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Live Wire
Saturdays at 11am

Live Wire cultivates joy, discovery, and connection by amplifying unexpected and riveting voices to a national audience.

An independently produced non-profit in Portland, Oregon, the show artfully blends unpredictable conversation, live music, and original comedy featuring all types of cultural talent and creative minds, from emerging artists to established acts. We champion the curious-minded by producing witty, engaging, spirited, and genuine live and listening experiences for our audience and for ourselves.

Episodes
  • Annie Rauwerda, founder of the social media account Depths of Wikipedia, shares some more obscure entries from the website, including "The Kentucky Meat Shower;" photojournalist Ivan McClellan discusses his new book Eight Seconds, an exploration of Black rodeo culture in America; and fiddler Sami Braman plays the title track off her latest album Riveter. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal what Wikipedia rabbit holes our listeners are falling down.
  • Bestselling writer Lindy West (Shrill) chats about her new podcast Text Me Back, which unpacks friendship, the news, and text threads; comedian Paul F. Tompkins takes a stab at some other P.F.T. acronyms; and soul ensemble Ural Thomas & The Pain perform "No Distance." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some texting habits that really irk our listeners.
  • Comedian and writer Ian Karmel pairs up with his sister Dr. Alisa Karmel to unpack the book they co-authored T-Shirt Swim Club, about growing up fat in a world made for thin people; stand-up comedian Zainab Johnson riffs on being one of 13 children; and Ethio-jazz artist Meklit performs the title track off her new EP "Ethio Blue." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello talk sibling rivalry.
  • Writer Sloane Crosley unpacks loss in her memoir, Grief is for People, which poignantly weaves the suicide of a dear friend with the burglary of her home; The New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast shares some of her weirdest dreams from her new illustrated book, I Must Be Dreaming, including meeting Fran Lebowitz… on roller skates; and indie rocker Black Belt Eagle Scout performs “Nobody” from her latest album The Land, The Water, The Sky. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal some recurring dreams of our listeners.
  • Writer Noé Álvarez traces his family lineage through the history of the accordion in his latest book Accordion Eulogies: A Memoir of Music, Migration, and Mexico; professor of engineering Naomi Fitter introduces us to Jon, a stand-up comedian robot she developed who riffs on the dating life of a bot; and singer-songwriter John Craigie explains the awkwardness of running into fans at the post office, before performing "Judas" from his latest album Pagan Church. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share what our listeners would like their hypothetical robots to do.
  • Comedian and writer Dave Hill dives into his newest book The Awesome Game, which makes the case for why hockey should be more popular in the United States, then tries his hand at the surprisingly popular genre of "hockey romance" novels; and singer-songwriter No-No Boy performs "Western Empress" from his latest album Empire Electric, which tells the history behind the grave of the first Japanese-American settler in Oregon. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share the most "awesome games" according to our listeners.
  • Writer and podcaster Amanda Montell (Sounds Like a Cult) unpacks her new book The Age of Magical Overthinking, which looks at our cognitive biases, like why some of us worship celebrities or believe in the power of manifestation; stand-up comedian Laurie Kilmartin gets stoked about her son going to college, so she can start dating again; and singer-songwriter Lizzie No performs "Deadbeat" from their newest album Halfsies. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share what truths our listeners are struggling to accept.
  • Podcaster Avery Trufelman unpacks her podcast Articles of Interest, in which she reveals the history behind fashion and clothing, including prison uniforms and the debate over pockets; author Camille Dungy discusses her latest book Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden, which chronicles her attempts to diversify her garden in the predominately white community of Fort Collins, Colorado; and singer-songwriter Olive Klug performs "Song About America," inspired by their experiences as a queer artist touring across the nation.
  • Critically acclaimed writer Hanif Abdurraqib unpacks his latest book, There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension, in which he explores his lifelong love of the game and what it means to make it; singer-songwriter Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses discusses her new book The Future of Songwriting, where she considers how to be an artist in a commercialized music industry, before performing "I Shine" from her latest album Clear Pond Road. Plus, host Luke Burbank and Elena Passarello share what our listeners are unwavering fans of.
  • Journalist J. Wortham (The New York Times Magazine, Still Processing) recounts what happened when they visited a nude queer beach in Oaxaca; author Curtis Sittenfeld discusses her newest novel Romantic Comedy, which flips the script on the celebrity love story; and singer-songwriter Margo Cilker performs "With the Middle" from her sophomore album Valley of Heart's Delight. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello highlight some favorite romantic moments in cinema.