7 Shocking Ways 'We're Not Really Strangers' Is Still Changing Relationships In 2025

The 'We're Not Really Strangers' (WNRS) phenomenon is more than just a card game; it is a global movement that continues to redefine vulnerability and authentic connection in a digital age. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the red box of questions remains a cultural touchstone, proving its staying power well beyond its viral origins during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s an essential tool for anyone—from established couples to new acquaintances—looking to bypass small talk and dive straight into the deep, often uncomfortable, but ultimately rewarding waters of genuine human interaction.

The brand, founded by Koreen Odiney, has strategically evolved from a simple deck of cards into a full-fledged lifestyle brand, leveraging its massive social media presence to promote mental wellness, self-reflection, and deeper bonds. This article explores the latest updates, the powerful psychology behind the game's structure, and the ever-expanding universe of WNRS products that are keeping its mission fresh and relevant today.

The Founder’s Journey: Koreen Odiney’s Path to Vulnerability

The genesis of WNRS lies in the personal journey and creative background of its founder, Koreen Odiney. Her unique perspective—blending art, curiosity, and a desire to dismantle superficial barriers—is the core of the brand's success.

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• Full Name: Koreen Odiney
• Origin: Israeli-born, later an Los Angeles transplant.
• Early Career: Started her professional life as a photographer and model, notably represented by LA Models.
• Creative Spark: As a photographer, she found her camera was a powerful tool to access people, allowing her to ask profound, personal questions that went beyond the surface. This practice of interviewing people and capturing their vulnerable moments directly inspired the WNRS card game.
• Game Concept: The initial idea was to create a framework for asking the deep, "deep-feelings variety" of questions she had always been curious about, starting from her middle school days.
• The Movement: She launched the @werenotreallystrangers Instagram account to visualize these vulnerable thoughts, which quickly gained a massive following and became the foundation for the card game.

Odiney's mission has always been clear: to empower meaningful connections by encouraging players to be seen and understood. Her background as a creative activist and entrepreneur has kept the brand's focus on mental health and authentic communication.

7 Ways 'We're Not Really Strangers' Stays Fresh and Relevant in 2025

WNRS has achieved longevity by constantly innovating and expanding its product line, ensuring there is a specific deck for nearly every relationship dynamic and life stage.

1. The Three Levels of Question-Based Psychology

The core game’s structure is a psychological masterpiece, designed to gradually build trust and vulnerability. This three-tiered approach remains the foundation of all WNRS products and is key to its success.

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• Level 1: Perception. These questions focus on how you see the other person, often starting with observations or assumptions, like "What does it look like my job is?" This breaks the ice and introduces the concept of being judged and seen.
• Level 2: Connection. The questions move inward, exploring shared experiences and personal values, deepening the bond between players.
• Level 3: Reflection. The deepest level, prompting players to discuss their innermost thoughts, fears, and dreams, often leading to profound emotional breakthroughs.

2. Hyper-Specific Expansion Packs for Modern Relationships

The brand's continued relevance is driven by its constant release of highly targeted expansion packs that address modern relationship complexities. These decks are the brand's most current and sought-after products, ensuring the game feels tailored to the player's immediate needs.

• The Honest Dating Expansion Pack: A crucial tool for the modern dating scene, designed to cut through superficial swiping and ask the questions that truly matter early on.
• The Relationship Expansion Pack: For established partnerships, this pack focuses on digging deeper into long-term dynamics, communication patterns, and shared futures.
• The Couples Edition: Inspired by the Relationship Expansion, this full deck is specifically crafted to challenge partners to see how well they truly know each other.
• The Family Edition: A dedicated version to bridge the communication gap between family members, focusing on shared history and understanding different perspectives.

3. Digital Packs for Instant, Global Connection

Recognizing the need for connection anywhere, WNRS continues to offer free and purchasable digital packs. These are continually updated and perfect for long-distance relationships or spontaneous virtual gatherings.

• Back to School Edition: Focused on new beginnings and chapter transitions.
• End of the World Edition: Prompts for self-reflection and tribal connection during moments of global stress or crisis.
• Long Distance Edition: Specifically designed for connecting with loved ones who are physically far away.

4. High-Profile Brand Collaborations

WNRS has cemented its status as a lifestyle and cultural brand through unexpected collaborations with major global entities. These partnerships demonstrate the universal appeal of its message.

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• Valentino: The luxury fashion brand hosted a cocktail party and launched a creative card game with WNRS, blending high fashion with emotional depth.
• Diane von Furstenberg (DVF): A collaboration that included an Instagram Live conversation and a new expansion deck.
• Stella Artois: The partnership resulted in conversation bottles, integrating the WNRS concept into a social drinking experience.

5. The Power of the 'Pass' Card and the 'Final Card'

A key element that distinguishes WNRS is its mechanism for emotional safety and reflection. The inclusion of the 'Pass' card gives players permission to skip a question if they are not ready to be vulnerable, fostering a non-judgmental environment. The 'Final Card' feature, which asks players to write a note to the other person, provides a lasting, tangible memento of the shared experience, transforming a game into a memory.

6. Inspiring a Wave of Conversation-Based Media

While an official, proprietary WNRS podcast hosted by the brand itself is not clearly evident, the game’s influence is everywhere. Numerous independent podcasts and media outlets continue to feature and play the game in late 2024 and 2025, using it as a format to drive honest, high-engagement content. This organic adoption proves the game's cultural significance and its function as a ready-made script for deep conversation.

7. A Continuous Social Media Movement

The WNRS Instagram account remains a powerhouse, acting as a daily source of thought-provoking, vulnerable quotes and prompts. It serves as a free, accessible extension of the card game, keeping the core message of self-reflection and connection at the forefront of millions of users' feeds. This ongoing digital dialogue ensures the brand is constantly reaching new audiences and maintaining its viral edge.

The Lasting Impact: Beyond the Red Box

The success of 'We're Not Really Strangers' is a testament to a fundamental human need: the desire for authentic connection. In a world saturated with carefully curated online personas, this card game provides a structured, safe mechanism to peel back the layers and engage in what the brand calls "meaningful experiences for deeper conversations and strong bonds."

The game’s focus on vulnerability, self-love, and friendship has resonated across demographics. By framing deep, psychological questions as a game, WNRS successfully lowers the barrier to entry for difficult topics, making emotional intimacy feel less intimidating. Its continued expansion into new editions and digital formats ensures that the movement Koreen Odiney started with a camera and a question is not slowing down, but rather adapting to the evolving landscape of how we connect with one another. Whether you are playing the *Honest Dating Expansion Pack* or reflecting on a *Level 3* question, the reminder to "play with intention" and "be honest" is the powerful, enduring message of WNRS.