In this enchanted, electric episode 65 of Medium Curious, Sarah and Jane sit down with Zaneta Sykes—interdisciplinary sound artist, spirit medium, and creator of Art Witch and Invitations from the Land—for a journey into what it really means to be in relationship with the living world.

Zaneta shares how bullying pushed them away from drums and into science… until a clear, external voice at a jam session said, “Go to music school.” That single piece of guidance rerouted everything—ultimately weaving together percussion, environmental science, psychic work, and spirit mediumship into one luminous, decolonial, more-than-human path.

They walk us through encounters that feel like myth but land like proof: a dream of a giant white fox, a real-life meeting with an Eastern coyote, barred owls arriving on cue, an aunt in spirit validated by banana pudding and horn-rimmed glasses, and a land conservancy “randomly” inviting Zaneta to create a full forest soundscape project. Along the way, they unpack mediumship as relationship, witch as wise listener, and why the Earth herself is calling more of us to become bridges.

This conversation is wild, grounded, funny, reverent, glitchy (hi, energy surge), and full-body-truth level inspiring.

• Mediumship is relationship, not performance. It’s an ongoing, two-way conversation with ancestors, spirits of place, animals, elements, and the unseen.
• The Earth is calling mediums. Zaneta shares guidance from the woods: mediumship is how we remember ourselves as nature and undo the illusion of separation.
• Signs are specific, not vague. Banana pudding, iconic glasses, perfectly-timed owls—clear, weird details help us trust what comes through.
• Your path can be multimodal. Music, science, magic, ancestry, and activism don’t have to compete; they braid into a single, truthful life.
• Reverence is a practice. Singing to forests, rivers, and beings of place is less aesthetics, more consent, respect, and genuine reciprocity.
• Not every spirit (or human) gets access. Discernment matters. You don’t have to call in everyone, every time.
• Slow is holy. Returning to the same land again and again—listening instead of extracting—is medicine in a culture obsessed with speed and productivity.
• “Witch” is reclamation. For Zaneta, it honors persecuted healers, matriarchs, and wisdom keepers, and names power as interconnectedness, not domination.
• Mediumship expands capacity. As Sarah offers, connecting with Spirit stretches what we can hold—and gives others permission to expand too.

“Mediumship is not a trick. It’s a relationship.”

“The Earth is calling people to be mediums—so we remember we are nature, not separate from it.” “Not every being wants to be called in. Consent exists in the spirit world, too.”

“Witch, to me, is someone willing to address the suffering of the world with sacred, grounded care.”

“Power isn’t something we own. It’s something that moves through all of us when we’re listening.”

Music courtesy of Chris Dingman

Sound art courtesy of Zaneta: Sound Art Magic

Art Witch Podcast

Sound Art Magic Instagram

Join us on Substack for The Afterlife—bonus clips after the “mic is off” (wink).

Jane's Substack about the Moose

Medium Curious Website: MediumCurious

Jane’s Website: Jane Morgan Medium

Sarah’s Website: Sarah Rathke

Podcast Instagram: @MediumCuriousPod

YouTube: @mediumcurious

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If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this real—or am I making it up?” this episode hands the mic back to you.

In this Sunday Solo, Sarah gets real about the moment everything shifted: realizing she didn’t need science, church, or anyone else’s approval to trust the magic happening in her own life. She shares how launching Medium Curious cracked her wide open, why stories from “normal” people carry as much weight as any lab study, and how your most intimate spiritual experiences—signs, dreams, channeling, synchronicities—are not random. They’re your language with Spirit.

From being rocked open at Bobby McFerrin’s Circlesongs in Berkeley, to octopus signs from a little boy in spirit, to a powerful guided writing message that clearly did not come from her everyday voice, Sarah invites you to stop waiting for outside validation and start honoring what you already feel. This is your permission-slip to explore, play, listen deeper, and trust that your experience counts.

• Your experiences are evidence. You don’t need a PhD or a pulpit to validate your spiritual life; your direct encounters count.
• Stories shift shame. Hearing other people’s mediumship, NDE, and sign stories normalizes sensitivity and dissolves the “I’m crazy” narrative.
• Mystery is sacred. The unknown isn’t a problem to solve; it’s a holy space to inhabit, explore, and enjoy.
• No one has the final word. Anyone claiming to know exactly how the other side works? Red flag. This path is personal, evolving, and multi-layered.
• Signs are love notes. Repeating symbols (like Sarah’s octopus kiddo) can be an ongoing conversation between worlds—especially comforting in grief.
• Guided writing is a portal. Simple channeled writing practices can open surprising wisdom that feels beyond your everyday mind.
• You’re allowed to explore. You don’t need permission—from religion, science, family, or partners—to follow what feels true, kind, and expansive to your spirit.

“You don’t need an expert to tell you your own experiences are real.”

“The mystery is sacred. If we try to nail it down, we miss the magic.”

“When a holy man hears voices, he’s a prophet. When a woman does, she’s a witch. Let’s talk about that.”

“Nobody knows for sure how any of this works—and that’s the beauty of it.”

“Try guided writing, close the notebook, and read it the next day. You’ll realize… that wasn’t just you.”

Join us on Substack for The Afterlife—bonus clips after the “mic is off” (wink).

Medium Curious Website: MediumCurious

Jane’s Website: Jane Morgan Medium

Sarah’s Website: Sarah Rathke

Podcast Instagram: @MediumCuriousPod

YouTube: @mediumcurious

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“Your team of light is 24/7. Invitation is the on-switch.”

In this playful, grounded convo, Jane and Sarah explore how intuition and spirit guides actually work in real life—no pedestal, no gatekeeping. From discerning inner noise vs. guidance, to creating a “secret garden” meeting place, to asking for divine and sacred support, they share stories, exercises, and synchronicities (hello, 444) that make guidance feel natural. You’ll hear about shamanic journeying, channeled writing, two-way prayer, and why names aren’t the point—relationship is. Expect joy, evidence, and practical steps to build trust with your team of light.

Major takeaways

• Guidance ≈ intuition amplified: your guides often speak through your intuitive channel.
• Discernment matters: notice the difference between old mental “tapes,” fear, and the clear, kind, neutral tone of guidance.
• Names aren’t required: labels help humans, but the relationship + resonance are what count.
• Ask for divine and sacred support: specificity raises signal quality; you can even verify by asking, “Are you divine and sacred?”
• Free will is real: guides rarely intervene unless invited—ask for help clearly and often.
• Build a meeting place: Jane’s “secret garden/spring” visualization (or your version) creates a stable portal for guidance.
• Practice = proof: little exercises (who’s calling? how many will show up?) strengthen trust before the big moments.
• Presence is a superpower: gratitude + body awareness tune your antenna to signs and synchronicities.
• Loved ones can be “guardians”: beautiful support, and when doing healing/skill work, call in the specialists.
• Try two-way prayer & channeled writing: ask a question (“Dear Love, what would you have me know today?”) then receive.

“Guidance is often the same voice as intuition—just clearer and kinder.”

“Ask for divine and sacred help, and then ask, ‘Are you divine and sacred?’ Truth can’t lie.”

“I don’t need a guide’s name to feel the guidance—the relationship is the point.”

“Free will means they won’t drive your bus unless you hand them the keys.”

“Presence is the portal. Gratitude is the tuning fork.”

WTF Just Happened (Liz Entin's podcast) - Karen Doherty

Join us on Substack for The Afterlife—bonus clips after the “mic is off” (wink).

Medium Curious Website: MediumCurious

Jane’s Website: Jane Morgan Medium

Sarah’s Website: Sarah Rathke

Podcast Instagram: @MediumCuriousPod

YouTube: @mediumcurious

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In this first solo episode experiment - Jane Morgan of Medium Curious explores her relationship to the Day of the Dead, the significance of Dia de los Muertos, (even if she can’t properly pronounce it) and offers some ways to relate to this day in this pretty darn challenging time.

She discusses the importance of inviting the presence of those who have passed, and how this practice can bring comfort and connection. Jane also shares thoughts from Perdita Finn's Substack emphasizing that every day can be a day to celebrate the dead. The episode concludes with a fun giveaway announcement and a call to listeners to engage with the podcast community.

• Dia de los Muertos invites us to celebrate and connect with our ancestors.
• Every day can be a day to honor the dead, not just November 1st and 2nd.
• Creating altars with personal items can invite loved ones' presence.
• Perdita Finn emphasizes devotion to the dead in her writings.
• Mediumship is a journey of discovering one's connection to the other side.
• The dead offer perspective, clarity, and love to the living.
• We are deeply loved by our ancestors, who send us signs and support.
• The Day of the Dead reminds us to see and accept synchronicities.
• Perdita Finn's new book explores themes of magic and divine connection.
• Listeners are encouraged to participate in a podcast giveaway.

• "Every day is the day of the dead."
• "Invite your ancestors to walk with you."
• "The dead offer perspective and clarity."
• "We are deeply loved by our ancestors."
• "Celebrate and connect with your loved ones."
• "Perdita Finn's devotion to the dead is inspiring."
• "Create a small altar with personal items."
• "Even hard time is a time to sparkle."

Perdita Finn Substack

Perdita Finn MC Episode

Way of the Rose by Clark Strand & Perdita Finn

Medium Curious Website: MediumCurious

Jane’s Website: Jane Morgan Medium

Sarah’s Website: Sarah Rathke

Jane's short film entitled Nov 1st

Podcast Instagram: @MediumCuriousPod

YouTube: @mediumcurious

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“I speak ‘corporate’ and ‘angel’—KPIs by day, Archangel Michael on speed dial.”

Catherine Mulligan—corporate executive by day, intuitive by design—joins Jane and Sarah to talk angels, guides, and the very practical side of “woo.” From a childhood rescue by her guardian angel to supporting colleagues through illness, Catherine shows how Spirit fits inside a KPI-driven life (and how boundaries make the magic sustainable). We meet Maggie, the delight-powered “joy guide,” learn the Champagne Tower of Light visualization, and unpack energy hygiene that’s as routine as brushing your teeth. Catherine shares the origin story of her weekly Rosary Club (open to all traditions), why doubt is a precipice on the way to God (thanks, Rumi), and how to keep your field clear, your service high, and your ego humble. If you’ve ever wondered how to trust your guidance, set better spiritual “hygiene,” or pray for real-world results—this one’s your lighthouse.

• Intuition scales everywhere. Spirit fits beautifully inside a KPI world when you set intention, boundaries, and personal responsibility.
• Medium vs. Intuitive. Catherine works a wider “radio dial”—angels, guides, and loved ones—especially for life crossroads and clearing.
• Trust is a muscle. Doubt isn’t failure; it’s training. (“Doubt is a precipice on the way to God.”)
• Energy hygiene = daily habit. Ground, clear, protect—like brushing teeth. Golden hula-hoop, violet flame, and “disco-ball bubble” all help.
• Champagne Tower of Light. Invite Source light into every cell, overflow, and clear what’s not for the highest good—30 seconds to 30 minutes.
• Boundaries are love. Compassion ≠ carrying. Don’t take on what isn’t yours; say yes only to highest-good work.
• Pray like a human, receive like a saint. Rosary Club is open to all (not just Catholics); nothing is too big or too small to bring.
• Ask for signs. Songs, buses with wolves, license plates—clear, specific, playful confirmations arrive when you ask.
• Keep the vibe high. Gratitude and intention stabilize your field so low-grade energy can’t “hook” in public or at work.
• DPS: Divine Positioning System. Everything can point you back to God/Love; discernment keeps you out of spiritual “war” and in spiritual skill.

“Doubt is not a detour; it’s the precipice that leads you closer.”

“Energy hygiene is non-negotiable. You wouldn’t skip brushing your teeth; don’t skip clearing your field.”

“Compassion doesn’t mean carrying. Boundaries are holy.”

“God is either everything or nothing—so let every moment point you back to love.”

“Ask for a sign. Spirit loves a clear brief.”

Catherine’s Rosary Club Instagram

Druid Rising Catherine Mulligan

Way of the Rose by Clark Strand & Perdita Finn

Medium Curious Website: MediumCurious

Jane’s Website: Jane Morgan Medium

Sarah’s Website: Sarah Rathke

Podcast Instagram: @MediumCuriousPod

YouTube: @mediumcurious

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Just Sarah and Jane today—two “small mediums at large”—jamming on what they call the frequency of love: how to attune to it, why it’s a reliable “operator line” to Spirit, and what it looks like in ordinary life (yes, even at Costco 😄). They unpack Abraham-Hicks’ emotional scale as a compassionate ladder, swap stories about grief, breathwork, and art that cracks the heart open (hello, Water Lilies), and share a vivid image of the “eye of the hurricane” as the eternal present. Expect grounded tools—box breathing, somatic check-ins, “WWLD” moments—plus reflections on creativity, protest, prayer, receiving love, and why being in a body is both the veil and the gift.

Finally, these two look at nuance over extremes. We all need to learn how to hold paradox: allow holy anger without abandoning love as the power source.

• Love is a frequency you can tune to. Treat it like a channel on the dial; it’s the place Sarah and Jane meet Spirit.
• You don’t have to leap from fear to bliss. Abraham-Hicks’ 22-step emotional scale is a ladder—move one rung at a time with compassion.
• Presence = peace. Visualize the eye of the hurricane: step into the calm center (the eternal present) when the world spins.
• The body is the veil—and the doorway. Somatic awareness (jaw, shoulders, breath) helps you return to safety and openness.
• Breath changes state fast. Try box breathing (4-4-4-4) or 5-7 exhales to cue the nervous system back to calm.
• Art & music unlock emotion. Let beauty move what words can’t—Brahms, Mahler, or a single Monet can crack you open.
• WWLD: What Would Love Do (next)? Micro-choices shift rooms, checkout lines, and conversations—beam love and notice who smiles back.
• Receiving is a practice. Worthiness opens the door; synchronicities are love notes that train you to accept more.
• Prayer & meditation matter. Intentioned group focus (“love festivals”) can soften the edges of collective pain.
• We’re not clinicians. Artists with tools, not prescriptions—take what resonates, leave the rest.
• Community carries. When one of us wobbles, circles of care (friends, guides, art) help us find center again.

“Love is a frequency. It’s our operator line to Spirit.”

“You don’t have to jump from discouragement to bliss—just climb one rung.”

“The body is the veil—and also the doorway back to oneness.”

“Receiving love starts with worthiness—synchronicity is the training ground.”

Abraham-Hicks, Ask and It Is Given (the 22-step emotional scale)

Wayne Dyer clips/teachings (on allowing and becoming)

Breath practices: box breathing (4-4-4-4), extended exhale (inhale 5, exhale 7)

Join us on Substack for The Afterlife—bonus clips after the “mic is off” (wink).

Medium Curious Website: MediumCurious

Jane’s Website: Jane Morgan Medium

Sarah’s Website: Sarah Rathke

Podcast Instagram: @MediumCuriousPod

YouTube: @mediumcurious

VerySoul.com

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“There are no barriers to telepathy—living or in spirit. Only the limits we place on reality.” —Nikki

Nikki Vasconez shares how a single session with her anxious pup “Havoc” (now Merlin) cracked open her intuitive gifts—and launched a thriving animal communication and teaching practice. Jane and Sarah have so much fun getting the scoop on animal attitude in this episode!

Nikki explains why names matter, how animals are keen observers with strong opinions, and why the nervous system is the real gateway to clearer telepathy. She offers unforgettable stories: a cat whose mystery illness was a hidden tooth abscess, a dog whose “job” solved separation anxiety, and pets in spirit who still make their presence known (hello, butt-cheek poke). We also talk about phone addiction, present-moment living, and why anyone can learn to communicate—if they slow down, listen, and drop expectations.

• You don’t need to be “born gifted.” Telepathy is innate and trainable with practice and nervous-system regulation.
• Names carry energy. Renaming “Havoc” to Merlin transformed his anxiety and demeanor.
• Animals notice everything. They’re aware, opinionated, and often just need to be understood, not “fixed.”
• Ask “why,” not “stop.” Understanding the reason behind a behavior (e.g., needing a job) can resolve issues like separation anxiety.
• Health hits can be specific. Animals may point to precise issues (e.g., a single infected tooth) that vets can confirm.
• Spirit communication continues. Pets in spirit often send tactile or environmental signs—and feel as clear as living animals.
• Humans add static. Constantly retelling a rescue’s trauma can keep them (and us) stuck; emphasize the present moment.
• Self-care = clearer channel. Less phone time, more calm, and simple rituals improve reception and trust.

“I don’t know anything, and anything is possible.” — Nikki

“Animals are so aware—and with awareness comes opinions!” — Nikki

“There are no barriers to telepathy—living or in spirit. Only the limits we place on reality.” —Nikki

Nikki Vasconez

Nikki’s Instagram

Medium Curious Website: MediumCurious

Jane’s Website: Jane Morgan Medium

Sarah’s Website: Sarah Rathke

Podcast Instagram: @MediumCuriousPod

YouTube: @mediumcurious

VerySoul.comSoul Symposium - event 10-23 to 10-25

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Episode 58!

Writer and playwright Mary Beth Pemberton joins Sarah and Jane to talk about creating from the realm of possibility—where intuition, signs, and Spirit guide the work. Mary Beth shares how she “downloads” scenes, knows when she’s in flow (vs. grinding), and why discipline, sleep, music, and environment (hello, Ireland) keep her channel clear.

She opens up about channeling historical figures for her play, the responsibility of telling their stories, and the sacred bridge between creativity and mediumship. Plus: behind-the-scenes of her animal-communication TV concept, and a riveting near-death experience that sharpened her inner knowing: “Do you want to stay or go?” This one is a masterclass in trusting signs, protecting your creative process, and saying yes to your calling

Key Takeaways

• Flow > Force: If it’s grinding, pause. Flow writes in minutes what force can’t in hours.
• Prime the channel: Rituals (music, movement, sleep, nature) lift your frequency and open the door to guidance.
• Trust the signs: Ask, notice, confirm. Synchronicity is a conversation—celebrate it to see more.
• Voice stewardship: When channeling, your job is to honor the story the way Spirit wants it told.
• Environment matters: Create a container where your attention is protected and your energy stays high.
• After the edge, clarity: Near-death moments can catalyze unshakeable purpose.

“Ritual primes the channel: music, movement, sleep, nature.”

Medium Curious Website: MediumCurious

Jane’s Website: Jane Morgan Medium

Sarah’s Website: Sarah Rathke

Podcast Instagram: @MediumCuriousPod

YouTube: @mediumcurious

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