Comedian and writer Aparna Nancherla discusses her memoir “Unreliable Narrator” and why her mother made her order pizza to combat her shyness; stand-up comedian Gary Gulman riffs on the false notion of dangerous scissors in elementary school; singer-songwriter and historian No-No Boy performs his song "1603," featured on his latest album “Empire Electric,” which tells the story of the first non-Native sighting of Oregon by a multicultural crew of sailors who fell through the cracks of...

Cartoonist Emily Flake (“The New Yorker”) reveals “Joke in a Box,” her 70-card deck of creative prompts, which results in some live cartooning from the stage; writer and artist Tessa Hulls discusses her graphic memoir “Feeding Ghosts,” which looks at the three generations of Chinese women in her family; and indie pop duo Pure Bathing Culture perform "The Memento" from their latest album “Chalice.” Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello tells us some favorite (short) jokes.

Comedian Gary Gulman (The Great Depresh) discusses his memoir Misfit: Growing Up Awkward in the '80s, his struggles with mental health, and the awkwardness of being recognized in the psyche ward; Oregon Poet Laureate Anis Mojgani reads from his newest collection The Tigers, They Let Me and makes the case for why poetry exists all around us; singer-songwriter Olive Klug touches on the TikTok generation of songwriting, before performing her song "Raining in June." Plus, host Luke Burbank and...

Comedian and writer Moshe Kasher dives into his new memoir “Subculture Vulture,” which explores the six communities which shaped his life, from AA and Burning Man to sign language interpretation and his ultra-Hasidic upbringing; stand-up comedian Mohanad Elshieky tells us why he might be the most dangerous man in America; and indie band Glitterbox perform their single "TV." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello chat about some niche subcultures our listeners have belonged to.

Comedian and writer Scott Aukerman brings his wildly popular improv podcast “Comedy Bang! Bang!” to book form and reveals how a goofy name and an occupation is really how a character begins; astrophysicist Sarafina El-Badry Nance explores her own universe as a woman, scientist, cancer advocate, and one-time swimsuit model in her book “Starstruck: A Memoir of Astrophysics and Finding Light in the Dark;” rock ensemble and faux cult Family Worship Center perform "Snake Dance" from their new...

Bestselling writer Lindy West (“Shrill”) chats about her new podcast “Text Me Back,” which unpacks friendship, the news, and text threads; comedian Paul F. Tompkins takes a stab at some other P.F.T. acronyms; and soul ensemble Ural Thomas & The Pain perform "No Distance." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some texting habits that really irk our listeners.

Author Héctor Tobar explores the meanings and myths of the term "Latino" in his sixth book “Our Migrant Souls;” comedian and writer Jena Friedman (“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”) chats about her debut collection of essays “Not Funny” and recounts the time she put her foot in her comedic mouth; and indie folk trio Joseph performs a cover of Tom Waits' song "Come On Up to the House." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello explain why you shouldn't attempt to be as funny as David...

Writer Sloane Crosley unpacks loss in her memoir, “Grief is for People,” which poignantly weaves the suicide of a dear friend with the burglary of her home; The New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast shares some of her weirdest dreams from her new illustrated book, “I Must Be Dreaming,” including meeting a rollerskating Fran Lebowitz; and indie rocker Black Belt Eagle Scout performs “Nobody” from her latest album “The Land, The Water, The Sky.” Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello...

Comedian Maria Bamford chats about her new book “Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult,” which unpacks mental illness and the quest to belong... and why 12-step programs and the Suzuki Method have more in common than you might think. Then, singer-songwriter Isabeau Waia'u Walker performs her song "The Prince," written as a tribute to her father and the young men of Hawaii who often slip through the cracks. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some cult-adjacent experiences from...

Comedian and writer Dave Hill dives into his newest book “The Awesome Game,” which makes the case for why hockey should be more popular in the United States, then tries his hand at the surprisingly popular genre of "hockey romance" novels; and singer-songwriter No-No Boy performs "Western Empress" from his latest album “Empire Electric,” which tells the history behind the grave of the first Japanese-American settler in Oregon. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share the...

Author and Jeopardy host Ken Jennings takes us on a journey to the afterlife with his latest book, “100 Places to See After You Die,” and explains why contestant interviews are so darn awkward; writer Erica Berry discusses her debut book “Wolfish,” which examines all things "wolf" – from fables to fears; and international rock group Making Movies perform "Porcelina" from their album “XOPA.” Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share versions of the perfect afterlife,...

To celebrate Valentine's Day, this extra episode features author Curtis Sittenfeld (“Romantic Comedy”) in a game where she must decide if famous rom-com couples broke up or lived happily ever after.

Podcaster Avery Trufelman unpacks her podcast “Articles of Interest,” in which she reveals the history behind fashion and clothing, including prison uniforms and the debate over pockets; author Camille Dungy discusses her latest book “Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden,” which chronicles her attempts to diversify her garden in the predominantly white community of Fort Collins, Colorado; and singer-songwriter Olive Klug performs "Song About America," inspired by her experiences as a...

In this Black History Month special episode, former U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith discusses her memoir “To Free the Captives,” which explores Black strength, continuance, and community by looking back at her own family’s history; poet Saeed Jones (“Alive at the End of the World”) unpacks the backstories behind some of his poems involving Billie Holiday, Maya Angelou, and Luther Vandross; and Ethio-Jazz musician Meklit performs the song, “I Want to Sing for Them All” as a tribute to her...

Journalist J. Wortham (The New York Times Magazine, Still Processing) recounts what happened when they visited a nude queer beach in Oaxaca; author Curtis Sittenfeld discusses her newest novel “Romantic Comedy,” which flips the script on the celebrity love story; and singer-songwriter Margo Cilker performs "With the Middle" from her sophomore album “Valley of Heart's Delight.” Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello highlight some favorite romantic moments in cinema.

Writer and podcaster Jamie Loftus dives into her New York Times bestselling book “Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs,” a travelog on the cultural and historical significance of the American sausage; chef and food writer J. Kenji López-Alt tests his knowledge of cooking gadget infomercials; and R&B/Soul vocalist Danielle Ponder performs "So Long" from her debut album “Some of Us Are Brave.” Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello go on some hypothetical road trips.

Comedian Hari Kondabolu discusses his new standup special “Vacation Baby” and how regrettably he blew off congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on her campaign trail; writer Kristi Coulter unpacks her memoir “Exit Interview: The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career,” which recounts the often soul-crushing work culture of an Amazon executive; and indie rock duo Quasi performs "Queen of Ears" off their new album “Breaking the Balls of History.” Plus, host Luke Burbank and Elena Passarello...

Ari Shapiro, journalist and co-host of All Things Considered, unpacks his new book “The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening,” which chronicles his reporting adventures across the globe, from Air Force One to the stage of the Hollywood Bowl; comedian and TV writer Demi Adejuyigbe explains how the WGA strike afforded him so much free time... to go to the Renaissance Faire. Plus, host Luke Burbank and Elena Passarello share stories of the most amazing strangers our...

Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and acclaimed author Timothy Egan unpacks his newest book “A Fever in the Heartland,” which traces the Ku Klux Klan's expansion across America in the 1920s and one woman's crusade to stop them; rapper and poet proves she's more talented than AI by performing a poem she penned backstage using popular search terms. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal the most ridiculous challenges our listeners have accepted.

On the special holiday edition of Live Wire, comedian and podcaster Paul F. Tompkins talks about passive-aggressive Christmas carolers and the most tense rendition of “O Holy Night" he's ever heard; poet José Olivarez discusses his latest collection “Promises of Gold,” which explores the various types of love in our lives, from self-love to platonic love and over to romance; and singer-songwriter Esme Patterson performs her original Christmas song “If I.” Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer...

In this podcast extra, comedian Aparna Nancherla (“Unreliable Narrator: Me, Myself and Imposter Syndrome”) is quizzed on the former "career lowlights" of some high-profile celebrities.

Writer and director Laura Chinn (“Florida Girls”) discusses her memoir “Acne,” which tackles her racial identity, Scientology, and of course... very oily skin; standup comedian Mohanad Elshieky riffs on embarrassing encounters with TSA and Uber drivers; and multi-instrumentalist Jenny Conlee, of The Decemberists, performs "Hawk" from her solo album Tides: Pieces for Accordion and Piano. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello hear from our listeners about what they obsessed...

Podcaster Sam Sanders (Vibe Check) shares his hot takes on pop culture, from the “Barbie” movie to his favorite nepobaby; comedian Reggie Watts interprets his feelings about generation differences through a spoken word poem; and indie folk duo Sway Wild perform their song "Home," which was inspired by a two-month sailing voyage in British Columbia. Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reveal our listeners' favorite moment in pop culture this year.

Novelist Dana Schwartz unpacks her gothic fantasy duology, “Anatomy and Immortality,” then dives into her podcast Noble Blood, which explores the bizarre and risqué lives of royals; writer Jenny Odell dismantles the clock in her newest book “Saving Time” while explaining it's unofficial motto: time is beans; and indie rocker Black Belt Eagle Scout performs "Don't Give Up" from her new album “The Land, The Water, The Sky,” which dreams up the atmosphere of her ancestral land of Swinomish....