Live Wire

Series produced by Live Wire! Radio

Series 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.

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.

Hide full description

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

637 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Piece image
This episode features actor and writer David Duchovny, jump rope world champions Nick & Kaylee Woodard, and music from singer-songwriter Jensen Mc...

  • Added: Dec 22, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode features hip hop artist and activist Talib Kweli, celebrated writer George Saunders, and music from singer-songwriter Jillette Johnson.

  • Added: Dec 22, 2021
  • Length: 59:01
Piece image
This "Best of Books" special features celebrated writers Ashley C. Ford and John Green

  • Added: Dec 12, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode features filmmaker Penny Lane, writer Omar El Akkad, and music from The Dip.

  • Added: Dec 09, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode includes podcasters Roman Mars & Kurt Kohlstedt, writer Shayla Lawson, and music from Colin Hay.

  • Added: Feb 21, 2022
  • Length: 59:01
Piece image
This episode includes writer Gary Shteyngart, comedian Atsuko Okatsuka, and music from indie folk duo The Lowest Pair.

  • Added: Nov 22, 2021
  • Length: 59:01
Piece image
This episode includes writer Ijeoma Oluo, historian and staffer at The New Yorker Jill Lepore, and music from indie folk duo The Bengsons.

  • Added: Nov 19, 2021
  • Length: 59:01
Piece image
This episode includes writer and radio host Tom Scharpling, comedian Mohanad Elshieky, and music from MAITA.

  • Added: Nov 12, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode features actress and TV creator Rachel Bloom, poet Natalie Diaz, and music from singer-songwriter Kevin Morby.

  • Added: Nov 04, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode features Mötley Crüe rocker Nikki Sixx, filmmaker Todd Haynes, and music from Melanie Charles.

  • Added: Oct 29, 2021
  • Length: 59:01
Piece image
This episode includes filmmakers Cristina Costantini & Kareem Tabsch, and music from Anaïs Mitchell.

  • Added: Oct 21, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode includes actor and humorist Nick Offerman, comedian Phoebe Robinson, and music from Adia Victoria.

  • Added: Oct 14, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode feature actor and TV writer Demi Adejuyigbe, comedian and podcaster Jamie Loftus, and music from soul duo The War and Treaty.

  • Added: Sep 27, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode includes actor Marlee Matlin, writer Melissa Febos, and music from Ida Mae.

  • Added: Sep 30, 2021
  • Length: 59:01
Piece image
This episode features copy editor Mary Norris (The New Yorker), actor and writer Ryan O'Connell, and music from soul-rock group Dirty Revival.

  • Added: Sep 24, 2021
  • Length: 59:01
Piece image
This episode includes filmmakers Mark Duplass & Natalie Morales, ballet dancer James Whiteside, and music from Dar Williams.

  • Added: Sep 16, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode includes comedian Maria Bamford, stand-up comic Shain Brenden, and music from country singer-songwriter Brandy Clark.

  • Added: Sep 09, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode includes writer Nichole Perkins, documentary filmmaker Lucy Walker, and music from Joshua Henry.

  • Added: Sep 02, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode includes comedian Hari Kondabolu, science writer Sarah Scoles, and music from Angelica Garcia.

  • Added: Aug 27, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This episode includes comedian and SNL cast member Cecily Strong and Canadian rapper Shad.

  • Added: Aug 19, 2021
  • Length: 59:00