Live Wire with Luke Burbank – June 13, 2025 Episode: Bruce Campbell, Sara Schaefer, and Emmy Pop (Rebroadcast)

Hosted by Luke Burbank, Live Wire with Luke Burbank on PRX delivers an eclectic mix of conversations with artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers, comedians, and cultural observers. In this rebroadcast episode recorded in March 2025, Luke engages with legendary actor Bruce Campbell, comedian Sarah Schaefer, and Puerto Rican pop-punk artist Emmy Pop.

Opening Remarks and Good News Segment

Luke Burbank kicks off the episode by welcoming listeners and highlighting the importance of sharing positive news amidst widespread concerns. He introduces Elena Passarello, who shares a heartwarming story about Project Camp—a nonprofit organization that establishes pop-up camps for children affected by natural disasters.

Elena Passarello ([03:26]):

"Project Camp stages these popup camps for kids who have been impacted by natural disasters... They have, like, special guests, like local sports teams... the people who run this camp are schooled in trauma-informed child care."

Luke Burbank ([04:36]):

"So much of the attention around these disasters... it's just stressful for days. The adults are dealing with the insurance companies and trying to find all this new stuff. And so just having these kind of spaces where the kids can go away is really important."

This segment underscores the resilience of children and the crucial support systems that aid their recovery during challenging times.

Interview with Bruce Campbell

Luke Burbank welcomes Bruce Campbell, renowned for his role in the Evil Dead series, to discuss his latest project, Peacock’s "Hysteria", where he portrays a police chief navigating a town engulfed in a satanic panic.

Bruce Campbell ([10:39]):

"Age appropriate role is delightful. I'm not wrestling demons. I'm making phone calls and talking on walkie talkies."

Luke Burbank ([11:06]):

"I have been really enjoying this new Peacock show. Hysteria. I have to say, like, for a show about people getting brutally murdered, it is a lot of fun."

Throughout the conversation, Bruce delves into the nuances of blending horror with comedy, reflecting on the cultural phenomenon of the satanic panic in the 1980s and its portrayal in modern storytelling.

Bruce Campbell ([14:08]):

"But if you're gonna get money from an investor in Detroit in 1979. Yeah, we're making a horror movie. So Sam Raimi thought, well, it better be pretty horrible, otherwise we'll just be another horror movie. So let's make the most horrible horror movie."

He also shares insights into his upcoming independent film "Ernie and Emma", co-produced with his wife, which he describes as:

Bruce Campbell ([20:14]):

"It's like Hallmark with swearing. There's no blood. It's okay. It's okay. Someone said, don't you want to make a horror movie? Shouldn't you, if you're going to put your own actual cash into this movie, don't you want to make a horror movie? I said, well, I think maybe I should make a movie that's for, you know, a broader audience."

Luke Burbank ([22:59]):

"How do you take this movie that's so personal and is really your vision? And how do you get it to the wider world?"

Bruce Campbell ([24:19]):

"The idea is I'm trying to do a closed loop that's without any other outside influence. A studio can distribute the film. Knock yourself out. I just don't want you to make the movie. So I'm going to start and try and sell it to some Acme movie company."

The interview highlights Bruce’s dedication to maintaining creative control and his passion for authentic storytelling.

Comedic Insight with Sarah Schaefer

Sarah Schaefer, an Emmy-winning comedian, shares a deeply personal and humorous anecdote about her childhood attachment to her blankie.

Sarah Schaefer ([35:48]):

"I brought blankie down to the John Marshall Hotel, because I got to show blankie the velvet carpets, right? So we go, and it was a great time. And it wasn't until, like, a full day later that I realized, where's blankie?"

She recounts the trauma of losing her cherished blanket during a family trip, leading to a revelation about parental lies and the complexities of letting go of childhood possessions.

Sarah Schaefer ([32:18]):

"I wish that had happened. Maybe my first marriage would have worked out if that had."

Her candid storytelling blends humor with vulnerability, offering listeners both laughter and poignant reflections on childhood and adulthood.

Station Location Identification Game

Luke Burbank engages Elena Passarello in a fun segment where she guesses the U.S. city based on provided clues.

Luke Burbank ([44:24]):

"This city boasts several world records, including the largest collection of toasters. The most expensive crab cake, $310, by the way, is what that went for. And the most bow ties tied simultaneously. 823."

Elena Passarello ([45:25]):

"It's close to an ocean... It’s close to an ocean... It's Columbia, South Carolina."

Luke Burbank confirms the answer:

"That is Columbia, South Carolina... Soda City, where folks are tuning in on wrjafm."

This interactive segment adds an engaging and entertaining element to the episode, involving both the host and co-host in a light-hearted challenge.

Musical Performance by Emmy Pop

Rounding out the episode, Emmy Pop, a Puerto Rican pop-punk artist, performs her self-released single "Lose". Recorded live at the Hotel Crocodile in Seattle, Emmy provides listeners with an energetic and authentic musical experience.

Emmy Pop ([48:52]):

"Thank you."

Her performance embodies the vibrant fusion of pop and punk, reflecting her roots and artistic evolution.

Closing Remarks

Luke Burbank thanks the guests—Bruce Campbell, Sarah Schaefer, and Emmy Pop—for their contributions and expresses gratitude to listeners and supporters like Danelle Solberg. He teases next week's episode featuring bestselling author Karen Russell and stand-up comedian Sam Miller, ensuring listeners stay tuned for more diverse and captivating content.

Notable Quotes:

• Bruce Campbell ([10:41]):

  "I am like the salmon spawning to Portland."

• Sarah Schaefer ([35:48]):

  "I wish that had happened. Maybe my first marriage would have worked out if that had."

• Emmy Pop ([48:54]):

  "Thank you."

For more engaging conversations and performances, subscribe to Live Wire with Luke Burbank on your preferred podcast platform and visit livewireradio.org.