Ep 43: Healing in Place: How a Carmel Cottage Helped a Cancer Survivor Reclaim Life (+ How to Create Renewal at Home) (with Barry Shimelfarb)

Nature as Medicine: The Lost Cottage of Carmel

What if healing isn’t just about medicine—but place, community, and feeling truly cared for?
In this soulful conversation, Emily sits down with Barry, founder of Carmel Retreats and steward of the historic Cuddle Dune Cottage (“the Lost Cottage of Carmel”).

After an advanced cancer diagnosis, Barry transformed his family’s seaside cottage into a sanctuary for rest, renewal, and remembrance—rooted in nature, spiritual practice, and community support.

You’ll hear how to curate your own environment for healing (even at home), the surprising power of micro-rituals, and Barry’s heart-led Postcards for Healing initiative that gifts free stays to those in need.

Featured Guest

Barry — Founder, Carmel Retreats & Steward of Cuddle Dune Cottage
🌐 Website: Carmel Retreats
📸 Instagram: @carmel.retreats
💌 Postcards for Healing Nomination: Nominate Someone Here

Key Topics & Timestamps

00:00 Welcome + Why healing is also “where” we are
03:10 Barry’s diagnosis → nature, ritual, and community as lifelines
06:20 Daily practices: meditation/prayer, ocean grounding, and simple joy
09:00 Try everything: finding your modalities (what worked, what didn’t)
12:10 Community care: letting people help (and why that heals both ways)
15:05 Reframing the mundane → everyday miracles during recovery
16:30 The Lost Cottage of Carmel & Eliza Yoakum’s legacy
19:10 Being “open”: removing blocks to receive light and guidance
22:10 Mind–body focus, OCD share, and the power of choosing attention
28:00 ROOTED membership invite (seasonal, nature-based support)
30:10 Myth & meaning: descent, shadow work, and renewal
33:10 Sensory rewiring after radiation: neuroplasticity & persistence
36:00 Postcards for Healing: how to nominate someone for a free stay
39:00 5 ways to curate a healing environment at home
47:00 Visualization + action: pairing “magic with motion”
49:00 Rapid-fire: grounding sound, healing color, ocean medicine
50:15 Gratitude as an antidote to spirals
51:00 Partners & resources in Carmel + where to find Barry

5 Practical Ways to Curate Healing at Home

Sanctuary Objects: Place 1–3 items that spark joy where your eyes land first.
Nature Dose: Step outside daily—porch sun salutes, cloud-watching, tree-touching.
Receive Support: Let people help. Receiving is healing (for both of you).
Sacred Corner: Create a meditation/visualization nook (10–20 min daily).
Intentional Food: Choose one “healing meal” ritual a day (tea, greens, or broth).

Resources & Mentions

Carmel Retreats: Website | Instagram
Postcards for Healing (mail-in nomination): Details + Address
Refuge Spa (thermal cycles/mineral soaks): Website
Earthbound Farm (organic foods nearby): Website
Earth Cura Apothecary (custom herbal teas): Website
Salty Soul Sanctuary (yoga/meditation): Website
MOJA Yoga: Website
Mad Dogs & Englishmen E-Bike Tours: Website
Monterey Touring Vehicles (’55 Thunderbird, Hwy 1): Website
Caraccioli Cellars: Website
Scheid Vineyards — Wines: Website
Aubergine (Restaurant): Website
Casanova (Restaurant): Website
California State Parks (Point Lobos): Website
Emily’s ROOTED Membership (7-day free trial): Join Here
Rise To Her on Instagram: @risetoher

Call to Action

✨ Nominate someone for a free healing retreat via Postcards for Healing → Nominate Here
🌿 Join ROOTED for seasonal, earth-based support → Start Free Trial
💫 Share this episode with someone navigating illness, burnout, or grief → Share Link

If this episode supported you, please rate & review on Apple Podcasts — your words help Rise To Her reach more people who need this message. ❤️