Serenbe Stories
A podcast for those seeking stories about having an impact and building a better life. From the original Serenbe story of how Founder Steve Nygren and his family discovered and developed the land that is now the leading wellness community, to stories featuring many of the people that inspired, encouraged and influenced how Serenbe was created. Steve Nygren and host Monica Olsen talk about how we resist or ignore issues out of fear vs. discovering common sense solutions and discuss the biophilic connection to nature and each other that is vitally important for individual and community wellness. Join us as we tell the story of Serenbe and interview friends, residents and leaders from around the world who are doing the essential work to build and grow thel biophilic movement.
Episodes
127 episodes
BONUS: How Austin L. Ray is Fixing Atlanta from Biophilic Solutions Podcast
Today we have a special bonus episode from the Biophilic Solutions podcast. Monica catches up with Atlanta writer Austin L. Ray to discuss “How I’d Fix Atlanta,” his fantastic essay series he publishes featuring local writers sharing how ...
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Season 10
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Episode 10
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33:54
Keeping Up with Collin & Sydney Jones
Over 6 years ago, Collin and Sydney Jones moved with their two young boys from Roswell, Georgia. It was a surprise weekend away for Collin that turned into a home purchase 9 days later. During that weekend, they happened upon a party at the Gra...
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Season 10
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Episode 9
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38:50
Artivism: Inspiring Change Through Creativity with Artist Nikkolas Smith
Nikkolas Smith is an artist Artivist and illustrator widely known for his distinctive style and emphasis on social justice issues. He is the illustrator of multiple children’s picture books, The 1619 Project:
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Season 10
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Episode 8
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24:52
A Permanent Pollinator Habitat in Serenbe’s Wildflower Meadow
This week, we’re talking about a very exciting new endeavor here at Serenbe: the Wildflower Meadow Restoration Project. Over the next 18 months, the iconic meadow connecting the Inn at Serenbe to the wider community is set to undergo an incredi...
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Season 10
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Episode 7
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28:52
How Jetset World Travel’s Lindsey Epperly Sulek Found Home in Serenbe
Lindsey Epperly Sulek and her husband Jeremy first visited Serenbe in March 2022, tagging along with a pair of friends who were interested in a possible move. Of course, Jeremy and Lindsey (who had no plans to move) ended up here instead. Linds...
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Season 10
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Episode 6
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28:19
All Things Nerdy with Super Geek Trivia’s Abe Grier
It’s safe to say that if you’re a regular Serenbe Stories listener, you’ve heard many guests mention Halsa’s now-legendary trivia Thursdays.Trivia at Halsa is highly competitive, with regular teams like Rushmore, Crushmore, Slushmore, and the S...
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Season 10
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Episode 5
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42:07
Hollywood to Serenbe: Finding Magic in Community with Randy Zisk
A few years ago, television producer, writer, and director Randy Zisk and his family moved from Malibu California to the East Coast. After a brief stint in Decatur, they discovered Serenbe and were instantly drawn in by the distinctive architec...
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Season 10
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Episode 4
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24:45
Beauty, Serenity, and a Place to Plant Roots with Sheri Salata
Sheri Salata was living in Napa Valley with no plans to move when a Serenbe resident just so happened to send her a link to the website, thinking it would be the perfect place to lead a retreat. After reading about Serenbe’s commitment to natur...
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Season 10
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Episode 3
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30:04
For Edgar Guillory, Hospitality is Everything
Even though Edgar Guillory has worked for the Inn at Serenbe for less than two years, it’s almost impossible to imagine a time before him. As Director of Guest Experience, Edgar kickstarted The Inn’s concierge program, bringing an already high ...
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Season 10
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Episode 2
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26:23
20 Years of Community with Steve Nygren
As we kick off the 10th season of this podcast, Serenbe is hitting a major milestone - 2024 marks 20 years since Serenbe’s groundbreaking, when the very first homes were being built and the first residents were taking a chance on a very new and...
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Season 10
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Episode 1
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39:21
Introducing Season 10 of Serenbe Stories
Serenbe Stories will be back on Monday, March 18th for our milestone TENTH season and we couldn’t be more excited. In this upcoming season, we’re sharing more stories about the people that make Serenbe such a lively, interesting, and dyna...
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Season 10
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Episode 0
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1:02
Embracing Wellness and All Things Serenbe with Frank & Christine Egan
Serenbe had been on Frank and Christine Egan’s radar for years before they eventually uprooted their busy lives on Long Island and moved all the way down to rural Georgia. However, when you hear their full story, it’s not all that surprising th...
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Season 9
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Episode 10
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35:34
The Calm Force Behind the Inn & Farmhouse w/ Juliann West
Juliann West first heard about Serenbe in 2014 when her brother and sister-in-law tried convincing her to move here; however, at the time, she didn’t think she would ever leave her adopted home of Seattle or the Pacific Northwest. Flash forward...
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Season 9
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Episode 9
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23:42
George Cohen’s Road to Recovery & Serenbe
George Cohen was just starting out in the mortgage business in 2013 when a family friend connected him with Serenbe Real Estate. However, his journey to becoming a full-fledged resident didn't happen overnight. It was a few years later, after o...
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Season 9
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Episode 8
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24:10
Intergenerational Living & Aging in Place w/ Steve Ngyren
On this week’s episode of Serenbe Stories, we’re sharing an interview that Steve Nygren gave on the Glowing Older podcast, alongside their host Nancy Griffin. Serenbe has big plans to break ground on a state of the art aging-in-place camp...
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Season 9
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Episode 7
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19:59
Changing Careers & Changing Your Life with Serenbe CFO Gil Mathis
Serenbe’s HR Director Stephanie Coyne is BACK for her first official Serenbe Stories takeover, where we’re putting the spotlight on our amazing employees. In today’s episode, Stephanie is catching up with Serenbe’s CFO Gil Mathis, who lives and...
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Season 9
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Episode 6
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36:47
Kids, Dogs, & Designing A Life-Well Lived with Vern Yip
You might recognize today’s guest, Vern Yip, from shows like Trading Spaces, HGTV’s Design Star, and Deserving Design. He also runs his own design studio in Atlanta, designs a line of dog and kid-friendly furniture, has published multiple books...
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Season 9
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Episode 5
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35:38
Unveiling Serenbe’s Thin Places with Dr. Phill Tabb
If you’ve listened to Serenbe Stories for a while, then our guest today, Phill Tabb, will need no introduction. For those who need a refresher, Phill Tabb is Professor Emeritus of Architecture at Texas A&M University and has been involved w...
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Season 9
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Episode 4
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33:40
Birds, Bugs, and the Serenity of Nature with Giff Beaton
Giff Beaton and Allie Kelly moved to Serenbe from Atlanta six years ago, motivated by a desire to raise their twin boys closer to nature and to escape the city’s urban sprawl. By day, Giff works as a Delta pilot - but he is also an accomplished...
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Season 9
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Episode 3
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34:41
Capturing Serenbe with Installation Photographer Thomas Jackson
Thomas Jackson is an environmental artist and photographer known for his abstract photographs that combine landscapes, sculpture, and kinetic art. Last Spring, he installed and photographed three incredible pieces in Serenbe during an artist re...
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Season 9
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Episode 2
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30:30
Step Inside Serenbe’s Annual Designer Showhouse with Elizabeth Ralls & Lauren Iverson
Since 2014, Serenbe has partnered with Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine for our annual designer Showhouse. Every year, a selection of Atlanta’s top interior designers take over a new home within the community and we open up the space for...
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Season 9
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Episode 1
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31:56
Introducing Season 9 of Serenbe Stories
Serenbe Stories will be back for its 9th Season on Monday, September 18th! This season, we’re continuing to explore the people and places that make Serenbe such a dynamic and thriving community. Tune in for a behind the scenes look at our 10th ...
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Season 9
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Episode 0
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1:13
BONUS: Building the Serenbe Brand with Monica Olsen & Garnie Nygren
In this special bonus episode of Serenbe Stories, Garnie Nygren and Monica Olsen sit down with marketing expert Tony Triumph for a conversation all about building the Serenbe brand. Tony is the founder and CEO of the Triumphant Group, a New Yor...
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Season 8
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Episode 11
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58:56
Love Where You Work with Stephanie Coyne & Amy Peterson
For the final episode of Season 8, Steve and Monica are turning the mics over to two of Serenbe’s amazing team members, HR Director Stephanie Coyne and Director of Community Operations Amy Peterson. Hear from Stephanie and Amy as they give list...
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Season 8
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Episode 10
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34:39
Building Genuine Connection & Stewarding Healthy Growth with Anne & Walter Henegar
Anne and Walter Henegar started making regular visits to Serenbe in 2008 and purchased their Mado townhome ten years later, becoming beloved part-time residents. So beloved, in fact, that many neighbors don’t even realize that they aren’t here ...
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Season 8
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Episode 9
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30:53