Ep33: Coffee,Community & The Church

[00:00:02] Welcome to the Mediums Voice Podcast. I'm your host, Phil Robinson, here with my co-host, Michelle Mosley. Hello, Michelle. Michelle Mosley Hello, we're back! Michelle Mosley We are back. Michelle Mosley It's been a while. Michelle Mosley God, it's been ages, hasn't it? I think we've just been so busy though. Michelle Mosley We have been very busy. Michelle Mosley So what have we been doing, Phil? Tell the listeners. Michelle Mosley The big thing, Arthur Finley College Open Week, wasn't it? Michelle Mosley Yes. Michelle Mosley That's a big event in our calendar each year. Michelle Mosley It was a big event. Michelle Mosley It was such a big event. Michelle Mosley It was such a big event.

[00:00:32] Michelle Mosley We saw some familiar faces and new faces, didn't we? Michelle Mosley Yeah. Michelle Mosley Which was nice. Michelle Mosley Which was lovely, and I made some new friends. Michelle Mosley Yeah. Michelle Mosley I thoroughly enjoyed it. Michelle Mosley TJ Higgs' demonstration. Michelle Mosley Brilliant. Michelle Mosley For me, that was the highlight. Michelle Mosley Yeah. Michelle Mosley Only because I got a message as well. Michelle Mosley You did get a message, so you are biased. Michelle Mosley But yeah, it was a very good demonstration. Michelle Mosley Yeah, it was a very good message as well. Michelle Mosley And it was a very good message you got. Michelle Mosley Anybody that knows me,

[00:01:02] would have known that was a very, very good message. And the best part, we were sat right at the back in the back seat for sinners, weren't we? We were. The naughty people. Yeah, and you got a message. Yeah. What else have we been doing? You had a spirit art demonstration recently. Oh yeah, with Les, yeah. That went really well, I heard. It did, yes. I had a workshop in Yorkshire and a dem. That was really good as well. You raised lots of money as well, didn't you? Yeah, about 400.

[00:01:31] 400 and something pounds for the church. So that was really good. That's what we want to hear. Yeah, exactly. So yeah, it's been busy, hasn't it? I know. In and out of meetings. I went out for a meal yesterday as well. I went to Toby Carvery. Of course you did, yeah. Are we allowed to mention that? Yeah, it's happened now, isn't it? Yeah. Well, I went out somewhere for a meal. I've mentioned it now anyway. It doesn't matter, does it? So anyway, I went out for a meal. And do you know what? You know when you go for a carvery,

[00:02:00] you expect mashed potatoes, don't you? Yeah. They'd run out. What? Yeah, run out of mashed potatoes. Oh, Jesus. So as you start, you know, the carvery, they give you meat first, don't you? And your Yorkshire pudding. So I was moving along and I was like waiting for it. They got roast potatoes, but they just didn't have mash. They'd run out. And my son had just got the end of it and it was all like crumbly. It was horrible. Anyway, I was like, oh, have you got any more mashed potatoes? And they were like, oh, we've got some cooking.

[00:02:29] It's going to be about 10 minutes. And I was like, oh, right. Okay. I was like, well, in that case, you can have that back. I said, because I'm not paying for a dinner without no potatoes. So I gave them the plate back with the meat. Oh dear. I know, but if you think, right, I'm just like. Think yourself lucky. There's a place down here, right? They used to charge you two pound for mashed potato. Huh? So you go to a carvery

[00:02:57] and they charge you extra for mashed potato. For mashed? It was already included in the price anyway. So anyway, my husband and my son didn't want to cause a fuss. Of course, yeah. They just had the roast. It's only you that time. I know. So I was like, well, I'm not having it. I'm not. And they said, oh, we'll bring it out to you. And I says, well, that's no good bringing it out to me because I would have eaten my dinner by then. And if I just sit there, it'll be cold. I said, I'll wait. So anyway, I waited. And then I went.

[00:03:27] They come with a massive like thing of mash and just drop it on the table. So I went back up and reloaded my plate again with the dinner. And anyway, I got a free meal for the inconvenience. So yeah. So dramatic. Good end to a story there. Well, I've not got anything free. Well, I used to work in hospitality. So yeah. God. Yeah. We'll start calling you something soon, but I won't. Well, I just think, do you know what? If something's not right. Yeah. That's fair. Yeah.

[00:03:58] I'm in agreement with that. Don't just sit and pay for it and keep quiet. Yeah. Especially when they're probably making loads of profit anyway. Oh God, yeah. Yeah. So we've been quite busy. Yeah. We've had quite a few videos we've uploaded to YouTube now as well. Some of the interviews at the Arthur Finlay College. Yeah. There was a lot of posts on media, wasn't there, that we put out. So hopefully, you know, people felt like they were there for the day as well. Yeah. With us.

[00:04:27] Which is what we try and achieve, isn't it? Some nice little interviews. The healing one was a lovely one, wasn't it? Also, the philosophy from John Blackwood was amazing at the service. Oh my God, yes. I could have sat and listened to this philosophy all night. I could have sat and listened to that all night. So if anybody, shout out to John Blackwood. Yeah. If anybody gets an opportunity to go and see him. Yeah, definitely. Go along. His philosophy. I think he's from Edinburgh. I think. I don't know.

[00:04:55] His philosophy was absolutely amazing. And I must admit, like, I do like philosophy, but I get a bit bored of listening. Sometimes, yeah. Sometimes. No, I do like philosophy. No, I mean like some speakers. Yeah, it's a bit boring. Yeah. If it's not engaging. But I suppose everybody's got their own view on what they feel is good. But he kept everyone engaged in it, didn't he? He was, yes. Interaction, engaged. And that's what it's all about. And it was funny as well.

[00:05:25] It was. It was funny, balanced. Yeah, balanced because there was a serious side to it. Yeah, it was really good. It was absolutely cracking. So if anybody gets the opportunity, honestly, go and see him. Yeah. He was absolutely. In fact, I'd probably say he was one of the best. I was just going to say that. Great minds. That I have heard in a long time. Yeah. I would say probably one of the best I've heard ever, really. Andy Bing was. Oh, yeah. He was outstanding as well. No, I absolutely loved his. I love his philosophy.

[00:05:55] Yeah. I really get him. I love his philosophy. So he's like top score for me. But John Blackwood was certainly not far. Yeah. What other things did you really like about that? I went to the Chris Connolly lecture about consciousness. Yes, I did. I was sat next to you. I love all that things. Michelle's like, yeah, it's interesting. But yeah, I love that kind of thing anyway.

[00:06:24] I found it fascinating. And also it kind of line, it was in line with my train of thought anyway. So that's what I thought was quite interesting. I mean, I do like the science part of it. That is definitely me, but. Just not to the level of me. Yeah. To my defence, it was very warm in there. It was very warm in there. It was hard to focus, wasn't it? I think it's because there was no breeze, was there, outside. The windows were open, but there was no breeze. But yeah. Yeah.

[00:06:54] I'm trying to think what else. Oh, there was the questions and answers. Oh yes. The little panel. I put a clip out of what I'd said. Yeah, you did. You put, yeah. Just know everybody put his own clip out there and no one else's. Just me. It's all about me. Because I love attention, you know. Absolutely. Didn't you know that. Especially when you got your autographs. Oh my gosh, yeah. Well, that's happened twice now, Michelle, I'm just saying. Oh dear me. Have you been asked for your autograph? No.

[00:07:24] Oh no, I thought not. Oh, right. I guess you've not made it yet then. No, no, definitely not. Still some work to do. Yeah. Well, I'm just the face behind the microphone, aren't I? What can I say? The voice. There's a song in there. The voice, yeah. Although it has been known that I am the loudest out of us both. Absolutely. Which I think is a lie. Oh, I don't know about that.

[00:07:55] I'll just be clear, I have to turn your microphone down when you laugh. So, you know. But anyway, yeah. So we've been busy. We've had a great time. We've had a lot of support online as well. We've grown quite a bit, actually. In the past few months. We have had such amazing support. And feedback as well, especially when we were at the college. Yeah, amazing. You know, people coming up and saying how much they love listening to us.

[00:08:24] And how it makes them feel good. How it makes them laugh. And, you know, that's what we're all about. We're not here to be serious. We're not here to dictate. We're not here to lecture anybody. Exactly. We're just here to simply chat about our thoughts. That's it, really, isn't it? Yeah, I would say so, yeah. And I always say it's not about either of us being right or wrong or anyone else being right or wrong. No, definitely not. It's just we've got an opinion.

[00:08:53] Hopefully that makes you think about something. Even if that is that you disagree, that's what we intend. Exactly, yeah. It's not always good to agree with everything, is it? No, definitely not. Yeah. So today, what are we talking about, Phil, today? What are we going to talk about? I thought we'd talk about the future of spiritualism. Do-do-do. Do-do-do. And I mean, I've only been around for 30-odd years. Oh, shut up. You're not as older than 30.

[00:09:21] I've got to get that in every episode, you know. Oh, dear. He gets younger every time he says it. But I'm sure this topic has been discussed since the beginning of spiritualism. Yeah, it has, isn't it? I'm sure it has. And I think everybody's quite passionate about this. Absolutely, yeah. About the future. You know, what's going to happen to the future? Yeah, but what is going to happen, though? What do you think is going to happen to our religion in 10, 15 years? Where do you think we're going to be?

[00:09:51] It's a difficult question. It's a hard one, isn't it? Yeah. Even, let's not say 10 years, because I don't think, let's move it up a bit. Let's say 30, yeah. Yeah, let's say 30. Because a lot can happen in 30 years, can't it? Yeah, absolutely. I don't know, but I think... Where do you think we're going to be with it? Do you think we're still going to be here as a religion? Or do you think, because numbers are declining. I think they are, but only in certain areas. I think it depends where you look.

[00:10:19] So, and this was mentioned actually at John's lecture. The other thing that I did is that I think it was something like 60% of the populace believe that there's something after death. Yeah. So they've got a belief that there's something. It's not the end. It's not just lights off and see you later. Of course. Yeah. The majority of people believe in something. Yeah. Absolutely. And I think... But whether they follow the religion or is it another matter? Yeah.

[00:10:47] And I think that's where it comes down to us to really go, what can we offer? Do you know what, Phil? Because I think we're coming into the next generation now, aren't we? Absolutely, yeah. And I think the next generation, if I'm honest, don't want anything that's structured or don't want anything that's too... Restrictive. Yes, restrictive. They want to find their own way. Yeah, absolutely, yeah. And I think what they're doing, I think what the churches are doing at the moment is good.

[00:11:14] Because obviously, especially from when we went up to Glasgow and they were doing grief support, weren't they? Oh, yes. And I think the way that they're using the churches as well, not only for religious services, they're using them as like a community hub for coffee mornings. Like serving the community. Yeah, absolutely, yeah. We've also got like grief support going on, haven't we, as well? So this church that we're starting now, Spennymoor, they've actually started that up as well last month.

[00:11:45] So they're going to be running... Yeah, that's good, yeah. But there's lots of other things, isn't there? So you can do like wellness hubs as well within your church, couldn't you? Yeah. So you could do... What about sound baths and things like that? Because... Sound baths, meditations. We're going in meditation circles, yeah. Because I think we need to... I think we need to embrace more the wellness side as well and incorporate that more into our spiritual essence as well.

[00:12:13] To just get in the younger generation as well, because that's what they like, isn't it? Yeah. Yeah, and I think if you think back to when you first came into spiritualism, start developing and stuff like that, we actually do a lot of those things already in our practices. So like meditation, for example, sitting in the still or the quiet. We do a lot of those things, but we don't advertise it as that.

[00:12:39] So I think some of it's actually about how we advertise what we offer as well. Yeah. Because if you said to people out on the street, for example, oh yeah, we sit and learn about self-discovery and things like that, and then mediumship comes along and they maybe don't want the mediumship. They maybe just want that self-discovery. Yeah. Yeah, which is fine. Which is good for your mental health, isn't it? Absolutely. And that's another massive thing at the moment, isn't it? Exactly, yeah.

[00:13:08] So, I mean, we do a meditation group here once a month. Personally, that's not enough, in my opinion. I think, to me, if... Is it full? No. No. But if we had... I mean, we get 20, 30 people sometimes. No, it's still good though, isn't it? It's really good, yeah. But I think if churches maybe offered an opportunity where... Because even that is structured in itself, to be fair. We have meditation followed by a discussion group.

[00:13:37] But what if you just had a space where people could come in willingly and leave willingly, sit in the quiet with the music on or whatever, and then just leave when they want? They don't have to speak to anyone if they don't want to. They could just come in, meditate... It's just as you would in any church where the door's open, where you can just sit. Yeah. But again, though, it's all right saying that. To rely on volunteers. It's manpower, isn't it? That's where that comes in again.

[00:14:05] You know, it's the volunteers that keep the wheels turning, isn't it? Yeah. Within the churches. So, going back to the question of where do we think spiritualism will be in 30 years, I think what we have to look at now is what do we offer? Well, I think we offer quite a lot to do with wellness. Well, I think we're engaging in it. We're getting there, aren't we? I think, like I said, we're introducing more like grief support. We're doing...

[00:14:33] I think we could probably do a lot more for the community than what we're doing. Yeah. I think, for me, I think possibly if the churches were a little bit... got out a little bit more into the community than what they were doing, maybe that would be a little bit more engaging and it would allow more people to come into the church. Yeah. And to be fair... Some people don't even know where they're local, within their area where they live, where their local spiritualist church is.

[00:15:02] Some people don't even know spiritualist churches exist. No, exactly. Which is... Yeah, crazy, isn't it? But yeah, because maybe they're not shouting loud enough. Yeah. And I think... Everybody knows what... Sorry. Everybody knows where their Christian church is. Everybody knows where their Catholic church is, don't they? So what do we need to do, I suppose? And that is getting our voice out there. Getting out into the public. Yeah. But also, I think it's about having a balance where...

[00:15:30] Because I'm a firm believer that people come into spiritualism when the time's right for them. And I would hate to think that we're going out there preaching in some way. I don't want it to be like that. Oh no, that's dreadful. Because that just switches off. Do you know when you see people on the streets preaching? No, I don't think that's the way forward at all. I absolutely hate that. When you see people preaching on the street, I avoid them like the plague. I think the majority of people do, to be fair. Yeah. And I don't think that's the way forward.

[00:16:00] I don't think that's what younger generations need either. They need to just be given the opportunity. If they want to, they can come. So what's wrong with going into like... I know they touch on spiritualism within colleges and universities, but they only touch on it very, very lightly. Maybe, I don't know, maybe we could do more within the... Offer more within the schools.

[00:16:30] I think that's a sensible approach. You know, the younger people, because like we say, it's not just a religion. It is a benefit of your mental health. I mean, look at the world that we live in today, you know, and the impact that it has on people. And also, obviously, we're still suffering from, you know, the effects of COVID still, aren't we? We're still seeing that massively within the younger generation.

[00:16:55] I know where, you know, when I work, I'm not going to say who I work for, but the company that I work for, we, you know, take on quite a few of the younger people and help them within their jobs. And give them that first step, build their confidence, give them that first step on the ladder. But the young people that I'm seeing coming through, you know, have massive mental health issues. You know, anxiety, like no confidence.

[00:17:23] And, you know, it's part of my job to build that confidence to help them take that next step. And I think that maybe, I mean, I know when I first came into spiritualism, I never saw it as anything like that. I just saw mediumship. And, but I came into it through, you know, on a journey of grief. So it was a totally different angle.

[00:17:50] But since then, you know, I have learned along the way and I have been on that journey of self-discovery about myself. And, you know, I've looked at myself and I've seen things that I don't like within myself. And I've changed that. And I'd like to say that, you know, as I've grown older, whether that's through spiritualism or whether that's just through wisdom and growing older, I don't know. I mean, probably a bit of both, to be fair.

[00:18:20] I think it's probably a bit of both. But I can honestly say that, you know, spiritualism has played such a huge, huge part of my life and has made me think in ways that I would probably, without this religion, not have thought about things or even contemplated things. Because... In the way that you do now. Yeah. I'd agree.

[00:18:48] And I think because on about confidence there as well, spiritualism gives you confidence. When you're developing psychic awareness, mediumistic awareness, that builds your confidence in itself. Yeah. The glasses and things like that. Of course. But you know when I... I would never imagine myself stood up in front of like 50, 60 people and doing a demonstration. Like what? I would never drive 20 minutes down the road on my own before. Yeah, exactly. Here's me now driving all over...

[00:19:18] Gallivanting around, all over the country. Everywhere, south and north, without a care in the world. Yeah. Whereas before I came into this religion, I wouldn't have even gone 20 minutes down the road on my own. I wouldn't have even gone shopping on my own. Yeah. But now I'm confident. I'm... I'll do anything on my own. It doesn't bother me now. And I think that's what we need to kind of focus on is that spiritualism, because often we focus on the mediumship through grief and things like that.

[00:19:48] Yeah, it's not all about... Yeah. Which is great, but it's not all about the mediumship as well, is it? Not everybody wants to do that. Exactly. And I think it offers so much more. It's about when you're sitting in development or awareness and you're building that connection with yourself, really, where that confidence comes, that courage to go out and do things that you want to do. And I think it does change your view on life, I would say. I would say it definitely has with me.

[00:20:15] And now I just think if I want to do something, I'm going to go for it. Yeah. Because why not? I've only got this one physical life. I'm going to make the most of it. And I mean, you could argue that I should be thinking that way about the gym, but I never go to the gym either. So... I can't see the point. Life's too short. Why put yourself through that pain? Yeah.

[00:20:39] But yeah, I think what we need to do as a spiritualist community is really focus on what we can offer people other than mediumship. But also something which I took from Open Week is that look at mediumship maybe in a different way than just evidential based. So what can mediumship offer us other than evidence?

[00:21:02] And to be honest, I completely agreed with this statement is that when we build up a relationship with the spirit world, just like your family and friends would when they were here, they'll try and support you in life. If you've got a question, ask them. Yeah. If you need guidance, ask the spirit world and they'll give you guidance. And I think quite often that's actually forgotten about, that you can just link in with your family and friends. I think too many people look to people around them, don't they, to get the answers.

[00:21:31] And sometimes the answers. That they're given aren't right. Yeah. Do you know what as well? What I try and get my head around is, do you know when you do workshops or you go and you get, you go and like do these workshops for mediumship.

[00:21:51] And I think, oh, sometimes, you know, I think to myself, I think, why are we going to somebody here in the living to ask for help and guidance on our own mediumship? Then why aren't we just asking the spirit world? I can answer that. That's who we're working with. I can answer that, right? And this is something I say every single time I start a workshop. And that is that all this is, is an opportunity for you to sit with the spirit world.

[00:22:20] Because if you didn't book on that workshop, you'd probably be sat at home doing something else and not bother. And all we do when we go to a workshop is... Maybe it's inspiring, isn't it? Yeah, it can be inspiring. Yeah. But also, I think we're making an appointment with the spirit world to say, for this day, I'm going to be working with you. Let's see what we can develop. And I think that's the thing that people really need more than anything else.

[00:22:47] They just need a space with time where they can go, right, I'm going to sit and develop with the spirit world. And I'll always say, I can give you techniques that have worked for me. But if you feel inspired or drawn to do something different, go with it because the spirit world know how to get the most out of you. Yeah, what works for you doesn't necessarily mean it's going to work for somebody else. Because we're all unique. Yeah. And that's what I think. We're all very unique and we've all got our own way of working. Absolutely.

[00:23:16] I think even though that you can go to a workshop, I think it's very, very important that you stick to your own way of working, what makes you feel comfortable. Yeah. Because at the end of the day, you've got to be yourself. And what's being influenced by the spirit world. Yes. Like it or not, they'll get you where you need to be. They're your teachers at the end of the day. Absolutely. I'm not advocating. I'm not saying don't go to any workshops. I'm certainly not saying that at all. No, definitely not.

[00:23:40] But what I am saying is just putting that question out there and making people think, you know, we go and chat to somebody about where we're having problems within our mediumship or what's going wrong within our mediumship. Why aren't we just asking the spirit world? Because that's who we're working with. You could say the same for private readings. Yeah. You could say the same for a demonstration of mediumship as well though, Michelle.

[00:24:04] So, you know, you've got to have that sort of balance between sometimes we need that physical guidance from somebody else. Do you think it's the confidence that we get from, I'm just, you know, asking the questions. I'm not saying, I'm just putting it out there. Do you think it's that we go to see people that are teaching here? Is that, do you think, to get the confidence? Because we doubt ourselves.

[00:24:33] I was going to say that. What we're hearing from the spirit world, even though that they are our teachers, we doubt. So we get the confidence from. And I think in a way, as people, we like validation. Yeah. So even though we could communicate, and we've discussed this in the past on the podcast, is that even though we could communicate with our loved ones, it's sometimes nice to get that from somebody else objectively. Yes. To back up what you're getting, isn't it? Exactly.

[00:24:59] So I think that, and also I think if someone's sort of gained a lot of experience in spiritualism or mediumship or whatever it is, then they can give you advice because they've lived through that as well. Yeah, I agree with that. Yeah. Yeah. When somebody's been in it for a long time, isn't it? It's good to hear their stories as well, isn't it? Oh, yeah. And do you know what? I think possibly as well, the obstacles that they've overcome as well.

[00:25:29] It's not to say that they're going to be your obstacles, but sometimes we go through similar things, don't we? Yeah, we go through sort of... Similar patterns. Yeah, moments where we're kind of like, oh, why is this happening? Yeah, we doubt it. Or it goes quiet. Everyone has that. Or you think, oh, nothing's working or you feel stuck or... Is there anyone there with any sense? Is there anyone either? Yeah. We digress massively there. We always do, don't we?

[00:25:57] I just wanted to throw just a little bit of a curveball in there just because you were talking about tutors and demonstrating. Yeah, exactly. And it's just about... I just wanted people to think as well that, you know, it is important not only to listen when you go to, obviously, a workshop, but also to listen to the spirit world as well. Oh, definitely. Yeah, I'm a firm believer in that. Yeah. I'm a firm believer. So where do we think spiritualism will be in 30 years? Back to the question. God, that went quiet then. It did, didn't it?

[00:26:27] So I think spiritualism will still be here. I do think it'll still be here. Yeah. I'm not so sure whether it'll have grown, though, to be honest. Interesting. Yeah. So yeah, I think it will have. Do you think? Yeah, because I think in a world where we're so sort of enveloped in technology and everything's digital these days, I think sometimes it's nice to get rid of that and go back.

[00:26:54] So not necessarily for the mediumship, but I think people will be more involved in it for that connection, the connection with people here, but also the connection with the people in the spirit world. I think people like to get away from it. But we're talking about spiritualism as a religion with churches, or are we talking about just the religion in general? Oh, yeah. I would say the religion in general, yeah. Because if we're talking about with the churches, I'm uncertain.

[00:27:20] If we're talking about the religion in general, just as spirituality, then I'd say we've grown. Yes. I'd agree with that. I'm not so sure about the churches. Yeah. I think it depends where you are, but yeah. I mean, the majority of churches, we have an ageing congregation and we need to look at getting... I don't think that's accurate. I do. What you've just said. No, because so I did a study about 10 years ago here, for example. That's 10 years ago. Yeah, I know. I know. I'm just giving you an example.

[00:27:50] And the average age at that time was kind of young 30s in just in this one, for example. Yeah. If you go to where I've just been... It depends where you go, though. Exactly, yeah. But so Yorkshire, for example, where I've just been at the weekend there, I would say their congregation's probably around and about maybe 40s, I would say. So I think it depends where you go. So if you move up north... The further north you go, I would say, yeah. Yeah, you agree with me on that one. Older group. Yeah.

[00:28:21] Also, I think it depends. When you go into some cities, it tends to be an older one, from my experience. Yeah. I've got no evidence to back that up. But however, when you look at... Should you let me finish what I was saying? Sorry. You're agreeing with me. It depends on where you go. But I would say the majority. And Edinburgh, where I think John is from, that was at the Open Week, he was talking about how the university works with them.

[00:28:50] And they get sent like 30 students from the university. Yeah. To study spiritualism, mediumship. Every year. Maybe that's what we really need to be doing then, is like I said previous, is maybe going into the universities and... I think unis and schools. Yeah. Because they just touch on it very lightly, but probably not enough.

[00:29:14] So, when we were talking to this lady called Gemma from a school not far from here, when we were talking to her, from her experience, it was the reason for that is because of the lack of understanding, generally speaking. A lot of teachers, especially like RE teachers, for example, haven't even heard of spiritualism. I know the SNU... That's quite bad, isn't it? It is. It is bad, yeah. Yeah.

[00:29:40] But I think it's because they've only got a set amount of time to cover things that are going to be within the curriculum. Yeah, they've got to get in the curriculum, haven't they? But the SNU, going back quite a few years now, they sent out correspondence to every single school, pretty much, in the UK, I believe, covering spiritualism. It was like a booklet about spiritualism and mainly focused on teachers who were teaching RE, basically. See, I think we should probably...

[00:30:08] I mean, you can incorporate the spiritualism with mindfulness, can't you? Because it does have its health benefits, especially, you know, with children with like, excuse me, like learning disabilities or anything like that. Do you know what I mean? It has... It does have health benefits, so... It does, yeah. I think the other sort of... What's the word for it?

[00:30:33] The other problem we've got is that, obviously, we live in a world now where you've got to be so careful what you say, what you do. Yeah. Everything like that. And especially around about younger people. Yes. You do, yeah. Like young... Not young adults, but younger than that. I think you've got to be careful. But I definitely think university is a sensible approach. It's a way to go, isn't it? I mean, we've got philosophy.

[00:30:58] So do you think then, right, going back to what I was saying about and talking about like more quite an ageing community within the churches, do you think that that has a part to play as well? I think it does, personally. As to why younger people? And again, I don't want to tarnish everyone with the same brush because this is not the case. No, we're just putting it out there.

[00:31:25] Because there are some people of older generations that are very proactive. Yeah, we're not saying that it's... Yeah. There are those people out there. Yeah, that are. And there's also people that are very modern in their ways, I would say, from older generations. There's some that aren't. Yeah, and this is what I'm talking about. There's no consistency, is there? I'm not talking about the people that, you know, that are, because like you say, we're not tarnishing everybody with the same brush,

[00:31:55] but there are the minority out there. Yeah. And I think that's a problem. Yeah. Where they don't like change. Yeah. They don't like anything modern or new coming in. And to move forward, I honestly think that we are going to have to embrace that. Yeah. And from my experience, personal experience as well, some of them don't like young people. No, I know. Which is... No, they don't. It baffles me.

[00:32:24] It absolutely baffles me because... And I said this recently at an AGM actually, is that we need to get things in place now for the future of spiritualism in 10, 20 years. It's not... But young people have some amazing ideas, don't they? Yeah. Sometimes it's like a fresher breath, a breath of fresh air, fresher breath air. Try and say that. Yeah. I think it makes you think, maybe. Yeah.

[00:32:52] I mean, we're certainly not putting anybody down here. All we're simply doing is putting some views out there, just some thoughts for people to think about. God, I feel like this has gone a bit deep, this. Hasn't it? It's gone a bit deep. It has, actually. Yeah. I mean, to be honest, I mean, gosh, you could go on and on and on, couldn't you, with this, to be honest. Maybe, I don't know.

[00:33:20] I tell you what would be a really, really good idea was how about the people out there email us, email the podcast with their ideas on what they think, especially younger people, on what they would like to see more within the churches, within our religion as well. I think that is a really good idea. And let's bring it up on the next episode.

[00:33:48] And let's get their ideas out there, because I'm sure that there'll be some amazing ideas. You know, if you ask, people normally email us, don't they? Yeah, exactly, yeah. And it'll be good for the churches to take on board as well. Yeah. Some good ideas. Email us at themediumvoicepodcast at gmail.com. Yeah. I want to hear your views. Let's get some ideas going, because this is what it's all about, isn't it? Exactly, yeah.

[00:34:17] I recently just suggested, actually, in an email off to the SNU is that, so in our district, the Northern District, originally, when I was on the Northern District Council, I was brought on as youth ambassador back in the day. That was years ago. No, I know. That's what I'm saying. Oh my God. That's what I'm saying. But I don't think any other district really had that role. No, probably not. No.

[00:34:45] And I've suggested that I think they should have that role across the board. Yeah, I agree. To kind of get those younger people's views, ideas. And maybe, even for the people that are running it, if they're going to do something, see what that younger person thinks of that. How do they think it will be perceived by the younger generations and stuff like that? It's even like social media. Oh, yeah. Oh, do you know, social media posts as well.

[00:35:14] There should be somebody that is just allocated with that job that maybe does a course on it, on social media posts. AI, let's, oh, we could probably go on for ages on AI. All the posts are like exaggerated. Somebody did a post of me in AI and I look absolutely amazing. If you saw me in real life, I don't look like that. Oh, gosh.

[00:35:38] When we first started out and we put our pictures into AI, I just, I just, I'd put about 20 stone on in that picture. I don't know how, but yeah. My skin was beautiful, but I'd put about 20 stone on. Yeah, but yeah, we don't look like that. But yeah, I thought Youth Ambassador is a good idea. It's a good way of doing it and sort of getting younger people's views on things. But yeah, I don't know if that's a solution, but it's a start, isn't it? Yeah.

[00:36:09] Yeah, it is, isn't it? Yeah. But I think we need to get younger people on the podcast and see what they have to say. I think that's our mission. If there's any young spiritualists out there. Yes. Email us and we'll, we'll get you on. We'll have a chit chat. Yeah, that'd be great. We want to hear your ideas. Yeah. We want to hear your views and what you'd like to see because, you know, this religion is not one person's, it's everybody's. Exactly, yeah.

[00:36:38] Why stop there? Let's try and get in touch with some universities, I think. And we'll see if we can get somebody on from a university as well. See what they think of spiritualism. Yeah, actually, that's a good idea. Yeah. We'll go down that route. Yeah. I sometimes have good ideas every now and again. Just every now and again, though. Yeah. We'll not give in too much. So just final thoughts then from you. Let's call it 30 years time, Michelle. Yeah. Do you think our spiritualist churches will still be here?

[00:37:10] I do, but I don't think there'll be many. Not unless we change our ways. And what, if you could change one thing and only one thing about spiritualist churches, what would you change? About the churches? Yeah. Just one thing. Oh, you've just put that on me now. I know, that's great, isn't it? I have to think about it. Yeah. Not to be so structured.

[00:37:39] So more relaxed in the ways. Yeah. Yeah, definitely. Not every church is the same, but the vast majority can be quite structured. Yeah, I'd agree with that, yeah. I think they'll be here in 30 years. And the only thing I think I would change... I'm not saying that they won't be, because I do think they will be, but I don't feel like we would have grown. Gotcha. Well, the only thing I would change, I would say, is...

[00:38:08] Maybe change is the wrong word. I try and encourage more types of events within the churches. Yeah. So a more diverse range of events. Oh, I absolutely agree, yeah. Not just a Sunday service, an open circle, a healing service. Let's diversify ourselves and go broader than that and host different events at our churches, which some do. But I would like to try and see that across the board, I think. That would be the only thing I'd changed.

[00:38:36] And I think we should ask the audience as well. If there was one thing you could change, either within your church or a different spiritualist church, or one idea that you've had... Message us or email us. Message us, yeah. And let us know what that would be, because it would be interesting to get a lot of people's opinions on that. Yeah. Because the churches are there for everybody, aren't they? Exactly, yeah. Well, I think we should wrap it up there. I'm ready for another brew. I am, too. Yeah.

[00:39:08] Before we attend church tonight. Yes, we are at church tonight. Because we are attending tonight, aren't we? I've actually got a night off, which is very rare. Well, yesterday, just before we finish, but I got up at six, I left the house at seven, and I got to Yorkshire at just after nine. Worked till half past four or five o'clock. Yeah, I was going to say you were ringing me on the way home. That was late, wasn't it? Then I had a dem at seven o'clock.

[00:39:38] Left there, half past eight. Got a quick coffee, round about quarter past nine. That's the life, though, of a working medium. I know, I know. Do I do it? It's not glorious or glamorous. I've got a family as well. Yeah, I know. Work full time, do this podcast, do serve churches. It's crazy, isn't it? Yeah, it's, yeah, crazy, crazy life. But. But we love it. And we wouldn't change it. Absolutely. So. It's goodnight from me. And goodnight from you? Who do you think you are? No, no.

[00:40:07] I was just thinking of. Annika. No. Oh, God. My mind's gone blank. What's the name? What, like question time? No. Oh, the two Ronnies. Oh, God. I'm thinking goodnight from you. Anyway, thank you very much for listening. We hope you've enjoyed this episode. Yeah. And yeah, make sure to get in touch with us either via email or on our website. And if you want to stay caught up with everything, you can either use our website or social media,

[00:40:37] Facebook, Instagram, TikTok. We're on YouTube, all of the above. Yeah. So give us a follow and let us know what you want to hear about next. Thank you very much for listening and bye for now. Bye.