Bestselling author Christina Baker Kline takes chapters from our past and turns them into engrossing, unputdownable stories that, at times, leave us aghast. Her latest novel, The Foursome, draws on the remarkable true story of conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker. In her breakout bestseller, Orphan Train, she shines a light on children sent by rail to middle America to live with foster families. Across both, she explores themes of belonging, family, bringing alive the hidden lives that shape history.

The Children on the Trains
Christina talks about stumbling across one of America’s most overlooked histories – a quarter of a million children sent west on trains in search of new homes. She reflects on interviewing surviving riders, uncovering heartbreaking archival records, and why the story continues to resonate in a world still grappling with immigration, displacement, and belonging.


Extraordinary Lives and Ordinary Loves
Inspired by her own family history, Christina shares the remarkable true story of Chang and Eng Bunker, the world's most famous conjoined twins, and the sisters who married them.

The Accidental Bestseller
Christina discusses the remarkable reception of Orphan Train, admitting that she was initially embarrassed by its bestseller status. Reflecting on the pressures and privileges that come with commercial success, her greatest satisfaction still comes from connecting with readers one story at a time.

The Authentic Storyteller
In an age increasingly shaped by AI-generated content, Christina remains optimistic about the future of storytelling. She believes readers will always be drawn to stories that could only have been told by one particular person.

Featured Clips in this episode:
Orphan Trains Rescued New York's Homeless Children | History
The Dark History of the First 'Siamese' Twins - Guinness World Records
Book Review - ORPHAN TRAIN by Christina Baker Kline
NY Times Bestseller Christina Baker Kline Discusses Her Book "Orphan Train" at Woodstock Academy
Book Club Girl


Credits:

Host: Mallika Kapur

Mallika Kapur is an award-winning journalist and seasoned interviewer with over two decades of experience in television and live journalism. Across three countries and various impactful roles at CNN and Bloomberg, she has reported on major global events, including the London train bombings, the Indian Ocean tsunami and the Mumbai terror attacks. She also moderates news making panels at global forums, leading insightful conversations with the world’s top figures in business and culture.

Reach out on Instagram and LinkedIn

This is a Maed In India Production

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas
Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome
Sound Designer & Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni
Producer: Rachna Sukuru
Assistant Producers: Karan Solanki, Aditi Sutar
Sound Engineer: Nihar Temkar
Artwork: Alika Gupta

Bestselling author Christina Baker Kline takes chapters from our past and turns them into engrossing, unputdownable stories that, at times, leave us aghast. Her latest novel, The Foursome, draws on the remarkable true story of conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker. In her breakout bestseller, Orphan Train, she shines a light on children sent by rail to middle America to live with foster families. Across both, she explores themes of belonging, family, bringing alive the hidden lives that shape history.
The Children on the Trains Christina talks about stumbling across one of America&rsquo;s most overlooked histories &ndash; a quarter of a million children sent west on trains in search of new homes. She reflects on interviewing surviving riders, uncovering heartbreaking archival records, and why the story continues to resonate in a world still grappling with immigration, displacement, and belonging.
 Extraordinary Lives and Ordinary Loves Inspired by her own family history, Christina shares the remarkable true story of Chang and Eng Bunker, the world's most famous conjoined twins, and the sisters who married them.
The Accidental Bestseller Christina discusses the remarkable reception of Orphan Train, admitting that she was initially embarrassed by its bestseller status. Reflecting on the pressures and privileges that come with commercial success, her greatest satisfaction still comes from connecting with readers one story at a time.
The Authentic Storyteller In an age increasingly shaped by AI-generated content, Christina remains optimistic about the future of storytelling. She believes readers will always be drawn to stories that could only have been told by one particular person.
Featured Clips in this episode: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxkY64uGzYM">Orphan Trains Rescued New York's Homeless Children | History</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fACm6Bp-sLc&amp;t=1s">The Dark History of the First 'Siamese' Twins - Guinness World Records</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9qqdU_9nfA">Book Review - ORPHAN TRAIN by Christina Baker Kline</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lMqVHSEqBE">NY Times Bestseller Christina Baker Kline Discusses Her Book "Orphan Train" at Woodstock Academy</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BookClubGirl/videos/299428371481715/">Book Club Girl</a>
 Credits:
Host: <a href="https://mallikakapur.com/">Mallika Kapur</a>
Mallika Kapur is an award-winning journalist and seasoned interviewer with over two decades of experience in television and live journalism. Across three countries and various impactful roles at CNN and Bloomberg, she has reported on major global events, including the London train bombings, the Indian Ocean tsunami and the Mumbai terror attacks. She also moderates news making panels at global forums, leading insightful conversations with the world&rsquo;s top figures in business and culture.
Reach out on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mallika.kapur/?hl=en">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/mallika-kapur-a288b4131">LinkedIn</a>
This is a <a href="http://www.maedinindia.in">Maed In India</a> Production
Creative Director: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en">Mae Mariyam Thomas</a> Project Manager: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome">Shaun Fanthome</a> Sound Designer &amp; Mix Engineer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en">Kartik Kulkarni</a> Producer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rachnasukuru">Rachna Sukuru</a> Assistant Producers: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hdudjdbskssjsb?igsh=MXN4c3QxenlvN2llYg%3D%3D&amp;utm_source=qr">Karan Solanki</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aditisutar_?igsh=eDMzeHE1eDYxczIx">Aditi Sutar</a> Sound Engineer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nihar_temkar?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D">Nihar Temkar</a> Artwork: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/capefoxalix/">Alika Gupta</a>

Hosted by journalist Mallika Kapur, The Next Edition dives headfirst into the glorious creative mess that lies behind every masterpiece.

We explore the discarded drafts, alternate endings and deleted scenes and reveal what writers, filmmakers, journalists, and artists are itching to add to the next edition of their iconic creations.

The most compelling chapter of a story might not be the one we know, but the one that’s yet to be told. 

Because a story is never truly done.

Hosted by journalist <a href="https://mallikakapur.com/">Mallika Kapur</a>, The Next Edition dives headfirst into the glorious creative mess that lies behind every masterpiece.
We explore the discarded drafts, alternate endings and deleted scenes and reveal what writers, filmmakers, journalists, and artists are itching to add to the next edition of their iconic creations.
The most compelling chapter of a story might not be the one we know, but the one that&rsquo;s yet to be told.&nbsp;
Because a story is never truly done.