EP 265 The Communication Shift That Can Transform Your Retreats with Joel Weldon
Release Date: 04/09/2026
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...
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EP 262 Culture Building: How to Create a Retreat Experience That People Come Back To with Nathan Jamail
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Most retreat leaders focus on the itinerary. But what makes guests come back year after year isn’t the schedule - it’s the culture. In this episode, Shannon is joined by leadership expert and culture strategist Nathan Jamail (whom she is biased to say is amazing) to break down how retreat leaders can intentionally build culture instead of just planning programming. They discuss: How culture impacts everything How to create loyalty beyond a single event Alumni communities that actually stay engaged Setting customer experience standards Why some retreats create raving fans -...
info_outlineRetreat 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 10,000 speakers through his Ultimate Speaking System. In this conversation, he shares practical, simple strategies retreat leaders can use to become more confident speakers and more powerful communicators.
Because the truth is this: retreat leaders are not just hosts.
They are guides, facilitators, teachers, and storytellers.
And the more clearly you communicate your message - whether on stage, on social media, or in your marketing - the more your retreats will resonate with the right people.
If you want to create deeper connection with your attendees, communicate your message more confidently, and elevate the experience you deliver inside your retreats, this episode is packed with insights you can immediately apply.
You’ll also hear Shannon and Joel discuss why communication is one of the highest-ROI skills any entrepreneur can develop.
As Warren Buffett famously said:
"You can improve your value by 50 percent just by learning communication skills and public speaking."
For retreat leaders, that improvement can mean fuller retreats, stronger relationships with attendees, and experiences that people talk about long after the retreat ends.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
• Why speaking skills are one of the most important - and often overlooked - skills for retreat leaders
• How confident communication helps fill retreats and build trust with your audience
• Simple techniques to feel more comfortable when speaking during retreats
• How to create stronger emotional connection with retreat attendees
• Small speaking tweaks that dramatically improve social media videos and podcast interviews
• Why storytelling and authenticity are key to powerful retreat facilitation
• How strong communication builds loyalty, referrals, and repeat retreat guests
About Joel Weldon
Joel Weldon is a Hall of Fame professional speaker and speaking skills coach who has been paid to speak at more than 3,000 events around the world.
He is the creator of the Ultimate Speaking System and has coached more than 10,000 speakers, helping entrepreneurs, executives, and thought leaders communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact.
Joel specializes in helping professionals transform presentations into powerful experiences that inspire audiences and drive results.
Learn more about Joel here: https://www.ultimatespeaker.com/
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TIMESTAMPS
The Power of Communication for Retreat Leaders (00:01:09) Shannon discusses the importance of communication skills for retreat leaders and introduces guest Joel Weldon.
Welcoming Joel Weldon & Setting the Stage (00:02:25) Joel is welcomed, and the conversation is set up to use a real retreat as an example.
Retreat Leader Mastermind Overview (00:03:24) Shannon describes her upcoming August retreat for retreat leaders and entrepreneurs.
First Steps: Inviting People & Opening Tips (00:04:13) Joel explains how to invite people and the importance of not starting with personal pronouns.
The "Know, Have, Feel" Opening System (00:06:09) Joel introduces the "know, have, feel" framework for opening presentations and invitations.
The Value of Systems in Retreats (00:07:20) Joel emphasizes the need for systems in all aspects of retreat planning and communication.
Retreat Industry Forum Announcement (00:08:07) Shannon briefly promotes the upcoming Retreat Industry Forum event in Denver.
Emotions vs. Logic in Enrollment (00:09:05) Discussion on how feelings drive retreat enrollment, but logic also plays a role.
Speaking is a Learned Skill (00:09:31) Joel shares his journey from being a poor speaker to a professional, emphasizing that speaking can be learned.
Making Communication About the Audience (00:10:29) Joel illustrates how to shift communication from "I" to "you" for greater impact.
Assignment: Audit Your Emails (00:12:51) Joel gives an assignment to review emails for pronoun usage and practice audience-focused writing.
Segmenting Retreat Days & The Green Card Feedback Tool (00:13:54) Joel explains how to structure multi-day retreats and introduces the feedback card system.
How to Use Feedback for Real-Time Improvement (00:17:19) Joel and Shannon discuss using feedback cards to adjust and improve the retreat experience as it unfolds.
Mistakes, Growth, and Speaking Practice (00:22:29) They discuss learning from mistakes, the importance of practicing speaking, and how communication impacts every retreat aspect.
Honesty and Authenticity as a Leader (00:25:18) Shannon and Joel talk about the value of being honest about your experience level with your audience.
The 100 Units of Energy Concept (00:26:16) Joel introduces the idea of conserving energy for leaders and the importance of having a support team.
The Importance of Team and Delegation (00:28:52) Shannon reinforces the need for a strong team so leaders can focus on presence and speaking.
Call to Action & Session Closings (00:31:05) Joel explains how to end sessions with a call to action and why to congratulate, not thank, participants.
Visualization and Final Encouragement (00:34:32) Joel guides listeners to visualize their success and encourages them to implement what they've learned.
Closing Remarks and Resources (00:36:01) Shannon thanks Joel, promotes his resources, and wraps up the episode.
Podcast Outro (00:36:40) Outro with reminders to subscribe, review, and access free resources.