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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641 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

Caption: Eula Scott Bynoe & Jeannie Yandel on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode celebrates "wild cards" with podcasters Eula Scott Bynoe & Jeannie Yandel, comedian Kurt Braunohler, and Mongol Derby winner Lara Prio...

  • Added: Oct 29, 2019
  • Length: 58:59
Caption: Megan Phelps-Roper on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode interprets what it means to "leave a legacy" with writer and activist Megan Phelps-Roper, comedian Joe Kwaczala, and County Judge Xiom...

  • Added: Oct 22, 2019
  • Length: 59:01
Caption: Michael Ian Black on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode discusses "getting to the point" with actor and comedian Michael Ian Black, writer Melissa Febos, and Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad,...

  • Added: Oct 14, 2019
  • Length: 58:58
Caption: Chuck Klosterman on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode hits the "social studies" books with writer Chuck Klosterman and humorist Tiffany Midge, plus music from indie pop group Tacocat.

  • Added: Oct 09, 2019
  • Length: 58:58
Caption: Ryan O'Connell on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode examines the "figure of speech" with grammar expert Mary Norris of The New Yorker, actor and television writer Ryan O'Connell, and com...

  • Added: Oct 01, 2019
  • Length: 58:59
Caption: Rhys Darby on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode explores "origin stories" with comedian Rhys Darby, comic book writer Kelly Sue DeConnick, and theater performer Ahamefule J. Oluo, wi...

  • Added: Sep 25, 2019
  • Length: 58:58
Caption: US Senator Jeff Merkley on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode ponders the "not too distant future" with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, poet Anis Mojgani, comedian Joe Zimmerman, and Afroviva...

  • Added: Sep 16, 2019
  • Length: 58:59
Caption: Clyde W. Ford on Live Wire , Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode has "the last laugh" with comedian Josh Gondelman, author Clyde W. Ford, endurance athletes Alex Borsuk & Kaytlyn Gerbin, and music f...

  • Added: Sep 12, 2019
  • Length: 58:58
Caption: Naomi Ekpirigin on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode discusses the art of "balancing acts" with author Pam Houston, comedian Naomi Ekperigin, social activist Nadya Okamoto, and music from...

  • Added: Sep 05, 2019
  • Length: 59:00
Caption: Franny Choi on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode gives "poetic license" to comedian Pete Holmes and poet Franny Choi, with a performance from Pink Martini's Jimmie Herrod.

  • Added: Aug 28, 2019
  • Length: 58:59