FORCED to Scam as a Romani Fortune Teller

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code SHELISE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/shelise 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. Find Gina: Book: Shay Bari IG:   / _shaybari   Tiktok:   / _shaybari   We want to meet you in real life! Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION! Click here to go to the official booking page: https://trovatrip.com/trip/north-amer... Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!    / @cultstoconsciousnessclips   Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! https://cults-to-consciousness-shop.f... Patreon   / cultstoconsciousness   Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness   / cultstoconsciousness   Host Instagram @sheliseann   / sheliseann   Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_   / jonathan.rosales_   TikTok @cults.to.consciousness   / cults.to.consciousness   Twitter @cultstocon   / cultstocon   Chapter Marks 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:56 The specific Romani group that Gina came from 00:06:20 How Gina feels about using the G-word to refer to her people 00:08:08 Stand out memories for Gina 00:10:05 How Gina reacted to getting pulled out of school 00:11:09 Why it was important to be pulled out of school 00:13:56 How Gina was taught to scam at an early age 00:20:30 How Gina felt having to lie at an early age 00:23:50 The biggest scam Gina witnessed 00:29:52 Growing up with an abus*ve stepmother 00:38:21 Gina's father comes out as gay and it changes the course of her life 00:41:44 Gina's last words to her father 00:46:18 Gina was forced to go back 00:51:53 Gina is in a painful place, and is put on a strict diet 00:53:31 Gina is forced back to fortunetelling 00:59:37 Gina plots her escape 01:11:16 "I just needed more hugs" 01:14:22 Did Gina ever make contact with her family again? 01:15:56 What brings Gina joy now 01:19:44 Linda, listen *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.*