In the most recent episode of The Embodied Podcast, I interviewed my dear friend and colleague Tracy about the importance of dwelling in meaningful communal spaces.
Tracy and I, along with two other women, will be co-facilitating a series of day-long online retreats called WILD.
You can find more details on the retreat series here, but here, I want to break down this interview for you.
In this interview, Tracy emphasized that cultivating retreat spaces allows mystery to take the lead.
The etymology of retreat comes from the Latin retrahere, meaning "draw back, withdraw, call back." Tracy amplified what can happen when we intentionally retreat or pull back and let mystery guide us.
In retreat, there is more space for something deeper to unfold beyond just the needs of the ego or the trauma that needs addressing. Specifically for this retreat, allowing the mystery of the fairytales to reveal themselves, followed by embodied practice, helps us align with our nature as creatures of mystery.
Next, Tracy explains the importance of community in the healing process. She uses the concept of fractals—a geometric shape that repeats itself at different scales—to explain how individuals, while unique, share common human experiences and conditions. This shared experience ties us into a larger whole, much like how generational trauma or generational joy can be passed down.
In a retreat setting, in particular, participants often see patterns of likeness emerge within the group, but the richness of the experience comes from the contrast—differences in perspective or personality. By embracing this "communal glue" and welcoming conflict or otherness, healing becomes a sacred, transformative process. She likens it to a mycelial network, where connection through differences nourishes and strengthens everyone involved.
Finally, in response to being asked about those who the idea of communal healing may be a foreign concept or even scary, Tracy first highlighted the importance of recognizing that each person brings something unique—a “magic” or gift—that adds value to the collective experience.
She encouraged people to consider what the group might miss out on if they chose not to attend, framing it as a contribution to a shared communal "soup" where everyone’s flavor matters.
Second, she addressed the idea that healing alone isn’t always possible. While we might attempt to process trauma on our own, true healing often requires the presence and support of others. This reciprocal nature of community allows participants to both receive and give, which is often missing in individual experiences. For those feeling apprehensive, she reassured them that the retreat offers a gentle introduction, beginning online to establish safety before transitioning to an in-person gathering. This allows for a gradual process of showing up and feeling secure.
Watch the full interview here:
Again, for more information on the retreat and to join us for our first online retreat on November 23rd, head here.
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