Ep.37. The Transformative Power of Solo & Group Creative Retreats
Join your hosts Nicola Newman and Beth Cregan as they unravel the transformative experiences of creative retreats. Beth, fresh from her solo writing retreat, and Nicola, having just hosted her second group artist retreat, delve into the rich tapestry of insights gained from both personal and group immersive escapes.
In this episode, discover the power of solitude as Beth shares the revelations from her latest solo writing sojourn. (Spoiler alert – it didn’t go exactly to plan!) Beth shares her honest experience of dealing with fear, her inner critic and creative resistance as well as tips for how to plan your own solo retreat. Nicola, with her pulse on the communal spirit of artistic gatherings, provides a fascinating glimpse into the dynamics of hosting retreats—fostering joy, connection, collaboration, and the magic that happens when creative minds converge.
Episode Show Notes
In this episode, Nic and Beth delve into the concept of retreats, both solo and group, discussing their recent experiences and the impact on their creativity. They explore the nuances between solo and group retreats, the benefits of each, and how these experiences can enrich one's creative journey.
Topics Discussed:
Current Reads: Sharing insights from their current books, "The Plot Whisperer" by Martha Alderson and "The Power of Fun" by Catherine Price, setting a tone of exploration and curiosity.
Solo Retreats: Beth shares her recent solo retreat experience, emphasizing the importance of creating a conducive environment for creativity and dealing with inner critics and creative resistance.
Group Retreats: Nic describes the process and joy of organizing group retreats. They discuss the community aspect, the shared experience, and how group dynamics can enhance creativity.
Benefits of Retreats: Discussion on how retreats, whether solo or group, can help one reconnect with themselves, provide a break from daily life, and foster a supportive creative environment.
Material Abundance: The importance of having an abundance of creative materials and how it can help lower barriers to creativity.
Setting Intentions: The value of setting intentions for retreats and how it can guide the creative process and personal growth.
Integrating Retreat Experiences: How the insights and breakthroughs from retreats can be integrated into daily creative practices.
Announcement: Nicola announces upcoming retreat dates for Lady Elliot Island in August 2024.
Key Quotes:
“Retreats, whether solo or in a group, nurture a relationship with yourself.”
~ Beth Cregan
“Creativity flourishes when we're surrounded by an environment of safety, playfulness, and self-compassion.”
~ Nicola Newman
Links and Resources:
“The Plot Whisperer” by Martha Alderson
“The Power of Fun” by Catherine Price
Lady Elliot Island Art of Creative Living Retreat Information
Let’s Connect!
Share your retreat experiences or plans with us on Instagram at @write.away.with.me and @nicolanewman_
Subscribe to our podcast for more discussions on creativity!
Next Episode Preview:
Stay tuned for the next episode where we'll explore Building a Relationship with Your Creative Self.
Acknowledgement of Country
I’d like to pay deep respect to the Juru people of the Birri Gubba Nation as the traditional and ongoing custodians of the land where I record this podcast today and acknowledge their incredible, strong and ongoing connection to the lands, waters and community.
I thank them for the custodianship, care and love they have given to this area, extending from the countryside right out to the Great Barrier Reef. I love seeing the green sea turtles in this region and knowing they have been cared for by the Gudjuda Rangers. I thank the Elders, past and present and the entire Juru and Bindal communities for the valuable and generous contribution they make to our region.
~ Nicola Newman
I’d like to pay homage to the traditional and ongoing custodians of the land on which I live and work, The Bunerong people of the Kulin Nation. I feel tremendously grateful for their strong culture of storytelling and the spirit of place I find in my favourite place to write, Rickett’s Point. This part of the bay is a haven for bird and marine life - blue wrens, parrots and black swans. I thank the Elders, past and present and the whole Wurundjeri community for the valuable and generous contribution they make to our region.
~ Beth Cregan
We acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded. And we extend a special welcome to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who may be joining us today.
Always was, and always will be Aboriginal Land.
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With my warmest wishes,
Nicola
About the Hosts
Nicola Newman is a creative business coach, award-winning artist and creative living mentor. As host of The Art of Creative Living Podcast and founder of the Creative Hearts Community, Nicola’s passion is inspiring and supporting Creative Hearts to build loving relationships with themselves, express their creativity, trust their inner wisdom and carve out a life that’s personally meaningful and fulfilling to them.
She offers multiple resources for educating, inspiring, and supporting Creative Hearts. You are invited to take her free Creative Archetype Quiz, join her free Art of Creative Living mini-course, sign up for her Inspiration Letters and nurture your creativity through her online courses, coaching programs and retreats.
Nicola’s creative business coaching is tailored to support sensitive, heart-led creatives to develop, grow, and expand their creative offerings. Her approach is to embrace gentleness, playfulness and self-care to navigate self-doubt and instead cultivate deep self-trust so you can truly enjoy the creative process, bring together your body of work, make money doing what you love and leave a creative legacy you’re proud of.
Beth Cregan
Fourteen years ago, Beth Cregan, an experienced teacher, combined her passion for creativity with her love of writing to launch her business Write Away With Me. Since then, her high energy workshops have inspired thousands of young writers to find their voice, stretch their writing skills and connect with their inner storyteller!
Beth presents writing workshops for young writers and adults alike, both in Australia and internationally, as well as professional development workshops for teachers and school communities.
Her first book, Time to Write: A Powerful Writing Practice for your Classroom published by Amba Press ( 2021), recognises that writing is a dynamic, essential life skill. It’s packed full of strategies, resources and hands-on activities to bring writing to life in our schools!
Beth lives in Melbourne, Australia and when she is not writing or teaching, you’ll find her reading, painting, rummaging in her veggie garden or hiking in a forest somewhere, hugging trees.
For more information about working with Beth, visit: Write Away With Me
Connect with Beth Cregan on:
Instagram: Write Away With Me
Facebook: Write Away With Me
Linked In: Beth Cregan
