Alana Springsteen grew up in a house where prayer was the answer to everything—including an eating disorder no one talked about out loud.

In this conversation, the country artist opens up about her new album *I Hope This Helps* and the years of quiet work behind it: the breakup that broke her trust in herself, the chameleon habits she picked up as a kid, and the phone call from her 85-year-old pastor grandfather questioning why she'd see a psychiatrist instead of just praying about it.

We talk about:
- Moving to Nashville at 14 with no plan B
- Writing "Love Me Anyway" as a letter to herself, her family, and God
- The moment her mom asked, "Is that your story or mine?"
- Why questions deepened her faith instead of dismantling it
- What it looks like to ask for help in a community that calls it a lack of faith
- Living in the messy middle of a healing journey with no finish line

For anyone who's ever felt like the kid looking through the window at a party they weren't invited to—this one's for you.

Listen to *I Hope This Helps* wherever you stream music.

TIMESTAMPS

00:08 Meet Alana: from Pungo to Nashville
02:39 Has success changed her definition of why
04:36 Finding her "why" beyond fame
07:25 The relationship that shattered her trust
08:41 Writing "Love Me Anyway" as a confession
11:55 Growing up as the family caretaker
15:44 Playing "Note to Self" for her mom
20:29 Faith built on fear vs. transformed faith
26:14 The eating disorder no one talked about
28:42 Her grandfather's reaction to therapy
33:18 Why the album is titled "I Hope This Helps"
37:26 The loneliness of choosing a different path

Alana Springsteen grew up in a house where prayer was the answer to everything&mdash;including an eating disorder no one talked about out loud.
In this conversation, the country artist opens up about her new album *I Hope This Helps* and the years of quiet work behind it: the breakup that broke her trust in herself, the chameleon habits she picked up as a kid, and the phone call from her 85-year-old pastor grandfather questioning why she'd see a psychiatrist instead of just praying about it.
We talk about: - Moving to Nashville at 14 with no plan B - Writing "Love Me Anyway" as a letter to herself, her family, and God - The moment her mom asked, "Is that your story or mine?" - Why questions deepened her faith instead of dismantling it - What it looks like to ask for help in a community that calls it a lack of faith - Living in the messy middle of a healing journey with no finish line
For anyone who's ever felt like the kid looking through the window at a party they weren't invited to&mdash;this one's for you.
Listen to *I Hope This Helps* wherever you stream music.
TIMESTAMPS
00:08 Meet Alana: from Pungo to Nashville 02:39 Has success changed her definition of why 04:36 Finding her "why" beyond fame 07:25 The relationship that shattered her trust 08:41 Writing "Love Me Anyway" as a confession 11:55 Growing up as the family caretaker 15:44 Playing "Note to Self" for her mom 20:29 Faith built on fear vs. transformed faith 26:14 The eating disorder no one talked about 28:42 Her grandfather's reaction to therapy 33:18 Why the album is titled "I Hope This Helps" 37:26 The loneliness of choosing a different path

We’re all looking for something.

 

In If You Can Hear Me, Ben Higgins sits down with people from all walks of life—celebrities, thinkers, everyday folks—to talk about what drives us, what shapes us, and what gives us hope.

 

These are honest conversations about the big stuff: identity, loss, purpose, peace, faith, and everything in between. Some guests have answers. Most are still figuring it out.

 

If you’ve ever felt like there must be more to the story—this show is for you.

We&rsquo;re all looking for something.
&nbsp;
In If You Can Hear Me, Ben Higgins sits down with people from all walks of life&mdash;celebrities, thinkers, everyday folks&mdash;to talk about what drives us, what shapes us, and what gives us hope.
&nbsp;
These are honest conversations about the big stuff: identity, loss, purpose, peace, faith, and everything in between. Some guests have answers. Most are still figuring it out.
&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;ve ever felt like there must be more to the story&mdash;this show is for you.

If You Can Hear Me

Love Me Anyway — Writing the Song I Was Afraid to Play My Mom, with Alana Springsteen

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ad5f28b9-e10b-4e4c-ae4e-b473003ef00f/transcript