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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637 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 feature comedian Gary Gulman, Oregon Poet Laureate Anis Mojgani, and music from singer-songwriter Olive Klug.

  • Added: Oct 12, 2023
  • Length: 59:01
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This episode features writer and comedian Scott Aukerman, astrophysicist Sarafina El-Badry Nance, and music from Family Worship Center.

  • Added: Sep 22, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features poet and essayist Ross Gay, writer and Michelin Star chef Iliana Regan, and music Baroque Betty with Mood Area 52.

  • Added: Sep 18, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features comedian Hari Kondabolu ("Snack vs. Chef") and singer-songwriter Margo Cilker.

  • Added: Sep 18, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features author Héctor Tobar, writer and comedian Jena Friedman, and music from indie folk trio Joseph.

  • Added: Sep 14, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode is a pledge edition of Live Wire that features writer Gary Shtenygart, comedian Mohanad Elshieky, and music from Adia Victoria.

Bought by Nevada Public Radio, Spokane Public Radio, WUTC, NET Radio (Nebraska), KUAC and more


  • Added: Sep 14, 2023
  • Length: 47:27
  • Purchases: 12
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This episode features chef and writer J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, comedian Sara Schaefer, and music from indie rock group Dehd.

  • Added: Sep 05, 2023
  • Length: 59:01
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This episode features comedian Maria Bamford and music from singer-songwriter Isabeau Waia'u Walker.

  • Added: Aug 31, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features poet Saeed Jones, writer Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and indie-folk duo The Lowest Pair.

  • Added: Aug 15, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features podcaster Aubrey Gordon, standup comedian Chris Meija, and music from Danielle Ponder.

  • Added: Aug 15, 2023
  • Length: 58:59