Ginny Hogan, Anis Mojgani, and Jimmie Herrod

Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Episode Summary: Ginny Hogan, Anis Mojgani, and Jimmie Herrod

Date: Recorded October 2022, aired November 28, 2025
Host: Luke Burbank, with announcer Elena Passarello

Episode Overview

This week’s Live Wire blends sharp comedy, heartfelt poetry, and luxe vocals. Comedian/writer Ginny Hogan recounts her evolution from data scientist to stand-up, wrestling honestly with modern dating and sobriety. Anees Mojgani, Oregon’s celebrated Poet Laureate, shares luminous, emotionally resonant poems and reflects on making poetry accessible. Jimmie Herrod (Pink Martini, America’s Got Talent fame) brings original music and stories from a whirlwind career. The through-line: resilience, honesty, and connection through creative work.

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Best News of the Week

[03:32]

Elena Passarello: The First Asian American on U.S. Currency

Elena, self-proclaimed "quarter hound," celebrates Anna May Wong, the first Asian American featured on U.S. currency. Anna May Wong was a pioneering movie star and fashion icon who "fought casting stereotypes" and "advocated for greater representation" for Asian Americans in Hollywood.
- Quote:
  "You can really see that on the quarter... I feel like people are going to take the quarter to their stylist." — Elena Passarello [04:51]

Luke Burbank: Train Window Heroism in Colorado

In Silverton, Colorado, a hiker who fell and broke her leg was spotted from a passing train by an alert passenger. Train staff and a second train’s crew orchestrated a daring river rescue and airlift.
- Quote:
  “Maybe the takeaway is it’s good to stare out of the window of a train and daydream a little bit because you might see somebody who needs help.” — Luke Burbank [09:04]

2. Featured Guest: Ginny Hogan

[10:15]

Background

Writer and standup comic; publications include The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and NYT.
Book: I'm More Dateable Than a Plate of Refried Beans—comedy essays on relationships and dating apps.

Path to Comedy

Started as a data scientist at a mayonnaise company ("I looked at a lot of sales data on where different flavors of mayonnaise sold best, but...I could eyeball it and tell you." [10:58]).
Ran Facebook dating ads for herself using employee ad credits (with no takers). "I put my actual number on it, and no one texted." [12:21]
Her blog posts evolved from satirical data analysis to pure comedy as, in her words:
- “The data analysis got sloppier and sloppier... then I just gave up and made it just a funny blog.” [12:24]

Quirky Label & Writing Process

Examines being labeled “quirky” while dating.
Sobriety: Sober almost four years, found stand-up both a challenge and a lifeline in recovery.
- Quote:
  "Standup is like an endorphin rush... I don't know how anyone stays sober without doing standup." [13:47]

Reading: "Terms and Conditions for Being My Undefined Partner"

[16:57]

A comedic contract for modern ambiguous relationships, lampooning emotional loopholes and social media etiquette.
- "I am not legally permitted to get mad at you for speaking with ex lovers, as this relationship is undefined, but I am permitted to be vaguely passive aggressive for several days should they like one of your Instagrams." [20:20]
- "You may meet my parents, but only by accident and only if you're not aware they're my parents." [17:38]

Twitter Persona & Dating Material

Balances public persona as perennially-dating singleton with new serious relationship.
- Quote:
  "I try to keep it ambiguous on Twitter because I use old jokes all the time... I don't want to be..." — Ginny Hogan [20:50]

On Writing About Relationships While in One

When asked if it’s harder to write frustrated dating tweets when happy:
- "I wouldn't say I’m in a happy, fulfilling relationship." — Ginny Hogan [21:19] (deadpan, audience laughter)

Ginny’s Dating Quiz – “Snog, Marry, Pie”

[22:41]

A riff on FMK (F***, Marry, Kill), using Love Island’s PG monikers.
Sample Question: “Your sexual partner who doesn’t talk to their mom, who talks to their mom for two hours daily, or who treats you like their mom?”
- Ginny’s wry answer: “I’m gonna marry the third one. That’s a position of power.” [23:08]

3. Listener Responses: Biggest Dating Red Flags

[26:59]

Notable Red Flags:
- “If they ask to get matching tattoos on the first date.” [27:10]
- “When they ask about your mother's maiden name and the first pet you had as a child.” ("an identity theft situation" [28:17])
- “When he disappears every full moon.” (werewolf jokes ensue) [28:59]
Luke’s insight: “They’re really red flags if you don’t like the person.” [28:08]

4. Featured Guest: Anees Mojgani (Oregon Poet Laureate)

[30:10]

Live Reading:

Short Poem: An intimate, tender poem on being "in love" in the everyday. “...I always love you, but right now, I'm in love with you... such a sweet thing for me to have said to you and such a sweet way for you to have made me feel so sweet.” [30:10]

On Being Poet Laureate

Duties: “To be a steward to and for poetry, to and for the people of Oregon.” [31:52]
Anees shares the story of being recognized at a food lot and envisions poetry as an accessible, lived experience.
- "That's the engagement that should be with everybody and every poet all the time..." [33:12]

Window Poetry Project

Reads poetry from his studio window at sunset for neighbors/friends.
- Quote:
  "The big reason... is to create something that is non-expectational, non-transactional, that it's simply an invitation to share space with other humans.” [35:32]

Live Reading: "Things I Love"

[37:15]

A luminous, cascade-of-images poem on gratitude and everyday beauty:
- “I love a holy sunset which feels as if the sky is praying to me, to us...” [37:16]
- “I love colors so much. How do I love a thing so much that has no form, nothing to touch? Simply is though... is this not, I suppose, what all love is?” [39:07]
- “You sharing you and Me sharing me and us sharing and being shared with each other back and forth for whatever length always may be.” [40:57]
Luke Burbank: “That would have to be the quickest I’ve gone from not crying to crying on this show.” [31:12]

5. Musical Guest: Jimmie Herrod

[46:40]

Backstory

Vocalist for Pink Martini, finalist on America's Got Talent.
Discusses the surreality of global recognition: “Most shocking place I was recognized was at night… in Romania, and they're like, you're the guy!” [48:40]
Teaching: Believes everyone can sing; gently deflects the idea of "can’t."

Live Song: "Yatu Bialu Blue"

[50:34]

Energetic, multilingual love song about foreign infatuation and musical connection.

Notable Quotes

Ginny Hogan, on data science:
“We didn’t sell a lot of mayonnaise. So it was a pretty–I could eyeball it and tell you.” [10:58]
On undefined relationships (Reading):
“You cannot say you’re my friend as that hurts my feelings, but you also can’t say we’re dating as that will confuse me.” [18:00]
Anees Mojgani:
"The duty of it is to be a steward to and for poetry, to and for the people of Oregon." [31:52]
Jimmie Herrod:
"A voice is something everyone has. Not going to take that from anyone who wants to sing." [49:46]

Timestamps for Key Segments

[03:32] Best news of the week
[10:15] Ginny Hogan interview
[16:57] Ginny reading: "Terms and Conditions"
[22:41] "Snog, Marry, Pie" quiz with Ginny
[26:59] Audience dating red flags
[30:10] Anees Mojgani – first poem/Poet Laureate duties
[37:15] Anees reads "Things I Love"
[46:40] Jimmie Herrod interview
[50:34] Jimmie Herrod live song

Memorable Moments

Ginny Hogan’s dry wit turns dating horror into gold. Her live reading of "Terms and Conditions..." nails the neuroses of modern romance (“vaguely passive aggressive for several days should they like One of your Instagrams” [20:20]).
Anees Mojgani’s poetry triggers a wave of emotion, even in the host (“Zero to tearing up just from those words” [31:12]).
Jimmie Herrod’s segment brims with warmth, humility, and his signature, jaw-dropping voice.
Audience's “dating red flags” add levity (werewolves and identity thieves abound).

Takeaway

This episode weaves hilarity and heart, showing resilience through humor, poetry, and art. It's a celebration of the weird, wonderful, and deeply human corners of creative life.

Guests:

Ginny Hogan: I’m More Dateable Than a Plate of Refried Beans
Anees Mojgani: The Tigers They Let Me
Jimmie Herrod: Falling in Love and Learning to Love Myself (album)

For more: livewireradio.org

Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Episode Summary: Ginny Hogan, Anis Mojgani, and Jimmie Herrod

Date: Recorded October 2022, aired November 28, 2025
Host: Luke Burbank, with announcer Elena Passarello

Episode Overview

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Best News of the Week

[03:32]

Elena Passarello: The First Asian American on U.S. Currency

Elena, self-proclaimed "quarter hound," celebrates Anna May Wong, the first Asian American featured on U.S. currency. Anna May Wong was a pioneering movie star and fashion icon who "fought casting stereotypes" and "advocated for greater representation" for Asian Americans in Hollywood.
- Quote:
  "You can really see that on the quarter... I feel like people are going to take the quarter to their stylist." — Elena Passarello [04:51]

Luke Burbank: Train Window Heroism in Colorado

In Silverton, Colorado, a hiker who fell and broke her leg was spotted from a passing train by an alert passenger. Train staff and a second train’s crew orchestrated a daring river rescue and airlift.
- Quote:
  “Maybe the takeaway is it’s good to stare out of the window of a train and daydream a little bit because you might see somebody who needs help.” — Luke Burbank [09:04]

2. Featured Guest: Ginny Hogan

[10:15]

Background

Writer and standup comic; publications include The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and NYT.
Book: I'm More Dateable Than a Plate of Refried Beans—comedy essays on relationships and dating apps.

Path to Comedy

Started as a data scientist at a mayonnaise company ("I looked at a lot of sales data on where different flavors of mayonnaise sold best, but...I could eyeball it and tell you." [10:58]).
Ran Facebook dating ads for herself using employee ad credits (with no takers). "I put my actual number on it, and no one texted." [12:21]
Her blog posts evolved from satirical data analysis to pure comedy as, in her words:
- “The data analysis got sloppier and sloppier... then I just gave up and made it just a funny blog.” [12:24]

Quirky Label & Writing Process

Examines being labeled “quirky” while dating.
Sobriety: Sober almost four years, found stand-up both a challenge and a lifeline in recovery.
- Quote:
  "Standup is like an endorphin rush... I don't know how anyone stays sober without doing standup." [13:47]

Reading: "Terms and Conditions for Being My Undefined Partner"

[16:57]

A comedic contract for modern ambiguous relationships, lampooning emotional loopholes and social media etiquette.
- "I am not legally permitted to get mad at you for speaking with ex lovers, as this relationship is undefined, but I am permitted to be vaguely passive aggressive for several days should they like one of your Instagrams." [20:20]
- "You may meet my parents, but only by accident and only if you're not aware they're my parents." [17:38]

Twitter Persona & Dating Material

Balances public persona as perennially-dating singleton with new serious relationship.
- Quote:
  "I try to keep it ambiguous on Twitter because I use old jokes all the time... I don't want to be..." — Ginny Hogan [20:50]

On Writing About Relationships While in One

When asked if it’s harder to write frustrated dating tweets when happy:
- "I wouldn't say I’m in a happy, fulfilling relationship." — Ginny Hogan [21:19] (deadpan, audience laughter)

Ginny’s Dating Quiz – “Snog, Marry, Pie”

[22:41]

A riff on FMK (F***, Marry, Kill), using Love Island’s PG monikers.
Sample Question: “Your sexual partner who doesn’t talk to their mom, who talks to their mom for two hours daily, or who treats you like their mom?”
- Ginny’s wry answer: “I’m gonna marry the third one. That’s a position of power.” [23:08]

3. Listener Responses: Biggest Dating Red Flags

[26:59]

Notable Red Flags:
- “If they ask to get matching tattoos on the first date.” [27:10]
- “When they ask about your mother's maiden name and the first pet you had as a child.” ("an identity theft situation" [28:17])
- “When he disappears every full moon.” (werewolf jokes ensue) [28:59]
Luke’s insight: “They’re really red flags if you don’t like the person.” [28:08]

4. Featured Guest: Anees Mojgani (Oregon Poet Laureate)

[30:10]

Live Reading:

Short Poem: An intimate, tender poem on being "in love" in the everyday. “...I always love you, but right now, I'm in love with you... such a sweet thing for me to have said to you and such a sweet way for you to have made me feel so sweet.” [30:10]

On Being Poet Laureate

Duties: “To be a steward to and for poetry, to and for the people of Oregon.” [31:52]
Anees shares the story of being recognized at a food lot and envisions poetry as an accessible, lived experience.
- "That's the engagement that should be with everybody and every poet all the time..." [33:12]

Window Poetry Project

Reads poetry from his studio window at sunset for neighbors/friends.
- Quote:
  "The big reason... is to create something that is non-expectational, non-transactional, that it's simply an invitation to share space with other humans.” [35:32]

Live Reading: "Things I Love"

[37:15]

A luminous, cascade-of-images poem on gratitude and everyday beauty:
- “I love a holy sunset which feels as if the sky is praying to me, to us...” [37:16]
- “I love colors so much. How do I love a thing so much that has no form, nothing to touch? Simply is though... is this not, I suppose, what all love is?” [39:07]
- “You sharing you and Me sharing me and us sharing and being shared with each other back and forth for whatever length always may be.” [40:57]
Luke Burbank: “That would have to be the quickest I’ve gone from not crying to crying on this show.” [31:12]

5. Musical Guest: Jimmie Herrod

[46:40]

Backstory

Vocalist for Pink Martini, finalist on America's Got Talent.
Discusses the surreality of global recognition: “Most shocking place I was recognized was at night… in Romania, and they're like, you're the guy!” [48:40]
Teaching: Believes everyone can sing; gently deflects the idea of "can’t."

Live Song: "Yatu Bialu Blue"

[50:34]

Energetic, multilingual love song about foreign infatuation and musical connection.

Notable Quotes

Ginny Hogan, on data science:
“We didn’t sell a lot of mayonnaise. So it was a pretty–I could eyeball it and tell you.” [10:58]
On undefined relationships (Reading):
“You cannot say you’re my friend as that hurts my feelings, but you also can’t say we’re dating as that will confuse me.” [18:00]
Anees Mojgani:
"The duty of it is to be a steward to and for poetry, to and for the people of Oregon." [31:52]
Jimmie Herrod:
"A voice is something everyone has. Not going to take that from anyone who wants to sing." [49:46]

Timestamps for Key Segments

[03:32] Best news of the week
[10:15] Ginny Hogan interview
[16:57] Ginny reading: "Terms and Conditions"
[22:41] "Snog, Marry, Pie" quiz with Ginny
[26:59] Audience dating red flags
[30:10] Anees Mojgani – first poem/Poet Laureate duties
[37:15] Anees reads "Things I Love"
[46:40] Jimmie Herrod interview
[50:34] Jimmie Herrod live song

Memorable Moments

Ginny Hogan’s dry wit turns dating horror into gold. Her live reading of "Terms and Conditions..." nails the neuroses of modern romance (“vaguely passive aggressive for several days should they like One of your Instagrams” [20:20]).
Anees Mojgani’s poetry triggers a wave of emotion, even in the host (“Zero to tearing up just from those words” [31:12]).
Jimmie Herrod’s segment brims with warmth, humility, and his signature, jaw-dropping voice.
Audience's “dating red flags” add levity (werewolves and identity thieves abound).

Takeaway

This episode weaves hilarity and heart, showing resilience through humor, poetry, and art. It's a celebration of the weird, wonderful, and deeply human corners of creative life.

Guests:

Ginny Hogan: I’m More Dateable Than a Plate of Refried Beans
Anees Mojgani: The Tigers They Let Me
Jimmie Herrod: Falling in Love and Learning to Love Myself (album)

For more: livewireradio.org

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Summary

Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Episode Summary: Ginny Hogan, Anis Mojgani, and Jimmie Herrod

Episode Overview

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Best News of the Week

Elena Passarello: The First Asian American on U.S. Currency

Luke Burbank: Train Window Heroism in Colorado

2. Featured Guest: Ginny Hogan

Background

Path to Comedy

Quirky Label & Writing Process

Reading: "Terms and Conditions for Being My Undefined Partner"

Twitter Persona & Dating Material

On Writing About Relationships While in One

Ginny’s Dating Quiz – “Snog, Marry, Pie”

3. Listener Responses: Biggest Dating Red Flags

4. Featured Guest: Anees Mojgani (Oregon Poet Laureate)

Live Reading:

On Being Poet Laureate

Window Poetry Project

Live Reading: "Things I Love"

5. Musical Guest: Jimmie Herrod

Backstory

Live Song: "Yatu Bialu Blue"

Notable Quotes

Timestamps for Key Segments

Memorable Moments

Takeaway

Summary

Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Episode Summary: Ginny Hogan, Anis Mojgani, and Jimmie Herrod

Episode Overview

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Best News of the Week

Elena Passarello: The First Asian American on U.S. Currency

Luke Burbank: Train Window Heroism in Colorado

2. Featured Guest: Ginny Hogan

Background

Path to Comedy

Quirky Label & Writing Process

Reading: "Terms and Conditions for Being My Undefined Partner"

Twitter Persona & Dating Material

On Writing About Relationships While in One

Ginny’s Dating Quiz – “Snog, Marry, Pie”

3. Listener Responses: Biggest Dating Red Flags

4. Featured Guest: Anees Mojgani (Oregon Poet Laureate)

Live Reading:

On Being Poet Laureate

Window Poetry Project

Live Reading: "Things I Love"

5. Musical Guest: Jimmie Herrod

Backstory

Live Song: "Yatu Bialu Blue"

Notable Quotes

Timestamps for Key Segments

Memorable Moments

Takeaway