Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello chat about childhood misperceptions; writer Isaac Fitzgerald grapples with identity, forgiveness, and a new vision of masculinity in his searing memoir “Dirtbag, Massachusetts;” stand-up comedian Carmen Lagala explains how her love of the WNBA broke up a teenage relationship; and singer-songwriter No-No Boy performs "Boat People" from his album “1975,” as a tribute to the millions who fled southeast Asia after the fall of Saigon.

Isaac Fitzgerald, Carmen Lagala, and No-No Boy

Like late-night for radio, Live Wire is hosted by Luke Burbank (Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me) and artfully blends an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers, comedians, and cultural observers. 

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

Journalist and bestselling author Bianca Bosker (Cork Dork) takes us behind the scenes of the highfalutin art world with her new book Get the Picture, before getting a lesson on masterworks from a four-year-old; and singer-songwriter Brittany Davis performs the single "So Fly" from her new album Image Issues. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal the uncharted industries our listeners would love to go undercover in.

Bianca Bosker and Brittany Davis

Author and columnist R. Eric Thomas shares anecdotes from his memoir Congratulations, The Best Is Over, including how baking cupcakes may have saved his life; standup comedian Ian Karmel makes the case for why Arby's is a farm-to-table restaurant; and indie group NONBINARY GIRLFRIEND perform the title track off their new album Big and Kind. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal the surprising differences between our listeners and their partners.

R. Eric Thomas, Ian Karmel, and NONBINARY GIRLFRIEND (REBROADCAST)

In this 20th Anniversary Special, Live Wire celebrates some of its most memorable moments in the past two decades. Host Luke Burbank gets interviewed by former host Courtenay Hameister about taking the reins of the show and how the embarrassment he felt as a child led to his "openness" onstage; Americana singer-songwriter Charley Crockett chats about busking and train-hopping, before performing "I Wanna Cry" from his album Lonesome as a Shadow; and Moshow the Cat Rapper lives his truth with a rollicking rap "Don't Declaw Your Cat."

Courtenay Hameister, Charley Crockett, and Moshow the Cat Rapper

Comedian Paul F. Tompkins chats about his improv comedy podcast The Neighborhood Listen, where he and fellow comedians re-enact posts from the app Nextdoor; poet Safiya Sinclair discusses her memoir How to Say Babylon, in which she recounts growing up Rastafarian in Jamaica under the strict patriarchy of her father; and singer-songwriter Isabeau Waia'u Walker performs her song "All My Friends Think I'm Okay." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some unhinged behavior from the neighbors of our listeners.

Paul F. Tompkins, Safiya Sinclair, Isabeau Waia'u Walker (REBROADCAST)

Acclaimed writer Cheryl Strayed (“Wild,” “Tiny Beautiful Things”) discusses her new personal essay "Two Women Walk into a Bar," which follows her complicated relationship with her late mother-in-law; stand-up comedian Jay Jurden bridges the generational divide with some poignantly hilarious observations on Boomers and Gen Z; and singer-rapper-poet Dessa performs "Hurricane Party" from her latest album “Bury the Lede.” Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello unpack the benign (but complicated) relationships our listeners have with the people from their everyday lives.

Isaac Fitzgerald, Carmen Lagala, and No-No Boy

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