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Chance Encounters

Chance Encounters

Written by: CNN Podcasts
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The unexpected connections you make while traveling can change your life: from romance that sparks at 30,000 feet to unlikely friendships that begin on the road. Chance Encounters, the podcast companion to the hit column on CNN.com from Francesca Street, chronicles incredible real-life stories of unforgettable travel connections.2025 - 2026 CNN Relationships Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Special Bonus - Introducing: Civilian or Spy

    Special Bonus - Introducing: Civilian or Spy
    Aug 14 2026
    When a Russian-born American citizen named Ilya Beloozerov is gunned down by the FBI in 2024, the authorities refuse to say why they’d killed him. CNN’s Isabelle Chapman embarks on a sprawling investigation that takes her from the Mississippi parking lot where he died to Washington, D.C. to unravel the mystery: Why did Ilya abruptly leave his family and his job and head for the border with laptops and cash? Why is there still no official explanation of his death? And maybe most importantly: Was Ilya a spy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 min
  • Great Escapes: The Sisters Who Got Stuck in a Scottish Castle

    Great Escapes: The Sisters Who Got Stuck in a Scottish Castle
    Feb 6 2026
    Great Escapes is a series about how sometimes travel doesn't go as planned, and how those moments often lead to the best stories. From a daring rescue atop the highest mountain in the Alps, to the moment two American tourists realized they were trapped inside a centuries-old Scottish castle. Read along with the third episode at cnn.com/travel. We'd love to hear your feedback on this episode. Let us know what you think by contacting CNN Travel via the contact form embedded in our articles. Writer & Narrator: Francesca Street Producer: Dan Bloom Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Editor: David Allan Global Editor, CNN Travel: Barry Neild VP, Digital Franchises: Robert Boyle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    24 mins
  • Great Escapes: She Was a Broke Teenager Stranded in a Strange Town. Then Two Nuns Saved the Day

    Great Escapes: She Was a Broke Teenager Stranded in a Strange Town. Then Two Nuns Saved the Day
    Jan 30 2026
    Great Escapes is a series about how sometimes travel doesn't go as planned, and how those moments often lead to the best stories. From a daring rescue atop the highest mountain in the Alps, to the moment two American tourists realized they were trapped inside a centuries-old Scottish castle. Read along with the second episode at cnn.com/travel. We'd love to hear your feedback on this episode. Let us know what you think by contacting CNN Travel via the contact form embedded in our articles. Writer & Narrator: Francesca Street Producer: Dan Bloom Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Editor: David Allan Global Editor, CNN Travel: Barry Neild VP, Digital Franchises: Robert Boyle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    21 mins
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