Bethany Joy LenzEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

This week, we’ll hear from Bethany Joy Lenz , an actor, singer, director, and now author, who shares a deeply personal story of her time in a spiritually abusive community and the journey of healing and rediscovering faith that followed. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from speaker and non-profit founder JT Mestdagh . Born with a rare and complex condition that led to over a dozen major surgeries before the age of sixteen, JT’s life has been anything but ordinary. From long hospital stays to reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro , he’s faced life’s toughest challenges with an optimism and heart for helping others. Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned : Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Amy Downs Upcoming interview: Chrissy Metz Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith on UPTV Bethany Joy Lenz Dinner for Vampires Richard Barrett Brooklyn College of Opera Guiding Light One Tree Hill Hebrews 11:1-2 NIV www.bethanyjoylenz.org JT Mestdagh Mount Kilimanjaro JT Mestdagh Foundation VACTERL syndrome Dyslexia Children’s Hospital Colorado ww.JTMestdagh.com No Bad Days Interview Quotes: “I fundamentally believed—not in my head, but in my body and my heart—that if I did all the right things, if I checked off everything on the Christian girl list, then God would be pleased with me, and I would have a good life.’ - Bethany Joy Lenz “You need your brain in order to have faith. God is so big. He’s not afraid of us thinking. The more you think, the more you understand, the more Christianity makes sense out of everything else in the world.” - Bethany Joy Lenz “When you understand what you believe—when you think about it and you research it and you journal about it, the further you dissect it, the more intricate and fascinating it becomes.” - Bethany Joy Lenz “God is big enough to not be intimidated or afraid of your questions, your mess, that spaghetti bowl of confusion. God is big enough to untangle it and to

This week, we’ll hear from Bethany Joy Lenz , an actor, singer, director, and now author, who shares a deeply personal story of her time in a spiritually abusive community and the journey of healing and rediscovering faith that followed. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from speaker and non-profit founder JT Mestdagh . Born with a rare and complex condition that led to over a dozen major surgeries before the age of sixteen, JT’s life has been anything but ordinary. From long hospital stays to reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro , he’s faced life’s toughest challenges with an optimism and heart for helping others. Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned : Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Amy Downs Upcoming interview: Chrissy Metz Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith on UPTV Bethany Joy Lenz Dinner for Vampires Richard Barrett Brooklyn College of Opera Guiding Light One Tree Hill Hebrews 11:1-2 NIV www.bethanyjoylenz.org JT Mestdagh Mount Kilimanjaro JT Mestdagh Foundation VACTERL syndrome Dyslexia Children’s Hospital Colorado ww.JTMestdagh.com No Bad Days Interview Quotes: “I fundamentally believed—not in my head, but in my body and my heart—that if I did all the right things, if I checked off everything on the Christian girl list, then God would be pleased with me, and I would have a good life.’ - Bethany Joy Lenz “You need your brain in order to have faith. God is so big. He’s not afraid of us thinking. The more you think, the more you understand, the more Christianity makes sense out of everything else in the world.” - Bethany Joy Lenz “When you understand what you believe—when you think about it and you research it and you journal about it, the further you dissect it, the more intricate and fascinating it becomes.” - Bethany Joy Lenz “God is big enough to not be intimidated or afraid of your questions, your mess, that spaghetti bowl of confusion. God is big enough to untangle it and to

Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz is a memoir about her decade-long entrapment in a manipulative Christian cult during her time on One Tree Hill . The book details how the group controlled her life, career, and finances—until motherhood and the support of friends gave her the strength to break free. My guest this week is the lovely Magan Vernon , an author who has been living off reader tears since she wrote her first short story in 2004. She now spends her time killing off fictional characters, pretending to plot while she really just watches Netflix, and she tries to do this all while her kids run amok around her Texas ranch. Subscribe to her Newsletter and join her Facebook Fan Group here: Magan’s Minions (Reader Group) Strawberry Champagne Margarita fresh strawberries, trimmed 2 oz. tequila 1 oz. fresh lime juice .25 cups sparkling wine Optional: 4 oz. triple sec or 2 tablespoons agave syrup, for a sweeter margarita Place strawberries in a large glass. Using a muddler, muddle the strawberries until they resemble puree. Add tequila, lime juice, and strawberry puree to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake. If you would like to add a sweetener to the cocktail, add triple sec or agave syrup to the cocktail shaker as well. Fill cocktail glass or champagne flute halfway full with ice. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with a strawberry or lime. In this Episode Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz One Tree Hill Tex Watson The White Lotus Cocktail Book Specs Paris, The Memoir by Paris Hilton Magan’s Library’s Reading Challenge (that I am totally stealing!)

Join Julie Jancius and actress-author Bethany Joy Lenz ( One Tree Hill ) for a raw, transformative conversation about her memoir Dinner for Vampires —a deep dive into surviving cults, narcissistic abuse, and reclaiming spiritual autonomy. Discover how to spot manipulation, set boundaries, and heal through faith and critical thinking. 🌟 Key Topics: Cults vs. Narcissistic Abuse: Why "cult" is outdated—and what to call it instead. Biblical Misinterpretations: How spiritual authority is weaponized. Healthy Boundaries: Loving detachment vs. toxic isolation. Healing Through Writing: Bethany’s journey from trauma to empowerment. 💫 Julie’s Offerings: Angel Reiki School: Master mediumship and energy healing (in-person or online). Membership: March’s focus: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts . 👉 Grab Bethany’s Book: Dinner for Vampires – Available now! 📚 Follow Bethany: @bethanyjoylenz #CultSurvivor #SpiritualHealing #NarcissisticAbuse #FaithJourney #Boundaries Subscribe for soul-shifting conversations every week! ✨ TIMESTAMPED OVERVIEW 00:00 Introduction to Angels and Awakening Podcast 02:04 Bethany Joy Lenz Introduces Dinner for Vampires 03:10 Defining Narcissistic Abuse vs. Cult Dynamics 06:00 Spiritual Authority and Church Trauma 10:00 Reconciling Faith, Justice, and Divine Love 15:09 Healing from Spiritual Manipulation 21:09 Boundaries vs. Isolation in Toxic Systems 25:00 Raising Critical Thinkers in Spiritual Communities 31:00 Biblical Context and Modern Misinterpretations 35:00 Surviving Narcissistic Abuse in Family Dynamics 40:00 CS Lewis’ Wisdom on Healthy Relationships 45:60 Writing as Healing: Bethany’s Book Journey 50:00 Closing: Hallmark Films and Final Takeaways 👉 Free Resources & Enrollment: theangelmedium.com #AngelMessages #SpiritualHealer #IntuitionAwakening #ArchangelGuidance #SoulPurpose Subscribe for weekly divine insights! ✨ Join the Angels and Awakening community at theangelmedium.com and begin your own journey from isolation to illumination. 🌟 Angel Membership ✨ It’s not too late to join! ✨ The Angel Membership is your pathway to a life aligned with your angels’ guidance. Each month, you’ll receive a new course, join live weekly events, and connect with a supportive community of like-minded souls. 👉 https://theangelmedium.com/angelmembership Angel Reiki School Feeling called to step into your spiritual gifts? Start online today and receive FREE tuition for an in-person training this spring (April 11-13, 2025, in OakBrook, IL) or fall. Become a certified healer through mediumship, angel messages, and energy healing. 👉 https://theangelmedium.com/get-certified New Readings with Julie Book a 25-minute reading recorded for the podcast and social media. Hear what your angels have to say and share their guidance with others! 👉 https://calendly.com/juliejancius/promoreadings Not Sure Where to Start? Email me at julie@theangelmedium.com or book a free discovery call. 👉 https://calendly.com/juliejancius/discovery-call Day 31 of 31 Miracles: Your soul is already perfect, just as it is. Today, your Spirit Team invites you to see yourself through the eyes of the divine—whole, complete, and worthy of love. Release the need to strive for perfection and embrace the beauty of who you are in this moment. You are a unique expression of divine love, and the world is better because you’re in it. Keywords: Bethany Joy Lenz, Dinner for V

Today on the Sisterhood of Sweat, I sit down with Bethany Joy Lenz Did you know Bethany Joy Lenz was a victim of manipulation and "love bombing"? It makes sense now, knowing the kind of toxic environment she escaped. I am so grateful that she was able to share such a vulnerable, deeply personal story. I had no idea that even on the set of One Tree Hill she was trying to escape a cult. Her memoir, "Dinner for Vampires," is more than just a book. To me it's a beacon of hope for anyone who has gone through emotional abuse.

Actress Bethany Joy Lenz is best known for her nine-year run on the early 2000s WB teen classic TV show, One Tree Hill. But in her deliciously juicy new memoir, read by Lenz herself and featuring a few fun cameos from her One Tree Hill days, we see an unexpected side of her – and learn about her life entangled in a religious cult’s control for nearly a decade. Ready to hear the rest of the story? Visit www.yournextlisten.com Stay up to date with us on X, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia and @SimonAudio on FB and X and @Simon.Audio on Instagram. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bethany Joy Lenz opens up with host, Patrick Custer, in this powerful interview where they discuss untapped, dynamic perspectives into her life’s story. Bethany reflects on growing up in a conservative Christian household and discovering her passion for acting at a young age. She also shares her experience navigating the entertainment industry while being part of a high-demand religious group she now recognizes as a cult. As they explore her experiences, Bethany opens up about the challenges of balancing fame during her time on One Tree Hill with the pressures of a controlling environment that blurred the lines between faith and manipulation. She shares deeply personal insights into the struggles of feeling disconnected from God, the weight of living up to others’ expectations, and the process of reclaiming her sense of self. The conversation touches on themes of coercion, healing from shame, and the transformative power of self-discovery. Bethany’s story is an inspiring reminder of the freedom that comes with embracing authenticity and breaking free from the constraints of control. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! __________________ Follow/Watch/Listen/Subscribe: ⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ @rootedrecoverystories⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @patrickcusterproject⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rootedrecoverystories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @rootedrecoverystories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.rootedrecoverystories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ __________________ Cast: Patrick Custer - Host Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@patrick_custer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @patrickcusterproject⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bethany Joy Lenz - Guest Insta: ⁠⁠ @msbethanyjoylenz Book: Dinner For Vampires __________________ Get Help (adiction, mental health/trauma) : Promises Behavioral Health Call: (888) 648-4098 Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.promises.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@promises_bh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ __________________ Production: Produced and Edited by "The Cast Collective" (Nashville, TN) Email: info@thecastcollective.com Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheCastCollective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz joins Chelsea to discuss what it was like to fall prey to a religious cult, to be taken for every penny she had, and finally find small moments of joy after escaping their grasp. Then: A child of powerful members of a *certain religious organization* works to accept that she may have lost her parents forever. * Need some advice from Chelsea? Email us at DearChelseaPodcast@gmail.com * Executive Producer Catherine Law Edited & Engineered by Brad Dickert * * * * * The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the Podcast author, or individuals participating in the Podcast, and do not represent the opinions of iHeartMedia or its employees. This Podcast should not be used as medical advice, mental health advice, mental health counseling or therapy, or as imparting any health care recommendations at all. Individuals are advised to seek independent medical, counseling advice and/or therapy from a competent health care professional with respect to any medical condition, mental health issues, health inquiry or matter, including matters discussed on this Podcast. Guests and listeners should not rely on matters discussed in the Podcast and shall not act or shall refrain from acting based on information contained in the Podcast without first seeking independent medical advice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may remember Bethany Joy Lenz from One Tree Hill (she was Haley James Scott on the show), but today she is being generous with her story of faith and freedom and identity, as she talks about the journey of finding herself in a cult, the manipulation she experienced, and the empowerment she found to break way from it all. She shares even more of this story and the destruction narcissism can cause in her brand new memoir, Dinner for Vampires , which, y’all, I seriously couldn't put down. . . . . Find the show notes here! Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe! . . . . . Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! AG1: Every week of November, AG1 will be running a special Black Friday offer for a free gift with your first subscription, in addition to the Welcome Kit with Vitamin D3+K2. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/soundsfun to see what gift you can get this week! Great American Family: For all the Great American Family goodness, go to pureflix.com to start your free trial! Glorify App : Download the #1 Christian devotional app for free at glorify-app.com/THATSOUNDSFUN . Helix Sleep : Get 25% sitewide + 2 FREE dream pillows with any mattress purchase at helixsleep.com/ThatSoundsFun . . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices