EP 278 Welcome to a New Season of The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Release Date: 08/06/2026
EP 286 How to Get Started Hosting Retreats: The Beginners Guide
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
You want to host a retreat. Great. But please don't start by finding a gorgeous villa in Costa Rica and putting down a deposit. There is a lot that should happen first. In this solo episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail breaks down how to get started hosting retreats, based on what she has learned from leading and hosting more than 100 retreats and owning a retreat venue. And the first step isn't picking a location, creating an itinerary, or designing a logo. It's experiencing retreats yourself. Shannon walks through seven steps aspiring...
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EP 285 Astrocartography for Retreat Leaders: Could the Right Location Change Everything? with Krystal Thompson
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Does where you live, work, or host retreats actually influence how you feel, create, and lead? In this fascinating episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with astrocartographer Krystal Thompson, founder of Aura Maps, to explore how location may impact everything from your creativity and confidence to your relationships and business success. After experiencing her own personal astrocartography reading with Krystal, Shannon wanted to dive deeper into how this powerful tool can help retreat leaders choose retreat destinations, understand why...
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EP 284 Energy Before Strategy: Why Your Retreat Business Can't Outperform You with Michelle Villalobos
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Most retreat leaders believe the answer to growing their business is another strategy. Another funnel. Another marketing tactic. Another social media platform. But what if the greatest opportunity isn't changing what you do...it's changing the energy you bring to everything you do? In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Michelle Villalobos, business strategist, retreat leader, and creator of the Business Breakthrough Program, to discuss why energy precedes outcomes and how your internal alignment directly impacts...
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EP 283 Retreat Audit: Why Your Retreat Isn't Filling (A Real-Life Case Study)
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
What if your retreat isn't struggling because of the economy, Facebook, or Instagram? What if it's something much simpler? In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail walks through a real retreat audit after a coaching call with one of the retreat leaders hosting at Retreat Ranch. Within minutes, Shannon uncovered multiple issues that were hurting registrations. None of them required a bigger advertising budget. None of them required starting over. They simply needed to be fixed. This episode is a practical checklist every retreat leader...
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EP 282 Why Live Music and Art Make Retreats More Powerful with Christine Baird
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
What makes a retreat unforgettable? It is rarely just the itinerary. It is the feeling. The energy in the room. The moments guests did not expect. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Austin-based singer, songwriter, and musician Christine Baird to talk about the role of live music, art, and real human connection in creating transformational retreat experiences. Christine has performed at multiple retreats hosted by Shannon, and together they explore why live music brings something to a retreat...
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EP 281 How Retreat Leaders Can Create Lasting Transformation with Lauren Tedeschi
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
What if the most powerful part of your retreat isn't what happens during the retreat-but what happens before and after? In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with author, certified life coach, and wellness mentor Lauren Tedeschi to explore how retreat leaders can create deeper, longer-lasting transformation by embracing Lauren's Still Momentum framework. Inspired by her new book, Still Momentum: How to Heal and Thrive at the Same Time, Lauren shares why stillness isn't about doing less-it's about becoming more...
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EP 280 The Fastest Way to Build a Profitable Retreat Business with Shari Leid
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
What if the fastest way to grow your business wasn't working harder-but learning from someone who's already done it? In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Shari Leid, internationally recognized keynote speaker, author, and entrepreneur, for a conversation about one of the most overlooked business skills: knowing when to ask for help. Shari has built an incredible career as a professional speaker, but like many entrepreneurs, she wanted to diversify her business by adding memberships and retreats as recurring revenue streams....
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EP 279 The Difference Between Successful Retreat Leaders and Everyone Else
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Why do some retreat leaders build thriving businesses while others give up after one launch? It's usually not because they're better marketers. It's not because they have a bigger audience. And it's rarely because they have the perfect retreat. It's because they keep showing up. In this solo episode, Shannon Jamail shares one of the biggest mindset shifts every retreat leader needs to hear: success doesn't come from avoiding failure-it comes from refusing to quit. Using Thomas Edison's famous light bulb story as a starting point, Shannon explains why...
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EP 278 Welcome to a New Season of The Retreat Leaders Podcast
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Welcome to a brand-new season of The Retreat Leaders Podcast. This episode is a little different. Instead of diving into retreat marketing strategies or interviewing a guest, Shannon shares exciting updates about the future of the podcast, reflects on the incredible community that has helped grow the show into the top 2% of podcasts globally, and gives listeners a preview of what's ahead. The biggest change? The podcast is leveling up. Going forward, most interviews will be recorded in person from Shannon's new podcast studio in Austin, Texas. The goal is to create deeper...
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Throwback Thursday: The Real Reasons Your Retreat Isn't Selling Out
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Why isn't your retreat filling? It's one of the questions I get asked more than any other. And while marketing has changed dramatically since this episode first aired-with AI, SEO, and new ways people discover retreats-the core reasons retreats don't fill are surprisingly the same. That's why I'm bringing back this Throwback Thursday episode. In this conversation, I break down the most common reasons retreat leaders struggle to enroll guests and, more importantly, what you can do about it. We cover everything from mindset and messaging to marketing, pricing, and positioning because filling a...
info_outlineWelcome to a brand-new season of The Retreat Leaders Podcast.
This episode is a little different.
Instead of diving into retreat marketing strategies or interviewing a guest, Shannon shares exciting updates about the future of the podcast, reflects on the incredible community that has helped grow the show into the top 2% of podcasts globally, and gives listeners a preview of what's ahead.
The biggest change? The podcast is leveling up.
Going forward, most interviews will be recorded in person from Shannon's new podcast studio in Austin, Texas. The goal is to create deeper conversations, stronger connections, and even more valuable content for retreat leaders and entrepreneurs.
If you have expertise that can help retreat leaders build better retreats or more profitable businesses, Shannon would love to hear from you. Guests are welcome to apply if they're willing to travel to Austin.
There will also be a limited number of special on-location episodes featuring unique retreat venues, extraordinary retreat experiences, and innovative concepts that can inspire retreat leaders around the world.
Most importantly, this episode is a heartfelt thank-you to every listener who has shared an episode, left a review, attended a mastermind, or simply kept coming back each week.
The next goal?
The top 1%.
And Shannon hopes you'll be part of the journey.
In This Episode You'll Learn
- Why The Retreat Leaders Podcast is moving to mostly in-person interviews
- What listeners can expect from the new season
- How to apply to be a guest on the podcast
- What makes a great podcast guest for retreat leaders
- Why in-person conversations create a better listening experience
- How the podcast will continue helping retreat leaders build profitable retreat businesses
What You'll Learn
- The future of The Retreat Leaders Podcast
- Why in-person interviews create more engaging conversations
- How to apply as a podcast guest
- What topics the show is looking for
- How the podcast continues supporting retreat leaders and entrepreneurs
Key Takeaways
This Community Built the Podcast
Reaching the top 2% didn't happen because of one episode.
It happened because thousands of retreat leaders chose to listen, share, and support the show.
Better Conversations Start Face-to-Face
Recording in person creates a different kind of energy, allowing for richer conversations, stronger storytelling, and more practical takeaways.
The Goal Is Always More Value
Every change being made is designed to bring retreat leaders more actionable ideas, more expert insights, and more opportunities to grow their businesses.
The Journey Continues
The podcast has reached the top 2%.
Now it's time to see how far this community can go together.
- Join our Mastermind in Austin!
- Learn to Host Retreats
- Join our private Facebook Group
- Get your legal docs for retreats
- Join our LinkedIn Group
- Apply to be a guest on our show
- Grab the AI + SEO Mini Course
- Grab the Pitch to Profit Mini Course
Subscribe:
Apple Podcast | Google Podcast | Spotify
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TIMESTAMPS
Welcome to a New Season (00:00:02) Shannon introduces a new season of the podcast, thanking listeners and sharing what to expect in the upcoming episodes.
The Value of Trust and Time (00:01:18) Shannon expresses gratitude for listeners' trust and time, emphasizing that time is our most valuable, non-renewable resource.
Focusing on Live Experiences (00:02:12) The podcast will shift to in-person sessions recorded in an Austin studio, minimizing virtual interviews to capture live energy.
Taking the Show on the Road (00:03:15) A new, limited opportunity for the podcast to be recorded on-location at unique venues or retreats is announced.
The Importance of Growth and Taking Risks (00:04:17) Shannon encourages listeners to avoid stagnation by trying new things and taking risks in their business to ensure growth.
Up-leveling All Projects (00:05:18) The host discusses her focus on improving her main projects, including the podcast and her annual retreat leader mastermind.
Avoiding Negativity and Complaining (00:06:23) Shannon advises listeners to avoid people who complain, as negativity drains energy and hinders success and business growth.
A Call to Action (00:08:31) Listeners are encouraged to take action, show up for live experiences, and engage more deeply to advance their businesses.
Gratitude to the Listeners (00:09:28) Shannon offers a heartfelt thank you to her audience for their support, trust, and for making the podcast successful.