EP 269 Why Glamping and Retreats Are the Perfect Pair (And What Retreat Leaders Need to Know) with Sarah Riley
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
The retreat industry is evolving - and one of the biggest opportunities right now sits at the intersection of glamping and retreats. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Sarah Riley, a UK-based glamping industry expert and co-organizer of The Glamping Show America, to explore how glamping and retreats are becoming one of the most powerful combinations in experiential hospitality. Sarah has been working in the glamping and retreat space since 2010, helping entrepreneurs launch lifestyle businesses and navigate the realities of building glamping sites -...
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EP 268 The Power of Retreats for Midlife Women: Building Community, Healing & Business with SOL Women
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
There is a powerful shift happening - and it’s centered around midlife women. Women who have spent years building careers, raising families, and showing up for everyone else are now asking a different question: What do I want? In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down in person in Austin with the founders of SOL Women to talk about the rise of retreats designed specifically for midlife women - and why these experiences are more needed now than ever. SOL Women creates holistic, supportive retreat experiences that help women reconnect with themselves, prioritize...
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Behind the Scenes of the Retreat Industry Forum: Why Logistics & Operations Make or Break Your Retreat
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
There’s what your guests see at a retreat… And then there’s everything happening behind the scenes. In this special edition of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by Alison and Erin (co-hosts of the Retreat Industry Forum) along with two of the Forum’s featured panel presenters - Matt Quinones and Daesha Donze - to talk about the operational side of running successful retreats. You can have an incredible concept, a beautiful location, and a powerful transformation… But if your logistics and operations aren’t dialed in, it will impact the entire experience. Matt...
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EP 267 The Retreat Venue Gap: Why Retreat Leaders and Venues Struggle to Find Each Other with Emily Johnson
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
One of the biggest challenges in the retreat industry isn’t marketing, pricing, or programming. It’s the gap between retreat leaders and retreat venues. Retreat leaders struggle to find the right venues. Venue owners struggle to fill their calendars with the right retreats. And somewhere in the middle, opportunities are missed. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Emily Johnson, founder of Elevate Hospitality Collective, to talk about the disconnect between retreat leaders and venues - and how the industry can bridge that gap. Emily brings years of...
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EP 266 The Power of Proximity for Retreat Leaders and Entrepreneurs
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Success in business isn’t just about strategy. It’s also about proximity - who you’re around, the conversations you’re exposed to, and the standards of the rooms you choose to enter. In this solo episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail shares why being in the right rooms can dramatically accelerate your growth as a retreat leader and entrepreneur. For many years Shannon’s business was doing well. But about five years ago, something shifted. She started attending conferences, joining masterminds, and intentionally placing herself in rooms with other high-level...
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Special Edition: Stop Wasting Money on Ads: What Retreat Leaders Need Before Running Facebook & Instagram Ads with Jenn Possick
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Running ads to fill your retreat sounds like the obvious next step… But for most retreat leaders, it’s actually where they start losing money. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by Alison, Erin, and Jenn Possick (The Ads Maven) to break down what retreat leaders really need to know before investing in Facebook and Instagram ads. Jenn specializes in helping coaches, wellness professionals, and retreat leaders run strategic, data-driven ad campaigns - offering both done-for-you and done-with-you services. And here’s what she makes very clear: Ads are...
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EP 265 The Communication Shift That Can Transform Your Retreats with Joel Weldon
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Retreat leaders spend months planning the location, the schedule, the experiences, and the transformations they want their guests to have. But there is one skill that quietly determines whether your retreat truly lands with your audience. Your ability to communicate. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Hall of Fame speaker Joel Weldon to talk about the powerful role communication plays in the success of retreats - from filling the room to creating deeper breakthroughs for attendees. Joel has been paid to speak at more than 3,000 events and has coached over...
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The Future of the Retreat Industry: Why We Need Standards, Community & Leadership with Holly Porter
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
The retreat industry is growing so fast. Especially in the last 6 years. But here’s the problem: There has never been a central place for retreat leaders, venues, and professionals to connect, collaborate, and operate at a higher standard. Until now. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by Alison, Erin, and Holly Porter, founder of the International Retreat Association, to talk about the future of the retreat industry - and why the timing for this shift couldn’t be more important. Holly shares her powerful personal story - from building 12...
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EP 264 Building Momentum: Staying the Course When Results Feel Slow
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
One of the hardest moments in the retreat business is the quiet period after you launch something. You announce your retreat. You post about it. You send emails. And then… crickets. In this solo episode, Shannon Jamail talks about why slow results are not a sign that something is wrong. In fact, momentum in the retreat industry is rarely sudden — it’s usually the result of consistent, focused action over time. Shannon breaks down the common traps retreat leaders fall into when results don’t appear quickly, including shiny object syndrome, comparison traps, and abandoning strategies too...
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EP 263 Trust Leaks in Retreat Businesses: The 5 Places Retreat Leaders Lose Credibility with Debbie Simmons
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Trust is the currency of the retreat industry. Guests invest their time, money, and emotional energy into retreat experiences expecting transformation, connection, and professionalism. But often, trust doesn’t break in big dramatic moments - it slowly leaks through small gaps in leadership, communication, and delivery. In this episode, Shannon sits down with Debbie Simmons to discuss the five most common “trust leaks” in retreat businesses and how retreat leaders can repair them before they damage reviews, referrals, and long-term loyalty. They break down where trust most often breaks...
info_outlineEpisode Overview: Join Shannon and Nathan as they delve into the valuable lessons learned from their own mistakes, both personally and in managing their retreat. This episode is a candid exploration of how errors can lead to significant growth and understanding.
Key Discussion Points:
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Introduction to the Topic:
- Shannon and Nathan introduce the theme of the episode, emphasizing the importance of embracing mistakes as opportunities for learning and improvement.
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Personal Mistakes and Lessons:
- The hosts share their own experiences with mistakes they've made while running the retreat and in their personal lives. They discuss specific instances and the lessons each mistake taught them.
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The Role of Mistakes in Personal Growth:
- Exploration of how facing and acknowledging mistakes is crucial for personal development. They talk about the process of transforming regret into proactive learning.
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Strategies for Handling Mistakes:
- Practical advice on how to effectively recognize, address, and learn from mistakes. Tips include maintaining a positive mindset, using mistakes as a feedback mechanism, and the importance of accountability and resilience.
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Encouraging a Culture of Learning:
- Discussion on fostering an environment at work and home where mistakes are seen as part of the learning curve rather than failures. Shannon and Nathan emphasize how creating a supportive atmosphere encourages innovation and growth.
Conclusion:
- Recap of the insights shared about learning from mistakes. The hosts reiterate that mistakes are inevitable but managing them wisely can lead to invaluable personal and professional growth.
Call to Action:
- Shannon and Nathan encourage listeners to reflect on their own past mistakes and consider what lessons can be drawn from them. They invite the audience to share their stories of learning from errors to help inspire and educate the community.
The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links:
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