weekends.

This week Live Wire celebrates Women's History Month! Comedian Jamie Loftus unpacks her podcast Aack Cast, which unpacks how the Cathy comic strip is still relevant to feminist struggles today; writer and mountaineer Silvia Vasquez-Lavado reveals how she became the first openly gay woman to climb “The Seven Summits” while overcoming addiction and childhood trauma; and feminist icon and activist Ani DiFranco discusses starting her own record label when she was just 19-years-old, before performing “Simultaneously” from her latest album Revolutionary Love. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello shout out some unsung heroes from Women's History.

Comedian Hari Kondabolu (Snack vs. Chef) unpacks his most popular tweets and dives into why Bert and Ernie need couples' therapy; singer-songwriter Margo Cilker explains why she might have cow poop on her sleeve at any given time backstage, before performing "Tehachapi" from her new album Pohorylle; and host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello get nostalgic for some snacks from the past.

Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Kathryn Schulz (The New Yorker) unpacks her memoir Lost & Found, which weaves together the loss of her father with finding the love of her life; football coach and mentor Keanon Lowe recounts the day he intercepted a potential school shooter with a hug; and storyteller and singer-songwriter John Craigie explains having to sing around "naughty" words for public radio appearances, before performing "Laurie Rolled Me a J" from his newest album Mermaid Salt. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello discuss the coolest (and most random) things found by our listeners. 

Poet and Kirkus Prize winner Saeed Jones unpacks his newest collection Alive at the End of the World and why Billie Holiday had a bone to pick with Maya Angelou; writer Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Mexican Gothic) explains how her love of horror at a young age found its way into her latest book The Daughter of Doctor Moreau; and indie folk duo The Lowest Pair perform "Pear Tree" from their first record 36 Cents. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello discuss our strange childhood obsessions.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello celebrate "Black History Month" with this special episode. Comedian Sam Jay (Saturday Night Live) discusses developing a whole new kind of late night show with her HBO series PAUSE with Sam Jay; writer and publisher Jelani Memory (A Kids Book About Racism) explains how he launched a book series for parents and kids to tackle heavy topics; cellist and folk musician Leyla McCalla brings the musicality of Langston Hughes' poetry to life with "Song for a Dark Girl" from her Smithsonian Folkways album Vari-Colored Songs; and instrumental duo Black Violin unpack the intersection of hip hop and classical music, before performing the titular track of their album Stereotypes.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello talk ambitious DIY projects; chef and food writer J. Kenji López-Alt tests his knowledge of cooking gadget infomercials; comedian Sara Schaefer leads a seminar on how to perform standup in various comedic styles... including puppetry; and indie rock group Dehd discusses bad loves stories and dental work, before performing "Bad Love" from their new album Blue Skies.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal what our listeners would like to have named after them; legendary filmmaker John Waters (Pink Flamingos, Cry Baby) chats about his first novel Liarmouth and why he'll never leave Baltimore; writer Sasha LaPointe (Red Paint) unpacks her nomadic upbringing in the Pacific Northwest and why Twin Peaks made an impact on her as young Native woman; and indie rock group Deep Sea Diver performs "Shattering the Hourglass" from their album celebrated album Impossible Weight.