Leading Retreats with Heart and Creativity

Summary In this enlightening conversation, Holly Porter interviews Patricia Long, a seasoned retreat leader with over 35 years of experience. They explore the intricacies of creating transformational retreats, focusing on how to foster a sense of belonging, vulnerability, and authenticity among participants. Patricia shares her unique approaches, including the importance of pre-retreat gatherings, gifting ceremonies, and the integration of joy and laughter into the retreat experience. The discussion also highlights the significance of community building beyond the retreat and the art of theming retreats to resonate with participants. Patricia emphasizes the need for retreat leaders to trust their creativity and adapt to the unique dynamics of each group, ultimately guiding participants towards profound personal growth and connection.Takeaways- Patricia Long has over 35 years of experience in leading retreats.- Creating a welcoming structure fosters a sense of belonging.- Gifting ceremonies can enhance participant connection.- No two retreats or groups are the same; adaptability is key.- Vulnerability and authenticity are crucial for deep connections.- Theming retreats can guide the overall experience.- Community building post-retreat is essential for ongoing support.- Joy and laughter should be integrated into the retreat experience.- Trusting one's creativity is vital for retreat leaders.- Recognizing and receiving compliments is a form of self-respect.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Transformational Retreats02:27 Creating a Wow Factor in Retreats08:25 Fostering Vulnerability and Authenticity14:49 The Art of Theming Retreats17:48 Building Community Beyond the Retreat19:32 Final Words of Wisdom🔗 Connect with Patricia Long📞 Phone: [phone]📧 Email: [e-mail]📘 Facebook: facebook.com/share/1ENYH1omY2🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thetruepathfindercoach🔗 Connect with Holly Porter | Retreat RNR📧 Email: [e-mail]🔗 LinkedIn: Holly Porter | Retreat RNR🎵 TikTok: @retreatrnr▶️ YouTube: @retreatrnr📸 Instagram: @retreatrnr | @hollyporterinternational📘 Facebook: HollyAnnPorter