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EP 285 Astrocartography for Retreat Leaders: Could the Right Location Change Everything? with Krystal Thompson

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Release Date: 09/24/2026

EP 286 How to Get Started Hosting Retreats: The Beginners Guide show art 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 show art 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 show art 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) show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 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...

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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...

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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...

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More Episodes
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 certain places feel like home, and discover why some locations naturally support growth while others seem to create constant resistance.
 
Whether you're planning your next retreat, considering a move, or simply curious why certain places seem to energize you while others drain you, this conversation offers a fascinating perspective on the connection between geography and personal growth.
 
In This Episode You'll Learn
  • What astrocartography is and how it works
  • How your birth chart creates a personalized map around the world
  • Why some locations naturally support creativity, leadership, business, or relationships
  • How retreat leaders can use astrocartography when choosing retreat destinations
  • Why you may feel completely different in one city compared to another
  • Whether difficult locations should be avoided or embraced for growth
  • How entrepreneurs can use location strategically for business and life decisions
  • Why Shannon was so surprised by her own astrocartography reading
If you've ever wondered why certain places seem to call to you, or why you've felt instantly at home somewhere you've never been before, this episode may change the way you think about travel forever.
 
What You'll Learn
  • How astrocartography works
  • How to choose retreat locations
  • Why location matters for entrepreneurs
  • Using astrocartography for business decisions
  • Finding aligned retreat destinations
  • Why certain places feel more supportive than others
  • How travel can influence personal growth

Key Takeaways

Place Matters
We spend so much time optimizing ourselves. Rarely do we stop to ask whether our environment is helping us thrive.

Astrocartography Is More Than Astrology
Krystal explains how your birth information creates a personalized world map that highlights locations where different aspects of your life may naturally flourish.

Retreat Leaders Can Think Differently About Destination Selection
Choosing a retreat location isn't only about beautiful scenery.
It's also about creating an environment that supports the intention of the retreat itself.

Every Place Serves a Purpose
Some locations feel easy.
Others challenge us.
Neither is necessarily "good" or "bad."
Sometimes growth happens because a place stretches us.

Curiosity Creates Opportunity
Whether you fully embrace astrocartography or simply find it interesting, asking new questions about place, purpose, and alignment can lead to entirely new possibilities.

About Krystal Thompson

Krystal Thompson is the founder of Aura Maps, where she helps entrepreneurs, creatives, and curious travelers understand how location influences their lives through astrocartography.
 
By combining astrology with geography, Krystal creates personalized maps that help clients explore where they may naturally thrive, create, connect, and grow.
 
Grab your reading here!   Special offer:
  • 10% off any retreat-specific Astrocartography session or service
  • Code: RETREATLEADERSPOD
  • Expires: March 24, 2027
 
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

Guest Introduction: Crystal Thompson (00:01:28) Crystal Thompson introduces herself as an astro cartographer who helps people discover the energy of different places around the world.

What is Astro Cartography? (00:03:02) Crystal explains that astro cartography maps your natal chart onto the world, showing planetary energies in different geographic locations.

How Location Affects Your Life (00:03:37) Crystal discusses how living in a certain place for an extended time can activate parts of your chart and change you.

Crystal's Personal Experience with a Neptune Line (00:05:50) Crystal shares her story of living on a Neptune line, which supports intuition but can also feel ungrounded and dissolve identities.

Shannon's Transformative Uranus Line Experience (00:08:26) Shannon discusses her life-changing trip to France, which sits on her Uranus line, an energy that shakes things up.

Using Astro Cartography for Retreats (00:12:45) Crystal explains how retreat leaders can use astro cartography to align locations with the transformation they want to facilitate.

The Importance of Scouting Locations (00:17:59) Shannon emphasizes that retreat leaders should always visit a location first, understanding its unique energy before hosting clients there.

Trusting Your Intuition on Where to Go (00:22:31) Crystal explains that even if a location seems challenging on your map, your intuition and personal calling are important guides.

Biggest Misconceptions About Astro Cartography (00:25:22) The speakers discuss skepticism around astro cartography and the misconception that some planetary lines are "bad" and should be avoided.

The Ancient Roots of Astrology (00:28:37) Shannon and Crystal discuss how astrology has been used for centuries, from the Farmer's Almanac to ancient royal courts.

Advice for Retreat Leaders: Go Deep (00:32:23) Crystal encourages retreat leaders to be brave, embrace authenticity, and create deep, unique experiences that stand out from surface-level offerings.

How to Connect with Crystal (00:35:20) Crystal shares her website and offerings, including relocation strategy sessions for nomads and readings for retreat participants.