Finding Natasha

In the early 70s, Debbie Gayle was one of Britain’s most promising young ballerinas. At the age of 17, she was chosen to go to the Soviet Union and become the first Westerner to train at Russia’s finest ballet academy. It was a dream come true for her, but just a few months later, things took a near deadly turn for her. She made it out of the country thanks to a young girl named Natasha who she never saw or heard from again. In Finding Natasha, Debbie’s son Jake Warren – a journalist and podcaster – sets out to understand the story of his mum’s past, and to find the woman who saved her 50 years ago. Finding Natasha is a Message Heard production.

Part 2: Enter Natasha

Debbie travels to Russia and things go downhill quickly. Jake makes an important discovery. Listen to Finding Natasha on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/finding-natasha/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11-05
24:05

Part 3: Isolation

A simple mistake marks the beginning of the end of Debbie’s dreams in Russia. Jake gives his mum some much-needed good news. Listen to Finding Natasha on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/finding-natasha/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11-05
19:06

Bonus Episode: The Reunion

Over a year ago, Jake Warren set out to find Natasha – the mysterious teenager who helped his mum Debbie escape from the USSR in 1974. And still to this day, Natasha and Debbie have not met in person… until now. In this special episode of Finding Natasha, Jake and Debbie travel over 1000 miles away to Helsinki. Debbie prepares to meet Natasha face to face for the first time in nearly 50 years, while also coming to terms with the fact that in just 36 hours she’s going to have to say goodbye again, possibly forever. Listen to the full first miniseries of Finding Natasha again.Listen to Finding Natasha on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/finding-natasha/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11-05
41:40

Part 4: Home Sweet Home

Debbie returns home and renounces her past. Fifty years later, Jake prepares his mum to confront it. Listen to Finding Natasha on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/finding-natasha/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11-05
20:56

Part 5: Don’t Cry, Debbie

Debbie hears the other side of the story, and Jake has one more surprise for her. Listen to Finding Natasha on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/finding-natasha/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11-05
27:13

Why are we trying to find Natasha? Series Trailer

In 1974, a young woman saved the life of up-and-coming prima ballerina, Debbie Gayle – never to see each other again. Fifty years later, Debbie’s son, journalist Jake Warren, sets out to find her. Listen to Finding Natasha on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/finding-natasha/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11-06
01:47

Part 1: A Myth and a Dream

Jake Warren explores a family myth about a mysterious woman in his mum’s past, and begins his search for her. Debbie Gayle recounts her difficult childhood and her dreams of ballet stardom. Listen to Finding Natasha on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/finding-natasha/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11-06
28:15

Introducing: Finding Andy (Coming 11/20)

In 2019, Loti Nambombe was on the brink of taking his own life. He was standing on the edge of Manchester's M60, ready to jump, when a passerby stopped and talked him down.The night was a blur for Loti, and in the years that follow he tells people about the stranger who saved his life. Now, five years later, he wants to find him. But all he's got is a name...Andy.In Finding Andy, host and journalist Jake Warren wants to reunite Loti with the man who saved him, and gain closure for both of them.Finding Andy is a Message Heard productionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11-12
02:32

Max

Well done! Would not have mind an additional episode on your mothers life.

12-27 Reply

Emerald Clem

I had tears in my eyes. Your mum us such an incredible woman who has clearly been through so much. I think this is also a story about and internalised self doubt that so many people have felt. I wish her happiness and hugs and smiles. There are so many other elements if this story too. A connection with a passion, dreams, you as a son who did this for your mum. I think this should be a film.

06-06 Reply

Cheryl Brown

The numbering of the episodes is incorrect so it took a while to get started, was confusing when not able to listen to all in one go, nevertheless an interesting podcast, would have liked to have known more about what your mother did when she returned home and what direction she went down after that experience.

05-23 Reply

April

it says episode 2 but when I play it it says it's the final episode.

05-21 Reply

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