EP 219 Retreat Marketing Magic: People and Great Partnerships with David Schafran
Release Date: 04/24/2025
EP 233 Lead Retreats Without Losing Yourself: The Joy Factor with Kelley Hartman
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this heartfelt and empowering episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, host Shannon Jamail sits down with Kelley Hartman to explore the transformative power of joy in retreat leadership. Kelley shares how a life-changing diversity retreat in her twenties sparked her passion for holding space and eventually led her to create her own retreats focused on joy, self-care, and aligned leadership. Together, Shannon and Kelley dive deep into why joy is not just a nice-to-have, but a non-negotiable for any retreat leader who wants to avoid burnout and truly support others. They get candid about...
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EP 232 Lessons from a First-Time Retreat Host: What I’d Do Differently with Misty Chambers
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this candid episode of the Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Pilates studio owner and retreat host Misty Chambers to unpack the highs and lows of her first-ever retreat. From a surprise challenge with a sick guest to navigating meal budgets in the Champagne region of France, Misty shares everything she wishes she had known—and what she’ll absolutely do differently next time. They talk about the importance of having personal space as a retreat leader, hiring a retreat coordinator, setting realistic expectations around meals, and most importantly: why retreat leaders...
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EP 231 Algorithm-Proof Your Retreat Brand: Social Media That Sticks with Robin Nathaniel
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by social media strategist and author Robin Nathaniel (@robbinmarx) to dig into what it really takes to build a retreat brand that thrives online—without having to chase every trend. Robin brings two decades of experience in social media and shares how to focus on authentic, audience-focused content that stands out in an AI-driven world. From aligning your content with your brand's voice to Robin's powerful SYNC framework (Simple, Yield, Natural, Change), this episode is packed with gems for retreat leaders who want to...
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EP 230 It’s Not the Economy—It’s You: Owning Your Retreat’s Value & Selling with Confidence
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this fiery solo episode, Shannon Jamail gets real about a truth many retreat leaders need to hear: the biggest block in your retreat business isn’t the economy—it’s you. If you’ve ever said, “People just aren’t spending right now,” or felt tempted to lower your prices just to fill spots—this one’s for you. Shannon breaks down the mindset shift that will transform the way you sell your retreats and communicate their true value. She’ll show you how to stop apologizing for your prices, own your worth, and confidently sell your retreat as the life-changing investment it is....
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EP 229 How to Level Up as a Retreat Leader (and Build Profitable Retreats Like a Boss)
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this solo episode, host Shannon Jamail gets fired up and shares exactly what it means to level up as a retreat leader—and why it goes way beyond fancy goodie bags or extra plush pillows in your yurt. Fresh off a transformative retreat teaching experience in France and actively learning from high-level masterminds like Genius Network, Shannon lays out how growth happens through mentorship, aligned community, and being in the right rooms. She also gets real about the flood of new "retreat coaches" in the industry—and why it’s more important than ever to vet your mentors and follow...
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EP 228 Dealing with Objections as a Retreat Leader: Compassion Over Discounts
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this powerful solo episode, Shannon Jamail gets real about something every retreat leader will face: objections. Especially the most common one—“It’s too expensive.” But before you spiral into discounting or self-doubt, Shannon shares a refreshing and aligned way to navigate objections with confidence, compassion, and curiosity. This episode is your permission slip to stop taking objections personally and start using them as powerful conversations rooted in leadership. What You’ll Learn: Why “it’s too expensive” usually isn’t about money The #1 thing NOT to do when...
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EP 227 Sell It Like a Retreat Leader: Why Sales Should Be Your Superpower with Dora Rankin
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this bold and enlightening episode of the Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Dora Rankin, a business growth coach and sales strategist who isn’t afraid to tell retreat leaders the hard truth: you’re likely spending way too much time on marketing and not enough on sales. Dora breaks down the key differences between sales and marketing (hint: they are NOT the same thing!) and explains why retreat leaders should be spending at least 70% of their business-building time focused on actual sales activities. From connecting directly with potential guests to having powerful...
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EP 226 Delegate & Elevate: Why Every Retreat Host Needs a Coordinator with Daesha Donze
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this powerhouse episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, host Shannon Jamail sits down with luxury retreat designer and director Daesha Donze to talk all things logistics, style, and sanity-saving support for retreat hosts. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to juggle planning, hosting, and actually enjoying your own retreat—this episode is your permission slip to hand over the clipboard and reclaim your energy. Episode Highlights: Why hiring a retreat planner or coordinator is a total game-changer (Spoiler: so you can finally enjoy your own retreat) How Daesha tailors each...
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EP 225 Boundaries, Burnout & Breakthroughs: Retreat Wisdom with Lesley Martin
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this powerful episode of the Retreat Leaders Podcast, host Shannon Jamail welcomes trauma therapist and retreat coach Lesley Martin for a raw and insightful conversation about the emotional resilience and energetic boundaries required to lead transformational retreats. Lesley and Shannon dive deep into the often overlooked emotional toll retreat leaders face, especially when carrying their own unhealed trauma or managing the weight of participants’ needs. They discuss how coaching and self-reflection can help retreat leaders grow beyond the therapy room, create healthier emotional...
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EP 224 The Power of Story: How to Sell Out Retreats with Authentic Marketing featuring Renee Frojo
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this inspiring episode of the Retreat Leaders Podcast, host Shannon Jamail sits down with journalist-turned-content-marketer and storytelling coach, Renee Frojo, to explore how powerful storytelling can transform your retreat business from “meh” to sold out. Renee shares her journey from the newsroom to coaching B2B and B2C entrepreneurs on connecting with their audience in the most human way possible—through story. After selling out her very first international retreat in Costa Rica using just stories and intention (not a massive follower count), she’s now hosting her second...
info_outlineWelcome to another episode of the Retreat Leaders Podcast, where today's guest, David Schafran, shares his unique journey from healthcare technology to founding Somo Loco, a company dedicated to dance immersions and retreats. Join us as we delve into how David transitioned to a more embodied practice and the crucial role of partnerships in growing a retreat business.
Episode Highlights:
- From Tech to Dance: David discusses his shift from running a tech company to embracing the transformative power of dance and embodied wisdom. He explores how integrating physicality with meditation and dance can deepen personal and communal wellness experiences.
- The Power of Partnerships: Learn how David leverages partnerships rather than just personal networks to spread the word about Somo Loco. He emphasizes the significance of collaborating with aligned individuals and entities to enhance the reach and impact of his dance retreats.
- Challenges of Scaling Retreats: David shares insights into the complexities of scaling a retreat business that operates immersions every week of the year. He talks about overcoming control issues, ensuring quality, and aligning with the right people to maintain the integrity of the retreat experience.
- Strategic Marketing for Retreat Leaders: Dive into effective marketing strategies that focus on partnerships and collaborations. David highlights a successful case of working with a UK blogger, which significantly boosted interest in his retreats. He also discusses the benefits of involving influencers and setting clear expectations for content creation.
- Soma Loco's Unique Offering: Discover more about Soma Loco's retreats, which feature dance immersions in vibrant styles hosted in captivating cities like Medellin and Barcelona. David explains how these locations enrich the retreat experience, making them unforgettable for participants.
- Building Sustainable Retreat Practices: Shannon and David discuss the importance of developing sustainable practices to prevent burnout among retreat leaders. They explore how focusing on broader business strategies rather than individual branding can lead to more effective and resilient operations.
Join Shannon Jamail and David Schafran as they uncover the magic of effective retreat marketing through powerful storytelling, strategic partnerships, and a deep commitment to community and personal transformation. Whether you’re a seasoned retreat leader or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you elevate your retreat business.
Stay tuned to learn how to incorporate these strategies into your own retreat offerings and ensure your operations are not just profitable but also profoundly impactful.
About David
David Schafran is a serial entrepreneur, innovator, dancer, and armchair philosopher with a passion for uplifting people.
David started his first company at 26 with a high profile MIT professor and billionaire famed Silicon Valley Investor. After burning out helping over 5 million people access eye care over 130 countries with novel eye testing technology, David went and danced salsa full time in Medellin, Colombia, a move that changed his life.
He is now the founder of Somoloco, a dance and cultural immersion company based in Medellín, Colombia, where travelers experience the joy, connection, and energy of Latin dance and culture.
David’s work has been highlighted by renowned investor Vinod Khosla, and his career reflects a commitment to blending innovation, human connection, and real-world impact. Whether launching cutting-edge tech, designing transformative travel experiences, or building community-centered solutions, David’s mission is to spark joy, connection, and resilience in every project he touches.
You can find him dancing in Medellín, building new ventures in NYC, or exploring what’s next at the intersection of culture, technology, and community.
Connect with David
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