Live Wire with Luke Burbank: Rick Steves and The Lullaby Project – Detailed Summary

Release Date: July 4, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Live Wire with Luke Burbank, hosted by PRX, listeners are treated to an insightful conversation with renowned travel writer Rick Steves and a heartwarming musical performance by The Lullaby Project. The episode, titled Rick Steves and The Lullaby Project, delves into Rick Steves' latest literary work exploring the iconic Hippie Trail, his personal travel experiences, and the transformative power of music in fostering connections.

Rick Steves Interview

[00:02 – 03:36]
Luke Burbank opens the episode by introducing Rick Steves, highlighting his new book on the Hippie Trail—from Istanbul to Kathmandu—and teasing a musical collaboration with The Lullaby Project. This sets the stage for a deep dive into Rick's journey and insights into travel.

[11:02 – 27:42]
The core of the episode features an in-depth interview with Rick Steves. Key topics include:

• The Making of His Latest Book:
  Rick shares that his book is both his newest and oldest, initially penned when he was just 23 years old and a part-time piano teacher. He recounts his journey along the Hippie Trail, emphasizing the challenges and exhilaration of traveling without modern conveniences like the internet.

  Rick Steves [12:33]: "I diligently wrote a 60,000-word journal filling up an empty book... during COVID I got a chance to do some things I didn't have time for normally and reading that journal was like an anthropological dig into a 23-year-old version of myself."

• Overcoming Travel Challenges:
  He reflects on the difficulties faced during his travels, such as navigating regions with political instability and lacking support systems, yet finds profound meaning in reaching Kathmandu.

  Rick Steves [14:26]: "When you leave Istanbul heading east in 1978, there's no Internet... it was tough to get information... we realized, this is why we're here."

• Philosophy on Modern Travel:
  Discussing contemporary travel, Rick advocates for being present and minimizing screen time to fully experience magical moments. He emphasizes the importance of cross-cultural understanding and breaking down barriers formed by fear.

  Rick Steves [20:25]: "A good traveler is how many people do you meet, not how much you check off your bucket list... everyone gets to better understand us and we get to better understand them."

• Personal Health Journey:
  Rick candidly shares his battle with prostate cancer, describing it as a profound personal experience that reinforced his appreciation for life's fragility and the beauty of meaningful connections.

  Rick Steves [25:13]: "I had my prostate removed, and it's a very powerful personal and emotional and spiritual experience... I am cancer-free. So I'm very thankful."

• Humorous Anecdotes - "Never Have I Ever":
  In a lighthearted segment, Rick participates in a game of "Never Have I Ever," sharing amusing travel mishaps such as peeing in transit and pretending not to understand languages to avoid trouble. These stories add a relatable and entertaining dimension to his persona.

  Rick Steves [31:34]: "That's page 47 in this book... I wonder if it is. Yeah, that's the country. It was on the way to Iran."

Audience Stories: Unexpected Travel Moments

[36:47 – 39:38]
Engaging the audience, Live Wire presents real-life travel stories from listeners, fostering a sense of community and shared experiences.

• Anonymous Listener in Mexico:
  A humorous tale where a listener was stopped by authorities for carrying an unusual amount of sugar, mistaking it for something illicit.

  Rick Steves [37:06]: "I bought all this sugar in Mexico... I just kind of freaked out and said, I'm American and it's sugar."

• Dan in the Czech Republic:
  A suspenseful story about holding it in during a long bus ride until reaching a restroom, now fondly referred to as a "Czech Republic moment."

  Listener [37:38]: "Was a big surprise... Now every once in a while, we'll say to each other, oh, I had a Czech Republic moment."

• Matty in France:
  An unexpected encounter at the Louvre involving an entertainer, adding an element of surprise and amusement to the travel narrative.

  Rick Steves [39:14]: "That's the person of the evening... It's high class."

The Lullaby Project: Music as a Bridge

[40:12 – 52:37]
The episode transitions to a soulful exploration of The Lullaby Project, an initiative collaborating with parents experiencing homelessness or incarceration to compose personalized lullabies for their children.

• Introduction by Stephanie Schneiderman:
  Stephanie explains the project's origins at Carnegie Hall's Whitney Warrior Institute and its expansion to Portland, partnering with Path Home Family Shelter and Family Preservation. The aim is to strengthen the parent-child bond through music and empower parents in challenging circumstances.

  Stephanie Schneiderman [40:21]: "The main purpose behind Lullaby Project... is to amplify the parent-child bond and empower the parent in a situation that's probably feeling powerless."

• Creative Process:
  Stephanie describes the intimate process of songwriting, where parents share their stories and emotions, which she translates into heartfelt lyrics. This collaboration results in deeply personal and evocative lullabies.

  Stephanie Schneiderman [42:54]: "It's such an honor to be in the position of taking the medium of songwriting and recording... to have somebody else, voice from their sense of melody."

• Emotional Performances:
  The episode features a live performance titled "Connected," co-written with an incarcerated mother named Lacey, accompanied by members of the Oregon Symphony. The performance underscores the project's impact, evoking powerful emotions and illustrating the unbreakable connections between parents and children.

  Performance Lyrics [49:38 – 51:52]:
  "Your breath is my breath, your smile is my smile, and every tear we cry together we're always connected…"

Conclusion and Teasers for Next Episode

[53:20 – 55:09]
As the episode wraps up, Luke Burbank extends gratitude to Rick Steves, Stephanie Schneiderman, and supporters Stephanie Kuo and Rachel Murphy. He also previews the next week's content, featuring a conversation with New Yorker writer Kathryn Schultz and high school football coach Keenan Lowe, alongside a performance by John Craigie.

[54:37 – 55:02]
Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to the Live Wire podcast for more enriching conversations and to support the show through reviews and donations.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Rick Steves on Personal Growth Through Travel:

  [12:33] "I diligently wrote a 60,000-word journal filling up an empty book... reading that journal was like an anthropological dig into a 23-year-old version of myself."

• Rick Steves on Overcoming Fear in Travel:

  [25:13] "I am very thankful... it's a very powerful personal and emotional and spiritual experience to go through that."

• Stephanie Schneiderman on Empowering Parents:

  [42:54] "It's such an honor to be in the position of taking the medium of songwriting and recording... to have somebody else, voice from their sense of melody."

• Community and Connection Through The Lullaby Project:

  [44:05] "It's really just kind of elevates the whole experience for them... it becomes like their anthem."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Live Wire with Luke Burbank masterfully blends storytelling, personal anecdotes, and musical artistry to provide listeners with a rich and multifaceted experience. Rick Steves' reflections on his adventurous past and The Lullaby Project's touching musical collaborations underscore the profound ways in which travel and art can transform lives and foster meaningful connections.

For more details about Rick Steves' latest book or to support The Lullaby Project, visit the respective websites mentioned throughout the episode.