From Cancer to Cured: How Barry Shimelfarb Turned a Carmel Cottage into a Sanctuary for Healing

Jan 27

Episode Summary

In This Episode

– How Barry turned personal adversity into a mission of service
– The healing power of grounding, gardening, ritual, and nature
– The mystical history of Cuddle Doon and its 1920s creative lineage
– How the Postcards of Healing program works
– Why we hide our gifts and how to allow more light into our lives
– What gratitude, place, and community mean in true healing
Jump to shownotes →

Links mentioned in this episode:

Website: carmelretreats.com
Instagram: @carmel.retreats
Facebook: Carmel Retreats

LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM

Shownotes

On this episode of The Secret KeepHers, I sit down with the incredible Barry Shimelfarb—founder of Carmel Retreats and steward of Cuddle Doon, known as the Lost Cottage of Carmel.

This conversation is deeply moving and full of the kind of wisdom that shows us healing is never just about medicine. It is about place, community, connection, and opening ourselves to the light that is always available.

In 2019, as a single father raising twin boys, Barry was diagnosed with advanced cancer. Multiple surgeries and radiation left him unable to swallow and facing a frightening prognosis. During that time, his family’s historic Carmel cottage became his refuge. Planting lavender, walking the shoreline, and resting beneath ancient oak trees became simple rituals of hope that helped sustain him physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Supported by community, nature, and an unwavering belief in healing, Barry not only endured—he healed. Two years later, he was declared cancer-free.

Out of gratitude, Barry transformed the cottage into a sanctuary for others navigating illness, grief, burnout, or major life transitions. Carrying forward the legacy of its builder, educator and spiritual thinker Eliza Yocum, Barry sees himself as the home’s steward—continuing a century-long lineage of restoration, creativity, and renewal.

Through Carmel Retreats, he now offers deeply personal, boutique healing stays and his giveback initiative, Postcards of Healing, which gifts free retreat nights during calendar gaps to individuals in need.Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Like this episode of the podcast? Leave a review.

Help The Secret Keepers reach more people and share this wisdom that comes from life’s ups and downs with more people by leaving a review where you listen.

thank you!