EP 250 Both Sides of the Retreat: Hosting, Supporting, and Finding Balance with Kim DeMoss
Release Date: 12/04/2025
EP 255 Building a Soul-Led Retreat Business While Working Full-Time with Amy Jaggers
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In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Amy Jaggers, a coach and retreat leader who is building a soul-led retreat business while still working full-time. Amy shares how she helps professionals step off autopilot and reconnect with balance, clarity, and purpose through meditation, mindfulness practices, retreats, and wellbeing circles. She opens up about what it really looks like to grow a retreat business alongside a demanding career — including boundaries, time management, and integrating her “soul work” into her corporate role. Together, Shannon and Amy...
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EP 254 How to Make Your Retreat a Signature Brand Asset Instead of a One-Off Event
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Many retreat leaders are stuck running one-off retreats - constantly reinventing the wheel, hustling for new sign-ups, and exhausting themselves with fresh marketing every time. But the smartest, most sustainable retreat businesses? They build signature retreats that become a recognizable, in-demand part of their brand. In this episode, Shannon breaks down how to turn your retreat into a powerful brand asset that builds loyalty, grows every year, and creates recurring revenue through alumni and long-term client pathways. You’ll learn how to create a retreat theme people return to annually,...
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EP 253 Everything You Do Either Attracts or Repels and That’s a Good Thing
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Everything you put into the world is doing something. Your website. Your social posts. Your emails. Your videos. Your interviews. In this episode, Shannon Jamail breaks down a truth most retreat leaders avoid: if you’re not repelling anyone, you’re probably being too generic. Attraction is only half the conversation. Sustainable retreat businesses are built on clarity - and clarity naturally attracts the right people while filtering out the wrong ones. Shannon explains why repelling misaligned guests isn’t a flaw, it’s a leadership skill, and how trying to please everyone leads to...
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EP 252 Ethical Marketing, Outsourcing, and Building Trust in Business with Dawni Baxter
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In this episode, Shannon sits down with Dawni Baxter — founder of a boutique marketing agency and a multi-passionate entrepreneur leading the movement in ethical, human-first marketing. Dawni brings a refreshing perspective to an industry filled with noise, inflated promises, and confusing pricing structures. Together, Shannon and Dawni dive into: ✨ How to navigate marketing relationships with confidence ✨ Why transparency and trust are the backbone of ethical marketing ✨ What to look for (and avoid) when hiring a marketing agency or contractor ✨ The power of outsourcing — even...
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EP 251 Stop Discounting Your Retreats: The Damage It Causes & What to Do Instead
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In this episode, Shannon gets fired up about one of the biggest mistakes retreat leaders make: discounting their retreats. While a discount might feel like an easy way to fill a few spots, the long-term damage is real - it devalues your experience, trains your audience to wait for price drops, signals desperation, and hurts the entire retreat industry. Shannon breaks down exactly why discounting is harmful, what it communicates to potential guests, and better alternatives like early-bird bonuses, pay-in-full perks, and smart payment options. She also unpacks the real reason...
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EP 250 Both Sides of the Retreat: Hosting, Supporting, and Finding Balance with Kim DeMoss
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Kim DeMoss - Retreat Ranch’s Executive Assistant, Yoga Teacher Training host, and long-time retreat collaborator - to talk about what it’s really like to experience retreats from both sides: hosting and supporting. From her early days hosting retreats with Shannon to now managing the logistics behind the scenes, Kim shares candid insights on burnout, boundaries, work-life balance, and how she found her groove in the retreat industry. They also dive into the digital...
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EP 249 If You’re Not Failing, You’re Not Trying Hard Enough
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this solo episode, Shannon Jamail gets real about something every retreat leader needs to hear: failure isn’t the enemy - it’s proof that you’re in the game. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough. Shannon dives into why “falling short” - whether it’s your finances, your workshop, your attendance, or your execution - isn’t something to avoid, it’s something to learn from. You can hire the best coach, join the smartest program, and learn from the pros… and you’ll still make mistakes. The difference? You’ll...
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EP 248 Why Retreat Leaders Who Don’t Evolve in AI + SEO Will Be Left Behind
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
If you’re still marketing your retreats like it’s 2022, you’re already behind. In this solo episode, Shannon Jamail drops the truth about how the digital marketing landscape has shifted - and why AI integration isn’t optional anymore. From Google rewriting your meta descriptions to the rise of algorithmic visibility, the retreat industry is evolving fast. Shannon breaks down how retreat leaders can start using AI tools strategically - not just for blogs and social media, but to analyze data, personalize messaging, and scale visibility. She also gives a sneak peek at...
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EP 247 Redefining Tantra and Running a Profitable Retreat Business with Justin Gottlieb
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Justin Gottlieb - a sexual freedom coach, Tantra practitioner, and retreat host who transitioned from the corporate world to full-time facilitation. Together, they unpack what Tantra really is (and isn’t), how to maintain integrity in intimate retreat settings, and why it’s time for more men to step into leadership roles in the wellness and retreat space. Justin shares how he and his co-facilitator Leola create transformational retreats rooted in safety, consent, and empowerment - and how they’ve built a sustainable...
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EP 246 A Guest Experience and Real Talk on Women’s Wellness & Retreat Leadership with Remi Gibbs
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this heartfelt and honest episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail reconnects with former retreat guest and midlife women’s life coach, Remi Gibbs, to talk about everything from freezing yurts to forgiveness-and how retreats offer powerful portals for healing and purpose. Together, they dive into: Remi’s unforgettable experience at Retreat Ranch (spoiler: it involves a hot tub and sub-zero temps) The difference between acceptance and true forgiveness—and why that distinction matters How Shannon handled an unexpected power outage like a pro (a lesson in leadership grace)...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Kim DeMoss - Retreat Ranch’s Executive Assistant, Yoga Teacher Training host, and long-time retreat collaborator - to talk about what it’s really like to experience retreats from both sides: hosting and supporting.
From her early days hosting retreats with Shannon to now managing the logistics behind the scenes, Kim shares candid insights on burnout, boundaries, work-life balance, and how she found her groove in the retreat industry.
They also dive into the digital evolution of the industry - how AI and online visibility are reshaping the way leaders must market their retreats - and why self-awareness is key to finding your place in this ever-changing landscape.
Whether you’re leading retreats, supporting them, or figuring out which role fits best, this episode will give you real-world perspective, practical advice, and a reminder that your version of success doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
Key Takeaways
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Retreat leadership has many layers — and not everyone is meant to be front and center.
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Supporting retreats can be just as fulfilling as leading them (and sometimes less stressful).
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Work-life balance matters — especially for women juggling careers, families, and personal growth.
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The retreat industry is evolving fast with AI and digital marketing — adapt or find your unique niche.
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Attracting the right participants is key to creating aligned, transformational retreat experiences.
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Streamlining your focus can lead to more fulfillment and sustainable success.
Learn about Kim’s YTT: https://www.
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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!Subscribe:
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TIMESTAMPS
Kim and Shannon’s History (00:00:59) They discuss how they met, their decade-long relationship, and collaborative projects.
Roles in the Retreat Space (00:02:05) Kim shares her experience as both a retreat host and support, and her preference for support roles.
First Retreat at Retreat Ranch (00:03:48) Kim recalls hosting the first retreat at Retreat Ranch and lessons learned from minimal resources.
Balancing Personal Life and Retreat Hosting (00:04:46) Kim explains why she hosts only one retreat a year, citing personal and family circumstances.
Learning from Career Shifts (00:06:05) Shannon relates her own career pivot and how skills transfer to new roles, paralleling Kim’s journey.
Letting Go of Expectations (00:07:22) Kim discusses the challenge of disappointing others versus honoring personal capacity and boundaries.
Retreat Industry Forum Announcement (00:08:01) Shannon promotes the upcoming Retreat Industry Forum event in Denver.
Navigating Life Seasons and Work Choices (00:09:06) They talk about making choices that fit current life seasons, especially with family and career changes.
Marketing and Selling Retreats Today (00:10:40) Discussion on how retreat marketing has evolved, becoming more complex and demanding.
Alternative Roles in the Retreat Industry (00:11:51) Exploring ways to stay involved in the industry without hosting, especially if marketing isn’t appealing.
Evaluating Retreat Marketing and Audience Fit (00:12:48) Kim reflects on attracting the right participants and lessons from her first retreat’s marketing.
Listening to Inner Guidance and Pivoting (00:13:21) They emphasize the importance of listening to intuition and being open to change.
Kim’s Strengths and Transition to Support Roles (00:14:24) Kim and Shannon discuss Kim’s organizational skills and her move to more supportive, creative roles.
Benefits of Support Roles and Life Transitions (00:16:16) Kim shares the relief and satisfaction of support work during her husband’s military retirement transition.
Continued Learning and Growth (00:18:07) They discuss ongoing personal and professional growth, and Kim’s involvement in events and trainings.
Differences Between Training and Wellness Retreats (00:18:53) Kim explains how training retreats differ from wellness retreats in focus and participant expectations.
Structuring Training Retreats for Balance (00:20:28) Advice on scheduling downtime in training retreats to avoid burnout for both leaders and attendees.