Shayne Smith on the Healing Power of Comedy and his Radical Conversion

He was a practicing satanist. A successful comedian. And totally lost.

Then one day, while sitting in the back of a Catholic church, comedian Shayne Smith had a vision of the Virgin Mary that changed his life forever.

In this 100th episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, Shayne opens up about his journey from abuse, violence, and satanism…to freedom, faith, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. He shares how laughter became a way to heal, how radical forgiveness rewired his brain, and how the love of Christ transformed his woundedness into a life of joy—illuminating comedy as a pathway for sharing that joy with others.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro
2:00 How Shayne found comedy (and what makes people laugh)
10:28 The challenge and gifts of ADHD and creativity
18:39 From “the everything guy” to the “Jesus guy”
22:22 Comedy as a sacred calling
26:45 "Laughter is getting close to God."
28:10 Using comedy to uplift rather than tear down
36:00 How conversion redeemed his childhood trauma
43:27 Covering a satanic tattoo to reveal the Trinity
50:07 Shayne's conversion story
56:10 A vision of Mary that changed him instantly
1:06:36 Forgiving those who hurt him
1:11:05 How God redeemed his life experiences
1:15:53 Shayne’s prayer for healing and freedom

God can reach into the depths of darkness to remind us that we are his beloved children and redeem any story—no matter how bleak it might seem right now.

I hope Shayne's story is a source of hope and inspiration for you if you're still struggling to overcome your wounds or if you're seeking a way to use your talents for the glory of God.

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