Podcast Summary: Handsome – "Brandi Carlile asks about Jesus"

Release Date: February 24, 2026
Hosts: Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, Mae Martin
Special Guest Question-Asker: Brandi Carlile

Overview

In this episode of Handsome, comedians Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin are joined (via a guest question) by celebrated singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile. The trio kicks off with their usual mix of playful banter, stories, and gadget demonstrations before diving into a thought-provoking discussion prompted by Brandi: "How do you feel when you hear the word Jesus?" The conversation explores personal experiences with religion, the cultural weight it carries in queer spaces, and how individual relationships with faith have evolved, particularly against the backdrop of current social and political issues.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catching Up & Slumber Party Vibes (02:00–19:00)

• The hosts are recording together in-person, which they note brings "electric" energy (02:11).
• They chat about driving anxieties, car washes, and the humor (or lack thereof) of car wash attendants.
• A tangent on friendship and co-worker bracelets, followed by jokes about makeup, hotel quirks (the elusive hair dryer, shower caps), and traveling for gigs.

Notable Quote:
"That was the cleanest we've ever introed this podcast." – Fortune Feimster (02:04)

2. Gadgets, Foot Massagers, and Embarrassing Stories (19:00–35:00)

• Mae demonstrates a new foot massager, which the group tries on-air, leading to much physical comedy and commentary on personal self-care routines.
• Extended digression on ab workout machines, invisible mascara, and the evolution of hotel amenities.
• The trio discusses bodily functions and the humorous intimacy (and awkwardness) of farting in relationships.

Memorable Moment:
Mae recounts a past partner's creative attempt to minimize fart noise:
"She was sneakily just pulling her own butt cheeks apart." (32:09)
The group debates whether Mae has a “fart fetish”—to her adamant denial.

3. The Question: "How Do You Feel When You Hear Jesus?" (39:40–59:00)

Brandi Carlile’s Question (39:40)

"How do you feel when you hear the word Jesus? ...Do you feel like triggered or curious? Inspired? Concerned? Distrustful? How does the word Jesus make you feel in these times that we're living through?" – Brandi Carlile (39:43)

Personal & Cultural Reflections

• Mae Martin:

  • Grew up in a very atheist family in Canada; sees Jesus as "a guy" with good stories, detached from negative religious authority.
  • "I like Jesus. ...I got really into Jesus as a guy, but so it doesn't have that—I don't feel triggered." (41:08)
  • Notes the story-driven, rebelling-against-hypocrisy version of Jesus provided in their upbringing.

• Tig Notaro:

  • Raised Catholic, but “not in a house where God and Jesus were really mentioned.”
  • Experiences with Christian families who “led with Christianity” but showed love and openness, including to her as an out queer person.
  • Relates the experience of being welcomed by religious people:
    "I loved what they represented... I was good with them talking about Jesus because there was just nothing seemingly off." (50:12)
  • Draws a distinction between people who use faith as a weapon and those who use it as a tool for compassion.

• Fortune Feimster:

  • Deep Southern upbringing where church was “the fabric of society” and her mom is still active in the United Methodist Church.
  • Emphasizes the positive elements: "people at church check on you," "community," and the "treat others as you want to be treated" values.
  • Acknowledges the pain caused when faith is used to exclude or control ("the line is getting more and more blurred" between church and state, 58:25).
  • Expresses openness:
    "I have not like, shunned that. I still see value in that and like a belief system and a morality type of way." (46:30-46:52)

Wider Social Commentary

• Discusses how Christianity (and “the word Jesus”) can be triggering for LGBTQ people, especially those rejected by families or faith communities.
• The group repeatedly draws a line between the teachings/figure of Jesus (“a badass” rebel, supportive of outcasts) and institutional religion, especially when faith is wielded as a tool for exclusion.
• Questions of hypocrisy:
  • Mae points out:
    “We’ve always kind of known, like, the people who are most outspokenly anti-gay and fire and brimstone... literally six months later for sex crimes” (47:49)
• The influence of the Religious Right in the US is brought up as a source of concern for personal and civil safety, especially for LGBTQ and reproductive rights.

Brandi Carlile’s Follow-Up (56:41)

Brandi shares how writing about her faith and queerness drew a strong response from LGBTQ people wanting to talk about the “complicated” legacy of Christian upbringing.
"There are still parts of this—of the Christian faith and their childhood religion that are with them... in good ways and in horrible ways." (56:41)

Closing Reflections

• Tig and Fortune boil it down to "wanting to be accepted, wanting to feel welcome and safe" (58:06).
• Fortune reiterates that issues arise "when it gets intermingled with, like, government"—underscoring the need for separation of church and state (55:10).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Jesus’ image:
  “Everything about him is great. Supportive [of] women, friends with sex workers... such a badass.” – Mae Martin (43:31)

• On the church as community:
  “There’s really great things about it where it’s the fabric of society there, where... there’s community, many positive things like that.” – Fortune Feimster (45:30)

• On conditional acceptance:
  “If you think I’m going to hell, just pipe down and let’s have a nice dinner.” – Tig Notaro (53:25)

• On shifting times:

  • Tig notes a subtlety in Brandi’s language:
    “The times that we're living through feels very different than the times we’re living in.” (42:03)

• On using religion to exclude:
  “When it’s used as a weapon to be like: 'You’re okay, and you’re not,' so that’s where it becomes an issue.” – Fortune Feimster (47:32)

Important Timestamps

• Group energy & in-person banter: 02:00–05:00
• Hotel quirks & gadget tryout: 16:00–28:00
• Mae’s fart story & intimacy: 31:35–34:00
• Brandi Carlile’s question introduced: 39:40
• Main discussion on Jesus/religion: 41:00–59:00
• Brandi’s follow-up & wrap-up: 56:41–59:00

Tone & Style

The episode maintains the signature warm, irreverent, and introspective tone of Handsome, with the hosts deftly moving between silly, vulnerable, and probing as they explore the meaning of faith, identity, and acceptance. While often playful, the show doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the complexities—including trauma and hope—carried by queer people whose lives intersect with Christian culture.

Summary

This episode of Handsome is a nuanced, funny, and candid interrogation of faith, queerness, and modern identity. Brandi Carlile’s question elicits a heartfelt conversation about personal histories with Christianity—and how, even for those who leave the church or experience its exclusion, the image of Jesus can persist as a source of inspiration or pain. The hosts affirm the value of love, openness, and critical thinking while using plenty of humor to keep things grounded and accessible.

For Listeners

If you’re seeking:

• Candid queer perspectives on religion and belonging
• Laughs about gadgets, car makeouts, and bodily functions
• Honest takes on the blurred lines of faith, culture, and safety

This episode is both entertaining and thoughtful, offering affirming insights for LGBTQ listeners and anyone re-examining their relationship with spirituality.