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Dear Alana,

Dear Alana,

By: Tenderfoot TV and iHeartPodcasts
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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

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Episodes
  • Introducing "Dear Alana,"

    Introducing "Dear Alana,"
    Aug 7 2023

    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.
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    2 mins
  • 'Dear Alana,' [Teaser]

    'Dear Alana,' [Teaser]
    Aug 8 2023

    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.
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    2 mins
  • Part 1: Mom

    Part 1: Mom
    Aug 14 2023

    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.
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    33 mins
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