GET REAL WITH CAROLINE HOBBY - Getting Real with Alana Springsteen: Healing Out Loud

Summary

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Podcast Summary

The Bobby Bones Show: GET REAL WITH CAROLINE HOBBY

Episode: Getting Real with Alana Springsteen: Healing Out Loud
Date: August 1, 2026

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Episode Overview

This moving and deeply authentic conversation features country singer-songwriter Alana Springsteen in conversation with host Caroline Hobby. They dig into Alana’s journey of embracing vulnerability, healing childhood wounds, navigating complicated family and religious dynamics, and learning to "heal out loud" through music. The discussion orbits Alana’s recent album, her creative process, and the courage it takes to be honest about pain, faith, and self-discovery, especially in the context of a close-knit and religious Southern family.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Alana’s Upbringing, Family Dynamics, and Early Musical Journey

• Alana’s roots: Grew up in a small town with deeply religious Southern Baptist roots, both grandfathers were pastors, parents had her at 20 while at Liberty University, an ultra-conservative Christian college.
• Early move to Nashville: She moved to Music City at 14, supported by supportive but non-industry parents who drove her 12 hours quarterly for writing sessions (03:21).
  • Quote: “Girl, there was never a plan B for me. Like, I always knew. I always knew. There was just, like. I felt like it was my purpose.” – Alana (03:23)
• Music as language and therapy: Alana always processed life through music, finding her people in Nashville: “Music is my first language. It's how I process my emotions.” (04:02)

2. Exploring Shame, Family Expectation, and Bravery

• Guilt and shame in her family’s story: Growing up with stigma around her parents’ out-of-wedlock pregnancy and the conservative backdrop, Alana internalized being a people pleaser and struggled with perfectionism (05:13, 08:16).
• Bravery in songwriting: With her songs “Note to Self” and “Same God,” Alana shares the mess and vulnerability of her story, despite the fear of letting her family or faith community down.
  • Quote: “It was so terrifying because you don't want to let your family, your parents down, you don't want to let your God down...but you know, you have to go figure it out.” – Caroline (06:53)
  • Quote: “I had not felt brave this whole way through.” – Alana (07:32)

3. Early Trauma, Therapy, and Healing

• People pleasing and self-abandonment: A toxic nine-month relationship was a catalyst, shaking Alana’s self-trust and prompting self-examination of lifelong people-pleasing patterns (08:16–09:55).
  • Quote: “Why am I so good at shape shifting? Why am I so quick to abandon myself for other people?” – Alana (08:19)
• Therapy & EMDR: Despite family resistance rooted in religious stigma, therapy (specifically EMDR) was pivotal (11:04–12:44).
  • Quote: “There’s so much stigma around therapy...I got so many calls from family members like, why are you seeing a psychiatrist? They're going to brainwash you.” – Alana (11:04)
• Healing childhood wounds: Alana found the courage to revisit and care for her “younger self,” translating these insights into her songwriting (“Note to Self”); she describes protecting her little brothers from her parent’s arguments and taking on a caretaker role (13:41–14:39).

4. Navigating Faith vs. Religion

• Drawing the line: Alana distinguishes between damaging religious rules/judgment and the sustaining nature of faith.
  • Quote: “To me, it's like faith on one side and religion on the other. And I have more issues with religion than with faith...at the end of the day, what does it matter? It's the same God.” – Alana (11:21)
• Family reactions: Performing vulnerable songs (“Same God”) for her pastor-grandfather and Nana was a nerve-wracking, pivotal moment—her grandfather remained in denial/avoidance, while her Nana expressed concern but also empathy (18:27–26:18).

5. Living Authentically and Boundary Setting

• Authenticity as healing: Caroline relates deeply to feeling “unworthy” and finding validation through Alana’s work. They discuss embracing emotional depth, breaking codependent cycles, and learning not to shoulder others’ feelings or happiness.
  • Quote: “All the things that make you different, that make you feel like you don’t fit in, that make you feel misunderstood, are your superpower.” – Alana (60:25)
• Bodily awareness: Therapy has helped Alana identify and honor how feelings physically manifest, supporting her on stage and in life (23:25–24:44).
• People-pleasing and boundaries: Both acknowledge that people-pleasing is ingrained, but setting boundaries is necessary for health (46:11–47:47).
• Quote: “When it comes to my parents, we’re actually closer than we ever have been because it’s for the first time, like, fully honest.”—Alana (47:45)

6. Creative Process & Healing Through Music

• Music as catharsis: Alana sees songwriting as a way to put pain and growth “outside of” herself: “Having this album has saved me…” (50:58–51:48)
• Encouragement to create: Both advocate for everyone, not just musicians, to process emotions creatively—writing, art, cooking—rather than letting pain “sit” inside (51:38).

7. Touring, Milestones, and Looking Ahead

• Keith Urban tour: Alana recounts the wisdom and growth-mindset of Keith Urban, plus a humorous anecdote about his tour shirts (52:07–54:02).
  • Quote: “We’re all perpetual students … even where he’s at, like, peak success, he’s still going, how do I learn more? How can I be better?” – Alana (52:07)
• Performing iconic venues: The moment of playing Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena with Urban was “like putting your hand into a light socket” (55:16).
• Up next: First European headlining tour (Spain, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England—58:09), followed by a fall US headlining tour.
• No relation to Bruce Springsteen! (59:22)
• Recent single: “Same God” as a key focus track (59:37).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Healing Out Loud:

  “So much of the past two years has been me keeping promises to myself and like building trust with myself because for so many years I let myself down. I abandoned myself.” — Alana (22:44)

• On Faith and Breaking Cycles:

  “If I truly did believe that…and I felt like someone I loved was doing something that would send them to a place of endless torment, that's how I would react too...The thing is we just believe differently about that.” — Alana (34:16–35:21)

  “I want to be close to God…out of a place of love…not fear.” — Alana (35:41)

• On Performing Vulnerable Work for Family:

  “That was the most honest conversation I’ve ever had with my grandparents...I want to have honesty with my relationships and honesty with myself.” – Alana (18:31–19:14)

• Therapeutic Wisdom:

  “If you spend your whole life trying to make your mother happy, you’re going to bury your happiness with her.” – Alana quoting her therapist (48:44)

• Final Words of Inspiration:

  “All the things that make you different, that make you feel like you don’t fit in, that make you feel misunderstood, are your superpower.” — Alana (60:25)

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Important Timestamps

• Getting to Nashville, family dynamics: 03:21–04:32
• Bravery in songwriting, overcoming fear: 06:53–07:32
• Relationship trauma, people-pleasing patterns: 08:10–09:55
• Therapy & healing childhood wounds: 11:04–14:39
• Family, faith, and playing vulnerable songs for grandparents: 18:06–26:18
• Creative process, advocating for vulnerability: 31:35–38:52
• Onstage growth and learning embodiment: 23:25, 55:16
• Keith Urban tour stories: 52:07–54:02
• Upcoming European and US tour: 57:45–59:08
• Alana’s message to listeners: 60:25

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Summary and Takeaway

This episode offers a masterclass in vulnerability and emotional intelligence as Alana Springsteen and Caroline Hobby unpack what it means to heal publicly and privately. From family tensions and religious complexities to romantic betrayals and the invisible work of therapy, Alana’s story is one of learning to set boundaries, embrace difference, and turn pain into powerful music. Both agree that making space for emotional messiness is a superpower, not a defect.

Listen for:

• Honest reflections on family, faith, and therapy
• Bravery required to write and perform autobiographical work
• Validation for anyone who feels “different” or “too much”
• Stories from the road, and the ongoing journey toward wholeness

Alana’s message: Embrace the traits that make you “not fit in”—they’re your gift to the world.

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Transcript

[Alana Springsteen]

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[Alana Springsteen]

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[Alana Springsteen]

Caroline, She's a queen of talking. Hey, what's on your mind?

[Advertiser Voice]

She's getting real not afraid to feel

Take her soul to soul Just let it flow no one can do it quite like Caroline.

[Alana Springsteen]

It's time for Caroline.

[Podcast Host]

I'm here with Alana Springsteen. Let's go. I think the first time I met you was at Tranny's baby shower.

[Alana Springsteen]

That's right. It was so random and like I feel like just serendipitous. I've known Tranny since I was like 12.

[Advertiser Voice]

How?

[Podcast Host]

Oh my God. By the way, Tranny is an amazing songwriter. What's her new last name?

[Alana Springsteen]

Anderson.

[Podcast Host]

Tranny Anderson. She moved to town she's from my hometown of Waco, Texas. I knew her when she was a kid. She wanted to be a songwriter, and now she's here writing for people like Alana Springsteen.

[Alana Springsteen]

I love her story so much. If you don't know tranny, you know her songs.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, for sure. Just. And she's just like. I just love her so much because, like, this was her calling, and she is just doing it.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

So what did y' all write together?

[Alana Springsteen]

So we were. We started writing back when I was not even driving. Like, I moved to Nashville when I was 14. Signed publishing deal.

[Podcast Host]

How did you get to Nashville when you were 14?

[Alana Springsteen]

I mean, girl, there was never a plan B for me. Like, I always knew. I always knew. There was just, like. I felt like it was my purpose. And granted, I. My family's not in the industry at all. Grew up in a small town, so there was no church, right?

[Advertiser Voice]

Yeah.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah. Both my granddads are pastors.

[Podcast Host]

Okay.

[Alana Springsteen]

So there was no, like, set path to follow. It was very much like, figure it out as you go. Just walk through the doors that open. But it was God the whole way through. And, um, when I got to Nashville for the first time, it was just like an instant. Fell in love with it. It was an instant love affair. I. I just felt like for the first time, I was with people that spoke the same language.

[Podcast Host]

I get that.

[Alana Springsteen]

I always say, like, music is my first language.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Alana Springsteen]

It's. It's how I process my emotions. It's how I have my hardest conversations. And for the first time, it was like, okay, I don't feel like a. An outlier anymore. I just. I feel like I fit. You know, These people get it. Um, so my parents were amazing enough to.

[Podcast Host]

They took you here?

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah, that. Quarterly trips. We would drive 12 hours in the car to come to Nashville four times a year. Virginia Beach.

[Podcast Host]

So they were, like, here for the dream.

[Advertiser Voice]

Yeah.

[Alana Springsteen]

Oh, my God.

[Narrator/Advertiser Voice]

Yeah.

[Alana Springsteen]

I mean, I'm grateful that they. They're kind of. The way they grew up, too was a little untraditional. Like, they had me when they were 20. Dropped out of college and just together. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Were they married?

[Alana Springsteen]

They weren't married.

[Podcast Host]

Okay.

[Alana Springsteen]

So it was a little bit drama.

[Podcast Host]

So were they. Were their parents upset? Because both their parents are preach.

[Alana Springsteen]

Oh, yeah. I mean, it was. It was drama. And they were going to Liberty University,

[Podcast Host]

so is that even more.

[Alana Springsteen]

It's just like a very Christian, especially back then when they went, it was like, super. Don't hold hands in public. Don't, like, super conservative Christian.

[Podcast Host]

You Talk about note to self. Like that song, how you wrote that for you, but also for your mom.

[Alana Springsteen]

Also for my mom.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. Yeah. Okay.

[Alana Springsteen]

I mean, there's so much to dig into there. But they tell this story now. Like, when they thought they might be pregnant, they. They were scared to even go out and buy a pregnancy test because classmates might see them walk into the Walgreens or whatever. It was such a small town, so there was just a lot of guilt and shame that they started their marriage with, I think, oh, that's hard, if that makes sense.

[Podcast Host]

Hard. And it's hard because, like, we were talking right before we got into this, like. And I love your song. Same God, thank you. I feel that so much because, okay, I'm scattered, raining. I'm like, I'm squirreling, but I'm gonna come back around. So I relate to you so much because I feel like I moved here from a small town of Waco, Texas. I had an incredible family. Nobody was in the music industry, but just, like, a good family, good values, all the things. But I always felt like, okay, I have to get out of here. Like, I have to get to the. Where all the creative people are. Even though it was a great, amazing community.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

And so I get to Nashville, and I just feel like I was. I have just been searching my whole life. I have been searching my whole life. I'd been looking for answers. I thought maybe people had the answers. I thought maybe love would be the answer. I thought maybe, you know, God is the answer. But, like, I didn't know where to find God because you grow up with one example of God through church. And then that didn't always, like, totally sit perfectly well with me. Like, I knew that there were parts about the religious aspect that I learned in church that weren't totally aligned with me, and then I just didn't know where I belonged. And then I always felt like I was unworthy, and I just have been searching my whole life. So when I heard your album, like, and her Note to Self and Same God, I was like, oh, my God. You're brave enough to write all this, though.

[Advertiser Voice]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Because that takes bravery to speak that out loud because you're kind of telling your upbringing and your family, like, I love you so much, but, like, this is me and all of my mess that I am trying to discover, and I'm trying to really figure out who I am, and I'm not afraid to voice the messy parts, and I was so scared to speak that out loud. How did you get that bravery? Because that's so terrifying because you don't want to let your family, let your parents down, you don't want to let your God down or religion or whatever you've grown up with. But, you know, you have to go figure it out. Sometimes it's a mess, and sometimes you make mistakes, but you're writing about it.

[Alana Springsteen]

Totally.

[Podcast Host]

How are you so brave?

[Alana Springsteen]

Oh, my God.

[Podcast Host]

For.

[Alana Springsteen]

Well, thank you. I had not felt brave this whole

[Podcast Host]

way through, but I feel, like, nervous and sick.

[Alana Springsteen]

You know, it's funny you even mentioned that word, because I look back, I think this journey started a little sooner than I even would like to admit. Like, when I released 20 something, there's like, three parts. Yeah, three parts.

[Podcast Host]

You had a lot to say right off the bat.

[Alana Springsteen]

Well, granted, I had been in town for probably eight years at that point. Okay, so I had been writing and it was like, songs that I had written within a season of my life, but it just, like, wrote itself in a way. And when I wrote the title track, it was just like those songs were me starting to ask the real questions.

[Podcast Host]

And what were the questions you were wanting to know?

[Alana Springsteen]

Why am I such a people pleaser?

[Podcast Host]

Same.

[Alana Springsteen]

Why do I. Why am I so good at shape shifting? Why am I so quick to abandon myself for other people?

[Podcast Host]

Even know you're doing it, though. It took me so long to figure that out.

[Alana Springsteen]

So I had a little bit of a wake up call. I dated a guy who lied to me about everything he ever told me. And we were together for about nine months. But it shook me to my core. I mean, when, like, what, everything came to light. So he was essentially a con artist. Like, he was pretending to be a professional golfer. Had me fooled, had my parents fooled, had my friends fooled. Like, kept us going for a while.

[Podcast Host]

That's a big. That's a big front to hold.

[Alana Springsteen]

It was crazy. And looking back still, I'm, like, half expecting there to be a Netflix documentary at any minute about this man and be like, oh, my God, there he is on my tv. But, like, all jokes aside, it really did shake me. It rocked my trust in other people. I was so trusting, like, so naive, so optimistic about everything. I wanted to see the best in people. And it also rocked my trust in myself, which was the worst part of it. And I realized that, God, if I can be so wrong about this, like, what else in my life am I getting wrong? And I realized that I was living my life for other people for so much of my life. I'm. I'm the oldest of four kids. You Know firstborn daughter to, like, babies practically. They were 20 years old when they had me, so I just, like, learned from a really young age before I even knew what I was doing. How to take care of other people and abandon my own needs.

[Podcast Host]

So. Okay. And note to self. I have, like, all the lyrics on here because there's things I wanted to talk to you about that. It's like your younger brothers are crying, and you were soldiering, hiding in your bedroom, trying to keep it. Trying to keep it locked up inside. You just ignored all the sirens. If I could go back in time, I tried to write it out. Note to self. And then this part. I'm gonna cry because you say, I know you had to get us through some hell. You couldn't put a name to what you felt because you never hurt like that before. But you aren't alone anymore. I got you. Not like you went back for your younger self.

[Alana Springsteen]

That is. Oh, my God, you're killing. You're gonna make me cry, girl. But, like, that is it because I

[Podcast Host]

just went back for my. I've been trying to go back for my younger self for so long, and it took me until like, 40 to even know how to do that. But, like, you went back and you got her.

[Alana Springsteen]

Oh, I did. That's what it felt like. Like, it felt like. So a big part of, like, the tools that have really helped me through this process, one big thing has been therapy. And I had to really, like, find that on my own because coming from a family that's very religious, you know, Southern Baptist, Christian, there's so much stigma around therapy.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Alana Springsteen]

I. I got so many calls from family members that were like, why are you seeing a psychiatrist? Like, they're going to brainwash you. You know, pray about it.

[Podcast Host]

Go to.

[Alana Springsteen]

Go to see a Christian counselor. Go. Like.

[Podcast Host]

So is your childhood trauma mainly around the church? A little bit. Um, not in, like, God. I'm not talking about God.

[Alana Springsteen]

There's so much to dig into there. Yeah. I would say, like, a big part of the work I've done is separating. Separating? Yeah, we're. We're like the. Where people get involved in religion. To me, it's like faith on one side and religion on the other. And I have more issues with religion same than with faith. Like, faith has been so intrinsic to me my whole life, and it's like something I'm so grateful for in the way I was raised. I was raised to know that there was something bigger, that it wasn't just about, like, living life for yourself. Good morals. They Taught me where to go with my questions. But there was also so much guilt and shame and rules and just, like, checked boxes and judgment, like, us versus them and all these semantics that I'm grown up and I've realized, like, what does it matter? Like, it's the same God. At the end of the day, what does it matter? Why are we getting so caught up on these things? Yeah, but I mean, going back to that therapy, finding therapy for myself was, like, massive. And I started doing. No, I. I went a couple times. I went a couple times. That was like my intro to therapy. And then my co writer, Laura Veltz, who you probably know. Yeah, she's a legend and just true. One of the kindest human beings. And she introduced me to my therapist.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, nice.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah. So she was like, you need to see my girl. And it changed my life. I started doing emdr. Oh, that was a massive. For me.

[Podcast Host]

Go back and you talk to your child.

[Alana Springsteen]

So that's a lot of where I think, note to self, kind of originated from, because I was able to go back into these moments that I maybe didn't even remember. But through, like, following the. The breadcrumb trail of emotions, you get back to these moments where it's like, wow, that really cemented this pattern in my life, this core belief of, like, you can't show emotion. You have to be strong. Like, that moment in the first verse, a moment in the first verse where it's like, you know, your parents are fighting, your younger brothers are crying, you were shouldering. Like, that was a memory that I had come up and I had this vivid memory of, like, my parents when they were going through something, like, really fighting. I had two younger brothers. One younger brother, and then the other one was just a baby, and, like, he was little.

[Podcast Host]

Little.

[Alana Springsteen]

And I just. My instinct in that moment was like, grab my brothers. Don't let them hear my parents fighting. Go into my room, shut the door. Like, entertain them. Just be strong, like. And I was terrified in that moment. But for me, it was like, soothe my crying brother. Entertain this other brother. Like, make sure that they don't feel any of this chaos and protect them at all costs from that.

[Podcast Host]

How did you even know that to do that?

[Alana Springsteen]

I think it's instinctual. Like, when you're a kid, like, when you're raised the way I was, I was kind of a third parent a bit to my brothers.

[Podcast Host]

Your parents are so young.

[Alana Springsteen]

They're so young. Yeah. And we were all so close. Like, we're all homeschooled, so we Grew up spending a lot of time together. And I mean, I just. I never looked at it another way. To me, it was just my therapist taught me this too. It's like, as a kid, you don't know how to differentiate, like, what is your fault and what's not. You just think everything is your fault and you do what you can to fix it.

[Podcast Host]

So do you think, like, your parents fighting was your fault?

[Alana Springsteen]

Of course. That's what kids just kind of assume. Like, when you grow up in houses like that where there's a lot of turmoil, you're just like, it must be something wrong with me. What can I do to fix this? So, like, going back into moments like that where I was just like, in that moment, I picked up this self defense mechanism, like armor that you put on yourself. And it's like, don't show emotion. Be strong. Your job is to protect people. And don't show them you're weak. Don't show them it's affecting you. Like, put on a brave face.

[Podcast Host]

So did everyone just always think you had it together?

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Like, they're like, alana's fine.

[Alana Springsteen]

I had this conversation with my dad too, where I was like, dad, I don't think I ever cried until I was like 18. Unless I hurt myself, unless I was physically hurting. But I never cried. And he was like, that's right. Actually, like, I don't remember seeing you cry as a kid. I always thought that was kind of weird.

[Podcast Host]

But everyone just thought you were okay.

[Alana Springsteen]

Everyone thought I was just good and easy and genuinely happy all the time.

[Podcast Host]

And I know you weren't okay then.

[Alana Springsteen]

No, I wouldn't have had words to put to it. I think my whole life, though, I've struggled with when you have. I was such an empath, like, from an early, early age. And I didn't know that until recently. And I've really had to learn to like with it. Yeah. And like, realize, yeah, it's a superpower, but it also needs to be protected

[Podcast Host]

and you can't absorb. I'm such an empath too. Are you a four on the Enneagram?

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah, I'm a three. Four. I'm a three.

[Podcast Host]

Four. Four. I'm like, I knew you were four. I'm a three. Four. And I am such a four. And I literally like it. I. I say all the time, I live at the bottom of the drain. Like, I am, like, literally just always an emotional wreck. I feel everyone's feelings. Like, I will walk into a room and if somebody has a bad feeling or is off I immediately feel like I have to go, yes, fix it.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

I have to go energize. I have to go alchemize the energy to make sure they're happy.

[Alana Springsteen]

We're the same.

[Podcast Host]

I know. That's why when you wrote your album, I'm like, this is me so much. Because I. And I just, like, I have so much mad respect for you for putting these feelings into words and putting them out there in the world. Because I have been terrified and I still am at 43 years old. And I'll cry about it right now. I cry every day. I don't know if you do. Do you now?

[Alana Springsteen]

I do now.

[Advertiser Voice]

Much more.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

But I love terrified of someone. I love being disappointed in me. Oh, you know, being disappointed in me. And not just someone I love, but I'm also terrified of, like, anyone being disappointed in me. Like, anyone, if anyone.

[Alana Springsteen]

Where does that come from for you? Do you know?

[Podcast Host]

I'm such a people pleaser. I mean, it has to come from my upbringing, I think. I think I'm born with this personality, first off. But then also I just am a high functioning codependent, which I finally realized after I hired a life coach. And, like, try. I'm. I'm hired. I've tried to do everything.

[Alana Springsteen]

You need, like, three different therapists and a life coach.

[Podcast Host]

Everything you can do to try to fix your brain, I have done it because I'm like, I am so insane. And, like, everything breaks my heart. The world is crushing to live in.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Like, people's feelings kill me and then like, disappointing someone. So I hear your words and I'm like, how are you able to do that? And like, writing same God. And then going and playing it for your grandparents.

[Alana Springsteen]

Oh, my God.

[Podcast Host]

When you're talking about taking shots and like, I think you even talk about hooking up with someone in there.

[Alana Springsteen]

How did you do that?

[Podcast Host]

I would have died 1 million deaths. But, like, I did that same life, but I just hit it in the shadows and tried to still act like I was following the perfect path because I didn't want him to be disappointed. How did you do that?

[Alana Springsteen]

Man, it's terrifying. I remember that specific moment, like, going back home and the song was about to come out. So granted, I was like, I want to be respectful and, like, play it for them and, like, allow them to digest it so they don't hear it with the rest of the world, you know? But that moment, my heart was racing. I was so nervous. You probably couldn't tell because again, I'm good at Hiding emotion.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Alana Springsteen]

Like, I'm totally fine right now.

[Podcast Host]

It's all fine.

[Advertiser Voice]

Everything's fine.

[Alana Springsteen]

We're good. But I was freaking out. And that was the most honest conversation I've ever had with my grandparents. Like, we grew up also living in the same house as them. So in a way they're like my parents.

[Podcast Host]

Like.

[Advertiser Voice]

Yeah.

[Alana Springsteen]

I mean my. Every single morning I would wake up and like sit around the kitchen table and have coffee with my grandparents and talk and like, they are. Not only is my granddad, my pastor, but he's also like this incredible like, figure in my family that I look up to so much that his voice in the song. Yeah, it is. And that actually is from a phone call that we had where he was basically telling me that he was worried for me and scared I was going down a dark path and upset that I was seeing a therapist and all of this stuff.

[Podcast Host]

So this is a big song for them.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. They.

[Podcast Host]

They probably didn't. Okay.

[Alana Springsteen]

So I played it for him and you know, a. I. I realized like in that moment it was important for me to go into it knowing like, I am. I'm doing this for me. Like I don't need anything from them. I'm not expecting anything from them. I'm just doing this because I want to have honesty with my relationships and honesty with myself. And it was really tough because after

[Podcast Host]

that song, I admire you so much. That is so great. Thank you.

[Alana Springsteen]

That means a lot. Thank you.

[Podcast Host]

Well, I know a lot of this

[Alana Springsteen]

work is like invisible. That's the thing. And it's so.

[Podcast Host]

So there's no gratification.

[Alana Springsteen]

It's soul crushing for you though. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

To you to say, I'm going to be who I am.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

And I'm going to tell the people I love who I am. Not every sale happens at the register. Before AT&T business Wireless, checking out customers on our mobile POS systems took too long. Basically a staring contest where everyone loses. It's crazy what people say during an awkward silence. Now transactions are done before the silence takes hold. That means I can focus on the task at hand and make an extra sail or two. Sometimes I do miss the bonding time.

[Advertiser Voice]

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[Alana Springsteen]

Trip booked and switching to T Mobile help make it happen with experience beyond

[Advertiser Voice]

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[Alana Springsteen]

And honestly, that hundred dollars back. I'm putting it towards the zipline now.

[Advertiser Voice]

That's how you do summer.

[Alana Springsteen]

Exactly. Best switch I ever made.

[Advertiser Voice]

This is just one reason to join T Mobile this summer. There are 250 reasons. Find yours

Savings based on the value of benefits included with experience beyond like entertainment and one year of AAA Classic and DashPass on US benefits may require activation CPlan for details get 100 via virtual prepaid MasterCard with eligible ported no cash access and expires in six months. Issued by Sunrise Banks and a member FDIC.

[Narrator/Advertiser Voice]

Allow eight weeks working force professionals in the US plant more than they harvest while also caring for water, wildlife and more. It's how we grow a sustainable future. Learn [e-mail] your whole neighborhood goes black

[Advertiser Voice]

in seconds except your house. The Patriot Power Generator 2200X from 4 Patriots keeps your lights on when the grid goes down. It's the most powerful generator 4patriots has ever built. Only 4patriots gives you backup power without gas fumes or a loud engine. Just lights, a cold fridge and peace of mind when the power fails. Right now, save $500 and get two solar panels free. That means you can recharge twice as fast, but only while supplies last. Keep your lights on, your food cold and your family calm when the grid goes down. Don't wait for the next blackout. Visit 4patriots.com today. That's the number 4p a t r I-o t s.com and see why families trust 4patriots to stay ready.

[Alana Springsteen]

So much of the past two years has been me keeping promises to myself and like building trust with myself because for so many years I let myself down. I abandoned myself. And as you do that, your body will stop listening. It will. It will start going, okay, if you don't want to hear us, we'll shut the up and just like deal with it. And for me, that came out in like health issues and because you said

[Podcast Host]

another post where you could never eat junk food or anything. I couldn't.

[Alana Springsteen]

I couldn't. It got to the point where I couldn't eat anything without getting incredibly bloated and like inflamed pain. Just so much pain. And it was my body going, we've reached our limit, girlfriend. Like, you've got to. We're trying to tell you. We're trying to tell you something.

[Podcast Host]

We're freaking out. We're screaming.

[Alana Springsteen]

And that it really has opened my eyes too, to like how much of my life I've spent living out of my body too. Like dissociating from my body and now learning, like, where do I feel fear? Where do I feel anxiety? Where do I feel happiness, joy?

[Podcast Host]

In different places.

[Advertiser Voice]

Yeah.

[Alana Springsteen]

And, like, learning to be more embodied. And that's translated into live shows, too. Like, being able to get up on stage and not dissociate because I'm nervous or anxious or being perceived. But just, like, I'm here because this is my purpose and I get to enjoy being here. I get to perform just for me. And by doing that, it gives them permission to just experience it for them and show up however they are performing.

[Podcast Host]

Just for you.

[Alana Springsteen]

I mean, yeah, that was something one of my therapists told me where I was. Like, it sounds so simple, but I think most of my life I've been, like, grading myself based on reactions and just going, am I good enough yet? Am I good enough yet? Are you having fun? Are you like, are you getting what you need out of this? Instead of going, am I getting what I need out of this? Like, I'm up here because this is how I communicate. This is how I metabolize emotion. This is my gift, and I'm allowed to enjoy this. Like, I'm allowed to call this my job and also really enjoy this and have fun.

[Podcast Host]

So what did your grandparents say?

[Alana Springsteen]

So, my Nana, my granddad, a funny, but not funny. He's kind of getting to that age where he's losing his hearing. He's got a little bit of dementia setting in, God bless him. So, like, I think most of it probably went over his head. Like, after I sang, he just broke out into singing a hymn. Like, he didn't even, really, like, address it. My Nana, on the other hand, was like, I just. And she's. There's so much I could say about my Nana, too. We're similar in a lot of ways, but I have so much more empathy for her now because she spent most of her life silencing herself. Like, I noticed that now. Like, she's such a deep feeler and she's so soft spoken. Like, so afraid to speak her mind, so afraid to ruffle feathers. And, like, when there were ever arguments in our family, chaos, like, she would disappear and just go play the piano. And music was her therapy. And I never realized that I got that from her until one of the last trips to home. And I was like, wow. Like, I noticed that. I was like, that's exactly what I do. That's. We're the same in that way, but

[Podcast Host]

she was just powerful and beautiful. Yeah.

[Alana Springsteen]

That we're more similar than I ever

[Podcast Host]

Thought for now, you're speaking.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah, Right.

[Podcast Host]

Which honestly, is honoring her, even if they don't even realize it. Like, you're speaking your voice.

[Alana Springsteen]

So after I played the song, she. She basically was just like, I just have one thing to say. Like, there's a difference between judging someone

[Advertiser Voice]

and

[Alana Springsteen]

being fearful for them and showing concern. And she was like, you know, if you saw me on a path that was hurting me and, like, that you felt was bad for me and dark, I would want you to say something to me. So that was kind of her lens. And I was like, okay, fair. And I expected that. Like, you know, it's so hard to hear that, but I'm like.

[Podcast Host]

Because it's still. It's still, like, unresolved. You're still, like, on your own path. That's the thing, too. It's like, where I relate to you so much is like, I always felt that way. And I was like. I was always so envious of the people who just could say like this. Like, my sister, for instance. Like, I'm so envious of her because she knows the way. The black and white way. Like, she knows the truth, and she doesn't need to go explore outside of those boundaries. Actually, exploring outside of the truth is very painful for her.

[Alana Springsteen]

She knows her truth or the truth,

[Podcast Host]

and it might be in her mind? Both.

[Alana Springsteen]

Okay.

[Podcast Host]

You know?

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

For me, I'm like, it's all splatter paint. Like, the whole world is, like, just a giant splatter paint. And, like, this could be the truth, and this could be the truth, and this could be the truth. And what if that's the way and that person has an idea? And, like, this looks like I might want to try that. And, like, I need to know. I need to try all this. And, like, I do want to go. Go get drunk, and I do want to make out, and I do want to do these things that I know necessarily aren't. And now I. 43. I definitely am through that. I'm on the other end of the spectrum. And now I'm, like, sober as a goat.

[Alana Springsteen]

I mean, if you still want to go get drunk, like, let's go have some tequila.

[Podcast Host]

I've been sober for almost four years now.

[Alana Springsteen]

Oh, congrats.

[Podcast Host]

I mean, but not because, honestly, my husband decided he wanted to and feel better. Alcohol was terrible for me. I don't know if being a four if you have this, but, like, it just made me more in my feels. I would either cry and pick a fight or want to make out, but then fight.

[Alana Springsteen]

I Feel like I'm probably right behind you there because I noticed some of those patterns. Sometimes I'm not fun.

[Podcast Host]

Like, it's not fun.

[Alana Springsteen]

I don't drink a ton. Never have. But, like, I. I have a feeling I'll be right behind you on that.

[Podcast Host]

Like, some people are like, let's go spring break. Yeah.

[Narrator/Advertiser Voice]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

You know, I was like, all my feelings are worse. And now, like, I just, like, I,

[Alana Springsteen]

I want to crawl under a blanket and cry about it or yell at someone or scream. Yeah. Yeah. I think I, I will say to that, like, there are just, like, different types of people, and I think we're created differently for that reason. But I've. I've started to see it as a gift that needs to be protected. It's like, not a right or a wrong way to live. But in my opinion, if you just innately have that curiosity in your soul, like, you just need to experience. You just want to, like, color outside the lines and figure out where your right path is and figure out your truth. That's what you need to do. Like, for me, you have to go too far.

[Podcast Host]

One way to realize that's too far.

[Alana Springsteen]

And for me, I know I never would have been able to be so confident in where I am now and, like, the life I'm living and the choices I'm making, what I am convicted about, if I hadn't allowed myself to ask hard questions and, like, disappoint people. And you just followed suit. Yeah, I, I, I don't learn just by, like, copying someone else.

[Advertiser Voice]

I have to learn.

[Alana Springsteen]

I have to live it. And, I mean, that's so artist of me, right? I'm like, I need all the experience. I want to do it. I think it's a little bit of a. A gift. And the way I see it, too. And the purpose of this album, honestly, was to create a space where people like me can feel validated in that. And, like, it's not a, it's not a flaw. It's actually, like, your superpower to be able to live all of this experience and then, like, turn it into something that other people can learn from and experience and, like, digest. And I, this album is not me going, like, I've done all the healing, I've got all the answers, got it figured out. It's more going, I actually am recognizing now that I don't have a lot of answers that I thought I had, and that's okay. Like, this is a space where I want people to feel like they can ask questions and be curious and not Feel guilt and shame because of it.

[Podcast Host]

I think it's amazing. And I think I just want. I. I want to validate you because you have validated me with this album and say that, like, I always have felt shame for the way that I am. Like, I have felt shame my whole life.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Because I feel like I'm just like, why am I disaster? Why am I such a mess? Like, why can I not just, like, figure this out? Like, why can I not just, like, stay on this straight and narrow? Like, why do I have to go and do all this exploring and searching and, like, hearing your album and seeing you talk about this so bravely and honestly, I'm like, okay. It makes me feel like this is a beautiful thing. And it is great that, like, there are people in the world who want to go to the depths of their emotions and experience all of it. Some people don't need that. Some people don't. Don't want to do that, and that's terrifying for them. But some people, like you and I relate to you so much, have to go to all these depths of every corner that their imagination can come up with and feel like if you have a curiosity, you have to go there and. And find out if it's for you or not.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

And then you come back and you recalibrate, and now you have your own alignment. But it's yours.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yes, girl, so true.

[Podcast Host]

I feel that in your songs, and I am just. But I'm. I'm gonna say it again. I'm just so proud of you for being so brave to speak it out loud, especially at 25 years old.

[Alana Springsteen]

God, that means a lot. Thank you. Oh, thank you.

[Podcast Host]

It's so healing. I was sitting there listening in the car, and I was crying my eyes out. And it was another one of these lyrics that hit me so freaking hard. Was it same God, I think. Oh, love me anyway All.

[Alana Springsteen]

All the in your feels ones.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, my gosh. And it's this one. It's like, okay, where is the part that let me find? Okay. It's like, because I drink too much I get too high I wake up next to someone I can't take back home I've spent some nights that ain't like the way you raised me if

[Alana Springsteen]

you knew, if you knew Would you

[Podcast Host]

still pick up the phone? If I told you everything Would you pray for me to change? Or would you love me anyway? And I still got a cross around my neck neck But I'm standing at a crossroads of where I've been and

[Alana Springsteen]

where I'm going to be.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. I just want to know that you're still listening. And I'm like, man, because isn't that God's love? Ultimately? It's like in like coming back to the origin of it all. Like, doesn't God love us anyway? And when you talk about same God, it's like you're just out there in the big middle trying to find your truth and be real to you. But it's like, are these people going to love you when you are the mess? When you are in the big messy middle?

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

When you aren't walking in the straight and narrow. You're not lost. You're lost, but you're not.

[Advertiser Voice]

You're just.

[Podcast Host]

You're looking for yourself and you have to go through the woods, so.

[Advertiser Voice]

Right.

[Alana Springsteen]

And I wrote that with Tranny.

[Podcast Host]

Actually. You did.

[Alana Springsteen]

And it was like the first song.

[Podcast Host]

Let's circle back to Tranny.

[Alana Springsteen]

I know. She is such a godsend. Has been for me. Like, I wrote note to self with her.

[Advertiser Voice]

No way.

[Alana Springsteen]

Like every time that I have an idea that I'm terrified of, I take

[Podcast Host]

it to her, like, which is amazing because she's so rooted in her faith, which has to feel so comforting too. To know someone so grounded in God is. Is also saying yes.

[Alana Springsteen]

Also a safe place.

[Podcast Host]

Safe place to explore the mess. Yeah. For the mess.

[Alana Springsteen]

It's been such a God thing. Like, I literally typed out those chorus lyrics basically verbatim into my phone. Like a late night crash out. I was in my feels. I was just going through it. And I was at the beginning of realizing that the. The path that I felt I was meant for was so different than the one I was taught to live. And I knew it was going to be hard. I knew it was gonna be a shake up. I knew it was gonna scare a lot of people. I knew I was gonna probably be pretty isolated through it and have to do it on my own.

[Podcast Host]

Which in reality. You're really not doing anything that crazy.

[Alana Springsteen]

No, I know.

[Podcast Host]

You know, when I step back on it, I'm like, it's really not that crazy. But when you come from such a loving, protective family, they just want you to be safe.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yep.

[Podcast Host]

And get into heaven.

[Alana Springsteen]

And here's the. The thing that helped me too is like I grew up believing in a literal heaven and hell. Like a hell where you burn for eternity if you don't do X, Y and Z. Yeah, right. And my parents believe in that. And I was taught that as like a four or five, six year old kids, like reciting these verses about like burning and being tormented for eternity. I'm like, don't you think that's a little traumatizing for like a five year old mind cannot comprehend that concept even if it is true. So my parents believe that to their core. Like, and you know, that's for them. Like, that's great for them totally. And if I truly did believe that and I felt like someone I loved was doing something that would send them to a place of endless torment, that's how I would react to. I would try everything in my power to save them. To go, nope, pull you back over here. I can't let you make those decisions because it's going to cost you more than you know. And the thing is we just believe differently about that.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Alana Springsteen]

And explaining that to them has been so hard. It's like, yeah, I know this is your truth, but it's not the way I choose to live life. I don't want to come at life from a place of fear. I want to come at like, I want to. I want to be close to God and like one with my faith out of a place of love and just like dedication to it and not fear,

[Podcast Host]

not doing it because you're scared you're going to burning hell.

[Advertiser Voice]

Yes.

[Alana Springsteen]

But because I, like, I know this is right. I know he has a purpose for me. I know this is the path. And that's been a big part of like this album. And a lot of these songs is. It's just a call to embrace like curiosity and acceptance and openness over fear and judgment. That to me is like the best way I can sum up what this album represents for me. And I just think the world could use a lot more of that, especially sometimes in these extremely religious communities. Like, it's so easy to forget grace. We're right, you're wrong. Yeah. Forget grace, forget forgiveness, forget love, forget empathy.

[Podcast Host]

And remember how Jesus was. Jesus wasn't like that. He was exactly. He was with all of the sinners. Yeah.

[Alana Springsteen]

But when I wrote Love Me Anyway, it was kind of a threefold question. Like, the first verse is to myself. The second verse is to my family. And the, the bridge is to God. That's still got across around my neck, but I'm standing at a crossroads. And that was a line, that was a line Tranny had. Like, she saw the cross that I, I wear this all the time. And she was like, came up with that line. I was like, oh my God, that just wrecked me. Because you're right in that God, God's love is, is perfect. Love. And I grew up thinking that there were contingencies on it. Rules, rules on it. Like, I need to present myself a certain way for God. I need to. When I pray, like, I'm. I can't be fully honest. Like, right. There's almost like you had performance and even prayer and, like, that. That communication. And I think I had to allow myself. I think I've learned that, like, testing your faith is. Is so important, and it's a concept that ruffles a lot of feathers. Like the idea that doubt is the antithesis of faith, but actually it's the path to faith.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Alana Springsteen]

Like, if you're not doubting, if you're not asking questions, like, you're probably gonna have pretty weak faith. That's not gonna hold up in the reality of life, like, the. The. How gray life can be sometimes. And, like, you know, in those moments where, you know, I was taking shots backstage and I'm, you know, living a life that my parents would definitely not approve of. In a lot of ways. I would have prayed for me, like, 10 years ago. You know, I would have been the type of person that I would pray for. And now I'm realizing that, God, it's. It's so much less, like, about the checked boxes and the rules and more about just the.

[Podcast Host]

The.

[Alana Springsteen]

Your heart position, like, how you're living life, where you're living life from, how you show up for other people. And my faith has gotten so much deeper through this process. And it's yours.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Alana Springsteen]

And it's mine. And it's, like, not something I'm performing. It's something that I'm wrestling with every day and learning more about and. And practicing, and it's just a lot more. It's ever evolving, I think, as it should be.

[Podcast Host]

How are you emotionally with your family, like, now that this album is out, now that you've had these. These huge songs, these big conversations. Yeah. How is it with them? Do you get, like, a sick feeling in your stomach sometimes? Are you guys, like.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah. I mean, you see my body language. I'm like, immediately, like, I would never be able to do what you did.

[Podcast Host]

So I'm just wondering, how has it been?

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah.

[Advertiser Voice]

Like.

[Podcast Host]

Because I probably will just die, never expressing my full truth.

[Alana Springsteen]

That's not true.

[Podcast Host]

I. It might be we're all somewhere. Maybe not publicly, because I'm too afraid.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah. Sorry. Yeah. My making this album, in a lot of ways, was. Was the most terrifying because of my family. Like, there was so much that I was writing about for the first time about My childhood about the way I was raised and I'm so bringing them into it. I'm so protective of them, always have been. I mean I told you that story about me as a kid. Like that's how I' approach to everyone in my family. It's very much like block you from everything, shield you from everything, protect you at all costs, like be whatever I need to be for you.

[Podcast Host]

So now you're saying this is how I feel.

[Alana Springsteen]

It was like experience. Yeah.

[Advertiser Voice]

With you.

[Alana Springsteen]

I'm, I'm going to tell my story and not with the intention of like putting a spotlight on you or hurting you in any way, but telling this story because I hope it helps somebody else. Somebody else out there might need it or relate to it or see themselves in it and, and find something beautiful from it. And we had a lot of hard conversations, a lot of periods that were transformative. I think anything where it's like you're changing the ecosystem of, of your family. My family's very like we're so tight knit. Grew up in like a very closed circle. Like not many people ever came in and nobody leaves. Like it's very much like this is our tribe and there's a lot of beauty to that. But it's also like if one person within that changes or evolves or like starts behaving differently, it throws everything off and it sent some ripple effects in my family and I think it forced them to ask some hard questions too. And like I am grateful because they've shown up for every hard conversation.

[Podcast Host]

That's amazing.

[Alana Springsteen]

From a place of like love and openness and.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, okay, we gotta fly away. This hair is amazing by the way.

[Alana Springsteen]

Thank you.

[Podcast Host]

I love your hair.

[Alana Springsteen]

Thank you, thank you.

[Podcast Host]

Is that wavy? Natural waves.

[Alana Springsteen]

It's not natural. Nope, nope. This is like an hour of doing it to make it look so Mars did it. Mars, she's amazing. She, she does my hair the best.

[Podcast Host]

I love that.

[Alana Springsteen]

Thanks.

[Podcast Host]

Hey, it was like bubbling. I just was like if she turns

[Alana Springsteen]

her head you're just gonna have like

[Podcast Host]

one like you know, I love that.

[Advertiser Voice]

This summer there are 250 reasons to join T mobile girls.

[Alana Springsteen]

Trip booked and switching to T mobile Help make it happen with experience beyond

[Advertiser Voice]

switch and get $100 back plus $650 in value in built in plan benefits, benefits. That's $750 in your first year guaranteed.

[Alana Springsteen]

And honestly that hundred dollars back, I'm putting it towards the zipline now.

[Advertiser Voice]

That's how you do summer.

[Alana Springsteen]

Exactly. Best switch I ever made.

[Advertiser Voice]

This is just one reason to join T Mobile this summer there are 250 reasons find yours

savings, baby Based on the value of benefits included with experience beyond like entertainment and one year of AAA Classic and DashPass on US benefits may require activation CPlan. For details, get $100 via virtual prepaid MasterCard with eligible ported no cash access and expires in six months. Issued by Sunrise Banks and a member FDIC.

[Narrator/Advertiser Voice]

Allow eight weeks keeping a working forest growing takes a massive commitment. That's why working forest professionals plant over 1 billion seedlings annually in the U.S. ensuring more trees are planted than harvested. But it takes more than planting to sustain these ecosystems. It means caring for everything in the forest, from clean water to thriving wildlife. Because when we take care of our forests, they'll thrive for generations. Learn [e-mail] your whole neighborhood goes black

[Advertiser Voice]

in seconds, except your house. The Patriot Power Generator 2200X from 4 Patriots keeps your lights on when the grid goes down. It's the most powerful generator 4patriots has ever built. Only 4patriots gives you backup power without gas fumes or a loud engine. Just lights, a cold fridge, and peace of mind when the power fails. Right now, save $500 and get two solar panels free. That means you can recharge twice as fast, but only while supplies last. Keep your lights on, your food cold, and your family calm when the grid goes down. Don't wait for the next blackout. Visit fourpatriots.com today. That's the number four P A T R I-O-T S.com and see why families trust four Patriots to stay ready.

Thirty years ago, an island off Manhattan almost brought down New York City.

[Podcast Host]

Who will you trust?

[Alana Springsteen]

Your friends and neighbors?

[Podcast Host]

Who will you trust? The people five miles overseas.

[Advertiser Voice]

This is a story about neighbors turning on each other. And what happens when a forgotten place decides it's had enough.

[Podcast Host]

We reached for a feeling that exists in this city. But we're not stopping, are we?

[Advertiser Voice]

I'm Ben nadifafry, and for my new series on revisionist history, I took a deep dive into Staten Island's attempt to secede from New York city in the 1990s. And what it all has to do with the politics of resentment that dominate America today. Listen to revisionist history. The Staten island problem on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Alana Springsteen]

Oh, God.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. So your family, though, they showed up for the hard conversation. That to me, that's all you can ask for. I mean, because you're rocking the Boat. Their boat. Yeah.

[Alana Springsteen]

And so.

[Podcast Host]

But they're saying, okay, we love you so much that we are gonna come, we're gonna go here with you. That's beautiful.

[Alana Springsteen]

I mean, I'm so blessed for that.

[Podcast Host]

How did it. So what. Where have y' all landed since all this? How's your nervous system?

[Alana Springsteen]

That's a good question. I mean, I'm in therapy all the time. I'm. I Every week I go see my therapist and we have a conversation. It's been, it's been really. My nervous system a is like more regulated than it ever has been. I think it's been such. It's been so eye opening to realize what regulated feels like. Because now I'm looking back and going, oh my God. I was pretty unregulated.

[Podcast Host]

Have you stopped people pleasing? Have you or can you catch yourself?

[Alana Springsteen]

I don't know if I ever will fully stop having that instinct because I think it's. Some of it is personality. Right. I'm a Libra, I'm a three wing four. Like, I just, I want to keep the peace. I can see I all sides of an argument. I can put myself in somebody else's shoes really easily, which is a good thing. But also when it comes to like setting boundaries or going, you hurt me. I'm so quick to invalidate my own feelings because I'm like, I can understand why you did what you did.

[Podcast Host]

So I'm gonna be mad. Yeah, yeah. I just can understand them. You can get to the root even if they're completely disturbed. You're like, yes, well, this goes back to your childhood when you had this happen and that's why you're acting like this.

[Alana Springsteen]

Exactly. I think I'll always have that, which also is beautiful.

[Podcast Host]

That's a gift.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah, there's. It's a double edged sword, I think with everything. It's like you just have to understand it and learn how to navigate it. And so for me, I just have to watch out for those things. I have to watch out and check in and go like, does this feel right in my body? I'm really working on that. Even just like small decisions like going, what do I want to wear today? Does this feel like a yes or no in my body? Intuitive dress blue or are we going like basic black? What are we feeling? And like little things like that have really helped me learn what a yes and no feels like. And to be more embodied just in small decisions, that's really, really helping me thank my therapist for that one too.

[Podcast Host]

Just like, I love that. Just knowing Exercises you want?

[Alana Springsteen]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

Instead of all the layers that have been put on us just by. It happens.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Just like, what do you want?

[Alana Springsteen]

Totally. But I would say, like, when it comes to my parents, we're actually closer than we ever have been because it's for the first time, like, fully honest. And you know, I'm 25, I'm their oldest daughter, so like, it's the first time they've had a kid go from a child to an adult and like, living their own life and setting boundaries. And I, I think they've actually handled it really gracefully, all things considered. Especially when your kid is like making an album about all of this stuff and putting it out in the world. Like, I get it, I get it. I get how hard that is. And I'm. I'm just really grate that they've been able to have the conversations and have them from a place of love, man.

[Podcast Host]

Gosh, in a few years, like, you are going to have such a new normal.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yes, yes.

[Podcast Host]

Like, I feel like that's so beautiful because it's like so hard to do the big shake. And then like, once it kind of levels out, then it's like, okay, you're going to be in a new normal. And you did that, you did that for yourself. You're in your family.

[Alana Springsteen]

I think it's important to realize too, for anybody out there, that's like, my God, I. I feel so responsible for my parents happiness or for my siblings happy or whoever it is, my partner's happiness to, to. One of one thing that my therapist told me was like, they, you're never going to be responsible for their happiness or their unhappiness. That's never going to be. You can't take credit for it and you can't blame yourself for it. That is a hundred percent their thing. And if you spend your whole life trying to earn somebody's happiness, this is one thing she told me. She was, she was like, yeah, it's kind of a morbid thought, but it really like, put things in perspective. It was like, if you spend your whole life trying to make your mother happy, you're gonna bury your happiness with her. And I was like, like the idea that you, you can't ever make somebody fully happy, you're never going to be able to do that. That's their responsibility at the end of the day to manage their own emotions. And, and you owe it to yourself to be happy regardless. Like, because you can't control anybody else, but you can control whether you allow yourself to be happy. And Validate your own self. And that was a. That was an eye opener for me. Like, she just drops these truth bombs sometimes where I'm like, oh, thank you for that. Thank you for that. I needed that. Why does it sound so simple when you say it? But, yeah, it's. I'm working on. I'm working on, like. Like being okay. Being a little misunderstood. And that's kind of what Black Sheep is about, too. That's another one of my favorite songs on the right.

[Podcast Host]

I don't think you're misunderstood. I totally. I totally feel you. And I'm like, thank you for those of us who are feeling the same way. I'm like, you're speaking what I have felt.

[Alana Springsteen]

Thank you. See, but like, you were talking earlier, you're like, why do I feel so broken? Why do I feel so crazy? Why do I feel that was me. Like, I was in those. Like, always asking myself those questions, always thinking I was the problem. Something's wrong with me. Why. Why am I so emotional? Why can't I just, like. Like, color inside the lines? Why is. What's so easy for everybody else so damn hard for me? And I. I mean, it is the biggest compliment that in some small way, you feel more seen because of it. Because I think there's a lot of people that ask those same questions all the time, and someone.

[Podcast Host]

Not everyone's brave like you to put them into song. So that's why I'm, like, so grateful.

[Alana Springsteen]

Thank you.

[Podcast Host]

Yes.

[Alana Springsteen]

And I. I say this all the time, too, but, like, I think having something to put all of this into has saved me because I'm so grateful that I have music to help me, like, metabolize this and then, like, have it live somewhere outside of me that I can just put it there and leave it there and.

[Advertiser Voice]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Get it out of you.

[Alana Springsteen]

If you're going through, like, a season like that where things just feel really heavy or you're changing a lot. I think everybody should create in some way. Like, even if it's just, like, cooking or, like, painting or, like, doing something

[Podcast Host]

to get it out of you. Yes.

[Alana Springsteen]

Let it move through you. Don't let it sit here because it's just too much. Like, I. I. Having this album has saved me through

[Podcast Host]

the past couple years, so that's amazing. Okay, quickly, let's talk about touring. You were on Keith Urban.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

How was that?

[Alana Springsteen]

Insane, as you can imagine.

[Advertiser Voice]

What is that like?

[Podcast Host]

Just, like, it was, like, for a year.

[Alana Springsteen]

Did you tour then? I mean. Yeah, it was long. I think the longest tour I'VE done. It was probably about six months.

[Podcast Host]

Okay, so you kind of. Do you get to know him?

[Advertiser Voice]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

What's he like as, like, a friend?

[Alana Springsteen]

He's. He's so cool. He's the coolest. Granted, like, he, you know, wasn't around all the time on the tour. He's the headliner. Like, everybody tours differently, but the time we get. We did get together, he's just so, like, down to earth. One thing he said that really stuck with me was we're all perpetual students, and he approaches every aspect of his career like that. And that was just a piece of advice that's going to stick with me forever. Like, the idea of approaching life like that, you know, even where he's at, like, peak success, all the things he's still going, how do I learn more? How can I be better? Like, what can I still work on? What do I not know? And that's so exciting to me. Having that growth mindset, I think is really, really special. But we had a blast. It was so much fun. We had this, like, funny moment. You know how artists have, like, tour outfits, like, almost like costumes.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Alana Springsteen]

They're like, it's a lot to dress for. Six, like, dialed in, have it dialed in. Have it all figured out. So he had a similar outfit that he wore every night. It was, like, this black shirt with, like, paint. It looked like a custom, different piece of art on it every night. And I saw him. We had played, like, a couple weeks worth of shows, and I saw him at CMA Fest, and I was interviewing him for something, and I was like. Like, he walked in and he was wearing, like, the same thing. And I was like, do you have, like, is that the same shirt? And he was like, no, it's a different shirt. I was like, okay, cool. I wasn't sure if you had, like, you know, a tour outfit or, like, something that you always wear. I wasn't meaning the exact same shirt.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah.

[Alana Springsteen]

But, like, you know how Taylor Swift has her same bodysuit that she wears every show? Anyway, it got in his head. So every time I saw him after that, he was like, it's a different shirt. He sent me a picture of, like, his clothing rack on his tour bus, and there were, like, 50 of them.

[Podcast Host]

Same but different.

[Alana Springsteen]

Just to prove. Just to prove that they were all different.

[Podcast Host]

It's like, I'm Keith Urban. I have a lot of shirts. Okay.

[Alana Springsteen]

Oh, my God. But, yeah, it was special. And then I think one of the most memorable moments was here in Nashville at Bridgestone. It was my first time playing Bridgestone. So like unbelievable. Like driving from my house and like pulling in the loading dock at Bridgestone

[Podcast Host]

was just wild and like, you're an artist. Parking.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Are here. This is. You're part of this show.

[Alana Springsteen]

Like so wild. I will never forget that feeling. But he pulled me up during his set to sing Landslide and it was just like.

[Podcast Host]

What does that feel like when dreams are coming true? Like literally, that's a dream come true.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

What does it feel like when your dreams are coming true in real time?

[Alana Springsteen]

I think in that moment it was like time didn't really exist. It just felt like this moment outside of time. And I'm grateful, actually. I think the timing of everything. I was able to be so much more in my body for that performance where I think if it had been two years ago and I was a different version of me, I probably would have just gone whoop somewhere else because I was nervous and you know, there's a lot of people looking at me and that's. That was just my habit when I performed was like disassociate, go into autopilot, disassociate. But I was able to be like so present and just.

[Podcast Host]

How did it feel?

[Alana Springsteen]

Embodied? It feels like you're putting your hand into a light socket. It's like you have this electric current running through your body and I kind of visualize it. Like I, I think it's source energy. Like anytime you're channeling or creating. When I'm writing, sometimes I feel like it's just this light coming from source into my body and that's kind of how I visualize it because sometimes it can feel like a lot. And you just have to learn how to be a container for it and not disappear and just like be able to hold it and know like I, I can't hold this. I'm meant to hold this energy right now.

[Podcast Host]

But that's kind of, that's wisdom right there.

[Alana Springsteen]

It's hard to describe. It's. It's an out of body experience, but it's. It's beautiful.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. And you're going to Europe, you're going

[Alana Springsteen]

to in like a week.

[Podcast Host]

What is it called? The Heruko or hero.

[Alana Springsteen]

I don't know how to.

[Podcast Host]

Michael said that last year we went, okay, you're going to the Her Casa county festival in Riyaza, Spain.

[Alana Springsteen]

I'll learn how to pronounce that, I promise.

[Podcast Host]

That festival is so fun. Is it Michael, Sunny and I went. My 4 year old, 5 year old went on tour with Michael last Year we went to that festival and it was amazing.

[Alana Springsteen]

So excited. I have never been to Spain. I'm dying. I'm dying. I want to eat all the food.

[Podcast Host]

Yes.

[Alana Springsteen]

And just, like, do. Oh, I cannot wait.

[Podcast Host]

Just getting out of, like, you know, going into another world. Yeah. It's so amazing just to. And I feel like that's the beauty of music, too. All the places it takes you.

[Alana Springsteen]

I love traveling.

[Podcast Host]

Like, have you just, like, seen so many things, like, the music is just taking you everywhere.

[Alana Springsteen]

I never. I don't think I ever knew to dream this big. Honestly, it's so cool. I grew up in such a small town, like 4,000 people, you know, and my parents have never been out of the country. Really. My grandparents definitely not. So, like, to be really, like, the first person in my family to, like, get to travel the world, and it's just a dream come true. And it's something I've always wanted since I was a kid. That, again, I felt weird for. I was like, why is everybody so good with just staying here and growing old and having a family and, like, putting roots down? Yeah, that's beautiful.

[Podcast Host]

It is beautiful.

[Alana Springsteen]

But it was just never going to be my path. I never. I always wanted to, like, see other. Other cultures and travel the world, and it's just a big world. Like, I want to see it, you know, there's so much to see.

[Podcast Host]

Next.

[Alana Springsteen]

I'm like, Japan. I want to do, like, Iceland. Like, there's so much I want to do.

[Podcast Host]

Okay, so we're going to wrap up. I. I'm so just. Thank you so much for your heart, your conversation, this album that you've put out. What do we need to know? What's coming up? What is on the docket? What? Everyone, how do we follow you? Give us all the details of what's on. Fun.

[Alana Springsteen]

So I don't know when this is going live, but Europe tours coming up. We are playing, like, top of July. So I leave, like, in a week.

[Podcast Host]

Yes.

[Alana Springsteen]

So excited. And then you're going.

[Podcast Host]

Where are you going? Spain.

[Alana Springsteen]

Spain? Germany? Manchester.

[Advertiser Voice]

Yes.

[Alana Springsteen]

London. No, not Germany, sorry. Northern Ireland. Belfast and then Glasgow, Scotland.

[Podcast Host]

And you're going with your band? You and your band?

[Alana Springsteen]

I'll get along really well. Full band. It's gonna be some. It's my first, like, headline run out there, so it'll be a blast. We're gonna be trekking around just like, it's always chaos traveling over there because. Right. You know, trains and all of that.

[Podcast Host]

That's what makes it so great.

[Alana Springsteen]

So great. And then later, this year, I'm going on my second headline tour. It's starting in September, like, through October. 20. Some dates across the US I'm playing, like, my first headline in California. I can't freaking wait. Like. Like, I. As I was making this album, I envisioned these rooms so much. Oh, yeah. Like, just the idea of getting to sing lyrics this personal and, like, deep in a room full of people is so powerful, and I want it to feel like that for them, too. I want it to feel, like, almost like, so. So, like, vulnerable and transparent. It feels, like, illegal to do that in the space of that many people, you know?

[Podcast Host]

It's like, now that's healing real time.

[Advertiser Voice]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

How do we.

[Alana Springsteen]

When do we ever get to something like that if it's not for live music? So I can't wait for those shows.

[Advertiser Voice]

Grab tickets.

[Podcast Host]

Yay. Just.

[Advertiser Voice]

Okay.

[Podcast Host]

Your website.

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah, it's just Alana springsteen.com.

[Podcast Host]

you're not related to Bruce?

[Advertiser Voice]

No relation.

[Podcast Host]

Have y' all met yet?

[Alana Springsteen]

Nope.

[Podcast Host]

One day.

[Alana Springsteen]

One day I would die. I love his music so much. I want to see him live, like, all the things. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. So you're going to Europe, then you're doing your headlining tour. The album's out. Is there a single? Is there one? You're working right now? Is it just kind of all.

[Alana Springsteen]

I mean, same God was like, the last Focus track.

[Podcast Host]

I freaking love that. I mean, that is a powerful song.

[Alana Springsteen]

It's probably the song that I'm most proud of writing.

[Podcast Host]

Totally. Why?

[Alana Springsteen]

Yeah. So, yeah, check that out. But, yeah, the full. The full record is just two years of my life in music form, and it means the world to me. So I love that so much. Thank you so much for joining me.

[Podcast Host]

Thank you for letting me dive into your brain. And by the way, if I got inside your brain, I still would love you. I love you more.

[Alana Springsteen]

That got you.

[Podcast Host]

I love you so much more. And I'm so grateful that you're brave enough to share what's in your brain.

[Alana Springsteen]

Thanks. I'm so glad this happened. From, like, meeting at Tranny's baby shower to, like, making this happen. Thanks for having me.

[Podcast Host]

Well, I always know I loved you. I'm so glad you came on. Thank you so much for joining me. Okay. Oh, I always wrap up with Leave youe Light. Last question.

[Alana Springsteen]

Okay.

[Podcast Host]

What do you want people to know? Drop some inspiration.

[Alana Springsteen]

I want people to know that all the things that make you different, that make you feel like you don't fit in, that make you feel misunderstood, are your superpower. And so embrace them. Learn about it. It lean into it. I look at the things that I felt insecure about as a kid that made me different, and they make me uniquely built to live this life like nothing is an accident. So embrace those things and figure out why they're there. Hey, man.

[Podcast Host]

Alana Springsteen, thank you so much for joining me. This was amazing. Bye.

[Alana Springsteen]

Bye. This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.