Podcast Summary: Live Wire with Luke Burbank
Episode: Hari Kondabolu, Lindy West & Meagan Hatcher-Mays, and John Craigie
Date: February 20, 2026
Episode Overview
This lively episode of Live Wire captures the show’s signature blend of humor, cultural exploration, and creativity. Host Luke Burbank welcomes comedian and podcaster Hari Kondabolu to discuss his foray into the world of health podcasting, followed by a spirited interview with writers and best friends Lindy West & Megan Hatcher Mays about their podcast Text Me Back. Humor, personal stories, and the quirks of contemporary podcasting culture are dissected with wit. The show concludes with soulful live music from singer-songwriter John Craigie, rounding out an evening of insight and entertainment.
1. The Best News We Heard All Week (03:41–09:35)
Key Points
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Guest Announcer Elena Passarello shares botanical good news:
- A rare shrub, Petolius cinereus, believed extinct since the 1960s, was rediscovered in Queensland, Australia, by expert Aaron Bean.
- The discovery was confirmed through the citizen science network iNaturalist, which now boasts over 104 million verified images.
- Elena celebrates the power of citizen science:
“Sometimes it’s hard to see the Internet is doing very much good. That’s a generalization. But this is an example of where it’s a wonderful thing…” [06:59]
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Luke Burbank highlights a surprising animal study:
- A cow named Veronica in Austria was found using tools to scratch herself, employing different tools for different body parts.
- This adds cows to the select list of animals known for tool use and raises questions about their cognitive abilities.
- Luke jokes:
“If this plant could survive and maybe even be brought back from the brink, there is hope for the plants at my house…” [07:13]
(and, referencing Gary Larson’s The Far Side:)
“And now look who’s laughing now.” [09:22]
2. Interview with Hari Kondabolu (Stand-up Comic & Co-Host, Health Stuff Podcast) (11:46–31:16)
Conversion Highlights and Insights
On Hosting Snack vs. Chef
- Hari discusses hosting the snack-based reality competition (Snack vs. Chef) and his personal journey with the craft services:
“I had lost about 20 pounds to get ready for that show … and then that started a bender that hasn’t ended for four years now.” [11:58]
On Co-Hosting the Health Stuff Podcast
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Hari shares that he co-hosts the podcast Health Stuff with Dr. Priyanka Wali, a double board-certified physician and stand-up comic.
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The show takes a humorous angle on health while tackling big social and systemic issues affecting wellness.
“The show really is about how society affects your health … if something’s happening in your body, maybe it’s pollution, maybe it’s bad food, maybe it’s bad water. Let’s discuss it. I mean, the show’s a real laugh fest.” [18:12]
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On co-hosting with an actual doctor:
“I’m just a stand-up comic. And she’s like a stand-up comic—a successful one at that … and then she was like, I’m going to be a doctor again.” [14:31]
Behind the Scenes Health Perks
- Luke asks if Hari’s on the show to get free medical advice:
“No, but that’s brilliant, actually … there’s always a section where I’m talking about an ailment I have … and Priyanka just listens and smiles and then we move on…” [17:21]
Shocking Health Facts
- Topics like 'matrescence'—the postpartum changes women experience—have shocked and educated Hari:
“We did one about matrescence. It’s like adolescence, but for the mother when they have a kid…” [18:12]
State of Stand-Up Comedy
- Reflects on changes within stand-up: more crowd work, less material, increased audience “participation,” and shifts from “cancel culture” debates:
“Right now … this whole anti cancel culture, we can say whatever we want—that’s definitely not what I’m necessarily into.” [20:32]
- On dealing with hecklers:
“Give it a second. Digest it, and then destroy the human being that caused trouble.” [21:54]
Fun Segment: “Doctor Hari” Diagnoses Animal Ailments (26:05–31:16)
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Luke presents animal medical mysteries; Hari improvises diagnoses with comedic results:
- Koala with cough? “A cold. I would prescribe koala cough syrup.” [26:54]
- Real answer: Most likely chlamydia.
- Horned lizard with blood-shot eyes? “This is why you have to clean your contacts.” [28:18]
- Real answer: Defense mechanism.
- Snappperfish with a new tongue? “Clearly it’s an alien.” [29:13]
- Real answer: Tongue-eating louse parasite.
- Female ferret with high estrogen? “Don’t talk down to the ferret.” [30:18]
- Real answer: Needs to mate; could be fatal if not.
- Koala with cough? “A cold. I would prescribe koala cough syrup.” [26:54]
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Memorable moment:
“That’s almost like the animal version of Human Centipede.” –Hari [29:59]
3. Interview with Lindy West & Megan Hatcher Mays (Text Me Back Podcast) (32:57–43:36)
The Realities of Co-Hosting a Chat Podcast
On Preparation (or Lack Thereof)
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The duo laughs about their “planning” process:
“Lindy loves to text me and be like, I have a segment idea. …That’s just, like, a sentence you thought of.” –Megan [33:32] “We faithfully every week, will write in the document: Snakes.” –Lindy [34:12]
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On losing track of Google Docs:
“Can I keep track of that bookmark where the document is? No, forget it.” –Megan [34:20]
The Rhythm of the Show
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Megan explains their show’s vibe:
“I got a bone to pick with archaeology. They keep digging stuff up, but it just looks like rocks … and then the show’s over.” [35:10]
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Lindy’s “stupidest hyper fixation yet”:
“How do seals sleep at night? And that doesn’t require a lot of pre planning, you know?” [35:21]
“Password Reset” Quiz (Podcast Co-Host Edition)
- Testing how well they know each other’s online security answers, leading to hilarious and revealing moments:
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Place least likely to visit?
- Megan guesses “Disney World,” correct answer is “Burning Man.”
“Oh, that is the worst place I can imagine. The vibe is even worse than the weather.” –Lindy [37:17]
- Megan guesses “Disney World,” correct answer is “Burning Man.”
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What song do you think you could have sung better than the original singer?
- Megan’s answer: “Any Bob Dylan song.”
“…This man sucks. He sounds like an old tin can and not in a good way.” –Lindy [40:16]
- Megan’s answer: “Any Bob Dylan song.”
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Shampoo brand used?
- Lindy’s answer: “The dregs of whatever bottle someone left in the shower.”
“I feel like you don’t even buy shampoo.” –Megan [41:34] “You can always add more water, shake it up.” –Megan [41:42]
- Lindy’s answer: “The dregs of whatever bottle someone left in the shower.”
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Pet’s name (Yahoo account)?
- Megan is a “famous animal hoarder,” listing decades’ worth of pets. Official answer: “Tigger, a cat of inordinate size.”
“I have a list of over 20 pets in front of me.” –Luke [42:13]
- Megan is a “famous animal hoarder,” listing decades’ worth of pets. Official answer: “Tigger, a cat of inordinate size.”
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4. Musical Guest: John Craigie (45:40–53:57)
Interview Insights
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John’s most recent album is Greatest Hits, Just Kidding Live no Hits.
“Where is the line between self deprecation and cripplingly low self esteem? Because it is a line that I walk myself often.” –Luke [45:46]
“My first live album … was called Capricorn in Retrograde, Just kidding, Live in Portland. And [my manager] hated that so much.” –John [46:15]
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On performance and introversion:
“I think it is a misnomer that a musician would be outgoing. I think one reason we choose this is that … at a party, if you’re the one playing music, then you don’t have to talk to people.” [48:51]
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On songwriting:
“Lyrics always. I’m not that comfortable with the music part. … I was never comfortable with the music part. Music’s hard. I don’t know if you guys have tried it.” [49:35, 49:48]
Performance:
- Song: “Fire Season” (50:14–53:57)
- Evocative, poetic, and warmly received by the audience.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
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“Give it a second. Digest it, and then destroy the human being that caused trouble.”
— Hari Kondabolu on dealing with hecklers [21:54] -
“I would prescribe koala with the appropriate cough syrup, because I’m assuming there must be koala cough syrup. … Eucalyptus flavored.”
— Hari Kondabolu riffing on koala medicine [27:01] -
“I don’t know why the boomers have been trying to shove Bob Dylan down our throats for the last 60 years, but this man sucks.”
— Lindy West [40:16] -
“I just really feel like her shampoo is probably like an eight in one.”
— Megan Hatcher Mays [41:02] -
“I have a list of over 20 pets in front of me.”
— Luke Burbank [42:13] -
“You can always add more water. Shake it up.”
— Megan Hatcher Mays [41:42] -
“I think it is a misnomer that a musician would be outgoing. … At a show, I come out, I do the thing … and then I can run backstage. So it is ideal for an introvert, even though it sounds sort of counterintuitive.”
— John Craigie [48:51]
Timestamps of Important Segments
- 03:41 – The Best News We Heard All Week
- 11:46 – Interview: Hari Kondabolu
- 26:05 – “Doctor Hari”: Animal Medical Diagnoses Game
- 32:57 – Interview: Lindy West & Megan Hatcher Mays
- 35:52 – “Password Reset” Quiz
- 45:40 – Interview: John Craigie
- 50:14 – “Fire Season” by John Craigie
Live Wire continually proves its ability to find the comedic and profound overlaps in culture and creativity. This episode is no exception—combining real science, animal oddities, personal vulnerabilities, and plenty of laughs, all delivered in the genuine voices of the guests and hosts. If you missed it, this summary captures the warmth, wit, and whimsical intellect that make Live Wire a must-listen.