Rephonic
Artwork for Live Wire

Live Wire with Luke Burbank

PRX
Grief
Black History Month
Comedy
Paul F. Tompkins
Poetry
Racial Identity
Saeed Jones
Tracy K. Smith
To Free the Captives
Alive At the End Of the World
Meklit
Dreams
Lindy West
Normal Gossip
Kelsey Mckinney
Brenda Shaughnessy
Madison Cunningham
The Ku Klux Klan
Jamie Loftus
Kenji Lopez-Alt

Like late-night for radio, Live Wire is hosted by Luke Burbank (Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me) and artfully blends an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers, comedians, and cultural observers.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes722Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsPerforming Arts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Live Wire

Latest Episodes

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; ... more

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 ... more

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... more

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 duri... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

Recent Guests

Black Belt Eagle Scout
Musician and songwriter from the Swinomish Indian tribal community.
Episode: Dana Schwartz, Jenny Odell, and Black Belt Eagle Scout (REBROADCAST)
Dana Schwartz
Writer and podcaster known for her young adult novels and the podcast Noble Blood.
Noble Blood Podcast
Episode: Dana Schwartz, Jenny Odell, and Black Belt Eagle Scout (REBROADCAST)
Jenny Odell
Author and artist known for exploring themes of time and attention in her work.
Episode: Dana Schwartz, Jenny Odell, and Black Belt Eagle Scout (REBROADCAST)
Chuck Klosterman
Best-selling author and podcaster, known for his insights on culture and media.
Episode: Chuck Klosterman, and Making Movies (REBROADCAST)
Making Movies
An international rock band combining traditional Latin American instruments with modern sounds.
Episode: Chuck Klosterman, and Making Movies (REBROADCAST)
Sandi DuBowski
Filmmaker known for his documentary 'Sabbath Queen'
Episode: Sam Sanders, Sandi DuBowski, and The Lowest Pair
The Lowest Pair
Folk duo blending claw hammer banjo with punk spirit
Episode: Sam Sanders, Sandi DuBowski, and The Lowest Pair
Jenny Nguyen
Chef and women's sports advocate, founder of The Sports Bra
The Sports Bra
Episode: Jon Mooallem, Jenny Nguyen, and Laura Veirs (REBROADCAST)
Jon Mooallem
Writer at large for The New York Times Magazine and author of Serious Face
The New York Times Magazine
Episode: Jon Mooallem, Jenny Nguyen, and Laura Veirs (REBROADCAST)

Hosts

Luke Burbank
Host known for his engaging narrative style and witty banter, Luke Burbank is a seasoned storyteller who brings warmth and humor to the discussions, making complex topics accessible and entertaining.
Elena Pasarello
A creative and insightful host, Elena Pasarello offers a unique perspective on literature and the arts, often exploring the intersections of storytelling and personal experience in her discussions.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 349 ratings
  • Love

    Listening to Live Wire on my commute brings me so much joy. Luke and Elena bring the perfect balance of humor, warmth, positivity, and oddly specific geographic knowledge. I love hearing from writers about their lives and artistic process. The standup routines, musical guests, “best news,” and station location examination segments are not only entertaining, but a true comfort in these challenging times. This show is a major highlight of my week!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    randomuno
    United States6 months ago
  • Damp January

    With new guidelines recommending a cancer warning label for alcohol and thinking about why I consume alcohol, this series is thoughtful and got me thinking about different perspectives. I also appreciate Luke’s courage and honesty in the interview with his mom and his own experience with alcohol. Worth listening to!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Upstate Midwesterner
    United States9 months ago
  • So good!

    Love the show but some new eps would be nice. You can’t do a TAL rerun-based model with this few episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Raincloud06
    United States9 months ago
  • Love Luke!

    So excited for this new series Damp January! Luke is the best and his perspective on this topic is so insightful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    D7s4
    United States9 months ago
  • Best Weekly Podcast Around

    There’s nothing that delights me more during my busy week than to be notified that Live Wire has dropped another episode. Luke and Elena are delightful and charming and their dynamic is top notch. The guests they have on are obviously chosen with great care, and even when I may not have an immediate recognition of the guest’s work, I’m soon drawn into the interview and I walk away more informed about the world around me. Best News is fun and light, and Station Location Identification is a great ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sakura Mama NYC
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The podcast is recognized for its diverse and engaging guests who bring unique perspectives and experiences to the table.
Listeners love the balance of entertainment and thought-provoking content, making it a staple in their weekly routines.
Several have commented on the podcast's ability to provide comfort and joy during challenging times, showcasing its positive impact.
Listeners appreciate the dynamic conversations and rich storytelling, often highlighting the warmth and humor of the hosts.
Feedback includes concerns over the frequency of episodes and the representation of gender among guests, suggesting room for improvement.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Dana Schwartz, Jenny Odell, and Black Belt Eagle Scout (REBROADCAST)
Q: What are the sort of different times that you talk about in the book?
I was trying to think of different languages of time, different ways of thinking about time.
Dana Schwartz, Jenny Odell, and Black Belt Eagle Scout (REBROADCAST)
Q: What did that teach you about time?
It made me pay more attention to moss outside and just seeing minutes after it rains, everything turns more green.
Paul F. Tompkins and Meklit
Q: Can you confirm that you have a rant about peanut brittle?
Yes, I confirm that I did have a rant about peanut brittle. That's my greatest hit, the peanut brittle bit.
Paul F. Tompkins and Meklit
Q: How did you come up with Varietopia?
Paul F. Tompkins describes Varietopia as a mix of stand-up, music, and variety acts, expressing his newfound love for traveling and performing.
Chuck Klosterman, and Making Movies (REBROADCAST)
Q: What do you think about Reality Bites and its portrayal of Generation X?
He argues that Reality Bites reflects a very Gen X-centric view, valuing authenticity over compromise, which was a relevant sentiment at that time but may not resonate the same way today for younger audiences.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Live Wire

What is Live Wire about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast presents a vibrant blend of interviews and performances, showcasing a diverse range of artists, writers, musicians, and cultural figures. Each episode features thought-provoking discussions that often center around personal stories, artistic journeys, and contemporary cultural observations, creating a rich tapestry of creativity and insight. Notably, the program is designed to balance humor with depth, making it a unique platform for both entertainment and education regarding the arts and personal expression.

Listeners can expect lively conversations interspersed with musical performances and comedic segments, fostering an engaging atmosphere that is both enjoyable and enlightening.

Where can I find podcast stats for Live Wire?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Live Wire. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Live Wire and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Live Wire get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Live Wire, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Live Wire?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Live Wire, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Live Wire have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Live Wire has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Live Wire?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Live Wire:

1. TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live
2. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
3. How To Do Everything
4. Fresh Air
5. The Moth

How many episodes of Live Wire are there?

Live Wire launched 19 years ago and published 722 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Live Wire?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Live Wire?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Live Wire from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Live Wire?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Live Wire. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Live Wire?

Recent guests on Live Wire include:

1. Black Belt Eagle Scout
2. Dana Schwartz
3. Jenny Odell
4. Chuck Klosterman
5. Making Movies
6. Sandi DuBowski
7. The Lowest Pair
8. Jenny Nguyen

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days