FINDING NATASHA
“Some of the best narrative podcasts bring together the historical and the personal, and Warren’s is closer to home than most.” -Fiona Sturgess
Financial Times
In 1974, a young Russian called Natasha saved the life of Debbie Gayle, a British ballerina training in the Soviet Union. Fifty years later, Debbie's son decides to track down his mother's saviour to find out what really happened.
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, 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.
Listen now
As seen in
Read the transcripts
Episode 1
A Myth & 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.
Episode 2
Enter Natasha
Debbie travels to Russia and things go downhill quickly. Jake makes an important discovery.
Episode 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.
Episode 4
Home Sweet Home
Debbie returns home and renounces her past. Fifty years later, Jake prepares his mum to confront it.
Episode 5
Don’t Cry, Debbie
Debbie hears the other side of the story, and Jake has one more surprise for her.
Bonus Episode
The Reunion
Debbie and Jake travel to Helsinki.
Our other shows
