How Mediumship is a Lifelong Learning Journey: Insights from a Reverend Medium

One of the biggest misconceptions about mediumship is that it’s something you either have or you don’t. People think you wake up one day, the spirit world dials in, and suddenly you’re delivering messages like a celestial call centre. But the truth is, mediumship isn’t just given to you—it’s a lifelong learning journey, full of twists, turns, and a few moments of wondering whether you’re just making it all up.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Reverend Lori Sheridan, a spiritual medium, minister, and all-round lovely human, about this very topic. And if there’s one thing we both agree on, it’s this: you never stop learning in mediumship.

The Never-Ending Development of a Medium

Lori and I first crossed paths in a mediumship course, which tells you everything you need to know. We’ve both been working mediums for years, and yet, we were still in a class, still fine-tuning our connection, still pushing ourselves. Because, let’s be honest, mediumship will never be “done”—there’s no finish line, no gold star for completing your training. It’s an ongoing process of unfolding, expanding, and occasionally wanting to throw in the towel when Spirit decides to test your patience.

As Lori put it:

"No matter where you are, whether in the beginning or more seasoned, it really is about striving to continue to learn and grow. We can always do better, right?"

And she’s spot on. Every reading, every connection, every moment in the power teaches you something new.

The Role of Training and Mentorship

A lot of people assume that because mediumship is a natural ability, it doesn’t require training. I mean, do we technically need a piece of paper saying we can chat with dead people? No. But does good training and mentorship make all the difference? Absolutely.

Lori shared how she spent two years training to become a Reverend—not just learning about spiritualist principles but also how to support people through life’s hardest moments. She even had to practice holding someone’s hand and offering comfort in times of grief. (Yes, there’s a skill to that. And no, it’s not just awkwardly patting their shoulder while mumbling “there, there.”)

She also emphasized how every mentor and teacher brings something different to the table. Whether it’s mediumship mechanics, personal healing, or a good old-fashioned boot camp for the soul, learning from seasoned professionals helps you refine your gift in ways you just can’t do alone.

The Art of Surrender (and Why It’s So Hard)

One of the biggest lessons Lori and I have both learned? Surrender.

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Just let go and let Spirit take the lead. Except, for most developing mediums, surrendering is about as easy as herding cats.

Lori shared how she spent years trying to control the way Spirit communicated—asking for specific details, structuring her readings in a certain way—until she realized that the real magic happens when you just let go.

“When I began to surrender and just allow the Spirit World to communicate how they wanted to, that was the big breakthrough.”

It’s a terrifying thought at first. What if nothing comes? What if I get it wrong? What if the spirit world is busy watching Netflix and doesn’t pick up my call? But the moment you stop forcing it and start trusting it, mediumship starts to flow.

Mistakes, Missteps, and Moving Forward

Another myth in mediumship? That you’ll get it right 100% of the time. That’s adorable.

The reality is, mistakes happen. Sometimes Spirit gives you something so weird and unexpected that even you start questioning your own sanity. Sometimes your sitter sits there with a poker face, and you start sweating like you’ve just run a marathon. And sometimes, Spirit just doesn’t turn up the way you expect them to.

But the key is to keep going.

Lori talked about one of her most profound experiences—a reading where she completely surrendered, and Spirit just took over. The evidence flowed, the messages hit home, and the healing was undeniable. Those are the moments that remind us why we do this work.

But to get to those moments, you have to be willing to get it wrong, to grow, and to trust the process.

So, How Do You Keep Developing?

If you’re feeling the pull of mediumship but don’t know where to start (or you’re already on the path and want to push yourself further), here’s what Lori and I recommend:

• Keep learning. Whether it’s through courses, mentorship, or sitting in development circles, always look for ways to refine your gift.

• Sit in the power. Yes, it’s boring. Yes, your mind will wander. Yes, you’ll start thinking about what’s for dinner. But it’s essential for strengthening your connection to Spirit.

• Practice surrender. Let Spirit take the lead. They know what they’re doing (even if we sometimes don’t).

• Be willing to make mistakes. It’s how you grow. And trust me, every medium has had a session where they’ve wanted to crawl under a rock afterward.

• Stay humble. The best mediums never think they’re “done.” They keep learning, keep growing, and keep improving their work.

Final Thoughts

Mediumship isn’t something you just “achieve.” It’s a constant evolution. Even the most experienced mediums (including those with fancy Reverend titles!) are still learning, still pushing themselves, still having “off” days.

The secret? Love the journey.

Because the real beauty of mediumship isn’t just in the messages—it’s in the way it transforms you as a person. The more you develop, the more you grow—not just as a medium, but as a human being. And honestly, that’s the best part of all.