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. 

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Book:  Shay Bari

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**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 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

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