“Dear Alana,” by TenderfootTV

Summary:

During her teenage years in Colorado, Alana Chen, remembered by those close to her for her generosity and compassion, harbored aspirations of becoming a nun. However, Alana’s life took a tragic turn on December 8, 2019, when she sadly took her own life at the age of 24. “Dear Alana,” delves into the diaries she penned as a young woman, grappling with the complex task of reconciling her strong Catholic faith with her sexual identity. This arduous struggle led her to seek conversion therapy.

Production Notes: Host, Simon Kent Fung, who shares a strikingly similar past, embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind Alana’s fate, while confronting his own past with conversion therapy.

Trigger Warnings: Bullying, Child Abuse, Sexual Assault, Self-harm, Religious Trauma, Suicide, Homophobia, Conversion Therapy

Category/Genre: True Crime

Host: Simon Kent Fung

Sleep Friendly: Pretty good listen as you drift off. There are a few ads but they are for Dateline and other related podcasts. Nothing loud enough to disturb you. Just catch up the next morning. You don’t want to miss any details.

Seasons (as of this review): 1

More information & subscribe: https://dearalana.com/

  • Steven Trotter is a graphic designer (UX/UI, web & branding), photographer, and maker living and working on the Oregon Coast.