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Foretold

Media & Entertainment Podcasts

Paulina Stevens grew up in an insular Romani American family, destined to leave school, marry young, and become a fortuneteller. By 17, her fate was sealed — until she decided to leave it all behind. "Foretold" follows Paulina as she navigates the consequences of her decision to leave her community and redefine her identity. Hosted by Los Angeles Times reporter Faith Pinho, "Foretold" will take you past the neon "psychic" signs and trendy tarot cards to unravel myths and stereotypes that have followed the Romani people for centuries.

Location:

United States

Description:

Paulina Stevens grew up in an insular Romani American family, destined to leave school, marry young, and become a fortuneteller. By 17, her fate was sealed — until she decided to leave it all behind. "Foretold" follows Paulina as she navigates the consequences of her decision to leave her community and redefine her identity. Hosted by Los Angeles Times reporter Faith Pinho, "Foretold" will take you past the neon "psychic" signs and trendy tarot cards to unravel myths and stereotypes that have followed the Romani people for centuries.

Twitter:

@latimes

Language:

English


Episodes
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This Was Foretold

6/6/2023
In the final episode of “Foretold,” Paulina makes a career choice and starts figuring out her place in the world. And Paulina and Bobby’s custody battle culminates in a decision about their daughters’ future. Check out behind-the-scenes photos and host Faith E. Pinho's reflections on the series. Read the episode transcript. Dive deeper: There is no monolithic “Romani American experience,” not even in California — there are a multitude of them. See opinion pieces by Romani writers in conjunction with the "Foretold" podcast at latimes.com/foretold.

Duration:00:32:28

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The Fallout

5/30/2023
Faced with the consequences of her decisions, Paulina grows estranged from her family — but meets Gina, a cousin who left the community decades before. And Paulina turns to her ultimate battle: the fight for her children in court. Check out more information about this episode. Read the episode transcript. Dive deeper: There is no monolithic “Romani American experience,” not even in California — there are a multitude of them. See opinion pieces by Romani writers in conjunction with the "Foretold" podcast here.

Duration:00:44:06

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A Prism

5/23/2023
In the beginning, Faith thought Paulina was giving her a hot news tip about psychics and scams. Years of investigation revealed something else. Check out more information about this episode. Read the episode transcript. Dive deeper: “I would not exist if my ancestors had not practiced Drabarimos,” or spiritual medicine, spiritualist and filmmaker George Eli writes. He delves into how he got into his line of work and why his community and heritage have become so misunderstood.

Duration:00:38:19

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Your Laws vs. Our Laws

5/16/2023
Now that Paulina has left her family, she has a choice to make: Does she take her custody case through the Romani judicial system? Or does she turn to the American courts, trusting the system she has always been taught to fear? Check out more information about this episode. Read the episode transcript. Dive deeper: There is no monolithic “Romani American experience,” not even in California — there are a multitude of them. See opinion pieces by Romani writers in conjunction with the Foretold podcast here.

Duration:00:49:00

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New Territories

5/9/2023
As a young mother, Paulina grows disillusioned with her home life and yearns for independence and a space she can call her own. Once she opens a new psychic shop, she meets a couple of new clients who give her a peek into their outside world — and there’s no going back. Check out photos and more information about this episode. Read the episode transcript. Dive deeper: There is no monolithic “Romani American experience,” not even in California — there are a multitude of them. Author and activist Nicoleta Bitu shares more on how fighting oppression and patriarchy led her to her own Romani feminism.

Duration:00:47:24

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The Train Station

5/2/2023
Now married, Paulina moves in with Bobby’s family in Orange County and is met with a host of expectations: cooking, cleaning, serving, working at the psychic shop and having children. This kind of family dynamic has helped keep the Romani culture alive across the centuries. But it still catches Paulina by surprise. Check out photos and more information about this episode. Read the episode transcript. Dive deeper: There is no monolithic “Romani American experience,” not even in California — there are a multitude of them. See opinion pieces by Romani writers in conjunction with the Foretold podcast here.

Duration:00:45:13

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Business Arrangements

4/25/2023
Before Paulina was born, her future seemed predestined: She’d marry her relative and close family friend, Bobby. They were a match written in the stars. And their wedding only augured more good things to come. Or so she thought. Check out photos and more information about this episode. Read the episode transcript. Dive deeper: There is no monolithic “Romani American experience,” not even in California — there are a multitude of them. Author Oksana Marafioti shares her recollections of how arriving in Los Angeles as a teenager led her to celebrate her Romani roots.

Duration:00:47:09

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A Certain Kind of Education

4/18/2023
We go back to where it all began: Morro Bay. Paulina shows Faith her hometown, where she recounts a childhood in a tightknit family, vibrant parties and an education cut short. Check out photos and more information about this episode. Read the episode transcript. Dive deeper: There is no monolithic “Romani American experience,” not even in California — there are a multitude of them. Author Oksana Marafioti shares her recollections of how arriving in Los Angeles as a teenager led her to celebrate her Romani roots.

Duration:00:41:59

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The G-Word

4/11/2023
In the fall of 2019, reporter Faith E. Pinho received a tip from Paulina Stevens. Paulina said she had grown up in an insular Romani community in California, where she was raised to be a wife, mother and fortuneteller — until she decided to break away. This opens the door to a story spanning multiple continents, hundreds of years and complex, even metaphysical, realities. Check out photos and more information about this episode. Read the episode transcript. Dive deeper: Our Romani cultural consultant's op-ed describing how her heritage fits into her own life.

Duration:00:47:21

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Introducing: Foretold

3/28/2023
At 12 years old, Paulina Stevens could predict the course of her entire life. Growing up in a traditional Romani family, Paulina was destined to become a wife, mother and fortuneteller. Married at 17 and a mother by 19, Paulina settled into a predetermined life... until she decided to change the course of fate. "Foretold" is a gripping journey of self-discovery as Paulina navigates the consequences of her decision to leave her community and redefine her identity. Taking listeners beyond stereotypes and myths, “Foretold” explores the history and context of Romani culture, and Paulina’s place in it. Follow and listen to “Foretold” at latimes.com/foretold. Coming April 11th.

Duration:00:03:34

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Coming soon: Foretold

3/24/2023
“Foretold” follows the story of Paulina Stevens, a Romani woman who was raised with the assumption she would leave school, marry young and become a fortuneteller. Her fate seemed pretty certain… until she decided to leave it all behind.With Paulina’s story as a starting point, “Foretold” will take you past the neon “psychic” signs and trendy tarot cards to unravel myths and stereotypes that have followed the Romani people for centuries.If you follow Asian Enough, you already follow...

Duration:00:01:00

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Introducing Border City

4/5/2022
Border City is a new L.A. Times Presents podcast from the San Diego Union-Tribune. From Sandra Dibble, a journalist who spent more than 25 years covering the border, comes a story about beauty, violence and belonging in Tijuana, one of the world’s most dangerous cities. Enjoy this sneak peek, and be sure to listen and follow wherever you listen to podcasts.

Duration:00:06:27

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Introducing: Binge Sesh

3/7/2022
In Season 1 of “Binge Sesh,” co-hosts Matt Brennan and Kareem Maddox pull back the curtain on HBO’s “Winning Time” series about the L.A. Lakers of the 1980s, one of the sports’ most unforgettable dynasties. Every week, we bring you stories from the locker room, the soundstage, and the L.A. Times archives as we explore how “Showtime” transformed the NBA — and American culture. Enjoy this sneak peek, and be sure to listen and follow wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more at...

Duration:00:10:27

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Asian Enough: Simu Liu

8/31/2021
A conversation with actor Simu Liu about defying tropes as Marvel’s first Asian superhero, feeling empowered on the set of “Shang-Chi” after his experience with “Kim’s Convenience,” and the importance of being the “masters of our own narrative.” Guest photo by Miller Mobley.

Duration:00:28:59

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Asian Enough: Maz Jobrani

8/24/2021
A conversation with comedian and actor Maz Jobrani about centering his Iranian American identity in his standup, toeing the line with stereotypes onstage, and immigrating to California as a child when his family fled the Iranian Revolution. Guest photo by Storm Santos.

Duration:00:47:58

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Asian Enough: Leyna Bloom

8/17/2021
A conversation with model, actor and dancer Leyna Bloom about making history as the first trans cover model for a Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, embracing her Black and Filipina identity, and reconnecting with her mother — who was deported more than 20 years ago. Guest photo by Zenobia.

Duration:00:43:14

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Asian Enough: Hari Kondabolu

8/10/2021
A conversation with comedian and filmmaker Hari Kondabolu about taking on "The Simpsons" with his documentary “The Problem With Apu,” where he draws the line between activism and comedy, and why he’s cool with white people walking out of his shows. Guest photo by Rob Holysz.

Duration:00:48:09

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Asian Enough: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

8/3/2021
A conversation with Maitreyi Ramakrishnan of the Netflix comedy series “Never Have I Ever” about her Tamil Canadian identity, having Mindy Kaling as a boss and breaking ground by playing a flawed Asian American lead on TV. Guest photo by Yasara Gunawardena / Netflix.

Duration:00:48:30

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Asian Enough: Lucy Liu

7/27/2021
A conversation with Emmy-nominated actor Lucy Liu about fame, art, motherhood and standing up for herself on the set of "Charlie’s Angels." Guest photo by Sophy Holland.

Duration:00:51:48

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Asian Enough: Jenny Yang

7/20/2021
A conversation with comedian and writer Jenny Yang about giving ourselves permission to create, her past life as a labor organizer and how growing up among other Asian Americans taught her she could do it all.

Duration:00:58:31