Brandi Carlile, singer-songwriter: I believe in the separation of church and state
The Interview14 Marras 2025

Brandi Carlile, singer-songwriter: I believe in the separation of church and state

‘I believe so profoundly in the separation of church and state, and in the dangers of theocracy creeping into the corners of a democracy’

BBC Music Correspondent Mark Savage speaks to US singer-songwriter, producer and performer Brandi Carlile about the personal and political stories behind her songs.

An LGBTQ icon, she sets out her fears about the threat to same-sex marriage in today’s United States, and the impact that has had on her own family. And she shares the strain her own sexuality put on her relationship with her mother while growing up in rural America. It was country music, she says, that brought them together.

Brandi Carlile has won eleven Grammy awards, been nominated for an Oscar, and worked with Elton John and Joni Mitchell. Now releasing her eighth album, she reveals she went into the studio with no songs prepared, only feelings and nostalgia, resulting in a deeply personal record reflecting on childhood memories, parenthood and politics.

Thank you to Mark Savage for his help in making this programme. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 0800 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out three times a week on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presenter: Mark Savage Producer: Lucy Sheppard Editor: Justine Lang

Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.

(Image: Brandi Carlile Credit: Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Jaksot(1873)

Nicholas Opiyo, human rights lawyer: Ugandans want change

Nicholas Opiyo, human rights lawyer: Ugandans want change

‘All they have seen is a 40-year rule that has resulted in high unemployment rates, poor services, and an increased violation of human rights. This young population is yearning to see a different pres...

26 Tammi 23min

Chloé Zhao, director: I was an outsider

Chloé Zhao, director: I was an outsider

‘It's so far from your reality because I didn't know anybody and I was an immigrant’Anita Rani speaks to the Beijing-born director Chloé Zhao about her career and her latest film, Hamnet.Zhao made his...

23 Tammi 22min

Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General: The threat to international law from power

Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General: The threat to international law from power

“There are those that believe the power of law should be replaced by the law of power”Anna Foster speaks to Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, about the threat to international...

21 Tammi 23min

Karol Nawrocki, Polish President: Europe has lost its way

Karol Nawrocki, Polish President: Europe has lost its way

Nick Robinson speaks to Polish President Karol Nawrocki about Trump, Russia and the future of Europe.A historian and a boxer by background, he was elected in June 2025 with the support of Poland’s con...

19 Tammi 23min

Gustavo Petro, Colombian President: US military action is a real threat

Gustavo Petro, Colombian President: US military action is a real threat

I do believe US military action is a real threat, and the prospect of removing it depends on the ongoing conversations. The BBC’s South America correspondent Ione Wells speaks to Gusatvo Petro, Colom...

16 Tammi 22min

Arminka Helic, campaigner against sexual violence in war: Rape is used as part of genocide

Arminka Helic, campaigner against sexual violence in war: Rape is used as part of genocide

“Rape and sexual violence against women and girls, babies, men and boys, is used as a part of ethnic cleansing and genocide.”We are in a new era where human rights have been replaced by trade and big ...

14 Tammi 23min

Gabriel Zuchtreigel, Director of Pompeii: Archaeology is the most democratic form of history

Gabriel Zuchtreigel, Director of Pompeii: Archaeology is the most democratic form of history

Michael Berkeley speaks to Gabriel Zuchtreigel, Director of Pompeii in Southern Italy, one of the world’s most important archaeological sites.History, he says, comes alive through archaeology, helping...

12 Tammi 22min

Mustafa Suleyman, Artificial Intelligence pioneer: People should be healthily afraid of AI

Mustafa Suleyman, Artificial Intelligence pioneer: People should be healthily afraid of AI

BBC presenter Amol Rajan speaks to the British artificial intelligence entrepreneur Mustafa Suleyman, Chief Executive of Microsoft AI.He believes in the enormous potential of AI to be a force for good...

9 Tammi 22min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-podme-livebox
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
otetaan-yhdet
rss-asiastudio
rikosmyytit
viisupodi
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
rss-mina-ukkola
the-ulkopolitist
radio-antro
io-techin-tekniikkapodcast
popcorn-with-esko
rss-polikulaari-humanisti-vastaa-ja-muut-ts-podcastit
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
rss-50100-podcast