At just 25 years old, A.J. Barrera wants to heal the world one spirit and one caller at a time.
The Covina resident, who describes himself as a medium or someone who can connect with the spiritual world, will host his own radio show starting this month.
The show, "Breakthrough with A.J. Barrera," will have a "Loveline with Dr. Drew" feel, said Barrera, where callers can ask spiritual questions as well as talk about love, kids, career, etc.
"It's not just a spiritual show, it's intuitive counseling," he said.
His connection to the spiritual realm started with a deck of tarot cards.
"From sixth- through eighth-grade, I started telling kids about their families (by reading the cards)," said Barrera. "I thought, 'Maybe I'm just a good guesser.'"
A teacher found out what Barrera was doing and discovered his ability, he said.
"It never crossed my mind (that I had this ability) and then I started doing radio right out of high school," said Barrera. "I was fascinated with psychics and mediums (but skeptic) and when I started I realized some of those people were real."
Barrera's parents were also skeptical when their son started.
"We grew up Catholic and they were wondering 'where did we go wrong with this kid?,'" he said.
But once they heard the radio announcer introduce their son when appearing as a special guest on a radio show, it was clear he was in it for real.
Barrera started with the KOST radio station on a show called "Angels In Waiting" as one of five guest mediums, appearing a few times a month.
After a couple years, he went on to appear on the KBIG radio station followed by more guest spots on radio and television stations, locally as well as nationally.
Bill Schreiner, owner and producer of Achieve Radio, said through a statement, "For my part, having produced nearly a hundred mediums in thousands of broadcast hours, A. J. Barrera is clearly one of the best. He not only fills the call-in lines, he fills my e-mail inbox with requests that we have him back."
Barrera is grateful for the listeners that follow him on the radio or online shows.
"After those radio shows, one thing led to another. I've been so fortunate to work with people like this," he said, pointing to the various photos on display that he's taken with different celebrities.
Though he has many high-profile clients and friends, Barrera says he wants to help as many people as he can from all walks of life.
"My work is truly out of integrity, I don't want to con people," he said.
As a recent guest on "Spirit Encounters," a show hosted by Mike Loops on Blogtalk radio network, Barrera took on questions from Loops and callers.
Loops, who works in the paranormal field, asked Barrera to explain the difference between psychics and mediums.
"A medium bridges the connection between the spiritual and physical world," explained Barrera. "All mediums are psychic but not all psychics are mediums."
Barrera also explained to Loops how he works his craft.
"I do mediumship a little differently (than other mediums,)" he said. "I'd rather give people evidence like dates or describe their home. My main thing is to make it real for the individual."
Jhani Kaye, program director for K-Earth 101 FM radio station was a host of 'Radio Medium' when Barrera was an in-studio medium.
"A.J. was by far the most accurate medium of all who appeared on the program," said Kaye through a statement.
"I witnessed first-hand his ability to describe a person's childhood home, the doors, the floor plan, which direction one would turn to go to the bedrooms and perhaps most amazing, A.J. actually described in detail a photo of the caller as a child with his grandfather on a credenza, including what each person was wearing."
Barrera acknowledges mediums, just as psychics, are met with skepticism by many who either believe there is no spiritual world or it isn't possible to connect with the other side.
With many people posing as spiritual communicators for money or fame, it's even more of a reason that Barrera looks for specific details to turn the skeptics into believers.
"Some people don't want to believe (in mediumship) because they are so set in their ways," he said.
As if he was just talking to friends over coffee, Barrera answered questions and gave advice to each caller during Loops' two-hour show on Sept. 8.
Callers asked mostly about finances, relationships and employment, while a few specifically asked about their deceased family or friends.
"The way I connect with each individual when they ask a question is that I tune into the energy of the person's voice," Barrera explained how his mediumship works. "Once I hear (their voice) I either see a color, feel a certain vibration if someone (from the spiritual world) wants to connect."
Barrera said he doesn't have direct conversations with spirits from the other world so he has to interpret feelings, scents and images that are given to him.
"Everything is out of my frame of reference, my spirit guide would use how I would reference something (say an apple for teacher or school), and show me the right image," he said.
It can also get physical when reaching the other side,. he said.
"Sometimes I can get feelings, like a pressure on my chest, if (the spirit) had trouble breathing or sometimes I can smell smoke (if the spirit) liked to smoke cigars."
He also learned how to interpret colors he may see or associate with someone. Through study and experience, he knows the "aura" or energy field the person is giving off with colors like red, orange, yellow, blue or any color. The aura helps define the person and "to go deeper into the root of the problem or issue they have repressed or are lacking in their life today."
Barrera said he has dreams just like anyone else, but they are not always premonitions. "These feelings (of premonition) and visions come directly from spirit where I 'see' (clairvoyance), 'hear' (clairaudience), 'feel' (clairsentience) or 'smell' (clairscent) that energy," he said.
"Basically, I am a conduit where the (spirits) channel all their 'feelings' and vision through me, so where I am able to convey the messages they are trying to get across through my frame of reference."
Even with all this talk of spirits and "the other side," Barrera said he is an average person and even still attends church.
"I don't try to shove my religion or beliefs down people's throat," he said.
Even his grandmother was one of those who is set in her beliefs and faith.
"My grandma said to me, 'I respect what you do, as long as you know where it comes from, it comes from God,'" Barrera said. "I'm still well-connected to that (faith). I'm so open-minded in spirituality."
For Barrera, having his own radio show will be just another way for him to reach people and get across to many that a soul survives after death.
"I want people to witness it and experience it for themselves to understand what this work and process is all about — not just another person with a crystal ball telling you your future," he said.
Barrera said his clients have reported feeling a sense of peace and a deeper connection to life by having experienced a reading with him.
"I'm happy if I don't see my clients again because I want them to be happy and for things to work out for them," he said.
Barrera also teaches spiritual workshops in Covina, Riverside, Los Angeles and in other states.
He is working on getting his own television show and has written two books, one of which is ready for publishing. He is also currently getting certified in counseling.
Already he's using some counseling skills as he advises callers on Loop's show.
"Continue to project positive energy and be open," he said to callers after answering their questions. Then, following his own advice, he signed off with "Many Blessings."
"I do believe everything is not set in stone and (we can change how our life turns out)," he said. "To me the show is going to be a transformational thing for people to move forward."
"Breakthrough with A.J. Barrera" will be airing on Achieve Radio Network. For times and station information and more on Barrera, visit www.ajbarrera.com.
claudia.palma@sgvn.com
(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2110
