Live Wire

Series produced by 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.

NOTE: This program is available to PRX affiliates. For more information please email memberships@prx.org.

Hosted by Luke Burbank (Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me, CBS 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.

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Hosted by Luke Burbank (Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me, CBS 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... Show full description


Additional Files

632 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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This episode features author Héctor Tobar, writer and comedian Jena Friedman, and music from indie folk trio Joseph.

  • Added: Mar 15, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features writer Sloane Crosley, The New Yorker Roz Chast, and Black Belt Eagle Scout.

  • Added: Mar 07, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features comedian Maria Bamford and music from singer-songwriter Isabeau Waia'u Walker.

  • Added: Mar 01, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features comedian and writer Dave Hill and music from singer-songwriter No-No Boy.

  • Added: Feb 15, 2024
  • Length: 59:01
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This episode features author and Jeopardy co-host Ken Jennings, writer Erica Berry, and music from rock group Making Movies.

  • Added: Feb 15, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features podcaster Avery Trufelman, author Camille Dungy, and singer-songwriter Olive Klug.

  • Added: Feb 08, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
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This Black History Month Special features 22nd Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith, writer and poet Saeed Jones, and music from singer-songwriter Meklit.

  • Added: Feb 01, 2024
  • Length: 59:01
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This episode features journalist J. Wortham of The New York Times Magazine, author Curtis Sittenfeld, and singer-songwriter Margo Cilker.

  • Added: Jan 26, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features writer and podcaster Jamie Loftus, chef J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, and music from Danielle Ponder.

  • Added: Jan 15, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features comedian Hari Kondabula, writer Kristi Coulter, and music from indie rock duo Quasi.

  • Added: Jan 12, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features journalist Ari Shapiro (All Things Considered) and comedian and TV writer Demi Adejuyigbe.

  • Added: Jan 03, 2024
  • Length: 58:59
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This episode features acclaimed author Timothy Egan, plus rapper and poet Dessa.

  • Added: Dec 25, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
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This special holiday edition of Live Wire features comedian and podcaster Paul F. Tompkins, poet José Olivarez, and singer-songwriter Esme Patterson.

  • Added: Dec 20, 2023
  • Length: 59:01
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This episode features writer and director Laura Chinn, standup comedian Mohanad Elshieky, and music Jenny Conlee of The Decemberists.

  • Added: Dec 14, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features podcaster Sam Sanders, coemdian Reggie Watts, and music from indie folk duo Sway Wild.

  • Added: Dec 13, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features YA author and podcaster Dana Schwartz, writer Jenny Odell, and music from Black Belt Eagle Scout.

  • Added: Nov 30, 2023
  • Length: 59:01
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This episode features author R. Eric Thomas, comedian Ian Karmel, and music from indie group NONBINARY GIRLFRIEND.

  • Added: Nov 22, 2023
  • Length: 58:59
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This episode features podcaster and journalist Kelsey McKinney, poet Brenda Shaughnessy, and music from singer-songwriter Madison Cunningham.

  • Added: Nov 01, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features comedian and podcaster Paul F. Tompkins, poet and memoirist Safiya Sinclair, and music from Isabeau Waia'u Walker.

  • Added: Nov 08, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
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This episode features runner and author Lauren Fleshman, comedian and writer Joey Clift, and music from indie supergroup Who Is She?

  • Added: Oct 31, 2023
  • Length: 58:59