Libsyn Directory

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

Release Date: 11/06/2025

EP 269 Why Glamping and Retreats Are the Perfect Pair (And What Retreat Leaders Need to Know) with Sarah Riley

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

The retreat industry is evolving - and one of the biggest opportunities right now sits at the intersection of glamping and retreats. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Sarah Riley, a UK-based glamping industry expert and co-organizer of The Glamping Show America, to explore how glamping and retreats are becoming one of the most powerful combinations in experiential hospitality. Sarah has been working in the glamping and retreat space since 2010, helping entrepreneurs launch lifestyle businesses and navigate the realities of building glamping sites -...

EP 268 The Power of Retreats for Midlife Women: Building Community, Healing & Business with SOL Women

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

There is a powerful shift happening - and it’s centered around midlife women. Women who have spent years building careers, raising families, and showing up for everyone else are now asking a different question: What do I want? In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down in person in Austin with the founders of SOL Women to talk about the rise of retreats designed specifically for midlife women - and why these experiences are more needed now than ever. SOL Women creates holistic, supportive retreat experiences that help women reconnect with themselves, prioritize...

Behind the Scenes of the Retreat Industry Forum: Why Logistics & Operations Make or Break Your Retreat

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

There’s what your guests see at a retreat… And then there’s everything happening behind the scenes. In this special edition of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by Alison and Erin (co-hosts of the Retreat Industry Forum) along with two of the Forum’s featured panel presenters - Matt Quinones and Daesha Donze - to talk about the operational side of running successful retreats. You can have an incredible concept, a beautiful location, and a powerful transformation… But if your logistics and operations aren’t dialed in, it will impact the entire experience. Matt...

EP 267 The Retreat Venue Gap: Why Retreat Leaders and Venues Struggle to Find Each Other with Emily Johnson

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

One of the biggest challenges in the retreat industry isn’t marketing, pricing, or programming. It’s the gap between retreat leaders and retreat venues. Retreat leaders struggle to find the right venues. Venue owners struggle to fill their calendars with the right retreats. And somewhere in the middle, opportunities are missed. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Emily Johnson, founder of Elevate Hospitality Collective, to talk about the disconnect between retreat leaders and venues - and how the industry can bridge that gap. Emily brings years of...

EP 266 The Power of Proximity for Retreat Leaders and Entrepreneurs

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Success in business isn’t just about strategy. It’s also about proximity - who you’re around, the conversations you’re exposed to, and the standards of the rooms you choose to enter. In this solo episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail shares why being in the right rooms can dramatically accelerate your growth as a retreat leader and entrepreneur. For many years Shannon’s business was doing well. But about five years ago, something shifted. She started attending conferences, joining masterminds, and intentionally placing herself in rooms with other high-level...

Special Edition: Stop Wasting Money on Ads: What Retreat Leaders Need Before Running Facebook & Instagram Ads with Jenn Possick

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Running ads to fill your retreat sounds like the obvious next step… But for most retreat leaders, it’s actually where they start losing money. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by Alison, Erin, and Jenn Possick (The Ads Maven) to break down what retreat leaders really need to know before investing in Facebook and Instagram ads. Jenn specializes in helping coaches, wellness professionals, and retreat leaders run strategic, data-driven ad campaigns - offering both done-for-you and done-with-you services. And here’s what she makes very clear: Ads are...

EP 265 The Communication Shift That Can Transform Your Retreats with Joel Weldon

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Retreat leaders spend months planning the location, the schedule, the experiences, and the transformations they want their guests to have. But there is one skill that quietly determines whether your retreat truly lands with your audience. Your ability to communicate. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Hall of Fame speaker Joel Weldon to talk about the powerful role communication plays in the success of retreats - from filling the room to creating deeper breakthroughs for attendees. Joel has been paid to speak at more than 3,000 events and has coached over...

The Future of the Retreat Industry: Why We Need Standards, Community & Leadership with Holly Porter

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

The retreat industry is growing so fast. Especially in the last 6 years. But here’s the problem: There has never been a central place for retreat leaders, venues, and professionals to connect, collaborate, and operate at a higher standard. Until now. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by Alison, Erin, and Holly Porter, founder of the International Retreat Association, to talk about the future of the retreat industry - and why the timing for this shift couldn’t be more important. Holly shares her powerful personal story - from building 12...

EP 264 Building Momentum: Staying the Course When Results Feel Slow

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

One of the hardest moments in the retreat business is the quiet period after you launch something. You announce your retreat. You post about it. You send emails. And then… crickets. In this solo episode, Shannon Jamail talks about why slow results are not a sign that something is wrong. In fact, momentum in the retreat industry is rarely sudden — it’s usually the result of consistent, focused action over time. Shannon breaks down the common traps retreat leaders fall into when results don’t appear quickly, including shiny object syndrome, comparison traps, and abandoning strategies too...

EP 263 Trust Leaks in Retreat Businesses: The 5 Places Retreat Leaders Lose Credibility with Debbie Simmons

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Trust is the currency of the retreat industry. Guests invest their time, money, and emotional energy into retreat experiences expecting transformation, connection, and professionalism. But often, trust doesn’t break in big dramatic moments - it slowly leaks through small gaps in leadership, communication, and delivery. In this episode, Shannon sits down with Debbie Simmons to discuss the five most common “trust leaks” in retreat businesses and how retreat leaders can repair them before they damage reviews, referrals, and long-term loyalty. They break down where trust most often breaks...

More Episodes

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 retreat business model that honors both healing and profitability.

If you’ve ever been curious about Tantra, gender balance in leadership, or how to elevate the professionalism of your retreat business, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways

Tantra is more than sexuality - it’s about energy, presence, and deep personal growth through mindfulness, breathwork, and embodiment.
Safety and consent are non-negotiable: Justin and Leola’s application and interview process ensures aligned participants and safe group dynamics.
Professionalism matters: Transparent communication with venues and strong operational systems allow facilitators to focus on transformation instead of logistics.
Masculine–feminine balance: Co-facilitation across genders can create more grounded and powerful retreat experiences.
Retreats as a real business: Pricing, screening, and intentional marketing are essential to attract committed clients and avoid burnout.

Episode Highlights

[02:15] Justin’s transition from corporate life to Tantra and retreat facilitation.
[07:40] Redefining Tantra and clearing misconceptions about Neo-Tantra.
[14:10] How Justin screens participants and ensures emotional safety.
[19:25] The power of venue transparency and building trust with hosts like Retreat Ranch.
[25:50] Why masculine presence is vital in retreat leadership.
[32:00] Pricing, profitability, and shifting the scarcity mindset in the retreat industry.

Listen to This Episode If You:

Want to better understand Tantra from a grounded, professional lens.
Are interested in how men can contribute meaningfully in the retreat space.
Need inspiration for creating safer, more inclusive, and more profitable retreats.
Are a retreat leader looking to blend purpose and profit without compromising integrity.

Connect with Justin: https://tantralovecoach.com/

Instagram: @tantralovecoach

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

Justin’s Background & Journey to Tantra (00:02:16) Justin shares his transition from corporate to coaching, focusing on intimacy, sexuality, and tantra.

First Retreat Experience & Organization (00:03:48) Discussion of Justin’s first retreat, its organization, and Shannon’s impressions as a venue owner.

Misconceptions About Tantra (00:04:43) Justin addresses common myths about tantra, clarifying its true focus and practices.

Ideal Retreat Attendees (00:06:42) Justin describes the types of people who attend his retreats and what draws them in.

Screening Process & Boundaries (00:08:23) Justin explains his thorough screening process and the importance of boundaries for safety.

Retreat Industry Forum Announcement (00:10:36) Shannon promotes the upcoming Retreat Industry Forum event in Denver.

Venue Selection & Importance of Safety (00:11:55) Justin discusses what he values in a retreat venue, emphasizing safety, privacy, and support.

Men in the Retreat Industry (00:16:43) Conversation about the underrepresentation of men as retreat leaders and the value of male facilitators.

Profitability & Pricing Mindset (00:19:22) Discussion on treating retreats as a business, pricing strategies, and differences in mindset between men and women.

Screening Through Pricing & Value (00:20:50) Justin explains how pricing acts as a screening tool and why higher investment leads to better outcomes.

Scholarships & Guest Challenges (00:22:41) Both discuss challenges with scholarship attendees and the importance of a strong screening process.

Market Rate & Industry Mindset (00:23:28) Shannon and Justin talk about raising market rates and shifting scarcity mindsets in the industry.

Value Perception & Pricing Story (00:24:23) Justin shares a story illustrating how higher prices increase perceived value and participant commitment.

How to Connect with Justin (00:26:30) Justin provides his contact information and describes his offerings for those interested in working with him.

Episode Wrap-Up & Outro (00:27:25) Shannon thanks Justin, closes the episode, and shares where to find more resources.

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