After 23 years of creating digital resources for educators, I'm ready to spend more time offline.
It's not that I stopped enjoying the work of writing, podcasting, and developing curriculum and online courses. I still do!
And in fact, I have a new app-based resource that's releasing later this month.
I just feel like there are additional ways to use my gifts, time, talent, and resources without a screen in between me and the folks I work with.
So in 2026, I'm going to start hosting regular retreats. My goal is to make evidence-based mindfulness, meditation, and nature-immersion practices accessible to people of all backgrounds and belief systems.
If you've been subscribed to my email list or podcast for a long time, you've heard me talk about this for literally YEARS. I led teacher retreats sporadically. Then the pandemic happened, and then life happened.
But a couple of months ago, things shifted. Within a 72-hour period, logistics started falling into place, and teacher retreats went from an occasional offering to something that I realized could actually be ongoing. I felt a clear inner knowing that this is finally the right time for focusing more energy on retreats.
A big catalyst for this was finding the perfect home base for these experiences: the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA. It's the most beautiful, peaceful location of 400 acres of forest in the Pocono Mountains, about two hours from both NYC and Philadelphia.
I chose this location for two main reasons.
First, it's convenient enough for me to return to again and again. You know how I really take sustainability into consideration when I embark on new endeavors. I want this to be something I can continue doing for years without burning out.
And second, the accommodations are affordable. Hotels and meals are crazy expensive now, and the price tag for many retreat locations is eye-watering. The Himalayan Institute is designed with "conscious simplicity" so that your room is comfortable and meals are nourishing without the luxury price tag.
Though I do plan to host retreats in other locations, I'm letting go of the internal pressure to be everywhere and find places that work for everyone. I hate disappointing people and leaving folks out. And yet, there's just one of me, and my concept for the retreats doesn't (and shouldn't) scale.
So why retreats, and why now?
I think there's a tremendous need for in-person community and connection.
I remember when the internet was an enjoyable escape from real life, and now, I see people longing for real life as an escape from ever-present screens. Loneliness is real. I think many of us are looking for deeper connections to each other, and to ourselves, and to the natural world we're designed to be part of.
Through these retreats I want to share with you the parts of myself that you don't see online or in my teacher-oriented resources.
I want to make art with you (I've done art therapy training and use art for stress management and inner expression).
I want to do shinrin-yoku (forest "bathing") and nature healing with you (I'm a certified Forest Therapy Guide.)
I want to support you in deep healing and relaxing by leading you through restorative postures (I'm certified as a Restorative Yoga Teacher.)
I want to help you reset your nervous system by guiding you through meditation not with words, but with sound, as I play soothing instruments like the kalimba, singing bowls, Koshi chimes, and gong (I'm a certified Sound Healing Practitioner.)
And while my heart is always with educators and those in the caring professions, these kinds of experiences are beneficial for all people. So, some of my retreats will be teacher-centered, and some will be open to everyone.
I've added the following retreats to my schedule for 2026, each located in Honesdale PA unless otherwise indicated:
- February 20-22: Books in the Wild: A Winter Sensory Retreat for Readers [open to everyone]
- June 12-14: Exhale and Renew: An Early Summer Retreat for Educators
- July 24-26, Old Fort, NC: Awakened: Transform Your Teaching Through Mindful Practices
- September 11-13: Fewer Things, Better: An Autumn Retreat for Teacher Renewal
- October 23-25: Rooted in Presence: An Autumn Sensory Retreat [open to everyone]
- November TBD, Sedona, AZ: Oasis: A Desert Retreat for Educators on Restorative Practices
As part of this shift toward in-person restorative events, I'm also looking to provide retreat experiences to individual schools and districts that want to offer experiences beyond typical professional development.
Many leaders are ready to take their faculty beyond the experience of sitting in a gymnasium or conference room taking notes all day. I see a deep need for small, intentional gatherings focused on developing restorative daily practices, renewing our energy, and reconnecting with purpose.
So while there's still significant value in professional development and workshops (and I'll continue to offer those), I also want to give schools the option for something truly unique. I'm expanding into retreat planning + facilitation services for schools, teachers unions, and non-profit organizations.
If you're interested in having me plan and host a retreat for educators in your region, you can learn more here:
I'm not sure where all of this is leading, but I do feel certain that this my next right step. I'm excited. And maybe a little nervous? But mostly, I just feel ready.
If any of this resonates with you, I hope you can join me!
Angela
P.S. No worries, I'm not ending the podcast or shutting down any of my online resources. This is simply an expansion into something new that feels really fun. In about 2 weeks, I'm going to announce another project that's also an expansion into new directions. Stay tuned!