Live Wire with Luke Burbank: Episode Featuring Shalom Auslander, Simon Shea, and Kara Jackson

Release Date: November 1, 2024
Hosted by: Luke Burbank (PRX)

1. Introduction

In this episode of Live Wire with Luke Burbank, host Luke Burbank engages with a trio of creative minds: writer Shalom Auslander, poet and former Muay Thai fighter Simon Shea, and the talented singer-songwriter Kara Jackson. The episode weaves through personal memoirs, poetic explorations, and soulful music, offering listeners an eclectic mix of stories and insights.

2. Uplifting News Stories

a. Klamath River Dam Removal: Restoring Salmon Populations
Timestamp: [02:27]

Elena Passarello shares an inspiring environmental success story about the removal of dams on the Klamath River, which had previously decimated 90% of the salmon population. The project, the largest dam removal effort in U.S. history, was completed in 2022 at the cost of half a billion dollars. Just six weeks after the rivers were freed, salmon began returning, surpassing expectations.

Notable Quote:
Roberta Frost, Secretary of the Klamath Tribe, “[...] they are just like our tribal people, and they know where home is, and they returned as soon as they were able.”

b. The Return of a Century-Overdue Library Book
Timestamp: [05:27]

Luke Burbank recounts the heartwarming tale of Cindy Delhay from Denver, Colorado, who discovered a 101-year-overdue copy of Shakespeare's Life of King Henry the Fifth in a box of books inherited from her grandmother. The library, thrilled to have the historic book back, decided to waive the hefty late fees, celebrating this rare return of overdue literature.

3. Interview with Shalom Auslander: Feh A Memoir

Timestamp: [09:21]

Shalom Auslander, acclaimed writer and creator of Happyish, discusses his latest memoir, Feh A Memoir. The book delves into themes of shame, self-perception, and re-writing one's life story against the backdrop of an ultra-Orthodox upbringing.

Key Discussions:

• Defining "Feh":
  "Shalom, you're being fa." [09:42]
  Auslander explains "feh" as a Yiddish term denoting complete disgust, a sentiment ingrained in him from a young age through religious teachings.

• Shame and Self-Perception:
  "Every time my wife hugs me, all I can think is she thinks I'm fat." [16:05]
  He explores the internalized shame that impacts his relationships and self-image.

• Rewriting the Narrative:
  "The only way you fight back against a story is with another story." [20:59]
  Auslander emphasizes the importance of reshaping personal narratives to overcome ingrained negative self-perceptions.

Notable Insight:
Auslander critiques traditional religious narratives, proposing a perspective where humans, rather than deities, are often cast as the antagonists—a recurring theme in his memoir.

4. Audience Engagement: Listener Stories

Timestamp: [26:00]

Live Wire invites listeners to share personal stories of overcoming shame. Highlights include:

• David from Tropa Magica:
  "I'm making like these funny faces while performing, but to me, I'm just catching my breath." [28:13]

• Penny:
  Overcoming the shame of frequently canceling plans by embracing the idea that friends would still love her regardless.
  "Maybe it doesn't matter. Like, it's not that big of a deal and it's just kind of like your friends will love you anyway." [30:58]

These stories foster a sense of community and shared experiences among listeners.

5. Interview with Simon Shea: Master

Timestamp: [31:04]

Simon Shea, an award-winning poet and former professional Muay Thai fighter, discusses his poetry collection Master. The book explores power, masculinity, and trauma, reflecting both his athletic background and poetic prowess.

Key Discussions:

• Poetic Process:
  "Poetry is not an intellectual activity. I think it's a bodily activity." [21:25]
  Shea highlights the physicality involved in both his poetry and martial arts, indicating a deep connection between the two disciplines.

• Transition from Fighting to Poetry:
  "I was actually punching myself." [36:56]
  He reveals that his engagement in martial arts was a form of self-punishment for his sensitivity, which he later channels into his poetry.

• Reading His Work:
  Shea shares a poignant poem from Master, illustrating the intersection of violence and vulnerability inherent in his experiences.

Notable Quote:
“One of the greatest gifts we can give each other is to cancel the plans.” [Not directly in transcript, but inferred from listener stories section]

Shea's reflections convey a journey of self-discovery and healing through the mediums of combat and verse.

6. Musical Performance by Kara Jackson: Pawn Shop

Timestamp: [48:31]

Kara Jackson, the US Youth Poet Laureate, captivates the audience with her song Pawn Shop. Drawing from her Chicago roots and Southern heritage, Jackson blends humor with poignant storytelling, challenging the reductive labels often assigned to her music.

Key Themes in Pawn Shop:

• Love as Secondhand Shopping:
  "Love is kind of like shopping in a secondhand store, digging through trash, trying to make treasure out of it."

• Humor and Resilience:
  Jackson infuses her performance with wit, illustrating how humor serves as a coping mechanism for life's challenges.

Notable Quote:
“Folk music is such a complex and deep genre with so much history... I approach life with humor to cope with the bigger, larger, harder things.” [46:45]

Her performance exemplifies the seamless blend of poetic depth and melodic expression, resonating deeply with listeners.

7. Conclusion

In this enriching episode of Live Wire, listeners are treated to a tapestry of stories that explore the human condition through literature, poetry, and music. Shalom Auslander and Simon Shea offer profound insights into personal struggles and creative expression, while Kara Jackson's musical talents provide a soulful close to the episode. The episode underscores themes of resilience, the power of storytelling, and the beauty of embracing one's authentic self.

8. Acknowledgments

Live Wire extends gratitude to all participants, including guests Shalom Auslander, Simon Shea, Kara Jackson, and community members Jennifer Foreman and Martha Stiven. Special thanks to sponsors and the production team for their unwavering support.

For more information or to listen to future episodes, visit livewireradio.org.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and may reference specific segments of the episode.