Live Wire with Luke Burbank

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.”

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello describe their family crests; author Jami Attenberg struggles to feel compassion for the patriarch in her new book "All This Could Be Yours;" producer James Kim explains how language barriers and silence are used as narrative tools in his fictional podcast Moonface; chef Bonnie Morales discusses how her Belarusian background inspired the celebrated restaurant Kachka; and psychedelic rock group Federale perform the title track from their album "No Justice."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello riff on the ways they cheer themselves up; humorist, journalist, and actor Mo Rocca explains select chapters from his new book "Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving," in which he memorializes fascinating people (and objects) from history who didn't receive the send-off they deserved; poet and writer Heather Christle takes a deep dive into the art and act of crying – why we do it and even how tears reflect systems of power; and jazz vocalist Jimmie Herrod performs “Anything at All” from his new album "Falling in Love and Learning to Love Myself."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share their fanciest little habits; writer and poet Saeed Jones reflects on growing up black and gay in North Texas and why coming out is still challenging for many people in America today; Kristen Arnett, author of "Mostly Dead Things," argues that everything is taxidermy, including our reconstructed memories; and indie rock band Ages and Ages perform “Needle and Thread.”

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello tell us a secret; author Tim O’Brien explains his latest work, "Dad’s Maybe Book," as a series of letters and observations to help bridge the age gap between himself and his sons; writer Mira Jacob unpacks the process of creating her graphic memoir, "Good Talk," through which she taught herself how to draw to communicate difficult conversations about identity; and virtuoso singer and guitarist Edna Vazquez performs her new song “Monita.”

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello discuss where they "Draw the Line" in life; Emily Flake, illustrator for The New Yorker, teaches us the art of the awkward hug; comedian Dave Hill recounts the journey to discover his Canadian roots, as outlined in his new book "Parking the Moose;" 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 reveal their personal “Love Languages;” documentary filmmaker Irene Taylor Brodsky discusses her new film "Moonlight Sonata," which follows her deaf son as he attempts to master Beethoven’s famed composition; poet Matthew Zapruder speaks on employing anger as a literary emotion in his latest collection "Father’s Day;" and indie rock group Bodies on the Beach perform their new single “Ghost.”

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello describe the moments that make them feel most at home; writer Dina Nayeri discusses the immigrant experience from interviews in her new book "The Ungrateful Refugee" and fleeing Iran herself as a child; author Adam Mansbach reflects on the surprise success of his children's book parody series; comedian Shain Brenden compares his former "single dad" status to a foreclosed home; and Portland's first lady of blues, LaRhonda Steele, soars through a cover of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good.”

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello write their respective epitaphs; Megan Phelps-Roper, writer and former member of the Westboro Baptist Church, recounts how she left the notorious hate-driven cult and found the path of redemption; comedian Joe Kwaczala pokes fun at online dating as a short man; Xiomara Torres recounts how she became a Multnomah County judge after aging-out of foster care; and singer-songwriter Chastity Brown performs "Boston."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share stories of fictional and nonfictional dissertations; writer Chuck Klosterman explains why a puma in an airplane bathroom appears in his newest collection "Raised in Captivity;" humorist Tiffany Midge pokes holes in the notion of the “contemporary” Native writer; and indie pop group Tacocat performs “Grains of Salt” from their latest album "This Mess Is a Place."

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share the superpowers they would most like to possess; comedian Rhys Darby schools us on the secret underwater continent of Zealandia; comic book writer Kelly Sue DeConnick explains how she uncovers the humanity in her superhero characters; theater artist Ahamefule Oluo admits that performing a one-man show about his mother is sometimes awkward… especially when she’s in the audience; and indie rocker Cataldo teams up with Oluo to perform “When You First See the Waves” from the new album "Literally Main Street."

Host Luke Burbank recounts how a garter snake got “The Last Laugh” when it refused to leave his dining room; comedian Josh Gondelman attempts to be a nice guy in the competitive world of comedy; author Clyde W. Ford reflects on his father’s career as the first black software engineer in the nation; endurance athletes Alex Borsuk and Kaytlyn Gerbin discuss how they broke a record by conquering Mount Rainier’s Infinity Loop; and Americana duo The Lowest Pair perform “Rosie” from their album “The Sacred Heart Sessions.”

In this special Live Wire episode, host Luke Burbank catches up with comedian Pete Holmes on his "Comedy Sex God" book tour, where he explains how TV success took him in a new spiritual direction; poet Franny Choi discusses how she incorporated Google Translate and the Turing Test into her latest collection "Soft Science;" and powerhouse vocalist Jimmie Herrod, with Pink Martini, performs a rendition of the classic ballad “The Exodus Song.”