The Isabel Brown Show

Episode: "A Life Worth Singing For: Tribute To Charlie Kirk"
Date: October 14, 2025
Podcast Host: Isabel Brown (The Daily Wire)
Special Guests & Tributing Artists: Matthew West, Cole Swindell, John Rich, Abe Parker, Ann Wilson

Overview

This deeply moving episode is a musical and personal tribute to the late Charlie Kirk on what would have been his 32nd birthday. Isabel Brown hosts a heartfelt roundtable with prominent musicians and songwriters inspired by Kirk’s life and tragic death. Through interviews, stories, and original songs, the episode explores themes of bold faith, cultural courage, spiritual revival, the importance of family, forgiveness, and the enduring power of personal legacy. The tone is reverent, honest, uplifting, and, at times, profoundly emotional—a celebration of Kirk’s impact as seen through the eyes of the artists he moved.

Episode Structure

• Tribute & Context (00:15)
• Matthew West: Spiritual Stirring and “Be Close” (02:39)
• Cole Swindell: Family, Legacy, and “Make Heaven Crowded” (19:56)
• John Rich: Truth Telling, Generational Change, and Significance (36:24)
• Abe Parker: Compassion Amid Division, and “How to Love” (49:39)
• Ann Wilson: Revival, Forgiveness, and a Generation Awakening (67:10)
• Closing Reflections: Living Like Charlie Kirk (87:56)

Tribute & Context (00:15)

• Isabel Brown opens the episode dedicating the show to Charlie Kirk’s memory:

  “Today, Tuesday, October 14th, would be Charlie Kirk's 32nd birthday... to honor his life and his incredible impact... we wanted to take this episode of the Isabel Brown show to offer a very special tribute in his memory.” (00:15)

• The focus: how Kirk’s legacy is inspiring artists across genres to speak truth and offer hope through music, especially in grief.
• Tributing artists featured: Matthew West, Cole Swindell, John Rich, Abe Parker, Ann Wilson.

Matthew West: Spiritual Stirring and “Be Close” (02:39)

Reaction to Charlie's Passing & Spiritual Awakening (02:39–07:51)

• Matthew describes the sense of loss upon hearing Kirk's death:

  “September 10th sure seems like it's going to be a day that we'll always remember where we were... just a wave of heaviness.” (02:39)

• Notes Kirk’s unique public example of bold yet compassionate faith:

  “...inspired by his bold stance, but also the way that he exercised his right to free speech in such a respectful way.” (03:27)

• Shares how Kirk’s legacy is igniting a wider stirring:

  “I just asked the crowd, are you feeling a stirring like I'm feeling a stirring in the wake of Charlie Kirk's death, to be bold in your faith?... The entire crowd of thousands standing up on their feet and cheering and honoring the life of a man who showed us what it looked like to run his race well.” (04:31)

On Countercultural Christianity (05:04–10:53)

• Quotes 1 Timothy 4:12 as Kirk’s embodiment:

  “...armed with an incredible deep well of knowledge, but also a clear compassion for the people that he was debating with... I mean, I can think of few greater examples than the one that he set for all of us.” (05:04, 06:22)

• West describes how true faith invites opposition:

  “As Christians, we're not promised that we're going to be loved by the world or accepted by the world... When we share that with the world, we're actually promised to be hated by the world.” (06:55, Brown paraphrasing Christ)

• On bold faith and not fearing being ‘canceled’:

  “...the stirring that I felt in the wake of Charlie's death is to be unashamed in my faith... The other 23 hours of my day, not when I'm just standing up, singing a song for an audience and hearing them cheer for me. That's the easy part... What's going to be said of me when it's all said and done? Did I stand for my beliefs or did I turn around and run?” (07:51–09:34)

Debut of Original Tribute Song “Be Close” (11:23–17:18)

• West introduces the song inspired by Psalm 34:18 after praying with his family:

  “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. And so I did what I always do... I went to my studio, I picked up my guitar and just sang a simple prayer claiming the promise of Scripture to be a promise that is true.” (11:23)

• Performs “Be Close,” interwoven with spiritual and emotional vulnerability (13:52–17:18):
  • Refrain:

    “Jesus, be close to the brokenhearted / Save those who are crushed in spirit / We know that you've always been our only hope...” (various, 13:52–17:18)

• Isabel afterward:

  “...in the midst of what can only be described for those of us that knew and love Charlie as the most painful heartbreak we've ever experienced, we also, weirdly, are still seeing so many miracles work through this...” (17:18)

Message for Listeners: Living Like Charlie Kirk (17:55)

• Encourages listeners to “grieve with hope”:

  “...God really can and does work all things for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose... we do not grieve as the world grieves, because we know that weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (17:55)

• Concludes:

  “May we run our race in such a way that we get to hear the same words Charlie Kirk got to hear. Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” (19:22)

Cole Swindell: Family, Legacy, and “Make Heaven Crowded” (19:56)

Impact of Tragedy & Honoring Kirk’s Courage (20:22–25:11)

• Recounts learning the news with his wife and new baby:

  “I was literally... talking and we had the, you know, the news on and all of a sudden she got a text... just couldn't believe it, you know, just shock and, you know, sad, scared, mad...” (20:22)

• On the broader musical community’s response:

  “...I feel like those that know Charlie and that. That knew him best, you know, the fact that this has sparked this... I just think a lot of us are just, you know, fed up with feeling like we can't say how we believe.... I have to influence other people to be good to people and just... keep trying to do all we can…” (21:53)

• Kirk’s inspiration:

  “...made me look in the mirror, you know, somebody that's living like I should be living and spreading the word as a Christian... I mean, even this song was inspired. I happened to run across the clip of Erica the first time she spoke afterward. And that. That really is what. Is what hit me the hardest...” (21:53, 22:47)

Reflection on Marriage, Parenthood, and Charlie’s Message (25:11–27:28)

• Swindell, a new father, celebrates Kirk as championing family:

  “He was pushing people for that feeling because he knew what it felt like, and he knew it was the best feeling in the world... just to want people to be happy. I mean, that's truly all he was after.” (25:38)

• Erica Kirk’s memorial words as a mirror for his own legacy:

  “That part of the speech hit me harder than the Make Heaven Crowded... it made me look in the mirror and say, would Courtney say that about me if I was gone tomorrow?” (27:05)

Performance & The Message Behind “Make Heaven Crowded” (28:02–33:07)

• Background on song creation:

  “...I've never been in a situation where I've just felt, you know, led to write a song... I really, when I heard Erica say those words... it just was a wake up call.” (28:02)

• Swindell performs “Make Heaven Crowded,” joined by others:
  • Lyrics:

    “I ain't no saint, I bit my tongue, said it ain't my place... I've kept Jesus in the back seat, but I can't any longer...” (30:01, 31:33)

  • Message:

    “If all them churches had a longer line outside than all them bars on Friday night... This whole world would look a lot better than we found it if we make heaven crowded…” (30:01–31:49)

• On personal authenticity:

  “I knew I couldn't write it without calling myself out... It made me look in the mirror at my own life.” (32:05)

• Encourages musicians and fans:

  “...you find out there's so many other people that... feel just like you. And until you take that step and put that out there, you just, you may never, you may never know.” (33:18)

John Rich: Truth Telling, Generational Change, and Significance (36:24)

Choosing Truth over Comfort and Industry Fallout (37:00)

• Rich describes the cost of speaking his values in country music:

  “...am I willing to say what I really think and stand for, what I really stand for, knowing I'm going to take a horrible bloody nose in my career or possibly worse... And sure enough, that was the case. I'm not on the radio anymore... But on the other hand, I can say whatever I want to...” (37:00)

• On Kirk as a model:

  “...he represented what it means to be a real Christian, real Christians don't just speak the truth when it's comfortable... When an evil world despises you, that's actually a check of approval that you said it correctly. And I think nobody set that example better than Charlie.” (37:52)

Generational Revolution: Young Men, Family, and Faith (39:03–41:52)

• Rich’s own sons felt “it’s our turn” to lead:

  “They felt compelled that now it's our turn... It's our turn to walk in like young men, not like kids. It's our turn to be leaders in our country.” (39:26)

• Predicts a long-term cultural change:

  “I think this could have impacts on our country for the next 50 to 100 years, potentially.” (40:17)

• Affirms the universal call toward family:

  “...God created man and woman, and for them to procreate, go forth and multiply, as he said... it's literally the greatest feeling a person can ever have, as you know and as I know.” (40:43)

• Kirk’s influence as “the mask of shallowness has been pulled back off our culture.” (41:28)

Courage & The We Are Charlie Kirk Movement (41:52–44:05)

• Summons listeners to courage:

  “When Charlie Kirk died, righteous people, people began pursuing righteousness at light speed and wicked people began pursuing wickedness at light speed. They both happened at the same time.” (42:34–43:27)

• Spiritual & physical readiness against opposition:

  “My advice to people out there is, is keep your eyes peeled... you are going to see wicked people become more wicked and righteous people become more righteous...” (43:49)

Forgiveness: Erica Kirk’s Example (44:05–46:39)

• On public forgiveness:

  “Erica really shocked the world in that regard... publicly forgiving the man who killed her husband... I think really inspired a lot of people.” (44:05, Brown)

• Rich connects Kirk to Stephen in the New Testament:

  “...there is a parallel to that. We don't get to live and die based on our own calendar... God makes his moves when he makes them for specific reasons. And the tidal wave we're seeing right now back towards him is unbelievable.” (46:23)

On Living Significantly (48:12)

• Distinction between success and significance:

  “Ultimately, people need to stop concerning themselves with success, and they need to start concerning themselves with significance... Say things that are significant. Do things that are significant. Put things into motion that will outlive you...” (48:12)

• Advice for artists and public figures: “Say things that will outlast you.” (49:01)

Abe Parker: Compassion Amid Division, and “How to Love” (49:39)

Music as Speak-Out Against Celebrating Evil (50:44–54:06)

• Parker on seeing people “cheering and celebrating” Kirk’s assassination online:

  “I just don't want to live in a world like that. And that was the reason I wrote the song... I just don't want to be, I don't know, in a place where, like, people can celebrate something like that and not have consequences, you know?” (50:44–51:41)

• Yearns for more honest, loving messaging in music, beyond polarization:

  “...Charlie really meant a lot to me was that he was a voice for people that didn't know how to speak up for themselves. And I feel like in the music world there's like no voice for people who have those beliefs.” (53:23)

The Power of Independent Creative Voices (54:06–56:32)

• Parker explores TikTok’s and Reels’ role in bypassing industry gatekeepers:

  “It's totally different now... if you're willing to work hard, you can make a career for yourself...” (55:09)

• Encouraged by unlikely support for his tribute song from his label:

  “They're not a Christian label... but they've been supportive and that has been really, really awesome and just really encouraging...” (56:02)

“How to Love”: Writing and Performance (57:06–62:26)

• Motivation for the song:

  “...it just feels hard to justify. It feels like you, you're gaining momentum on the back of something terrible. And so I didn't want to do something at first... I gotta do something... I don't want him [my son] to grow up in a world where, like, political assassination is okay.” (57:06–57:54)

• Inclusion of Kirk’s own voice in the song as a tribute:

  “...it would be really cool to just give a little hat tip to him. And, yeah, so I just put that in... it means a lot to me. And I know for the people that were supportive of him, it means a lot to them, too.” (58:58)

• Performs “How to Love”—a raw ballad calling for compassion over division:
  • Lyrics:

    “I saw someone laughing at a man who lost his life and left behind/ Two toddlers and a newly widowed wife... So what kind of world do we want?/ ...How do we so quickly forget how to love?” (60:15–62:26)

On Courage and Speaking Truth in Love (63:28–66:44)

• Advice for conservatives and creators:

  “The important thing is...speak the truth, but then also speak the truth and let love... I think being brave is something that I want to get better at, and I. I really do credit that to Charlie and his family.” (63:28–66:01)

Ann Wilson: Revival, Forgiveness, and a Generation Awakening (67:10)

Charlie Kirk as a Gen Z Spiritual Catalyst (67:49–69:26)

• Wilson describes Kirk’s radical cultural impact on Gen Z:

  “He was such an inspiration for being bold in your faith and standing for Jesus... Charlie was a huge inspiration for my generation last year... and then through his passing. I have seen such a change, even in my close friends... they are more on fire for going and telling the world about Jesus than they ever have been.” (67:49)

Revival in Faith and the Christian Music Industry (71:39–73:02)

• A cultural and spiritual shift among artists:

  “...since his passing, there has been a shift for sure, in the Christian music industry. People just being so much more open about it... It's been like, night and day different to see...” (71:39)

On Loss, Forgiveness, and Erica’s Example (74:04–80:38)

• Wilson, who lost her brother at a young age, relates to Kirk’s family:

  “...the first thought I had was what she's going to have to go through... And watching her get up on that stage at his memorial and say that she forgave the person that took his life was so moving for me...” (74:04)

• On the power of Christian forgiveness:

  “Forgiveness is not talked about near enough in the church... it's freeing when you forgive someone, it frees you... that is so much the heart of Jesus, though, is forgiveness...” (78:37, 80:17)

Kirk’s Affirmation of Gen Z and Hope for the Future (80:38–87:41)

• Gen Z’s hunger for meaning:

  “There is this revival, not just religiously, but of traditional cultural values from a secular perspective as well, that's largely being driven by young people... Charlie really was the intellectual and moral leader encouraging us to do that day in and day out...” (80:38)

• On the need for encouragement, not condemnation:

  “...I truly think encouragement is what betters us... my hope, even just in my own music, through his loss, it's inspired me to be even more bold than I ever have before...” (85:06–87:41)

Closing Reflections: Living Like Charlie Kirk (87:56)

• Isabel Brown’s final call:

  “To everyone who is using their musical talent given to you by God to honor the life and legacy of this once in a generation man, thank you from all of our hearts and to everyone looking to live more courageously and more boldly, you have the perfect examples in the people that joined us today on the show on exactly how to do that... let's all choose to live like Charlie Kirk. To boldly speak the truth, to be courageous in our values, and to never back down or surrender, even in the face of evil and hatred. Happy birthday, Charlie. We love you and we miss you and we can't wait to see you again someday.” (87:56)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Matthew West (on boldness):

  “I don't answer to the crowd, I answer to a king. So the louder they shout, the louder I'm going to sing.” (09:03)

• Cole Swindell (self-examination):

  “It made me look in the mirror and say, would Courtney say that about me if I was gone tomorrow?” (27:05)

• John Rich (on significance vs. success):

  “Don't live to be successful. Live to be significant.” (48:12)

• Abe Parker (on the world post-Kirk):

  “You try to silence someone, you do only make it grow.” (58:58)

• Ann Wilson (on Gen Z revival):

  “Now is the time to be bold for Jesus and to stand firm in your faith. And I really believe that my generation is going to end up being okay.” (82:58)

Key Themes & Takeaways

• Bold Faith Is Contagious: Charlie Kirk’s legacy is igniting a wave of candor, courage, and revival among young people, artists, and families.
• Music as Healing and Rebellion: Artists use their platforms to process grief, catalyze courage, and foster spiritual awakening, resisting cultural apathy.
• Countercultural Living: Living "unashamed," standing for truth, and valuing significance over worldly success—even at great personal cost—are central Christian tenets honored throughout.
• Family & Forgiveness: Kirk’s affirmation of family and Erica Kirk’s act of public forgiveness become models for listeners, inspiring both personal and cultural transformation.
• Hope for the Future: Despite a fractured culture, guests testify to a hopeful generational realignment toward faith, marriage, family, and compassionate activism.

This episode stands as a powerful testament to the enduring impact of one man's example on the soul of a generation—and to the healing, rallying, and reviving power of music rooted in truth and love.