RetreatBoss The Podcast

The Sound of Surrender with Mei-lan Maurits Episode Description: What happens when the voice you were meant to share does not arrive through performance, but through surrender? In this episode of the RetreatBoss Podcast, Catherine Kontos sits down with Mei-lan Maurits, an internationally acclaimed singer, sound healer, meditation creator, and recording artist whose music blends angelic vocals, spiritual connection, and emotional depth. Mei-lan shares the story behind the voice listeners now recognize as deeply healing. She sang as a child, stepped away from singing as a teenager, and years later felt called back through meditation, stillness, and a deeper spiritual nudge she could not ignore. What came through was not a career plan. It was a sound. A yes. A life. Together, Catherine and Mei-lan explore the relationship between sound healing, purpose, creativity, nervous system care, live performance, and the courage to trust the call before the path appears. Inside this episode: • How Mei-lan rediscovered her voice after years away from singing • Why feeling lost can become the doorway to purpose • How meditation and surrender opened a new sound through her • Why do listeners often experience emotional release through her music • How Mei-lan prepares her body, voice, and nervous system before performing • What live concerts reveal about energy, presence, and the audience field • How lyrics can become a conversation with spirit, the universe, and the divine • What is coming next, including new music, her meditation app, and tour plans For retreat leaders, wellness professionals, healers, artists, and Experience Architects, this conversation is a reminder that transformation is not only something we design. It is something we listen for. It is something we prepare for. And sometimes, it is something we surrender to. Read the full feature on Mei-lan Maurits in RetreatBoss Magazine: https://www.retreatbossmagazine.com

What happens when love, business, family, and personal growth are not separate lanes, but one life moving together? In this episode of the RetreatBoss Podcast, Catherine Kontos sits down with Mike and Nathalia Chang for an honest, warm, and deeply human conversation about marriage, family, entrepreneurship, and the relationship behind Flow60. Mike and Nathalia share how they built a life together through devotion, trust, and daily practice. They talk about traveling with their children, working together as co-founders, navigating conflict, and protecting their relationship while building a business with real impact. This conversation is not the polished highlight reel of entrepreneurship. It is the tender, funny, sometimes chaotic truth of choosing each other again and again. Inside this episode: •How Mike and Nathalia build marriage, business, and family as one unit •Why giving each other space can strengthen connection The relationship lesson of letting people have their own experience •How their “50/50” rule helps them make business decisions together •Why being right matters less than protecting the relationship What’s next for Flow60, including programs, certification, and global expansion For couples, wellness entrepreneurs, retreat leaders, and anyone building a purpose-driven life with someone they love, this episode is a reminder that the strongest businesses are often built on the relationships we refuse to abandon. Read the full cover story with Mike and Nathalia Chang in the latest issue of RetreatBoss Magazine: https://retreatboss.com/magazine/

What if networking didn’t have to feel awkward, salesy, or exhausting? In this conversation, Gil Petersil joins us from Bali to share a refreshingly human approach to connection, one rooted in hospitality, not transactions. We talk about why so many people avoid networking, how Gil built connections as a learnable skill, even as an introvert, and the three pillars behind what he calls “quantum networking”: compliments, curiosity, and follow-up. We also explore Chatea, Gil’s modern take on an old tradition, using tea as a simple, powerful way to slow down, be present, and create real conversations, without defaulting to alcohol or small talk. If you’ve ever walked into a room and wanted to disappear, this one’s for you. Join High Trust Networking, a 60-Minute Interactive Masterclass / Webinar with Gil Petersil on May 28th, hosted by RetreatBoss and Catherine Kontos: Click Here Catch Gil Petersil’s powerful contribution in our Spring Issue of RetreatBoss Magazine , featuring our cover story, Garry Lineham: RetreatBoss Magazine In this video: • Why networking feels transactional, and how to shift it • The fears underneath the connection: rejection, judgment, not fitting in • Introvert-friendly ways to build trust fast • The “quantum networking” framework: 3 pillars • Chatea and the rise of tea bars for modern connection • How retreat leaders can design rooms that make people feel they belong

What if regulation were the real leadership skill? In this episode, Catherine Kontos sits down with Garry Lineham, founder of Human Garage and creator of Fascial Maneuvers, to explore a radical ideas: Your body already knows how to heal. Stress is the root. Movement restores flow. After decades of chronic pain and millions spent searching for answers, Garry discovered something simple and powerful. Regulation changes everything. In this conversation, you’ll learn: • What fascia really is and why it affects both emotion and physiology • Why stress dysregulation drives chronic issues • A free 15-minute maneuver you can practice immediately • The difference between symptom chasing and true nervous system regulation For retreat leaders and Experience Architects, this is essential. You cannot hold regulated space if you are not regulated yourself. This episode will shift how you design retreats, workshops, and immersive experiences. Beyond inspiration. Into physiology. Into leadership. If you believe healing should empower, not create dependency, this conversation is for you. Read the full feature article in our spring issue of RetreatBoss Magazine, featuring our cover story, Garry Lineham - RetreatBoss Magazine This is not about doing more.It is about regulating better.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you have what it takes to lead unforgettable, transformational retreats and events, this episode is for you. In this episode of the RetreatBoss Podcast, Catherine Kontos sits down with Laura Villep, Global Head of Events at Mindvalley, to explore what it really takes to design experiences that are both powerful and profitable. Laura has led events across 20+ countries, generating millions in ticket sales and she's sharing the lessons behind the spotlight. What you’ll walk away with: ● The mindsets and traits every world-class event planner needs ● How to navigate chaos with calm (military coups, power outages, and all) ● Why your audience shapes the story—and how to design with them in mind ● How to work across cultures, time zones, and expectations without losing your mind ● The surprising ways transformation actually happens (hint: not always on stage) Whether you’re planning a retreat, corporate experience, or festival—Laura’s insights will change how you approach your next event. This is strategy meets soul. Experience meets execution.

Can slowing down your body actually speed up your life and business? In this full length conversation, internationally renowned Qigong master Lee Holden shares how a “career ending” sports injury opened the door to energy medicine, mindfulness, and movement that changed everything. From college athlete to PBS favorite to global retreat leader, Lee reveals the practices and principles behind his calm, grounded power. You will hear Lee unpack how Qigong can • Release stress and tension stored in the body • Support healing from injury and burnout • Balance your nervous system for better sleep, focus, and creativity • Deepen spiritual connection through simple daily rituals • Shift you from overdoing to moving with energy, purpose, and flow We also explore how he built a purpose driven business around Qigong, retreats, and online programs without sacrificing his health, family, or values. If you are holding space for others as a retreat leader, coach, healer, therapist, or wellness entrepreneur, this episode will give you practical tools to protect your own energy while you grow your work in the world. What you will learn in this episode • Lee’s journey from injured athlete to Qigong and energy medicine • The core foundations of Qigong for modern life and busy leaders • How gentle movement can unlock stuck emotions and old stories • Why doing less can actually make you more magnetic and effective • How to design retreats and experiences that truly restore people • Daily practices you can start using right away, even if you are brand new to Qigong This episode is for you if • You lead or want to lead retreats or group experiences • You run a wellness business and are tired of hustle culture • You support others emotionally or physically and need better energetic boundaries • You are craving more presence, peace, and purpose in your day to day life Want to go deeper with Lee’s story? Read the full feature article in the Winter Issue of RetreatBoss Magazine, featuring our cover story Lee Holden — at https://magazine.retreatboss.com/flip-book/847710/2254279/page/2 To go deeper: ● RetreatBoss.com – Strategic certification and consulting for retreat leaders and venues ● RetreatMatch.com – The curated platform connecting retreats, venues, and collaborators that are serious about impact About our guest Lee Holden is an internationally known Qigong master, author, and teacher whose programs have been featured on PBS for years. He leads retreats and trainings around the world and has introduced millions of people to Qigong, mindful movement, and energy cultivation practices that fit real life. About RetreatBoss the Podcast Hosted by RetreatBoss founder Catherine Kontos, this show sits down with retreat leaders, wellness innovators, and conscious entrepreneurs who are redefining what transformation, travel, and leadership can look like. If you are building a retreat based business or weaving retreats into your existing work, you are in the right place. If you enjoy this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs support with stress, burnout, or finding a more aligned way to live and lead.

Can slowing down your body actually speed up your life and business?In this full length conversation, internationally renowned Qigong master Lee Holden shares how a “career ending” sports injury opened the door to energy medicine, mindfulness, and movement that changed everything. From college athlete to PBS favorite to global retreat leader, Lee reveals the practices and principles behind his calm, grounded power.You will hear Lee unpack how Qigong can• Release stress and tension stored in the body• Support healing from injury and burnout• Balance your nervous system for better sleep, focus, and creativity• Deepen spiritual connection through simple daily rituals• Shift you from overdoing to moving with energy, purpose, and flowWe also explore how he built a purpose driven business around Qigong, retreats, and online programs without sacrificing his health, family, or values. If you are holding space for others as a retreat leader, coach, healer, therapist, or wellness entrepreneur, this episode will give you practical tools to protect your own energy while you grow your work in the world.What you will learn in this episode• Lee’s journey from injured athlete to Qigong and energy medicine• The core foundations of Qigong for modern life and busy leaders• How gentle movement can unlock stuck emotions and old stories• Why doing less can actually make you more magnetic and effective• How to design retreats and experiences that truly restore people• Daily practices you can start using right away, even if you are brand new to QigongThis episode is for you if• You lead or want to lead retreats or group experiences• You run a wellness business and are tired of hustle culture• You support others emotionally or physically and need better energetic boundaries• You are craving more presence, peace, and purpose in your day to day lifeWant to go deeper with Lee’s story?Read the full feature article in the Winter Issue of RetreatBoss Magazine, featuring our cover story Lee Holden — at RETREATBOSS MAGAZINE To go deeper:● RetreatBoss.com – Strategic certification and consulting for retreat leaders and venues● RetreatMatch.com – The curated platform connecting retreats, venues, and collaborators that are serious about impactAbout our guestLee Holden is an internationally known Qigong master, author, and teacher whose programs have been featured on PBS for years. He leads retreats and trainings around the world and has introduced millions of people to Qigong, mindful movement, and energy cultivation practices that fit real life.About RetreatBoss the PodcastHosted by RetreatBoss founder Catherine Kontos, this show sits down with retreat leaders, wellness innovators, and conscious entrepreneurs who are redefining what transformation, travel, and leadership can look like. If you are building a retreat based business or weaving retreats into your existing work, you are in the right place.If you enjoy this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs support with stress, burnout, or finding a more aligned way to live and lead.

In this episode of RetreatBoss The Podcast , host Catherine Kontos is joined by Cory Sterling, a lawyer, small business owner, and author of The Yoga Law Book . Cory shares his expertise on the legal aspects of running a retreat, offering practical advice on protecting your business and managing the risks involved. They discuss the importance of proper legal agreements, negotiating contracts with international vendors, and the crucial need for insurance. Tune in to learn how to safeguard your retreat business and ensure smooth operations, no matter where your retreat occurs. Key Takeaways : The Biggest Legal Mistakes in the Retreat Industry : Not having industry-specific agreements in place, even when working with friends or family. Legal Agreements You Need : A liability waiver, retreat participant agreement, and media release are essential to protect your business. Handling International Vendors : Tips on negotiating terms when working with venues and vendors abroad. The Importance of Insurance : Why insurance is as vital as having solid legal contracts to cover potential risks. Screening Retreat Participants : How vetting participants can prevent disruptions and legal issues during retreats. Resources Mentioned : Learn more about Cory Sterling and his work at Conscious Counsel . Download your Retreat Leader Legal Checklist . Find out how RetreatBoss can help you launch successful and profitable retreats at RetreatBoss.com Connect with Cory: https://www.consciouscounsel.ca/ https://www.instagram.com/consciouscounsel https://www.facebook.com/consciouscounsel https://www.youtube.com/@consciouscounsel Get your FREE Retreat Leader Legal Bundle: https://www.consciouscounsel.ca/retreatbundle Connect with Catherine: https://www.retreatboss.com/ https://www.facebook.com/lifecoachmtl/ https://www.youtube.com/@retreatboss https://twitter.com/KontosCatherine

Welcome to a brand-new episode of the RetreatBoss™ Podcast. Today, we are excited to welcome Licia Rester, a distinguished expert in instructional design and transformative content creation. In this episode, Licia not only shares her invaluable insights into designing impactful hybrid events that integrate in-person and virtual experiences, but also provides practical strategies that you can implement right away. Whether you're a coach, consultant, or content creator, Licia's inclusive and engaging event design strategies are a must-listen. We'll explore how to map out a compelling transformation arc for your events and instructional programs, ensuring your content meets the specific needs of various client types, from solopreneurs to corporate giants. Licia will also share her journey of writing and organizing content efficiently, revealing how she wrote two-thirds of a book in just 16 hours! Moreover, Licia discusses the benefits of working with existing content and developing new material, providing listeners with a roadmap to navigate the overwhelming world of content creation. She's here to inspire and offer practical tools and training for those passionate about driving profound personal and professional transformation. So, whether you want to enhance your virtual event skills or streamline your content creation process, this episode is packed with advice to elevate your approach. Stay tuned as we explore these topics and more on the RetreatBoss Podcast. Learn more about Licia Lester: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/licia-rester-3ba7a81/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resterlicia/ Website: https://www.vemastery.com/ Free workshop link: Free Fast-Track a Breakthrough Book Blueprint + Training Bundle: https://6-figurebooklaunch.com/getbundle Learn more from Catherine: https://www.retreatboss.com/ https://www.facebook.com/lifecoachmtl/ https://www.youtube.com/@retreatboss https://twitter.com/KontosCatherine

A thriving community is an essential part of your business – especially in the retreat and wellness industry. A community can create a supportive network of individuals who share a genuine interest in your offerings, ultimately driving sustainable growth and success for your business. In this episode of the RetreatBoss Podcast, I am joined by my guest, Maruxa Murphy. Together we discussed building and leading online communities, turning your audiences into loyal communities and the importance of understanding one’s target audience to effectively market retreats and connect emotionally. Maruxa Murphy is an award-winning community experience designer, strategist, entrepreneur, author and catalyst for change who has been transforming communities in person and online since 2000. Her work has been featured on Forbes, Reader’s Digest, Fox News, The Huffington Post, and many more. Tune in for an insightful conversation and learn tips and tricks on building your own thriving community! Important Links Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook

Welcome back to RetreatBoss The Podcast where we dive into the art of living boldly and explore the dynamics of personal growth, career advancement, and the power of taking a well-deserved pause. I'm your host, Catherine Kontos, and in today's episode, we're speaking with the ever-inspiring Luba Sakharuk. Luba is becoming a marvel in the realm of retreats and masterminds, with an infectious passion for women's empowerment and increasing credibility. We'll unravel her journey from organizing corporate offsites in the tech industry to launching her own transformative retreats. Luba will share the triumphs and challenges of her retreats from the mansions in South Florida to her vision for future retreats in exotic locations like Costa Rica. We'll uncover the strategies that helped Luba achieve the astounding success of a recent sold-out retreat with 18 attendees and the clever marketing moves that turned initial losses into future profitable ventures. Luba reminisces about the barriers she faced and the creative solutions she found. But it's not just about the numbers. At the heart of it all, Luba's story is about building a community of supportive, like-minded women and fostering relationships that extend beyond the retreat. So, buckle up, and let's get ready to be inspired, learn the financial logistics of organizing successful retreats, and discover the potential tax benefits that come with them. This is RetreatBoss The Podcast, and if you're looking to fuel your entrepreneurial drive or simply seeking a dose of inspiration, join us for an episode you won't want to miss with Luba Sakharuk. Don't forget to check out more of her work and upcoming retreats at www.ralm3.com . Now, let's get started. Learn more from Luba Sakharuk: www.ralm3.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-sakharuk-ralm3/ Learn more from Catherine: https://www.retreatboss.com/ https://www.facebook.com/lifecoachmtl/ https://www.youtube.com/@retreatboss https://twitter.com/KontosCatherine

Laura Montesanti, a visionary founder and wellness enthusiast, embarked on a transformative wellness journey while living in London, which led her to become a yoga teacher and establish a consultancy company organising wellness retreats. Laura's unique insights on transformative wellness journeys stem from her belief in the need for the wellness and travel industries to collaborate for more impactful experiences. She identified a disconnection within these industries and sought to bridge this gap through her retreat show, Synergy, emphasising experiential learning and incorporating local heritage and healing practices. Laura's perspective is centred around collaboration, connection, and creating meaningful experiences for participants. Join Catherine Kontos and Laura Montesanti on this episode of the Retreat Boss The Podcast to delve deeper into these insights and the transformative power of wellness retreats. Learn more from Laura Montesanti: Website Linkedin Instagram - @synergyretreatshow Facebook - Synergy - The Retreat Show Learn more from Catherine Kontos: https://www.retreatboss.com/ https://www.facebook.com/lifecoachmtl/ https://www.youtube.com/@retreatboss https://twitter.com/KontosCatherine

There is no denying the role of tourism in a country. However, it can only run as deep if it remains within national parks and destinations and bypasses communities. All for a more immersive experience, this episode’s guest is changing the way local communities are impacted by tourism. Skyler Mason from SKYIN is a provider of life-changing experiences for immersive and luxury travelers while supporting local communities and villages with enhancing sustainability. In this episode, he joins Catherine Kontos to share the story of what inspired him to start his company and gives us a glimpse of what a day looks like under their care. If you want to up-level your transformation with retreats, look no further than the one person who has perfected it. Skyler creates transformational experiences that impact the guests and the communities in Kenya. Tune in to this conversation to learn more! Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://retreatboss.com/podcast

Memoirs have already been a thing for centuries, but what does it really take to write your own story? How can you take charge of being the narrator of your story without letting the trauma, emotions, and impacts fog up your perspective of what really happened? In today's episode, Catherine Kontos is joined by special guest Chloe Rachel Gallaway , a transformational retreat leader and bestselling author who has spent 12 years of her childhood living in the wilderness. Together, they take an open and honest conversation about Chloe's journey, how she survived her difficult journey, and how she became inspired to write her story from within. Join us in listening to Chloe's extraordinary story and learn how you, too, can be in charge of yours! Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://retreatboss.com/podcast

There are many strategies for motivating people to act toward the desired outcome. Today, we will look at a different perspective in allowing your team to engage themselves in utilizing their potential. In this episode, Galina Lipina, a Certified NeuroChangeSolutions Consultant and an NCS HeartMath Certified Consultant, shares her format in teaching corporations to use neuroscience to lead their teams. Galina is professionally trained and certified by #DrJoeDispenza to deliver his work to professionals and companies. In the course of her work, she found that fixing the inside allows change in things for growth. Galina also explains that the longer an individual stays in a state of stress and burnout, the longer it takes to recover. But how can you recover from that chronic stress? Tune in RetreatBoss Podcast to find restoration and balance in your heart and brain coherence.

Everyone experiences different traumas in their life. Often, they become a blockage that keeps our energy from flowing freely. And because the energy is not flowing, we tend to disconnect ourselves from who we should be and how we are inherently built. In this episode, Dr. Kristy Vanacore, an inspiring trailblazer in the field of holistic psychology, sits with Catherine Kontos to share her wisdom on reconnecting with ourselves through a Rewilding Approach. She also shares that she found the profound love she was missing through the retreat, holding hands with others as they collectively healed. Listen to this inspiring conversation as Dr. Kristy lights her lantern toward the path of healing. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://retreatboss.com/podcast

Women need a place to share their stories with the world, especially in this time of isolation and confrontation. Women out there need to know that whatever they are struggling with, they are not alone. That is the power of storytelling, and the guest today, Jen Aks , has a very unique way of doing this. Join Catherine Kontos as she talks to the Founder of herStories about storytelling and the gestures that you can embody from them. Learn why and how the pandemic urged Jen to start herStories. Discover the power of gesture and why it's integral to the storytelling process. Start sharing your story today! Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://retreatboss.com/podcast

What does it mean to be a master of marketing? For some, it's about sales and numbers. For others, it's about creativity and self-expression. And for others still, it's about making a difference in the world. At its core, marketing is about understanding people and what they want or need. It's about finding a way to connect with them and give them what they're looking for. And it's about doing all of this in a way that is ethical and responsible. That is what today's guest, Craig Handle y, talks about. As an entrepreneur, speaker, musician, and philanthropist, Craig lives life like extreme sports. An expert in Hispanic Marketing, Direct Response Marketing, and Sales and Brand expansion, Handley is the CEO and founder of the hugely successful "Listen Up Espanol," which was named #1 in Business Products and Service (#27 overall) on Inc. Magazine's 500/5000 list. Handley's businesses employ over 1,000 employees and have cumulatively done over 500 million in sales within the last five years to Hispanics in the USA. Tune in to learn about Craig's marketing techniques and how he creates authentic connections with people quickly and seamlessly. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://retreatboss.com/podcast

In an industry focused on transformation and creativity, finances aren’t usually the top of mind for business owners. However, understanding how to expense your retreats and save on taxes can do so much for your business. Michael Markiewicz is the founder and owner of Markiewicz Enterprises, LLC , a New York-based financial services company specializing in CPA services, consulting services and asset protection. He joins host Catherine Kontos to share his expert tips on how to cut costs and determine taxes for your retreat expenses. Don’t miss out on useful and practical advice you can use for your next planned company trip. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://retreatboss.com/podcast

In this day and age, we have taken “celebration” to a different level. With too many vendors, locations, and providers to choose from or lack of it, the first and one of the biggest decisions you need to make for your special day is choosing who your planner will be. In this episode, Andrea Soueidan and Voula Maroussis from Altitude Connections , a global concierge service for corporate and personal needs, share their journey to finding their passion for true customer service. They also tell us their strategies for making every service they provide and every event they plan a success. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://retreatboss.com/podcast