By Leah MarieAnn Klett, Assistant Editor Thursday, April 23, 2026

Comedian and podcast host Theo Von said he is asking God for “a new story” as he opened up about personal struggles and a desire for change during a recent episode of his podcast, "This Past Weekend."

The moment came after Von took a call from a listener who described feeling trapped in a cycle of loneliness, poor decisions and regret. In response, the 46-year-old comedian related the caller’s experience to his own.

“I’ve been struggling, man,” Von said. “For the past couple years, it’s been a struggle in certain ways with certain behaviors that I’m just not proud of, right? Or really just behaviors that I didn’t want to do anymore.”

Von, who previously revealed he attends Bible study with country star Morgan Wallen, said one of the most difficult aspects of his struggle is the tension between seeking help and doubting whether change will last. He shared how he’s shifted the way he prays in response to that internal conflict.

“I started praying like, ‘God, please help me with this. This is a broken part of me that I bring to You. I need help with it,'” he said. “And then I would add to my prayer. I would say, ‘Even God, even as I pray to You right now, there’s a part of me that knows I’m probably lying to You. There’s a part of me that knows I’m gonna do that behavior again. So can You come into that part of me and help me there?’”

The Louisiana native also pointed to deeper emotional roots, including shame and low self-worth, which he said stem in part from unresolved childhood wounds. He acknowledged that his drive for affirmation and tendency toward people-pleasing have been shaped by those experiences.

As the conversation continued, Von referenced a passage from the Bible, reflecting on the story in John 5, where Jesus asks a man at the pool of Bethesda if he wants to be healed.

“And that’s a crazy question because …” Von said. “If I get healed, then I’m different. If somebody gets healed, they have a new story.”

The question, he said, has prompted ongoing self-examination.

“So that’s just been something that I’ve been having to ask myself,” he said. “It’s like, do I want to be healed? Do I really want something different?”

“And sometimes a lot of the answer is no, I don’t,” he continued. “I want something different, but I don’t know if I’m scared of it. I don’t know what I am. I don’t know if I don’t want to do what it takes to get there. I can’t even tell what it is.”

Despite that uncertainty, the comedian said he's grown weary of repeating the same patterns.

“I’m tired of living that story, man,” he said. “I’m tired of that story.

“But I think I want a new story, dude,” he continued. “And it’s crazy for me to even say that. But yeah, I think I want a new story. So that’s one thing that I’m asking God for — I’m asking God for a new story. I’m asking God for the next part of me.”

Near the end of the episode, Von reiterated his desire for change, adding: “I never thought I would be saying some of this stuff, but I’m glad that I am because I’m ready for a new story."

Von, who recently starred in and produced the comedy film “Busboys” alongside David Spade, has spoken candidly about struggles with addiction, emotional loneliness and mental health. He’s also previously described longing for what he calls “spiritual cleanliness” and connection with God. 

In a 2024 interview with streamer Sketch, Von opened up about his evolving spiritual walk: “Hey, I’m looking for the Lord,” Von said. “I always am. I’ll say, ‘I’m looking for the Lord,” and then somebody told me, ‘The Lord ain’t lost.'”

Other comedians, including Joe Rogan, Matt Rife and Rob Schneider, have also increasingly weighed in on spiritual curiosity in recent years. 

Schneider, an "SNL" alum, opened up about his conversion to Catholicism in a 2023 interview with The Christian Post. 

"I know I can't do the same stuff I used to do," Schneider told CP. "Not because I have anything against what I did; I did what I did, and I felt fine about it at the time. I'm not going to judge myself. But I won't do the same stuff I've done. I don't know what I'm going to do. … I want to come to it from a place of faith, a place of something good in my heart."

Christian comedian Tim Hawkins told CP that in recent years, he's seen signs of change within the comedy world as an increasing number of comedians grapple with questions of faith and purpose.

“These guys who are entrenched in the industry and in the world's entertainment business, it's a dirty place,” he reflected. “We're finding out that with certain files and certain the way the world works. 

“Comedy is a lot of fun, but you'd be surprised; I did a little bit of club work starting out, but it was a very depressing place. It was filled with drug addicts. It was filled with depressed people. A lot of comedians just have issues … we're not the most positive people in the world all the time.”

“Guys like Theo ... these entertainers … are realizing there's more to it, that they've been down these roads, and it doesn't end in a fun place. It doesn't end in a good place. It's like, ‘Well, what are the answers?’ It sets them on a journey for a purpose, because they know how to do comedy. But it's like, ‘Why? What's the point?’ I think it's encouraging, and the more the clean performers succeed, that helps guys like me … it really is kind of a team thing.”

News Source : https://www.christianpost.com/news/theo-von-says-hes-asking-god-for-a-new-story.html