Live Wire with Luke Burbank: Paul F. Tompkins, José Olivarez, and Esme Patterson (REBROADCAST) – December 20, 2024

Host: Luke Burbank | Produced by PRX

Introduction

In this festive rebroadcast episode of Live Wire with Luke Burbank, host Luke Burbank brings together a trio of talented guests to celebrate the holiday season. The show features comedian Paul F. Tompkins, acclaimed poet José Olivarez, and indie folk artist Esme Patterson. Together, they explore themes of comedy, love, poetry, and music, all wrapped in the warmth of holiday cheer.

Paul F. Tompkins: Comedy, Podcasts, and Holiday Traditions

Overview:
Paul F. Tompkins, known for his extensive work in comedy including his voice role as Mr. Peanutbutter on BoJack Horseman, discusses his collaborative podcast endeavors and shares humorous anecdotes about his experiences with live performances during the holiday season.

Key Discussions:

• Stay F. Homekins Podcast:
  Paul delves into his podcast with his wife, Janie Haddad Tompkins, titled Stay F. Homekins. Initially a pandemic initiative, the podcast evolved into a beloved series that blends personal conversations with comedic elements.

  Paul F. Tompkins (04:11): "First of all, I wouldn't say it's become really popular. I would say we were surprised that anyone listened to it. By that measure, yes, it's astoundingly popular."

• Weekend Water Concept:
  The term "weekend water," coined by Janie's mother, is explored as a means to casually enjoy a drink without the stigma attached to it.

  Luke Burbank (12:36): "What's the story on weekend water?"
  Paul F. Tompkins (12:39): "This was a phrase that was coined by Janie's mother... I never forgot it."

• Experiences at the Tam O'Shanter:
  Paul recounts his interactions with Victorian carolers at the Tam O'Shanter in Los Angeles, highlighting humorous mishaps and the challenges of live performances during the holidays.

  Paul F. Tompkins (19:58): "I like to sing, but I don't want to be on somebody's front doorstep. Love, actually style."

• Improv Career Insights:
  Discussing his foray into improvisational comedy, Paul shares how working on podcasts like Spontanea Nation honed his skills in character development and live performance.

  Paul F. Tompkins (25:17): "I started doing live improv shows... I started doing a podcast where I had to improvise every week."

Notable Quotes:

• Paul F. Tompkins (15:24): "It's like David Sedaris really does. I wish I could take credit for it. I'm just reporting the facts of the world."

• Paul F. Tompkins (14:39): "That's a scripted line from BoJack Horseman. Mr. Peanut Butter said that."

José Olivarez: Exploring Love Through Bilingual Poetry

Overview:
José Olivarez, celebrated poet and author of Promises of Gold, discusses his latest collection of poems that serve as a love letter encompassing various forms of love. He emphasizes the importance of writing for all relationships, not just romantic ones, and shares insights into his creative process.

Key Discussions:

• Promises of Gold:
  José elaborates on his new book, highlighting its bilingual nature and its intent to celebrate love in friendship, familial, and romantic contexts.

  José Olivarez (32:47): "I want to write poems for the people that don't usually get them because we tend to think of poetry as something that is reserved for the romantic interest in our lives."

• Bilingual Presentation:
  The book features poems in both English and Spanish, allowing for a broader audience and bridging cultural gaps.

  José Olivarez (38:33): "The idea came from doing community workshops with bilingual students and bilingual families... my hope was to offer something that might be useful to those families."

• Translation Collaboration:
  Discussing his collaboration with translator David Ruano Gonzalez, José underscores the intricacies of translating poetry to maintain its artistic essence.

  José Olivarez (40:27): "David would have questions because he'd be like, you know, I googled this word. Bougie. Yeah, yeah, bougie."

• Navigating Cultural Expectations:
  He addresses the challenges of being a Mexican American poet, balancing cultural themes with personal expression without being confined to stereotypical subjects.

  José Olivarez (41:19): "There's this expectation that those of us who have marginalized identities, that we kind of write about it in this one particular way."

Poem Excerpts:

• Ode to Tortillas (34:56):
  A humorous and heartfelt exploration of tortillas in Mexican culture, blending tradition with modernity.

  José Olivarez:
  "There's two ways to be a Mexican writer... You can eat tortillas with your hands or roll them up and dip them in caldo like my mom does."

• Love Poem – Beginning with the Yellow Cab (43:14):
  A romantic piece capturing the essence of love through vivid imagery and personal reflections.

  José Olivarez:
  "I ask you, what's the first thing you think about when you see the color yellow?... When you put your hand on my thigh, it was like I knew for the first time why God gave us thighs."

Notable Quotes:

• José Olivarez (42:16): "What keeps me walking is, you know, like a belief that just because things are one way right now, that it doesn't mean that they've always been this way."

• José Olivarez (33:49): "I was always listening. Like, I loved language even when I couldn't fully understand English."

Esme Patterson: Original Christmas Melodies

Overview:
Esme Patterson, an indie folk artist known for her evocative performances, graces the show with an original Christmas song. Drawing from personal sentiments and familial themes, Esme presents a heartfelt piece that encapsulates her conflicted feelings about the holiday season.

Performance:

• "Heart for Christmas":
  Esme delivers an original song that intertwines her emotions with the essence of Christmas, emphasizing intangible gifts like time and love over material possessions.

  Esme Patterson (50:30):
  "For Christmas, I want something that I can't find... I want something that I can't buy. I want your heart near mine."

Notable Highlights:

• The song captures a blend of melancholy and warmth, reflecting Esme's personal relationship with the holidays.

• Her performance is accompanied by a simple yet poignant melody, enhancing the emotional depth of the lyrics.

Listener Holiday Traditions: Sharing Joy and Memories

Throughout the episode, host Luke and co-host Elena engage with listener-submitted stories about their favorite holiday traditions. These anecdotes range from unique family customs to humorous mishaps, showcasing the diverse ways people celebrate the season.

Highlighted Traditions:

1. Rob's Fireplace Feasts (28:59):
   Rob shares his father's special tradition of cooking hamburgers and hot dogs over a fireplace fire on New Year's Eve, making it a memorable family event.

   Rob’s Quote:
   "It was the only day of the year that he would make a fire in the fireplace and cook hamburgers and hot dogs over it."

2. Carly's Lotería Marathon (30:06):
   Carly's family enjoys playing Lotería, a Mexican bingo game, after Christmas dinner, turning the evening into a lively and competitive gathering.

   Carly’s Quote:
   "It's so crowded and everyone's so focused. It's always loud. It gets rowdy with 20 plus people playing."

3. Jesse's Latkes Night (46:19):
   Jesse describes the intense preparation and enthusiasm involved in making latkes each December, highlighting the delicious results despite the effort.

   Jesse’s Quote:
   "The squeezing of the water from the shredded potatoes, the slapping of the hands of all of the people that can't wait to get their mitts on a delicious latke."

4. Joe's Advent Jam Challenge (47:06):
   Joe's family participates in a Bon Maman Advent jam calendar, where they taste and guess the flavor of each jam without looking at the labels.

   Joe’s Quote:
   "We open it each day without reading the label and then have a taste test to try to guess what flavor it is."

5. Sammy's Movie Tradition (48:43):
   Sammy's family makes it a point to watch Christmas-themed movies after dinner, sometimes opting for unexpected choices like scary films while wearing ugly sweaters.

   Sammy’s Quote:
   "One year we all watched a really scary movie while wearing ugly Christmas sweaters."

Humorous Interjections:

• Luke’s Blackjack Anecdote (31:03):
  Luke shares a funny story about setting up a real blackjack table for family gatherings, which led to unexpected financial challenges with his in-laws.

  Luke Burbank (31:03): "I've never wanted to bust more in a round of blackjack and I could not lose."

Conclusion and Credits

As the episode wraps up, Luke extends heartfelt thanks to the guests and acknowledges the support from livewire’s community members, including special mentions of contributors and sponsors. The festive atmosphere is maintained with closing remarks that emphasize gratitude and holiday wishes.

Final Thoughts:

• Guest Acknowledgments: Luke thanks Paul F. Tompkins, José Olivarez, and Esme Patterson for their contributions, highlighting their unique talents and the joy they brought to the special holiday episode.

• Community Support: Special thanks are extended to Lynn Pham from Beaverton, Oregon, for his generous support, underscoring the importance of listener contributions in sustaining the show.

• Holiday Wishes: The episode concludes with warm holiday greetings, encouraging listeners to leave reviews and share their own experiences.

Notable Quotes Throughout the Episode

• Luke Burbank (06:13): "And was it just sort of... regular nachos, like you were. You didn't bring home a bunch of leftovers and, like, integrate them into the nachos or anything?"

• Elena Passarello (07:05): "Christmas nachos sound incredible to me right now."

• Paul F. Tompkins (16:10): "It's very good."

• Luke Burbank (24:12): "Paul F. Tompkins, everybody. That was Paul F. Tompkins right here on Livewire."

• Jose Olivarez (43:14): "I ask you, what's the first thing you think about when you see the color yellow?"

Final Credits

Production Team:

• Executive Producer: Lara Haddon
• Executive Director: Heather D. Michel
• Producer and Editor: Melanie Savchenko
• Technical Director: Molly Pettit
• Assistant Editor: Trey Hester
• Marketing and Production Manager: Karen Pan
• Operations Associate: Rosa Garcia
• Production Fellow: Jackie Ibarra
• Internet Coordinator: Aunt Diaz
• House Band: Ethan Fox, Tucker, Sam Tucker, Eyal Alves, and Awaker Spring

Sponsors:

• Progressive Insurance: Auto Quote Explorer
• Up Up Books: Portland bookshop supporting diverse authors
• Hotel Crocodile: Seattle-based hotel with a musical heritage
• Secret Aardvark Hot Sauce: Celebrating 20 years with a variety of hot sauces
• ZBiotics: Pre-Alcohol Probiotic Drink for better mornings

Acknowledgments:

• Additional funding provided by the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.
• Special thanks to member Lynn Pham of Beaverton, Oregon.

Listener Engagement:

• Encouragement to leave reviews and share experiences to help sustain and grow the Live Wire community.
• Invitation to visit livewireradio.org for more information and to listen to episodes.

Closing Remarks:

Luke concludes the episode with festive wishes, reflecting on the shared stories and performances that made this holiday edition of Live Wire memorable. Listeners are invited to continue participating by sharing their traditions and engaging with the Live Wire community.

Thank you for tuning into this special holiday rebroadcast of Live Wire with Luke Burbank. May your season be filled with joy, love, and memorable traditions.