119 episodes

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.

Serenbe Stories Serenbe Media Network

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 69 Ratings

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.

    For Edgar Guillory, Hospitality is Everything

    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 standard of service to an entirely new level of hospitality. In fact, he is so overwhelmingly popular with our guests that he’s mentioned by name in pages of online reviews - including the reviews generated by AI. 
    For this interview, HR Director Stephanie Coyne is back to chat with Edgar about learning the hospitality ropes (occasionally the hard way) in his native Mexico, why he almost ignored Serenbe’s first attempt to reach him, and his personal philosophy for exceptional customer service. 
    Shownotes 
    Serenbe EventsThe Inn at SerenbeInn at Serenbe PackagesBamboo JuicesThe Hill at SerenbeThe Farmhouse at SerenbeThe Inn at Serenbe on Tripadvisor Key Words: Hospitality, Customer Service, Concierge, Inn at Serenbe, Serenbe, Boutique Hotel 

    • 26 min
    20 Years of Community with Steve Nygren

    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 evolving type of neighborhood development. In this episode, Monica and Steve take a trip down memory lane, discussing what the world looked like in 2004, the earliest days of the green building movement, and some of the major milestones that influenced Serenbe’s path forward. We also discuss the way the community itself has evolved over the years - and what the next 20 years have in store. 
    Shownotes
    Serenbe EventsRay C. Anderson FoundationLast Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard LouvChattahoochee RiverLandsFlight Path: A Search for Roots Underneath the World’s Busiest Airport by Hannah PalmerRodale InstituteAmerican Farmland TrustThe Conservation FundWritten Testimony of Steve Nygren, Founder & CEO of Serenbe, Submitted to the Committee on Agriculture, U.S. House of RepresentativesSerenbe plans innovative senior living center (Axios)

    • 39 min
    Introducing Season 10 of Serenbe Stories

    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 dynamic community. Hear from Steve Nygren about how Serenbe has grown in the 20 years since breaking ground, from residents who have uprooted their busy lives to move here and slow down, visiting artists who enrich our everyday experiences, and so much more. 
    You can catch up on the first 9 seasons of Serenbe Stories anywhere you listen to podcasts and be sure to join us on Monday, March 18th, as we kickoff Season 10. Subscribe and follow so you never miss an episode. Thanks for listening to Serenbe Stories. 

    • 1 min
    Embracing Wellness and All Things Serenbe with Frank & Christine Egan

    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 that this is where they landed. In addition to running a successful orthodontics practice, Frank and Christine have been longtime advocates for local food, sustainable living, and a balanced approach to wellness that includes lots of time spent outdoors. 
    In this episode, we chat about Dr. Frank’s new orthodontics practice in Mado, Christine’s inspiring approach to health and wellness, and the way that they’ve embraced all things Serenbe. 


    Show Notes
    Orthodontics at SerenbeThe Healthy Girl’s Guide to Breast CancerRedefining HealthySerenbe Real Estate Community Supported Agriculture (Life at Serenbe blog)She’s Training for a Giant Climb Whether It Happens or Not (Wall Street Journal)Key Words: Health, Wellness, Local Food, Organic Agriculture, Local Farm, Eat Local, Breast Cancer, Cancer Survivor, Sustainable Living, Sustainability, Solar Energy, Geothermal, Biophilia, Biophilic Design, Nature Based, Hiking, Trails, Orthodontist, Orthodontics 

    • 35 min
    The Calm Force Behind the Inn & Farmhouse w/ Juliann West

    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 to 2018 and Juliann found herself back in Serenbe’s orbit, this time as the newly appointed General Manager at the Inn and Farmhouse, a demanding role that she handles with incredible calmness and composure. In fact, it’s not uncommon to hear “Juliann is the best” multiple times a day from multiple departments around Serenbe. 
    This week, Stephanie Coyne is back to chat with Juliann about her approach to team building, her calm, cool, and collected demeanor, and the type of employee that tends to thrive in Serenbe. 
    Show Notes
    The Inn at SerenbeThe Farmhouse at SerenbeSerenbe Events Calendar 

    Key Words: Serenbe, Hospitality, Hospitality Industry, Food & Beverage, Pacific Northwest, Community, Biophilia, Biophilic Design 

    • 23 min
    George Cohen’s Road to Recovery & Serenbe

    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 overcoming personal challenges and embracing sobriety, that George immediately connected with key members of the community who played a pivotal role on his road to recovery. 
    In the years since, it’s safe to say that George has become so much more than Serenbe Real Estate’s preferred lender. He’s a staple of the community, who you’re likely to bump into when he’s out walking the dog, co-captaining one of our sports leagues, or playing guitar in everyone’s favorite local band. And in true Serenbe fashion, George and his wife Katrina have moved homes multiple times within the community.  In this episode, we’re joined once again by guest co-host Micah Adler to explore George’s path to Serenbe, unveil the origin stories of nicknames like El Toro and Dickie Robes, and hear why he loves working with new clients who are so excited to move here. 
    Show Notes
    George Cohen AVP, Senior Mortgage ConsultantSerenbe Events CalendarThe HillSuper Geek Trivia

    Key Words: Mortgage, Mortgage Lender, Sober, Sobriety, Recovery, Athletics, Community Sports, Band, Local Band, Guitar, Serenbe, Serenbe Real Estate, Community, Biophilia 

    • 24 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
69 Ratings

69 Ratings

EdwardsbcATL ,

Exceptionally executed share of community origin stories

Monica does a great job of facilitating interesting and meaningful conversations about the individuals living in the community of Serenbe. Each share reveals how each individual uniquely pursues growth and caters that shape Serenbe, Atlanta, and Georgia. It’s a fun listen!

missydavis1 ,

Outstanding!

I love learning this history behind this amazing community.

Vanessa231 ,

Tremendously inspiring but also politically polarizing

Steve Nygren has created nothing less than a masterpiece with Serenbe. Interviews with Nygren at the beginning of the podcast are fascinating and tremendously inspiring. What he has accomplished is so important to society and the world that it should not become the property of one political side, which is how it ends up seeming — not due to Nygren himself or his collaborators but because of buzzwords, comments, and jokes about politics made by one-sided hosts and selected left-leaning guests. The environment is a human issue, not a political one. “Inclusive” should mean everybody. Reference the Rich Rolls interview of John and Molly Chester of The Biggest Little Farm. Listen to what John Chester says at the end. If we don’t stop polarizing the issue of the environment, we are not going to be able to save it.

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