logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2025
17m 10s

Identical Strangers

RADIO DIARIES & RADIOTOPIA
About this episode
Paula Bernstein and Elyse Schein were both born in New York City and adopted as infants. When they were 35 years old, they met and found they were “identical strangers.” This story originally aired on NPR in 2007.  Liked this story? Donate and find more of our stories at www.radiodiaries.org. Follow us @radiodiaries on Bluesky and Instagram. 
Up next
Feb 26
Orson Welles and the Blind Soldier 3: The Trial
This is the final episode of our series about Isaac Woodard, a Black soldier who was beaten and blinded by a white police officer in 1946. In the last episode, radio host Orson Welles, who was investigating the case, learned the officer's identity.Isaac Woodard himself told a rep ... Show More
18m 23s
Feb 19
Orson Welles and the Blind Soldier 2: Officer X
Last week, we shared the story of Isaac Woodard, a Black soldier who was brutally beaten by a white police officer in South Carolina. No one knew the name of the police officer. Or even the town where it happened. Not even Woodard himself. By the summer of '46, the case was gaini ... Show More
13m 12s
Feb 12
Orson Welles and the Blind Soldier 1: The Bus Ride
On February 12, 1946, a Black soldier was heading home from WWII when he was brutally beaten by a white police officer in South Carolina. No one knew the identity of the police officer. No one even knew the town where it happened. When the famous radio host Orson Welles heard abo ... Show More
12m 19s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2022
Trailer
A three-part series from This American Life producer Nancy Updike. When Rachel McKibbens’s father and brother died suddenly last fall, two weeks apart, from Covid, she’d had no idea her father was sick, and no idea her brother was dying. They were unvaccinated, but the story of w ... Show More
3m 2s
Aug 2024
Nos jours heureux
<p>Cet été dans Passages, on vous propose de découvrir Il était une (première) fois, le podcast de récits intimes du magazine Elle. Des histoires de premiers regards échangés aux premières caresses qui, nous l’espérons, vous plairont autant qu’à nous. Cet épisode d’Il était une ( ... Show More
22m 1s
Sep 2024
More Blake Lively Drama & Lana Del Rey’s Alligator Lover
We’re ashamed to say that Barry Keoghan’s latest message to Sabrina Carpenter is equal parts embarrassing and hot. And just when you thought the Blake Lively backlash had started to blow over, her family has now shared an intriguing message about ‘the truth coming out’. Plus, it ... Show More
17m 37s
Nov 2024
A coach, a rescue and a life change
Catherine visits the villages of Barley and Barkway where she learns about history and hears about sudden life changes.Catherine Carr stops strangers to ask them “Where Are You Going?” and uncovers unexpected stories about people’s lives.---Named 'Podcast of the Year' by Radio Ti ... Show More
13m 42s
Jun 2024
#45 - Nyla Khan - Entrepreneurship and the Importance of Kindness: Being Greater
WE ARE BACK! After a 3-year hiatus, join Ali and the Nobody’s Famous Podcast team for the season 4 opener in this stunning and ground-breaking episode with none other than Nyla Khan. Nyla Khan is the co-founder for Mirai Partners, Willow Tree Kids, and Kids World Nurseries. She i ... Show More
1h 20m
Apr 2024
Episode 78: The Chicken Whackers Pt. 1
A man named Luke originally reached out to the show on behalf of his younger brother. His brother Keegan left home to hitchhike and travel the country, which eventually turned into living on the street for years. When the family finally got Keegan off the street, he had many stor ... Show More
1h 1m
Jul 2024
Ce qui reste de ma sœur
<p>Ils nous fascinent. Ils nous effraient. Ils nous passionnent. Cet été, Transfert se met à l’heure des faits divers. Découvrez, à travers les voix des victimes mais aussi des coupables, ce que ces crimes disent de nous.<br/><br/>Abigail a construit toute sa vie autour de sa fam ... Show More
42m 37s
Jul 2024
The Beautiful Version of You
What happens when you meet the right person at the wrong time? In this heartwarming episode, Nina and Mario recount their love story that began with a chance meeting in Central Park in 1999. From exchanging shy hellos to an unexpected reunion two decades later, their romance is s ... Show More
46m 51s
May 2025
We Have a New Pope, the 2025 Met Gala, and New York City It Girls Are Back in the Headlines | We’re Obsessed
Icons only this week! Jodi and Nora first go through some incredible, introspective questions emailed in by listeners (2:46) before getting to our breaking story of the week: A new pope has been chosen (10:00)! Then they talk about their favorite Met Gala looks (32:44) and the my ... Show More
1h 7m