Insights, Inspiration and Illumination:
A 5-Day Retreat for Purpose Driven Entrepreneur Women 50+
14 – 18 September 2026, Domaine La Bonne Etoile, Beausemblant, France
Your Story Deserves to be Heard
Women over 50 are one of the fastest-growing groups of entrepreneurs—bringing wisdom, resilience, and a powerful desire to create meaningful change in their next chapter. Yet many still face barriers like gender bias, caregiving demands, self-doubt, and limited access to support, even with decades of experience behind them.
This retreat creates a space for women to share their stories, reconnect with their voice, and step fully into their impact. By honoring lived experience, we foster confidence, connection, and visibility—turning personal stories into catalysts for empathy, influence, and social change.
The Insights, Inspiration & Illumination Storytelling Workshop Retreat amplifies women’s voices so they are seen, heard, and valued—helping shape ventures, communities, and solutions led by those who know the journey firsthand.
What if your story could change policy? Inspire other women? Free you from self-doubt?
Who This Is For:
Women aged 50+
Founders of purpose-driven or social impact businesses
Launching or growing a purpose-driven business or social venture
Navigating a second or third act after a major life transition
Passionate about a social cause and ready to amplify your message
What You Will Walk Away With:
Clarity, confidence, and community with like-minded women
Your story as a source of leadership, influence, and change
Personal video (2–3 min): Your “why” story – beautifully edited
Collective advocacy film (3–5 min): Voices of Women with Purpose
Optional: snippets for social media, testimonials, behind-the-scenes content
What to expect:
Reconnect with your “why” and document your journey
Amplify the collective voice of women changemakers
Breakdown internal barriers and rewrite narratives
Create two videos: one individual story, one collective advocacy piece
Workshop Details
Dates: 14 – 18 September 2026
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Location: Domaine La Bonne Etoile, Beausemblant in the Drôme des Collines, FRANCE
Focus: Personal storytelling, collective voice, social impact, and creative rejuvenation
Format: Blend of workshops, storytelling labs, quiet reflection, nature, French cultural experiences, nourishing meals, connection, and creativity
Number of participants: 10 - 12
Your Retreat Host
Dr Xanthe Golenko
Originally from Australia, Xanthe is a warm and passionate facilitator, researcher, and storyteller with nearly 20 years of academic and industry-based experience in health, ageing, and community wellbeing.
After experiencing professional burnout, Xanthe set out to build a more joyful and meaningful life—moving to France in 2024 and reconnecting with creativity, community, and purpose. Now, through her digital storytelling and participatory video workshops, she invites others to explore their identities, share their stories, and find fulfilment through creativity and connection across generations.
Investment: €2,500 per person
Includes
4 nights accommodation – private room in shared Gite – additional cost for private room in Chateau Guest House
All meals and snacks – excluding alcohol
Local transfers to/from local train station
All workshops and materials
Personal 2–3 min video
Participation in collective video project
1:1 coaching time with facilitator or story mentor
Cultural experiences including visits to local places of interest and farm to table culinary experience
Not included
Flights/travel to pick up location Gare de Saint-Vallier sur Rhone, France
Additional supplement for private room in Chateau Guest House
Alcohol (unless included as part of apéritifs)
Optional weekend local region cultural experience package
Program Schedule
Subject to change
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Theme: Welcome, grounding, connecting to purpose
🏰 Morning: Arrival and château check-in
🍽️ Lunchtime: Welcome reception and orientation
🌤️ Afternoon Workshops:
“Telling Your Story in Video Format”
Storytelling circle and group co-creation activity; symbolically releasing internal barriers
🌇 Evening: Farm to table culinary experience
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Theme: Unearthing the roots of your business journey
🌅 Early Morning: market and guided visit to Palais Ideal du Facteur Cheval, Hauterives
🌤️ Afternoon Workshops:
Group discussion: “What we've been told vs. what we believe”. Brainstorm session: "What message do we want to send to the world?"
Story mapping & scripting session (supportive, small groups)
🌇 Evening: Group dinner with guest speakers
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Theme: Internal barriers, imposter syndrome, societal messages
🌅 Early Morning: Movement or nature walk
☕ Morning: Collaborative video workshop; writing and storyboarding
🌤️ Afternoon Workshops and Activities:
Film scenes in small groups
Collective “voice booth recordings
🌇 Evening: Group dinner and panel conversation: Women in entrepreneurship – myths, facts and power
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Theme: Shared advocacy and future-making
🌅 Early Morning: Movement or nature walk
☕ Morning: Group dinner and panel conversation: Women in entrepreneurship – myths, facts and power
🌤️ Afternoon: Final 1:1 support + editing for personal digital stories
🌇 Evening: Celebration dinner in restaurant Au Pre du Rhone
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Theme: Sharing, celebration, next steps
🌅 Early Morning Movement or nature walk
☕ Morning Screening Events:
Screening of individual digital stories
Screening of collective advocacy video
🍽️ Closing: Reflection luncheon and farewell: "What’s shifted in me?" using your story in your business and activism and commitment to your future self
🚆 Afternoon: Departure
Testimonials and Stories From Past Workshops
“Transformation” By Lee Docherty, Head Craftswoman and Founder of Gather + Harvest
“To go down that journey and think through the back story of the business and my story, was something I haven't really taken the time to fully explore. I enjoyed the experience, and it was helpful listening to the feedback from others and the different perspectives.” Lee Docherty
“What is Success?” By William Forsythe and Chaidanai Kaewsai, Owners and Founders of William and Chai Cookies
“The highlight for me was the self-discovery. We came in thinking we're making a film to promote our business, but it was so much more. I don't even know how you got us there, but we discovered so much about ourselves and what drives us.” William Forsythe