FORCED to Scam as a Romani Fortune Teller

Gina Merino grew up in California with a very strict family which identifies as “Gypsies”. Her life was strictly controlled and she experienced harsh ab*se at the hands of her step mother. At elementary age, before being pulled out of school, she would begin telling fortune, understanding she was lying to people, but had no other choice. She uncovers ways in which her and her family scammed people out of thousands of dollars. When her father revealed a deep secret to his wife and family, both him and Gina were immediately treated like garbage. Gina was stuck, isolated in the family until years later when she made a daring escape and never looked back. Click here to watch on YouTubeFind Gina:  Book:  Shay BariIG: @_shaybari Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_ShayBariTake your personal data back with Incogni! Use code SHELISE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/sheliseSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 Intro00:03:56 The specific Romani group that Gina came from00:06:20 How Gina feels about using the G-word to refer to her people00:08:08 Stand out memories for Gina00:10:05 How Gina reacted to getting pulled out of school00:11:09 Why it was important to be pulled out of school00:13:56 How Gina was taught to scam at an early age00:20:30 How Gina felt having to lie at an early age00:23:50 The biggest scam Gina witnessed00:29:52 Growing up with an abus*ve stepmother00:38:21 Gina's father comes out as gay and it changes the course of her life00:41:44 Gina's last words to her father00:46:18 Gina was forced to go back00:51:53 Gina is in a painful place, and is put on a strict diet00:53:31 Gina is forced back to fortunetelling00:59:37 Gina plots her escape01:11:16 "I just needed more hugs"01:14:22 Did Gina ever make contact with her family again?01:15:56 What brings Gina joy now01:19:44 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.