Faith Without Freedom (feat. Bethany Joy Lenz) | Rooted Recovery Stories Ep. 184

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.

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About Bethany Joy Lenz:
Bethany Joy Lenz is an accomplished and award-winning actress and director. She is also a singer, composer, librettist, author, producer, fine artist, and publisher who is most recognizable from her nine-year run on the TV drama One Tree Hill. She has been nominated for an Ambie award and featured in The New York Times, Variety, People and The Hollywood Reporter, among others. Lenz lives in Nashville with her daughter and their three dogs.

Produced and Edited by "The Cast Collective" in Nashville, TN!
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Keywords: trauma, recovery, podcast, mental health, rooted recovery stories, mental health podcast, trauma podcast, anxiety podcast, recovery podcast, coping mechanisms, nashville, trauma, podcast, interview, addiction, alcohol abuse, family, sobriety, help, therapy

[Pis-N-Vnegr]

Once again, thank you so much. I have no idea how to explain it. I wish that I could send this to my siblings, and say seee…these people are Christian and they’re not perfect and God still loves them. I can’t. I’ve realized at my older age that it’s not about proving a point, it’s about loving and accepting family for who they are. We can’t choose our family but we can choose our friends. Everyone wants to be loved, but for who they are and not who someone thinks you should be. There was nobody to save me 40 years ago, so I did sleep in my car and found me. Sometimes that guilt will set in but after watching this, wow. Thank you

[Saundra-jqrm]

Love Joy and an OTH fan. No judgement. I understand coercion but I dont understand some things about her story. It was coercion for 10 yrs? and than to marry the cult leaders son and have a child together? Also, she refers to it as her past life but is it if you share a daughter with the ex husband who is in the cult ? What happened to this cult? She also seems peppy usually people are depressed and traumatized after experiencing a cult.