Heart, Write, Soul: Santa Fe, New Mexico - 2027
About this Event
Join John Roedel and Michelle Francois-Walsh April 14-17, 2027, in the magical heart of Santa Fe for a four-day gathering of open hearts, curious minds, and willing souls.
Each morning, Wednesday-Saturday at 9:15 am, we will gather at 1004 Camino San Acacio, Santa Fe, NM. This Writing Casita will be a welcoming communal space for shared writing, reflection, and conversation. John and Michelle will offer poetry, prose and music to warm the waters, as we allow ourselves to become 'free flow' writers, laying it down on the page. Light noshes will be served each morning, including fruit and/or pastries as well as coffee and tea.
Each afternoon, Wednesday-Friday, from 12 - 12:45 PM we will break for a delicious catered lunch. We will end our time at the casita from 1-2 PM by engaging in one final writing invitation. Our hope is to offer 3 free flow writes each day. However, if you are feeling the need to rest, restore, or simply explore solo - you do you! This retreat is designed with invitations - take what you need, and leave the rest.
After our scheduled writing time at the Casita, feel free to embark in an optional "Self-Paced Guided Scavenger Hunt" - venture out exploring Santa Fe’s beauty ~ visit historic churches, vibrant galleries, inspiring museums, and sacred sites. These excursions will serve as sparks for your writing, offering new textures, colors, and stories for your pages. John and Michelle will provide contemplative writing prompts for you to accompany your adventure.
Optional Afternoon Scavenger Hunt Writing Locations:
: A breathtaking space where contemporary indigenous speaks to the soul of any storyteller.
: Amble down the leafy walk amid vendors selling local goods on the cool green grass. Or enjoy some solitude.
The Cross of the Martyrs commemorates the twenty-one Franciscan friars and approximately 380 Spanish colonists killed during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680.
A one of a kind church that wraps up anyone with a blanket of holiness the moment you walk in.
- Visit a street dedicated to the country’s finest art. So many incredible artists are featured here.
- Talk about one stop shopping! Museum Hill offers 5 special points of interest all within stone's throw of each other. Choose from: Museum of International Folk Art, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Nuevo Mexicano Heritage Museum, Wheelright Museum of the American Indian or the Santa Fe Botanical Garden!
Friday in the PM we will embark upon a GROUP SPECIAL EXPERIENCE - TBD. This will be a 2-4 hour cultural and FUN experience - John and Michelle will share these details closer to our time together.
Saturday evening from 6:30 - 8:30 pm we will conclude our time together at the Writing Casita with dinner and an optional OPEN MIC. Partners are WELCOME!
Woven into our time together, you will also receive guidance from John and Michelle on how they use words to navigate the inner landscape—techniques and approaches that anyone can use, whether or not you consider yourself a “writer.” Heart Write Soul isn’t about perfect grammar or polished performances. It’s not a critique group or a stage. Rather, a guided, personal journey~an invitation to pick up the pen as a compass and see where it leads you.
Come as you are. Bring your notebook, your favorite pen, and your whole self. Leave with pages full of discoveries~and perhaps a few new lifelong friends.
Please Note: this event will be limited to 14
Need a payment plan? Reach out to Michelle at [email protected]
Cancellations & Refunds:Regardless of the reason, cancellations for our retreat are non-refundable. We encourage you to consider the use of trip insurance to safeguard against unexpected situations that would cause you to cancel your retreat registration.
Please reach out with any questions to Michelle at [email protected]
Registration available via Venmo @Michelle-Walsh-72 (avoid added ticket fees)
- VIDEO
INCLUDED IN HEART, WRITE, SOUL:
Three writing sessions daily
Light breakfast noshes, coffee and tea
Deeper dive into your own heart & our community
Catered lunch Wednesday-Friday
Friday Special Local Group Experience (2-4 hours)
Saturday Open Mic Night & Dinner
Exploring Sante Fe at your own pace
Peace of mind
NOT INCLUDED IN HEART, WRITE, SOUL:
Transportation to and from airport
Transportation to and from Retreat Writing Casita
Meals unless otherwise noted
Accommodations
Optional tour costs/shopping/dining out
ACCOMMODATIONS
Listed below are some possible accommodations. Please check the distance between Writing Casita 1004 Camino San Acacio, Santa Fe, NM, and your lodging to determine whether you will need a vehicle. Worth noting: some hotels offer a discount by booking through Expedia or using AAA.
Distances indicated are to and from our Writing Casita
- (1.6 mile walk / 7 min car ride)
- (1.9 mile walk / 8 min car ride)
- (1.6 mile walk / 7 min car ride)
- (1.7 mile walk / 7 min car ride)
- (1.2 mile walk / 6 min car ride)
is an improv comedic who "stumbled" into writing a few years ago as his life began to fall apart all around him. During his dark night of the soul, John began to have fake conversations with "God" on Facebook to poke fun at his spiritual and personal crisis. What began as a flippant way of making light of his doubts in the Divine turned into something he wasn’t at all prepared for: God wrote back. Since creating the popular "Hey God. Hey John." blog on Facebook three years ago, John has tackled such topics as his journey to mental health wellness, his lack of faith, the joy and pain of raising a child with autism, and grief, all in the form of a simple conversation with "God." Eventually, these conversations transformed straight into poetry that has touched hundreds of thousands of people all around the world. John’s newest book can be found on Amazon, along with his other works.
the places in our heart
where the world took bites
out of us
may never fully heal
and will likely become
wide open spaces
*~ be careful to not fill them
with just anything or anyone*
your wounds aren’t supposed
to become attics for you to hoard
unnecessary junk
these holes in our hearts
are holy sites
and we should treat
them as such
so when visiting your old wounds
make sure to take your shoes off
and turn off your cellphone
sit by candlelight
and watch how the shadows
tell the story of how brave you are
*~ to survive*
(John Roedel)
Michelle Francois-Walsh is an educator, spiritual seeker, and creator of . Michelle's innate use of vulnerability, a disarming sense of humor, and her contagious zest for life, have created a safe haven where individuals are seen and community is a lifeline. Using her five daughters as inspiration, Michelle develops Workshop and Retreat curriculum around topics such as: courage, positive body image, and creating healthy boundaries. Michelle fiercely believes in helping others step into their infinite Divine potential. When Michelle is not teaching or writing, she can be found dancing in her car at red lights. You can check out Michelle's writing on .
Our Heart Write Soul Casita, located one mile and a half from The Plaza, offers plenty of room to spread out to write both indoors and out.
A stunning kiva fireplace is the centerpiece of the open-concept living area.
The home features traditional saltillo tile and stone floors, hand carved wood viga ceilings, adobe and diamond-plaster walls with plenty of natural light.Originally constructed in the 1920’s, but was lovingly remodeled in 1990, John and Michelle feel like it is the PERFECT refuge for our time together.
PRAISE FOR HEART WRITE SOUL
The HWS Santa Fe retreat was literally magical. John and Michelle created the perfect and most incredible container to allow us to come together and experience ourselves in such a loving way, as well as help foster rich connections with our fellow writers. This experience has helped me to feel aligned, empowered, hopeful, and more self-loving. I grew more confident as a writer and as a woman as a result. This retreat helped me learn that my voice matters both in life and what I write on the page, and I discovered it's so worth it to invest and take a chance on something beautiful for myself. It was a creative, loving, fun, deep, inspiring, memorable few days. I'm so glad I said yes :)
M.J.
I took away so much more from Heart Write Soul than I even expected to find. I found a passion and an urgency to record my story, my journey of life. I experienced laughter and a few tears, a bonding of sisterhood (and one brother) with the kind souls with whom I journeyed.If you also feel a prompt of the spirit of love and adventure as I did, don't hesitate to answer "yes" and immerse yourself in the experience!
J.W.
Heart Write Soul has been a beautiful, fulfilling experience. A group of wonderful, supportive, encouraging people, gently and caringly held together and guided by two wonderful souls, Michelle and John. I have found the courage to write freely, without holding back, to speak up, and to share my thoughts. I have been amazed and moved by the stories I have heard, so beautifully crafted into incredible tapestries with words. I have loved the pieces you have both chosen…they enrich me and fill my heart.
A.U.
Heart Write Soul is unlike any other group I've been part of, and it's what I didn't realize I needed most. A safe, loving, and playful space and community to help me remember how much I enjoy writing, to find my voice on the page again, and to find confidence in sharing out loud and being witnessed with nothing but unconditional love for doing so. This is perfect for people who considered themselves writers, people like me who considered myself a writer once upon a time ago, or curious people who don't believe they're writers at all. I can't say enough about the magic that John and Michelle have created, and how it rippled out to me so deeply.
M.J.
This program has been the best form of self-care I have ever practiced. We end here at 4:45 p.m., and it took me in to the night with such introspection and love for all those women who support me week after week. You and John provide the most wonderfully safe space full of grace and love. I am so blessed to have found you.
R.G.
I’m taking away confidence in myself that what I say from the heart has value. I love the way we do not comment on people’s offering. Just take it and acknowledge it.
W.L.
The depth at which our beautiful group of people wrote, shared, and witnessed our deep feelings and vulnerabilities speaks to the level of sacredness and preciousness we felt. John and Michelle uniquely designed this course with the utmost care and respect, never requesting more from us than we were comfortable offering, with the freedom to be exactly who we were in the moments of writing and reading. Instead of being "instructors," they played as co-creators, always open-hearted, compassionate, and accepting of whatever evolved.
D.B.
I am taking away a sense of possibility and a growing understanding that writing does not have to have a purpose or a destination before it can bring fulfillment. It is enough to create an offering of writing in the same way that it is enough to just breathe. However I might feel about what I have written, the writing has value because it came from my heart and soul and it's what I have to share. I feel that Heart Write Soul is growing my capacity to BE... without the preceding "just" which kind of minimizes it!
A.P.
I'm taking away a big hit of freedom and boldness. A sense of having found a friendly pond to paddle around in. Kindling for my writing . A bigger tent. Angels everywhere. A virtual garden of gorgeous flowering humans. A very silly side that tickles me. A ridiculous affinity for lists, which I have avoided for years. A time each week when I put both my paddles in the water and just see where I can go. Sheer delight!
T.P.
Heart Write Soul - Information & Registration Waiver/Liability
Cancellations & Refunds:Regardless of the reason, cancellations for our retreat are non-refundable. We encourage you to consider the use of trip insurance to safeguard against unexpected situations that would cause you to cancel your retreat registration.
Refund Policy:We cannot refund any portion of your retreat registration after payment. This includes our retreat time and any other “special incursions” . Under any circumstances, if you are asked to leave the retreat or choose to leave the retreat by personal choice, you release any obligation of partial or full financial reimbursement, with the understanding that this event is non-refundable.
Late Arrivals and Early Departures:Participants are encouraged to attend the entire class as scheduled. Tuition adjustments won’t be made for late arrivals or early departures.
Accessibility:If you have mobility restrictions or require specific accommodations, please reach out to us in advance so we can discuss access to ensure your needs are met.
No Smoking:Smoking is not allowed inside or outside our writing casita or during our field trips.
Food Allergies:I will acknowledge any and all food allergies prior to our time together.
Personal Property:Michelle Francois-Walsh and John Roedel are not responsible for the security of participants' property.
Liability Waiver and Assumption of Risk:Participation in any workshop, class, or program offered by Michelle Francois-Walsh and John Roedel, whether on-campus, off-site, or online, is entirely voluntary. By registering, you acknowledge and assume all risks associated with participation, including but not limited to injury, illness, accident, property damage, loss, or death.
You understand and agree that Michelle Francois-Walsh and John Roedel are not responsible or liable for any injury, loss, damage, or death that may occur during, before, after, or as a result of your participation in any Heart Write Soul activity.
By participating, you release and hold harmless Michelle Francois-Walsh and John Roedel from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, damages, or liabilities of any kind arising from or related to your participation in Heart Write Soul programs.
Appearance Agreement: you understand that as a participant and/ or a spectator at the Retreat, you may be included in videos and photographs taken during the Retreat. Therefore, without reservation or limitations, you hereby assign, transfer and grant to Michelle Francois-Walsh and John Roedel, the exclusive right to photograph and / or videotape you and to utilize such videotapes and photographs and your name, face, likeness, voice and appearance as a part of the Retreat, in advertising and promoting Heart Write Soul or in advertising and promoting similar future events and for any use or purpose whatsoever and without reservations or limitations. YES or NO (please circle one)
Please note: this Heart Write Soul Waiver / Liability will be required for entrance into Writing Casita on our first day. Please sign digitally and send to [email protected] or print and bring with you.
Questions about your registration? Reach out to Michelle at (408) 832-0089
Santa Fe: Heart Write Soul
April 14 - 17, 2027: Expectations & Flow
Our door to the Writing Casita at 1004 Camino San Acacio will open each day at 9:15 am. If you happen to arrive prior to 9:15, thank you in advance for relaxing in the courtyard. This ensures enough time for us to adequately prepare for your arrival.
9:15 AM
COME IN! Grab some tea or a mug of coffee, fruit and light noshes. Make yourself comfy, find a seat - all you need is a journal and pen. If you prefer to type that is just fine too! If you’re looking for a dinner friend, sign up on the clipboard!
9:30 - 10:45 PM
Welcome & Clear the Runway: Writing Practice
Heart Write #1 - Write and Share
10:45-11 AM
Stretch Break
11-NOON
Heart Write #2 - Write and Share
NOON - 12:45 PM
Catered Lunch at Casita
1 - 2 PM
Heart Write #3 - Write and Share
After 2 PM
This is YOUR TIME to adventure, rest, & recoup. After our scheduled writing time at the Casita, feel free to embark in an optional "Self-Paced Guided Scavenger Hunt" - venture out exploring Santa Fe’s beauty ~ visit historic churches, vibrant galleries, inspiring museums, and sacred sites - or take a nap! We’ll see you tomorrow at 9:15 am.
PLUS
FRIDAY GROUP SPECIAL EXPERIENCE - TBD (2-4 hours)
AND
SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER & OPEN MIC - Let’s break bread at the Casita one final time.
Please note: Santa Fe is located at 7,000 feet above sea level. It will be important to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest to feel our best!
Agenda
🕑: 09:15 AM - 09:30 AM
Circle the Wagons
Info: Our door is OPEN! Grab some light noshes and a cup of coffee or tea. Settle in and get comfy.
🕑: 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Morning Heart Write Session
Info: We will light our candle and begin with a blessing, followed by a quick check in. John and Michelle will alternate sharing poetry, prose, and music. We will read each piece twice and offer jump off lines for inspiration. Then we will write, pen to page, for anywhere from 8-15 minutes. Next, we each practice being bravely bold by sharing our writing. We witness without feedback - offering non-verbal thanks.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch at the Casita
Info: Let's fill our bellies and recharge with a catered lunch at the Casita.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Afternoon Heart Write Session
Info: Each afternoon from 1-2 PM, we will offer one final write before departure.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 09:15 AM
Free Time
Info: After our scheduled writing time at the Casita, feel free to embark in an optional "Self-Paced Guided Scavenger Hunt" - venture out exploring Santa Fe’s beauty ~ visit historic churches, vibrant galleries, inspiring museums, and sacred sites. These excursions will serve as sparks for your writing, offering new textures, colors, and stories for your pages. John and Michelle will provide contemplative writing prompts for you to accompany your adventure. Or maybe just take a nap! We look forward to seeing you tomorrow at 9:15.
Friday Special Experience - TBD
Info: This will be a 2-4 hour cultural and FUN experience designed specifically with our group in mind. Perhaps we will hire a chef to demo and enjoy a culinary delight, attend a show unique to Santa Fe, or create through a different modality, like painting. John and Michelle will share these details closer to our time together.
🕑: 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Saturday Night Dinner
Info: Saturday we will celebrate our last night by "breaking bread" at the Writing Casita followed by an optional Open Mic. Partners are WELCOME!
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 1602.45
