Live Wire with Luke Burbank: Episode Featuring Carrie Farrell, Zach Toscani, and Yrl Thomas & The Pain

Release Date: April 25, 2025

Overview

In this captivating episode of Live Wire with Luke Burbank, host Luke Burbank delves into a diverse array of topics, blending personal narratives, humor, and soulful music. The episode features an in-depth interview with writer and former grifter Carrie Farrell, a stand-up comedy set from Zach Toscani, and a heartfelt musical performance by Yrl Thomas & The Pain. Additionally, the show includes a "Best News" segment and interactive audience participation, making it a rich and engaging listening experience for both regular listeners and newcomers.

1. Opening and Best News Segment (00:02 – 08:12)

Introduction by Luke Burbank (00:02 – 01:31) Luke Burbank sets the stage for the episode, outlining the main guests: Carrie Farrell, Zach Toscani, and Yrl Thomas & The Pain. He provides a brief overview of Farrell’s memoir and introduces the comedic and musical segments to follow.

Best News We Heard All Week (02:14 – 08:12) Luke and co-host Elana Passarello share uplifting news stories to balance the often heavy nature of current events.

• Wisdom the Albatross (02:40 – 06:21) Elana narrates the remarkable story of Wisdom, a nearly century-old albatross at Midway Island. Wisdom continues to lay eggs and raise chicks, embodying resilience and continuity. A notable exchange includes Elana asking Luke to guess Wisdom’s age:

  • Elana Passarello [03:45]: “Guess how old Wisdom is.”
  • Luke Burbank [03:45]: “45.”
  • Elana Passarello [03:46]: “45. So ancient.”

• Doug Turner’s Annual Party (06:21 – 08:12) The duo recounts the heartwarming tradition of 87-year-old Doug Turner, who hosts annual parties to foster community spirit in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Despite his age, Turner’s enthusiasm keeps the neighborhood connected:

  • Luke Burbank [06:21]: “Doug Turner is bringing the neighborhood together at a time when we need more of that energy.”

2. In-Depth Interview with Carrie Farrell (09:27 – 25:21)

Introduction to Carrie Farrell (09:27 – 09:33) Elana introduces Carrie Farrell, noting her controversial past as the "hipster grifter" and highlighting her memoir, You'll Never Believe Me, A Life of Lies, Second Tries and Things I Should Only Tell My Therapist. The book has been praised by the New York Times for being "captivating, sharp, and very funny."

Early Life and Adoption (09:33 – 11:08) Carrie Farrell shares her background, including being adopted from Korea by a devout Mormon family in Portland, Oregon, and later moving to Utah. She discusses the impact of growing up in a strict religious environment and how her identity shaped her outgoing personality as a mechanism to deflect potential ridicule:

• Carrie Farrell [10:51]: “I was the quintessential perfect Mormon child… I have to make fun of myself in a better way than anyone else before they do it.”

Descent into Deception (11:28 – 16:38) Farrell reflects on her realization that lying could simplify her interactions. She narrates her foray into deceit, initially to fit in and later escalating into more significant scams:

• Carrie Farrell [11:28]: “I think that I was a star pupil in masterclass in manipulation. And I just picked up on things really quickly. For better or worse, mostly worse.”

She explains that her actions were driven not by a need for money but by a desire for attention and recognition:

• Carrie Farrell [14:02]: “I really just was addicted… to the attention… I just need to be remembered for.”

Life in New York and Arrest (16:38 – 22:09) Transitioning to her move to New York City, Farrell discusses her efforts to live a normal life, which ultimately failed due to the high cost of living and lack of a supportive community. This led her back into scams, culminating in her arrest in Philadelphia after an attempted tour with a friend's band:

• Carrie Farrell [21:06]: “I saw her in this place and so I… was going to turn myself in… to have this sort of final hurrah on tour.”

Reflections and Activism (22:09 – 25:21) During her time in detention, Farrell gained insights into the carceral system and developed a passion for advocacy. She emphasizes the need for a more compassionate approach to punishment and rehabilitation:

• Carrie Farrell [23:21]: “My life now is really dedicated to advocacy… trying to get people to view punishment specifically through a different lens.”

Farrell also addresses the controversy surrounding her book deal, questioning societal double standards in how stories of different criminals are received:

• Carrie Farrell [24:16]: “Why is that [celebrating higher-profile criminals]?”

3. Audience Participation (31:06 – 34:07)

Elana and Luke engage the live audience with the question, "What's the most trouble you've ever gotten into?" Listener responses include:

• Anna's Ambitious Journey (31:06 – 33:09) Anna recounts her childhood attempt to bike from Massachusetts to California to meet Stevie Nicks, highlighting her determination and the eventual fallout when she was caught.

• Kim’s Classroom Incident (33:37 – 34:07) Kim shares a youthful misstep involving the use of profanity in school, leading to a memorable punishment.

These stories add a personal and relatable dimension to the show, emphasizing shared human experiences of making mistakes and learning from them.

4. Stand-Up Comedy with Zach Toscani (35:12 – 42:49)

Introduction to Zach Toscani (35:12 – 35:56) Luke introduces Zach Toscani, highlighting his appearances at festivals like Bumbershoot and Bridgetown, as well as his unique approach to performing comedy in intimate living room settings.

Zach's Performance (35:56 – 42:49) Zach delivers a humorous set that touches on personal experiences, including:

• Dental Woes (35:56 – 37:58) Zach humorously recounts a recent dental scare, critiquing Portland's quirky dental scene:

  • Zach Toscani [35:56]: “He goes, 'Man, I don't know. Teeth are weird.' I was like, can you give me anything else?”

• Goth Childhood in Hawaii (38:00 – 42:49) He shares his unique experience of being a goth kid in Hawaii, navigating cultural clashes and personal identity challenges with characteristic wit:

  • Zach Toscani [40:22]: “I look like Billy Islandish... constantly confused for a Japanese tourist.”
  • Final Joke [42:16]: “I can remember that very instant. It was when I tasted mango for the first time. God is good.”

Zach's performance is a blend of self-deprecation and observational humor, providing laughs while touching on deeper themes of identity and change.

5. Musical Performance by Yrl Thomas & The Pain (43:16 – 51:20)

Introduction to Yrl Thomas & The Pain (43:16 – 43:55) Luke provides a background on Yrl Thomas, a Portland legend who transitioned from a professional musician to a shipyard repairman before reclaiming his musical passion. In 2013, he reunited with drummer Scott McGee to form Yrl Thomas & The Pain, releasing three albums and touring globally.

Performance Highlights (43:55 – 51:20) Yrl Thomas & The Pain deliver a soulful and earnest rendition of "Gotta Say I Love You," a track from their 2018 album The Right Time. The performance is marked by emotional vocal delivery and heartfelt lyrics:

• Yrl Thomas [43:16]: “How you doing? People say I'm crazy to tell you this, but I love you...”

The song emphasizes themes of love and genuine connection, resonating deeply with the audience and showcasing the band's musical prowess.

6. Conclusion and Acknowledgments (51:42 – End)

Luke wraps up the episode by thanking guests Carrie Farrell, Zach Toscani, and Yrl Thomas & The Pain. He acknowledges the production team and sponsors, highlighting member Naomi Nussbaum's support. Luke also previews upcoming episodes featuring writer Dansie Senna and documentary filmmaker Penny Lane, along with future musical guests Johnny Franco and Dom.

Final Thoughts and Call to Action (52:16 – End) Elana and Luke encourage listeners to leave reviews and support the show, emphasizing the community aspect of Live Wire. A heartfelt message from a listener, attributed to Elena, underscores the show's impact:

• Elana Passarello [52:16]: “It would be really helpful if you wanted to leave us a review. Feel free to say really nice things about us...”

Notable Quotes

• Carrie Farrell [11:28]: “Mostly worse.”
• Zach Toscani [35:56]: “Teeth are weird.”
• Carrie Farrell [14:02]: “I just need to be remembered for.”
• Yrl Thomas [43:16]: “I love you. Gotta say I love you.”
• Elana Passarello [52:16]: “It would be really helpful if you wanted to leave us a review.”

Conclusion

This episode of Live Wire with Luke Burbank masterfully combines personal storytelling, humor, and music to create an engaging and multifaceted listening experience. Carrie Farrell’s compelling narrative offers insight into redemption and advocacy, Zach Toscani’s comedy provides levity and relatability, and Yrl Thomas & The Pain’s musical performance delivers emotional resonance. The “Best News” segment and audience participation further enrich the episode, making it a well-rounded and memorable installment.