Jonna Kay began offering readings in the early 2000s, starting with free sessions in her boutique. Her career took off after landing a spot on the radio, leading to a thriving business of readings, events, and live shows. Featured on platforms like Sirius XM and Magic 98’s Women’s Wellness Retreat, Jonna has performed over 20,000 readings in 20 years. Known for her unique ability to provide specific details such as names and dates, Jonna brings authenticity, honesty, and humor to her work, recently launching her successful show “Comedium” blending comedy and mediumship. MysticMag finds out more.
Can you share how your journey as a psychic medium began, from giving free readings in your boutique to being featured on radio shows like Sirius XM? What inspired you to pursue this path?
I gave countless readings at my boutique, and it was through those that I met the DJ who eventually put me on the air. She had seen me doing readings and requested one for herself, which led to an unexpected turn in my career. Radio became a significant platform for me at that time, and I found myself on various stations, from Rockford, IL, to Madison, WI. Currently, I’m collaborating with a station in Madison for a major event that hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s an exciting one.
Back in the early 2000s, we didn’t have the convenience of social media. My marketing efforts relied on flyers, business cards, and radio, and I took every opportunity I could—psychic fairs, parties, and more. Before long, I was able to support myself solely through readings. It wasn’t something I consciously chose; it felt as though the path had chosen me
You’ve mentioned your successful “Comedium” show, which combines mediumship and comedy. How did you come up with this unique concept, and what has the response been from your audience?
Since 2011, I’ve been standing in front of audiences, delivering group-style readings. I manage every aspect of the events—renting venues, selling tickets, advertising—it’s all me. It’s a significant part of my business, and while it’s a lot of work, it’s incredibly rewarding. When I started focusing on large audience events, I stopped doing psychic fairs as often, cutting back from every weekend. Then, the pandemic hit, and everything came to a standstill.
During that pause, I connected with some friends who are comedians, and we began brainstorming ways to collaborate. We didn’t know exactly how to blend our talents at first, but eventually, we figured it out. After I finish my readings, the comedian comes on to lift the audience with laughter. The minute we were able to host live events again, we did. We put together a show in Kenosha, drawing an audience of 70, and it was a huge success. Since then, we’ve been doing it regularly, traveling around and bringing joy to so many.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s been an incredible journey. On a personal note, my comedian went to grade school with my son, which makes it all the more special to watch him find his own success!
With over 20,000 readings in 20 years, you’ve undoubtedly connected with a wide range of people. Could you share one or two memorable experiences or readings that had a significant impact on you or your clients?
My guides love to use iconic pop culture from the 1970s in my readings—especially the songs and symbols from that era. I grew up during that time, and though I don’t think about it often, it’s lodged deep in my brain and works perfectly for my readings.
Once, I was doing a group reading at a restaurant and brought a woman up front. Her mother was coming through and showed me the old TV show Grizzly Adams—specifically, the bear. I even smelled the bear, which was strange because I’ve never smelled a bear in real life, but in that moment, I knew exactly what it smelled like. Readings are so multisensory that things come in fast, and I just said, “Do you live in northern Wisconsin? Do you come into contact with bears? Your mom is showing me face-to-face with a bear and close enough to smell it!” The woman laughed and said, “No, but my dad wrestled a bear on stage in Madison, WI in the 80s!” Apparently, that was a thing back then! Her mom was showing me that moment from the other side.
A year later, I was doing another reading at a house party and got the same Grizzly Adams reference. I started asking the woman about “Up North Wisconsin,” and she and her sister burst into laughter. They said they were the daughters of the man who had wrestled the bear! Same family! It’s amazing how connections like that come through.
I often receive names during readings—sometimes I hear them, sometimes they come through in unexpected ways. Once, I was doing a house party in Door County after a long night in Galena, IL, where I hurt my back lifting a sound system. Exhausted and in pain, I barely slept. But once I start reading, none of that matters—I’m tuned in. The women at the party were incredibly sweet, rubbing me with Tiger Balm to keep me going.
During the reading, I connected with a man who had taken his own life and was a generation above the girl in front of me. She recognized him as her uncle. He wanted to let people know he was okay and shared names of other family members with me. Then, out of nowhere, he showed me the Brady Bunch grid. I told her, “I don’t know why, but I’m seeing the Brady Bunch.” As the image blurred out each character, only Peter remained. When I told her that, she said, “Well, you’re bringing through my Uncle Pete.” It was his clever way of getting me to say his name!
My style is laid-back, with humor, and I like to make people feel at home—whether that’s offering homemade ice cream or a cocktail if you come to my house. Right now, I’m working from home, doing video chats and group readings. It’s more casual, and my Maltese, Venus, often ends up on people’s laps.
The term “evidential mediumship” bothers me. Back when I started doing mediumship in the late 90s and early 2000s, we didn’t need fancy labels—if you were a medium, you gave names and real evidence, period. That’s just what mediumship is. Nowadays, I see mediums who don’t even try to get names, charging twice what I do, and making disclaimers about it. It’s baffling! I believe a true medium gives clear evidence, including names. When I work with new mediums, I always teach them how to trust and confidently say the names they receive. That’s real mediumship—no need for added titles.
You offer various services, including private readings, group sessions, and psychic parties. What advice would you give to someone seeking their first psychic reading or mediumship session, and how can they make the most of the experience?
I have always been attuned to energy. When I began delving deeper into spiritual studies, everything seemed to fall into place naturally. My spiritual awakening only heightened this awareness, making it impossible for me to ignore the path that lay before me. Without formal classes or structured guidance, I immersed myself in whatever knowledge I could find. I devoured books, particularly those by Sylvia Browne, who became a fixture on my calendar each month when she appeared on Montel Williams. I admired her work and absorbed every bit of wisdom I could glean from her.
With few resources available, I practiced on anyone willing to let me, free of charge. This gave me the freedom to experiment, especially with names, without the pressure of needing to be accurate all the time. I believe that early, uninhibited practice sharpened my skills. In retrospect, I was fortunate. While social media didn’t exist back then, I was given opportunities—often by radio DJs—that allowed me to hone my abilities. It was an exciting time, and I’m grateful for those chances.
Looking ahead, I have the privilege of participating in a major event with a Madison, Wisconsin radio station in 2025. Although I can’t share specifics until they do, I can say that we’ve done something similar before, and it was a massive success. I feel immense gratitude for these opportunities and the remarkable reach that platforms like social media now afford. I could never have imagined, back in 1999, just how far we’d come. I still chuckle when I think about those early days, driving to house parties with MapQuest directions taped to my steering wheel, a small flashlight clenched between my teeth as I navigated unfamiliar subdivisions. Now, of course, we have GPS on our phones—a small but profound reminder of how fortunate we are.
My clients mean the world to me, and I’m deeply appreciative of the connections I’ve built with them. It’s always heartwarming when someone returns for a reading years later. Recently, during a show in Milwaukee, a client introduced me to her grown daughter and shared that she’d been pregnant with her during her first reading with me. Those moments are priceless and remind me of the impact this work has on people’s lives.
Like anyone, I have moments when my faith wavers or when I feel discouraged. In those times, I reach for gratitude, because it’s within that space that hope resides. I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m excited for whatever comes next.
If you would like to find out more about Jonna Kay, please visit https://www.mediumjonnakay.com/
