Dear Alana, – Details, episodes & analysis
Podcast details
Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.
Dear Alana,
Tenderfoot TV and iHeartPodcasts
Frequency: 1 episode/49d. Total Eps: 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
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Apple Podcasts
🇺🇸 USA - personalJournals
18/06/2026#81🇺🇸 USA - personalJournals
17/06/2026#78🇩🇪 Germany - personalJournals
16/06/2026#65🇺🇸 USA - personalJournals
16/06/2026#83🇺🇸 USA - personalJournals
15/06/2026#98🇺🇸 USA - personalJournals
14/06/2026#82🇺🇸 USA - personalJournals
13/06/2026#70🇺🇸 USA - personalJournals
12/06/2026#89🇺🇸 USA - personalJournals
11/06/2026#79🇺🇸 USA - personalJournals
10/06/2026#79
Spotify
No recent rankings available
Shared links between episodes and podcasts
Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
See all- https://omnystudio.com/listener
1130504 shares
- https://dearalana.com/
16 shares
- http://www.tenderfootplus.com
2 shares
- https://apple.co/flashpoint
2 shares
RSS feed quality and score
Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.
See allScore global : 69%
Publication history
Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.
Part 8: The Saint
Season 1 · Episode 8
lundi 25 septembre 2023 • Duration 45:18
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.
----
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.
Part 7: Notre Dame is Burning
Season 1 · Episode 7
lundi 18 septembre 2023 • Duration 45:29
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.
----
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.
Introducing "Dear Alana,"
Season 1
lundi 7 août 2023 • Duration 02:05
A devout Colorado youth, Alana Chen, disappears from Boulder, leaving behind dozens of journals that reveal her aspiration to become a nun alongside fatal secrets about sexuality and faith. Host, Simon Kent Fung, who shares a strikingly similar past, embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind her fate, while confronting his own demons.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bonus 1: Dr. Hillary McBride
Season 1
vendredi 15 septembre 2023 • Duration 23:51
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.
------------------------------------------------------
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.
Part 6: DEFILED
Season 1 · Episode 6
lundi 11 septembre 2023 • Duration 40:22
Alana enters treatment and comes clean to her family. While still actively seeking Conversion Therapy behind their back, she falls in love.
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.
----
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.
Part 5: Piece of the Pie
Season 1 · Episode 5
lundi 4 septembre 2023 • Duration 38:12
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.
----
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.
Part 4: Judo
Season 1 · Episode 4
lundi 28 août 2023 • Duration 46:10
Through their spiritual mentors, Alana and Simon are introduced to Conversion Therapy. A deep dive into the psychological & theological theories behind this practice.
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.
----
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.
Part 3: My Secret
Season 1 · Episode 3
lundi 21 août 2023 • Duration 38:10
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.
----
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.
Part 2: Father
Season 1 · Episode 2
lundi 14 août 2023 • Duration 32:12
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.
----
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.
Part 1: Mom
Season 1 · Episode 1
lundi 14 août 2023 • Duration 33:08
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.
----
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.
Related Shows Based on Content Similarities
