#043 | Austyn Wells is a ‘Soul Gardener.’ Curious? So were we!
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- Oct 29
- 9 min read
Ever wondered what it feels like to bridge grief and grace, to connect with departed loved ones, or to find empowerment after hardship? Dive into our latest “Life With Ghosts – Let’s Chat” episode, where host Stephen Berkley sits down for an unfiltered, heartfelt conversation with Austyn Wells — acclaimed medium, soulful guide, and, as she calls herself, “Soul Gardener.” We unpack her journey, explore the essence behind mediumship, and get honest about trauma, healing, and learning to reframe our stories.
Throughout this blog post, we’ll follow the shape of the full podcast episode: the deep dives, the little moments of laughter and revelation, and the practical details of classes and resources for all those curious about spirit communication and soul growth. Whether you’re new to these topics or seeking new perspectives, grab a cup of tea – this is one for the heart and soul!
Meet the Hosts & Guests
The episode opens with Stephen Berkley welcoming listeners to “Life With Ghosts – Let’s Chat,” a show that’s all about exploring ways to communicate with our departed loved ones — not in a stuffy, formal way but more like a gathering around the kitchen table. It’s a warm vibe where vulnerability, curiosity, and honesty are front and center.
This time, we’re joined by not one, but two special guests:
Austyn Wells: Medium, grief counselor, coach, and “Soul Gardener”. Author of “Soul Conversations.”
Cheryl Murphy: Medium and co-teacher of the upcoming class “Soul to Soul – Foundations of Mediumship”.
“We all have had moments in our lives where we have been victimized by something that’s transpired. The challenge with that is there’s no empowerment in it...”— Austyn Wells
The episode begins with a real talk about how stories of sadness can shape the way we see ourselves, and the importance of finding new ways to honor everyone involved.
Soul to Soul: Foundations of Mediumship
What Is “Soul to Soul”?
Cheryl Murphy takes the floor to introduce an exciting new 5-week course:Soul to Soul: Foundations of Mediumship.
It doesn’t matter if you’re just a little curious, a total beginner, or already an experienced medium — this class is for anyone who wants to get a fresh perspective and deepen their connection with spirit. Stephen and Cheryl will be teaching together, so participants get two unique takes on what mediumship means and how it shows up.
What’s Included?
Live conversations and Q&A in every class.
Fun exercises: To help you identify your strongest clair (clairvoyance, clairaudience, etc.) and work with your weaker ones.
Understanding connections: Techniques to know when you’re truly connecting vs. when it’s just imagination.
Building confidence in spirit communication.
Connecting with spirit guides (if time allows).
Cheryl describes the class as a safe and welcoming space. Stephen adds:
“For me, it’s not necessarily the content that has to be special each time... it’s the way a teacher explains things.”
If you’re interested in learning, you can sign up for just the first class as a trial — perfect for those who want to dip a toe in before committing to all five weeks.
How to Sign Up
Go to LifeWithGhosts.com and click the “Soul to Soul” course graphic right on the homepage.
Try the first class on its own, then decide if you want to continue!
Austyn Wells: The Soul Gardener’s Story
Who Is Austyn Wells?
Described by friends and colleagues as “genuine,” “heartfelt,” and “safe,” Austyn brings the kind of sincerity you want in someone who’s guiding you through the invisible worlds.
Her journey has touched scientists, theologians, and skeptics alike. Austyn’s book Soul Conversations has helped thousands get in touch with their intuition, find peace, and discover a calmer knowing of themselves.
Terry Daniel, founder of the Afterlife Conference, says:
“When someone asks, the medium I recommend is Austyn Wells.”
But how did Austyn get here? What makes a “Soul Gardener”?
Austyn’s First Connection With Spirit: Childhood Memories
Austyn shares her very first encounter with spirit — a story that feels part magical, part everyday life. She was five years old, participating in a fashion show, awkward and nervous. With anxiety rising, Austyn did what any scared child might: she prayed, reaching for anything that might bring comfort.
Suddenly, the walls of her bedroom began to shift. They “undulated,” and Austyn was surrounded by visible-but-invisible people — translucent presences she didn’t know, but who didn’t scare her. One woman approached her and communicated “heart to heart,” not with words but intuitive understanding:
“We’re here to help.”
Instantly, Austyn’s bedroom was transformed into the runway for the next day. She was able to remote view the future, watching herself walk the runway, even fumble, and realize that she would be supported by everyone present. By feeling the audience’s energy and becoming part of the whole room, the message was clear:You cannot fail.
Once she accepted this, the vision faded and the woman asked, “Are we good?” Austyn said yes. The next day went exactly as she had seen.
This shaped her entire worldview:
She learned prayers get answered (even when we feel alone).
She saw that the visual world isn’t the only reality — the invisible world can be deeply supportive.
She realized children and pets often retain an ability to connect with spirit that adults forget but can reclaim.
The “Black Sheep” & Family Dynamics: Where Mediums Come From
Not every child gets to experience nurturing family support. When asked why her siblings didn’t share this experience, Austyn mused that many mediums, “the intuitive one[s],” come from backgrounds with trauma, unconscious behavior, or abandonment.
“If you’re forced to navigate emotional uncertainty,” she says, “you learn to trust your intuitive senses — not just the structures around you.”
Austyn’s own family dynamic was defined by emotional abandonment and a lack of nurturing. Yet she emphatically reframes this as a blessing:
“I am so massively grateful that my mother was exactly the mother that she was and that I was wise enough to get over my own cock-a-doodle-do and realize she was one of the greatest teachers of my life before she passed.”
Her sensitivity enabled her to discover a deeper understanding of why souls evolve — and why mediumship feels like a calling.
Mediumship & Intuition: A Real Conversation
Born from Trauma — But Not Defined By It
Stephen points out a pattern he’s noticed: “Mediums seem to almost always come from trauma.” Austyn agrees that trauma is common, but observes that most people have experienced some form of childhood difficulty — not just mediums or grief therapists.
“Ask anyone,” she says, “and very few can honestly say their childhood was beatific — everything was awesome.”
What matters is how we frame what happened to us. Trauma can shut us down, or it can set us on a path to deeper service, empathy, and intuition.
“The things that happen to us create the trajectory of why a person is who they are and what they give back to this world. It can define you and diminish you, or it can expand you and put you in service.”
Finite vs. Infinite Self
Austyn offers two simple ways to understand the soul:
The finite self (human being): Everything happens to me. I’m my ego. I’m in control. Everything dies; this view is based in fear, anxiety, and emotion.
The infinite self (spiritual being): Everything happens for me. I’m part of an eternal collective. Death is not the end; this view is based in hope, openness, and connection.
“You can’t only be in one; you have to have a foot in both worlds.”
As we develop, we learn to reframe pain and trauma as spiritual growth — moving from “Why did this happen to me?” to “What can this teach me?”.
Healing Beyond Victimhood
Austyn’s core message is that living in victimhood – replaying painful stories again and again – doesn’t foster empowerment:
“You can’t move on from the pain, you can’t move on from the sadness until you figure out a way to frame the information in a manner that honors all the people involved.”
When we retell stories that keep hurting us, we stay stuck. Healing comes when we honor every person involved in the story — even the ones who brought hurt. This isn’t about excusing harm, but finding the narrative that lets us move forward and embrace balance.
The Body and Soul Connection
Unresolved pain doesn’t just affect our mood. Austyn believes it can show up in our health:
“Then your body doesn’t have to exhibit ill health. What you have within your soul is a sense of balance and understanding that life is happening for you, not happening to you.”
Every soul has its own journey, and not everyone finds these answers within their lifetime or before a loved one passes. Even after death, Austyn observes, loved ones in spirit are aware of our grief and healing:
“Why are these people talking at us? Because they are witness to the depth of our despair and their unfinished business and how it affects us.”
This reframing is part of Austyn’s work as a medium — helping clients discover stories that honor everyone in the journey, living or passed.
Day of the Dead: Grief, Storytelling, and Spirit
Why Is Day of the Dead Special?
Austyn is currently writing a book inspired by the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) — a time when the veil between worlds is said to be “thin.”
What fascinates her about this holiday isn’t just the spirits; it’s the profound way Hispanic cultures handle grief. In the US, grief is often private, hidden, unsupported. Day of the Dead is the opposite:
Two Days of Celebration:
November 1st – Dia de los Infantes — honors children who have passed.
November 2nd – All Souls — honors everyone else.
On both days, families gather at gravesites, decorate, tell stories, and connect with lost loved ones — all in community, with bright colors and shared food. Austyn compares this to how in 19th-century America, families would host funerals at home, fostering support through storytelling and presence.
“In that place and space, it’s just glorious to be able to be with your grief. So it’s comical, it’s bright colors, you share food, break bread.”
Austyn leads a healing retreat called Sacred Remembrance in Palm Springs every year, focused on building community, creating altars, honoring ancestors, and learning to connect spiritually.
Shamanism & Ceremony: Lessons from Peru
Learning to Be a Shaman
It’s not just mediumship — Austyn’s practice deeply integrates shamanism. While she isn’t Peruvian, she’s studied with indigenous shamans from Cusco, Peru. Their worldview has shaped her approach to spirituality:
Nature and spirit are within and around us.
Ceremony is woven into daily life.
Gratitude and recognition of balance are essential.
“I heard from the spirit world that I needed to study... The beauty of shamanism is it lets you be in a place of ceremony, and as a practitioner, gives you tools for soul retrieval, past life regression, and working through stuck places.”
Austyn’s clients benefit from not just readings, but healing processes that address deep wounds and help walk people through “moments of darkness.”
“What I needed was, actually, I heard from the spirit world that I needed to study... and it’s just deep, beautiful nature-based work.”
Her shamanic roots make her approach to mediumship more holistic. She doesn’t just bring messages from the dead, but works with living clients on healing and growth.
Education, Credentials & How to Connect
Austyn isn’t just blessed with natural talent; she’s pursued professional training to be the best possible guide for her clients:
Certified Life Coach
Strengths Coach
Remote Viewing Training
Mediumship Training
Grief Counselor (Three certifications!)
“I never can figure out how to hold the right place for people enough. I can, but I can always do better.”
If you want to connect, learn with her, or join her retreats:
Contact Austyn Wells
Website: AustynWells.com
You’ll find:
Information on her services
Upcoming classes and international retreats (Bali, Egypt, Palm Springs, and more)
Her book and recommended reading
Newsletter sign-ups
Resources, Book Recommendations & How To Get Involved
Soul Conversations
Austyn’s book, Soul Conversations: A Medium Reveals How to Cultivate Your Intuition, Heal Your Heart, and Connect with the Divine, is available here:
It’s a practical guide to intuition, self-healing, and spirit connection — perfect for those wanting to start or deepen their own journey.
Upcoming Events & Classes
Soul to Soul: Foundations of Mediumship: Try the first session before committing!
Sacred Remembrance Retreat: Annually in Palm Springs.
International Spiritual Retreats: Bali (next year), Egypt (two years out).
Follow Austyn’s website for updates on local gallery readings, workshops, and talks.
Final Thoughts: Empowerment After Sadness
Austyn’s story and teachings remind us:
Everyone experiences hardship and moments of feeling victimized.
True healing begins when we honor every person in our story, including ourselves.
Spirit is always present — in grief, in growth, in quiet realization.
Community, ceremony, and storytelling are essential parts of healing.
Reframing our experiences lets us move beyond pain and into empowerment.
If you’re looking for guidance, connection, or just a new perspective on life after loss, take a look at the resources above. Austyn Wells and Cheryl Murphy are shining guides on the path — and there’s a seat waiting for you at their table.
“Life throws some pretty interesting curves... But by being the best version of myself, I can meet people’s needs profoundly when those things happen.”– Austyn Wells
Ready to learn more, heal, and connect? Join us in the next “Life With Ghosts – Let’s Chat!”
Interested in more like this? Connect at LifeWithGhosts.com, or with AustynWells.com. Sign up for a class, grab a copy of “Soul Conversations,” or check out upcoming retreats. Healing, understanding, and community are just a click away.
“You can’t move on from the pain, you can’t move on from the sadness until you figure out a way to frame the information in a manner that honors all the people involved.” — Austyn Wells
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