When Spirit Calls and You’re Not Ready: Erica Barretto’s Awakening from Law Enforcement to Mediumship

A dime fell through her dining room table—and everything she thought she knew unraveled. In this deeply human, beautifully unpolished conversation, psychic medium Virginia Belliveau shares the raw, true story of her awakening. From growing up Mormon and hiding her gifts, to the moment Spirit showed up so undeniably it couldn’t be explained away, Virginia walks us through the long road from self-doubt to soul-trust. This isn’t about “having a gift.” It’s about finally letting yourself believe it’s real—and learning how to live with one foot in both worlds. If you’ve ever wondered if your own signs meant something… listen closely. What You’ll Hear: – The dime moment that changed her entire path – How grief and faith deconstruction cracked her open – The early burnout signs no one talks about – Why your nervous system matters more than your next certification – The real reason trusting your intuition feels so hard – How to protect your energy without closing your heart "The minute I hit send to get the dime back, her mom left. That was the moment I knew—I’m a medium." Virginia  Links & Resources: – Follow Virginia on Instagram: @morningmoonmedium – Website :   Book a reading with Courtney Dawson Join the Mediumship Mastery Circle Grab the Doubt Detox Training 

What does it look like to follow Spirit—when you’re not ready, not healed, and not sure who you are anymore? In this episode of The Connected Spirit, Courtney sits down with Erica Barretto, a psychic medium and retired NYC law enforcement officer, for a profound conversation on spiritual awakening, illness, and identity. Erica’s journey began in the rigidity of a law enforcement career, shaped by religious fear, cultural expectation, and emotional suppression. But when Spirit came knocking—through dreams, synchronicities, and a life-changing brain tumor diagnosis—everything began to unravel. Together, Courtney and Erica explore: The early signs of mediumship (and why Erica ignored them) How chronic illness, grief, and anxiety became gateways to awakening The spiritual and emotional cost of leaving a stable career to walk a soul path Why healing must come before mediumship—and how both continue to evolve The story behind Erica’s Self Discovery Oracle Deck, and how it supports her clients today This episode holds a mirror for those in transition, those in fear, and those wondering if it’s “too late” to start over.   “You don’t need to be perfect to do this work. You show up as you are—and that is enough.” - Erica   Resources: Erica’s Instagram: @ericabarrettopsychicmedium Erica's website Courtney’s Mentorships + Readings: mediumcourtneydawson.com

She never set out to be a psychic—or a forensic consultant working with the FBI. She just knew, deep in her bones: if I don’t teach people how to connect, I’ll die inside. In this episode, I sit down with Reverend Sheila Marie—a world-recognized forensic medium, spiritual teacher, and former law enforcement officer. From Sunday school teacher to solving cold cases through spirit-led dreams, Sheila’s journey is one of deep surrender, spiritual precision, and trust in a power far greater than herself. We talk about her earliest intuitive awakenings, how a single dream led to a real-world conviction, and what it really means to walk the fine line between the seen and unseen worlds. If you’ve ever wondered how mediumship can serve truth, justice, and healing in the real world—this episode will stay with you. Highlights from this episode: – The “light in the bathroom” that changed everything – When a calling hits overnight—and you can’t turn it off – Navigating judgment and living a “double life” as a medium – Her first big case: Babe Ruth’s piano and an unexpected breakthrough – The dream that solved a cold case and put a man away for life – How to build trust with your spirit team—and why you must                                                           – Tips for intuitive beginners + reclaiming your inner light – Why we’re never stuck, even when it feels like it Resources & Links: – Connect with Rev. Sheial Marie: https://sheilamariemedium.com/ – Learn with Courtney: mediumcourtneydawson.com – Join Courtney’s Mediumship Mastery Circle

You ever feel like the moment you finally stand in your truth, the world hands you a storm? This episode is a raw, unfiltered look at what really happens when you decide to step into your spiritual gifts—when you stop shrinking and start shining. Together with Amy, we share the ache of betrayal, the heaviness of grief, and the inner resilience it takes to stay rooted in your purpose when others project their unhealed wounds onto you. If you've ever felt blindsided by jealousy, shamed for your success, or emotionally exiled by those you once called sisters, this one’s for you. It’s about grief. Boundaries. Misplaced loyalty. And the hard truth that not everyone can come with you when you rise. This episode won’t sugarcoat what it means to be a lightworker in a shadow-filled world—but it will remind you that you’re not crazy, not alone, and not wrong for wanting more. Timestamps: [03:10] – Therapy, grief, and the unexpected layers of healing [15:42] – What it really means to own your spiritual gifts [26:55] – Jealousy, projections, and betrayal in spiritual spaces [41:00] – Letting go of the pedestal others put you on [56:30] – Discerning toxic energy vs. aligned soul family [1:11:47] – The risk (and necessity) of visibility in your soul work [1:23:00] – Why intention and self-responsibility matter more than ever Pull Quote: "I gave them the permission to put me on a pedestal—and the moment I crumbled, they couldn’t handle my humanity." - Amy Blackhurst Resources & Links: – Connect with Amy Blackhurst: amyblackhurst.com – Learn with Courtney: mediumcourtneydawson.com – Join Courtney’s Mediumship Mastery Circle – Amy’s upcoming Dragon Quest Healing Retreat (22 spots) If this episode cracked something open for you, take a quiet moment today and ask yourself: Where have I been holding back to make others comfortable? Then let your next step be yours—unapologetically.

She walked into a spiritualist church at 18—and something deep in her body said, finally. It wasn’t a thunderbolt. It wasn’t a sign. It was a felt-sense of home. This week, I sit down with Veronica Jenkins—35-year spiritualist, evidential medium, spirit artist, educator, and author—to talk about what happens when Spirit stops being an idea and starts being your compass. We go deep on the philosophy of spiritualism, the unseen labor of serving a church community, and how animal totems can become sacred mirrors for who you are and who you're becoming. She’s not here to teach quick tricks. She’s here to tell the truth: Mediumship isn’t about collecting certificates. It’s about becoming someone Spirit can trust. If you’ve been craving real-talk about spiritual awakening, animal spirit guides, and what it really means to walk the path of mediumship, this one’s for you.   [00:02] – Veronica’s early questioning of traditional religion and discovering spiritualism [07:40] – Her first experiences in development circle and redefining her relationship with God [14:10] – Serving in spiritualist churches and the unseen work of spiritual communities  [21:00] – From “doing” mediumship to being it—a lifestyle, not a label [26:35] – How spiritualism became a lifeline through personal crisis [33:20] – Awakening vs. mediumship—what most people miss [40:05] – Introducing animal totems as energetic archetypes [48:00] – The phoenix moment: what depression taught Veronica about Spirit [55:12] – The vibrational memory we do take with us [1:01:33] – How to begin working with animal totems (no checklist required)   "Just because someone else has a different way of living their life doesn’t mean it’s wrong. It’s right for them. This human journey is yours. Nobody else’s." - Veronica Jenkins   Resources & Links: Veronica Jenkin's Website: www.findmeamedium.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/findmeamedium/   📣Join the Mediumship Mastery Circle - 2 Spots left in the Empow3rment 3 (Advanced) Circle. Starts September 8, 2025 Book a private session with me or one of our readers Website Instagram Facebook YouTube

Feeling blocked in your mediumship? Wondering why your spirit connection feels inconsistent, vague, or even nonexistent during readings? You’re not broken—and you’re definitely not alone. In this episode, I break down the real reason so many mediums feel stuck, especially after taking classes, sitting in circles, and doing practice readings. I shares my personal story of sitting in circles with seasoned mediums while silently struggling to deliver even one accurate message—and how I went from insecure and overwhelmed to confident and clear. You’ll learn why....   👉Most mediumship training skips critical foundations 👉 Your ability to connect with Spirit isn’t about natural talent 👉How mastering your own energy first is the key to real, reliable mediumship development.   I also share details about my Connected Spirit Method and how it’s transforming the way modern mediums are trained. Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience but still feel shaky in your link, this episode will show you exactly what needs to shift—and how to do it.   "There's nothing wrong with your mediumship. It's the training you've had." - Courtney   📣Join the Mediumship Mastery Circle - 3 Spots left in the Empoewrment 3 (Advanced) Circle. Starts September 8, 2025 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube

What if your intuition isn’t broken—just buried under bad advice? In this honest, grounded episode, psychic medium and shamanic healer Kelly Ferguson shares what it really takes to trust your gifts, build your own energetic toolkit, and stay rooted in integrity. From her first spirit encounter at age 11 to blending parenting with psychic work, this conversation is packed with truth, clarity, and practical wisdom for anyone walking a spiritual path. Topics we cover: Kelly’s first spirit encounter (and why it didn’t scare her) Why spiritual development isn’t one-size-fits-all The tools in Kelly’s intuitive toolkit—and how to build your own What ethical psychic work actually looks like Advice for new intuitives: curiosity > consistency Resources & Links: 🔗 kellyfergusonreadings.com ✨ Try her free psychic quiz 📲 Follow Kelly on Instagram     📣Join the Mediumship Mastery Circle - 3 Spots left in the Empoewrment 3 (Advanced) Circle. Starts September 8, 2025 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube

What happens when psychic readings become a crutch? In this deeply honest conversation, returning guest Rory Walkhom—a spiritual teacher, channel, and mentor with The Medium School—shares the kind of truth that stops you mid-scroll. You’ll hear us unpack a very real and often uncomfortable dynamic in the psychic and spiritual world: how repeated readings, while well-intentioned, can slowly disempower the very people they aim to help. Together, we name what’s not working, but more importantly, we talk about how to do it better. For clients, for practitioners, and for the integrity of the sacred work. This episode isn’t about calling people out. It’s about calling us all in—to a way of showing up in this work that actually roots us deeper into our own soul wisdom. You’ll hear Rory talk about: What a psychic reading is truly meant for Why discomfort in the unknown doesn’t need immediate fixing How to reconnect with your own inner expansion What ethical boundaries look like—for both the reader and the client How to choose a practitioner from a place of alignment, not panic Whether you’re a practicing intuitive or someone who turns to readings when life feels uncertain, this one will meet you right where you are. "If we’re doing readings again and again for people, we are disempowering them from connecting to their own intuition. That’s not healing. That’s dependency."- Rory Walkhom Resources & Links: Rory Welcome: @themediumschool on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook Rory's book: 11 Lessons from My Dead Dad — available worldwide on Amazon Free 3-part intuition video training: themediumschool.com Mediumship Certification Training (starting September, application only) Free Masterclass: From Self-Doubt to Surrender (August 27) If this conversation stirred something in you, take a quiet moment. Breathe into your body. Ask, “What feels expansive for me right now?” And trust what rises. You’re your own best reader.   📣Join the Mediumship Mastery Circle - 3 Circles. Starts September 2025 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube  

Heather Bierner didn’t come to mediumship empty-handed. She brought years of spiritual seeking, a Christian upbringing she’d long outgrown, and intuitive experiences that hinted at something deeper. She even went to India in search of soul truth. But nothing prepared her for the moment when spirit asked her to let go of everything she thought she needed—and just trust. In this intimate conversation, Heather opens up about her journey inside the Mediumship Mastery Circle: from resisting the unfamiliar to becoming the very tool spirit could work through. What began with photos, structure, and “doing it right” transformed into something far more sacred—real connection, raw trust, and wild moments of evidence that cracked her open. (Yes, “just say ducks” is now a whole thing.) If you’ve ever doubted your gifts or wondered if you’re doing it “right,” this episode is your permission to drop the script, soften into your own rhythm, and trust what spirit already knows about you. You’re not behind. You’re becoming.   Follow Courtney + The Connected Spirit School   📣Join the Mediumship Mastery Circle - 3 Circles. Starts September 2025 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube   If your soul is craving a safe, supportive space to deepen your connection with Spirit, my fall Mediumship Mastery Circles are now open for enrollment.

There’s a moment in every medium’s journey when Spirit steps in so clearly, so undeniably, that you can’t go back to who you were before. For me, it was a warm June night outside a little Spiritualist church—a chance meeting with a man in Spirit that cracked my world wide open. But here’s what I learned in the years after: your mediumship doesn’t grow in a vacuum. It needs a safe, soul-aligned space to breathe. The wrong circle will leave you doubting yourself. The right one will see you first—before your evidence, before your “performance”—and hold you steady while your gifts find their rhythm. In this episode, I share the story of that first undeniable connection, the hard seasons that followed, and why the right mentor and community are the difference between burnout and deep, joyful connection with the Spirit world. If you’ve been wondering why your mediumship feels stuck—or why it flowed so effortlessly before you “tried so hard”—this one’s for you.   “Mediumship isn’t something you chase. It’s already within you—and the right community will help you remember that.” ~ Courtney Dawson   Follow Courtney + The Connected Spirit School   📣Join the Mediumship Mastery Circle - Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced.  Classes start September 2025 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube   If your soul is craving a safe, supportive space to deepen your connection with Spirit, my fall Mediumship Mastery Circles are now open for enrollment.