Foretold - podcast cover

Foretold

Los Angeles Timesforetold.simplecast.com
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.

Episodes

Introducing: L.A. Crimes

Please enjoy a featured clip of L.A. Times Studio's latest production, L.A. Crimes. On this episode, Madison McGhee is joined by legendary Dateline host Josh Mankiewicz and esteemed L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton as the three of them dive into all-things Menendez Brothers, the good, the bad, and the still unknown. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

May 21, 202511 minSeason 3Ep. 10

Introducing, Boiling Point: Climate Change Is No Joke. Or Is It?

Introducing a new podcast from LA Times Studios and award-winning L.A. Times columnist Sammy Roth, Boiling Point, where Sammy breaks down the many complexities of today's climate challenges and solutions with top experts in the field. In this episode comedian Esteban Gast talks with Sammy about using humor to alleviate climate anxiety, while making clean energy and other environmental solutions more interesting — and even fun. From punchlines to policy, they explore laughter as a powerful tool f...

Mar 19, 202532 min

Introducing: Crimes of the Times

L.A. Times reporter Christopher Goffard of “Dirty John” is back with another riveting podcast from L.A. Times Studios. In “Crimes of the Times,” Goffard goes deep behind the scenes of a new story each week, cutting through common myths and misconceptions to uncover what really happened in the most compelling cases from L.A. and beyond.

Jan 28, 20251 min

This Was Foretold

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...

Jun 06, 202332 minSeason 3Ep. 9

The Fallout

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 "Foretol...

May 30, 202344 minSeason 3Ep. 8

A Prism

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....

May 23, 202338 minSeason 3Ep. 7

Your Laws vs. Our Laws

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 podc...

May 16, 202349 minSeason 3Ep. 6

New Territories

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...

May 09, 202347 minSeason 3Ep. 5

The Train Station

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...

May 02, 202345 minSeason 3Ep. 4

Business Arrangements

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 arriv...

Apr 25, 202347 minSeason 3Ep. 3

A Certain Kind of Education

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 celebrat...

Apr 18, 202342 minSeason 3Ep. 2

The G-Word

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 cons...

Apr 11, 202347 minSeason 3Ep. 1

Introducing: Foretold

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 stereoty...

Mar 28, 20234 min

Asian Enough: Simu Liu

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.

Aug 31, 202126 minSeason 2Ep. 17

Asian Enough: Maz Jobrani

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.

Aug 24, 202144 minSeason 2Ep. 16

Asian Enough: Leyna Bloom

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.

Aug 17, 202139 minSeason 2Ep. 15

Asian Enough: Hari Kondabolu

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.

Aug 10, 202144 minSeason 2Ep. 14

Asian Enough: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

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.

Aug 03, 202144 minSeason 2Ep. 13

Asian Enough: Lucy Liu

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.

Jul 27, 202148 minSeason 2Ep. 12

Asian Enough: Jenny Yang

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.

Jul 20, 202156 minSeason 2Ep. 11

Asian Enough: Sohla El-Waylly

A conversation with chef and food media personality Sohla El-Waylly about cooking Bangladeshi food with her mom, appropriation vs appreciation and microaggressions in food media. Guest photo by Jingyu Lin.

Jul 13, 202151 minSeason 2Ep. 10

Asian Enough: John Cho

A conversation with actor John Cho about fatherhood, the complexities of fame and unpacking the stories our parents tell us.

Jul 06, 202157 minSeason 2Ep. 9

Asian Enough: Nicole Chung

A conversation with writer Nicole Chung about challenging the narrative of her adoption story in her memoir “All You Can Ever Know,” processing grief and why it’s so hard to talk about racism. Guest photo by Erica Tappis.

Jun 29, 202149 minSeason 2Ep. 8

Asian Enough: Angela Yee

A conversation with media personality and entrepreneur Angela Yee about the future of “The Breakfast Club," her Black and Chinese upbringing, gaining success as a woman in a male-dominated industry and how to talk to people you don’t agree with.

Jun 22, 202142 minSeason 2Ep. 7

Asian Enough: Thenmozhi Soundararajan

A conversation with musician and Dalit rights activist Thenmozhi Soundararajan about "coming out" as an "untouchable," using art for social progress and the movement for caste liberation in the U.S. More reading: Even in the U.S. he couldn't escape the label 'untouchable'

Jun 15, 202142 minSeason 2Ep. 6

Asian Enough: Anthony Ocampo

A conversation with sociologist and writer Anthony Ocampo about creating spaces for gay men from immigrant families, honoring Filipino nurses and expanding our definition of “Asian American."

Jun 08, 202146 minSeason 2Ep. 5

Asian Enough: Jujubee

A conversation with drag queen Jujubee about finding freedom through drag, fighting the patriarchy in queer spaces, and repping Laotian culture on 'Drag Race.’

Jun 01, 202154 minSeason 2Ep. 4

Asian Enough: Min Jin Lee

A conversation with “Pachinko” and “Free Food for Millionaires” author Min Jin Lee on quitting a legal career to write novels, how history has failed us and being “extra Asian” in the face of racism. Guest photo by Elena Seibert.

May 25, 202152 minSeason 2Ep. 3

Asian Enough: Ruby Ibarra

A conversation with rapper Ruby Ibarra about writing the Filipina American experience into her lyrics, finding her (multilingual) voice in hip-hop, and her day job as a scientist fighting COVID-19. Guest photo by Donna Ibarra.

May 18, 202146 minSeason 2Ep. 2

Asian Enough: Sandra Oh

A conversation with award-winning “Killing Eve” actor Sandra Oh about speaking out against anti-Asian hate, engaging identity in her film and TV roles and why it’s an honor just to be Asian. Guest photo by James White.

May 11, 20211 hr 1 minSeason 2Ep. 1
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