On the surface, Dear Alana, is a podcast about the life and death of Alana Chen. But as the series reveals its layers, it becomes much more than that.

Alana took her own life in December 2019 at 24. Growing up, she was a happy, religiously devout child. As Alana grew older, her faith blossomed even more. She considered becoming a nun for the Catholic church. Alana also found herself attracted to girls. So, at age 14, she turned to a priest for guidance.

The priest counseled Alana over the next seven years to repress what he deemed were impure thoughts. He told her not to tell her family because their acceptance might lead her into temptation. After years of conversion therapy, Alana was self-harming and depressed. When her parents learned about the abuse, they took steps to help her heal. Alana seemed to be doing better, studying to become a therapist. Then, Alana died by suicide.

Alana's story seemed shocking to Simon Kent Fung. He found the details reflective of his own life. As a young man, Fung dreamed of joining the priesthood. But he worried his attraction to other men would get in the way of his goals. So, he sought out and underwent conversion therapy.

Dear Alana, is, in part, an investigation into Alana's life. But the subject matter is personal to the podcast host. Fung shares his own experiences along the way. What emerges is a heartrending story. It spotlights young people forced into molds they can't fit in and breaking in the process.

In making Dear Alana, Fung wants to expose the harm religious leaders can inflict through dubious practices. Listeners may find it difficult to stop listening to this riveting account. The short-form podcast has eight compelling episodes.