A Special Edition: A Fireside Chat about The Retreat Industry Forum with Alison, Erin & Shannon
Release Date: 02/18/2026
A Special Edition: A Fireside Chat about The Retreat Industry Forum with Alison, Erin & Shannon
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this special fireside chat, Shannon Jamail, Alison, and Erin pull back the curtain on the evolving energy of the Retreat Industry Forum — and why this year’s attendee profile looks different than ever before. What started as a vision to elevate the retreat industry is quickly becoming a high-level gathering of experienced retreat leaders, business owners, venue operators, and industry professionals ready to scale smarter and connect strategically. The trio discusses: The shift toward seasoned retreat professionals attending Why the Forum is not a beginner workshop —...
info_outline
EP 258 What I Wish I Had Done Differently When I First Built My Retreat Business
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
When I first started building my retreat business, I made mistakes. Not small ones - real ones that cost time, money, energy, and unnecessary stress. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing: What I personally wish I had done differently in the early days The most common mistakes I see retreat hosts still making today And how to avoid burning out, underpricing, or building a retreat that looks good on paper but feels exhausting in real life If you’re hosting retreats (or thinking about it), this episode will help you build something that’s clear,...
info_outline
EP 257 Belonging Is the New Luxury: Why Retreats Matter More Than Ever with Dan Berger
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Dan Berger to talk about something the retreat industry doesn’t discuss nearly enough: belonging. Dan shares his personal journey—from selling his event-planning software company for $100M, to grappling with his own sense of belonging, to ultimately creating Assemble Boise, a retreat and gathering space intentionally designed for human connection. Together, Shannon and Dan dive into: Why men are facing a serious belonging and mental health crisis How retreats can act as temporary communities that create lasting impact...
info_outline
EP 256 Building Pilates Retreats in Europe: Creativity, Logistics, and Expansion with Bessie Refalo
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Bessie Refalo, a yoga and Pilates retreat leader who is carving out a unique lane in the wellness retreat industry - reformer Pilates retreats in Europe. Bessie shares the behind-the-scenes reality of creating retreats that require specialized equipment, including the challenges of finding venues with reformer Pilates machines and the creative solutions she’s used to make her retreats possible. From transporting reformers by lorry in Portugal to discovering bespoke studios in Italy, this conversation is a masterclass in...
info_outline
EP 255 Building a Soul-Led Retreat Business While Working Full-Time with Amy Jaggers
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
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...
info_outline
EP 254 How to Make Your Retreat a Signature Brand Asset Instead of a One-Off Event
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
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,...
info_outline
EP 253 Everything You Do Either Attracts or Repels and That’s a Good Thing
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
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...
info_outline
EP 252 Ethical Marketing, Outsourcing, and Building Trust in Business with Dawni Baxter
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
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...
info_outline
EP 251 Stop Discounting Your Retreats: The Damage It Causes & What to Do Instead
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineIn this special fireside chat, Shannon Jamail, Alison, and Erin pull back the curtain on the evolving energy of the Retreat Industry Forum — and why this year’s attendee profile looks different than ever before.
What started as a vision to elevate the retreat industry is quickly becoming a high-level gathering of experienced retreat leaders, business owners, venue operators, and industry professionals ready to scale smarter and connect strategically.
The trio discusses:
-
The shift toward seasoned retreat professionals attending
-
Why the Forum is not a beginner workshop — it’s a growth accelerator
-
The power of investing in events (and the real ROI that follows)
-
High-caliber speakers with proven track records
-
The importance of treating retreats like a business
-
Technology, AI, and SEO shaping the future of the industry
-
The synergy and collaboration behind the Forum itself
-
Early planning conversations for 2027
If you’re serious about growing your retreat business and surrounding yourself with leaders who are playing at a higher level - this episode will show you why the Retreat Industry Forum is different.
Key Takeaways
-
The Retreat Industry Forum is attracting experienced, growth-focused retreat leaders.
-
High-level networking creates exponential business returns.
-
Investing in events often yields significantly higher ROI than expected.
-
Professional standards matter — retreats must operate like businesses.
-
AI, SEO, and technology are shaping the next phase of retreat visibility.
-
Collaboration and in-person relationships accelerate opportunity.
-
The Forum is about elevation — not entry-level learning.
The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links:- Learn to Host Retreats
- Join our private Facebook Group
- Get your legal docs for retreats
- Join Shannon in Denver at the Retreat Industry Forum
- Join our LinkedIn Group
- Apply to be a guest on our show
- Get Shannon’s newest book : Retreat Business Marketing
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:
-------
TIMESTAMPS
Fireside Chat Introduction (00:00:55) Shannon previews the fireside chat with Alison and Aaron about the upcoming Retreat Industry Forum in Denver.
Forum Purpose & Audience (00:02:02) Discussion on the Retreat Industry Forum’s focus on seasoned retreat professionals and what sets it apart from other events.
Shift in Attendees & Market Gap (00:03:35) Noticing a shift toward experienced attendees and identifying the lack of advanced spaces for established retreat leaders.
Value of Being an Attendee (00:07:15) Exploring the benefits of attending events as a participant versus as a speaker, including networking and business growth.
Investment & Value Proposition (00:12:13) Emphasizing the importance of investing in high-quality events and the return on investment for attendees.
Speaker Selection & Event Quality (00:13:05) Explaining the intentional recruitment and payment of expert speakers to ensure high-caliber content and credibility.
Opportunities for Future Speakers (00:15:49) Clarifying the process for becoming a future speaker and the importance of first attending and engaging with the forum.
Power of In-Person Collaboration (00:17:09) Sharing personal stories of how in-person investments and collaborations led to meaningful partnerships and growth.
Commitment & Decision-Making (00:19:09) Discussing the necessity of decisive action and commitment to personal and professional growth through event participation.
Synergy & Magic of Collaboration (00:22:12) Reflecting on the unique synergy among the hosts and the “magic” that emerges from curated, high-level gatherings.
Diversity in the Retreat Industry (00:24:19) Highlighting the wide range of retreat types and the inclusive, non-gendered, and non-wellness-specific nature of the forum.
Technology, AI, and Industry Evolution (00:25:10) Addressing the impact of AI, SEO, and technology on retreat business visibility and the need to adapt to new trends.
Business Mindset in Retreats (00:28:59) Advocating for treating retreats as serious businesses, not just passion projects, and integrating standard business practices.
Profit, Impact, and Industry Elevation (00:30:53) Encouraging profit as a means to greater impact, and challenging the stigma around making money in the retreat industry.
Professionalism & Structure (00:31:55) Describing the forum’s professional approach, honoring agreements, and the importance of structure and accountability.
Networking & Attendee Caliber (00:33:54) Anticipating high-level networking and the value of relationships formed among experienced, successful attendees.
Call to Action & Forum Expansion (00:35:04) Encouraging listeners to join, envisioning business growth, and announcing future forums in Paris and other locations.
Podcast Closing (00:35:54) Shannon wraps up, inviting listeners to subscribe, review, and access free resources for retreat leaders.