Story Time: Spirit School is Expanding
Blog
Subject:
Story Time: Spirit School is Expanding
by Danielle Searancke
In 2014 I was daydreaming about what could be possible for me as a medium. At this time, I was in my first two years of development under a mentor I adored who had a cute ocean-front studio - and I wondered, “could this even be possible for me?”
In a journal entry from 2014, I wrote, “I feel that one day I’ll have a little studio on the Squamish waterfront” - I remember the visualization well; it looked like a Granville Island seawall - which didn’t exist in Squamish in 2014.
I kept focused on the development of the art of mediumship, building my skill and reputation in this work locally in Squamish until 2020 when my podcast Spirit School started getting international listenerships which created opportunities for me to grow my practice online - divinely timed mere months before the you-know-what in March 2020.
Subject:
Spirit School is Expanding
Spirit School Blog
Since then ‘Squamish Medium’ has taken a back seat to Spirit School as thousands started coming to learn from me via the podcast, my programs, membership and private sessions. As the world started opening up, the desire to meet some of my students in person became a priority for me… the search for my first retreat space was on!
In February 2022, I started researching retreat spaces and soon found that those that were able to survive the you-know-what (trying not to get flagged for spam here, haha) were very limited in availability, and I was only able to find one venue between 2023 and 2025 to host my retreat at!
Of course, I snagged it up for April 2023 (Sacred Spirit Retreat, I cannot wait!)
That coupled with the fact I do all of my work in my bedroom with less than an inch between the edge of my bed and my desk chair - I began thinking about potentially finding an office space to work out of with room to host workshops and retreats.
Anyone who knows my body of work knows I will follow every inspiration until it doesn’t feel good anymore … so immediately, I hit up Google and started learning about commercial leases and what was available in Squamish.
After meeting and being ghosted by realtors who likely didn’t take me seriously, I looked to Instagram.
On October 4th, I posted a story as I walked along the newly developed Squamish waterfront sea wall (Yes, in 2018, Squamish got its first stretch of sea wall built - ironically, the same year Spirit School was founded.)
I posted a video saying, “I can’t get a realtor to take me seriously; how do I get a space like this?” as the camera pans out to a beautiful mountain landscape with a marina, a full-unobstructed view of iconic Stawamus (The Chief.) I ended the video by saying, “I always visualized Spirit School’s first location to be on the Squamish waterfront.”
That night I got a text from an old friend Ann Marie McKenzie. She said she had a friend who was a newer realtor and could help me (this is one of the few reasons I still LOVE social media, by the way!) The next morning at breakfast, I said to Spirit, “Spirit, if this is meant for me, this will unfold with ease.” (Declare it to be so.)
What happened next was nothing but divine timing …
On October 5th, I received a call from Ashley Freeman (realtor) saying, “I can get you in the space tomorrow.”
On October 6th, my husband and I toured the space, which has two built-in sound-proof podcast studios (stop, I know!) and that night, I applied for an indigenous entrepreneurs grant to help finance construction costs.
On October 8th, I secured a contractor and interior designer to come to quote on the work to construct the space to be on brand for Spirit School.
The next few weeks were negotiations and waiting for grant approval, holding faith, losing faith, returning to faith - repeat - though staying relatively calm throughout this process.
On November 8th, my deadline to remove subjects on my offer was due. I was hoping to have the safety net of approved funding before then, but they regretfully said they wouldn’t have a decision for me in time, and any deposits paid or agreements entered would be at my own risk - I would have to fund the project without any outside support guaranteed.
I cried for the first time in this process. I went for a walk and spoke to Spirit “Spirit, this is a huge risk; this is just as scary for me as when I was going to quit my corporate job - and I’m so mad about this test of faith because you know I’m going to do it anyway,” and I did! I removed subjects and declared this would work out; one way or another, this project would get done.
My final agreement signature was due yesterday, and just like the flow and ease that this experience has been, I received an email 24 hours before the deposits were due that I got my grant and they would fully financially back the project.
I can smell cedar as I type this, a sign my elder in Spirit is near. I have never felt more spiritually supported in my life.
So, Spirit School is expanding, and come Spring 2023, you will be able to receive in-person sessions again and attend demonstrations, workshops and retreats at Spirit School in our new waterfront Squamish Location.
I will be sharing construction updates on my Reels on Instagram and want to thank all my students and friends who have been incredibly supportive of me during this incredibly profound time in my life. Above all else, I want to thank my husband, who hasn’t doubted me for a second during this process, demonstrating our evolution as a couple.
(Gosh, it’s like I’m winning an award or something! Haha!)
In all seriousness, I think it’s important to share these stories with you. I often teach how magic is on the other side of fear, and I’m here to share an experience with you that this was one of the scariest decisions I’ve ever made in my life, up there with getting married, buying a home and deciding to start a family. You have done scary things in your life and will continue to.
Please, never give up on your daydream.