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The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Welcome to the sanctuary for retreat enthusiasts, where seasoned retreat center owners and cheerful hosts from the renowned Retreat Ranch spill the tea on running a successful retreat business. Dive deep into the world of crafting the ultimate guest experience, sidestepping those pesky pitfalls, and leveraging secret marketing sauces. From experts dishing out nuggets of wisdom to sharing hilarious (and sometimes unexpected) behind-the-scenes stories – this podcast is your compass to navigating the retreat world. Whether you're a seasoned retreat guru, an excited newbie, or someone just toying with the idea of starting their retreat journey, tune in! We've got all the insights, with a sprinkle of humor, to ensure you don't just build your retreat business – you let it flourish! Learn more about Retreat Ranch at https://theretreatranch.com/ *Formerly the Happy Hour Podcast
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Now displaying: 2019

Welcome to Happy Hour at the ranch– where we are gettin’ shit done! This is where our conversations are as raw and unstructured as your conversations over a drink at your favorite bar or a cup of joe at your favorite cafe. On our podcast we talk about life on the ranch, business, world happenings- which are also the things that buzz around a bar during happy hour. Join myself and my husband Nathan as we chat about all things intended to help each other connect, grow and thrive.  

Find out more at www.happyhourpodcast.org

Dec 30, 2019

I am so exited to be recording with Dee today as we talk about what 2019 has taught us- and the crazy journeys traveled all year.

Find the blog post here- and join the convo with us!

Thank you to our sponsor, Activated Faith

Dec 5, 2019

Tune into today's show to find tips & strategies to be ok when things are not ok.  To feel good and aligned when expectations are not met.  To be ok with not being ok.  

With special guest Kim DeMoss we talk struggles and reality with focusing on the wrong things vs. the present situation. 

Find out more here

Thanks to our sponsor, Activated Faith Candles

Nov 12, 2019

In today's Happy Hour Podcast show, my good friend Stefanieand I talked about the different approaches to viewing parenting as a mother. 

One type of mother will celebrate and connect with other mothers, regardless if their parenting styles match.

Another type of mother will criticize or compare with other mothers, regardless if their parenting styles match.

What type of mother are you (or do you want to be)?

In today's show we also talk about what to do in grief, how to connect, and the importance of finding your village and loving them hard. 

Join us in the convo!

Stef's Facebook

Stef's Insta

Sep 3, 2019

Welcome to season 3!  In this show my husband and I talk bout the epidemic (trend?) of feeling sick.  This is in no way saying that there aren’t terrible illnesses and tragedies in the world- only that there is a significant increase in those of us feeling ‘sick’ and sadly- more women are being affected than men (or at least reported).  Int this show we talk about the two approaches to healing: language and empathy. 

 

Tune and find out more here

Thank you to our sponsor, Activated Faith Candles

 

Jun 18, 2019

Happy Hour listeners!  We are going to go through a big change; and could use your help.  Take a listen to this short message and then shoot us an email at shannon@mindbodycomplete.com to give us your thoughts!

 

Thank you for the honor of hosting this show for the last two years.  I look forward to some exciting adventures together soon!

 

Shannon 

www.happyhourpodcast.org 

May 7, 2019

Alcoholism. Anorexia. A long list of challenges to overcome. Today's show is with Casey May Griswald, in which she shares her story of overcoming severe challenges to find meaning and self worth. Dee met Casey in their nine-month Kundalini teacher training program, and Dee was inspired by Casey’s authenticity in sharing her story.   Join in the convo!

Mar 26, 2019

We are in an age where sarcasm is where we hide.  We project our tiredness, our busyness, our unhappiness, our stress- on our shirts, mugs, cars, social media and our homes.  Doing this only compounds what you don't want- it confirms the very things you are complaining about.  It is time to take responsibility for our environment and our lives.  

 

Thank you to our sponsor: www.activatedfaithcandles.com 

Mar 12, 2019

We love to hear from our listeners when they leave reviews, but we also love to hear what issues and questions they’re dealing with. Recently, we got this note from one of our listeners: 

 

“My daughter is 8 and is struggling with a girl in her class. I would love a podcast about raising girls in this day and age. I try my damndest to give her the tools to ignore the mean girls and be a leader... I would love to hear other bad ass women talk about raising nice, kind, and authentic girls. 

 

Check out the conversation we had with our guest, Rachel Weinstock, on this topic.  For more info check out the full blog post here

Thank you to our sponsor Activated Faith Candles.

 

About our guest:

Rachel holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts and a Bachelor of Education. In addition, she has spent over a decade studying public speaking, storytelling, improvisational acting, red-nose clowning, dance, and life-coaching.

Rachel has been teaching both locally and Internationally for 15 years+ and was awarded the James W. Fair Leadership award from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. She is known as “Miss Rainbow Fairy” because of her alternative approach to education.

Her talks are deeply impactful because of her lived experience of being bullied from Grade One to the end of high school. When asked why she became a teacher, Rachel says, “I wanted to become the teacher I needed most when I was a child.” She has now dedicated her life to empowering other teachers and parents with the tools they need to create a safe and empowering space for EVERY child.  Find out more about Rachel at 

http://www.rachelweinstock.com

Book discussed

How to talk to kids so they listen, and listen so they talk

Feb 19, 2019

Single? Married?  Rock the season you are in! Often times we look to others and fantasy the grass is greener.  In order to be happy in a relationship- one must just be happy.  Join the convo today as we talk about rocking the season you are in regardless of single, married or otherwise.  

Find out more at mindbodycomplete.com/rocktheseason

Feb 12, 2019

In today's show we talk about meditation!  The myths, the benefits and some how to's.  Join the convo and please - leave us a review! 

Find out more at mindbodycomplete.com/meditation101

 

Feb 8, 2019

Our thoughts are not our identity. Our thoughts can be changed. But frequently negative thoughts hijack our life. Many people let these thoughts take over their identity, their daily experiences, their joy -- all without embracing the basic premise that we have the ability to change our thoughts.  Tune into today's show to learn how to take back the control and restructure your thoughts!

From our sponsor: www.activatedfaithcandles.com 

More info on:

Dr. Amen

Abraham Hicks

More on this show: https://mindbodycomplete.com/how-to-restructure-your-thoughts/

Jan 29, 2019

It is possible to reduce stress and increase productivity by decluttering! Research backs this up! The Journal of Current Psychology has published studies showing the negative impacts of clutter. It causes “life dissatisfaction” and can “negatively impact our mental wellbeing”. Clutter also increases cortisol, the stress hormone, and is linked to greater procrastination (anyone else feel like putting shit off cause there is just too much crap around? If not, me either, was just asking for a friend…). 

 

In this podcast, we discuss the concept of decluttering.  Dee really embraces the de-cluttered life. She says, “I’m by no means a minimalist, but I really try to not accumulate stuff.” She continues to explain that the research is so true in her life: “I agree with all those facts - and I feel it tenfold! I feel the negative impacts so strongly, that it’s practically debilitating to me. If I can’t find an outfit, and I make my closet a huge mess, I literally cannot go to sleep until it’s cleaned up. If there are a lot of things around - in my car, desk, whatever! - it feels cloudy and heavy in my thoughts and body.” 

 

But, how do we effectively declutter? I have three kids and a dog living at home. Our schedule is packed- as I am sure everyone’s is.  At times in the past, I wouldn’t handle it the best way... I would go on a “cleaning rampage” against my family trying to get them to clean up with my big black trash bags in tow.  But in recent years I have been using a strategy that works well for me. It was partially adapted by Marie Kondo’s method. Check out her books: The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up as well as Spark Joy: An Illustrated Masterclass on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up. But many of you have already heard of her from her new Netflix show, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. 

 

Like Marie, I think it’s important to touch every item when debating whether to keep it. We need to feel its energy, and then discern if it is serving us meaningfully. I used to do this room by room, item by item. But Kondo preaches going category by category, and I have started to prefer that technique. Here are her categories: 

 

  1. Clothing
  2. Books/paper
  3. Kitchen/bathroom
  4. Garage/storage
  5. Sentimental/Misc.

 

You may need to adapt these categories to work for you. Kitchen and garage are part of the miscellaneous category, and that can encompass a lot. Or if maybe you keep a lot of holiday decorations, you could create your own category for that. Another blogger created a thorough PDF of what’s in Marie Kondo’s categories if you want more detail.

 

My process works like this: working in a certain category, I am armed with two large bags: one for trash, and one for donations. Then, with each item, I ask myself three questions. 

 

  • Do I use it now? 
  • Will I use it in the next year? 
  • Does it bring me joy?  

 

If I answer no to these questions, then it is time to part with the items - with no hesitation! Dee says that even though she reduces clutter as much as possible, her storage closets tend to hold these types of unused items, like extra backup shampoo for the backup shampoo (does anyone else do this?).  Using my process (or one like it) prevents the clutter, the build up and the unnecessary STUFF. 

 

How to say goodbye... especially to gifts and expensive items

 

When you decide to let something go, I do a similar process as Marie. I have to touch every item in order appreciate the items for the energy they brought and to impart appreciation for the joy it once brought me. This feeling of gratitude makes it a more harmonious process. 

 

I think this “gratitude farewell” especially works for items that were gifts. It really is okay to let a gift go if it isn’t used or doesn’t bring joy. Say “thank you” and express gratitude for the love that was expressed in giving the gift, but then LET. IT. GO. Trust that by donating it to someone else, it can find a new home where it can be loved. Even if it cannot be donated, know that you are making room in yourself and your home to more deeply appreciate what’s left, and give yourself that gift. 

 

Price, too, is something that holds us back from parting ways. We keep things because they were ‘expensive’, and we sometimes especially keep them if we have buyers remorse. But keeping these belongings, and the guilt that comes with them, really isn’t healthy or productive. If cost is holding you back from replacing something you actively dislike, consider finding a consignment shop or listing it on Craigslist.

 

When Nathan and I got married, we each had our own houses and needed to consolidate. Whether it was a sofa or a painting that I wanted to part with, he would always bring up the price: “Do you know how expensive that was?!” But my philosophy is that the flow of money is okay. What you spent at that time helped the economy, someone’s job, someone’s business, etc. And, most of the time, that item served you when you needed it. When circumstances change, as they always do in life, it’s good to reevaluate whether that painting, sofa, or anything else is still supporting your lifestyle and bringing you joy. 

 

For another example, I was holding onto fancy suits from my life in corporate. But it’s been 14 years! For a while, those memories of high-powered meetings brought me joy and I kept those suits, wondering if I may need them again. But when I looked at them more recently, I knew I didn’t need to hold onto them anymore. Rather than be guilty about “losing” the money I spent on them, I decided to be joyous about what those suits offered me during that phase, and deeply grateful for all the clothes I now wear in a different lifestyle I really love. 

 

Making decluttering a habit, especially with kids

 

Maybe now it’s a standard lesson for teaching kids, but it’s one that Dee remembers well from her childhood.  Whenever they brought new items into their home or wardrobe, they needed to part with an equal number of items. Today for Dee, that lesson has held, especially with clothes shopping. If she comes home with shopping bags, she finds an equal number of clothes to donate. 

 

In my house, we do that same “purge” following Christmas. I’ll admit, my kids are a bit spoiled! My girls got new toys for gifts, and then we took the time to put some old toys in a giveaway bag as well. In Episode 1 of Tidying Up, even toddlers were “folding” with their parents, and learning those important lessons. 

 

Ultimately, every family member should be respected about the items they wish to keep, if it truly sparks joy for them. Decisions about what to keep are personal; they are about listening to the voice within. But parents can set their kids up for success by prompting them to do this process and especially by teaching through example. 

 

A note on gender roles

 

Those studies from Current Psychology also indicated that clutter can “negatively impact our mental wellbeing,” particularly for women. Perhaps this is because in studies women still report doing more chores. I think we still see this trend where women may feel more of a burden, both logistically and emotionally, for maintaining a home. Even the Netflix series showed many women in married relationships who seemed to feel more of that pressure, which USA Today pointed out in their take on the show. 

 

One mom featured in episode 3 of Tidying Up teared up at not meeting her own and society’s expectations for creating a home for her family. Progress came the most when her husband and two pre-teen children not only took responsibility for their own spaces and belongings, but also contributed to the family overall. The husband said he had never cooked, but at the end of the process, he proudly mentioned making a salad, and his wife said with gratitude that he picked up the dry cleaning and folded the laundry. At the end of Episode 1, the married father with two toddlers said that by doing laundry and dishes alongside his wife, they were able to share moments from their day, enjoy the time together, and most importantly feel closer as a couple. 

 

Ultimately, for shared spaces like kitchens and living rooms, every family member should buy into the decluttering process, play their role in maintaining it, and contribute meaningfully in the space. 

 

The takeaway (plus resources) 

 

Whatever method you choose, having a clean and organized life has so many benefits. (You can also check out our earlier episode with Laura, our fung shui expert!)  I have a free PDF you can get HERE with my 3x5 method: three simple questions for five categories. 

 

The energy flows better in our life without all the crap and junk we no longer need or use.  A de-cluttered life really can bring you peace and positivity!  

Jan 22, 2019

When you hear "toxic relationships" do you immediately have a face come to mind?  Join us as we talk about how to recognize toxic relationships and what to do with them and also learn how boundaries really work.  Join the convo!

Book: how to win friends and influence people 

Book:journey of souls

Visit us at www.happyhourpodcast.org or

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HHpodcasts/

 

IG: @hhpodcast

 

Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE US and SHARE US.  Also- visit our website and let us know what is on your heart!  Feel free to also buy us a round here: 

 

http://mindbodycomplete.com/podcast/

 

Thank you for the honor of doing what we love!  xoxo

Jan 15, 2019

On our recent show, Dee and I talked with Delia Perry from the Girls 4 Greatness podcast, in which she interviews successful women from all over the world. Many of her guests have reached success through changing their previous mindsets, instead of holding themselves back with limiting fears and beliefs. 

Your beliefs create your experience.  Join us to help find out what is really holding women back- and what we can do about it.

Find out more about Delia here:http://girls4greatness.com 

Visit us at www.happyhourpodcast.org or

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HHpodcasts/

 

IG: @hhpodcast

 

Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE US and SHARE US.  Also- visit our website and let us know what is on your heart!  Feel free to also buy us a round here: 

 

http://mindbodycomplete.com/podcast/

 

Thank you for the honor of doing what we love!  xoxo

Jan 8, 2019

It’s 2019! Welcome to our first podcast episode of the new year! In today's show we discuss a topic that often comes to mind as a new year prompts reflection— purpose.

Recently, it’s become a bit of a buzzword. Popular books like Simon Sinek’s ‘Start With Why’, for instance, exhort business leaders to have a grand and identified sense of purpose – an intimidating prospect! Have you faced anxiety and self-doubt about “finding” your “purpose”? 

Join us as we rethink what purpose really means and then consider some valuable questions that can help bring you into alignment with a more harmonious sense of purpose.

Visit us at www.happyhourpodcast.org or

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HHpodcasts/

 

IG: @hhpodcast

 

Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE US and SHARE US.  Also- visit our website and let us know what is on your heart!  Feel free to also buy us a round here: 

 

http://mindbodycomplete.com/podcast/

 

Thank you for the honor of doing what we love!  xoxo

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