Live Wire Radio

In an episode all about culinary delights, filmmakers Beth Federici and Kathleen Squires talk about their James Beard documentary America's First Foodie, Luke tells salt harvester Ben Jacobsen that sorting salt sounds like one of the rings of hell (way to butter 'em up, Luke!), and Little Freddie King gives us a taste of New Orleans blues.

In an episode all about trailblazers, pop icon Melissa Etheridge corrects Luke's assertion that music is dead, Dr. Brian Druker updates us on the war on cancer (it's going better than the war on drugs!), Ural Thomas & the Pain heal all our musical woes, and for good measure, the entire show is announced by Mark Mason of the Portland Trailblazers.

Stellar standup from comedian Todd Glass as well as a discussion about "bustin' out of his shed" (coming out) in his book The Todd Glass Situation, author Daniel H. Wilson warns us that robots will see us naked in the future, and former Fruit Bats frontman EDJ performs beautiful music on a grand piano.

Author David Kinney reveals the roots of Bob Dylan-inspired fanaticism with his new book The Dylanologists, actor John Kim lets us in on secrets about his new TNT series The Librarians, comedian Cameron Esposito advises Luke to update his lesbian references, and Lemolo performs Seattle dream pop.

In perhaps our most science-y episode ever, math savant Jason Padgett explains relativity in about a minute and mechanical engineer/musician Christine McKinley tells us about her new book Physics for Rock Stars, then performs with Portland's no-boys-allowed pop/rock trio Swan Sovereign.

In an episode all about humor, writer/director Nathan Fielder dishes about Dumb Starbucks, comedian Andy Haynes makes his divorce funny, Humor Code authors Joel Warner and Peter McGraw tells us the secret to funniness, and Holiday Friends prove that Astoria, Oregon is where all the good music has been hiding.

Actress Wendi McLendon-Covey tells us about working on ABC's The Goldbergs, we try to stump Jeopardy! winner Ken Jennings, and we hear music music from Portland choral pop band Ages and Ages.

Author Barbara Ehrenreich tells us about her latest book, Living with a Wild God, Jason Porter tells a story about writing his novel Why Are You So Sad?, and The Minus 5's Scott McCaughey lives up to his reputation of wearing shades on the radio.

Confessions from Star Trek: TNG and Geek King Wil Wheaton, poet Kevin Young versifies all over us, and music from 3/5 of the Decemberists known as Black Prairie.

Live Wire's 10th Anniversary show with Saturday Night Live and Portlandia star Fred Armisen, Late Night with David Letterman co-creator Merrill Markoe, and music from Sallie Ford.

Author Sherman Alexie debates comedian W. Kamau Bell about who had it worse, Vladimir Putin makes a surprise appearance, and Portland duo Run on Sentence break your heart just a little.

Musician and author Wesley Stace lists his top names for rock bands aimed at kids from his new book Wonderkid, filmmaker Beth Harrington talks about her Johnny Cash documentary The Winding Stream, and music from Portland's Albatross.

The great-great grandchildren of Captain and Maria Von Trapp of Sound of Music fame sing like angels and chat with Luke, along with Thomas Lauderdale, inspiring speaker Kevin Carroll and Cairo Drive director Shierief Elktasha.

Richmond Fontaine frontman Willy Vlautin reads from his new book The Free, comic book writer Matt Fraction tells a story about saving the un-saveable, music from Throwing Muses co-founder Kristin Hersh, and we leak the next line of Girl Scout cookies.

Daniel Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snicket) and Lisa Brown discuss collaborating on The 29 Myths of the Swinster Pharmacy, comedian Jay Flewelling tells a story about pranks gone awry, and new music from nerd-folk goddesses The Doubleclicks' forthcoming album, Dimetrodon