Libsyn Directory

EP 243 Profitable Without Pressure: Why You Don’t Need to Do It All to Run a Successful Retreat with Anna VanAgtmael

Release Date: 10/09/2025

EP 256 Building Pilates Retreats in Europe: Creativity, Logistics, and Expansion with Bessie Refalo

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Bessie Refalo, a yoga and Pilates retreat leader who is carving out a unique lane in the wellness retreat industry - reformer Pilates retreats in Europe. Bessie shares the behind-the-scenes reality of creating retreats that require specialized equipment, including the challenges of finding venues with reformer Pilates machines and the creative solutions she’s used to make her retreats possible. From transporting reformers by lorry in Portugal to discovering bespoke studios in Italy, this conversation is a masterclass in...

EP 255 Building a Soul-Led Retreat Business While Working Full-Time with Amy Jaggers

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Amy Jaggers, a coach and retreat leader who is building a soul-led retreat business while still working full-time. Amy shares how she helps professionals step off autopilot and reconnect with balance, clarity, and purpose through meditation, mindfulness practices, retreats, and wellbeing circles. She opens up about what it really looks like to grow a retreat business alongside a demanding career — including boundaries, time management, and integrating her “soul work” into her corporate role. Together, Shannon and Amy...

EP 254 How to Make Your Retreat a Signature Brand Asset Instead of a One-Off Event

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Many retreat leaders are stuck running one-off retreats - constantly reinventing the wheel, hustling for new sign-ups, and exhausting themselves with fresh marketing every time. But the smartest, most sustainable retreat businesses? They build signature retreats that become a recognizable, in-demand part of their brand. In this episode, Shannon breaks down how to turn your retreat into a powerful brand asset that builds loyalty, grows every year, and creates recurring revenue through alumni and long-term client pathways. You’ll learn how to create a retreat theme people return to annually,...

EP 253 Everything You Do Either Attracts or Repels and That’s a Good Thing

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Everything you put into the world is doing something. Your website. Your social posts. Your emails. Your videos. Your interviews. In this episode, Shannon Jamail breaks down a truth most retreat leaders avoid: if you’re not repelling anyone, you’re probably being too generic. Attraction is only half the conversation. Sustainable retreat businesses are built on clarity - and clarity naturally attracts the right people while filtering out the wrong ones. Shannon explains why repelling misaligned guests isn’t a flaw, it’s a leadership skill, and how trying to please everyone leads to...

EP 252 Ethical Marketing, Outsourcing, and Building Trust in Business with Dawni Baxter

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this episode, Shannon sits down with Dawni Baxter — founder of a boutique marketing agency and a multi-passionate entrepreneur leading the movement in ethical, human-first marketing. Dawni brings a refreshing perspective to an industry filled with noise, inflated promises, and confusing pricing structures. Together, Shannon and Dawni dive into: ✨ How to navigate marketing relationships with confidence ✨ Why transparency and trust are the backbone of ethical marketing ✨ What to look for (and avoid) when hiring a marketing agency or contractor ✨ The power of outsourcing — even...

EP 251 Stop Discounting Your Retreats: The Damage It Causes & What to Do Instead

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this episode, Shannon gets fired up about one of the biggest mistakes retreat leaders make: discounting their retreats. While a discount might feel like an easy way to fill a few spots, the long-term damage is real - it devalues your experience, trains your audience to wait for price drops, signals desperation, and hurts the entire retreat industry. Shannon breaks down exactly why discounting is harmful, what it communicates to potential guests, and better alternatives like early-bird bonuses, pay-in-full perks, and smart payment options. She also unpacks the real reason...

EP 250 Both Sides of the Retreat: Hosting, Supporting, and Finding Balance with Kim DeMoss

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Kim DeMoss - Retreat Ranch’s Executive Assistant, Yoga Teacher Training host, and long-time retreat collaborator - to talk about what it’s really like to experience retreats from both sides: hosting and supporting. From her early days hosting retreats with Shannon to now managing the logistics behind the scenes, Kim shares candid insights on burnout, boundaries, work-life balance, and how she found her groove in the retreat industry. They also dive into the digital...

EP 249 If You’re Not Failing, You’re Not Trying Hard Enough

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this solo episode, Shannon Jamail gets real about something every retreat leader needs to hear: failure isn’t the enemy - it’s proof that you’re in the game. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough. Shannon dives into why “falling short” - whether it’s your finances, your workshop, your attendance, or your execution - isn’t something to avoid, it’s something to learn from. You can hire the best coach, join the smartest program, and learn from the pros… and you’ll still make mistakes. The difference? You’ll...

EP 248 Why Retreat Leaders Who Don’t Evolve in AI + SEO Will Be Left Behind

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

If you’re still marketing your retreats like it’s 2022, you’re already behind. In this solo episode, Shannon Jamail drops the truth about how the digital marketing landscape has shifted - and why AI integration isn’t optional anymore. From Google rewriting your meta descriptions to the rise of algorithmic visibility, the retreat industry is evolving fast. Shannon breaks down how retreat leaders can start using AI tools strategically - not just for blogs and social media, but to analyze data, personalize messaging, and scale visibility. She also gives a sneak peek at...

EP 247 Redefining Tantra and Running a Profitable Retreat Business with Justin Gottlieb

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Justin Gottlieb - a sexual freedom coach, Tantra practitioner, and retreat host who transitioned from the corporate world to full-time facilitation. Together, they unpack what Tantra really is (and isn’t), how to maintain integrity in intimate retreat settings, and why it’s time for more men to step into leadership roles in the wellness and retreat space. Justin shares how he and his co-facilitator Leola create transformational retreats rooted in safety, consent, and empowerment - and how they’ve built a sustainable...

More Episodes

You do not have to run yourself ragged to host powerful, profitable retreats, and this episode is proof.

In this honest and hilarious conversation, Shannon Jamail sits down with Anna VanAgtmael, founder of Wandering Roots and host of 22 retreats since 2018, to explore how retreat leaders can ditch the pressure, drop the people-pleasing, and build a business that’s both meaningful and sustainable.

They dive into:

The biggest mistakes new retreat leaders make (and how to avoid them)
Pricing with confidence and energetic alignment
Why less on the itinerary often leads to more transformation
How to stop comparing your retreat to everyone else’s

Whether you're an aspiring host or a seasoned retreat pro, this conversation will give you the permission slip you didn’t know you needed: you don’t have to do it all to make it amazing.

Connect with Anna: https://www.yourwanderingroots.com/

Instagram: @yourwanderingroots

Special Offer: Build a profitable retreat in one minute per day: https://retreat.yourwanderingroots.com/

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:

Introduction & Host Welcome (00:00:02)
Shannon introduces the podcast, its purpose, and encourages listeners to subscribe and leave reviews.

Guest Introduction: Anna’s Background (00:01:13)
Anna is introduced; she shares her experience hosting retreats and helping others plan profitable ones.

Anna’s Journey to Retreats (00:02:23)
Anna describes her transition from lab manager to retreat leader after a car accident and discovering yoga.

Current Retreat Structure & Ideal Guests (00:03:46)
Anna explains her current retreat schedule, types of retreats, and the demographics of her typical guests.

Transitioning & Scaling Back Retreats (00:05:00)
Discussion about scaling back the number of retreats to focus on quality and personal fulfillment.

Avoiding Burnout & Preserving Passion (00:06:04)
Anna and Shannon discuss the importance of not overworking and maintaining excitement for each retreat.

Profitability Without Pressure (00:07:19)
Exploring how retreats can be profitable without feeling pressured to do everything or mimic others.

Retreats: Business vs. Expensive Hobby (00:09:29)
Emphasis on treating retreats as a business, not just a passion project or costly hobby.

Letting Go of People-Pleasing & Overstuffed Itineraries (00:11:03)
Advice on avoiding over-scheduling and people-pleasing, and ensuring retreats have free time and focus.

Pricing, Money Beliefs, and Value (00:13:13)
Discussion on pricing retreats, overcoming limiting beliefs about money, and ensuring energetic alignment with pricing.

Gender Differences in Pricing & Money Mindset (00:15:04)
Comparison of how men and women price retreats, and the impact of cultural money beliefs.

Profit, Burnout, and Lifestyle Alignment (00:17:24)
Importance of pricing for sustainability and creating a lifestyle you enjoy, not just covering costs.

Common Mistakes & Lessons Learned (00:18:34)
Anna shares mistakes like trying to do everything alone, not arriving early, and the value of support staff.

Arriving Early & Staying After Retreats (00:20:15)
Best practices for arriving before and staying after retreats to ensure smooth experiences and self-care.

Self-Care for Retreat Leaders (00:21:34)
The importance of post-retreat downtime, rest, and self-care for leaders after guests depart.

How to Connect with Anna (00:22:40)
Anna shares her websites for those interested in attending or planning retreats with her.

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