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Annual Men’s Retreat
Men Living from the Heart Retreat
Mar 20-22, 2026
Willits, CA
Part of our March 2025 Group
Before we as men can really know intimate love, we need to more deeply connect with our own hearts and with other men. Come to this retreat to learn how this process works, to establish meaningful friendships, and to learn how and why men distract themselves from their true happiness.
What you will learn:
- Tools for opening the heart and keeping it open
- Healing the father-son wounds
- Living your purpose as a man
- Inner father – inner son connection
- Deeper relationship skills
- How and why men distract themselves from their true happiness
What People Say About Barry’s Men’s Retreats:
“Barry Vissell has been leading men’s retreats for over 40 years. He keeps taking risks and exploring new territory and that’s what makes him such a great facilitator. He’s humble, goofy, and great at creating group and individual safety. I experience Barry as offering to men the perfect blend of nurturing and challenge. You are invited to a deeper level of courageous honesty with yourself and with your brothers. It truly opens your heart to create such safety and connection with a tribe of men. Barry is masterful at letting the group develop and sometimes lead itself. I appreciate him for modeling vulnerability and for keeping his inner child alive.” —Scott Grace, author of Teach Me How to Love
“Barry is masterful at creating safety where participants can share their challenges and vulnerabilities without judgement, fear or uncalled for advice. He fosters a trust and support in the group that helps men who were strangers just days before connect with the love and nurturing every soul needs to thrive on this earth. I am very much looking forward to the next retreat.” —Cameron Poer
“I was impressed at how fast Barry was able to connect with all of us — and get us to connect with each other — in a deep and profound way. Besides that, he’s fun and funny, very approachable and comfortable to be with.” —Mike Hayworth, Eastsound, WA
“Barry Vissell is a medical doctor, but his main medicine is unconditional love. He will lead you on a journey of the heart; thawing icicles of fear, breaking cobwebs of mental preoccupation, and kindling a blaze of warmth, love and connectedness. His work is gentle, yet powerful. It is experiential, practical and moving. You will acquire the tools for opening the heart and deepening your lives and relationships.” —Gary Reiter, MD, Past Vice-President, Rowe Conference Center
“When people ask me what sets Barry Vissell’s workshops apart from the many similar-sounding programs, I tell them that Barry creates an atmosphere of peace, trust and unconditional love, the likes of which few people ever experience elsewhere. Within that atmosphere, participants feel safe enough to look deeply within themselves, and reopen themselves to the joyous experience of life.” —John Kjaargard
“The men’s weekends with Barry Vissell are wonderful opportunities for growth, making new friends, and even having fun. We cried, we laughed. And like many of us, I’m doing it again next year.” —Steven Svoboda
“This men’s retreat was very eye-opening and heart opening for me and I’m still processing the many things that arose that were buried in my psyche for decades. I so appreciate the many connections that were made in this time together. Male nurturing is clearly its own special necessity.” —Brian Bouch
Where:
Brooktrails Lodge in Willits, CA
Registration:
Cost (includes workshop, 6 vegetarian meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch and either bed-rolling (you bring sleeping pad/mattress and sleeping bag and “camp” indoors in the lodge), camping or day use/local lodging): $395/person if paid in full by Mar 13. $445 after Mar 13. $150 non-refundable deposit per person. $150 additional non-refundable after Mar 13. Private rooms may be available in the lodge. Call Robbie 707.671.4335.
Typical Retreat Schedule:
Fri 6:30 Dinner
7:30-9:30 Workshop
Sat 8:30 Breakfast
9:30-1 Workshop
1-4 Lunch and break
4-6:30 Workshop
6:30 Dinner
7:30-9:30 Workshop
Sun 8:30 Breakfast
9:30-1 Workshop
1-2:30 Lunch and Goodbyes