Trevor and Amy built a space where people could step out of the noise, be more fully themselves, and connect in a way that felt real.

“Brent and I had the best time at the retreat Dr. Trevor Cates and Dr. Amy Bader created.

And it’s hard to point to one thing that made it special because every piece felt so considered.

The food was incredible. Not just delicious (although it was) but also genuinely nurturing. Each meal felt like part of the experience, not a logistical break from it. The house felt like a treehouse tucked into this hidden pocket of Portland: quiet, magical, secluded, and somehow still close to everything we needed.

The whole weekend had that same quality: thoughtful, but not overdone; spacious, but not aimless; structured, but not rigid.

The agenda gave us room to breathe and still brought in such a generous, aligned group of speakers, mentors, and humans. I came in barely knowing anyone in the room, and by the end, I was fully invested in everyone’s ideas, stories, and next steps.

That’s not easy to create.

Trevor and Amy built a space where people could step out of the noise, be more fully themselves, and connect in a way that felt real. Brent and I will hold this weekend as deeply formative, both personally and for the work we’re building together.”