Live Wire! Radio

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Live Wire artfully blends unpredictable conversation, live music, and original comedy from all types of cultural talent and creative minds, from emerging artists to established acts. Hosted by Luke Burbank (Wait Wait... Don't Tell MeCBS Sunday Morning), the show is taped in front of a live audience in Portland, Oregon and reaches over 300,000 listeners via 150 public radio stations across the country (including WAMU in DC, KUOW in Seattle, KJZZ in Phoenix, Minnesota Public Radio, and more).

Past guests include writers and authors such as George Saunders, Cheryl Strayed, Hanif Abdurraqib, Lindy West, Chuck Klosterman, Salman Rushdie, and Gary Shteyngart; performers and comedians John Hodgman, Paul F. Tompkins, Abbi Jacobson, Michael Ian Black, Jackie Kashian, Naomi Ekperigin, Ian Karmel, Phoebe Robinson, Andy Kindler, and Reggie Watts; and film directors Gus Van Sant, Todd Haynes, Lynn Shelton, and Chapman & Maclain Way (Wild Wild Country). Past musical guests include Helio Sequence, The Dandy Warhols, Meklit, Laura Gibson, Open Mike Eagle, Pink Martini, Jonathan Coulton, and Bilal, to name a few.

Series

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11 Pieces

Fundraising Materials for Live Wire

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634 Pieces

Live Wire artfully blends unpredictable conversation, live music, and original comedy from all types of cultural talent and creative minds, from emerging artists to established acts. NOTE: This program is available to PRX affiliates. For more information please email memberships@prx.org.

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4 Pieces

Fundraising spots that promote the importance of public radio!

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12 Pieces

From the comfort of their own homes, this six-week series features Live Wire Radio host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello chatting with guest about their current projects, while also addressing how they are responding to and engaging with the current social climate.

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18 Pieces

Specially-themed episodes


Pieces

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This episode features New Yorker writer Kathryn Schultz, football coach Keanon Lowe, and music from singer-songwriter John Craigie.

  • Added: May 26, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features podcast host Anna Sale, writer Elissa Washuta, and music from indie rocker Juliana Hatfield.

  • Added: May 20, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features filmmaker John Waters, writer Sasha LaPointe, and music from indie rock group Deep Sea Diver.

  • Added: May 13, 2022
  • Length: 59:01
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Live Wire celebrates Mother's Day with musician and writer Michelle Zauner (a.k.a. Japanese Breakfast), Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Al...

  • Added: May 06, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features celebrated chef and restaurateur Gregory Gourdet and music from singer-songwriter No-No Boy.

  • Added: Apr 28, 2022
  • Length: 59:01
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This episode features comedian and podcaster Laci Mosley, actor Marlee Matlin, and music from Kishi Bashi.

  • Added: Apr 21, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features actor and comedian Molly Shannon and music from South African rocker Tuelo.

  • Added: Apr 13, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features comedian and podcaster Jamie Loftus, writer and publisher Jelani Memory, and music from Tolliver.

  • Added: Mar 31, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
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Live Wire celebrates Mother's Day with musician and writer Michelle Zauner (a.k.a. Japanese Breakfast), Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Al...

Bought by KTXK, KUFM - Montana Public Radio, WFAE, and KTSW 89.9


  • Added: Mar 29, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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In celebration of National Poetry Month, Live Wire welcomes poets Roger Reeves, Anis Mojgani, Franny Choi, and Derrick C. Brown with musical accomp...

  • Added: Mar 28, 2022
  • Length: 59:00