Dear Alana,
Tenderfoot TV and iHeartPodcasts
5.0
(12)
4x nominee and WINNER at the 2024 Ambie Awards.
Host Simon Kent Fung explores the life of Alana Chen, a 24-year-old woman who disappeared from Boulder, Colorado in 2019. Alana left behind two dozen journals chronicling a deep faith, love of fashion, and dream of becoming a nun. She also harbored a secret. At 14, she confessed to her priest that she was attracted to women and was instructed not to tell her parents. Over the next seven years, Alana covertly received conversion therapy which her family believes played a role in her fate. Simon, who sought to change his sexual orientation through conversion therapy for nearly a decade in his efforts to become a priest, is compelled to understand the truth of what happened to Alana—and finally face what happened to him. “Dear Alana,” is an unraveling mystery and a poignant spiritual memoir about teenage rebellion and spiritual manipulation, the price we pay to belong and the systems that pay no price at all.
****Named one of the best podcasts of 2023 by Apple, KQED, and Lifehacker, and critically acclaimed by The Guardian, the CBC, and People Magazine.
Explore more at www.dearalana.com
3 Listeners
5.0
(12)
All episodes
Best episodes
Seasons
Top 10 Dear Alana, Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Dear Alana, episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Dear Alana, for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Dear Alana, episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Part 1: Mom
Dear Alana,
08/14/23 • 33 min
Simon travels to Boulder to meet Alana’s mother, Joyce, and becomes determined to help her understand what happened to Alana.
This episode contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. Listener discretion is advised.
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Go deeper at https://dearalana.com/
Subscribe to Tenderfoot+ for ad-free listening and an exclusive binge at tenderfootplus.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
3 Listeners
Part 3: My Secret
Dear Alana,
08/21/23 • 38 min
With access to her 20 journals, Simon discovers Alana’s devotion and obsession with sin, Father Dave’s encroaching influence, and the secret she’s asked to keep.
This episode contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. Listener discretion is advised.
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Explore more at https://dearalana.com/ Subscribe to Tenderfoot+ for ad-free listening and an exclusive binge at tenderfootplus.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2 Listeners
Part 2: Father
Dear Alana,
08/14/23 • 32 min
Simon recounts his earlier calling to the priesthood. Alana sneaks out to church, and meets a controversial priest who advises her on becoming a nun.
This episode contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. Listener discretion is advised.
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Explore more at https://dearalana.com/
Subscribe to Tenderfoot+ for ad-free listening and an exclusive binge at tenderfootplus.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2 Listeners
Part 7: Notre Dame is Burning
Dear Alana,
09/18/23 • 45 min
Alana’s newfound love separates her from her church. As Notre Dame Cathedral burns, so does her faith. But as her self-acceptance grows, her life takes a tragic turn.
This episode contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. Listener discretion is advised.
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Explore more at https://dearalana.com/ Subscribe to Tenderfoot+ for ad-free listening and an exclusive binge at tenderfootplus.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Listener
Part 8: The Saint
Dear Alana,
09/25/23 • 45 min
Alana’s mother seeks justice amidst the Church’s denial. Simon confronts his past. And another tragedy befalls the Chen household, destroying almost everything.
This episode contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. Listener discretion is advised.
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Explore more at https://dearalana.com/ Subscribe to Tenderfoot+ for ad-free listening and an exclusive binge at tenderfootplus.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Listener
'Dear Alana,' [Teaser]
Dear Alana,
08/08/23 • 1 min
Alana’s mother finds a letter Alana wrote to herself before she died, a letter that reveals the very complicated relationship she had with her family, her church, and herself. Host Simon Kent Fung explores the life of Alana Chen, a devout young woman from Colorado whose journals bring up his own demons.
Premieres August 14th.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Listener
Part 5: Piece of the Pie
Dear Alana,
09/04/23 • 38 min
Alana starts college and thrives in her new community, which creates conflict with her old friends. Alana is rushed to the ER after a suicide scare.
This episode contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. Listener discretion is advised.
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Explore more at https://dearalana.com/ Subscribe to Tenderfoot+ for ad-free listening and an exclusive binge at tenderfootplus.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Listener
11/15/23 • 0 min
Hi, Dear Alana fans! Tenderfoot TV and iHeartPodcasts have teamed up for another exciting podcast called Talking to Death, hosted by Up and Vanished creator Payne Lindsey. Since you love our previous podcast collaborations, we think you'll like this one too. Don't just take our word for it, though. Check out this trailer and start listening today!
Show Description: Up and Vanished host and creator Payne Lindsey wants to talk you to death in his first “true crime” talk show (that may or may not actually be about true crime). Pull up a chair as Payne and guests talk about all things crime, life, mystery, and fun. From Tenderfoot TV and iHeartRadio comes a new weekly series, Talking to Death. Take a listen... odds are, you won’t die.
Listen to Talking to Death on the iHeartRadio app, or wherever you get your podcasts!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Listener
Bonus 1: Dr. Hillary McBride
Dear Alana,
09/15/23 • 23 min
Host Simon Kent Fung sits down with trauma therapist Dr. Hillary McBride to delve deeper into the mental health dimensions of Dear Alana.
This episode contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. Listener discretion is advised.
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Explore more at https://dearalana.com/ Subscribe to Tenderfoot+ for an extended version of this interview and ad-free listening at tenderfootplus.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Listener
09/06/24 • 33 min
On July 27th, 1996, a domestic terrorist bombed the Summer Olympic Games held in Atlanta, GA. While the FBI and the media fixated on the wrong man, the bomber planned his next, more overtly political attacks on 2 abortion clinics and a gay nightclub. The bomber would later be identified as a dedicated soldier in the white-supremacist Christian Identity Movement. Through the lens of these 4 bombings, and the victims left to pick up the pieces, Flashpoint explores America's greatest threat, the political and religious radicalization of homegrown terrorists.
Binge the whole season now. Click here to listen to the show.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Listener
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FAQ
How many episodes does Dear Alana, have?
Dear Alana, currently has 14 episodes available.
What topics does Dear Alana, cover?
The podcast is about True Crime, Podcasts, Society & Culture and Personal Journals.
What is the most popular episode on Dear Alana,?
The episode title 'Part 1: Mom' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Dear Alana,?
The average episode length on Dear Alana, is 27 minutes.
How often are episodes of Dear Alana, released?
Episodes of Dear Alana, are typically released every 6 days, 21 hours.
When was the first episode of Dear Alana,?
The first episode of Dear Alana, was released on Aug 1, 2023.
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Show more FAQ