RetreatBoss The Podcast (Catherine Kontos)

What is it like to get paid to discover destinations? Special occasions are special for a reason. That is probably why event planning is one of today's most in-demand services. In this episode, Catherine Kontos gets an insider's view of what it's like to be in the party planning business from none other than the owner of Montreal Event Planner, Daniela Caputo. Listen in as Daniela sits with Catherine to talk about how to make memorable moments matter and how event planning allows her to discover amazing destinations while getting paid. 

There are many things that we need to pay attention to if we want to succeed, but we often forget that mental strength is one of them. Truly, we need a mindset transformation if we are going to leverage our skills. In this episode, Catherine Kontos sits down with Olympian and 10-time Swiss swimming champion David Karasek to talk about mindset and growth. David discusses how and why mindset and mental strength are the true factors for success, not just for athletes but for everyone. We also hear how to build and transform your mindset for success. Tune in and be inspired to be the best you with David’s tips for success.

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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!

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With countries slowly lifting their lockdowns, the desire to travel is at an all-time high. Companies want to start booking their employees out in retreats. Online co-workers who want to finally meet each other outside of Zoom want to travel. Suffice to say, booking agencies are huge right now! Join Catherine Kontos as she talks to Jen Corley about the online platforms that make retreat planning even easier. Jen is in charge of Product Marketing and is the Director of Development at WeTravel. She believes that the travel industry is going to boom this year. Start booking your retreats today!

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Taking time to be present amidst this fast-paced world is something most people forget to do. Aligning your energy to your goals is an essential part of leading and communicating with others, but it’s often easier said than done. Anna Sun Choi, energy coach, TEDx speaker, and Forbes author is committed to elevating humanity's consciousness through guiding consultants and business leaders to master their energy habits and embody their brilliance. Anna talks to Catherine Kontos about how balancing your energy is important and how our relationships are influenced by the energy we give off. Stay tuned as Anna shares with us how to achieve energy mastery and convey it into simple, practical tiny steps you can take to find peace in the chaos.

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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!

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Some people may think that social media is dead, that it doesn't have the same reach. They're wrong, and we're here to know why. Catherine Kontos dives deep into marketing on social media with Ira Bowman. Ira is the owner of Bowman Digital Media, and in this episode, he teaches us the ins and outs of growing your reach on social media. Step up your game and level up your web presence with Ira's insights.

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For artists, their work is more than just expressing their feelings. It can serve a greater purpose and represent a bigger ideology. It’s refreshing to see how the NFT community has widely celebrated the appreciation for art. Visual artist Lola Toscano sits with Catherine Kontos to talk about her artworks and blockchain NFT projects. Her first art exhibition became an art movement called Hedoné, which centered on the liberation and pleasure of psychomagic. She is currently working on opening their first Hedonia, a retreat center and community space built around a historical hacienda in Izamal. Listen in and learn more as Lola shares how her first art exhibition has grown into what it stands for today.

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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.

Are you planning an event or a retreat for your employees? What are the legalities you need for this? Stay tuned for some free legal advice for your next destination event! Joining us in today’s episode is Elissa Kaner. Elissa is an attorney for online entrepreneurs and a life and success coach. She loves helping businesses with their legal contracts when conducting retreats to protect both the host and other parties involved in the contract. Listen in as she shares her wisdom on the do’s and don'ts when it comes to legal matters surrounding retreats.

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It is essential to find your purpose in life and share it with others. However, you can only find it if it creates a positive emotion in your life. If you’ve been struggling to find your purpose, you need to tune in to this episode. Today, Catherine Kontos sits down with Mark Demos, the Founder of The Legacy Forum. Mark holds retreats and coaches families through complex transitions. He believes that having retreats increases the coaching relationship because it's up close and personal. Learn more about how Mark helps people find their purpose through his retreats in this insightful conversation.

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Retreats are always a great experience for everyone, but it comes with plenty of work, challenges, and also fun. Join Retreat Expert Catherine Kontos here at RetreatBoss Podcast as she interviews Retreat Leaders around the world to let us know what happens during their entire journey. They pull back the curtain on Retreats by going live and exploring every aspect of it. Each episode also contains commentary from professionals and educators to inspire you.

If you are planning a retreat, a wellness professional, a travel planner, a Retreat Expert, or just passionate about retreats this show is for you. Follow us on Instagram for extra planning advice between episodes.

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.

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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.

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The brain is a cradle of vast knowledge and the gateway to the deep chasms of the subconscious. This is also the central player in harnessing the power of hypnotherapy, helping people heal from traumatic thoughts from within. Speaker and hypnotherapist Norman Plotkin joins Catherine Kontos to share how he taps the minds of his clients to guide them in facing their inner demons and help them become bigger than their fears. He explains why he favors this method more than medicinal drugs, which he considers a cheap shortcut. Norman also talks about using hypnotherapy in elevating others and bringing their game to greater heights.

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Looking into transformative ways of reconnecting with nature and yourself? Perhaps shamanic practice is the way to go. Today’s guest is Beáta Alföldi, an international retreat leader, author, shamanic practitioner, and keynote speaker, among many things, with a gift for assisting individuals through deep transformation. She speaks on the importance of reconnecting with ourselves and finding the answers that are already within. Learn how to open yourself up to the wisdom of nature. Join as Beáta shares her plans and ways you can connect with her to help transform your life.

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 Handley, 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.

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At the end of the day, we all want to rest in the comfort of our homes. However, the comfort level a place can provide depends on the overall level of the home environment and design. Laili Gonzalez is known for helping clients achieve their dream home, which inspires and brings joy to them while being practical and functional. In this episode, she shares how it all started. First, she was intrigued and wondered how her designs affect the energy of the places she works on. That’s where she came across Feng Shui. As she learned more about it, she was captivated, which led her to get certified as a Feng Shui consultant. Now, she is helping people transform their homes into better living spaces.

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As people's stress levels start to increase, more people feel the need to clear their heads. This is where plant medicines come in. Otherwise known as psychedelics, plant medicine is a powerful tool to help you reach your goals by removing your egoic thoughts. Join your host Catherine Kontos and her guest Jonathan de Potter in this conversation about how to use plant medicine effectively. Jonathan is the Founder of Behold Retreats and he is elevating the consciousness of leaders around the world. Get into the proper level of consciousness today!

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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!

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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.

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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

Do you love exploring new places and creating wonderful memories? Listen to this episode as Sahara Rose De Vore shares her experiences and provides tips on how she traveled the globe to over 84 countries by the age of 31. Sahara is a wellness travel coach and the founder of The Travel Coach Network. Although she could travel a lot, she still believes she hasn't found her passion until she came up with coaching. With the help of emerging technologies and different social media platforms, she started her coaching business. Tune in to listen to in-depth insights on how you could enhance your travel experiences to discover your purpose.

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://retreatboss.com/podcast

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

With things slowly coming back to normal and a new year ahead of us, business owners now have more options on expanding their offerings and thus their business. In today’s episode, Lesley Logan shares how creating retreats can be a great way to scale up your Pilates business. Lesley is a certified Pilates teacher, mindset coach, and Founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com. She joins Catherine Kontos to share the value of having retreats as part of your offerings and how they can positively impact the client experience. Lesley also shares tips to help you dip your tips and get your retreat legs going. Stay tuned!

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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!

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Want to experience a luxurious yachting retreat without breaking your bank? We might have the answer for you! Joining Catherine Kontos is Alastair Callender, aka The Yacht Tailor, a yacht charter and sales broker at Moravia Yachting, among many others. Alastair has been recognized for his skills in yacht design with a knack for melding together sustainability and luxury. He focuses on tailor-made bespoke yacht experiences, whether that's through the charter and vacation side of things. Today he shares how yachting may be more attainable than you might think. He talks about their extensive and customizable yacht offerings worldwide, ready to cater to guests on a wide range of budgets. Listen in to see if yachting could be the next agenda for your retreat!

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Retreat goers have suffered through the extended isolation and scarcity of retreats brought by the pandemic. Beyond just fitness, retreats are an opportunity to interact and connect with a community. Today’s guest, Alison Katschkowsky, is a fitness and health transformation coach at CU Fitness. Alison decided to expand her services to include retreats knowing the overwhelming benefits of the activity for her clients’ well-being as well as her own. She chats with host Catherine Kontos on the tremendous value in reconnecting with people and nature and why retreats are a great way to achieve that. Listen in and find out more about Alison’s future retreat plans and tips on how to start planning your own!

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Yoga with cannabis? Take our word for it. It is a transformational healing experience. You will feel renewed, rejuvenated, and inspired. In this episode, Catherine Kontos welcomes Eliza Maroney, also known as “The Cannabis Yogi,” and the cofFounder of Lucky Box Club. The Lucky Box Club is the #1 cannabis subscription box company in California. In this episode, Eliza shares with Catherine how her yoga with cannabis classes encourage her students to slow down. To listen to their bodies and let go of everything else.  Do you want to experience this transformational healing yourself? Check out this episode.

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Going on a retreat alone will give you results but not the results you want. But going with a group, you'll be able to manifest much quicker and stronger. You'll be able to manifest all that positive energy and bring it home with you. Join Catherine Kontos as she talks to Emyrald Sinclaire about group manifestations. Emyrald is an intuitive guide and love coach who helps women to connect with their true desires. Learn how she found her calling and why on love and relationships. Discover the power of retreating as a group versus going solo today!

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There are several reasons why insurance should be a priority. Catherine Kontos sits with Joe Fagan, the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Gallagher. Joe explains that, as a business operator running a retreat, the risk falls on you. If you hire a yoga instructor and a person gets hurt, you'll be involved in the lawsuit. Even if the yoga instructor you hired is an independent contractor, you will still be included. So it's best to plan ahead to minimize risk and losses. Join the conversation to learn how you can protect your business. Tune in!

One of the most effective ways to break down barriers within your company is to experience yoga retreats. Catherine Kontos sits down with Bhaskar Goswami, the Founder of BODHI Principle that uses the profound tool of yoga practice to bring optimum health and wellness to employees. Bhaskar shares how retreats create a deep sense of community. People come in carrying their job titles, tensions, and stress, and come out bringing the highest versions of themselves. As a result, you’ll witness how your employees become healthier and more inspired to co-create together. If you want to learn more about yoga retreats for employees, tune in!

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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   

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