Hollywood, Prayer, and Hugh Hefner: A Conversation with Karen Covell
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September 17, 2025
What happens when faith collides with Hollywood? When a young woman says yes to an unexpected path that changes the course of her life and eventually the lives of thousands around the globe?
That is exactly the story Karen Covell has lived, and it is the story she shared with me on the Say Yes Anyway Podcast.
A Life Shaped by Adventure and Creativity
Karen grew up with an adventurous spirit, thanks to her father’s encouragement, and a love of creativity that fueled her early passion for acting and storytelling. Like many, she thought her path would be in front of the camera. But God had other plans.
After becoming a Christian in college, Karen felt a stirring: a desire to make a difference not just in Hollywood, but for Hollywood. That desire would eventually lead her to become a producer and, even more significantly, the founder of the Hollywood Prayer Network.
Building a Bridge Between Faith and Entertainment
The Hollywood Prayer Network began as a small step of obedience and has now grown into 170 chapters across 42 countries. Its mission is to bring prayer, encouragement, and love into an industry that shapes culture more than any other.
Karen shared the challenges of standing at the intersection of two worlds that often do not understand each other, the church and the entertainment industry. Yet she has faithfully walked that tension, choosing compassion over criticism and prayer over judgment.
Moments of Courage and Connection
One of the most moving parts of Karen’s story is her willingness to open her home and her heart, even in times of uncertainty. During the pandemic, she and her husband welcomed people into their home to pray, connect, and find hope.
And then there is her unlikely, profound interview with Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy. Rather than approaching him with condemnation, she met him with compassion. That conversation became a picture of what it looks like to bring light into unexpected places. And you would never expect what she heard from Hugh Hefner…he said he had never experienced love. The only love he experienced was from a bunny his mother gave him. That is what inspired him to create playboy. It came from brokenness and a desire to be loved. A reminder that all of us desire to be loved. Definitely listen to the full episode for the whole story.
The Power of Saying Yes
Karen’s life is a powerful reminder that when we say yes to God’s nudges, even when they take us into uncharted territory, He opens doors we could never have imagined.
If you have ever wrestled with balancing your faith and your calling, or wondered whether your yes could really make a difference, Karen’s story is proof that it can.
Keep Saying Yes
Karen’s journey challenges us all. What is the yes in front of you right now? What unexpected path might lead to a ripple effect bigger than you ever dreamed?
For more about Karen and her incredible work, visit KarenCovell.com or explore the resources available at the Hollywood Prayer Network.
And if this story moved you, make sure to subscribe to the Say Yes Anyway Podcast so you do not miss more conversations like this one.
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Keep saying yes to the moments that ignite your soul.
Jess Dahl
Listen to full episode here.
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