The Bryce Crawford Podcast

Episode 141: The Baylen Levine Interview
Release Date: October 6, 2025
Host: Bryce Crawford
Guest: Baylen Levine
(Key guests: Peach, Charlie)

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid, deep-dive conversation between host Bryce Crawford and YouTuber Baylen Levine about the evolution of Baylen’s life and career, focusing on his journey through social media fame, personal growth, friendship, struggles with identity, and, ultimately, his deepening Christian faith. The discussion is marked by honesty, introspection, and practical faith advice for listeners navigating their own challenges, especially in the context of youth culture, social media pressures, and the search for authentic freedom and purpose in Christ.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Baylen’s Early YouTube Journey

• Getting Started (05:27–08:10)
  • Began making YouTube prank videos at 17, which led to being kicked out of a Catholic school due to “cussing” and pranks.
  • Felt misunderstood by school and parents:
    "They didn’t really understand social media. Yes, I cussed and yes, we did pranks and stuff, but I had such a bigger mission." (05:27; Baylen Levine)
  • Goal was always bigger than just pranks: wanted to promote sobriety, going after dreams, and authenticity.
  • Gave everything to growing his channel—it became his full “mission”.

The Downside of Social Media Fame

• Losing Himself in Success (08:11–13:29)
  • Social media career, while initially wholesome, slowly became an obsession.
  • Fame changed friendship dynamics:
    "It consumed me… I had no balance… it was just work, work, work." (08:51; Baylen Levine)
  • Began centering self-worth on online attention, comments, and public validation:
    "My self worth was in the attention of others… I was very self-centered." (11:16; Baylen Levine)
  • Friendships suffered, especially notable falling out with best friend Peach and cousin Kyle.
  • Peach became first friend to confront Baylen honestly, challenging his self-centeredness.

The Role of Accountability & Brotherhood

• Honest Friendships (13:46–20:04)
  • Baylen details the importance of having friends who “heart check” and challenge him.
  • “The people that heart check me—even if it stings a little bit—those are the people I love, because I know that they actually care about my soul.” (17:29; Bryce Crawford)
  • Explains how “yes men” dynamics often surround creators and how true brotherhood was born out of adversity with Peach:
    “Brotherhood was born when [Peach] pushed back because he was heart checking.” (19:00; Bryce Crawford)

Turning Point: Low Points and Openness to Faith

• Hitting Rock Bottom (20:18–28:21)
  • Baylen admits he hit a “low point,” feeling lost and open to new perspectives:
    “I was at a low. I was for sure at a low point. I was going through it...” (20:35; Baylen Levine)
  • Peach inspired greater empathy and open-mindedness; encouraged healthier habits outside of camera life.
  • Charlie, another close friend from high school, influenced Baylen through his consistent, faith-fueled morals and decisions.
  • Charlie’s approach: never pushed Christianity, but “always seemed like he knew... how to always do the right thing.” (22:59; Baylen Levine)
• Adoration Experience (28:22–31:22)
  • First genuine prayer experience during Catholic adoration:
    “For the first time in my life... I didn’t ask for something, trying to control it… I was like, God, I don’t know what I’m doing. Just show me the way.” (29:50; Baylen Levine)
  • After surrendering control to God, felt doors opening in life, clearer sense of direction.
  • New phase begins: regular church attendance and intentional spiritual growth.

Freedom, Fulfillment, and Purpose in Christ

• Redefining Freedom (34:51–36:27)
  • Formerly equated “freedom” with doing whatever he wanted.
  • Now understands true freedom is “giving it up to God” and making the right choice:
    “Freedom is when you make the right choice every single time, when you can choose anything... True freedom is giving it up to God.” (35:05-35:15; Baylen Levine)
  • Bryce echoes that freedom in Christ means no longer being controlled by sin or temptation, but trusting in Jesus’ better way.

Social Media Responsibility & Maturing Online

• On Pranks and Influence (36:46–43:35)
  • Reflects on ways prank content escalated as genre grew, leading others to imitate extreme behaviors:
    “It was really us… but people started seeing people take it so far… this is not what I want to stand for.” (39:05–39:19; Baylen Levine)
  • Now more intentional: no longer wants to model disrespect or irresponsibility for viewers.

Application: Living Out Faith & Resisting Temptation

• Handling Anxiety, Temptation, and Shame (46:05–52:45)
  • Prayers and relationship with God help manage anxiety and resist unhealthy coping mechanisms like porn and masturbation:
    “When I would feel anxious or when I would feel depression... I would turn to bad things to try to make myself feel better... but finding comfort in prayer, knowing that’s not from God, that’s the devil.” (46:05–47:33; Baylen Levine)
  • Admits ongoing struggle, shares practical tactics (go outside, gym, church instead of giving into temptation).
  • “Satan knows your name but calls you by your sin. Jesus knows all your sin but calls you by your name.” (52:24; Bryce Crawford)

The Power of Prayer, Forgiveness & Relationships

• Reconciliations & Growth (53:13–55:49)
  • Advocates letting go of hate, reconciling with friends, and praying for those who hurt us:
    “You’re meant to love yourself. You’re meant to love others. You’re meant to forgive.” (53:29–53:32; Baylen Levine)
  • Praying for people you dislike “lifts” hate from your own heart and can transform relationships.

Final Faith Encouragements

• Advice for Listeners (57:24–60:39)
  • Don’t do religious things out of obligation; focus on a real relationship with God: “Don’t just go to church because it’s Sunday... Really go to build your relationship with God.” (57:24–57:47; Baylen Levine)
  • Relationship with God is like family; don’t just “show up for the food and leave,” stay and connect.
  • Being honest, vulnerable, and consistent in prayer—through good times and bad—transforms hearts and lives.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Losing Himself:

  • “That became all that mattered to me… It consumed me to where like I had no balance.”
    — Baylen Levine, 08:11–08:51

• On Accountability:

  • “The people that heart check me—even if it stings a little bit at first—those are the people I love, because I know that they actually care about my soul.”
    — Bryce Crawford, 17:29

• On True Freedom:

  • “Freedom is when you make the right choice every single time, when you can choose anything. True freedom is giving it up to God.”
    — Baylen Levine, 35:05–35:15

• On Faith and Surrender:

  • “For the first time in my life… I didn’t ask for something, trying to control it… I gave it to Him.”
    — Baylen Levine, 29:50–30:23

• On Shame and Grace:

  • “Satan knows your name, but he calls you by your sin. But Jesus knows all of your sin, but he calls you by your name.”
    — Bryce Crawford, 52:24

• On Prayer and Relationships:

  • “The power of prayer has changed my life, in every aspect… Not even just prayer, but living for God.”
    — Baylen Levine, 55:49–56:08

• On Forgiveness:

  • “Pray for the people you don’t like…. It lifts not only for you; you feel such a lift of not feeling that hate dragging you down.”
    — Baylen Levine, 54:17–55:21

Important Timestamps

• 05:27 – Baylen’s origin story: starting on YouTube, being kicked out of Catholic school
• 08:11 – Recognizing unhealthy focus on work and online attention
• 13:46 – The importance of honest friends and being “heart checked”
• 19:00 – Brotherhood and accountability with Peach and Charlie
• 28:22 – Baylen’s first sincere surrender at adoration
• 35:05 – Redefining freedom in Christ
• 36:46 – Reflection on responsible influence and prank culture
• 46:05 – Finding comfort in prayer instead of unhealthy habits
• 52:24 – Powerful quote contrasting Satan and Jesus’ view of identity
• 57:24 – Final advice: build a relationship with God, not just religious routine
• 60:39 – Close with prayer for listeners

Tone & Takeaways

The conversation is marked by vulnerability, warmth, humor, and deep encouragement. Baylen’s tone is honest yet hopeful, offering practical advice and spiritual wisdom drawn from firsthand struggle. Bryce’s role as host amplifies and clarifies these moments with empathy, relatable anecdotes, and scriptural insights. Both emphasize transparency, the journey of sanctification, and the centrality of daily, relational faith over mere rituals.

This episode will particularly resonate with young people navigating fame, social pressures, or anyone seeking real freedom, joy, and meaning beyond what the world offers.

For more, listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.