Live Wire with Luke Burbank

In an episode all about the unknown, The Gist's Mike Pesca tells Luke how to take the perfect nap, we go to great lengths to discover what scares "The Indiana Jones of Journalism" Nicholas Kristof (spoiled milk is on the list) and jazz great Bill Frisell plays a haunting version of "In My Life."

Author Sebastian Junger examines the struggles soldiers face readjusting to life at home and what they can tell us about the flaws of modern society, comedians Natasha Leggero and Moshe Kasher discuss the traditions they invoked (and invented) for their Jewish wedding, comic Claire Mulaney provides a cautionary tale for mixing pot cake with bowling, and La Luz’s “surf noir” sweeps us away.

Mandolinist Chris Thile discusses what excites him about his new gig as host of A Prairie Home Companion, comedian Dave Hill recounts what it was like writing ringtones for Donald Trump, and The Wild Reeds dazzle us with their astounding harmonies.

Comedian Paul Gilmartin discusses how his podcast helps erase the stigma around mental illness, Neal Bascomb recounts a courageous group of Norwegians that stopped the Nazis from obtaining the atomic bomb, and Open Mike Eagle reveals what “the Kurt Vonnegut of rap” sounds like (spoiler alert: pretty awesome).

Peggy Orenstein discusses how young women struggle to achieve “intimate justice” in their sex lives, professor D. Watkins recounts the path that took him from selling drugs in East Baltimore to his life as a published author, and Walter Martin charms us with his musical musings.

Sarah Vowell challenges Luke's public radio references, writer Chris Offutt examine's his father's secret profession, Sam Outlaw's sings about heading home again, and the Live Wire Lovebirds face-off in "The Cohabitation Examination."

Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist Jack Ohman talks about the most amazing moment of his career, poet Kevin Young reads from his latest collection, Minnesota Public Radio music host Andrea Swensson reminisces about the time Prince asked her to dance, and The von Trapps musically bid us adieu.

Live Wire celebrates Earth Day! Survivalist and Alone reality show contestant Dr. Nicole Apelian reveals her packing list for living solo in the wilderness, two teen activists explain why they are suing the U.S. government, wildlife photographer Gerrit Vyn attempts to identify some very... uh... unique bird calls, Anis Mojgani poeticizes his memories of growing up in New Orleans, and Fruition’s strings and harmonies take us out of this world and back again.

Author Paolo Bacigalupi warns us about the dangers of magical thinking when it comes to the environment, Ijeoma Oluo tells us why she has hope for the future of race relations, Sallie Tisdale discusses the dangers of writing about your own family, and Liz Vice’s soulful sound lifts our spirits.

Four comedians share some of their best material and do battle with hecklers you’d only hear on public radio. Eliza Skinner describes the “magic intelligence” that is comedy, Alex Falcone shares the first joke he ever wrote, Bri Pruett recounts a terrible early gig at an Applebee’s, and Anthony Lopez reflects on how his career path to faith healer / professional wrestler went off the rails. Plus, Ayron Jones blows us away with an acoustic song off his electrifying new album.