Live Wire with Luke Burbank: Episode Featuring Dylan Marron and Brittany Davis (Rebroadcast) Release Date: August 8, 2025 | Host: PRX
Introduction In this rebroadcast episode of Live Wire with Luke Burbank, hosted by Luke Burbank, listeners are treated to in-depth conversations with two remarkable guests: Dylan Marron and Brittany Davis. Marron, renowned for his podcast and book Conversations with People Who Hate Me, delves into his unique approach to fostering dialogue with online detractors. Meanwhile, Brittany Davis, a talented blind musician, shares insights into her profound relationship with music and her recent fascination with Pearl Jam’s discography.
Segment 1: Best News of the Week [03:28 – 06:14]
Before diving into the main discussions, Luke and Elena Passarello share uplifting news that contrasts the prevalent trend of media consolidation. Highlighting Indianola, Iowa, the couple recounts how local journalists Amy Duncan and Mark De Witt successfully reclaimed and revitalized their town’s newspaper, the Record Herald, ensuring that community-specific stories continue to thrive without the dilution caused by large media conglomerates.
Notable Quote:
- Luke Burbank [05:27]: "That's so awesome."
Additionally, Luke shares an inspiring story about Chad Kempel, a father of quintuplets who ran a half marathon pushing his five young children in strollers, completing the 13.1-mile race in 2 hours and 19 minutes. This act serves as a testament to resilience and the profound, often underappreciated, efforts of parents.
Segment 2: Conversation with Dylan Marron [09:49 – 30:12]
Introduction to Dylan Marron
Dylan Marron, host of the critically acclaimed podcast Conversations with People Who Hate Me, discusses his journey from creating impactful video projects to authoring his book, Conversations with People Who Hate Me: 12 Things I Learned from Talking to Internet Strangers. Marron’s work revolves around transforming hostile online interactions into meaningful human connections.
Discussion Points:
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Every Single Word Project [10:04 – 12:00]
- Marron explains his Every Single Word project, where he edits down popular films to highlight only the lines spoken by people of color, revealing the scarcity of representation in mainstream cinema.
- Notable Quote:
- Dylan Marron [11:15]: "What this project interrogates is, what are you not noticing and what are we subconsciously taking in?"
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Facing Online Negativity [17:02 – 19:19]
- Marron shares his experiences dealing with negative and homophobic comments online, initially responding with humor and corrections but realizing the ineffectiveness of such tactics.
- Notable Quote:
- Dylan Marron [17:57]: "I was just essentially fighting fire with fire. So I wanted to find an alternative."
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Establishing Human Connections [19:19 – 24:38]
- The conversation transitions to Marron’s pivotal phone call with Josh, a high school senior who had posted homophobic remarks. This interaction became the foundation for Marron’s approach to building bridges rather than engaging in online conflicts.
- Notable Quote:
- Dylan Marron [21:28]: "Talking to him felt like I was actually building a bridge and doing something that I hadn't done before."
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Hope for Online Interactions [25:06 – 30:05]
- Marron reflects on the potential for genuine connections online, despite the prevalent toxicity. He emphasizes that while empathy alone cannot solve all societal issues, it remains a crucial component for meaningful interactions.
- Notable Quote:
- Dylan Marron [25:06]: "People are hungry for connection with each other. People are eager to get to know people, to show themselves to other people, to build these bridges..."
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Conceptualizing Debate Versus Conversation [26:56 – 29:24]
- Marron discusses the pitfalls of framing conversations across differences as debates, which often devolve into combative exchanges rather than productive dialogues.
- Notable Quote:
- Dylan Marron [27:15]: "The only way we can actually communicate with someone that we disagree with is to fight them, is to battle them."
Segment 3: Listener Responses [32:12 – 35:58]
Elena Passarello shares listener-submitted stories about unexpected conversations, revealing a range of experiences from being discouraged by a professor about one's major to discovering the true origins of supposedly "American-made" clothing. These anecdotes underscore the unpredictability and depth of human interactions.
Notable Stories:
- A professor telling a student there's no future in their major.
- A discussion about patriotism leading to the revelation that an "American-made" T-shirt was manufactured in Bangladesh.
- Divergent tastes in movies sparking conversations between friends.
Segment 4: Conversation with Brittany Davis [36:39 – 52:37]
Introduction to Brittany Davis
Brittany Davis, a blind musician and producer from Seattle, shares her journey with music, which she describes as her first language. Signed to Loose Groove Records, Davis discusses her artistic process, the challenges of navigating the music industry without visual cues, and her recent creative endeavors inspired by legends like Pearl Jam and Jimi Hendrix.
Discussion Points:
-
Early Musical Development [36:50 – 37:21]
- Davis recounts starting piano at age two and composing her own songs by age four, emphasizing the intrinsic role of music in her life.
- Notable Quote:
- Brittany Davis [39:28]: "Music was my first language. It played a role in everything that I felt emotionally sometimes."
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Sound as a Perceptual Tool [37:54 – 38:53]
- She elaborates on her concept that "sound is light" and "silence is darkness," likening different sound dimensions to visual light aspects, allowing her to perceive the world richly despite visual impairment.
- Notable Quote:
- Brittany Davis [38:00]: "Sound is light because there is sound, there is life for me and from me. And all of it has its Own purpose."
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Navigating the Music Industry Blindly [40:23 – 43:33]
- Davis discusses the challenges of selecting outfits and visual presentation without sight, relying on tactile feedback and trusting her internal sense of style.
- Notable Quote:
- Brittany Davis [42:17]: "I have to trust in myself to be vulnerable and say, I really like patent leather, or I really like soft cotton materials that remind me of home."
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Musical Influences and Projects [40:31 – 41:47]
- While not previously a Pearl Jam fan, Davis has grown to appreciate their music through her label’s connection, alongside influences from Neil Young and Jimi Hendrix, reflecting her diverse musical palette.
- Notable Quote:
- Brittany Davis [40:32]: "I listen to it, you know, because it's one of those things where you get curious and every side of music is kind of a side of me."
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Performance: "Loud, Loud World" [46:26 – 52:37]
- Davis performs her original song "Loud, Loud World," which encapsulates the sensory overload she experiences as a blind individual and her desire to be understood as human, not a superhero.
- Performance Highlights:
- "As I open up my eyes, realize that I'm not the girl I used to be... I am only human, I am only."
Segment 5: Upcoming and Conclusion [44:02 – 55:15]
Luke previews upcoming episodes featuring authors Melissa Febos and Evan Ratliff, hinting at intriguing discussions around self-discovery and the intersection of AI with personal identity.
The episode concludes with acknowledgments to supporters and Patreon members, emphasizing community contributions to the show's continuity.
Notable Quote:
- Luke Burbank [52:09]: "Brittany Davis right here on Livewire. Thank you again, Brittany, for taking the time today. We really appreciate you."
Conclusion This episode of Live Wire with Luke Burbank offers profound insights into bridging online divides through human connection, as exemplified by Dylan Marron’s transformative approach to online negativity. Concurrently, Brittany Davis provides an inspiring perspective on overcoming sensory limitations through music, illustrating the universal language’s power to convey deep emotional and human truths. Together, these conversations underscore the show’s commitment to exploring diverse narratives and fostering meaningful dialogues.
Further Listening To explore more episodes and engage with Live Wire with Luke Burbank, visit livewireradio.org and subscribe to the podcast for weekly updates and enriching conversations.