Good Hang with Amy Poehler — Brandi Carlile

Podcast: Good Hang with Amy Poehler
Host: Amy Poehler
Guest: Brandi Carlile
Date: March 31, 2026
Producer: The Ringer

Episode Overview

In this episode, Amy Poehler welcomes acclaimed singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile for a warm, freewheeling conversation that explores Brandi’s new album Returning to Myself, her experiences meeting musical heroes, the changing symbolism of hair, her approach to performing under pressure, and the joys and puzzles of aging as an artist and parent. The episode opens with guest questions from Maren Morris, highlighting Brandi’s collaborative spirit and their shared history in the Highwomen.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Maren Morris on Meeting Brandi & The Highwomen (02:21–09:54)

• Maren Morris joins to reminisce about first meeting Brandi and forming the group The Highwomen:
  • She describes being contacted by Brandi, “I'm putting this girl group together... It’s gonna be me, Amanda Shires, and Natalie Hemby… It’s kind of like a tribute or extension of the Highwaymen…” (04:20)
  • Maren highlights singing with Brandi as one of her "crown jewel" career moments, including performing with Dolly Parton at Newport Folk Festival.
  • Shared admiration for Dolly’s professionalism and glamour (“She’s just a legend and a real hero of mine… [She] exceeded expectations... very punctual.” — Maren, 05:48)
  • Discussion about vocal maturity, Dolly's ability to still sing in original keys, and how artists adapt their music as they age.

Brandi Carlile on Performing & Connections (11:27–17:13)

• SNL & Thriving Under Pressure
  • Brandi and Amy bond over their love of SNL and the adrenaline of live performance timelines.
• Introversion vs. Extroversion
  • Brandi’s Returning to Myself reflects longing for solitude and self-discovery:
    • "It's definitely about who am I when I am alone?" (13:35)
    • Both admit struggling to be alone, preferring company even in silence ("I just find that [a silent retreat] appalling." — Brandi, 14:17)
• Trim Carpentry & Friendship
  • Brandi enjoys downtime through carpentry with old friends—a nonverbal, companionable silence.
  • “I just spent six hours caulking window trim. …I wanted to spend the day with him. Not talking.” (15:40–16:33)
• Childhood Chaos
  • Both Amy and Brandi grew up in busy, chaotic homes thriving with visitors and activity—a dynamic echoed today in their work styles and comfort under pressure.

Musicians and Comedians: A Mutual Admiration Society (20:17–21:42)

• Discussion on why musicians love comedians and vice versa, with theories from both:
  • “Musicians kind of worship comedians because of the risk that they’re taking… And then I think comedians just think they’re at the top of the pyramid.” (20:59 — Brandi)
  • Amy reciprocates: “Every comedian wishes they were a musician, and every musician thinks they're a comedian.” (20:21)

Harmonizing and Heroes: Indigo Girls Fan Frenzy (22:05–27:40)

• Indigo Girls Tribute
  • Brandi’s formative experience hearing Indigo Girls motivates her career, singing and dissecting their harmonies with Amy.
  • “There was just something galvanizing about their voices…the way they were making music that just, like, pulled me out of myself.” (22:39 — Brandi)
  • Amy: “There are artists... who are relaxed and honestly confident in their talent… and they say, come in, come over.” (24:05)
• Spontaneous Duet
  • Amy and Brandi attempt to sing “Closer to Fine,” trading Amy/Emily parts ("Girl, you got it... If we had time, we would do nothing else but cover Indigo Girls for the next hour." — Brandi, 27:31)

On Finding Your Voice and Performing Live (27:40–32:38)

• Early Talent
  • Brandi remembers early validation as a singer, “I really felt I had a good voice at, like, 7 years old” (28:10)
  • Describes her first performance with childlike clarity and belonging: “Most understood and loved place I could ever be." (29:03)
• Nerves and ‘Performing Stupidity’
  • Both discuss a performer’s special “lack of contextual intelligence” that makes them comfortable onstage.
  • Brandi: “You have to lack an element of contextual intelligence to do it... it’s like that repetition of stupidity is what gives us our gift." (30:16)
• Mistakes Make You Stronger
  • Brandi explains how mistakes onstage can rally the audience and bring unforgettable moments ("One mistake draws everyone in… his victory becomes your victory." — 32:29)

On Fun, Relaxation, and Stage Routines (35:31–39:03)

• Relaxing Before a Gig
  • Brandi admits to previously using a drink to relax and the complications it brings; she no longer mixes drinking with work. (35:50–39:03)
  • Humorous story about a misunderstood Tenacious D joke on stage (38:42)

Reflections on Aging and Joy in Maturity (39:16–41:08)

• Growing Older
  • Both Amy and Brandi express love for getting older:
    • “Every year I get older, I love being older more than I loved being younger.” (39:46 — Brandi)
    • Amy: “My 50s have been my favorite decade. By far.” (40:16)
• Advice for Young Fans and Self-Reinvention
  • Brandi loves seeing younger generations discover icons like Joni Mitchell via her performances
  • On encountering her own idols, Brandi says, “There is a part of that that never goes away...you did it, you did it.” (43:08)

Collaborating with Icons: Elton John, Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell (43:39–46:53)

• Elton John: “Once in a millennium man… no trace of narcissism.” (44:13 — Brandi)
• Dolly Parton: “She does not miss… she’s just amazing.” (44:44)
• Joni Mitchell: “Her music was so complex and inaccessible to me at first… getting to sit shotgun next to Joni… it’s a really wild thing.” (45:24–46:24)

Performing with and Mentoring the Next Generation (46:53–50:08)

• Brandi recounts an emotional performance of “The Joke” with Benicio Bryant, emphasizing triumph after a failed first try on network TV.
  • “If there was anything [valuable] in that, it was that mistake, that failure… turned into a total triumph.” (49:48)

Gender, Hair, and Identity (50:09–53:59)

• Hair Evolution
  • Amy prompts Brandi on how hair choices relate to gender, identity, and change.
  • Brandi: “Without thinking, I said, when I cut my hair [was when I stepped into my authentic self]… It was so freeing. I loved that my mom hated it.” (50:43)
  • Discussion about hair as self-esteem, transformation, and subtle rebellion, especially in queer communities.

Tour Life, Sleep Rituals, and Self-Care (53:59–61:41)

• Touring:
  • Brandi shares that touring is now about accumulating people, places, and experiences in each city. She’s careful with her voice, enjoying a day off, and strict about not sleeping all day.
• Sleep:
  • Both obsess over sleep quality, sleep routines, and the importance of the right mattress:
    • “The first thing I did when I made money was buy every single person I know a mattress.” (59:03 — Brandi)
    • Brandi recommends Purple and Tempur-Pedic mattresses, lauds zero gravity sensation, and jokes about sharing a bed but “don’t touch me.” (60:42)
• Rider Requests:
  • Brandi’s tour rider is straightforward: avocado, lemons, cold La Croix, tuna salad, and bananas — “and I don’t even like any of those things, but they’re part of my routine.” (62:13)

Family, Motherhood & Audience (62:32–68:21)

• On Balancing Motherhood & Touring
  • In response to Maren’s question: Brandi reflects on her daughters’ responses to her music and public life:
    • “They seem more excited by the way I interact with fans as a person, as a public person, than actually how I do music… They’re very proud of that.” (65:34–66:04)
  • "Having a girl on the precipice of being a teenager, I think would be really neat to show them." (63:49)

Competition, Awards, and a Healthy Attitude (68:21–68:41)

• Brandi: “I’m driven, but I’m not competitive. ...If I’m up for an award and somebody else beats me, I mean, I’m deflated for, like, three and a half seconds until they get up and do their speech. Then I’m, like, fighting back tears from feeling so happy for them.” (67:45)

Laughter & What’s Making Brandi Laugh (69:16–71:08)

• Brandi’s comic touchstones:
  • Movies: Tommy Boy, Bridesmaids, Tenacious D, Sisters
  • SNL sketches: “Liza Minnelli tries to turn off a lamp” (Kristen Wiig), Tracy Morgan fan.
• Quote:
  • “Let's watch that for a second… Physical comedy, not great for podcasts!” (70:08 — Amy)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brandi, on solitude and music: “It’s definitely about who am I when I am alone?” (13:35)
• Amy, on the inclusive magic of certain artists: “There are artists…who are relaxed and honestly confident… and they say, come in, come over.” (24:05)
• Brandi, on iconic mentors: “Once in a millennium man… no trace of narcissism.” (44:13, on Elton John)
• On making mistakes on stage:
  “One mistake draws everyone in… his victory becomes your victory.” (32:29 — Brandi)
• Brandi, on aging: “Every year, I get older, I love being older more than I loved being younger.” (39:46)
• On performing with her kids in the audience:
  “They seem more excited by the way I interact with fans as a person… than actually how I do music.” (65:34)

Timestamps By Topic

• [02:21–09:54] — Maren Morris on meeting Brandi, The Highwomen, and Dolly Parton
• [11:27–17:13] — Brandi on SNL, pressure, introversion/extroversion, carpentry as therapy
• [20:17–21:42] — Musicians vs comedians: admiration and the will to risk
• [22:05–27:40] — Indigo Girls fandom, harmonizing, performance anecdotes
• [27:40–32:38] — Early performance memories, nerves, mistake magic
• [35:31–39:03] — Pre-show rituals, drinking, on-stage mishaps (the “rock slide” story)
• [39:16–41:08] — Happiness in aging, joy of maturity
• [43:39–46:53] — Collaborating with Elton John, Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell
• [46:53–50:08] — Mentoring young artists, Benicio Bryant story
• [50:09–53:59] — Hair as identity, queerness, and evolution
• [53:59–61:41] — Touring, sleep, self-care, the importance of a good mattress
• [62:32–68:21] — Parenting, daughters, and evolving as a public figure
• [69:16–71:08] — What makes Brandi laugh: favorite movies and SNL
• [71:08–73:15] — Wrap-up notes, correction about Benicio’s performance (Late Night with Seth Meyers)

Tone and Vibe

The tone of this episode is distinctly easygoing—funny, intimate, and genuine—a "good hang" between two artists who care deeply about their work, their families, and their communities. It’s a conversation filled with laughter, humility, and a true spirit of mutual admiration, punctuated by Amy’s quick wit and Brandi’s candor and good humor.

Final Takeaways

Anyone listening will come away with a sense of Brandi Carlile as a gifted, driven connector—someone who brings people together, bridges generations, honors her heroes, and models self-acceptance through every stage of life. The episode is a celebration of creative kinship, the joy of not taking yourself too seriously, and the ongoing adventure of becoming yourself—on stage, in family, and in your own skin.