Live Wire! Radio

GroupAccount image

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

Series image
12 Pieces

Fundraising Materials for Live Wire

Series image
658 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.

Series image
4 Pieces

Fundraising spots that promote the importance of public radio!

Series image
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.

Series image
18 Pieces

Specially-themed episodes


Pieces

Caption: Moshe Kasher
This episode features comedian and writer Moshe Kasher, stand-up from Mohanad Elshieky, and music from indie rock group Glitterfox.

  • Added: Sep 10, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode features the Depths of Wikipedia founder Annie Rauwerda, photojournalist Ivan McClellan, and music from fiddler Sami Braman.

  • Added: Sep 05, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode features writer Noé Álvarez, professor Naomi Fitter with stand-up comedian Jon the Robot, and John Craigie.

  • Added: Sep 05, 2024
  • Length: 58:59
Piece image
This episode features writer and podcaster Lindy West, comedian Paul F. Tompkins, and music from soul group Ural Thomas and the Pain.

  • Added: Aug 28, 2024
  • Length: 59:01
Caption: Ian Karmel
This episode features comedian and writer Ian Karmel with Dr Alisa Karmel, stand-up comedian Zainab Johnson, and music from Meklit.

  • Added: Aug 23, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode features writer Sloane Crosley, The New Yorker Roz Chast, and Black Belt Eagle Scout.

  • Added: Aug 15, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
Caption: Cheryl Strayed
This episode is a pledge edition of Live Wire that features writer Cheryl, Strayed, comedian Jay Jurden, and music from Dessa.

Bought by Yellowstone Public Radio, KUAC, KUNC & The Colorado Sound, WQLN, KANW and more


  • Added: Aug 15, 2024
  • Length: 46:02
  • Purchases: 7
Piece image
This episode features comedian and writer Dave Hill, plus music from historian and singer-songwriter No-No Boy.

  • Added: Aug 02, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode features writer and podcaster Amanda Montell, stand-up comedy from Laurie Kilmartin, and music from singer-songwriter Lizzie No.

  • Added: Jul 26, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode features podcaster Avery Trufelman, author Camille Dungy, and singer-songwriter Olive Klug.

  • Added: Jul 16, 2024
  • Length: 59:00