Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello choose their ideal fictional characters to join them in lockdown; comedian Cameron Esposito unpacks the ups and downs of making Zoom her new comedy stage; Claude Taylor, who launched the Twitter feed @ratemyskyperoom, critiques Luke's home studio background; and The Lone Bellow share a new song they collaborated on while social distancing.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello discuss what listeners are not missing during lockdown; author and blogger Samantha Irby settles some household disputes in the "Live Wire Court;" Francis Lam, food journalist and host of The Splendid Table podcast, offers tips on how to elevate a grilled cheese sandwich; and singer-actress Mandy Moore is joined by her husband Taylor Goldsmith to perform "If That's What It Takes" from her latest album "Silver Landings."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share stories of acts of kindness they've witnessed recently; comedian Paula Poundstone makes time to chat between walking her dogs and bleaching her house; hair stylist and salon owner Deanna Everson virtually coaches Luke through a home haircut; and Jonathan Russell of The Head and The Heart performs "Glory of Music."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal those unexpected things that are getting them through this time; writer and podcaster Nora McInerny offers insight into parenting during a pandemic; poet Saeed Jones explains his decision to adopt a dog while in self-isolation; and Jeff Tweedy, of renowned alt-rock band Wilco, performs a collaborative tune with his two sons titled "Save it For Me."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share what they've learned about themselves since being stuck inside; author Shea Serrano discusses how he uses Twitter to raise funds for people in need; comedian Brooks Wheelan recounts how he won a $500 bet with fellow comedian Nick Turner when he completed a marathon… hungover; and jazz vocalist Jimmie Herrod performs a springtime-inspired song he wrote while isolated in his Manhattan apartment.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello admit to wanting more nonessential items while being homebound; Dear Sugar advice columnist and acclaimed writer Cheryl Strayed answers listener questions on how to cope in these complicated times; author Jon Mooallem discusses the survival lessons we can glean from his topical new book "This Is Chance!: The Shaking of an All-American City, A Voice That Held It Together;" and we hear a new track from Charlie Brand, of indie-pop band Miniature Tigers, plus find out how he’s composing a break-up album in the midst of a lockdown.

In this "Mic Check" special edition of the "Live Wire House Party" series, host Luke Burbank and Elena Passarello record the show from their homes and discover the silver lining of self-isolation; Emily Flake, cartoonist for The New Yorker, teaches us the art of the awkward hug; master poet Eileen Myles takes on the presidency in a reading of their epic poem "Acceptance Speech;" and indie rock group Giants in the Trees, featuring Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic, perform their latest single “It Goes.”

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; comedian Adam Pasi argues for the superiority of the Samoas Girl Scout cookie; and indie pop duo Pure Bathing Culture perform "All Night" from their latest album "Night Pass."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello swap stories about their failed musical auditions; 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 indie folk trio Joseph perform “Green Eyes” from their new album "Good Luck, Kid."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello assess the most unrealistic things on their bucket lists; humorist John Hodgman ponders themes of fame, prestige and airline mileage, as outlined in his new book “Medallion Status: True Stories from Secret Rooms;” journalist and podcaster Jon Mooallem takes a deep dive into the inner-workings of this tranquil podcast “Walking;” and soul singer Allen Stone performs “Brown Eyed Lover” from his album “Building Balance.”