Barry Shimelfarb is Founder of Carmel Retreats and Steward of Cuddle Doon.

In 2019, as a single father raising twin boys, Barry was diagnosed with advanced cancer. Multiple surgeries and radiation left him weak, unable to swallow, and facing a grim prognosis.

During this time, the family’s historic Carmel cottage became his refuge. Planting lavender, walking the shoreline, and resting beneath the ancient oak trees became rituals of hope. Supported by his community, Barry found strength not only to endure but to heal. Two years later, his doctors declared him cancer-free.

Out of gratitude, Barry transformed the cottage into a sanctuary for others. Today, Cuddle Doon welcomes guests who are navigating illness, grief, burnout, or simply seeking renewal. Known as the “Lost Cottage of Carmel,” it carries the legacy of its builder, Eliza Yocum, a pioneering educator and spiritual thinker whose home became a gathering place for artists and seekers in the 1920s.

Barry sees himself as the cottage’s steward, carrying forward its history of restoration and inspiration. Through Carmel Retreats, he offers deeply personal, boutique stays and initiatives like Postcards of Healing, gifting free retreats during gaps in the calendar to those in need.

Barry’s Mission: “My purpose is simple: to help others thrive. Healing isn’t just about medicine. It’s about place, community, and feeling truly cared for.”

Today, Barry will share his story and give us a glimpse into what it’s like to live in Carmel-by-the-Sea—its vibe and its inspiration!

Website: https://www.carmelretreats.com/

Postcards for Healing: https://www.carmelretreats.com/postcards

Instagram @Carmel.Retreats, https://www.instagram.com/carmel.retreats/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/carmelretreats

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Hamlet Ayvazian is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner, Guided Imagery Facilitator, Life Coach, and Teacher, specializing in fears, phobias, anxiety, pain management, ADD/ADHD, PTSD, tinnitus, habits, and addictions. A Certified Handwriting Analyst and Honors graduate of the Nationally Accredited Hypnosis Motivation Institute, Hamlet combines Western psychology with Eastern wisdom to help people transform their lives. His lifelong fascination with human behavior drives his work, guiding others toward clarity, healing, and personal empowerment.

Today, Hamlet will take us on a journey through his life in Valencia and the experiences that shape his life and work.

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www.inthemoodforcalifornia.com

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Katharine “Kat” Kramer is an award-winning actress, producer, and founder of Kat Kramer’s Films That Change The World—a film series that spotlights movies and documentaries raising awareness of vital social issues.

The daughter of legendary filmmaker Stanley Kramer and actress Karen Sharpe-Kramer, and godchild of Katharine Hepburn, Kat has built her own legacy on stage and screen. She’s starred in acclaimed one-woman shows and won awards for her performances as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker and Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank.

As an activist and artist, Kat uses her voice to champion human rights, animal welfare, and environmental causes. She established the Hunt for Humanity Award to honor “actorvists” making a global impact and recently launched the #SHEroesForChange

Festival and podcast.

Her film credits include Turnover, Mother’s Day Memories, Fate’s Shadow, and the Netflix documentary Call Me Kate. She was honored with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Luxury Oscar Gala.

Kat also serves on the advisory boards of the LA Press Club and the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival and continues to create projects that inspire compassion, inclusion, and positive change.

Please visit www.KatharineKramer.com

and www.KatKramersFilmsThatChangeTheWorld.com

In this episode, Kat will share the vibe of her own Los Angeles — her story, her inspirations, and the legacy she continues to build through meaningful cinema.

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Meet Claire Strofield, founder of End of Life Concierge Beverly Hills and a compassionate guide for life's most profound transition. With a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Med and five years as a cytotechnologist at the Southern Hemisphere's largest private pathology laboratory, Claire brings both scientific understanding and deep humanity to end-of-life care.

Her journey has been beautifully varied—from teaching elementary school in London to executive search in biotech (earning top consultant honors at every firm), recruiting exceptional talent across EMEA and the US. But it's her personal story that illuminates her calling: this year, she released a memoir about the precious time spent with her little brother before his passing from cancer when they were children.

A natural storyteller, Claire has written for theatre, penned novellas and spec scripts, and is currently working on two novels alongside building her death doula practice. In this episode, she shares what brought her to Los Angeles and how a life rich with diverse experiences has shaped her approach to helping families navigate life's final chapter with grace, dignity, and peace.

To learn more about Claire's services or connect, reach out to End of Life Concierge Beverly Hills www.endoflifebh.com

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Ashley Archer Tindall is a film Director, Producer and Writer. She connects individuals’ stories with contemporary public conflicts and policy debates through documentary filmmaking and fiction scriptwriting. In addition to her independent feature documentary “27 Months: Journeys in the Peace Corps,” she has produced documentaries for National Geographic Television, HBO and PBS. She runs Film Archer, an educational production company that produces content for major universities and non-profits. She has a Masters in Public Policy from the Luskin School of Public Affairs at UCLA and a Masters in Documentary Film from Stanford University. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago. She was raised in the San Gabriel Valley and now calls Long Beach home with her chill husband and rambunctious dog.

Director IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2479957/

Today, Ashley will share her story and give us a glimpse into what it’s like to live in Long Beach—its vibe and its inspiration!

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Adrian Grand is a Los Angeles–based photographer who captures both people and pets with warmth and authenticity. Born in Ukraine to a Ukrainian mother and a Cuban father, Adrian brings a unique cultural perspective to his work, blending sensitivity, curiosity, and an eye for connection. Now living in Chatsworth, he draws daily inspiration from the Valley’s rugged landscapes and the creative spirit of LA.

Adrian’s photography is about more than images—it’s about presence and memory. Whether photographing families, individuals, or beloved animals, he aims to reveal not only what is seen, but what is felt. His work preserves the love, joy, and bonds that make life meaningful, turning fleeting moments into timeless keepsakes.

https://www.adriangrandphotography.com/

Today, Adrian will share his unique journey and give us a glimpse into what life in Chatsworth truly feels like!

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Jennifer Herrera is a Los Angeles–born writer, speaker, and educator devoted to emotional mastery, conscious leadership, and the healing of inherited patterns. She hosts the podcast Heal Your Part, a space for honest conversation, self-inquiry, and the kind of personal healing that ripples outward into collective change. With over two decades of experience studying human behavior and supporting leaders across industries, she now guides high-achieving women in reclaiming their self-awareness, creative power, and capacity for meaningful wealth. Her work is rooted in the belief that healing is the gateway to deeper purpose, and that everyone deserves to live in alignment with their soul’s truth.

https://www.jenniferherrera.com/

https://www.instagram.com/healyourpart/

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Song Yi Jeon, a South Korean singer and composer, weaves modern jazz harmony and odd meters with lyrical, memorable melodies. Trained in classical composition in Graz and jazz vocals in Basel and at Berklee, she became the inaugural Quincy Jones CJ&E Fellow and a Billboard Endowed Award recipient.

She has performed at major venues and festivals worldwide—Blue Note NY, Bimhuis Amsterdam, Moods Zürich, Jarasum Jazz Festival—collaborating with artists like Guillermo Klein, Jeff Ballard, and George Garzone. Her releases include Movement of Lives (2018) with her quintet and HOME (2022) with guitarist Vinicius Gomes, praised with 4.5 stars by Downbeat Magazine, and most recent album came out in July 2025 featuring a nonet with Korean traditional percussion music.

She was selected as a Rolex Arts Initiative Protégé for 2023-2024 working under the mentorship of five-time Grammy winner Dianne Reeves.

In today’s conversation, Song Yi will share how her global journey, mentorship, and devotion to improvisation continue to shape her voice as an artist and as a human being, and how performing in Los Angeles inspires her connection with music and audience alike.

https://www.songyimusic.com/

https://www.rolex.org/rolex-mentor-protege/current-pairs/music/dianne-reeves-and-song-yi-jeon

https://songyijeon.bandcamp.com/album/the-earthy-suites

www.inthemoodforcalifornia.com

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Billy Riback (born in Montreal, Canada) is a veteran comedian, writer, and producer whose career spans stand-up, hit sitcoms, and family television. After moving from Montreal to Los Angeles, he built a reputation as both a sharp comedy writer and a trusted producer.

He was a consulting producer on Home Improvement for over 120 episodes and wrote for shows including Murphy Brown, Thunder Alley with Ed Asner, and Buddies, Dave Chappelle’s first series. For Disney Channel, he worked on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, The Suite Life on Deck, Hannah Montana, and Wizards of Waverly Place, shaping the humor of a new generation.

As a stand-up, Billy appeared on television more than 50 times and spent 15 years teaching comedy to children ages 5 to 15. Today, he runs Waiting For Good Dough, a production company with 28 comedy films and 12 pilots in development, dedicated to creating family-friendly, escapist comedy for TV and your, hopefully phone-free, friendly neighborhood theater.

Today, Billy will share his view of Los Angeles and how moving here transformed his creative outlook!

www.inthemoodforcalifornia.com

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Twitter: @InTheMoodForCA

Aengus James is an award-winning television and film producer, director, and cinematographer whose work blends powerful storytelling with a passion for community. He has created and led acclaimed documentaries and features including After The Murder of Albert Lima, Scandalous: The Untold Story of the National Enquirer, Inheritance, Crestone, and American Harmony. His projects have premiered at major festivals and earned critical praise for their emotional depth and authenticity.

Beyond filmmaking, Aengus is the co-founder of Little City Farm, a 7,500-square-foot regenerative urban farm in Los Angeles that serves as both a source of fresh food and a creative gathering space. Through both his media work and his farm, he champions sustainability, creativity, and the power of stories—whether told through film or grown from the ground up.

Today, Aengus shares his Los Angeles journey and the wonder of creating a farm where few would expect one—right in the middle of the city!

https://www.littlecityfarmla.com/

https://www.instagram.com/littlecityfarmla/

www.inthemoodforcalifornia.com

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Twitter: @InTheMoodForCA