I completely agree with you! I believe we all have the ability to work on our universal gifts. However, not many of us are willing to work at honing in our our clairvoyant/empathic/psychic abilities. 

More to the point, I think that even if I set out to become a medium, that doesn't mean that I will ever (no matter how much I work at it), actualize as a medium. 

I do believe that some people are "born" with very clear abilities to communicate with the universe in ways many others cannot. 
If you talk with psychics and mediums, even they admit to limitations of their abilities. Some may be able to see and speak with people who have passed, where as others do not have that ability. That is only one example. 

Do I think that we can be taught? I believe that we all have empathic abilities. I believe we can be taught a heightened awareness and to trust our intuition in ways that seem out of the realm of reality, yes. 

Do I think we can be taught to have conversations with the other side in a way that is beneficial to another party, no. 

I enjoy this conversation too! Have you ever taken a look at afterlifetv.com? This mans work is to explore the afterlife. He does several interviews with the kind of gifted people we are discussing. You may want to check it out :)

Sending good vibes my friend!