The Art of Curating Spiritual Retreats & Immersions with Lena Franklin
Fire and Soul welcomes modern medicine woman, psychotherapist and my dear friend, Lena Franklin—a seasoned retreat facilitator with over a decade of experience in supporting the healing and transformation of humanity and our earth by being an instrument of energetic harmony.
Because Lena and I both lead profound retreat experiences, I wanted to bring her on to explore, not only the business aspect of curating retreats but also an honest ‘behind the scenes’ glimpse into what really goes into these transformative experiences. And how they’ve grown us into our highest and most humbled yet to be.
Join us as Lena shares her transformative journey from guiding mindfulness retreats to leading immersive, shamanic experiences across the globe. Our conversation delves into the art of designing sacred spaces, setting aligned pricing, and honoring the authentic process of curating these containers, both individually and collectively.
TAP IN TO DISCOVER:
Lena’s Journey:
Evolution from day-long mindfulness retreats to immersive shamanic experiences in places like Peru, Belize, and Asia.
Embracing a 16-year cycle of shadow work and transformation to emerge into a space of authenticity and divine purpose.
Retreat Design & Structure:
The importance of a clear theme and focus, whether it’s stillness, spiritual training, or energetic activation.
Balancing structured sessions (meditations, rituals, workshops) with free time for personal reflection and community connection.
Pricing & Value:
Discussing the energetic exchange between the facilitator’s value and the monetary investment.
Shifting away from traditional upsell practices to honor the authentic essence of the retreat experience.
Participant Needs & Community Building:
Addressing diverse needs through options like dietary accommodations, modified activities, and transportation support.
Cultivating a sense of belonging through group icebreakers, collective altar creation, and intentional connection exercises.
Integration & Post-Retreat Support:
The role of virtual integration circles, workbooks, and ongoing support to help participants embed their transformational experiences into daily life.
Personal Reflections & Challenges:
Lena recounts moments of deep personal challenge—from navigating grief and divorce to releasing perfectionistic patterns—that have enriched her work and deepened her wisdom as a facilitator.
Upcoming Offerings:
Lena previews her upcoming immersion, “Quintessence: Path of the Revolutionary Medicine Woman,” set in Belize, designed for women ready to embody their unique gifts and step into transformative leadership.
Information on Michelle’s upcoming women’s “Soul Essence” retreat is also shared, emphasizing an intimate, all-inclusive luxury experience, designed for women to drop into the frequency and wisdom of their soul.
Key Takeaways:
Authentic retreat design is a soulful blend of intuitive planning and honoring the inherent rhythms of each participant and the land.
True transformation emerges when facilitators and participants are willing to confront both light and shadow, creating sacred spaces for healing and rebirth.
Post-retreat integration is as vital as the retreat itself, ensuring that the insights and healing continue to unfold in everyday life.
ABOUT LENA
Lena is a Medicine Woman, Transpersonal Psychotherapist & Transformational Speaker, offering the ancient practices of meditation, energy medicine and psycho-spiritual healing to the modern world. Lena interweaves her medicine lineages from South America, Central America and Asia into her ceremonial plant medicine work, supporting the healing and transformation of humanity and our earth by being an instrument of energetic harmony. Lena teaches and educates on the art of conscious leadership, dharma activation, sacred reciprocity & ecosystem consciousness, supporting people to embody their highest human potential as they step into their soul’s purpose.
Connect with Lena Franklin for updates on retreats, spiritual insights, and upcoming events.
Website: lenafranklin.com
Instagram: @IAmLenaFranklin
Final Thoughts:
This episode offers a candid and rich exploration of the transformative power of spiritual retreats. Whether you’re a seasoned retreat-goer, new to immersive spiritual work, or desire to hold retreats yourself, Lena’s insights and heartfelt storytelling provide a roadmap for embracing your own journey of healing and empowerment.
