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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639 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: Ian Karmel on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode talks "living the dream" with comedian Ian Karmel, radio host Al Letson, and satirist Caitlin Kunkel, with music from Laura Gibson.

  • Added: Jan 17, 2019
  • Length: 58:59
Caption: Hanif Abdurraqib on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode examines "breakthroughs" with writer Hanif Abdurraqib, comedian Beth Stelling, and Dr. Mary Zelinski, with music from John Craigie.

  • Added: Jan 08, 2019
  • Length: 59:00
Caption: Dan Savage on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode unpacks "the morning after" with sex and relationship columnist Dan Savage, journalist and writer Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall, and comed...

  • Added: Jan 03, 2019
  • Length: 59:00
Caption: Matt Young on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode talks about getting "in over your head" with Marine-turned-writer Matt Young, Portland non-profit leader Brandi Tuck, and comedian Kat...

  • Added: Dec 20, 2018
  • Length: 59:00
Caption: John Hodgman on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode considers the "hand-me-down" with author and humorist John Hodgman, writer RJ Young, and founder of "She Shreds" magazine Fabi Reyna, ...

  • Added: Dec 20, 2018
  • Length: 58:59
Caption: Chapman & MacLain Way on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode explores "true beliefs" with filmmaking duo Chapman & MacLain Way, journalist and author Mary Pilon, comedian Ahmed Bharoocha, bee ent...

  • Added: Dec 07, 2018
  • Length: 58:59
Caption: Lauren Groff on Live Wore, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode discusses "Character Building" with celebrated author Lauren Groff, writer Tommy Orange, comedian Caitlin Weierhauser, and singer-song...

  • Added: Dec 06, 2018
  • Length: 58:59
Caption: Laurie Kilmartin on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episodes unmasks the "unmentionables" with comedian Laurie Kilmartin, YouTuber Gaby Dunn, and singer-songwriter Chris Staples.

  • Added: Dec 04, 2018
  • Length: 58:58
Caption: Gary Shteyngart on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode touches on "Fresh Starts" with author Gary Shteyngart, comedian Hari Kondabolu, world champion fly caster Maxine McCormick, and Portla...

  • Added: Nov 30, 2018
  • Length: 59:00
Caption: Anya Yurchyshyn on Live Wire, Credit: Jennie Baker
This episode considers the “do over” with author Anya Yurchyshyn, journalist Mike Pesca, and science vlogger Lindsey Murphy. Plus performances from...

  • Added: Nov 29, 2018
  • Length: 58:58