Paulina and Jez catch up on episodes 6 and 7 of the Los Angeles Times podcast series Foretold, with special attention to the backlash Paulina is getting, her boundaries, and thoughts about telling such a dramatic part of her story. We also discuss the pressure of representing all Roma, which we can't and don't claim to, and how we're handling a lot of emails. We're still really happy to hear from you though! Keep writing in with questions, cool Romani stories to share, and anything else. Just check to see if we've already covered it. 

Thank you for listening to Romanistan podcast.

You can find us on Instagram @romanistanpodcast, and on Facebook under the same name, and on Twitter @romanistanpod. Join our Patreon for extra content. 

We started a Ko-fi fundraiser to help us grow. Our goal is to release more episodes more often, and we would eventually like to expand so we can produce content by other Romani & Sinti creators. We are hoping to cover production costs, like paying for our hosting site, website, editing and producing, and all the rest. We would love it if you could contribute and spread the word. The link, Ko-fi.com/romanistan, is in our bio on Instagram, and will be in the show notes

Please rate, review, and subscribe. It helps us so much. 

If you would like to advertise with us, email us at [email protected]. We offer sliding-scale for Romani, Sinti & related businesses, so reach out!

You can find Jez on Instagram @jezmina.vonthiele, and on Twitter, TikTok, and Patreon, and you can find Jez’s vintage and curiosities shop Evil Eye Edit on Instagram @evileyeedit & Etsy.

You can find Paulina Verminski on Instagram @_paulina_v_ and at https://romaniholistic.com/. Follow Paulina’s store, Romani Holistic, in Newport Beach, CA, on Instagram @romaniholistic 

Romanistan is hosted by Jessica Reidy/Jezmina Von Thiele and Paulina Verminski

Conceived of by Paulina Verminski

Edited by Cherub

With Music by Viktor Pachas

And Artwork by Elijah Vardo

Jez asks Paulina and special guest Gina Merino (episode 1 of Foretold) what they think about episodes 4 and 5 of the Los Angeles Times podcast series, Foretold. We discuss traditional marriage expectations, normalized abuse, and the complexities of representation. CN: sexual abuse/ assault. 

Gina Merino was born and raised in the Muchwaya Romani Vitsa. A native of Southern California, she broke free from the restraints of her culture at 19 to pursue education and motherhood without the limits of her strict community. Gina graduated from Perdue University, and is currently living in Northern California, married with two beautiful adult children, a grandchild, and a promising career in real estate. Her passions are mentoring couples and young women who need guidance spiritually and emotionally. Gina is writing a memoir of her life as a young Gypsy girl in the 80s and 90s.

Follow Gina at @accountableconsciousness on Instagram. 

Thank you for listening to Romanistan podcast.

You can find us on Instagram @romanistanpodcast, and on Facebook under the same name, and on Twitter @romanistanpod. Join our Patreon for extra content. 

We started a Ko-fi fundraiser to help us grow. Our goal is to release more episodes more often, and we would eventually like to expand so we can produce content by other Romani & Sinti creators. We are hoping to cover production costs, like paying for our hosting site, website, editing and producing, and all the rest. We would love it if you could contribute and spread the word. The link, Ko-fi.com/romanistan, is in our bio on Instagram, and will be in the show notes

Please rate, review, and subscribe. It helps us so much. 

If you would like to advertise with us, email us at [email protected]. We offer sliding-scale for Romani, Sinti & related businesses, so reach out!

You can find Jez on Instagram @jezmina.vonthiele, and on Twitter, TikTok, and Patreon, and you can find Jez’s vintage and curiosities shop Evil Eye Edit on Instagram @evileyeedit & Etsy.

You can find Paulina Verminski on Instagram @_paulina_v_ and at https://romaniholistic.com/. Follow Paulina’s store, Romani Holistic, in Newport Beach, CA, on Instagram @romaniholistic 

Romanistan is hosted by Jessica Reidy/Jezmina Von Thiele and Paulina Verminski

Conceived of by Paulina Verminski

Edited by Cherub

With Music by Viktor Pachas

And Artwork by Elijah Vardo

In this 3rd episode of Good Morning, Romanistan! we share what's going on with us, and what's happening around the world, including Barvalo, prosperity spells gone awry, Ederlezi celebrations, kittens, and more! We suggest you check out season 1 episode 4: Ederlezi, Ivana Nikolic @roma__dancer, poet and teacher Diana Norma Szokolyai, 

50 ways to support Black Lives Matter:
https://www.rd.com/article/black-lives-matter-donate/
And check out, black-led criminal justice reform, Black Lives Matter 5280, Equal Justice Initiative.

Also, from activist Grattan Puxon: The World Roma Congress is taking place in Berlin from May 15-17 2023, and will be live streamed for those who can’t attend. This Congress aims to help link Roma across the globe and create a network that organizations everywhere can use to coordinate activities and action. And longer term to build a worldwide electronic voting system that will enable Roma everywhere to elect the political representation of their choosing. This under the head Democratic Transition. You can take part in this by emailing [email protected].

Thank you for listening to Romanistan podcast! You can find us on Instagram @romanistanpodcast, and on Facebook under the same name, and on Twitter @romanistanpod. Join our Patreon for extra content. 

We started a Ko-fi fundraiser to help us grow. Our goal is to release more episodes more often, and we would eventually like to expand so we can produce content by other Romani & Sinti creators. We are hoping to cover production costs, like paying for our hosting site, website, editing and producing, and all the rest. We would love it if you could contribute and spread the word. The link, Ko-fi.com/romanistan, is in our bio on Instagram, and will be in the show notes

Please rate, review, and subscribe. It helps us so much. 

If you would like to advertise with us, email us at [email protected]. We offer sliding-scale for Romani, Sinti & related businesses, so reach out!

You can find Jez on Instagram @jezmina.vonthiele, and on Twitter, TikTok, and Patreon, and you can find Jez’s vintage and curiosities shop Evil Eye Edit on Instagram @evileyeedit & Etsy.

You can find Paulina Verminski on Instagram @_paulina_v_ and at https://romaniholistic.com/. Follow Paulina’s store, Romani Holistic, in Newport Beach, CA, on Instagram @romaniholistic 

Romanistan is hosted by Jessica Reidy/Jezmina Von Thiele and Paulina Verminski

Conceived of by Paulina Verminski

Edited by Cherub

With Music by Viktor Pachas

And Artwork by Elijah Vardo

In this episode of Romanistan, Paulina and Jez debrief episodes 2 & 3 of Foretold, the LA Times podcast series centered on Paulina’s life. If you haven’t heard it yet, check it out on any podcast platform. In this episode, we discuss Paulina’s early years in school and what it was like having her kindergarten abd first grade teachers interviewed, and we discuss the complicated mess of early arranged marriages.

Thank you for listening to Romanistan podcast.

You can find us on Instagram @romanistanpodcast, and on Facebook under the same name, and on Twitter @romanistanpod. Join our Patreon for extra content. 

We started a Ko-fi fundraiser to help us grow. Our goal is to release more episodes more often, and we would eventually like to expand so we can produce content by other Romani & Sinti creators. We are hoping to cover production costs, like paying for our hosting site, website, editing and producing, and all the rest. We would love it if you could contribute and spread the word. The link, Ko-fi.com/romanistan, is in our bio on Instagram, and will be in the show notes

Please rate, review, and subscribe. It helps us so much. 

If you would like to advertise with us, email us at [email protected]. We offer sliding-scale for Romani, Sinti & related businesses, so reach out!

You can find Jez on Instagram @jezmina.vonthiele, and on Twitter, TikTok, and Patreon, and you can find Jez’s vintage and curiosities shop Evil Eye Edit on Instagram @evileyeedit & Etsy.

You can find Paulina Verminski on Instagram @_paulina_v_ and at https://romaniholistic.com/. Follow Paulina’s store, Romani Holistic Healing, in Newport Beach, CA, on Instagram @romaniholistic 

Romanistan is hosted by Jessica Reidy/Jezmina Von Thiele and Paulina Verminski

Conceived of by Paulina Verminski

Edited by Cherub

With Music by Viktor Pachas

And Artwork by Elijah Vardo

Rowena Marin is a Romani woman, author of Who Am I in the World, and Global Agency Lead at Google, in New York. She is the co-founder of The School of Reinvention - a company meant to help people align with their passions and purpose. Rowena comes from a closed community of Silversmith Roma from Romania and managed to succeed in her career through education  based in Romania, Spain, France, India, and China. She writes about her story in order to encourage other young women from closed communities to pursue education, grow and define themselves beyond any labels.

Our Romani crushes this episode are Giuvlipen and E-Romnja. 

 Thank you for listening to Romanistan podcast.

You can find us on Instagram @romanistanpodcast, and on Facebook under the same name, and on Twitter @romanistanpod. Join our Patreon for extra content.

We started a Ko-fi fundraiser to help us expand. Our goal is to continue releasing 2 episodes a month, including our advice column, and we would eventually like to expand so we can produce content by other Romani & Sinti creators. We are hoping to cover production costs, like paying for our hosting site, website, editing and producing, and all the rest. We would love it if you could contribute and spread the word. The link, Ko-fi.com/romanistan, is in our bio on Instagram, and will be in the show notes

Please rate, review, and subscribe. It helps us so much. 

If you would like to advertise with us, email us at [email protected]. We offer sliding-scale for Romani, Sinti & related businesses, so reach out!

You can find Jess on Instagram @jezmina.vonthiele, and you can find Jess’ vintage and curiosities shop Evil Eye Edit on Instagram @evileyeedit & Etsy.

You can find Paulina Verminski on Instagram @_paulina_v_ and at https://romaniholistic.com/. Follow Paulina’s store, Romani Holistic, in Newport Beach, CA, on Instagram @romaniholistic 

Romanistan is hosted by Jessica Reidy/Jezmina Von Thiele and Paulina Verminski

Conceived of by Paulina Verminski

Edited by Cherub

With Music by Viktor Pachas

And Artwork by Elijah Vardo

As you may know, Romanistan co-host Paulina Stevens Verminski is featured in a new podcast series by the LA Times, Foretold. Jez interviews Paulina to break down the first episode and reflect on how hard it is to tell your story, particularly a complex one, and represent your culture. This is the first of what we hope are many debriefing episodes, but to make that happen, we need your help. Please subscribe to our patreon, donate to our Ko-fi fundraiser, or treat yourself to some Romanistan merch so we can continue to fund production. You can do all of this at https://romanistanpodcast.com. 

Thank you for listening to Romanistan podcast.

You can find us on Instagram @romanistanpodcast, and on Facebook under the same name, and on Twitter @romanistanpod. Join our Patreon for extra content. 

We started a Ko-fi fundraiser to help us expand. Our goal is to continue releasing 2 episodes a month, including our advice column, and we would eventually like to expand so we can produce content by other Romani & Sinti creators. We are hoping to cover production costs, like paying for our hosting site, website, editing and producing, and all the rest. We would love it if you could contribute and spread the word. The link, Ko-fi.com/romanistan, is in our bio on Instagram, and will be in the show notes

Please rate, review, and subscribe. It helps us so much. 

If you would like to advertise with us, email us at [email protected]. We offer sliding-scale for Romani, Sinti & related businesses, so reach out!

You can find Jess on Instagram @jezmina.vonthiele, and you can find Jess’ vintage and curiosities shop Evil Eye Edit on Instagram @evileyeedit & Etsy.

You can find Paulina Verminski on Instagram @_paulina_v_ and at https://romaniholistic.com/. Follow Paulina’s store, Romani Holistic, in Newport Beach, CA, on Instagram @romaniholistic 

Romanistan is hosted by Jessica Reidy/Jezmina Von Thiele and Paulina Verminski

Conceived of by Paulina Verminski

Edited by Cherub

With Music by Viktor Pachas

And Artwork by Elijah Vardo

Welcome to our second GMR episode! We talk personal and relatively current events, answer listener's questions, and pull a tarot card.

Shoutouts to @anyatheodora1, ally & Turkish bellydancer @aslirakkas, @roma__dancer, @errcinsta, Lolo Lovina, and the new podcast Foretold by the LA Times, which feature's Paulina's life story.

Fundraiser for Roma and Domari in Turkey post-earthquake.

Thank you for listening to Romanistan podcast.

You can find us on Instagram @romanistanpodcast, and on Facebook under the same name, and on Twitter @romanistanpod. Join our Patreon for extra content. 

We started a Ko-fi fundraiser to help us expand. Our goal is to continue releasing 2 episodes a month, including our advice column, and we would eventually like to expand so we can produce content by other Romani & Sinti creators. We are hoping to cover production costs, like paying for our hosting site, website, editing and producing, and all the rest. We would love it if you could contribute and spread the word. The link, Ko-fi.com/romanistan, is in our bio on Instagram, and will be in the show notes

Please rate, review, and subscribe. It helps us so much. 

If you would like to advertise with us, email us at [email protected]. We offer sliding-scale for Romani, Sinti & related businesses, so reach out!

You can find Jess on Instagram @jezmina.vonthiele, and you can find Jess’ vintage and curiosities shop Evil Eye Edit on Instagram @evileyeedit & Etsy.

You can find Paulina Verminski on Instagram @_paulina_v_ and at https://romaniholistic.com/. Follow Paulina’s store, Romani Holistic, in Newport Beach, CA, on Instagram @romaniholistic 

Romanistan is hosted by Jessica Reidy/Jezmina Von Thiele and Paulina Verminski

Conceived of by Paulina Verminski

Edited by Cherub

With Music by Viktor Pachas

And Artwork by Elijah Vardo

We had such a wonderful time chatting with the sparkling Alice Psychic! For over 10 years Alice Psychic has been a noteworthy leader in the Spiritual space. You may know Alice from her work as the Psychic Next Door on social media but Alice can also be credited with contributions to the Twinflame movement, the rise in chiromancy and shedding a positive light on Romani voices and their history.

Alice Psychic is based in Houston, Texas. Throughout her years of training she has become a Certified Reiki Master, Angel Reader, and Therapy Practitioner. Alice has trained in the art of Distance Healing as well as the study of Energy Alchemy and holds a U.S. registered trademark for her Twinflame work.

Alice enjoys sharing her gifts and helping people find their own magic.

You can find Alice on her website, https://www.psychicofthestars.com/, and follow her on Instagram and TikTok. 

The Romani crush for this episode is Jennileen Joseph of Sastimos Holistic Health. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok, and listen to our interview with Jennileen, episode 1 of season 3. 

Thank you for listening to Romanistan podcast.

You can find us on Instagram @romanistanpodcast, and on Facebook under the same name, and on Twitter @romanistanpod

We started a Ko-fi fundraiser to help us expand. Our goal is to continue releasing 2 episodes a month, including our advice column, and we would eventually like to expand so we can produce content by other Romani & Sinti creators. We are hoping to cover production costs, like paying for our hosting site, website, editing and producing, and all the rest. We would love it if you could contribute and spread the word. The link, Ko-fi.com/romanistan, is in our bio on Instagram, and will be in the show notes

Please rate, review, and subscribe. It helps us so much. 

If you would like to advertise with us, email us at [email protected]. We offer sliding-scale for Romani, Sinti & related businesses, so reach out!

You can find Jess on Instagram @jezmina.vonthiele, and you can find Jess’ vintage and curiosities shop Evil Eye Edit on Instagram @evileyeedit & Etsy.

You can find Paulina Verminski on Instagram @_paulina_v_ and at https://romaniholistic.com/. Follow Paulina’s store, Romani Holistic, in Corona Del Mar, CA, on Instagram @romaniholistic 

Romanistan is hosted by Jessica Reidy and Paulina Verminski

Conceived of by Paulina Verminski

Edited by Cherub

With Music by Viktor Pachas

And Artwork by Elijah Vardo

Good morning, Romanistan!

Here’s our first talk show. We hope you like it. You can get the full, unedited version for $5 a month on our Patreon, or you can donate to our Ko-fi fundraiser to support us.

Here are some links for you to explore!

“The Roma Artist Sewing a New History for Her People” New York Times, about artist Malgorzata Mirga-Tas

“Roma Face Discrimination at Every Stage of Crminal Proceedings in the Czech Republic and Slovakia,” ERRC

“Scarlet Witch WandaVision Variant Cover”, Screen Rant

“Moving Change Welcomes Gypsy and Traveller Members Network Event,” Travellers Times

Happy Three Year Anniversary to Dead Scared Entertainment, a Romani Horror Media Company! 

167 years ago, 500+ years of Romani slavery in the Balkans was abolished. We recommend these resources:

 “Roma and African Americans Share a Common Struggle,” The Guardian, by Margareta Matache and Cornell West

https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2020/10/5/it-is-time-reparations-are-paid-for-roma-slavery/

“It’s Time Reparation are Paid for Romani Slavery,” Al Jazeera, by Margareta Matche

And this great post by @nenaromani and @movimento kethane on Instagram 

Jez’s monthly tarot column for Bustle 

Thank you for listening to Romanistan podcast.

Please rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen or can give us 5 stars. It helps us so much. 

You can find us at romanistanpodcast.com, where we have a blog, all of our episodes, merch, links to our patreon, fundraiser, & social media. On Instagram, TikTok, & Facebook @romanistanpodcast, and on Twitter @romanistanpod

Email us at [email protected] 

Romanistan is hosted by Jessica Reidy aka Jezmina Von Thiele and Paulina Verminski

Conceived of by Paulina Verminski

Edited by Cherub

With Music by Viktor Pachas

And Artwork by Elijah Vardo

Jennileen Joseph of Sastimos Holistic Health brings herself as a Rroma woman into how she approaches all aspects of herbalism and Ayurveda, encouraging people to understand healing from a lens of relationship to land and community. The stories of plants and people are intertwined, as they have grown alongside one another since time immemorial.

Jennileen received her bachelor's degree from New York University in US History: Origins and Effects of Intergenerational Trauma. She is a graduate of the Clinical Herbalism I and II programs, as well as the Ayurvedic Studies program, from the University of New Mexico. She apprenticed with Herbalist and Ayurvedic practitioner Sonia Masocco for several years, where she focused on herbal pharmacy, teaching, and working one-on-one with clients. She also studied with Ecological Herbalist Dara Saville.

Before becoming a practitioner, Jennileen was a domestic worker for over 30 years. She is the founder and former director of the Massachusetts Alliance of Professional Nannies and co-founder of the Massachusetts Coalition for Domestic Workers.

Jennileen taught Herbal Medicine and Food as Medicine courses at the Albuquerque School of Healing Arts. She is currently a plant medicine instructor at the University of New Mexico, as well as Albuquerque Herbalism.

Follow Jennileen on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Our Romani crush for this episode is Alice Psychic.

Thank you for listening to Romanistan podcast.

Please rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen or can give us 5 stars. It helps us so much. 

You can find us at romanistanpodcast.com, where we have a blog, all of our episodes, merch, links to our patreon, fundraiser, & social media. On Instagram, TikTok, & Facebook @romanistanpodcast, and on Twitter @romanistanpod

We run entirely on your support, so if you love the show, consider donating to our Ko-Fi fundraiser. The link, Ko-fi.com/romanistan is on our website. You can also subscribe to our Patreon for extra content & treats every month! 

Email us at [email protected] with listener stories, requests for advice, recipes, romani culture and language facts, and anything else you want to share. Reach out if you want to advertise with us too. We offer sliding-scale for Romani, Sinti & related businesses, so reach out!

You can find Jez on Instagram, TikTok, & Facebook under @jezmina.vonthiele. Also please check out my vintage and curiosities shop Evil Eye Edit on Etsy.

You can find Paulina Verminski on Instagram @_paulina_v_ and at https://romaniholistic.com/. Follow Paulina’s store, Romani Holistic, in Corona Del Mar, CA, on Instagram @romaniholistic 

Romanistan is hosted by Jessica Reidy aka Jezmina Von Thiele and Paulina Verminski

Conceived of by Paulina Verminski

Edited by Cherub

With Music by Viktor Pachas

And Artwork by Elijah Vardo