Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello tell us about their simple delights; poet Ross Gay ponders his fascination with the themes of joy and gratitude; Casey Cep, staff writer for The New Yorker, discusses her debut book about a mysterious Alabama murder case that captivated beloved author Harper Lee; and Colin Hay, formerly of Men at Work, performs "Come Tumblin' Down" off his album "Fierce Mercy."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share what they're most nostalgic for; comedian James Veitch explains his crusade to antagonize email scams, as outlined in his book "Dot Con: The Art of Scamming a Scammer;" scent archivist Allison Breed discusses how she created the Male Scent Catalogue on Twitter, which documents how the essence of male characters are described in romance novels; and singer-songwriter Chastity Brown performs her soaring song "Curiosity."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share their honored summer traditions; comedians Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz discuss the secrets behind creating their long-form improv comedy series; and Americana singer-songwriter Shakey Graves chats about the genesis of his trademark “suitcase drum," before performing his song "Dining Alone."

In response to nationwide protests against police brutality, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share conversations with writer Ijeoma Oluo, who unpacks the themes of systemic racism in her book "So You Want to Talk About Race;" poet Danez Smith, who explains how they're looking for leadership elsewhere in their poem “My President;” and singer-songwriter Amythyst Kiah, who performs her Grammy-nominated song “Black Myself."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal how their self-improvement goals have progressed; writer and Dear Prudence advice columnist Daniel M. Ortberg explains how his new book, "Something That May Shock and Discredit You," revisits the media and myths of his past through the lens of his transition; New York Times best-selling author Michael Arceneaux unpacks the hard truths of student loan debt; and doom-wop singer Prom Queen performs "End of the World."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello pen their own commencement speeches and perform them to a few graduating high school seniors; writer and scholar Clint Smith discusses how he defended his Harvard dissertation over Zoom to a virtual audience of friends and family; Luke pays tribute to filmmaker and friend of the show Lynn Shelton, who passed away recently; and singer-songwriter Waxahatchee sings "Can't Do Much" from her studio in Kansas City.

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share small wins they've accomplished; François Clemmons, famously known as Officer Clemmons on "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," discusses how Fred Rogers became a mentor and father figure to him during personally turbulent times; comedy writer Joey Clift explains how he painstakingly crowdsourced musicians to make an album for every state in the union... a feat which was promised (yet never finished) by singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens; and Luke and Elena try their hands at writing and performing their own regional songs.

In honor of Mother's Day, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello invite their moms on the show to discuss how their daily routines have changed since lockdown; filmmaker Barry Sonnenfeld shares anecdotes on his complicated relationship with his mother, working with the Coen Brothers, and leg wrestling Will Smith; and Grammy Award-winning blues artist Fantastic Negrito takes us on a journey through his musical rebirth, before serenading us with his song, "Nobody Makes Money."

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.”