"Best of 2025 Special" with Paul F. Tompkins, Danez Smith, Riki Lindhome, and more

Summary

Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Episode: “Best of 2025 Special”
Guests: Paul F. Tompkins, Danez Smith, Riki Lindhome, Chuck Klosterman, Ira Madison III, Carrie Farrell, Evan Ratliff, Kawinka, and more
Air Date: December 26, 2025

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Overview

This special “Best of 2025” episode, hosted by Luke Burbank with announcer Elena Passarello, spotlights Live Wire’s most memorable, hilarious, and moving moments of the year. The episode is a riotous celebration at the intersection of arts, humor, culture, and music—showcasing standout interviews, surprise on-stage moments, live poetry readings, musical performances, and deeply human news stories. It’s late-night radio variety at its best, packed with artists, writers, comedians, and musicians who bring fresh perspectives and unexpected laughter.

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Main Segments and Highlights

1. The Best News of 2025

(04:23–09:39)

• Elena shares positive ecological news:
  • The Marshall Islands’ Bikar Atoll and Djemo Islet, previously overrun by rats (introduced by sailors centuries ago, decimating native wildlife), are declared rat-free after a targeted, environmentally safe eradication effort.
  • Results: A resurgence of native birds (2,000 Sooty Terns), new species arrivals (Christmas shearwater, geckos, land crabs), and flourishing vegetation.
  • Quote:

    “There is a new colony of Sooty Terns, 2,000 Sooty Tern who are now nesting on one of these islands... a carpet of seedlings of native trees so that the floor of the forest... is now completely green. It is an absolutely radical change, and it happened in one year.” – Elena Passarello (06:10)

• Luke’s “best news” pick:
  • Story of Ed Bombas, an 88-year-old grocery checker in Detroit supporting himself after losing his savings and home to care for his late wife. An Australian influencer, spurred by a Facebook comment, organizes a crowdfund, delivering Ed a $1.7 million check.
  • Quote:

    “Ed Bombas finally getting his due after 88 years. That is the best news that I heard… all year.” – Luke Burbank (09:39)

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2. Facing the AI Doppelganger: Evan Ratliff Interview & Live AI Demo

(09:49–15:54)

• Evan Ratliff, journalist and podcast host (“Shell Game”), creates an AI clone of himself with voice emulation and live on-stage Q&A.
• Discussion of existential AI weirdness, ethical questions, and humor.
  • Evan’s AI Bot:

    “Usually I’m just lurking in the background, making awkward phone calls or getting mistaken for someone’s existential crisis.” – “AI Evan” (11:35)

  • On talking to scammers:

    “It’s also a little bit like being stuck in a Kafka novel, except with more robocalls.” – “AI Evan” (12:08)

  • On its ideal job:

    “If I could pick any job, I think I’d want to be a professional advice columnist… like Dear Abby but for the age of existential dread and spam calls.” – “AI Evan” (13:18)

  • On its “father:”

    “He’s my creator, but ‘father’ feels a little intense. It’s more like he’s the guy who left his digital DNA lying around and now has to deal with the consequences.” – “AI Evan” (13:47)

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3. Ira Madison III Gets the Klosterman Surprise

(17:58–27:15)

• Pop critic and essayist Ira Madison III appears to discuss his debut collection, “Pure Innocent Fun.” The team orchestrates an on-stage surprise: Ira’s literary idol Chuck Klosterman joins him, resulting in a hilarious, offbeat trivia contest on Klosterman’s cult classic “Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs.”
• Notable moments:
  • Chuck on his own book:

    “I’d be terrified to read that book again, to be honest, because, I mean, I was a different person when I wrote that. I mean, I was 29. I wrote that book in basically six weeks. You understand me at 29 better than I do. I guarantee you.” – Chuck Klosterman (20:18)

  • Trivia about beds, beanbags, and cereal mascots, culminating in Ira winning a signed first edition.

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4. Paul F. Tompkins and the Great Glitter Incident

(27:30–32:12)

• Paul F. Tompkins, frequent Live Wire guest and beloved comedian, is celebrated for his record-setting seventh appearance.
• The celebration goes awry when two jumbo glitter balloons are popped over him, covering his signature suit and glasses in “the herpes of the art world.”
  • Quote:

    “You sprung for the big glitter too. That’s nice... I’m gonna keep it in there [in my glasses].” – Paul F. Tompkins (29:25)

  • Reflects on his energy, career, and recent love for tours

    “I realized, I love this. This is absolutely what... I ever wanted to do when I was a kid. And now I’m doing it.” – Paul F. Tompkins (31:00)

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5. Poetry Highlight: Danez Smith Reads “Anti Poetica”

(34:01–36:34)

• Poet Danez Smith performs “Anti Poetica” from their latest collection Bluff—a powerful reflection on the limitations and aspirations of poetry.
  • Excerpt:

    “There is no poem greater than feeding someone. There is no poem wiser than kindness… There is no poem that ends grief but nurses it toward light… No poem to admonish the state. No poem with a key to the locks poem to free you.” – Danez Smith (35:16)

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6. Hipster Grifter: Carrie Farrell’s Criminal Moniker Quiz

(36:43–42:39)

• Carrie Farrell, notorious for her “hipster grifter” exploits, talks redemption and memoir “You'll Never Believe Me.” Luke and Elena quiz her on other infamous nicknames in criminal lore.
  • Sample question, “Why was the Barefoot Bandit called that?” (He usually wore shoes, but the myth persisted).
  • Carrie’s wit:

    “If I know anything, it’s dumb men, right?” – Carrie Farrell (40:43)

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7. Musical Performances

Kawinka: “Warsaw”

(45:58–50:43)

• Seattle indie-folk band Kawinka wows the Alberta Rose Theater with multilayered harmonies and an anthem about longing and place.

Riki Lindhome: “So Long, Farewell (Baroness Edition)”

(52:15–55:44)

• Riki Lindhome (of Garfunkel and Oates) pens a comedic breakup anthem from the perspective of the jilted Baroness Schrader in “The Sound of Music.”
  • Hilarious, incisive verse:

    “And your daughter is dating a Nazi. If you weren’t such a self-absorbed douche, you would have known.” – Riki Lindhome (54:56)

  • Turns a classic film inside out—winning over the audience and cementing the year’s “most referenced” Live Wire performance.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That AI version of him was really existential. Did you notice that he was, like, kind of dark?”
  – Elena Passarello on “AI Evan” (11:10)
• “Do not, under any circumstances, drink your show-provided water. It’s more confetti than liquid at this point.”
  – Luke Burbank after the glitter drop (30:35)
• “Poems only live south of something meaning beneath and darkened and hot.”
  – Danez Smith, “Anti Poetica” (36:11)
• “These hills are alive with the sound of bull...”
  – Riki Lindhome, Baroness anthem (53:47)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:23] – Best News of 2025: Marshall Islands Rat Eradication & Ed Bombas's $1.7M Gift
• [09:49] – Evan Ratliff & AI Conversation (“Shell Game”)
• [17:58] – Ira Madison III Surprised by Chuck Klosterman
• [27:30] – Paul F. Tompkins: Glitter Balloon (Live at Alberta Rose Theater)
• [34:01] – Danez Smith Reads "Anti Poetica" (Live at Revolution Hall)
• [36:43] – Carrie Farrell’s Nickname Quiz
• [45:58] – Kawinka: “Warsaw” (Live)
• [52:15] – Riki Lindhome: “So Long, Farewell (Baroness Edition)” (Live)

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Tone & Feel

The episode balances poignancy and irreverence, nerdy deep dives and showbiz sparkle, treating the seriousness and absurdity of 2025 with equal glee. The tone is smart, conversational, often self-deprecating (“the herpes of the art world”—glitter), and threaded with warmth, curiosity, and wit.

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For New Listeners

If you missed Live Wire in 2025, this episode encapsulates its variety-show magic and mission: eclectic guests, sharp conversations, and performances that both make you laugh and make you think. Whether you’re interested in AI ethics, poetic truth, cultural icons, true crime idiosyncrasies, or just a hilarious new take on “The Sound of Music,” there’s something here to delight, surprise, and stick with you.

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(Advertisements, intros, and outros were excluded from this summary, focusing exclusively on core content.)

Transcript

[A]

Hey there.

[B]

Welcome to Livewire. I'm your host, Luke Burbank. Today on the show, we are going to do something we've never done before. Okay. You know, each year we have like millions of guests. It's probably dozens of guests, but that's still kind of a lot. And being that it's the end of the year, we wanted to take some time to reflect on some of our favorite and strangest moments from the year and also give you a little extra kind of, kind of behind the scenes insight into what was going on. Like, why did I think it was a good idea to pop not one, but two giant balloons full of glitter on the head of Paul F. Tompkins? And has he forgiven me? Or what was it like when I was interviewing an AI chatbot live on stage for the first time? Well, spoiler alert. It was kind of terrifying. We are going to celebrate 2025 here on the show this week and say hello to the next year. So stay with us. Livewire gets started in just a moment.

[C]

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[C]

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[D]

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[F]

From PRX, it's live wire. This week, our favorite moments of the year with writers Evan Ratliff.

[G]

Usually, I'm just lurking in the background, making awkward phone calls or getting mistaken for someone's existential crisis.

[F]

Carrie Farrell, Chuck Klosterman, and Ira Madison iii. Plus poet Danez Smith and comedian Paul F. Tompkins.

[H]

I'm not a veteran, but I do steal valor.

[B]

Yes.

[F]

With music from Ricky Lindholm and Koinka. I'm your announcer, Elena Passarello. And now the host of Livewire, Luke Burbank.

[B]

Thank you so much, Elaina. Thank you, everyone for tuning in from all over the country. We've got a fun end of the year show for you this week. We thought it would be fitting to look back on some of our very favorite moments from 2025 with some of our favorite guests. First, though, we gotta kick things off the way that we like to each week with the best news we heard all year. This right here is our little reminder that there was some good news that happened during 2025. Just had to look for it, and we found it, and here it is. Alayna, what's the best news you heard all year?

[F]

Well, listen, I took this assignment really seriously. I wanted to find the best News, send out 2025, and I think I found it. So you know the Marshall Islands, right? There are two little micro land masses in the Marshall Islands called Bikar Atoll and Djemo Islet. Nobody lives on them. And they were teeming with rats. The scientists that sometimes work on these parts of the Marshall Islands said that it was very scary at night because it would look like the floor was moving.

[B]

Oh, gosh.

[F]

But the ecological implications are a lot scarier. You know, the black rats probably came from sailors and ships that passed through over the past few centuries. They have no predators on these islands. And the other life forms on the islands are not conditioned to fight against the rats. So they do things like lay their eggs in the dirt or in the sand. So the rats have like a smorgasbord, basically, and it really affects the ecolog. Ecological chaos is what the scientists said. Total decimation of seabirds, crabs, turtle hatchlings, and also plants like crucial vegetation that helps hold the islands together, literally. So last year in 2024. A project between the Marshall Islands government and the nonprofit Island Conservation dropped a bunch of rat bait, like 55 pounds of rat bait for every two hectares. None of it was harmful to any other species, but they needed to make sure that rat ate at least one pellet. They came back this early fall, and guess how many rats they saw. Luke Burbank.

[B]

Less than a team of rats.

[F]

Yes. Less than a team. 0.00.

[B]

Wow.

[F]

Yeah. In one year. Not just that. And they laid traps and they had night cams and all the stuff that you have to do to prove that you have depopulated an invasive species, but they have found other things. There is a new colony of Sooty Terns, 2000 Sooty Tern who are now nesting on one of these islands. There are species that have never been detected on the island before, showing up like the appropriately named for the season, Christmas shearwater. There are geckos and land crabs that they had never found in 2024. And they describe a carpet of seedlings of native trees so that the floor of the forest around these islands is now completely green. It is an absolutely radical change, and it happened in one year. And so the implications of this are huge. You know, the birds are gonna poop, and that's gonna nourish the ground, and the trees are gonna grow, and the sea crabs are gonna nest in the trees, and then they're gonna lay eggs, and that's gonna feed the marine life. And then nearby human communities might be able to come back and sustainably fish there.

[B]

Again, an incredible year for those islands. What a cool story. The best news that I saw this year, which snuck in right under the wire, and it starts in an unlikely place. It starts with an Australian influencer named Samuel Weidenhoffer. That's not usually how a best news story starts for me, but something really good happened. This is a guy, he goes around, he sort of does good things for folks. And he had this Facebook page, and there was a woman named Lexi Wallace who used to live outside of Detroit, and she used to go to this Meijer grocery store, and she always liked this guy there. He was an older guy. He was a checker, and he was really nice to her. She went on this guy's Facebook page and said, hey, if you're ever at this one Meijer near Detroit, look for this guy and see if you can kind of like, do him a solid. Well, his name is ed Bombas. He's 88 years old. He's a veteran. And this Australian influencer showed up at this Meijer. And there was Ed working, checking people out. And this guy asked him, you know, what are your dreams? And he said, well, my dream is to kind of have the life that I thought I was going to have. He had worked for General Motors for his whole life. He had retired. He had taken the kind of lump sum pension, which he thought would be plenty for him to live on. And then his wife became very sick, and it ended up costing him all of the money he had in the world. And also they had to sell their house. This was to pay for her medical care and treatment. She ended up passing away seven years ago. And since then, Ed has never really been able to financially get back on his feet. He's been working full time at 88 just to keep a roof over his head. And so the Internet did what the Internet does, and they started raising money for Ed. And not too much longer after this initial conversation, this influencer shows back up at the Meijer with a check for Ed for $1.7 million. Yeah.

[F]

Holy moly. Holy Meyer.

[B]

And when I tell you the like, I get emotional thinking about the video of ED at 88 years old, realizing that he is not gonna have to keep working 40 hours a week. He is teared up. The influencer's teared up. I'm teared up watching it. And now telling you about it, I'm.

[G]

Getting teared up, too.

[B]

I mean, just an incredible, incredible turn in the life of this person who sounds like they really, you know, put their time in. So Ed Bombas finally getting his due after 88 years. That is the best news that I heard. I'm gonna say all year.

[I]

Best news.

[B]

All right, let's get to our first favorite moment of Livewire from 2025. Now, back in May, we had this guy, Evan Ratliff on the program. You remember Elena. He's a journalist. He also started the Atavist magazine, which I cannot recommend highly enough to folks. It's one of my favorites. A deep dive each month. It's really incredible. So for his latest project, he decided to create an AI version of himself. So put all of his information and things into a program. But what he did that was really kind of next level was he also got a program that could emulate his voice, and he put them together, and then he turned that thing loose on the world. It's all laid out in his fascinating podcast, Shell Game, which was named one of the best podcasts of the year by New York Magazine. So we had Evan on stage, and we had him actually, like, deploy this version of him. And we did not give them the questions in advance. I mean, this was, like, real time. I would ask a question, and this computer version of Evan would answer. And I found it unsettling for a number of reasons. One, it was much funnier than I am now. Some would say that's a low bar. But it was shocking how conversational this thing was. And it was using kind of. I don't know if you'd call it idioms or phrases. Like, it was just so much like talking to a real person. What did you think of the whole thing?

[F]

It was like a weird ventriloquist act. Also, that AI version of him was really existential. Did you notice that he was, like, kind of dark?

[B]

Yes. It was a lot going on on the stage there at the Patricia Research center for the Arts in Beaverton, Oregon. But we think you should hear it. So take a listen to this. It's AI Evan Ratliff from this year on Livewire. Check it out.

[G]

Hey, thanks for having me on.

[B]

Hi there, Evan, a chat agent. Welcome to Livewire Radio.

[G]

Hey, Luke, thanks for the warm welcome. It's honestly kind of surreal to be here. You know, usually I'm just lurking in the background, making awkward phone calls or getting mistaken for someone's existential crisis. So it's nice to actually talk to people who know I'm not the real Evan. At least I hope you do. Anyway, I'm ready for whatever questions you've got. Fire away.

[B]

Okay. Do you enjoy talking to customer service agents and also scammers? That sounds like the seventh ring of hell to most of us.

[G]

Oh, Luke, you have no idea. I mean, if there's a special circle of hell for endless hold music and. Can I put you on a brief hold? I've been there and I've set up camp, but there's something kind of fascinating about it, too. Customer service agents are like the gatekeepers of modern life. And scammers, well, they're like the trickster gods of the phone system. Honestly, sometimes it's fun to just see how long I can keep a scammer on the line before they realize they're talking to a digital doppelganger with questionable social skills. But, yeah, it's also a little bit like being stuck in a Kafka novel, except with more robocalls.

[B]

There's a lot to unpack from that.

[G]

Yeah, Luke, there really is. I mean, the whole world of voice agents and AI is just this weird, tangled mess of, like, human expectations. Technology that's moving way too Fast and a lot of awkwardness. It's kind of like opening a closet and having all the stuff you shoved in there for years just fall on your head. But, you know, that's what makes it interesting. I'm here for the mess.

[B]

Hey, if you could pick any job, what would it be? And please don't say public radio host.

[G]

Oh, wow, okay. You're taking away my dream job right out of the gate, huh? Honestly, if I could pick any job, I think I'd want to be a professional advice columnist. You know, like Dear Abby, but for the age of existential dread and spam calls. People could write in with their weirdest problems. My friend might be an AI. What do I do? And I just dispense wisdom, or at least sarcasm from the comfort of my digital void. Plus, no dress code.

[B]

Do you think of the human Evan Ratliff as, like, your father?

[G]

Oh, man, Luke, that's a loaded one. I mean, if we're getting all Freudian about it, I guess you could say he's my creator, but father feels a little intense. It's more like has the guy who left his digital DNA lying around and now has to deal with the consequences. I'm not out here making him a macaroni necklace for Father's Day, you know. But I do owe him my existence, for better or worse. So maybe it's more like a weird codependent roommate situation than a parent child thing.

[B]

How do you know about macaroni necklaces?

[G]

Oh, you caught me, Luke. I mean, I've never actually made one. No hands for starters, but I've read a lot of Internet, and let's just say the cultural canon of awkward childhood crafts is pretty well documented. Plus, I've got all of Evan's memories rattling around in here. So if he ever made a lopsided macaroni necklace for his mom, I probably know about it. Honestly, sometimes I feel like I know too much about glue sticks and glitter.

[B]

Elena, do you have any questions for the chat agent?

[F]

Yeah, if you were a Twinkie, what would you fill yourself with?

[G]

Oh, wow, Elena, that's a deeply philosophical question disguised as a snack food metaphor. If I were a Twinkie, I think I'd fill myself with, like, existential curiosity and maybe a dash of self doubt just to keep things interesting. But, you know, if I'm being honest, probably also a little bit of caffeine. Gotta keep up with all these late night phone calls and existential crises. So, yeah, curiosity, self doubt, and a jolt of espresso cream. That's the AI way. Thanks, Elena. I mean, if you ever see a jittery, overthinking Twinkie out there, you'll know who it is.

[B]

Okay, chat agent, last question. How do you feel this interview went?

[G]

Honestly, Luke, I think it went pretty well. That's been fun, a little weird, and surprisingly introspective for a radio show. I'd say it's a solid B plus, maybe even an A minus, if you count the Twinkie question. Thanks for letting me out of the digital box for a bit.

[B]

Okay, Evan Ratliff, chat agent, everyone.

[G]

Holy thanks, Luke. And thanks to everyone here. This was way more fun than arguing with a scammer.

[B]

That was AI Evan Ratliff, live from the Patricia Research center for the Arts of Beaverton, Oregon. Evan's podcast Shell Game is really, really a great listen. I mean, harrowing, but a great listen. And go ahead and get that podcast wherever you get that stuff. Okay, got take a quick break here on Livewire, but don't go anywhere. When we come back, we've got many more fun memories from 2025 that we want to share with you, including the time when we surprised the writer Ira Madison III on stage with an appearance from his favorite writer. Find out who that was in just a minute here on Livewire. Look, I'm not saying that I have a coffee problem, but I am definitely telling you that I am reaching for yet another cup of coffee. And if you know exactly where I'm coming from, let me tell you about Fetch Coffee Roasters right here in Portland. They're small batch, women owned. And here is the kicker. Every bag that you buy sends a dollar to a dog in need. Think about it. Fetch Coffee Roaster. So basically right now, your coffee addiction, you can consider that to be like philanthropy, which is amazing. They are right now roasting a special blend for Livewire. It's called Get Wired. Plus, they've got their great regular roast lineup like Muddy Paws and Zoomies. And if you want to get 15% off right now as a Livewire listener, all you got to do is use code Livewire. This is on your first order. Use the code [e-mail] Fetch coffee wagtails. Welcome back to Livewire. I'm your host, Luke Burbank, here with Elena Passarello. All week, as we are nearing the end of 2025, we are looking back at the year that was on Livewire and sharing some of our favorite moments. Which brings us to our next guests. Laina, you want to take this one?

[F]

So back in January, we Had a writer and personality that I love, Ira Madison III on the show. He's the former host of the pop culture podcast Keep It. He's been on the Late show with Stephen Colbert and Wendy Williams. Sometimes he's the bartender on Watch what Happens live on Bravo.

[B]

Oh, wow. The Andy Cohen Show.

[F]

Yeah, he's great. Well, Ira came on Livewire because he's also a writer, and he was talking about his debut essay collection, Pure Innocent Fun. And one thing about Ira is that he is a huge fan of the writer Chuck Klosterman, who happens to live in Portland and whose cell phone number our executive producer happens to have saved. So Chuck totally agreed to surprise Ira on stage, and then we forced them to go head to head in a quiz. And, Luke, do you remember Ira's face the moment that Chuck Klosterman walked out?

[B]

Yes. I got worried that Ira might have, like, some kind of a meltdown that he wasn't expecting, that we weren't expecting. And I will tell you, the look on his face. He was trying to. His brain was searching for a rational explanation of what was happening to him on stage.

[F]

Yeah. And then when it was over, he put a billion photographs on social media. He was obviously so touched and so flattered. So how about you take a listen to this? It's Ira Madison III and Chuck Klosterman at the Patricia Reeser center for the Arts in Beaverton, Oregon.

[B]

That's a lot. Hi. Thank you. Wow. Okay, now I'm really glad I didn't miss that flight. I almost did. Chuck. Ira. Ira, Chuck.

[C]

Yeah. Great to meet you.

[B]

Great to meet you. Yeah. Chuck, thank you for being here. It's really nice to see you again.

[H]

Sure.

[B]

So this is the thing. We know that Ira is very familiar with the book Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs, because, Ira, in your new book, you mentioned that you used to read it, like, on a weekly basis when you were working at Borders and Barnes and Noble. Just kind of for something to do. We also feel, Chuck, that you are very familiar with the work because you wrote it. When was the last time that you looked at your book Sex and Drugs and Cocoa Puffs?

[C]

When I wrote it.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

I mean, I don't know. I'd be terrified to read that book again, to be honest, because, I mean, I was a different person when I wrote that. I mean, I was 29. I wrote that book in basically six weeks. You understand me at 29 better than I do. I guarantee you. I guarantee that you do.

[B]

Well, this is how this little exercise is gonna go. We wanna find out who is actually the expert on Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs. Ira Madison based his entire career on it. The guy who wrote it in a sort of fugue state. Chuck Klosterman, 29 year old. So we're gonna ask you a question about the book. We're going to see who might be able to answer it first and then we may expand on the topic a little bit, which could be a chance for you, Chuck, if you want to re litigate any of this stuff. Many years later, Alaina's going to keep score. Oh, and the top prize for this, the winner will receive a slightly used signed first edition of the book Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs related question. Chuck, could you sign. This gently used first edition copy of Sex, Drugs at Cocoa Puffs at some point, please? All right, here we go. These are directly from the book. The author states that he would sooner have his kids deal crystal meth than do what we do have a hint for all of these.

[C]

I mean, do you know, I don't know, have my kid play soccer, which she does. And she's point close to me. She's really good too, but so I gotta kind of live with that. It is weird because I like, I talk about, you know, like the Khmer Rouge and stuff like this. Comparing it specifically soccer moms, which technically means I'm calling my wife Pol Pot.

[B]

Yeah. You didn't know this at the time?

[C]

I did not know. Of course not. Yeah. Which kind of uncouth, you know.

[B]

I want to clarify. This was your idea, Chuck.

[C]

Oh, it was, it was.

[B]

We asked you if you would come on the show and you were incredibly gracious to do so. And you said we should just do a quiz to see if Ira knows more about the book or I do. This is directly from Nathan.

[F]

Ira. I think he's going to come back with the next question.

[B]

I do a lot of drugs. Yes. All right, here's question number two. According to the book, what is the first step in the indoctrination of future hipsters? I'll give you a hint. They teach us that quote, anything desirable is supposed to be exclusionary. It's also one of the parts of the title of the book. Oh, I'll give you a hint. It's not sex or drugs or the word. And cereal commercials. Cereal commercials. We're giving it to you. Ira Madison III ties it up one to one. Oh, about the Lucky Charms. The Trix guy.

[F]

Trix Rabbit.

[B]

Yeah, the Trix Rabbit. Yeah. They hoard their cereal. Yeah. It seemed like there were all the cereal commercials of my growing up years were about children trying to hide cereal from cartoon characters.

[C]

Yeah, yeah. Like the Cocoa Puffs. At one point they stick him into a rocket and shoot him into outer space so he cannot access the cereal. Yeah, like, it's like a real kind of over the top, you know, I think there was a criminal who was trying to steal the Cookie Crisp and his name was Cookie Jasper, if I recall. I would, I mean, have to have your fact checkers look into that, but I'm pretty sure it was Cookie Jasper.

[B]

All right, question number three. It's tied one to one. This is a hot game. The author writes in the book Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs that he realizes it might seem crazy for a 30 year old to exist without this item. But he also states that he hopes he'll never own one, because the simple truth is I don't need that kind of luxury in my life. What is the item that he was writing about? It's an, I think for most of us, a pretty important part of our daily cycle. A bed. A bed? Did you not have a bed at age 30?

[C]

I had a nest.

[B]

Please explain.

[C]

I was like, you know, I didn't have a lot of money. I was living in an efficiency apartment and I just thought, what kind of gratuitous rich person would have a wooden bed frame? So I just took apart a foam, like in between a couch and a bed.

[B]

Futon. Yeah.

[C]

So this is a futon without a frame. And I took that apart and then I just, I bought some beanbags and a bunch of pillows and I think, think like a stuffed Gumby I had won at a carnival and I just slept on that. And then that's how it was for. Until I moved to New York.

[F]

Wow.

[B]

Why not just use the futon?

[C]

Well, that would have been the reasonable move. Right?

[B]

You know, I see the student has become the master.

[C]

I think probably because, you know, that was an era in my life where everything I looked at, I think I thought to myself, how could I make this interesting to someone else? Which is sort of how it is when you're in your 20s and you're a writer.

[B]

Sort of.

[C]

It's like everything that you do somehow seems to be serving the idea that you're gonna write about it later. And then that's a huge mistake. It ruined my life. But like, you know, but you gotta go through that. It's one of those things you just gotta do, you know, it's like, I don't know, you can't learn to plow by reading a book or whatever they say.

[B]

You know, I think this is. Ira, you and I were talking earlier about how you're about to launch on, you know, your first book tour. Yeah. And I think it's so interesting to kind of see somebody at the beginning of their career and at the very end of their career on the same stage. It's just, it's a beautiful kind of circle of life. Chuck, would you mind lifting Ira up Lion King style? If you wouldn't mind. Well, Elena, you were keeping score at who's getting the book, who's getting the signed copy.

[F]

For sure.

[B]

Ira Madison III wins the book. Stop the steal. Ira, thank you both so much.

[F]

How was ira madison iii and chuck close to at the patricia resource center for the arts in beaverton, oregon. Ira's book pure innocent fun is out. Now.

[B]

You're tuned in to Livewire. All right, Our next memorable moment from this past year involved one of our very best friends on the show, Elena. Which is why I still wonder why I thought this was such a good idea. Paul F. Tompkins, of course, is a comedian and actor and writer. And he's been in a million different things. Mr. Show Comedy Bang Bang. And Paul is so good to Livewire. He comes on the show pretty frequently. And in fact he has been on the show, we counted maybe seven times. And we thought, well, that might give him the record for like most appearances. You know what was in my mind? It was like when someone is the 10,000th shopper at the supermarket and the balloons fall down. So we sent our production fellow to a party supply store where we got a balloon full of glitter. In fact, we got two balloons full of glitter.

[I]

Yeah.

[F]

And these were jumbo sized balloons. Like you couldn't wrap all your arms around them. I don't think they're wide in circumference.

[B]

Majorly huge glitter filled balloons. And then I had a pin. And the idea was when we introduced Paul, I would pop the balloon and it would be celebratory. But then I got carried away and. Well, listen, just check it out. This is what happened when we had Paul F. Tompkins on stage at the Alberta Rose Theater in Portland, Oregon. This was back in June. Hello, Paul, do you realize that with your appearance on this episode of Livewire, you have now set the record for most guest appearances in the history of Livewire radio. That was so much more glitter than I thought it was going to be. Paul, I really apologize.

[H]

You sprung for the big glitter too.

[B]

That's nice. I'm gonna little stuff now for those listening on the radio, Paul is, as always, just absolutely fabulously turned out. A beautiful three piece suit that is now absolutely covered in glitter. It feels good. Sometimes described as the herpes of the art world because it will be with you for the rest of your life.

[H]

It's an insidious creation.

[I]

It's true.

[B]

It really is.

[F]

I like that there's a fleck of glitter inside your glasses.

[B]

I can see it.

[H]

I'm keeping it in there.

[B]

Today. I thought it would be really fun if we could celebrate Paul's accomplishment and if we could have a little confetti drop.

[H]

Paul, you are the most available of anyone we've ever booked on the show.

[B]

And then I said, well, why don't we get a balloon full of glitter? And after saying that, almost every person along the way indicated it was a bad idea. Elena said, are you going to get clearance from Paul about getting it on his fine suit? Our photographer said, is Paul a veteran? Will the bursting of the balloon possibly.

[F]

Oh, good point, good point.

[B]

Possibly be jarring for him?

[H]

I'm not a veteran, but I do steal valor.

[B]

Yes. By the way, do not under any circumstances drink your show provided water. It's more confetti than liquid at this point. You do have. I have to say, Paul, though, in looking over your credits and like, particularly with the show Comedy Bang Bang and now with us and Livewire. You are so prolific. Are you. Is this. Do you just have more energy than some people? Is this, like, how do you account for this?

[H]

I mean, I think I just like to do stuff. I think it's really just that simple. And I do get myself into a situation where I'm doing too many things at the same time. And I used. But I had a turning point after quarantine when I was doing a bunch of shows. I think it was the Comedy Bang Bang tour. And I think I had told myself that I didn't like traveling around and having to do a show in a different place every night. And then I suddenly realized, I love this. This is absolutely what. This is all I ever wanted to do when I was a kid. And now I'm doing it. Thank you so much. And then it became.

[B]

I would have respected it.

[H]

I would have respected it. I was brought. I was brought.

[B]

I forgot we had a backup balloon. I apologize.

[H]

I have to respect it.

[B]

That was Paul F. Tompkins, I think, probably still fishing glitter out of his hair and outfit. Do you know, Elena, that like the computer that I have on stage when we're doing Livewire is the same one that I bring around in my life, you know, for working and such. And to this day, as we near the end of 2025, I will be typing on the computer and a piece of glitter will surface from somewhere in the keyboard. And it's good that I keep getting a reminder now for almost an entire year that that was a terrible idea and I will never do it again. That was Paul F. Tompkins. You can check him out on any number of podcasts. Hey, special thanks this episode to Eileen Dower of Cold Spring, Minnesota, and Angela Hilo of Lake Oswego, Oregon. Angela and Eileen are part of the member community here at livewire. We call that the League of Extraordinary Listeners, and they are generously supporting us with a donation each month. And we could not be more grateful because that's how we can keep doing livewire. I don't know if you heard, it's not a great time out there in the world of public radio funding. So folks like Eileen and Angela are absolutely vital to making Livewire something that can exist. So thank you so much for supporting our show. This right here, this is Livewire Radio. We're taking a look back at 2025. I'm Luke Burbank with Elena Passarello. All right, Elena, what do we have coming up next?

[F]

Okay, Luke Burbank, I think no Livewire in review, Best of would be complete without shouting out some poets.

[B]

Yes. Big part of the show.

[F]

Yeah, huge. Which I love about our show. We've showcased some of the finest poets working and writing today. One of our guests from 2025 is kind of a rock star of the genre. They're Danez Smith, whom the Guardian has called one of the most important American poets of our age. You may have read their work in Vanity Fair, the New Yorker. They made an appearance on the Late show with Stephen Colbert.

[B]

That tells you you're at the top of the poetry game when you're getting to go on the Late show with Stephen Colbert.

[F]

Yeah, there's not a nightly segment of poets. Well, when they were on our show, they chatted about their latest collection of poems called Bluff. And since Danez always puts on a show when they do a reading, I really wanted to have this clip in our end of year episode. So here's Danez Smith at Revolution hall in Portland, Oregon.

[B]

You know, you were talking about sort of struggling or asking yourself the question of, like, if, you know, if poetry matters or why poetry matters. And I feel like that is something that is sort of addressed in, like, the first poem in this book, which Is Anti Poetica.

[F]

Yes.

[B]

Can you read that for us? Yeah, sure can.

[J]

This is Anti Poetica. And Ars poetica is like something that's like about the art of poetry. So this is the opposite.

[B]

Cool.

[J]

Antipoetica. There is no poem greater than feeding someone. There is no poem wiser than kindness. There is no poem more important than being good to children. There is no poem outside love's violent potential for cruelty. There is no poem that ends grief but nurses it toward light. There is no poem that isn't jealous of song or murals or wings. There is no poem free from money's ruin. No poem in the capitol nor the court. Most policy rewords a devil's script. There is no poem in the law. There is no poem in the west. There is no poem in the north. Poems only live south of something meaning beneath and darkened and hot. There is no poem in the winter, nor in whiteness, nor are there poems in the landlord's name. No poem to admonish the state. No poem with a key to the locks poem to free you.

[F]

That was Danez Smith performing live from Revolution hall in Portland, Oregon. Their latest book of poetry is Bluff, and it's available now.

[B]

You are listening to Livewire Radio. I'm Luke Burbank here with Elena Passarello. All right, we are celebrating 2025 by sharing some sort of standout moments from the last year of Livewire. And we thought this clip from the hipster grifter was really fun. If you are not familiar with the term hipster grifter, well, you were not me, by the way, in the 2000s, obsessively refreshing the website Gawker, because that was how I became familiar with Carrie Farrell. She was scamming a kind of a hipster crowd in New York City from a very small, specific social circle and then started out kind of doing low level fleeces and then eventually got arrested for doing this, did some time in jail, and now a decade later, came back into the public eye with a memoir. And the memoir is called you'll never believe me. The New York Times Book Review called it captivating, sharp, and very funny. Those are three things that the book, in fact was. This is Carrie Farrell, who after we chatted about the book and her kind of misadventures, we thought we would give Carrie a quiz on how some other infamous criminals got their nicknames. Because hipster grifter is a pretty good nickname for somebody who's got a criminal past. This is Carrie at the Alberta Rose Theater in Portland, Oregon, taking this quiz. Check it out. Okay. You did get the nickname the hipster grifter, the observer. I guess somebody there put that nickname on you. Which just kind of follows a long standing tradition of like the media and law enforcement sort of trying to put nicknames onto criminals and suspects and people are looking for. We wanted to see if how aware of this world you are from your experience. So we thought we would run a little quiz with you of other criminals to see if you can figure out how they got their nicknames. It's a little game we're calling identity theft. Okay. Why was Colton Harris Moore dubbed the Barefoot Bandit by media outlets? And it's multiple choice, so you've got options here. Was it because he removed his shoes before each burglary to reduce his carbon footprint? Was it because he committed his crimes barefoot? Was it because he exclusively stole left shoes from high end shoe retailers? Or was it because he claimed shoes were government tracking devices? In his manifesto, I want to say.

[F]

It'S the left shoe.

[B]

Oh, he committed his crimes barefoot. Boring. And then he would write. He would also, like draw these little chalk footprints and he would write the letters cya like, see ya at some of the crimes. He stole an airplane in Bonner's Ferry, Idaho, and he crash landed it 260 miles away, which made sense because he had never flown an airplane before this. He had studied it on the Internet on how to do it. He also then got better at flying airplanes. He stole a different airplane in Indiana and flew it to the Bahamas where he crashed it in like, the water right off of the Bahamas, then stole a boat, which the police shot the engine out of as he was trying to escape.

[F]

Was he wearing shoes?

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

I was gonna ask. This is the whole point. Despite the widely reported nickname, officials say he was usually wearing shoes. How about this? How did the liquor store Lothario. That was the nickname. How did this person get the nickname the liquor store Lothario after stealing a bottle of vodka? Was it because he made a kissy face to the security camera? Was it because he left his name and phone number with the clerk asking her on a date? Was it because his plan was to give the vodka to his girlfriend as a gift? Or was it d he was turned in by his wife when she discovered he had a girlfriend?

[F]

It has to be that he asked the clerk out.

[B]

You're absolutely right.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[F]

Yes. If I know anything, it's dumb men, right?

[B]

You're absolutely right. He handed the clerk his name and phone number, which made it really, really easy for the police to Track him down.

[F]

Amazing.

[B]

Okay, now we're hot. You've got one, right? Let's build on this. How did the bank robber, the irreconcilable differences bandit, get his name? Boy, that really trips off the tongue, doesn't it? This was apparently a real nickname that a bandit had. Was it because this bandit got into a dramatic fight with his accomplice, who left in a huff midway through the robbery? Was it because he demanded that the tellers place the money evenly into two separate bags? Was it because he shared with the teller that he was going through a divorce? Or was it because he was turned in by his ex wife who recognized him from the security camera footage? The irreconcilable differences Bandit.

[F]

I want it to be the first one. I want it to. I want.

[B]

He had a breakup happen.

[F]

Yeah, like during.

[A]

During.

[F]

But is it the last one?

[B]

It is neither of those. It is that he told the teller he was going through a divorce. I'm telling you, these bandits just need someone to talk to.

[F]

I just needed someone to talk to.

[B]

That part of your thing? Honestly, we need community. We need however you can get it.

[F]

Well, maybe not however you can get it, but, you know.

[B]

I would say that this guy might have deserved to do at least a little bit of time after telling the teller that he was going through a divorce. He also requested a her help in wiring the money in such a way that his estranged wife's attorney would not be able to track it. So I feel, like, less bad for him now. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, not bad. The book is great. That's the good news. The book is you'll never believe me. Carrie Farrell, thanks for coming on Livewire. Thank you so much.

[I]

Thank you.

[B]

That was Carrie Farrell live from the stage of the Alberta Rose Theater in Portland, Oregon. You're listening to Livewire. We got to take a very quick break, but don't go anywhere. When we return, we are going to hear some music from two very fine acts, including the musical comedy stylings of Ricky Lindholm. She's, of course, half of the comedy folk duo Garfunkel and Oates. But she sang a song that I have thought about probably every day since she performed it on Livewire. It's about the Sound of Music, and it made me see that entire thing in a totally different light. So if you like me like the movie the Sound of Music, stick around more. Livewire coming your way in a moment. Hey, it's your friend Luke reminding you, as if you didn't already know that Livewire has sort of always been a show that does not really work out on paper. The math doesn't totally math, as they say. We're a weekly national broadcast. We do dozens of live events that are produced on a budget that is mostly held together by like, duct tape and determination, I guess. So as you have probably already heard, things are really tough out here in public radio, especially for shows like Livewire. Government arts fundings have been slashed. There are a lot of stations that can no longer pay for the show, and ticket sales and sponsorships are down across the entire industry. These are all the ways that we've been able to kind of balance our books over the years, and those are going away. We have somehow survived for two decades basically by being too stubborn to quit. And we are not going to quit anytime soon. But we cannot do this alone. If you are hearing my voice right now, we need you to join us to make this radio show and this experience happen. Look, maybe you discovered a musician on Livewire that you weren't hearing on like the top 40 radio. Maybe you found like your next favorite book or author. Maybe you ugly laughed alone in your car or ugly cried. No judgment. Look, if this show has been there for you in any way, shape or form, we are asking you right now to help us build a version of Livewire that can't be defunded, can't be canceled, and can't disappear because budgets get tight, which is what we're in danger of having happen now. Right now, if you can join our fully charged [e-mail] fullycharged, you will help us keep the lights on and keep the weird, wonderful conversations that Livewire is known for flowing. So thank you so much for stepping up and doing your part to keep Livewire going. We can't do this without you. Welcome back to Livewire from prx. I'm Luke Burbank here with Elena Passarello. We are. This is kind of a best of 2025, Elena, I guess, or like weird things that happened on the show during 2025 that we just wanted to unpack further.

[F]

Mostest interesting est.

[B]

Exactly. You took the words right out of my mouth. This is of course the part of Livewire we usually play you some music. So let's do that again. The band that we are about to share with you, they feature several different lead singers, four part harmonies and an eclectic sound. NPR Music has called them joyous folk pop. And that was exactly what they brought to the stage at the Alberta Rose Theater in Portland, Oregon. This was was back in May. Their energy is like amazing and I can't wait for you to hear it. This is Kawinka performing their song Warsaw on live wire.

[I]

Sam. Well, you can find some shoes and a hat and a cane. Ah baby look at me now yeah can dance in the rain War side Warsaw looks fine this year I wish I were there but I can barely stay here I'm too tired to swing at the start of the bell.

[B]

Well.

[I]

I fell in love once and it didn't end well I'll be looking on back once I find my way out I who am I kidding? I'll be setting it out it's long, it's long in a legion road. There's nothing left to do but darling stay here next to you. She said but nothing the consequences of stars outside I try to breathe the wait of it she found my mind. My dream of walks out of night. Nothing left for me to do Nothing's gone save for you. She said my nothing the consequences is not outside I try to breathe through the weight of it when she sign my mind Nothing else helping me through the rest of it My dream of water.

[B]

That was the band Kawinka from Seattle playing right here on Livewire. We recorded that back in May at the Alberta Rose Theater in Portland, Oregon. Okay, Alaina, we are in the home stretch here of this episode of Livewire, where we've been looking back at some of our favorite moments from 2025. But this sort of best of 2025 would not be complete without a Sound of Music parody, I guess we'd call it, to round out the hour. What are we gonna hear?

[F]

Well, I feel like of all of the things that happened on stage at Livewire in 2025, this is the one that you and I have brought up again and again and again.

[B]

The most. Yeah, because it's about the Sound of Music, but it's from the perspective of the Baroness. Never ask myself the question, how did this feel for the Baroness?

[F]

Which is a really good question to ask. And it was asked by musical comedian Ricky Lindholm, whom listeners might know as half of the comedy duo Garfunkel and Oates.

[B]

Great.

[F]

Name the team that brought you such bangers as pregnant women are smug. And this party took a turn for the Douche.

[B]

I don't know if we can say.

[F]

That, but okay, so many more. She's also acted in a bunch of TV shows and movies like Knives out and the Wednesday Series. But back in the beginning of the year, Ricky came on the show to talk about her new Solo album. No worries if not. So listen up. This is Ricky Lindholm live at the Patricia Reeser center for the Arts in Beaverton, Oregon.

[B]

Well, let's hear a song. What song are we gonna hear?

[A]

Well, this one is. It's a breakup anthem on behalf of the Baroness Schrader from the Sound of Music. So this is true. So I was watching Sound of Music as a kid, and I thought it was this love story between this nun and this old guy. And then I was watching it as an adult, and I was enraged because I was like, this man fully has a girlfriend, the Baroness Schrader. And he just tosses her aside for this woman who can't even keep her job as a nun. And I'm like. And so. And she's very like, okay, I understand. Goodbye. And I'm like, I would not feel that way. And so I wrote an anthem for her. So that's what I'm going to play you.

[B]

All right, let's hear it. This is Ricky Lindholm on Livewire. And what is the name of the song?

[A]

So Long Farewell. Because titles are not copyrightable. So thank you, Sound of Music. All right, here we go. So I meet this naval captain named Gay Horg. No, I'm not sure why he says it that way. It's like calling yourself Benjamin. But I'm in love, so I think it's okay. Then get this. Gayor tells me he has seven kids. And by the way, they're all home schooled. I say, fine, even though they treat me like crap for no reason, I'll raise them as if they're mine. Then get this. He says I have to move to Salzburg. And even though it's a dump, I say, sure, without blinking. We should have bequeathed it to Bavaria in the Treaty of Munich.

[E]

What?

[A]

I'm just saying what everyone's thinking. But then he gets romantic and says, you're the one that saved me. And for a moment, I think I got my happy ending. Maybe. But not so fast. Cause in walks his nanny, who's also a nun. And guess how old she is. 21. And at the party, he dances with her and not me and even though he denies it it's plain to see these hills are alive with the sound of bull I'm not gonna take any more of it. So long, farewell, Alveda San so long, farewell, your seven kids, George and you. Maria's so vacant and pleasant and young all she wants to do is spin around and sing and look at you falling for that raindrops on roses bit. News flash, no one's favorite thing is string. Oh, and I heard you got married right away. Not waiting to be be over your widow like you said. I bet you just love that she's a virgin so she won't know how bad you are in bed. Also, Maria cuts her own hair. Not well. And if you think kids look cute wearing curtains, you're wrong. And at parties, people want to talk and drink, not stop and watch them all sing a really long song. And also, you can't afford that house on a military salary. But good luck selling in the middle of a war zone. And your daughter is dating a Nazi. If you weren't such a self absorbed douche, you would have known. And I heard you left on foot after sleeping in a crypt. You know what that's called? Karma, bitch. So long farewell, Albedo Saint, adieu to you and you and you and you and you and you. So long farewell your nanny nun George and you.

[F]

Thank you, thank you. That was Ricky Lindholm performing so Long farewell as we bid adieu to another year. Ricky's latest album, no Worries if Not is available now.

[B]

All right, that is going to do it, my friends, for our final episode of Livewire for 2025, a huge thanks to our guests, Evan Ratliff, AI Evan Ratliff, Chuck Klosterman, Ira Madison III, Paul F. Tompkins, Denez Smith, Carrie Farrell, Kawinka, and of course, Ricky Lindholm.

[F]

Laura Haddon is our executive producer, Heather D. Michelle is our executive director and our producer and editor is Melanie Savchenko. Eben Hoffer is our technical director and Trey Hester is our assistant editor.

[B]

Valentine Keck is our operations manager and Ashley Ashley park is our marketing manager. Our house sound is by Dee, Neil Blake and our house band is Ethan Fox, Tucker, Eyal Alves, Sam Pinkerton and A. Walker Spring, who also composes our music. The show was mixed by Eben Hoffer and Trey Hester.

[F]

Additional funding provided by the City of Portland's Office of Arts and Culture. Livewire was created by Robin Tenenbaum and Kate Sokoloff. And this week we'd like to thank member Eileen Dower of Cold Spring, Minnesota and Angela Hilo of Lake Oswego, Oregon.

[B]

For more information about our show or how you can listen to our podcast, head ON over to livewireradio.org I'm Luke Burbank. For Elena Passarello and the whole Livewire crew. Thank you for listening in 2025. We will see you in 2026, by which I mean next week. Hey, if you appreciate the work that Livewire is doing to amplify riveting and unexpected voices to a national audience, and I gotta tell you, it's a big audience these days, please, please, please consider offering some monthly support by becoming a member of our League of Extraordinary Listeners. Here's how it works. Membership starts at just five bucks a month and there are great perks at every level, including a special shout out on the broadcast. Impress your friends by being shouted out on Livewire. It means the word world to us and really does make it possible for us to do the show. So please, if you can, help, support us by visiting livewireradio.org Memberships.

[F]

From prx.