Serenbe Stories

Hosted by Serenbe Media Network

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Episodes

168

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Serenbe Stories is a podcast about making an impact, building a better life, and the extraordinary power of nature and community. Hear from founder Steve Nygren about Serenbe’s unlikely origins and from the many residents, artists, environmentalists, and thought leaders who have influenced the community’s development over the years. Join us as we share stories and conversations that capture the essence of this extraordinary place.

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60 recent

October 12, 2026Episode 149 min

Building A World Through Words with Spoken Word Poet Sarah Kay

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 Serenbe Sarah Kay Project VOICE Anis 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.

October 12, 20263 min

Introducing Season 14 of Serenbe Stories

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.

May 25, 2026Episode 1138 min

BONUS | From Biophilic Solutions: Steve Nygren & Katharine Wilkinson on Navigating Climate Emotions

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 Home Climate Wayfinding Website All We Can Save: Truth, Courage and Solutions for the Climate Crisis Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense Steve Nygren on Substack Biophilic 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.

May 18, 2026Episode 1025 min

Jaimee Seabury Takes Us Inside the GreenRow Lake House

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.

May 11, 2026Episode 951 min

Style, Storytelling, and Life in Serenbe with Tia Morill & Jose Nava

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.

May 4, 2026Episode 828 min

Beyond Skin Deep: Rethinking Care & Dermatology with Dr. Mary Alice Mina

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.

April 27, 2026Episode 735 min

From Stable to Sanctuary with Darby Pollock

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.

April 20, 2026Episode 632 min

Gary Cassis on Jazz, Community & A New Creative Chapter

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.

April 13, 2026Episode 532 min

Growing a Local Food System with Brandi Whitney

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.

April 6, 2026Episode 452 min

Spiritually Curious: Intuition, Energy, and Serenbe with Christina Trifero

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.