What does it take to build a successful business, navigate the weight of family history, and find a sense of peace within yourself? On this episode of The Real and the Woo with Lauri Stern, I’m joined by Myra Goodman, organic food pioneer, co-founder of Earthbound Farm, writer, and founder of Quest for Eternal Sunshine, a resource for healing, wisdom, and self-discovery. Myra Goodman is the co-author of the award-winning spiritual memoir, Quest for Eternal Sunshine: A Holocaust Survivor’s Journey from Darkness to Light, based on an unfinished manuscript her father wrote about his life and healing journey that she discovered after his death. In her father’s honor, Myra created an online platform dedicated to providing free resources for wisdom, healing, and self-discovery—Quest for Eternal Sunshine—where she writes a weekly blog and sponsors free workshops. Myra is also a regular contributor to Spirituality & Health magazine. Before Quest, Myra was an entrepreneur and pioneer in the world of organic food and farming. She and her husband Drew founded Earthbound Farm in 1984, which quickly grew from their two-acre backyard garden in Carmel Valley, California to become the largest grower of organic produce in the world. As a passionate advocate for improving how America farms and eats, Myra authored three cookbooks, and shared her messages on top national television shows and publications. Originally from New York City, Myra moved to California to attend UC Berkeley, and never left. She has two grown children, three grandchildren, and still lives on her original farm with her husband and their two yellow labs, Henry and Leo. In our conversation, Myra shares what it was like growing up as the child of two Holocaust survivors and how family history can shape the way we experience the world. We discuss her father, Mendek Rubin, and the years she devoted to bringing his unfinished writing to life in Quest for Eternal Sunshine: A Holocaust Survivor’s Journey from Darkness to Light. His story of surviving unimaginable trauma and finding his way toward peace became an important part of Myra’s own journey of self-discovery. But this conversation is also very much about Myra’s story. We explore the anxiety she experienced from childhood, the difference between outward achievement and inner groundedness, and her search for practices that helped her reconnect with herself. Myra shares how qigong became an important part of her journey toward greater alignment and inner peace, inspiring her to share healing practices and resources with others. There is a meaningful connection between the chapters of Myra’s life. She once helped make nourishing organic food more accessible to people, and today she is devoted to sharing resources that can nourish people in a different way, supporting their own journeys of healing, growth, and self-discovery. Join us for a thoughtful conversation about resilience, anxiety, family legacy, the courage to begin again, and what can happen when success expands to include how we feel on the inside. In this episode, we discuss: Myra Goodman’s journey building Earthbound Farm and helping pioneer the retail market for pre-washed, packaged organic salad greens.What it means to move into a new chapter after selling a successful company.Growing up as the daughter of two Holocaust survivors and the influence of family history.The story behind Quest for Eternal Sunshine and Myra’s four-year process of bringing her father’s unfinished memoir and writings to life.The relationship between childhood experiences, anxiety, and the search for inner peace.Finding greater groundedness and learning to listen to what you need beyond professional success.How qigong became part of Myra’s personal journey and inspired her to share practices with others.Creating a new business model centered on healing, wisdom, personal growth, and self-discovery.Chapters 01:50 - Meet Myra Goodman: Earthbound Farm, spirituality, and Quest for Eternal Sunshine 06:21 - Her father’s story and the origins of the memoir 14:14 - Building Earthbound Farm and redefining identity after selling it 27:07 - Family trauma, a health crisis, and the search for safety 35:41 - Qigong, somatic healing, and calming the nervous system 48:24 - Making room for joy in work and everyday life 60:53 - Family roots, the redwood tree, and finding Quest’s free resources About Myra Goodman Myra Goodman co-founded Earthbound Farm with her husband, Drew, in 1984. Their small California farm grew into a pioneering organic produce business that helped popularize pre-washed, packaged salad greens. Myra is also a cookbook author and co-wrote Quest for Eternal Sunshine: A Holocaust Survivor’s Journey from Darkness to Light with her late father, Mendek Rubin, based on his unfinished manuscript and writings. Through Quest for Eternal Sunshine, she now shares resources and workshops focused on healing, wisdom, and self-discovery. Explore Myra’s work at https://questforeternalsunshine.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/questforeternalsunshine/ Explore Lauri’s work at https://customdesignedwellness.com/ Search keywords: Myra Goodman, Earthbound Farm, organic food pioneer, Myra Goodman interview, nervous system healing, anxiety and healing, qigong, inner peace, resilience, personal growth, Holocaust survivor family, Quest for Eternal Sunshine, healing and self-discovery. #TheRealAndTheWoo #MyraGoodman #EarthboundFarm #NervousSystemHealing #Qigong #Resilience #PersonalGrowth Send us Fan Mail About Lauri Stern: Lauri Stern is an Energetic Wellness Strategist and founder of Custom Designed Wellness. Through her decades of teaching Yoga, and training in Reiki, and other healing modalities, she alschemizes her experience, training and intuition to design customized pathways that help women leaders, founders, business owners, and high-responsibility professionals understand the emotional and energetic patterns shaping their experiences so they can lead and live with greater clarity, confidence, and joy. She offers 1:1, group, and corporate sessions, programs, workshops, and retreats. On The Real and the Woo with Lauri Stern, conversations bridge the practical and the mystical, exploring self-awareness, energy, wellness, personal growth, and the experiences that help us understand ourselves from the inside out. Connect with Lauri: Her Website - Custom Designed Wellness: https://www.customdesignedwellness.com/ Email her directly: lauri@customdesignedwellness.com Want to be on the show or have questions or comments about it? Email: podcast@customdesignedwellness.com Instagram...
