This week, I am having a conversation with my dear friend Michael Mayo. He is a medium, the founder of the Oakbridge Institute, and the author of a new book, Spirit Speaks. Michael shares that he wanted his book to have everything someone needs to begin their mediumship development journey. He talked about how mediumship is more about allowing yourself to receive than technique, and shared his thoughts on the differences between UK and US mediumship standards. One of the things that came out of this conversation was a shared agreement that we need more genuine sharing and accessibility for mediumship because it can benefit everyone.

I said more than once in the episode how energizing it was to have this conversation about mediumship! This is one of the benefits of being in community while doing this work. 

The next round of The Initiation starts on January 31! Join the waitlist for a special bundle and pricing. (Hint: This will be especially exciting if you’ve been thinking about joining my monthly membership!)
https://view.flodesk.com/pages/636318632d6246fc1453ca16

Michael Mayo Links

If you purchase his book, Spirit Speaks, before December 15 and send a screenshot to support@oakbridgeinstitute.org you will receive a free sitting in the power meditation!

Get the Spirit Speaks

Llewellyn: https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738773438

Amazon US:https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Speaks-Step-Step-Evidence-Based-ebook/dp/B09RK5VM2S

Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/Spirit-Speaks-Step-Step-Evidence-Based/dp/0738773433/

Website: https://www.oakbridgeinstitute.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mediummichaelmayo/

Spirit School Links

Initiation Waitlist: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/636318632d6246fc1453ca16

Join us on the new FREE Spirit School platform: https://myspiritschoolcollective.com/plans/

Join the Spirit School Collective: https://www.squamishmedium.com/spiritschoolcollective

Visit Spirit School at https://www.squamishmedium.com/ for all courses and upcoming programs

View full transcripts of podcast episodes at https://www.squamishmedium.com/blog

In this episode:

• It is surreal to have people reading his new book and reflecting back how impactful it is
• Someone from Llewellyn publishing saw his interview on Shift Network and offered a book deal
• He wrote his new book, Spirit Speaks, in a focused month of writing
• Michael saw a need for his type of teaching that is not technique based
• He wanted his book to have everything someone needs to begin their mediumship journey
• If you teach a technique, it’s not going to work for everyone
• Teach the bigger principles of surrender, allowing, trust, letting go of tension
• Pioneers of spiritualism didn’t have techniques, they sat in presence and communed with Spirit
• Spiritualists in the US and UK had to overcome religious extremism 
• In Indigenous cultures, it was accepted as a role you were born into without barriers
• Spiritualists asked religious questions, like does Jesus say this is okay?
• Indigenous cultures talk to animal and plant people as equals on this planet
• Michael notes that today’s battle is scientific in addition to being religious 
• In a materialistic society, it’s hard to imagine not having to prove something
• We can’t bypass the human experience and need for some validation 
• In the end, we want to honour the world of spirit and their messages
• Focus on the phenomena of mediumship makes spirit a tool for performance
• I imagine that my Nana would demand my attention as a medium
• TV mediums created new expectations of what a sitting is like
• While it normalized mediumship, but it also lowered the standards in some ways
• The UK has kept it sacred, while it’s about entertainment and persona in the US
• It’s not about systems and structures, it’s innate and about spiritual experiences
• Religious context makes Spiritualism less accessible to people with religious trauma
• Everyone loses someone, so can benefit from mediumship
• We need people from all different walks of life to make it accessible
• Mediums we admire are grounded and don’t need to prove themselves
• Pinnacle mediums like Helen Hughes have shown what’s possible
• She learned how to speak in front of people because of the responsibility
• Though used offensively in literature, “ignorance” may mean more free to channel
• Being a clear channel has more to do with surrender and confidence than intelligence
• The title “evidential medium” has been used as a way to present as superior
• It goes without saying that mediumship should be evidential so titles aren’t that crucial
• There are people that will prefer facts, and others who prefer shared memories
• We are all natural mediums because it’s how we connect to our spiritual self
• CHildren have abilities before their prefrontal cortex is developed
• Even a natural medium needs to develop and learn, just like a pianist
• Michael has a troubleshooting section in the book of common issues
• He reads excerpts are about having a heart of service and trusting yourself
• One change in mediumship is it is a staple in research of evidential proof of survival
• We are also moving away from showmanship and into the bigger picture and meaning
• We will be discerning what is genuine and what is harmful on platforms like TikTok
• Genuine and honest people don’t need to be loud and receive the validation
• Michael reflected his appreciation for how I share my voice in this work