loader from loading.io

EP 279 The Difference Between Successful Retreat Leaders and Everyone Else

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Release Date: 08/13/2026

EP 279 The Difference Between Successful Retreat Leaders and Everyone Else show art 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...

info_outline
EP 278 Welcome to a New Season of The Retreat Leaders Podcast show art 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...

info_outline
Throwback Thursday: The Real Reasons Your Retreat Isn't Selling Out show art 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_outline
Throwback Thursday: The Retreat Hosting Lessons That Never Go Out of Style show art Throwback Thursday: The Retreat Hosting Lessons That Never Go Out of Style

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Some retreat lessons never go out of style. In this Throwback Thursday episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail revisits one of her favorite conversations with Chelle Swierz, founder of Topia Boutique Retreat Center in Baja California Sur, Mexico. While marketing trends, AI, and visibility strategies continue to evolve, the core principles of creating exceptional retreat experiences remain the same. In this conversation, Chelle shares the common mistakes she sees retreat leaders make—and many of them are still happening today. From poor guest preparation and...

info_outline
Throwback Thursday: The Retreat Pricing Mistake That's Costing You Thousands with Erin Haag show art Throwback Thursday: The Retreat Pricing Mistake That's Costing You Thousands with Erin Haag

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

This week's Throwback Thursday episode tackles one of the biggest challenges facing retreat leaders today: Pricing. Because let's be honest... Most retreat leaders aren't struggling because they don't know how to host a great retreat. They're struggling because they're underpricing their expertise, their experiences, and the transformation they provide. In this popular episode, Shannon Jamail sits down with retreat pricing expert Erin Haag to discuss the difference between attracting price shoppers and attracting value-driven buyers. Together they explore why so many retreat leaders:...

info_outline
Throwback Thursday: What If Your Retreat Could Be Worth $55,000? A Conversation on Confidence, Conviction & Premium Retreats with Kyera Kacey show art Throwback Thursday: What If Your Retreat Could Be Worth $55,000? A Conversation on Confidence, Conviction & Premium Retreats with Kyera Kacey

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

This week's Throwback Thursday episode is one that will challenge your thinking. And that's exactly why I'm bringing it back. In this powerful conversation, Shannon Jamail sits down with Kyera Kacey, a bold entrepreneur, speaker, and retreat leader known for helping people break through limitations around money, confidence, and self-worth. Love her approach or disagree with parts of it, one thing is certain: Kyera challenges retreat leaders to think bigger. Much bigger. In this episode, Kyera shares how she launched and sold out her first retreat in Ireland, then went on to host luxury...

info_outline
EP 277 Why Being in the Room Changes Everything: Lessons from the Retreat Industry Forum show art EP 277 Why Being in the Room Changes Everything: Lessons from the Retreat Industry Forum

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

The Retreat Industry Forum is over... And I'm still getting messages. Every week, retreat leaders, venue owners, and wellness entrepreneurs are reaching out asking: "When is the next one?" "How do I get on the waitlist?" "I heard it was incredible. Are you doing it again?" But here's what's interesting: Most people aren't asking about the presentations. They're talking about the conversations. The connections. The collaborations. The feeling of being surrounded by people who understand this industry and are actively building something meaningful. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders...

info_outline
EP 276 The Secret Retreat Venue You've Been Sleeping On - Cinnamon Shore, Texas show art EP 276 The Secret Retreat Venue You've Been Sleeping On - Cinnamon Shore, Texas

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

What if your next retreat venue was a walkable, luxury beach community on the Texas Coast — fully furnished, photographer-ready, and designed to make your attendees feel like they're living in a neighborhood instead of checking into a hotel? In this episode, Shannon sits down with Lee Ann Peters, the powerhouse behind Cinnamon Shore — a New Urbanist luxury beach community on the Texas Coast that has become one of Southern Living's Top 10 Beach Towns in the United States. Lee Ann left a successful Atlanta real estate career in the middle of the Great Recession to build something most people...

info_outline
EP 275 Retreat Leaders vs Venue Owners: The Disconnect Costing You Money show art EP 275 Retreat Leaders vs Venue Owners: The Disconnect Costing You Money

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

If you’re building a retreat business, this episode is required listening. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Catherine Kontos, founder of RetreatBoss, RetreatMatch, and RetreatBoss Magazine, to talk about what it actually takes to build a sustainable and profitable retreat business. With over 14 years in the industry-and a background acquiring and selling over 100 businesses and properties-Catherine brings a level of real business strategy that most of this industry is missing. This conversation about the realities of running retreats as a...

info_outline
EP 274 Why Your Retreat Isn’t Filling (Even Though You’re Posting Every Day) show art EP 274 Why Your Retreat Isn’t Filling (Even Though You’re Posting Every Day)

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

If you’re posting every day and your retreat still isn’t filling…You’re not alone. But you are likely focusing on the wrong thing. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail breaks down the real reasons your retreat isn’t filling-even when you feel like you’re “doing all the things” on social media. Posting is not a strategy Visibility takes time to build And most retreat leaders don’t give it enough time Shannon walks through the biggest mistakes retreat leaders make when it comes to marketing and visibility-and what to do instead if you actually...

info_outline
 
More Episodes
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 silence, slow sales, and objections aren't signs your retreat is failing. They're simply part of building a business.
 
If you're wondering whether your retreat is worth continuing to promote, this episode is your reminder to keep going.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

Whether you're planning your first retreat or you've been leading retreats for years, this episode will encourage you to keep showing up-even when it feels like no one is watching.

Key Takeaways

Silence Isn't Failure

A quiet week doesn't mean your retreat won't fill.
It means your marketing is still working its way through the process.

Don't Confuse Feedback With Failure

A "no" is information.
A slow launch is information.
Use it to improve-not to quit.

The Best Retreat Leaders Stay Visible

People rarely book after seeing your retreat once.
Consistency builds familiarity, trust, and eventually bookings.

Success Belongs to Those Who Keep Going

Every successful retreat leader has experienced objections, slow sales, and moments of doubt.
The difference is they kept showing up.

Your Future Guests Can't Book a Retreat They Never See

Visibility isn't a one-time event.
It's a habit.

 

Subscribe:
 
---------
TIMESTAMPS

The Real Reason You're Losing Money (00:00:55) Shannon reveals the biggest mistake retreat leaders make: they stop showing up and promoting their offerings too soon.

The Thomas Edison Analogy (00:01:09) Using Thomas Edison's persistence, Shannon illustrates the importance of viewing "no's" and objections as data, not failure.

Handling Rejection and Feedback (00:02:17) Shannon discusses why retreat leaders spiral after rejection and encourages them to see feedback as data points for improvement.

Refining Your Message (00:03:23) Instead of giving up, leaders should analyze feedback to refine their messaging and better communicate their retreat's core transformation.

Silence is Not a Verdict (00:04:43) Shannon emphasizes that a lack of sign-ups isn't a reason to quit, but a signal to analyze your messaging.

The Power of Desire Over Objections (00:06:02) When a potential client truly desires the transformation you offer, objections like price or time become irrelevant.

A Personal Story of Persistence (00:07:05) Shannon shares her personal story of overcoming financial and time objections to attend a retreat in France she truly valued.

The Dangers of a Scarcity Mindset (00:09:04) Operating from a place of fear and scarcity will sabotage your efforts and be felt by your potential clients.

The Key to Success: Show Up (00:10:01) Shannon reiterates that consistently showing up with belief in your offering is what leads to registrations and a successful business.

Common Visibility Mistakes (00:11:04) Many leaders fail because their retreat is hard to find online and their messaging isn't clear to their ideal client.

Borrowing Belief from Others (00:11:55) Shannon advises getting into rooms with successful peers to borrow their belief and strengthen your own resolve to succeed.