Col. Mark Mykleby: How Sustainable Solutions Drive Economic Growth

You might not see the connection between biophilic design and national security, but today's guest outlines how communities like Serenbe are imperative in our global defense strategy. We're excited for you to hear Monica Olsen and Steve Nygren's conversation with Colonel Mark "Puck" Mykleby.

Puck talks about meeting Phyllis Bleiweis and coming to Serenbe, where he bonded with Steve Nygren over biophilia and pushed for the establishment of the Biophilic Institute. Puck also talks about the economics of sustainability and how his company, Long Haul Capital Group, is putting dollars toward propelling walkable communities. As he says, our smart growth at home can become our smart power abroad.

Definitions, People + Organizations Mentioned

Serenbe Fellows

Phyllis Bleiweis

Congress for New Urbanism 

Special Operations Command at the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Admiral Michael Glenn Mullen 

Captain Wayne Porter - The National Strategic Narrative

Congresswoman Jane Harman 

National Security Act of 1947 

Department of Defense

Central Intelligence Agency

George Frost Kennan

Biophilic Institute

Alexis de Tocqueville 

The New Grand Strategy

Charles Darwin's Survival of the Fittess

The New America Foundation 

Case Western Reserve University 

The New Grand Strategy 

Adam Smith

Long Haul Capital Group

Oregon Museum of Science & Industry 

Water in Flint, Michigan

Rodale Institute's SE Research Center

Children & Nature Network

David W. Orr

Mayor Bill Peduto 

Greta Thunberg TIME's Person of the Year 2019

Serenbe Stories is a podcast about making an impact, building a better life, and the extraordinary power of nature and community. Follow Serenbe on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and