Integrity, Ethics, and Hard Lessons in Spiritual Development
- Hannah Macintyre
- Jan 1
- 3 min read
Mediumship Matters Podcast — Season 1, Episode 7
Spiritual development isn’t always gentle, and it isn’t always comfortable.
In this episode of Mediumship Matters, I reflect on a series of hard lessons around ethics, responsibility, and integrity in mediumship and spiritual work. Sparked by witnessing unethical behaviour online, this episode explores where spiritual authority can go wrong, how exploitation shows up in subtle ways, and why real development often involves uncomfortable self-reflection rather than validation.
This episode is especially relevant if you’ve ever felt uneasy about how spiritual work is presented online, questioned the ethics of certain practices, or felt conflicted about charging, value, and responsibility in mediumship.
When Spiritual Work Crosses Ethical Lines
One of the core themes in this episode is the misuse of power.
I talk openly about witnessing practices that exploit grief — particularly the suggestion that spirit communication is influenced by social media engagement, sharing, or “winning” attention. This kind of messaging preys on vulnerability and creates false hope.
Spirit communication does not work on incentives, algorithms, or desperation. Suggesting otherwise undermines trust and harms people who are already grieving.
Charging for Mediumship and the Question of Fairness
Another topic I address directly is money.
Mediumship is a gift, but it is also a skill that requires years of training, development, self-discipline, and ongoing learning. Like any professional practice, it involves time, emotional labour, responsibility, and real-world costs.
In this episode, I explain my belief in balance — offering work freely where possible, while also valuing time, expertise, and sustainability. Charging fairly is not exploitation. Exploitation comes from manipulation, pressure, and false promises.
Why Development Requires Integrity, Not Ego
A recurring thread throughout this episode is the danger of ego in spiritual spaces.
When people rush to position themselves as experts without integration, or bypass difficult inner work in favour of status and attention, harm is often the result. True development is slow, humbling, and deeply personal.
Integrity shows up in how we treat people, how we hold boundaries, and how willing we are to be questioned.
Shamanic Work and the Reality of Growth
In this episode, I also share my experiences with shamanic training — not as an identity or label, but as a form of deep personal work.
For me, shamanic practice was not about ritual or performance. It was about endurance, accountability, and facing parts of myself I would rather avoid. It challenged my ego, my expectations, and my comfort.
That work profoundly changed me — not by elevating me, but by grounding me more fully in who I am.
Growth Often Comes Through Resistance
One of the most important insights I share is that resistance is often a sign of meaningful growth.
When spiritual work presses our buttons, exposes insecurity, or triggers anger, it’s tempting to walk away. But those moments are often invitations to deepen understanding rather than escape discomfort.
Development doesn’t always feel affirming. Sometimes it feels confronting — and that’s not a failure.
About This Episode
In this episode of Mediumship Matters, I explore:
Ethics and responsibility in spiritual work
Exploitation and manipulation in online mediumship
Charging fairly vs abusing vulnerability
Ego, bypassing, and false authority
Shamanic work as grounding, not performance
Why resistance can signal growth
The role of integrity in long-term development
🎧 Listen to the episode here:
If You’re Navigating Spiritual Spaces Carefully
If you’ve ever felt uneasy about spiritual messaging, pressured by predictions, or confused by conflicting approaches, you may find reassurance in What Makes Ethical Mediumship? or Why Integrity Matters More Than Visibility in Spiritual Work.
You’re also welcome to explore The Gateway, my online school for grounded spiritual development, or Spirit Social, where these conversations can happen thoughtfully and without pressure.
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