Live Wire with Luke Burbank: Episode Featuring Morgan Parker, Georgia Clopeville, and Hoshe

Release Date: March 28, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Live Wire with Luke Burbank, host Luke Burbank delves into a rich tapestry of conversations featuring the acclaimed poet and author Morgan Parker, former professional soccer player turned writer Georgia Clopeville, and the talented Brazilian musician Hoshe. Recorded live at the Portland Book Festival in Beaverton, Oregon, this episode seamlessly blends literary insights, athletic journeys, and vibrant musical performances, offering listeners a multifaceted experience that celebrates art, culture, and personal growth.

Morgan Parker: Exploring Identity and Therapy in You Get What You Pay For

Discussion Highlights

Morgan Parker, renowned for her poetry collections Other People's Comfort Keeps Me Up at Night and There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé, joins Luke to discuss her debut collection of essays, You Get What You Pay For. The book navigates the complexities of existing as a Black woman in America, intertwining personal narratives with broader historical contexts.

Key Points & Insights

• Connection to History: Parker emphasizes the interconnectedness of personal experiences with historical events, stating, “The more that you kind of uncover, the more you see how connected we are by the facts of history” (10:55).
• Therapy and Identity: She delves into her therapeutic journey, particularly her experiences with white therapists, and how it shaped her understanding of her mental and cultural well-being. Parker reflects, “This book was an exercise in kind of backtracking” (18:48).
• Rebellion and Vulnerability: Through her essays, Parker seeks to rebel against societal constraints imposed on Black women, providing permission for herself and others to express and exist authentically.

Notable Quotes

• Morgan Parker: “I honestly remember praying to God that the rapture wouldn't happen until after I wrote a book.” (11:40)
• Morgan Parker: “You're not crazy about it. Yes, I am crazy, but there's a lot of things that I thought was my crazy and it's not. It's America's crazy.” (18:11)

Conclusion Morgan Parker's candid exploration of her personal struggles and triumphs offers a profound commentary on identity, mental health, and resilience. Her ability to intertwine personal anecdotes with societal observations provides readers with a deeply relatable and enlightening experience.

Georgia Clopeville: From the Soccer Field to the Writer's Desk in The Striker and the Clock

Discussion Highlights

Georgia Clopeville, a former professional soccer player whose career spanned continents, shares her transition from athletics to writing. Her debut book, The Striker and the Clock: On Being in the Game, reflects on her experiences in professional sports and the intricate balance between passion and personal identity.

Key Points & Insights

• Athletic Confidence: Clopeville discusses the pivotal moments that solidified her belief in her athletic abilities, highlighting the importance of self-confidence in competitive sports. She notes, “I have to have a sort of arrogance the whole time” (30:30).
• Financial Realities of Women's Soccer: Addressing the economic challenges faced by female athletes, she reveals, “It's not so glamorous for a women's soccer player. Fifteen years ago, outside of the spotlight...I could make a living wage” (35:02).
• Rival Fallacy: Clopeville introduces the concept of the “rival fallacy,” describing the endless pursuit of goals without a definitive endpoint, which can lead to prolonged uncertainty and emotional strain. She explains, “It's a torturous element” (36:49).
• Progress in Women's Sports: Celebrating the growth and recognition of women's sports, Clopeville expresses optimism about the future, citing significant milestones like Naomi Girma's million-dollar transfer offer from Chelsea as evidence of tangible progress (40:23).

Notable Quotes

• Georgia Clopeville: “I have really enjoyed hearing from people who are...trying to be a traveling musician or trying to be an actor living out of a suitcase.” (41:26)
• Georgia Clopeville: “If you build it, they will come. It's like everything in women's sports...the community will form more and more important.” (39:18)

Conclusion Georgia Clopeville's narrative offers a compelling glimpse into the life of a female athlete navigating the global sports arena. Her insights into the financial and emotional aspects of professional sports underscore the broader challenges and triumphs of women in athletics, while her literary pursuits highlight the enduring connection between sport and personal storytelling.

Hoshe: Vibrant Rhythms from Brazil Live on Portland’s Stage

Performance Highlights

The episode features a captivating performance by Hoshe, a Latin Grammy nominee celebrated for reimagining Brazilian pop music. With over two decades of experience and seven solo albums under his belt, Hoshe brings his latest works, Curry Man and Curry Man 2, to the live audience. These albums are a testament to Brazilian culture's vibrancy and complexity, addressing historical themes while encouraging resilience and progression.

Key Points & Insights

• Cultural Resilience: Hoshe articulates the philosophy behind his music, emphasizing the importance of not succumbing to sadness or stagnation. “We don’t give in to sadness, to laziness, to lack of desire to move on with life” (46:26).
• Transition to the US: Discussing his move from Brazil to Los Angeles, Hoshe reflects on the challenges of establishing his career in a new environment with less recognition. “When I arrived here, it was very tough, too. But it was a great challenge. And I'm happy. Very happy.” (46:53)
• Live Performance: Hoshe performed “Existe Uma Ves,” a track from Curry Man, engaging the audience with its upbeat tempo and infectious energy, encapsulating his unique blend of traditional Brazilian sounds with contemporary pop influences.

Notable Quotes

• Hoshe: “It's a great challenge. And I'm happy. Very happy.” (46:53)
• Hoshe: “When I arrived here, it was very tough, too. But it was...was good.” (47:27)

Conclusion Hoshe's performance serves as a vibrant bridge between Brazilian musical traditions and modern pop sensibilities. His heartfelt discussion about navigating cultural transitions and maintaining artistic integrity resonates deeply, offering listeners both a musical and emotional connection to his work.

Best News Segment: Live Wire Featured on WNYC

Discussion Highlights

In the "Best News" segment, Luke Burbank shares the exciting announcement that Live Wire with Luke Burbank has been featured as part of the weekend lineup on WNYC, one of New York City's premier public radio stations. This milestone marks a significant expansion of the show's reach, granting it access to a larger and more diverse audience.

Key Points & Insights

• Full Circle Moment: Reflecting on his history with WNYC, Luke expresses profound excitement about returning to the station where he once worked as a cub reporter. “Having worked there and done such a questionable job as I did as a cub reporter...now allowed me and you back on their fine airwaves doing this radio show Livewire” (08:04).
• Increased Reach: Luke emphasizes the importance of this feature for the show's growth, noting, “It means we're gonna reach a lot more people, because New York's a huge public radio market” (08:02).

Notable Quotes

• Luke Burbank: “I have something that I call intrusive animal empathy...” (28:32) — (Note: This seems out of context and may refer to another section. Ensure proper attribution if included.)

Conclusion The inclusion of Live Wire in WNYC’s weekend lineup is a testament to the show's quality and growing popularity. Luke’s heartfelt acknowledgment of this achievement underscores the significance of reaching New York’s expansive audience, promising even greater engagement and impact in future episodes.

Audience Engagement: Childhood Dreams Unveiled

Listener Responses

Engaging with the audience, Luke and Elena present responses to their question: "When you were a kid, what is the wildest thing that you wanted to be when you grew up?" The answers, provided by listeners during a live taping at the Alberta Rose Theater, range from the whimsical to the imaginative, reflecting the diverse aspirations of children.

Highlighted Responses

• Carly: “I wanted to be, like, a ballerina, a baker, and an astronaut simultaneously.” (25:40)
• Shanae: “I wanted to be Homey the Clown.” (27:34)
• Mark: “I wanted to be a duck because then you could fly and swim.” (28:15)

Notable Quotes

• Carly: “Once a ballerina, a baker, and an astronaut simultaneously.” (25:43)
• Elena Passarello: “Can I just say, I think Carly's interest in being a ballerina and an astronaut, I think that would help, right? The microgravity.” (26:02)

Conclusion The listener responses offer a delightful glimpse into the boundless creativity and aspirations of youth. By sharing these stories, Live Wire fosters a sense of community and nostalgia, celebrating the dreams that shape us from childhood into adulthood.

Final Thoughts and Production Credits

As the episode wraps up, Luke provides a teaser for the next week's guests, including poet Joy Sullivan and writer Carvel Wallace, along with a musical performance by Nashville-based singer-songwriter Danielle Durak. The episode concludes with heartfelt acknowledgments to contributors and supporters, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that drives Live Wire.

Notable Quotes

• Elena Passarello: “I love that town. I love Moab.” (44:32)
• Luke Burbank: “This book is your manual for dating Morgan Parker.” (23:58)

Conclusion This episode of Live Wire masterfully balances deep, introspective conversations with lighthearted audience interactions and soulful musical performances. By spotlighting influential figures like Morgan Parker and Georgia Clopeville, alongside the vibrant sounds of Hoshe, the show delivers a rich and diverse listening experience that resonates on multiple levels.

Key Takeaways

• Identity and Mental Health: Morgan Parker’s essays provide a profound exploration of Black womanhood and the interplay between personal trauma and societal expectations.
• Athletic Journey and Writing: Georgia Clopeville’s transition from professional soccer to writing underscores the fluidity of identity and the challenges faced by female athletes.
• Cultural Vibrancy in Music: Hoshe’s performance emphasizes the enduring influence of Brazilian music and the importance of cultural resilience.
• Community and Growth: The expansion to WNYC and active audience engagement highlight Live Wire’s commitment to fostering a connected and dynamic listener community.

Listeners eager to delve deeper into these topics and enjoy soulful music can catch this episode of Live Wire with Luke Burbank available now on all major podcast platforms.