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Introduction to Hosting Retreats (00:00:02) Shannon Jamail introduces the podcast and the episode's topic: how to start hosting retreats when you don't know where to start.
Step 1: Attend a Retreat (00:01:11) The first step is to experience retreats as a guest to understand what you like, what you don't, and what's important.
Step 2: Work at a Retreat (00:05:03) Gain behind-the-scenes experience by volunteering or working at a retreat to learn the operational side of hosting.
Step 3: Do the Pre-Work (00:07:09) Define your ideal guest (person), their struggles (pain), and how your retreat will transform them (promise).
Step 4: Build a Marketing Strategy (00:10:56) Develop a keyword and SEO strategy based on your pre-work to create content for your landing page, social media, and blogs.
Step 5: Build Your Confidence (00:15:23) Start with smaller events like workshops or day retreats to build confidence in your execution, pricing, and ability to sell out.
Step 6: Place, Price, and Legal (00:20:13) Choose a location you're comfortable with, price for profit, and ensure you have legal essentials like waivers, contracts, and insurance.
Step 7: Create a Post-Retreat Plan (00:22:51) Develop a plan to nurture your relationship with guests after the retreat, including follow-up offers and creating an alumni community.
Key Takeaways
Place Matters We spend so much time optimizing ourselves. Rarely do we stop to ask whether our environment is helping us thrive.
Astrocartography Is More Than Astrology Krystal explains how your birth information creates a personalized world map that highlights locations where different aspects of your life may naturally flourish.
Retreat Leaders Can Think Differently About Destination Selection Choosing a retreat location isn't only about beautiful scenery. It's also about creating an environment that supports the intention of the retreat itself.
Every Place Serves a Purpose Some locations feel easy. Others challenge us. Neither is necessarily "good" or "bad." Sometimes growth happens because a place stretches us.
Curiosity Creates Opportunity Whether you fully embrace astrocartography or simply find it interesting, asking new questions about place, purpose, and alignment can lead to entirely new possibilities.
About Krystal Thompson
Krystal Thompson is the founder of Aura Maps, where she helps entrepreneurs, creatives, and curious travelers understand how location influences their lives through astrocartography. By combining astrology with geography, Krystal creates personalized maps that help clients explore where they may naturally thrive, create, connect, and grow. Grab your reading here! Special offer:Guest Introduction: Crystal Thompson (00:01:28) Crystal Thompson introduces herself as an astro cartographer who helps people discover the energy of different places around the world.
What is Astro Cartography? (00:03:02) Crystal explains that astro cartography maps your natal chart onto the world, showing planetary energies in different geographic locations.
How Location Affects Your Life (00:03:37) Crystal discusses how living in a certain place for an extended time can activate parts of your chart and change you.
Crystal's Personal Experience with a Neptune Line (00:05:50) Crystal shares her story of living on a Neptune line, which supports intuition but can also feel ungrounded and dissolve identities.
Shannon's Transformative Uranus Line Experience (00:08:26) Shannon discusses her life-changing trip to France, which sits on her Uranus line, an energy that shakes things up.
Using Astro Cartography for Retreats (00:12:45) Crystal explains how retreat leaders can use astro cartography to align locations with the transformation they want to facilitate.
The Importance of Scouting Locations (00:17:59) Shannon emphasizes that retreat leaders should always visit a location first, understanding its unique energy before hosting clients there.
Trusting Your Intuition on Where to Go (00:22:31) Crystal explains that even if a location seems challenging on your map, your intuition and personal calling are important guides.
Biggest Misconceptions About Astro Cartography (00:25:22) The speakers discuss skepticism around astro cartography and the misconception that some planetary lines are "bad" and should be avoided.
The Ancient Roots of Astrology (00:28:37) Shannon and Crystal discuss how astrology has been used for centuries, from the Farmer's Almanac to ancient royal courts.
Advice for Retreat Leaders: Go Deep (00:32:23) Crystal encourages retreat leaders to be brave, embrace authenticity, and create deep, unique experiences that stand out from surface-level offerings.
How to Connect with Crystal (00:35:20) Crystal shares her website and offerings, including relocation strategy sessions for nomads and readings for retreat participants.
Key Takeaways
Strategy Can't Outperform MisalignmentThe best marketing strategy in the world won't compensate for fear, doubt, or scarcity. Guests feel your energy before they ever buy your retreat.
Energy Rich Doesn't Mean High Energy Michelle explains that true leadership comes from alignment, not constant hustle. Being calm, grounded, and authentic creates far more influence than trying to do more. Your Beliefs Shape Your Business The stories you tell yourself about money, worth, pricing, and success quietly influence every business decision you make. Retreat Leaders Sell More Than Retreats People invest in the person leading the experience. Confidence, authenticity, and clarity create trust long before someone clicks "Book Now." Freedom Is Built Intentionally Retreats can become a powerful recurring revenue stream when they're built from alignment rather than obligation. About Michelle Villalobos Michelle Villalobos, MBA, CSP®, is a business strategist, retreat leader, and transformational leadership expert who has spent nearly two decades helping coaches, consultants, speakers, and thought leaders build scalable businesses through transformational experiences. She has designed and facilitated more than 150 multi-day retreats, consulted on hundreds more, and is the creator of Business Breakthrough, an incubator that helps entrepreneurs build aligned business models with recurring revenue and greater freedom. Through her Retreats to Riches training and more than 800 YouTube videos, Michelle teaches entrepreneurs how to design, market, fill, and lead retreats that create unforgettable experiences while generating sustainable income. Learn more: https://superstaractivator.com Free Gift for Listeners: The Retreats to Riches Roadmap & Quick Start Guide and Big Back End Revenue Projections Calculator www.superstargifts.com The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links:Podcast Introduction (00:00:02) Host Shannon Jamaal introduces the podcast and welcomes guest Michelle Villalobos, a business strategist and experienced retreat leader.
A Special Gift (00:01:25) Michelle presents Shannon with a beautifully illustrated book she created, titled "But I Want to Fly," an adventure book for dreamers.
Who Are You at Your Core? (00:03:02) Michelle discusses her identity beyond professional roles, defining herself as a creator, contributor, teacher, and philosopher at her core.
Energy Precedes Outcome (00:04:14) Michelle explains her core concept: aligning what you do with who you are naturally elevates your energy and leads to better outcomes.
Becoming Energy Rich (00:04:44) The concept of being "energy rich" is explored, involving alignment with your purpose and cultivating the feelings you want to experience.
Authenticity in Leadership (00:08:26) Shannon shares a personal story about finding her authentic voice while teaching, emphasizing the importance of being genuine as a leader.
The Power of "Both, And" (00:10:45) The discussion shifts to embracing duality, recognizing that two opposing ideas, like holding healing space and making money, can coexist.
Reframing Your Past (00:12:09) Michelle shares a personal story of betrayal, illustrating how reframing a painful past can be an empowering catalyst for awakening and growth.
Can You Lead from an Open Wound? (00:15:52) The speakers discuss whether you can lead a successful retreat without having done the inner work, concluding you must embody your teachings.
The Danger of Masking (00:18:18) The conversation covers the problem of pretending to be healed, which energetically teaches others to mask their own pain instead of healing.
Congruency and Trust (00:19:24) Using horses as an example, Shannon explains that congruency—showing up as you are, even if not okay—is key to building trust.
The Power of Community (00:21:51) Michelle explains that while she works one-on-one with clients, the biggest transformations happen in community and being witnessed by others.
From Strategy to Energy (00:23:14) Michelle describes how her business retreats evolved from focusing on strategy to incorporating inner work, breathwork, and other healing modalities.
Belief Over Strategy (00:24:32) Shannon emphasizes that no marketing strategy can overcome a leader's lack of belief in their own retreat; energy comes first.
Detaching from the Outcome (00:25:42) The importance of surrendering the outcome while remaining fully committed to the process is discussed as a key to success.
Limiting Beliefs and Pricing (00:30:07) The conversation explores how limiting beliefs, especially for women, impact pricing, with most leaders tending to undercharge for their services.
The Retreat Business Model (00:30:43) Michelle shares her model of using a retreat as a breakthrough experience that opens the door to long-term, recurring revenue programs.
Standing in Your Price (00:33:23) The concept of "standing in your price" is explored, highlighting the need for congruence and genuine belief in the value offered.
The Promise of Your Retreat (00:38:14) A retreat's promise elevates it from a generic getaway, allowing for a higher price point and attracting the right participants.
Michelle's Upcoming Work (00:39:08) Michelle shares details about her Business Breakthrough Intensive, which helps thought leaders build community-based programs with recurring revenue.
A Gift for Listeners (00:40:13) Michelle offers a free retreat projections spreadsheet to help leaders plan their numbers, from pricing and attendance to conversion rates.
The Story Behind the Book (00:40:54) Michelle shares the inspiring story of how her book, "But I Want to Fly," came to her in a dream.
Retreat Audit Checklist
✔️ Are all retreat hosts actively marketing? ✔️ Are you taking advantage of every free visibility opportunity? ✔️ Does your landing page clearly communicate who your retreat is for? ✔️ Is your website optimized for SEO and AI search? ✔️ Do you have a keyword strategy? ✔️ Is your call-to-action obvious? ✔️ Did you start marketing early enough? ✔️ Are you building trust? ✔️ Is everyone using their email list? ✔️ Is your retreat easy to share? ✔️ Have you asked why people didn't book? ✔️ Does your content support your retreat promise? ✔️ Are you selling benefits instead of features? ✔️ Would ChatGPT understand your retreat from your website? ✔️ Are you creating evergreen content? ✔️ Have you audited yourself? Key Takeaways Visibility Is Earned Daily There are thousands of retreats competing for attention. If you're not willing to spend 30 to 60 minutes every day talking about your retreat online, someone else will. Your Landing Page Is Your Salesperson If your website could describe a hundred different retreats, it isn't describing yours. Specific messaging wins. SEO Is No Longer Optional Google isn't your only search engine anymore. People are searching inside ChatGPT, Pinterest, YouTube, and AI platforms every day. Your retreat needs to be discoverable everywhere. Trust Is the New Marketing Testimonials. Videos. Reviews. Photos. Podcast interviews. Your audience needs to trust you before they'll invest in you. Small Fixes Often Produce Big Results Most retreats don't fail because they're bad. They fail because people can't clearly understand what they offer or can't find them in the first place. The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links:Introduction to Retreat Audits (00:00:50) Shannon introduces the concept of a retreat audit, using a recent strategy call with a retreat leader as an example.
The Importance of Consistent Marketing (00:03:17) Shannon stresses the need for at least 30 minutes of daily marketing and consistent social media presence for your retreat.
Leveraging Free Visibility Opportunities (00:07:21) Discussion on using free promotional opportunities offered by venues, local chambers, and online platforms like Facebook Events to boost SEO.
Optimizing Your Landing Page (00:09:21) Tips for creating a clear, mobile-friendly landing page that quickly communicates who the retreat is for and what problem it solves.
Developing a Keyword Strategy (00:12:16) The importance of using a keyword strategy, not hashtags, to drive all content and improve visibility on search and social media.
Creating a Clear Call to Action (00:15:18) Advice on having a single, clear call to action on your landing page, preferably "book your spot," to avoid confusion.
Allowing Enough Lead Time (00:18:05) Shannon explains why a 6 to 12-month lead time is ideal for marketing and allowing potential guests to plan accordingly.
Building Trust and Credibility (00:19:44) How to build trust using authentic content, testimonials, and clear credentials, while avoiding overuse of AI-generated images and text.
Utilizing Your Email List (00:22:35) The power of email marketing is highlighted as a crucial tool for building trust and communicating directly with your audience.
Understanding Why People Don't Book (00:23:31) Focusing on selling the benefits and transformation of the retreat, not just the features like yoga classes or meals.
The Power of an FAQ Section (00:24:18) Shannon emphasizes adding a detailed FAQ section to your website to answer common questions and significantly boost your SEO.
Creating Evergreen Content (00:25:18) The value of creating long-form, evergreen content like blogs and YouTube videos that live forever and build long-term traction.
The Final Audit: Consistency and Follow-Up (00:28:03) A final encouragement to audit yourself on consistency, showing up, and the critical importance of quick follow-ups with potential guests.
Key Takeaways
Retreats Are Felt, Not Just Attended
Your guests may forget the exact order of the workshops.
They will remember how the experience made them feel.
Live Music Changes the Room
There is something different about having a real person creating music in real time.
Guests feel the energy, imperfection, emotion, and connection.
AI Can Create Music. It Cannot Recreate Human Presence.
Technology can create incredibly impressive music.
What it cannot reproduce is the shared experience of being in a room with another human being creating something live.
Art Creates Emotional Anchors
A song, painting, creative workshop, or shared artistic experience can become one of the strongest memories someone takes home from a retreat.
Retreat Leaders Should Think Beyond Content
You do not need another workshop just because there is an empty hour on the schedule.
Sometimes the better choice is music, art, nature, conversation, or simply space to experience the moment.
About Christine Baird
Christine Baird is a singer, songwriter, and musician whose career has taken her from musical theatre to the Montreux Jazz Festival, from wedding singing in New York City to pursuing her solo career in Austin, Texas.
She has performed with Sofar Sounds in New York, Los Angeles, and Austin and was recruited as a contestant for Season 26 of NBC's The Voice. Christine has opened for acclaimed artists including Morgan James at Austin's legendary Antone's Nightclub and Texas artist Red Shahan at Salt Lake City's Garage on Beck.
Her vocals have also been featured on popular EDM tracks that have generated more than 13 million streams.
Learn more at www.christinebairdmusic.com
Instagram: @christinebairdmusic The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links:Podcast Introduction (00:00:02) Host Shannon Jamaal introduces the podcast for visionary coaches and healers, welcoming guest Christine Baird to the show.
How Shannon Met Christine (00:01:39) Shannon shares how she discovered Christine's magical voice at a winery and was so moved she hired her for retreats.
Live Music vs. AI (00:03:35) The conversation explores how live music offers an emotional, human experience that AI-generated music simply cannot replicate.
The Effort and Authenticity of Singing (00:04:36) Christine explains that singing is a physical, emotional effort, an instrument from within the body, unlike AI's effortless polish.
The Human Brain is Rejecting AI (00:07:43) Shannon and Christine discuss how people are subconsciously starting to recognize and dismiss content created by artificial intelligence.
Christine's Musical Journey (00:09:20) Christine shares her background, from musical theater in New York to finding her authentic voice and moving to Austin.
The Power of Music at Retreats (00:13:30) Christine discusses how live music's frequency can literally change the biology and energy of a room and its attendees.
Creating a Transformative Experience (00:17:40) Shannon praises Christine's ability to engage the crowd, giving them permission to dance, sing, or simply listen and feel.
Christine's Long-Term Dreams (00:19:36) Christine shares her vision of connecting with large audiences, aiming to create uplifting experiences rather than just seeking fame.
Dealing with Haters and Criticism (00:22:20) The discussion turns to handling online negativity and how life experience builds the strength to stay authentic despite criticism.
The Unnatural Nature of Online Comments (00:26:49) Christine shares the perspective that comment sections are unnatural because humans were not designed to hear everyone's unfiltered thoughts.
Favorite Music and Original Songs (00:29:48) Christine talks about her love for 70s and 80s music and her process of incorporating her original songs into sets.
The Importance of Presence in Performance (00:33:12) Christine explains that staying present and authentic during a performance is key to creating a genuine emotional connection with the audience.
Whether you're hosting wellness retreats, leadership retreats, women's retreats, or personal development experiences, this episode will help you design retreats that continue changing lives long after checkout.
What You'll Learn
Key Takeaways
Transformation Doesn't End at Checkout
The most impactful retreats continue long after guests return home.
Intentional follow-up helps participants integrate what they've learned into everyday life.
Stillness Creates Clarity
In a world filled with constant notifications, AI, and endless information, stillness has become one of our greatest competitive advantages. Retreats Should Start Before Arrival Preparing guests emotionally and mentally before they arrive creates a more meaningful retreat experience from day one. Retreat Leaders Build Community, Not Just Events The strongest retreat businesses don't end when the retreat ends. They create ongoing relationships that keep guests connected and engaged. Momentum Doesn't Always Mean More Action Sometimes the greatest progress happens when we slow down enough to hear what matters most. About Lauren Tedeschi Lauren Tedeschi is the author of Still Momentum: How to Heal and Thrive at the Same Time, a certified life coach, wellness mentor, and creator of the Still Momentum Experience. With a background in leadership development, professional coaching, and transformational facilitation, Lauren helps individuals and retreat leaders create experiences that inspire meaningful, lasting change. Drawing from both her professional expertise and personal journey, Lauren teaches that stillness and momentum are not opposites - they can exist together. Through her book, speaking engagements, workshops, and immersive experiences, she helps people pause with purpose, reconnect with themselves, and move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and intention. Learn more at https://www.thestillmomentum.com/ Grab your free resource at: thestillmometum.com/listeningexercise The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links:Introduction to Lauren Tedeschi (00:00:52) The host introduces guest Lauren Tedeschi, author of "Still Momentum," a life coach, and creator of the Still Momentum experience.
Lauren's Background and Life (00:02:13) Lauren shares where she's from, her family life, and her current passion for life at age 58.
Connecting Through Marathons (00:02:42) The host and guest discuss their shared interest in marathons and how their approach to running has changed with age.
What is Still Momentum? (00:04:42) Lauren explains her core concept: embracing pauses and slowing down, realizing stillness is what makes meaningful momentum possible.
The Power of Stillness in Practice (00:05:59) The host relates the concept to her own yoga journey, moving from intense "yang" practices to slower "yin" styles.
Incorporating Still Momentum into Retreats (00:07:47) Lauren discusses how the concept of stillness, similar to savasana in yoga, can be a powerful tool in retreat experiences.
The Origin of Still Momentum (00:09:22) Lauren shares her personal journey from a fast-paced corporate career to discovering the power of slowing down after having children.
Personal Health Journey (00:10:52) Lauren details her experiences with cancer and the resulting anxiety and depression, which forced her to embrace stillness and wellness.
Finding Peace in Stillness (00:14:45) Lauren recounts her transformative 30-day yoga training in Greece, where she learned to be comfortable as a "student of stillness."
Designing In-Person Experiences (00:17:17) Lauren explains how she wrote her book for her younger self and now creates workshops and a retreat framework for women.
The Still Momentum Framework for Retreats (00:18:53) Lauren describes her framework, designed to add depth to retreats and provide a common language for participants before, during, and after.
How to Work with Lauren (00:21:52) Lauren outlines the three ways retreat leaders can work with her: done-for-you, done-with-you, or training to implement the framework themselves.
Transitioning from Host to Mentor (00:26:20) The host and guest discuss their shared transition from leading many retreats to empowering other leaders with their expertise and frameworks.
The Business and Humanity of Retreats (00:29:46) A discussion on balancing the need for profitability with the human-centric, healing purpose of hosting transformative retreat experiences.
Finding Your Unique Stillness (00:39:22) Lauren shares how her yoga training changed her life and encourages listeners to find their own unique form of stillness.
Where to Find Lauren's Work (00:33:57) Lauren provides her website, mentions a free PDF for listeners, and shares that her book is available on Amazon.
What if the fastest way to grow your business wasn't working harder-but learning from someone who's already done it?
In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Shari Leid, internationally recognized keynote speaker, author, and entrepreneur, for a conversation about one of the most overlooked business skills: knowing when to ask for help. Shari has built an incredible career as a professional speaker, but like many entrepreneurs, she wanted to diversify her business by adding memberships and retreats as recurring revenue streams. Instead of trying to figure it out alone, she invested in learning from someone already doing it. She reached out to Shannon for coaching, attended the Retreat Industry Forum in Denver, and ultimately booked Retreat Ranch for her upcoming retreats. This episode isn't just about retreats. It's about humility. It's about investing in yourself. It's about surrounding yourself with people who have already solved the problems you're trying to solve. If you're an entrepreneur who wants to host retreats profitably, this conversation will encourage you to stop reinventing the wheel and start accelerating your growth. In This Episode You'll Learn:Key Takeaways
The Best Entrepreneurs Don't Go It Alone
Successful business owners know they don't need to be the expert in everything. They find people who already are. Retreats Can Become a Powerful Revenue Stream When done strategically, retreats don't just create unforgettable experiences-they can become a profitable extension of your existing business. Learn From Someone Else's Mistakes Experience is valuable. Borrowing someone else's experience is even more valuable. Proximity Accelerates Growth Books, podcasts, and courses are helpful. But getting in the room with experienced entrepreneurs changes everything. Retreats Should Support Your Business-Not Distract From It The best retreat leaders don't create retreats because they're trendy. They create them because they align with their expertise, audience, and long-term business strategy. About Shari Leid Shari Leid is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, author, entrepreneur, and founder dedicated to helping people create meaningful lives and businesses through connection, courage, and intentional growth. As she expands her business to include memberships and transformational retreats, Shari demonstrates exactly what lifelong learning looks like: investing in mentorship, surrounding yourself with experts, and taking action. Learn more at: SharileidShari Leid | Executive Coach & Speaker | Connection Expert The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links:---------------
TIMESTAMPS
Introducing Sherry Lead (00:00:52) Host Shannon Jamaal welcomes guest Sherry Lead, an attorney turned author, speaker, and now retreat leader, to the podcast.
Sherry's Journey into Retreats (00:02:04) Sherry explains why she sought mentorship to add retreats to her business, aiming for more stable revenue than speaking alone.
Adding New Revenue Streams (00:05:06) The discussion highlights the power of adding memberships and in-person experiences like retreats to grow a coaching or speaking business.
The Power of a Portfolio Career (00:06:32) Sherry explains how different business avenues like speaking, memberships, and retreats can all support and feed into each other.
Learning at The Forum (00:08:44) Sherry shares her experience attending a retreat leader forum, emphasizing the value of learning from experts with different business models.
Finding Your Unique Retreat Style (00:10:48) The importance of authenticity is discussed; your retreat should match your personality to attract the right people and feel genuine.
The Retreat Leader Mastermind (00:12:14) Shannon announces her upcoming mastermind event, designed to help retreat leaders with marketing, profitability, and building a supportive community.
Sherry's Retreats for Women (00:18:09) Sherry describes her women-only retreats, which focus on creating deeper connections to self, career, and community for up to ten women.
The "Flip" Framework (00:18:46) Sherry shares her personal story and the "Flip" framework she created to help people establish connection and a sense of belonging.
A Gift for the Audience (00:21:51) Sherry offers listeners a free "Flip" app on her website to help them practice and improve their connection skills.
Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Google Podcast | Spotify --------- TIMESTAMPS
The Real Reason You're Losing Money (00:00:55) Shannon reveals the biggest mistake retreat leaders make: they stop showing up and promoting their offerings too soon.
The Thomas Edison Analogy (00:01:09) Using Thomas Edison's persistence, Shannon illustrates the importance of viewing "no's" and objections as data, not failure.
Handling Rejection and Feedback (00:02:17) Shannon discusses why retreat leaders spiral after rejection and encourages them to see feedback as data points for improvement.
Refining Your Message (00:03:23) Instead of giving up, leaders should analyze feedback to refine their messaging and better communicate their retreat's core transformation.
Silence is Not a Verdict (00:04:43) Shannon emphasizes that a lack of sign-ups isn't a reason to quit, but a signal to analyze your messaging.
The Power of Desire Over Objections (00:06:02) When a potential client truly desires the transformation you offer, objections like price or time become irrelevant.
A Personal Story of Persistence (00:07:05) Shannon shares her personal story of overcoming financial and time objections to attend a retreat in France she truly valued.
The Dangers of a Scarcity Mindset (00:09:04) Operating from a place of fear and scarcity will sabotage your efforts and be felt by your potential clients.
The Key to Success: Show Up (00:10:01) Shannon reiterates that consistently showing up with belief in your offering is what leads to registrations and a successful business.
Common Visibility Mistakes (00:11:04) Many leaders fail because their retreat is hard to find online and their messaging isn't clear to their ideal client.
Borrowing Belief from Others (00:11:55) Shannon advises getting into rooms with successful peers to borrow their belief and strengthen your own resolve to succeed.
Welcome to a brand-new season of The Retreat Leaders Podcast.
This episode is a little different.
Instead of diving into retreat marketing strategies or interviewing a guest, Shannon shares exciting updates about the future of the podcast, reflects on the incredible community that has helped grow the show into the top 2% of podcasts globally, and gives listeners a preview of what's ahead.
The biggest change? The podcast is leveling up.
Going forward, most interviews will be recorded in person from Shannon's new podcast studio in Austin, Texas. The goal is to create deeper conversations, stronger connections, and even more valuable content for retreat leaders and entrepreneurs.
If you have expertise that can help retreat leaders build better retreats or more profitable businesses, Shannon would love to hear from you. Guests are welcome to apply if they're willing to travel to Austin.
There will also be a limited number of special on-location episodes featuring unique retreat venues, extraordinary retreat experiences, and innovative concepts that can inspire retreat leaders around the world.
Most importantly, this episode is a heartfelt thank-you to every listener who has shared an episode, left a review, attended a mastermind, or simply kept coming back each week.
The next goal?
The top 1%.
And Shannon hopes you'll be part of the journey.
In This Episode You'll LearnReaching the top 2% didn't happen because of one episode.
It happened because thousands of retreat leaders chose to listen, share, and support the show.
Better Conversations Start Face-to-FaceRecording in person creates a different kind of energy, allowing for richer conversations, stronger storytelling, and more practical takeaways.
The Goal Is Always More ValueEvery change being made is designed to bring retreat leaders more actionable ideas, more expert insights, and more opportunities to grow their businesses.
The Journey ContinuesThe podcast has reached the top 2%.
Now it's time to see how far this community can go together.
The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links:
Subscribe:
Apple Podcast | Google Podcast | Spotify
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TIMESTAMPS
Welcome to a New Season (00:00:02) Shannon introduces a new season of the podcast, thanking listeners and sharing what to expect in the upcoming episodes.
The Value of Trust and Time (00:01:18) Shannon expresses gratitude for listeners' trust and time, emphasizing that time is our most valuable, non-renewable resource.
Focusing on Live Experiences (00:02:12) The podcast will shift to in-person sessions recorded in an Austin studio, minimizing virtual interviews to capture live energy.
Taking the Show on the Road (00:03:15) A new, limited opportunity for the podcast to be recorded on-location at unique venues or retreats is announced.
The Importance of Growth and Taking Risks (00:04:17) Shannon encourages listeners to avoid stagnation by trying new things and taking risks in their business to ensure growth.
Up-leveling All Projects (00:05:18) The host discusses her focus on improving her main projects, including the podcast and her annual retreat leader mastermind.
Avoiding Negativity and Complaining (00:06:23) Shannon advises listeners to avoid people who complain, as negativity drains energy and hinders success and business growth.
A Call to Action (00:08:31) Listeners are encouraged to take action, show up for live experiences, and engage more deeply to advance their businesses.
Gratitude to the Listeners (00:09:28) Shannon offers a heartfelt thank you to her audience for their support, trust, and for making the podcast successful.
Why isn't your retreat filling?
It's one of the questions I get asked more than any other.
And while marketing has changed dramatically since this episode first aired-with AI, SEO, and new ways people discover retreats-the core reasons retreats don't fill are surprisingly the same.
That's why I'm bringing back this Throwback Thursday episode.
In this conversation, I break down the most common reasons retreat leaders struggle to enroll guests and, more importantly, what you can do about it.
We cover everything from mindset and messaging to marketing, pricing, and positioning because filling a retreat is never just about posting more on social media.
In this episode, you'll learn:
If you've ever launched a retreat and heard nothing but crickets, this episode will help you identify where things may be breaking down.
The strategies may be timeless- but they still work.
What You'll Learn in This EpisodeIf you don't believe your retreat is worth attending, your audience will feel that.
Stop Marketing to EveryoneThe more specific your audience, the stronger your marketing becomes.
Your Copy MattersPeople don't buy itineraries.
They buy outcomes and transformation.
Marketing Takes TimeOne of the biggest mistakes retreat leaders make is starting their marketing too late.
Visibility compounds over time.
There Is Never Just One ReasonPricing, messaging, timing, audience, marketing, and mindset all work together.
Improving just one area may not be enough.
The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links:
Thanks for tuning into the Retreat Leaders Podcast. Remember to subscribe for more insightful episodes, and visit our website for additional resources. Let's create a vibrant retreat community together!
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TIMESTAMPS
The Importance of Belief and Mindset (00:02:21) The host's belief in their retreat is the most crucial factor for success, as doubt can subconsciously sabotage marketing efforts.
The Retreat Leader's Playbook (00:04:34) An advertisement for a guide designed to help retreat leaders create, market, and sell out their transformational retreat experiences.
Niching Down Your Audience (00:05:43) Trying to appeal to everyone is a mistake; focusing on a specific niche makes your retreat more relevant and appealing.
Crafting Compelling Copy (00:06:49) Your marketing message must resonate with your niche's specific pain points and aspirations to convert interest into actual bookings.
Common Marketing Failures (00:07:59) This section covers marketing mistakes like insufficient lead time, lack of audience research, and underutilizing multiple marketing channels.
Pricing, Timing, and Value Proposition (00:11:03) Discusses how incorrect pricing (too high or low), poor timing, and a weak value proposition can deter potential attendees.
Logistical Challenges (00:13:10) How logistical issues, like a difficult location or mismatched accommodation styles, can negatively impact retreat signups if they don't fit the audience.
Conclusion and Final Advice (00:14:12) A summary of the key areas to address—mindset, niche, marketing, and logistics—to increase the chances of selling out retreats.
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