THE UNSPEAKEASY RETREATS
Think of it as a mini-vacation for the mind. An Unspeakeasy retreat is not a conference with breakout sessions, talking sticks, or ill-advised trust fall exercises. It’s a series of curated, off-the-record conversations with intellectually curious people about the most complex and fascinating issues of our time. Retreats include guest speakers, great food, beautiful surroundings, and enough free time to forge important new friendships.
There are several categories of retreats. “Living room” retreats are casual gatherings in private homes. Our flagship retreats feature guest speakers and a more structured discussion schedule (some are overnight and some are daytime only). We also began offering larger, coed retreats featuring multiple guest speakers and plenty of mingling time in Fall of 2025. Our Small Gathering For Big Ideas coed retreat in New York City was a smashing success.
All retreats are strictly off the record, social media is not allowed, and privacy is paramount.
We’ve held retreats all over the country: Seattle, Denver, Minneapolis, Louisville, Pocono Mountains, Texas Hill Country, California, Vermont, Cape Cod, and beyond.
UPCOMING RETREATS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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In a word: talking. And more talking. Over the course of the retreat, Meghan facilitates curated conversations on a range of topics. Guest speakers give talks and hang out. We provide lunch—and sometimes breakfast and dinner — laugh a lot, and learn even more.
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There are no trust exercises, breakout groups, talking sticks, walking meditations, or mandatory outings (maybe an optional yoga class). Most importantly, there is no social media or recordings. What happens at a retreat, stays at the retreat.
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From CEOs to stay-at-home moms, atheists to believers, artists to accountants, a retreat brings together people of all ages, backgrounds and life experiences. It’s not a gathering of thought criminals or a secret cabal of #GirlBosses. It’s for intellectually curious women—and often men—who crave nuanced conversation.
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Each Unspeakeasy retreat has a schedule of discussion topics based on the participants’ interests and knowledge base. The day consists of group discussions, meals, and lots of free time. A guest speaker will usually join one of the sessions and sometimes even hang out for the entire retreat.
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Originally, our retreats were for women only, but we now offer the coed retreats, too.
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When the Unspeakeasy online community launched in 2022, it served as a much-needed home for left-of-center women struggling with sudden rise of critical social justice (a.k.a. woke) politics, as well as others drawn to the then-flourishing “heterodox space.” Three years later, it has evolved to include an exceptionally diverse range of political perspectives, ranging from the progressive left, to the disaffected non-woke Democrat and NeverTrump Republican center, to the New Right-curious and MAGA-supporting right.
Navigating such political diversity in today’s hyper-polarized environment isn’t easy, and isn’t for everyone. But for those who find engaging with such a range of perspectives valuable, the Unspeakeasy offers a rare opportunity.
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Each retreat is a little different, but you will get a curated experience filled with fascinating discussions, delicious meals, and a beautiful surroundings.
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Some overnight retreats include lodging as part of your fee. Others are more à la carte. Please refer to the specific announcement for details of what’s included.
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As space is limited, and accommodations are secured well in advance, the cancellation policy is as follows:
Deposits are fully refundable within 14 days of booking. After this period, the deposit is nonrefundable.
If you must cancel, the following refund schedule applies:
More than 90 days before the event: full refund, less the deposit
60–90 days before the event: 50% refund of total paid
30–60 days before the event: 25% refund of total paid
Within 30 days of the event: no refund
A credit may be elected in lieu of any refund, equal to the applicable refund amount. Credits are valid for 12 months.
Want a peek inside? Here’s a schedule from a past retreat. Each retreat schedule is different and designed according to participants’ interests.
“As someone on the left side of the political spectrum, I've long felt that our conversations are getting narrower and less open. The Unspeakeasy was like a whoosh of oxygen. I can't remember the last time I felt so intellectually lit up and also had so much fun at the same time. I have made life-long friends and feel so much less alone than I used to. The impact of the Unspeakeasy retreat continues to reverberate in my life and helps me feel like I can speak honestly without having to be afraid.”
- A.A., AUSTIN, TX