Serenbe Stories

Serenbe Media Network
  • 4.9 (72)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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.

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

    1D AGO

    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.

    29 min
  2. From Stable to Sanctuary with Darby Pollock

    APR 27

    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.

    35 min
  3. Gary Cassis on Jazz, Community & A New Creative Chapter

    APR 20

    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.

    32 min
  4. Growing a Local Food System with Brandi Whitney

    APR 13

    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.

    32 min
  5. Spiritually Curious: Intuition, Energy, and Serenbe with Christina Trifero

    APR 6

    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.

    53 min
  6. Let Them Roam: Serenbe Parents Choose Another Way

    MAR 30

    Let Them Roam: Serenbe Parents Choose Another Way

    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.

    48 min
  7. The Spirit of Early Serenbe with Tim & Lindsey Mosby

    MAR 23

    The Spirit of Early Serenbe with Tim & Lindsey Mosby

    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.

    46 min
  8. Serenbe at 20: Voices from the Community

    MAR 16

    Serenbe at 20: Voices from the Community

    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.

    13 min
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4.9
out of 5
72 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Serenbe Media Network
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    165
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Serenbe Stories
  • Show Website
    Serenbe Stories

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