Dear Alana

05/04/2024

We’re thrilled to announce that Dear Alana is nominated for a award! We need your help to bring home gold.
VOTE now: https://bit.ly/4aDsqHV

22/02/2024

We’re thrilled to announce that Dear Alana has been nominated in four categories by The Podcast Academy. We’re so proud of this series and honored to be recognized for excellence in audio. Check out all of our nominations!

31/01/2024

We’re thrilled to announce Dear Alana has won two awards in this year’s The Anthem Awards. Winning gold in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and bronze in Education, Art & Culture. Simon and the team are so grateful for all who have listened and shared Alana’s story with the world.

06/12/2023

We’re thrilled to announce that Dear Alana has been selected as a finalist for two awards in this year’s . The categories include Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Education, Art & Culture. Celebrate social impact work within the industry by voting for us and your favorite podcasts. Visit https://bento.me/dearalana and click "Vote Here!"

28/11/2023

We’re so excited to be featured by Apple Podcasts as a Shows We Love pick for 2023! Thank you to all who have turned in and shared Alana's story. Check it out on Apple Podcasts here: apple.co/SWLdearalana

27/11/2023

Alana enters treatment and comes clean to her family. While still actively seeking Conversion Therapy behind their back, she falls in love. Listen to episode 6, on or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. apple.co/dearalana

15/11/2023

At the immersive exhibit last weekend at , we asked listeners and attendees the following:

What is something beautiful about who you are that you wish your teenage self could have known? Write a message to your 14-year-old self.

Thank you to everyone who generously shared their messages.

03/11/2023

What would you say to your younger self? DM us a short message to yourself (

29/10/2023

Calling all listeners! We invite you to an immersive exhibit as part of the .tv experience at next weekend. Step into the story as never before. You can attend for free in-person (with RSVP) or participate remotely by sharing your own writing to be featured in the exhibit:

What is something beautiful about you that you wish your teenage self could have known? Send us a short message to yourself (

13/10/2023

Alana left behind nearly two-dozen journals, which her family later discovered. Her writings chronicle her love of fashion, dream of becoming a nun, and secrets that she had kept from everyone.

Listen to Dear Alana, at the link in our bio.

13/10/2023

Through her journals, Simon discovers Alana’s close relationship with a priest—a man who she confided in and looked up to as a mentor. It was this spiritual director who, she revealed, asked her to keep a crucial secret.

13/10/2023

Simon’s own spiritual director had been helping him decide to join the seminary. When he shares his own secret with his priest, he’s guided to a controversial kind of therapy.

Catch up on now at the link in our bio.

09/10/2023

When Simon read about Alana in the news, he felt compelled to learn more. Like Alana, he had a deep connection with God. But unlike Alana, God was his only friend. Listen to Simon and Alana’s story at the link in our bio.

04/10/2023

Today is the last day to vote for Dear Alana, in this year's
Signal Awards. Visit http://vote.signalaward.com and search "Dear Alana" to cast your vote!

I just voted for this finalist to win a Signal Listener's Choice Award. You should too.

03/10/2023

In episode 1 of Dear Alana, we meet Alana Chen. An outgoing, devout young woman from Boulder Colorado, who is learning about herself and committed to following God. Listen to Dear Alana, on Apple Podcasts. apple.co/dearalana

29/09/2023

As we come to the close of National Su***de Prevention Month, here are 5 steps you can take to prevent su***de.

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the Su***de and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. For more information on mental health resources, visit dearalana.com/resources

***deprevention #988

25/09/2023

The outpouring of emotion from the Dear Alana community has been tremendous. We've all been touched by Alana's story in deeply personal ways. We invite you to share your own story. How has Dear Alana impacted you?

Comment below, or share a story and tag . Or if you'd like to do so privately, DM us or send an email to [email protected]

25/09/2023

While another tragedy befalls the Chen household, Alana's mother seeks justice amidst the Church's denial. Listen to the finale of Dear Alana today, apple.co/dearalana

20/09/2023

Alana had many friends. And she met her best friend in kindergarten. That friendship would endure, even as things would get rocky.

Listen to Dear Alana on .
apple.co/dearalana

20/09/2023

At 13, Alana felt a unique calling. She was fascinated by Mother Teresa’s nuns and their way of life—a life devoted to serving God and the poor. Alana decided that was what she wanted to do too.

Listen to Alana’s story of belief, belonging, and betrayal. apple.co/dearalana

20/09/2023

Like Alana, Simon also felt a calling. He wanted to become a priest. He was determined to follow God, no matter what the cost.

Learn more about Alana and Simon’s spiritual journey, apple.co/dearalana.

18/09/2023

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. Listen to episode 7 now, apple.co/dearalana

14/09/2023

Alana enters treatment and comes clean to her family. While still actively seeking Conversion Therapy behind their back, she falls in love. Listen to episode 6 of Dear Alana now. apple.co/dearalana

05/09/2023

As Simon discovers more about Alana, and her devout commitment to becoming a saint, he’s compelled to understand the truth of what happened to her—and finally face what happened to him. Learn more about Alana's story here, apple.co/dearalana.

05/09/2023

Simon had dealt with his own struggles to belong in his spiritual community while hiding his sexuality. When he learned of Alana's story, he found parallels between his journey and Alana's. Listen to Dear Alana here, apple.co/dearalana.

05/09/2023

Alana Chen dreamed of becoming a saint. Her devout spirit and compassion were clear from an early age. Alana's family remembers her dedicating time to help feed the homeless and speaking with struggling community members, providing them with hope and prayers, and a shoulder to cry on. 🎧 apple.co/dearalana

30/08/2023

Through their spiritual mentors, Alana and Simon are introduced to Conversion Therapy. Simon explores the psychological & theological theories behind this practice and reflects on his eagerness to change his same-sex attraction. Listen to episode 4 here, apple.co/dearalana

29/08/2023

Belief, belonging, betrayal. Listen to music inspired by the podcast Dear Alana, curated by host Simon Kent Fung. Featuring music by Toulouse, Regina Spektor, and more. Listen here, https://loom.ly/jkYocHA on Apple Music.

29/08/2023

As Simon and Joyce read page after page of Alana's journals, they discover her devotion and obsession with sin, Father Dave’s encroaching influence, and the secret she’s asked to keep from her loved ones. Are you caught up with last week's episode of Dear Alana? Listen here, apple.co/dearalana