112. Building a Wellness Retreat with Anna Vanagtmael Artwork

Full of Words

Explore the power of language on the Full of Words Podcast with hosts Sue and CJ.

Through insightful discussions and engaging interviews, this weekly podcast delves into how words and communication deeply impact business, society and our everyday lives.

Sue and CJ draw from decades of combined experience to analyse the role words and language play in effective messaging and provide tips that will empower listeners' personal and professional communications.

Pull up a comfy chair, grab your favourite cuppa, and join two friends who turn their word love into wise lessons that will leave you feeling wittier and wiser!

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Full of Words

112. Building a Wellness Retreat with Anna Vanagtmael

April 10, 2025 • Sue Kennedy and Catherine James • Episode 112

In this episode of Full of Words, Sue and CJ sit down with Anna Vanagtmael, founder of Wandering Roots Retreats, to explore the intersection of language, self-awareness, and the transformational power of retreat experiences.

Anna shares her story of leaving a successful but unfulfilling career in biotech to create spaces where women can reconnect with themselves, redefine what success means, and find clarity through intentional rest and reflection. She offers insight into how vulnerability in storytelling helped build her business, how thoughtful language deepens connection, and why asking better questions—like “What do you love about yourself?”—can shift everything.

Press pause. Find clarity. Take the first step toward something more intentional. Tune in now!

Want to run retreats that boost your income and wow your clients? Get Anna’s free 2-week email series and build a profitable retreat in just 1 minute a day.

Highlights:

(01:16) Anna’s pivot from biotech to building a wellness business
(02:10) Reframing the pandemic as “the gift of time”
(04:06) Building audience trust through honest, vulnerable storytelling
(05:23) The power of intentional questions in creating deeper connections
(08:42) Why women struggle to acknowledge their strengths—and why it matters
(10:20) Encouraging guests to “choose their own adventure” in retreat settings
(12:08) The pivotal question that sparked a career transformation
(14:05) Creating safe spaces for meaningful, like-minded connection
(15:08) Rewriting limiting self-talk through conscious language shifts
(18:31) “Pivot or quit”: embracing trial, error, and intentional change
(21:15) Making retreats memorable, accessible—and anything but ordinary

Sue Kennedy Links:

Website:authoracademy.com.au

LinkedIn:Sue Kennedy Book Coaching Expert

Facebook:
http://facebook.com/TheNo1AuthorAcademy
https://www.facebook.com/groups/authoracademycollective

Twitter: thauthoracademy

Email:sue@authoracademy.com.au

Booking Link: https://suekennedy.as.me/complimentarysession

Healing with Art 2024 - Creativity for Self-Care Course

Catherine James Links:

Website:catherinejames.au

LinkedIn:Catherine (CJ) James

Facebook:
Catherine James Creative
https://www.facebook.com/groups/doinitdaily/

Instagram:@catherinejamescreative

Email: cj@catherinejamescreative.com.au

Booking Link: https://catherinejames.au/contact

Guest Links:
Website: https://www.yourwanderingroots.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourwanderingroots/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/yourwanderingroots