Advertise on podcast: Serenbe Stories

We’re delighted to kick off Season 14 of Serenbe Stories with poet, educator, performer, and founder of Project VOICE, Sarah Kay. Sarah first discovered spoken-word poetry as a teenager in New York City, performing at the Bowery Poetry Club and becoming one of the youngest ever competitors in the National Poetry Slam. Since then, her work has taken her to TED, HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, and stages and classrooms around the world. Through Project VOICE, she helps young people discover the power of poetry, storytelling, and finding their own voices. Sarah’s connection to Serenbe goes back to 2014, when she came here as one of our very early artists-in-residence, before there was even a formal artist-in-residence program. What began with writing poems in the apartment above Janice Barton’s garage grew into a lasting relationship with Serenbe.  Later this month, Sarah will return to Serenbe alongside her frequent collaborator, Anis Mojgani. A two-time National Poetry Slam champion and former Oregon Poet Laureate, Anis writes tender and funny poems  about love, family, loss, and the small wonders of being alive. If you’re listening before October 24, we hope you’ll join us for what promises to be a beautiful evening. This conversation was originally recorded back in May alongside Gary Cassis, who you might remember from last season. Gary is Chair of the Music Council at the Art Farm and host of the Art Farm’s podcast. Together, Gary and Serenbe Stories host Monica Olsen talk with Sarah about her journey, finding creative community, her work with young poets, and the power of poetry to connect us. Show Notes Poetry Night: Sarah Kay & Anis Mojgani in SerenbeSarah KayProject VOICEAnis Mojgani Serenbe Events Calendar Sarah Kay, Anis Mogjani, Serenbe, Art Farm at Serenbe, Serenbe Art Farm, Poetry, Spoken Word Poetry, Spoken Word, Project VOICE, arts, arts access, Def Poetry Jam, Poetry Slam, National Poetry Slam, podcast, Serenbe Stories  The new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay! Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.

For more than 20 years, Serenbe has been a place where nature, the arts, and community come together. This season, we’re sitting down with people who have made a lasting impact on Serenbe, from artists, chefs, and authors to business owners, longtime residents, and community leaders. We’ll hear the stories behind the people who have helped make Serenbe what it is today and explore the ideas, experiences, and connections that continue to shape this special place. If you’re new to Serenbe Stories, you can catch up on the first 13 seasons wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts Thanks for listening. The new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay! Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.

Biophilic Solutions is a podcast all about the connection between humans and nature. In this episode, host Monica Olsen is joined by guest co-host Steve Nygren and climate activist Dr. Katharine Wilkinson to explore what it means to move from climate anxiety to action, the importance of community in times of uncertainty, and the power of intergenerational collaboration in shaping a more hopeful future. Katharine is an acclaimed writer, teacher, and thought leader who has helped shape the modern climate movement. She’s the author of the new book Climate Wayfinding: Healing Ourselves and the Planet We Call Home, co-editor of bestselling anthology All We Can Save, host of the podcast A Matter of Degrees, and a contributor to the New York Times bestseller Drawdown. Through her work, Katharine has inspired countless people to engage more deeply and meaningfully with the climate conversation. In Climate Wayfinding, available now,  she offers a powerful and hopeful framework for navigating climate emotions, guiding us from despair to possibility and from disconnection to purpose. The book weaves together personal stories, insights from climate leaders, and the grounding, necessary beauty of poetry and art. Show Notes Climate Wayfinding: Healing Ourselves and the Planet We Call HomeClimate Wayfinding WebsiteAll We Can Save: Truth, Courage and Solutions for the Climate CrisisDrawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common SenseSteve Nygren on SubstackBiophilic Solutions The new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay! Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.

Jaimee Seabury of GreenRow joins Serenbe Stories to talk design, sustainability, and the transformation of one of Serenbe’s most beloved spaces. In this episode, Jaimee shares her path in the design world, from working with iconic lifestyle brands to helping shape GreenRow, Williams-Sonoma’s sustainable home brand built around the idea that beautiful spaces can also be thoughtfully made. The conversation also explores Jaimee’s longtime connection to Serenbe, which began years before this collaboration came to life, and how that relationship naturally led to GreenRow’s reimagining of The Inn at Serenbe’s iconic Lake House. From the inspiration behind the wallpapers, textures, and layered interiors to the bigger role design plays in how we gather, unwind, and connect, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at a partnership rooted in shared values, intentional living, and a deep appreciation for place. Williams-Sonoma GreenRow GreenRow x Serenbe The Inn at Serenbe GreenRow, GreenRow x Serenbe, The Inn at Serenbe, Lake House at Serenbe, sustainable interior design, sustainable home design, Williams-Sonoma GreenRow, eco-friendly home decor, boutique hotel design, hospitality design, biophilic design, intentional living, sustainable lifestyle brand, interior design podcast, home decor inspiration, vintage-inspired interiors, nature-inspired design, luxury sustainable interiors, thoughtful home design, design collaboration, Serenbe lifestyle The new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay! Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.

Tia Morrill and Jose Nava are the creative duo behind Levie, a boutique branding and design agency known for blending storytelling, design, and placemaking for global clients. But their Serenbe story began long before they ever called it home, nearly a decade ago, when they first discovered the community on CBS Sunday Morning and couldn’t quite shake the impression it left. At the time, they were building a life in Miami, growing their business, raising their daughter Lola, and immersed in the pace of city life. But after years of long commutes, a growing family, and a shift in what they wanted daily life to feel like, that early spark resurfaced. A spontaneous stop in Serenbe during a holiday road trip changed everything, especially when Lola took one look around and declared, “I love it here. I feel so free.” In this episode of Serenbe Stories, Tia and Jose share the journey that brought them here, how they built a business with the freedom to choose a different kind of life, and how that same creative spirit led to the opening of Levie Merci, their thoughtfully curated lifestyle boutique in Mado. From design and entrepreneurship to family life and finding freedom in unexpected places, this conversation is a warm, inspiring look at creating a life that feels intentionally your own. Serenbe Featured on CBS This Sunday Morning Levie Levie Merci  Moving to Serenbe, Creative Entrepreneurs, Intentional Living, Levie Merci, Family Relocation, Atlanta Lifestyle, Serenbe Community The new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay! Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina is a dermatologist and entrepreneur whose approach to skin health blends clinical expertise with a broader, lifestyle-driven perspective. After years of building a successful, procedure-focused practice in Midtown Atlanta, her connection to Serenbe, first through weekend visits with her family, gradually inspired a shift toward a more intentional way of living and working. On this episode of Serenbe Stories, Steve and Monica sit down with Dr. Mina to talk about that evolution and the opening of The Skin Real, her more intimate, relationship-driven practice in Serenbe. Designed around time, attention, and a holistic view of skin health, The Skin Real creates space for deeper conversations about everything from stress and environment to aging and personal goals. The conversation also explores the realities behind skincare trends and why the most effective care often goes beyond products, shaped instead by how we live every day. The Skin Real The Skin Real Serenbe Dermatologist, Holistic Skincare, Skin Health, The Skin Real, Integrative Dermatology, Personalized Skincare, Skincare Trends, Aging Skin, Lifestyle and Skin Health, Wellness Community, Atlanta Dermatologist, Mindful Living, Biophilic Living, Stress and Skin, Skin Care Routine, Natural Skincare Approach, Preventative Skincare, Healthy Aging The new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay! Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.

From Maryland’s Eastern Shore to Serenbe, Darby Pollock’s story is about finding the balance between wide-open space and true community. After one visit in early 2020, she and her family made the move, drawn to a place where nature, connection, and everyday life come together. Today, Darby is the force behind Soul Barn at Serenbe, a reimagined equestrian space that goes far beyond riding. What was once a traditional stable is now a dynamic hub for both horses and humans, offering everything from groundwork and riding to meditation and sound baths, all rooted in connection and care. Darby’s path didn’t start in the horse world. She came to it as an adult, searching for a more thoughtful, humane experience for her daughter, while also navigating her own journey with anxiety. Through natural horsemanship, she discovered something deeper: a practice that requires presence, honesty, and emotional awareness, and in turn, offers powerful insight back. In this episode, Steve and Monica sit down with Darby to explain how horses can become mirrors for self-awareness, the evolution of the Serenbe stables into Soul Barn, and what it really looks like to build a life rooted in authenticity, connection, and intention. Soul Barn at Serenbe Serenbe Stables Peter Block Architects Soul Barn at Serenbe, Biophilic Living, Natural Horsemanship, Equine Therapy, Horse Healing, Mindfulness With Horses, Anxiety and Healing, Wellness Community, Atlanta Wellness, Chattahoochee Hills, Walkable Community, Intentional Living, Sustainable Living, Farm Community, Equestrian Lifestyle, Meditation and Sound Baths, Holistic Wellness, Moving to Serenbe, Life in Serenbe, Community Living, Nature-Based Living, Personal Growth, Emotional Awareness, Horse-Human Connection The new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay! Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.

From global finance to Serenbe’s creative scene, Gary Cassis is redefining what semi-retirement can look like. A native New Yorker with a lifelong love of jazz, Gary spent years building a career in banking and international finance that took him across the world, all while his passion for music and the arts quietly stayed with him. Now at Serenbe, that passion has come full circle. In this episode, Garnie and Monica sit down with Gary to talk about how he’s turned this chapter into something entirely new, not by slowing down, but by leaning in. Through his work with the Art Farm, serving on the board, chairing the music council, and launching a new podcast to capture the stories of visiting artists, he’s helping shape a cultural landscape where world-class art is woven into everyday life. We talk about rediscovery, creative purpose, and what it means to stay engaged, not just with your own passions, but with the community around you. It’s a look at how Serenbe makes space for art, connection, and the kind of moments you don’t have to travel for, they’re right here, often found on an ordinary Sunday afternoon. Show Notes Art Farm at Serenbe  Art Farm Music Council Art Farm at Serenbe, Chattahoochee Hills, Jazz Music, Creative Community, Artist Stories, Music Council, Arts Leadership, Semi-Retirement Lifestyle, Purpose After Retirement, Creative Living, Serenbe Lifestyle, Cultural Programming, Live Music, Arts in Atlanta, Community and Creativity The new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay! Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.

Long before she ever set foot in Serenbe, Brandi Whitney knew it as a place where farm-to-table wasn’t just a trend, but a way of life. After years spent in culinary school, working in kitchens, and building her own restaurant, her focus began to shift, pulling her beyond the plate and toward the source itself. That curiosity grew into a deeper calling to work the land, connect with the soil, and play a more hands-on role in feeding her community. When the opportunity to join Serenbe Farms came along, it felt like a natural next step, one that brought everything full circle. Now, as Farm Manager, Brandi leads the growing, harvesting, and day-to-day rhythm of Serenbe Farms, while helping strengthen the connection between the land and the people it nourishes. Alongside Serenbe’s HOA Manager, Amy Peterson, this conversation explores the power of knowing where your food comes from, from the benefits of getting your hands in the dirt to why joining a CSA can change the way you eat, cook, and live. Serenbe Farms Farm-to-Table Serenbe HOA CSA Organic Produce, Farm-to-Table, Serenbe, Serenbe Farms, Community Supported Agriculture, local food, sustainable farming, regenerative agriculture, seasonal eating The new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay! Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.

Christina Trifero didn’t exactly plan her way to Serenbe, she followed a feeling she couldn’t ignore. After years working in the fast-paced startup worlds of San Francisco and New York, something started to shift. So she made a bold decision: she sold everything and went looking for a life that felt more aligned, more grounded, and more connected to herself. That search led her to Serenbe, and after just one visit, she knew she had found it. In this episode, we sit down with Christina to talk about that leap, from working with companies like Yelp and Asana to becoming an intuitive guide and psychic medium. She shares what it was like to trust her instincts, move through skepticism, and step fully into work that helps others reconnect with their own inner voice. We also get into the balance between logic and intuition, the growing interest in mindfulness and energy, and how living in Serenbe has shaped her perspective in a real, everyday way. And of course, we end on a note that feels very Serenbe, a live tarot reading that brings it all back to curiosity, reflection, and a little bit of wonder. Show Notes  Spiritual Curiosity with Christina Trifero  Follow Christina on Instagram Hills & Hamlets Yelp Asana Intuition, Christina Trifero, Serenbe, Personal Transformation, Mindfulness, Spiritual Growth, Career Pivot, Psychic Medium, Intentional Living, Following Your Intuition The new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay! Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.

In Serenbe, we often joke about raising “free-range kids”, but it speaks to something real: a childhood shaped by time outdoors, independence, and a close-knit community. When The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt was released last year, it prompted a national conversation around screen time and youth mental health. Many parents here in Serenbe started to take a more intentional look at how their children engage with technology. What began as a series of conversations evolved into the Let Them Roam pledge, a shared commitment to delay smartphones until age 14 and social media until 16. Grounded in the idea that collective action makes individual choices more sustainable, the pledge reflects a growing desire to preserve space for a slower, more connected childhood. In this episode, Monica and Garnie are joined by digital parenting expert Sarah Trombley and Serenbe parent Christen Hadfield. Together, they explore how the pledge came to life, the nuances of parenting in a digital age, and the importance of approaching it all with thoughtfulness and grace. It’s a conversation about balance, community, and the role the environment can play in shaping how kids grow up. Show Notes The Anxious Generation Jonathan Haidt Terra School Snapchat Digital Mom Media Let Them Roam, Serenbe, Free-Range Kids, Intentional Parenting, Digital Parenting, Screen Time, Social Media, Youth Mental Health, The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt, Sarah Trombley, Digital Mom Media, Terra School, Community, Collective Action, Childhood Development, Parenting in the Digital Age, Family Values, Raising Kids Outdoors The new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay! Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.

In 2002, before Serenbe had a name or a plan, Tim and Lindsey Mosby came down for a weekend at Steve and Marie Nygren’s bed-and-breakfast and never quite left it behind. Living in Candler Park at the time, they were drawn to the slower pace, took a leap on eight acres at a blind auction, and became part of Serenbe in its earliest, most unformed days. In this episode of Serenbe Stories, we sit down with Tim and Lindsey to reflect on those early years, Taco Tuesdays at the Daisy, art classes in a barn, and a community that felt as creative as it was connected. After years away in Austin and Amsterdam, they’ve returned full-time, offering a rare perspective on how much has changed and what’s remained the same. Show Notes Ryan GaineyLow Road StudioBlue Eyed DaisySerenbe, Chattahoochee Hills, Intentional Living, Creative Community, Biophilic Living, Community Building, Atlanta to Countryside, Returning Home, Serenbe History The new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay! Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.

Serenbe is often described as a place that feels different the moment you arrive. Last spring, the community marked 20 years since its groundbreaking, when that first shovel hit the ground and vision started to become reality. We celebrated with a big resident party – and it felt exactly the way a Serenbe party should: outside in nature on our Grange Green, live music in the air, kids running around, and conversations happening everywhere you turn. It was one of those beautiful afternoons that reminds you why Serenbe exists in the first place. And while everyone was gathering, we set up our audio equipment and started asking residents a handful of questions about planting roots here. What we got in return wasn’t just a collection of questions and answers; it was a collection of stories as unique as the people who call this special place home.  Show Notes Serenbe Events CalendarSerenbe Real EstateStart In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where We Live with Radical Common Sense by Steve NygrenStart In Your Own Backyard Podcast Serenbe on SubstackKey words: nature, community, biophilia, biophilic design, community building, development, sustainable development, placemaking, architecture, lifestyle, wellness  The new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay! Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.

,Season 13 of Serenbe Stories premieres Monday, March 16th. Over and over again, we hear the same thing: there's just something different about Serenbe. Is it the thoughtfully designed streets, the miles of trails and protected forests, the fact that you can walk to dinner or to yoga or to the weekly farmer's market? Sure, those things are certainly part of the magic. But if we're being honest, what really makes Serenbe special is the people who choose to live and work here, investing their energy and creativity into the community. Catch up on the first 12 seasons of Serenbe Stories wherever you get your podcasts. And mark your calendars to join us Monday, March 16th for a brand new season filled with more stories of creativity, connection, and impact. Subscribe and follow so you never miss an episode.  The new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay! Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.

In this final episode of the Start In Your Own Backyard mini-series, Steve Nygren reflects on the journey of building Serenbe. What started out as an unlikely idea, sparked in a moment of fear and panic is now a living, breathing community where nature and people are woven back together. You’ll hear from neighbors like Gil Mathis, who traded a corporate finance career for a more authentic life rooted in connection, and Gigi Wilborne, an artist and entrepreneur who has poured her creativity into nearly every corner of Serenbe. You’ll also meet Price Bell, whose visits to Serenbe inspired him to spark change in his own hometown. Together, their stories remind us that change doesn’t always start with grand plans. Instead, it begins in backyards, on front porches, and in everyday choices that ripple outward to transform lives. As we close this series, we return to the bigger lesson running beneath it all: you don’t need to wait for permission to imagine a better way of living. Wherever you are, the spark of possibility is already in your hands. Sometimes all it takes is the courage to begin. Show Notes Pre-Order Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Steve NygrenStart In Your Own Backyard SubstackLearn more about SerenbeSerenbe Stories Podcast Keywords: Serenbe, community building, placemaking, biophilic design, sustainable living, connection to nature, intentional communities, local food, community gardens, shared meals, walkability, small sparks of change, starting in your own backyard, radical common sense, meaningful change, authentic living, neighborhood design, creativity, wellness, joy, beauty, possibility, better way of living The new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay! Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.