S5E11: Retreats, Healing & Queer Travel at Qasa in Costa Rica

S5E11: Retreats, Healing & Queer Travel at Qasa in Costa Rica

From Queer Travel Chat by Two Bad Tourists by Two Bad Tourists

March 13, 2026 · 46 min · Season 5 · Episode 11

About this episode

The episode features Shelby Clark discussing the transformative power of queer retreats at Qasa in Costa Rica.

SPECIAL OFFER: Get $300 off any retreat between April & August 2026 with promo code TBT300 We are joined by Shelby Clark, founder of Qasa, a queer-owned retreat sanctuary nestled in the Costa Rican jungle. Shelby is a certified yoga instructor, meditation guide, and somatic facilitator devoted to helping queer people unlearn performance, heal shame, and return to authenticity. Together, we explore why shame often disguises itself as success, sex, and self-control; what cruising, risky sex, and substance use may really be seeking; and how queer people can meet those longings in ways that are more satisfying, embodied, and affirming. Shelby shares how Qasa’s immersive retreats, nature-rooted practices, and community-centered care create powerful spaces for transformation. We also talk about Qasa’s groundbreaking 2024 research study on plant medicine and LGBTQ+ healing, the documentary capturing retreat experiences, and what it truly means to move from fitting in, to being desired, to deeply belonging. SPONSOR: Qasa https://qasa.house Queer Medicine: Research & Film https://qasa.house/queer-medicine

People in this episode

Guest: Shelby Clark

Topics covered

  • queer travel
  • retreats
  • healing
  • shame
  • authenticity
  • community care

Keywords

  • queer retreats
  • healing
  • shame
  • authenticity
  • plant medicine
  • LGBTQ+

Sponsors

Qasa

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: documentary capturing retreat experiences

Places: Costa Rica

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