Libsyn Directory

The Future of the Retreat Industry: Why We Need Standards, Community & Leadership with Holly Porter

Release Date: 04/08/2026

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 -...

More Episodes

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 companies while raising a family to a life-altering 70-day hospital stay during COVID that led to a deeper calling to create something meaningful for the retreat industry.

That calling became the International Retreat Association.

Together, they dive into:

Why the retreat industry has lacked structure and standards
The need for a global association to support growth and professionalism
How the Retreat Industry Forum, platforms like WeTravel, and associations are creating a full ecosystem
Why collaboration - not competition - is the future of this industry
What Holly is building with her membership model and long-term vision

This episode also marks an exciting milestone as Holly and the International Retreat Association officially join the Retreat Industry Forum as a sponsor, further strengthening the movement to elevate the industry.

This is not just a conversation about retreats.

This is a conversation about where the entire industry is headed.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why the retreat industry has lacked a central governing or support structure
• The role of associations in building credibility and standards
• How the Retreat Industry Forum fits into the larger ecosystem
• Why collaboration is key to industry growth
• What the International Retreat Association is building for retreat leaders

Key Takeaways

The Retreat Industry Has Been Fragmented

Until now, there has been:

no central hub
no global standards
no unified ecosystem

This has created inconsistency across the industry.

A New Ecosystem Is Emerging

The combination of:

events (Retreat Industry Forum)
platforms (like WeTravel)
associations (International Retreat Association)

creates a more complete, connected industry.

This Is About Growth - Not Policing

Holly makes it clear:

This is not about controlling the industry.

It’s about:

elevating standards
supporting leaders
creating connection
building credibility

Community Will Define the Future

The retreat industry is built on:

connection
transformation
human experience

And now it’s building a foundation to support that at scale.

Leadership Is Required

As the industry grows, leaders who step up, collaborate, and operate at a higher level will shape its future.

About International Retreat Association

The International Retreat Association is led by a 17x best-selling author, international speaker, host of the All Things Retreat Podcast, and founder of 12 startup companies with a track record of building purpose-driven businesses. After surviving a 70-day hospital stay with COVID that included time on a ventilator, her perspective on life, impact, and legacy shifted in a profound way. That experience became the catalyst for creating a global movement within the retreat industry.

The Association was founded to bring together retreat leaders, venues, and aligned professionals into one collaborative ecosystem focused on growth, integrity, and shared standards. With a vision to elevate the entire industry, it provides connection, education, and strategic opportunities for those shaping the future of retreats worldwide.

Learn more: https://internationalretreatassociation.org/

About the Retreat Industry Forum

The Retreat Industry Forum brings together retreat leaders, venue owners, and industry professionals who are serious about building profitable and sustainable retreat businesses.

Hosted by Shannon Jamail, Alison, and Erin, this is a room designed to elevate the entire industry.

📍 Denver, May
🎟️ https://luxuryinbusinessretreats.mykajabi.com/retreat-industry-forum Or jump on the Paris list: https://luxuryinbusinessretreats.mykajabi.com/retreat-industry-forum-Paris2026

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

Introducing Co-Hosts and Special Guest (00:01:15) Shannon introduces Aaron and Allison, and Aaron announces Holly Porter as the special guest.

Holly Porter’s Background and Inspiration (00:02:03) Holly shares her entrepreneurial journey, family, and the near-death experience that inspired the International Retreat Association.

Mission and Purpose of the Association (00:03:37) Holly explains the association’s mission: collaboration, trust, global standards, and professionalism in the retreat industry.

Need for a Governing Body and Industry Gathering (00:04:21) Aaron and Holly discuss the lack of a governing body and the importance of an annual industry event.

Events, Platforms, and Associations Explained (00:05:30) Holly distinguishes between events, platforms, and associations in supporting the retreat industry.

Value of Professional Associations (00:06:13) Allison shares the benefits of professional associations from her health and fitness background.

Vision for a Collaborative, Evolving Association (00:07:01) Holly emphasizes community-building, flexibility, and co-creating the association’s future.

Membership Launch and Structure (00:07:43) Holly details the upcoming essential and founding memberships, pricing, and the leadership council.

Membership Benefits and Toolbox (00:08:39) Holly describes member benefits: badges, a resource toolbox, opt-in opportunities, and master classes.

Inclusivity and Growth Mindset (00:10:14) Holly discusses being open to change, learning from feedback, and growing the association together.

Diversity of Retreat Types (00:10:59) Aaron highlights the wide range of retreat types and the need for an inclusive association.

Retreats as Universal Business Tools (00:12:00) Allison notes retreats’ relevance across industries and the growing demand for human connection.

Alignment Between Forum and Association (00:12:32) Aaron asks Holly why she chose to sponsor the forum; Holly explains their aligned visions.

Educating on Association Value (00:13:07) Holly discusses the need to educate industry professionals on the benefits of joining associations.

Collaboration Over Competition (00:14:04) Holly advocates for industry unity, more events, and supporting each other rather than competing.

Ethics and Standards in the Industry (00:15:02) Aaron and Holly discuss the importance of ethics, efficacy, and setting industry standards.

Industry Growth and Need for Standards (00:16:03) Shannon addresses the industry’s rapid growth, rise in fraud, and the need for basic standards.

Closing and Thank Yous (00:17:07) Shannon thanks Holly, shares where to find more information, and wraps up the episode.

Podcast Outro and Resources (00:17:39) Outro voice encourages subscribing, reviewing, and accessing free resources.

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