What actually makes a women’s retreat transformational—and not just a beautiful escape?

Transformation doesn’t come from the location alone. It happens when people slow down, regulate their nervous systems, and feel safe enough to let go of urgency, perfectionism, and performance.

In this episode, Dan Berger speaks with Kelley Hartman, founder of Wild Harts Collective, about how transformational retreats for women are intentionally designed—from nervous-system work and creative expression to nature-based ritual and integration.

Drawing on more than 20 years of corporate leadership experience, the conversation explores the shift from burnout to sovereignty, how small-group retreats create safety and depth, and why creativity and joy are essential—not optional—ingredients in meaningful retreat experiences.

Episode Themes

• What differentiates transformational retreats from getaways
• Nervous-system regulation as the foundation for change
• Letting go of urgency, burnout, and perfectionism
• Creative expression as an access point to embodiment
• Designing retreats that balance structure and flow
• Why small groups foster deeper trust and safety
• Relationship-based approaches to marketing retreats
• Supporting integration after the retreat ends

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome and introduction
01:40 – The retreat experience that changed everything
03:22 – From corporate leadership to retreat creation
05:09 – Failing forward and nervous-system regulation
06:43 – Stillness, sovereignty, and pattern awareness
08:12 – One-on-one work and post-retreat integration
08:37 – Retreat size, pricing, and audience
09:38 – Finding participants through community
11:12 – Transformation stories from retreats
14:12 – Nature-based rituals and somatic practices
16:06 – Creative expression and painting joy
17:47 – Expanding retreats and future plans
19:55 – Advice for aspiring retreat leaders
21:48 – Who these retreats are for and closing thoughts

About the Guest – Kelley Hartman

Kelley Hartman is the founder of Wild Harts Collective and a former corporate leader turned retreat creator. With over two decades of leadership experience, she designs transformational retreats that blend nervous-system regulation, creative expression, and nature-based ritual.

Her work supports women—often high-performing and burned out—in reconnecting with joy, sovereignty, and embodied presence. Through small-group retreats, coaching, and experiential practices, she helps participants move beyond “shoulds” and build lives that feel aligned, regulated, and expansive.

Website: wildhartscollective.com

Social Media: Instagram | LinkedIn

About the Assemble Podcast

Welcome to the Assemble Podcast. I’m Dan Berger, founder of Assemble Hospitality Group.

We build purpose-designed spaces for small team offsites and retreats, because the biggest things happen in the smallest rooms.

This show explores retreats in all forms—corporate, lifestyle, wellness, and endurance training—and the culture shifts that happen when people step away from the everyday. You’ll hear lessons from operators, facilitators, and leaders who design experiences that move the needle.

Our goal: give you the playbook for building clarity, trust, and belonging on your team—or in your community.

Learn more: assemblehospitality.com

Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

Credits: Hosted by Dan Berger, Founder & CEO of Assemble Hospitality. Recorded at Assemble’s Boise Retreat House. Produced by KazCM, part of the QuietLoud Studios podcast network. Distributed on SportsEpreneur.