The Communicators Retreat

A 2.5 day retreat for rising writers, speakers and advocates taking effective altruist ideas to new audiences

13–16 Oct 2026 · Stony Point, NY · Before EAG NYC · Invite-only

RSVP here by Aug 23

The challenge

EA has world-class ideas and remarkably few public faces.

Many would-be thought leaders have taken a first step towards sharing EA ideas, but have not yet reached larger, more mainstream audiences.

The retreat

This retreat challenges you to be even more ambitious.

It provides space, advice and expert contacts to help rising writers, speakers and EA advocates reach beyond existing EA channels.

You’ll come with a strategy/pitch.

You’ll leave with a finished piece, contacts, or a growth strategy.

Spend 3 days in a mansion in New York’s Hudson valley, just 1 hour from EAG NYC

Who’s in the room

  • 25 rising communicators (writers, speakers)

  • 5-10 editors, PR experts, journalists, distribution specialists and exemplars.

Youtuber
Founder, Fortier PR
Executive Director, Hive
Founder, Good Impressions

Mark Fortier

Justin Portela

Andy Masley

Matthew Adelstein

Writer (Bentham's Bulldog)
Writer

Johnstuart Winchell

Sofia Balderson

RSVP here

Media categories

We’re focusing on media that helps rising thought leaders scale their reach.

  • Your own platform, blog, Substack, or book.

  • Some else’s platform, in the mainstream press or TV.

  • Guests or hosts.

  • We won’t have capacity to cover social media broadly; however, we’ll discuss Linkedin and high-level social media strategy for scaling thought leadership.

Talk Topics

We’re curating about 3 expert talks per day. Submit your requests in the signup form.

    • Getting booked on more podcasts

    • PR tactics from successful EA publications

    • Pitching mainstream media

    • Making your blog/channel more impactful

    • Whether (and how) to publish a book

    • Getting funding for FT comms work

    • Should you do more video/social media/LinkedIn (if so, what?)?

How you’ll prepare

The retreat requires a few hours prep.

You might:

  • Come with a draft of a pitch you’ve hesitated sending.

    Leave with with a target outlet, a named contact and edits.

  • We’ll provide space. You’ll make progress.

    We’ll encourage everyone to share a short progress report at the end.

  • Have a hot take on EA communications?

    Please already prepare a 5-8 minute lighting talk (with slides).

Logistics

Required programming is Wed Oct 14 from 10AM - Thur Oct 15 evening

  • 6PM Tuesday 13 October to 9AM Friday 16 October 2026

    (three nights, two full days. Attendees are expected to attend all day Wednesday + Thursday)

  • Two adjacent mansions in Stony Point, in New York's Hudson Valley, a 1–1½ hour drive north of the city.

    Venue address will be emailed to you; we recommend uber outside of rush hour and we’ll add you to a whatsapp group where you can coordinate travel; travel costs are reimbursable per terms below.

  • Retreat costs are fully covered for invited guests.

    *Reimbursement of documented travel expenses is available up to $600 for US attendees and up to $1,000 for non-US attendees.

    **If more support is needed, please email JD Bauman at jd@communicatorsretreat.org with more information about your circumstances.

    After the event, please email receipts to JD@communicatorsretreat.org by 26 October 2026.

Organized by

JD Bauman - Lead Organizer

JD is co-author of All the Lives You Can Change, leads the Christians for Impact podcast, and directs EA for Christians. JD has organized over 20 EA-adjacent retreats and conferences, ranging from 12-200 people.

Tiara Kam - Operations Lead

Tiara is the Founder of Mangrove Ops. She has led operations or volunteer teams at dozens of EA events including EAG, EAGx, and other CEA / CG retreats.

RSVP here