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