Advertise on podcast: Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Acclaimed writer Susan Orlean (The New Yorker) reflects on her storied career through the lens of her new memoir Joyride, which touches on her unique approach to research and celebrity profiles... and how Meryl Streep came to portray her in the "adaptation" of her hit book The Orchid Thief; plus, Austin's beloved singer-songwriter David Ramirez performs "Put in the Work" from his album Rules & Regulations.

Comedian and writer Eliot Glazer unpacks his often awkward journey through modern queer life in his collection of essays The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Gay; celebrated poet Paisley Rekdal evokes the beauty and complexities of family legacy in her newest collection Heritance; and indie rock band Jonny's Day Out perform "Cough" from their debut album JDO.

Comedy writer Tamara Yajia unpacks her memoir Cry for Me, Argentina, which follows her unorthodox upbringing between the U.S. and Argentina while attempting to become a child star; stand-up comedian Susan Rice comments on life as a woman in her 70s... which includes a dating service called SilverSingles; and indie folk artist Anna Tivel explains how traveling by train across North America has inspired her songwriting, before performing her tune "California Zephyr."

Chef and restaurateur Sean Sherman (a.k.a. The Sioux Chef) explores the historical significance and culinary potential of decolonized ingredients in his latest cookbook Turtle Island: Foods and Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of North America; stand-up comedian Jackie Kashian unpacks her anger... and the business of fly fishing; and indie folk musician Laura Veirs finds the connection between weight lifting and songwriting, before performing her tune "Flying Into Darkness" from her latest album Temple Songs.

Writer Alexis Okeowo (The New Yorker) untangles the themes of her new book Blessings and Disasters: A Story of Alabama, which weaves personal experience and the complex history of her home state; legendary comedian Maria Bamford takes the hot seat and answers her popular Vulture magazine questionnaire; and alt-folk rocker Pete Droge performs "You Called Me Kid" from his latest album Fade Away Blue.

Author Lindy West discusses her road-trip memoir, Adult Braces: Driving Myself Sane, and the online backlash sparked by the relationship choices she details in the book; writer Angela Nissel unpacks her new book, Good Grief, Pass the Bread, Mom Is Dead — a reckoning with her complicated relationship with her mother, particularly her role as caretaker in her mother's final days; and indie rockers Pedro the Lion perform "Modesto" from their latest album, Santa Cruz.

Comedian Maria Bamford riffs on money troubles... and why Instacart might be to blame; comic and crop artist Brandi Brown unpacks her childhood encounter with Prince and her favorite spots at the famed Minnesota State Fair; and The Reasonable Doubts prove that a cover band made up entirely of Minnesota state judges knows how to rock without robes.

Writer Edgar Gomez discusses his collection of essays Alligator Tears, which follows his various hustles as a youth in Florida—from being a flip flop salesman to getting fake teeth through a little bankruptcy fraud; author River Selby recounts how they overcame addiction and sexism to become a hotshot wildland firefighter; and classical pianist Hunter Noack performs at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon, as part of his outdoor concert series IN A LANDSCAPE.

Popular science writer Mary Roach dives into lab-grown organs, historical nose jobs, and unlikely hair transplants, as covered in her latest book Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy; stand-up comedian Janesh Rahlan riffs on learning Spanish as an Indian American growing up in Texas; and singer-songwriter Amy Millan (of the indie group Stars) recites her teenage monologue from Degrassi Junior High, before performing a track from her new solo album I Went to Find You.

Comedian and podcaster Paul F. Tompkins chats about taking his variety show Varietopia back on the road after his (surprise!) coronation as Live Wire's most frequently appearing guest; and vocalist Meklit offers her exquisite blend of Ethio-jazz during a performance of the track "Tizita" from her new album A Piece of Infinity.

Podcaster W. Kamau Bell (Who's With Me?) explains why he's a comedian first... despite his reputation for having difficult conversations with groups like the KKK; travel writer Rick Steves admits he was surprised to find himself a plot point in Apple TV’s “Pluribus;" and singer-songwriter Edna Vázquez, alongside a group of high school mariachi musicians, performs "Lindo Colima" from her album of traditional Mexican music Te Esperaba.

Radio host and podcaster Sam Sanders makes the case for the three TV shows that he believes changed culture; filmmaker Sandi DuBowski discusses his documentary Sabbath Queen, which follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie over two decades as he grapples with orthodoxy, interfaith marriage, and his drag persona; and indie folk duo The Lowest Pair perform "Fall on My Knees"... a song which they once performed for 45 minutes at a medical marijuana market.

Writer and cultural critic Jeff Chang breaks down this latest book Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America, which explores the life and legacy of the martial arts icon — from his days as a pesky college kid in Seattle to teetering on the brink of Hollywood stardom; plus, Ghanaian singer and guitarist Okaidja Afroso explains how he uses his native language of Gã to create a new musical sensibility, before performing his song "Nū Ké Là" (Water and Fire) from his Ancient Africa Wisdom Trilogy.

Podcaster Aubrey Gordon dives deep into topics tackled on her hit show Maintenance Phase, including the monopolization of weight-loss medications; multi-disciplinary artist Jean Grae explains why she's banning gum chewing and beatboxing at her funeral; and Brazilian singer-songwriter Rogê performs "A Lenda Do Abaeté" from his album Curyman II.

In this "Independence Day Special" podcaster and writer Jamie Loftus takes us on a roadtrip across America to understand the cultural and historical significance of the hot dog; writer Daisy Hernández unpacks her latest book Citizenship: Notes on an American Myth, which explores immigration and national identity; and singer-songwriter Olive Klug performs their single "Song About America."