Debra Stangl, Sedona Soul Adventures Founder and CEO: “We’re helping women reconnect with their authentic power and rediscover joy, purpose, and balance. The need for this kind of recalibration has never been greater.”

Sedona Soul Adventures is a transformational retreat company founded by Debra Stangl, who serves as its CEO. The vision for Sedona Soul Adventures was born from Debra’s own deeply personal and life-changing journey. For over two decades, she worked as a divorce attorney in Omaha, Nebraska—constantly overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, and a pervasive sense of spiritual emptiness. A visit to Sedona, Arizona, with its breathtaking red rocks and powerful energy vortexes, marked a turning point in her life. The spiritual and healing experiences she encountered there led to a profound inner shift and a renewed sense of purpose. Inspired by this transformation, Debra felt called to create a sanctuary where others could experience the same kind of healing and awakening.

Sedona Soul Adventures offersprivate, customized retreats for individuals and couples, each designed to meet the specific emotional, spiritual, and energetic needs of the client. These immersive experiences are guided by a hand-selected team of over 50 Master Practitioners, each highly skilled in their respective modalities. Clients engage in powerful, one-on-one sessions (or two-on-one for Couples) that may include breathwork, energy healing, emotional clearing, trauma release, and spiritual reconnection. Unlike group retreats, Sedona Soul Adventures provides a deeply personalized approach that fosters
accelerated healing and long-lasting transformation.

In conversation with Debra Stangl, Founder and CEO of Sedona Soul Adventures

Debra, what inspired you to create Sedona Soul Adventures, and how did your own personal transformation as a woman leader influence the foundational vision of the company?

My transformation in Sedona revealed a truth I couldn’t ignore: that healing is possible at every level—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. As a woman navigating a male-dominated legal field, I had spent years suppressing my intuitive and nurturing qualities. Sedona helped me reclaim them, and I knew my life’s work was to create a company rooted in deep presence, compassion, and connection. That vision—to offer individualized, heart-led healing—has guided every aspect of Sedona Soul Adventures.

How has your journey—from burnout to breakthrough—shaped not only the healing methodology behind Sedona Soul Adventures but also your leadership style as an Empowered Female Founder and Visionary Leader pioneering in a competitive wellness space?

Experiencing total burnout taught me what doesn’t work: ignoring inner needs, over-functioning, and living on autopilot. This insight directly influenced our approach. Our healing methodology is centered on getting to the root of an issue quickly and clearing it at its core—because surface-level solutions don’t lead to lasting change. As a leader, I bring empathy, intuitive intelligence, and a collaborative spirit to my team. I believe in empowered leadership that values every voice and leads from the heart.

Sedona Soul Adventures operates on a model of private, one-on-one sessions instead of group formats. Why was that distinction so important to you, and how has it impacted client outcomes and the retreat experience overall?

Transformation is not one-size-fits-all. Each person carries a unique story, energetic blueprint, and emotional history. One-on-one private sessions (or two-on-one for our Couples Retreats) allow us to customize the entire retreat experience, creating a sacred container tailored to the individual’s needs. This model produces profound results—clients report feeling deeply seen, safe, and supported. The transformation is faster and more complete, which is why we see so many breakthroughs even within just a few days. Couples are able to go really deep when their sessions are private and not in front of a group of strangers.

Post-pandemic, many are seeking emotional recalibration. Have you noticed distinct patterns in retreat participants today, and how has your program evolved in response—particularly for women navigating high-stress leadership roles or identity shifts?

Yes, the post-pandemic landscape has ushered in a collective reckoning. We’re seeing more women leaders struggling with burnout, loss of identity, and emotional fatigue from holding so much for so long. Our programs have evolved to meet these shifts. We’ve deepened our focus on somatic therapies, nervous system regulation, and Core Wound healing. We’re helping women reconnect with their authentic power and rediscover joy, purpose, and balance. The need for this kind of recalibration has never been greater.

You offer retreats for both individuals and couples. What are the key differences in how you design each experience, and what are some of the most common breakthroughs you see in couples specifically?

Individual retreats focus entirely on the person’s inner journey—clearing old traumas, reconnecting to purpose, and restoring energetic balance. Couple’s retreats include that, but also focus on the relationship dynamic. We address communication breakdowns, unmet emotional needs, intimacy issues, and how to nurture your partner. One of the most common breakthroughs we see in couples is a return to empathy—seeing each other not as opponents, but as allies. Many leave feeling more connected than they ever imagined possible – many of them end their retreat with a re-commitment ceremony in the red rocks!

The phrase “The Sedona Effect^™” is at the core of your brand promise. Can you break down what this means—and what elements combine to deliver that almost-mythical level of transformation your clients describe?

“The Sedona Effect^™” is the synergy between Sedona’s natural vortex energy and our expert, customized healing approach. It has three parts: First, the incredible vortex energy of Sedona where the land itself has a powerful ability to amplify intentions and accelerate transformation. Second, is the incredible wisdom and skill of our incredible Master Practitioners—each deeply intuitive and expertly trained. Third, is the deep desire our clients bring for transformation. When you combine these three elements, the results can feel miraculous. Clients often say, “I’ve done years of therapy, and nothing touched me like this.” That’s the Sedona Effect in action.

As a woman-led business that has thrived for over two decades, how have you cultivated such powerful word-of-mouth momentum—especially in an era dominated by digital advertising? What role has your personal credibility, emotional intelligence, and connection-driven leadership played in building trust and inspiring organic referrals?

Word-of-mouth has been our lifeblood. It’s built on one thing: trust. When someone experiences life-changing healing, they naturally want to share it. I lead with authenticity, integrity, and a deep respect for the sacredness of our work. Emotional intelligence and heart-centered connection are core to our team culture. Every client interaction—from the first phone call to post-retreat follow-up—is handled with care. That sincerity is felt and remembered, and it keeps our referrals thriving.

What does the future hold for your company and its customers? Are exciting things on the way?

Absolutely! One of the most exciting recent developments is the release of the book I co-authored with my husband and partner, Richard Kepple, titled “How To Have A High-Vibe Relationship.” This book brings together over 40 years of work with couples, blended with quantum principles and spiritual wisdom, to help partners transform their relationship from mundane to miraculous. We’re also expanding our online programs and developing tools to make “The Sedona Effect^™” more accessible to those who can’t travel to Sedona. The future is full of possibility—and heart.

Meet the leader behind the success of Sedona Soul Adventures

Debra Stangl is the Founder and CEO of Sedona Soul Adventures, a transformational retreat company based in Sedona, Arizona. A former divorce attorney turned spiritual entrepreneur, Debra has dedicated her life to helping people reclaim joy, purpose, and connection through customized, one-on-one healing experiences. With over two decades of leadership in the wellness space, she has guided thousands through profound emotional and spiritual breakthroughs. Her approach combines intuitive intelligence, practical insight, and deep compassion. Debra’s work has been featured on NBC, ABC, and in The Washington Post, The Today Show, USA Today, Forbes, Elle, Brides and her passion continues through the book “How To Have A High- Vibe Relationship,” co-authored with her husband, Richard Kepple.

“As a woman navigating a male-dominated legal field, I had spent years suppressing my intuitive and nurturing qualities. Sedona helped me reclaim them, and I knew my life’s work was to create a company rooted in deep presence, compassion, and connection.”