Foretold

Introducing: Crimes of the Times Jan 28, 2025

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.

This Was Foretold Jun 06, 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.

The Fallout May 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.

A Prism May 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.

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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.

Your Laws vs. Our Laws May 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.

New Territories May 09, 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.

The Train Station May 02, 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.

Business Arrangements Apr 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.

A Certain Kind of Education Apr 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.

The G-Word Apr 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.

Introducing: Foretold Mar 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.

Asian Enough: Simu Liu Aug 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.

Asian Enough: Maz Jobrani Aug 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.

Asian Enough: Leyna Bloom Aug 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.

Asian Enough: Hari Kondabolu Aug 10, 2021

A conversation with comedian and filmmaker Hari Kondaboluabout 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.

Asian Enough: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Aug 03, 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.

Asian Enough: Lucy Liu Jul 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.

Asian Enough: Jenny Yang Jul 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.

Asian Enough: Sohla El-Waylly Jul 13, 2021

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.

Asian Enough: John Cho Jul 06, 2021

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

Asian Enough: Nicole Chung Jun 29, 2021

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.

Asian Enough: Angela Yee Jun 22, 2021

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.

Asian Enough: Thenmozhi Soundararajan Jun 15, 2021

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'

Asian Enough: Anthony Ocampo Jun 08, 2021

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."

Asian Enough: Jujubee Jun 01, 2021

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

Asian Enough: Min Jin Lee May 25, 2021

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.

Asian Enough: Ruby Ibarra May 18, 2021

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.

Asian Enough: Sandra Oh May 11, 2021

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.

Introducing Asian Enough, Season 2 Apr 27, 2021

In the first season of our podcast hosted by reporters from the L.A. Times, we spoke to Vice President Kamala Harris, actor John Cho and director Lulu Wang, among others. In our second season we'll bring you more intimate, hard-hitting conversations exploring the vast spectrum of the Asian American experience with actors, authors, musicians, activists and more. Season 2 premieres May 11, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday through August. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Asian Enough: Weijia Jiang Jul 07, 2020

A conversation with CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang about what it's like in the White House briefing room,covering anti-Asian racism during the pandemic and how standing up to bullies as a child prepared her for a career in journalism.

Asian Enough: Mark Takano Jun 30, 2020

A conversation with Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) about the massive protests around the country demanding racial justice, the homophobia he faced running for office as a gay Asian man in the 1990s, and the conversations he had with his parents before entering the political arena.

Asian Enough: Kamala Harris Jun 23, 2020

A conversation with Democratic U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris about the recent rise in anti-Asian hate, how government leaders should address racism in America, and growing up with Indian and Jamaican roots in Northern California.

Asian Enough: Padma Lakshmi Jun 16, 2020

A conversation with “Top Chef” host, model and writer Padma Lakshmi about growing up Indian American in the San Gabriel Valley, cultural appropriation vs. appreciation in food, and her new Hulu show “Taste the Nation."

Asian Enough introduces: It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders and Guest Hasan Minhaj Jun 09, 2020

This week, as we take a break from Asian Enough, we want to share an episode of another podcast we’ve been listening to: It’s Been A Minute, which is hosted by Sam Sanders and made by our friends over at NPR. On this episode, Sanders talks to former "The Daily Show" correspondent and comedian Hasan Minhaj about growing up as a second-generation Indian American Muslim in California, finding joy in family, and what faith means to him today. If you like It's Been A Minute, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510317/its-been-a-minute-with-sam-sanders

Asian Enough: Jose Antonio Vargas Jun 02, 2020

A conversation with journalist, filmmaker and activist Jose Antonio Vargas about why coming out as undocumented was harder than coming out as gay, the complexities of Asian American identity, and how to confront racism in our own communities.