Like late-night for radio, Live Wire is hosted by Luke Burbank (Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me) and artfully blends an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, writers, fil...
Tracy K. Smith, Saeed Jones, and Meklit (Black History Month Special)
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 Meklit performs the song, “I Want to Sing for Them All” as a tribute to her musical influences.
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51:48
Damp January: How ‘Bout We Call It a Night? (with Nora McInerny)
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.
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47:49
Annie Rauwerda, Ivan McClellan, and Sami Braman (REBROADCAST)
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.
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52:26
Damp January: Is Sobriety... Forever? (with Moshe Kasher)
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.
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41:06
Jamie Loftus, Hari Kondabolu, and Blitzen Trapper
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.
Like late-night for radio, Live Wire is hosted by Luke Burbank (Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me) and artfully blends an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers, comedians, and cultural observers.
Ireland