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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tom j
Jesus Christ the Catholic Church sucks. Letting an imaginary person destroy a child's life. disturbing.
Cris Lopez
Such a tragic story. My heart aches for Alana and her family. The host and the family does seem to miss the mark on the bigger picture in this story though. Alana was wronged on so many levels, but the fact that Alana had a relative die by suicide points to other factors involving mental illness, which to me is a bigger culprit. I doubt that the relative's influence was the same as Alana's. Sad story though. Thoughts and prayers, yes prayers to all affected 🙏
kd82
What a tragic story told so beautifully. Such a sad sad preventable end of a life of a beautiful person. This is going to stay with me for a long time :(
Alissa Maxwell
This episode had me sobbing the whole time. So deeply moving.
PJ
Her parents should release those original songs. They're beautiful. I'm sure there are other people to whom those songs will speak.