Live Wire with Luke Burbank

New York Times obituary writer Sam Roberts (Are The Dead Yet?: the Art of the Obit) discusses the notion of famous last words, the etiquette of the "advanced obituary," and how he once wrote an obit for Jesus Christ himself; plus singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno reveals how she manifested her childhood dreams — which took her from Guatemala to the Grammys and onto Broadway — before performing "New Dawn" from her latest album DUSK.

Acclaimed writer Susan Orlean (The New Yorker) reflects on her storied career through the lens of her new memoir Joyride, which touches on her unique approach to research and celebrity profiles... and how Meryl Streep came to portray her in the "adaptation" of her hit book The Orchid Thief; plus, Austin's beloved singer-songwriter David Ramirez performs "Put in the Work" from his album Rules & Regulations.

Comedian and writer Eliot Glazer unpacks his often awkward journey through modern queer life in his collection of essays The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Gay; celebrated poet Paisley Rekdal evokes the beauty and complexities of family legacy in her newest collection Heritance; and indie rock band Jonny's Day Out perform "Cough" from their debut album JDO.

Comedy writer Tamara Yajia unpacks her memoir Cry for Me, Argentina, which follows her unorthodox upbringing between the U.S. and Argentina while attempting to become a child star; stand-up comedian Susan Rice comments on life as a woman in her 70s... which includes a dating service called SilverSingles; and indie folk artist Anna Tivel explains how traveling by train across North America has inspired her songwriting, before performing her tune "California Zephyr."

Chef and restaurateur Sean Sherman (a.k.a. The Sioux Chef) explores the historical significance and culinary potential of decolonized ingredients in his latest cookbook Turtle Island: Foods and Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of North America; stand-up comedian Jackie Kashian unpacks her anger... and the business of fly fishing; and indie folk musician Laura Veirs finds the connection between weight lifting and songwriting, before performing her tune "Flying Into Darkness" from her latest album Temple Songs.