https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More Members

When membership growth feels stuck, the instinct is almost always the same: get more leads, spend more on ads, create more content. But what if the real issue isn’t acquisition at all?

In this episode, Shana breaks down her favorite diagnostic tool - the Growth Ceiling Calculator and explains why churn is often the hidden reason memberships plateau. Using real numbers and simple math, she walks through how retention directly determines how big your membership can actually get, no matter how good your marketing is.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What a growth ceiling is and why every membership eventually hits one
• How Shana uses the Growth Ceiling Calculator on potential client calls
• Why increasing acquisition alone won’t fix stalled growth
• How churn mathematically caps the size of your membership
• The difference retention makes—even without adding a single new member

If you’ve ever wondered why your membership won’t grow past a certain number—or why more marketing hasn’t solved the problem—this episode will completely change how you think about retention, revenue, and sustainable growth.

Additional Resources:

Want expert help mapping out your member journey and setting up feedback loops that actually work? Apply for my high-level membership consulting program, Retain: https://joinretain.com

Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies:

Apple, or Spotify

Make sure to subscribe for more strategies on keeping members engaged and growing your recurring revenue!

Learn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/

Learn more about Shana’s Community Training Program: https://www.shanalynn.com/cultivate

Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More Members

A lot of membership owners hit a wall — that point where growth stalls and it feels like you’re gaining as many members as you’re losing. If you’ve ever wondered why your numbers just won’t climb past that 500, 1,000, or even 5,000-member mark, this episode is for you.

Shana sits down with her longtime friend and powerhouse entrepreneur Corinne Crabtree, who runs an eight-figure membership business, to unpack what it really takes to break through that membership plateau.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why most memberships plateau—and what it really means when you hit that growth wall
• How focusing on small percentage gains in retention and conversion can create massive results
• The mindset shift to stop searching for big changes and start fixing the small leaks
• How to scale intimacy in a growing membership so members still feel seen and supported
• Why it’s crucial to teach your members to embrace growth instead of fearing it

If this episode inspired you to take a closer look at your membership strategy, don’t stop here. Go back to your retention numbers, your member experience, and the systems that support your community — and start testing those small but powerful changes.

Additional Resources:

Want expert help mapping out your member journey and setting up feedback loops that actually work? Apply for my high-level membership consulting program, Retain: https://joinretain.com

Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies:

Apple, or Spotify

Make sure to subscribe for more strategies on keeping members engaged and growing your recurring revenue!

Learn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/

Learn more about Shana’s Community Training Program: https://www.shanalynn.com/cultivate

Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More Members

When people see detailed member journey maps, they often wonder how to come up with so many meaningful touchpoints. In this episode, Shana breaks down exactly how she does it — by using two simple but powerful types of outreach tactics that can transform the way you connect with your members.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between time-based and trigger-based outreach tactics
• Real examples of touchpoints that keep members connected and reduce churn
• How to identify moments in your member journey that deserve a personal touch
• Why recognizing what members aren’t doing can be just as important as what they are doing
• How to make your members feel noticed and valued beyond their purchase

Whether you’re running a coaching program, a membership, or a community, you’ll walk away with fresh ideas to make your members feel more seen, supported, and engaged every step of the way.

Additional Resources:

Want expert help mapping out your member journey and setting up feedback loops that actually work? Apply for my high-level membership consulting program, Retain: https://joinretain.com

Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies:

Apple, or Spotify

Make sure to subscribe for more strategies on keeping members engaged and growing your recurring revenue!

Learn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/

Learn more about Shana’s Community Training Program: https://www.shanalynn.com/cultivate

Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More Members

Most business owners believe profitability and sustainability come from sales and marketing—but the truth is, your real growth happens after the sale. In this insightful conversation with Shana’s friend Melinda Cohen, we dive deep into what it really takes to build a thriving, sustainable business: client retention, progress tracking, and creating results-driven experiences.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why sales and marketing are only the starting point of profitability
• The overlooked power of client retention in sustainable growth
• How to shift focus from your perspective as a coach to your client’s learning journey
• Practical ways to spotlight and celebrate client progress
• The data-backed impact of improving retention on your marketing budget
• How small, consistent improvements lead to lasting client success

Whether you're a new coach shifting to group programs or a seasoned business owner running memberships and courses, this episode will challenge the way you think about growth.

Additional Resources:

Want expert help mapping out your member journey and setting up feedback loops that actually work? Apply for my high-level membership consulting program, Retain: https://joinretain.com

Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies:

Apple, or Spotify

Make sure to subscribe for more strategies on keeping members engaged and growing your recurring revenue!

Learn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/

Learn more about Shana’s Community Training Program: https://www.shanalynn.com/cultivate

Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More Members

Have you ever caught yourself feeling frustrated or disconnected from your members? Maybe you’ve said things like, “They just don’t get it!” or “They’re so needy.” You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not doomed.

Shana shares a real story of a membership owner who lost his spark for his community… and how a few strategic shifts brought the joy (and profit) back.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why frustration with your members is often a leadership or systems issue, not a “bad members” issue
• How to audit your member experience to find the real friction points
• How positioning and messaging affect the type of members you attract
• Why community culture must be intentionally defined—and how to reset it
• Practical ways to realign your community with who you are today

By addressing these areas, you can reignite your excitement, improve member satisfaction, and create a community you genuinely love to lead.

Additional Resources:

Want expert help mapping out your member journey and setting up feedback loops that actually work? Apply for my high-level membership consulting program, Retain: https://joinretain.com

Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies:

Apple, or Spotify

Make sure to subscribe for more strategies on keeping members engaged and growing your recurring revenue!

Learn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/

Learn more about Shana’s Community Training Program: https://www.shanalynn.com/cultivate

Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More Members

Ep 72 - The Balancing Act: Parenting and Entrepreneurship with Dayna Abraham: https://www.shanalynn.com/podcast/the-balancing-act-parenting-and-entrepreneurship-with-dayna-abraham

So many of us start our businesses dreaming of time freedom—more afternoons with our kids, flexibility to travel, or simply space to breathe. But somewhere along the way, financial freedom takes center stage, and time freedom slips away. In this episode, Shana shares a candid conversation about how to get back to your real “big why” and design your business around what matters most.

Together with insights from parenting expert Dayna Abraham, we talk about:

• Why “intentional imbalance” may be more realistic than chasing balance.
• How to define your non-negotiables so your business supports—not rules—your life.
• The importance of setting your number—the income you truly need to live comfortably without overworking.
• Practical ways to prioritize time freedom while still growing financially.
• Why building a business you love starts with being crystal clear on your purpose.

A fresh perspective on aligning your business with your values, making decisions with confidence, and creating space for what really matters—your family, your health, and your joy.

Additional Resources:

Want expert help mapping out your member journey and setting up feedback loops that actually work? Apply for my high-level membership consulting program, Retain: https://joinretain.com

Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies:

Apple, or Spotify

Make sure to subscribe for more strategies on keeping members engaged and growing your recurring revenue!

Learn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/

Learn more about Shana’s Community Training Program: https://www.shanalynn.com/cultivate

Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More Members

Most businesses expect community managers to be five people in one role—strategist, support, event host, data analyst, and copywriter.

Then they wonder why they burn out.

Shana breaks down why great community managers are so hard to find, how to actually support the role, and what to do when your membership growth requires more than one person can handle.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why most community manager roles are unrealistic
• What truly makes a community manager exceptional
• The difference between support and overload
• How to protect your team from burnout
• What to do when your community outgrows your capacity

Whether or not you have a community manager, we can help you design the strategy and systems that keep your community thriving.

Additional Resources:

Want expert help mapping out your member journey and setting up feedback loops that actually work? Apply for my high-level membership consulting program, Retain: https://joinretain.com

Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies:

Apple, or Spotify

Make sure to subscribe for more strategies on keeping members engaged and growing your recurring revenue!

Learn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/

Learn more about Shana’s Community Training Program: https://www.shanalynn.com/cultivate

Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More Members

Retention isn’t just about giving your members more stuff—it’s about designing an integrated experience that keeps them engaged, supported, and connected. Shana shares why thinking about your membership in silos (content, coaching, community) can actually work against you, and how to shift into a holistic design that drives true retention.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why focusing only on content, coaching, or community in isolation leads to retention problems.
• How content, coaching, and community can work together to support your members’ transformation.
• What a member journey map is and why it’s the missing piece for most membership models.
• The difference between time-based triggers (like day 10, day 28, or renewal milestones) and action-based triggers (like finishing onboarding or not logging in).
• How layering these triggers over your pillars creates a seamless and intentional member experience.

If you’re ready to rethink the way you design your membership and build for long-term retention, this episode is for you.

Additional Resources:

Want expert help mapping out your member journey and setting up feedback loops that actually work? Apply for my high-level membership consulting program, Retain: https://joinretain.com

Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies:

Apple, or Spotify

Make sure to subscribe for more strategies on keeping members engaged and growing your recurring revenue!

Learn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/

Learn more about Shana’s Community Training Program: https://www.shanalynn.com/cultivate

Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated