Serenbe Stories

Jack Kidd first heard about Serenbe as a movie-obsessed teenager growing up in Peachtree City—and from the first moment he visited, he knew this was a place where he wanted to spend more time. Fast forward a decade, and Jack is now on his third role in the community: he’s worked as a host at The Hill, in Guest Services at The Inn, and now he’s the Office Manager for Serenbe Real Estate. Unofficially, he’s also Serenbe’s most in-demand pet sitter, with a schedule so full that he practically lives here all summer. Oh, and did we mention he’s also a published author? Jack’s book, Seasons, is currently celebrating its one-year anniversary.In this episode of Serenbe Stories, Jack joins HR Director Stephanie Coyne for a conversation about working and playing in Serenbe—his favorite things to do, his go-to cocktail, and even which neighbor has the best-stocked pantry.Show Notes:Serenbe Real EstateSeasons by Jack KiddSerenbe Trail RidingSerenbe Events CalendarLifelong Friends and Sustainable Living with Stephanie Walsh & Brandon Blanchard (Serenbe Stories)How Tik Tok Led Lisa & Jim Challenger to Serenbe (Serenbe Stories)The Inn at SerenbeThe Hill at Serenbe Keywords: Serenbe, community, travel, career, pets, culture shock, horseback riding, trail riding, Seasons, author, writing, real estate, community, restaurants, cocktailsThe 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. 

A strong local food system isn’t just about what’s on our plates—it’s about fostering resilient communities and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. This belief has always been at the heart of Steve Nygren’s vision for Serenbe and the surrounding community of Chattahoochee Hills. And now, Lily Baucom is helping shape the next chapter.As the Executive Director of the Georgia Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture and a board member of the Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy, Lily is deeply invested in the future of local farming. Last year, she authored a comprehensive food system analysis for the city, highlighting both the region’s rich agricultural legacy as well as key areas for growth like expanding access to nutritious food, maximizing land use, and strengthening distribution infrastructureIn this episode of the Serenbe Stories podcast, Steve and Monica sit down with Lily to explore the vital role agriculture plays in our communities, the challenges and opportunities facing the next generation of farmers, and why a thriving local food system depends on the engagement of us all.Show NotesChattahoochee Hill Country ConservancyThe Conservation Fund’s Working Farms FundThe Common MarketCottage Food | GA Department of AgricultureSmyly Farms Online StoreThe Good Place FarmBlue Heron Urban Farms and SanctuaryThe Deer Creek FarmRodale InstituteMinro StudioSerenbe FarmsSerenbe EventsKeywords: Serenbe, agriculture, Georgia, young farmers, community, sustainability, environmental issues, farming infrastructure, local food, Chattahoochee Hills, local agriculture, farmers marketThe 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. 

Marilyn Specht grew up in Atlanta and always kind of knew of Serenbe, but it wasn’t until years later that she saw it as more than just a weekend retreat. During a weeklong visit – while her oldest child attended Camp Serenbe – Marilyn and her husband were completely drawn in by peaceful walks through the woods and idyllic evenings picking blueberries by the green. Two months after that visit, the Specht family had made Serenbe their home. But Marilyn’s connection to Serenbe goes way beyond just living here—her role as Director of Sustainability Integration at Smithgroup means she’s deeply in tune with the thoughtful planning and eco-focus that make this place so special. In this episode, Steve and Monica chat with Marilyn about how Serenbe’s commitment to sustainability aligns with her professional work, why this model of development is so compelling, and what she’s learned about community and connection a year and a half since making the move.Show NotesSerenbe EventsBiophilic Leadership SummitCamp SerenbeSmithGroup ArchitectsTrust for Public LandKey Words: Serenbe, community, sustainability, environmental impact, personal journey, culinary experiences, water rights, family life, outdoor activities, connectionThe 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. 

Elaine Dinos and her family first found Serenbe all the way back in 2011, when they started coming down for events and weekend trips while living in Atlanta. However, it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that things really shifted – and what started out as another brief getaway turned into a life-changing, transformative experience. Within just a couple of days, Elaine and her husband Shep enrolled their kids in school and made an offer on a house. And even though they kept second-guessing themselves, their hearts knew this was the place they needed to be.In this episode of Serenbe Stories, Elaine shares how Serenbe’s unique sense of community, connection to nature, and intentional way of living drew her in—and how it continues to shape her work as the founder of Kindred Lane, a purpose-driven leadership and impact company.Show NotesKindred LaneThe Biophilic Leadership SummitAll Serenbe EventsLast Child in the Woods by Richard LouvChildren & Nature NetworkThe 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. 

Get ready, we’re coming back — Season 12 of Serenbe Stories premieres Monday, March 10th.This season, we’re exploring what makes Serenbe truly extraordinary: the people. What is it really like to live here? What sets Serenbe apart from ordinary developments? From passionate residents and  business owners to groundbreaking artists and changemakers, we’re taking you behind the scenes to share their inspiring stories.Catch up on the first 11 seasons wherever you get your podcasts, and join us on Monday, March 10th for a brand-new season packed with stories of creativity, community, and impact. Subscribe and follow now so you never miss an episode! And thanks for listening to 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. 

In 2019 Mehrnush Saadat was waiting to see a physician to treat a herniated disk and back pain, when her friends suggested she explore CBD and THC pain relief options. Though initially a bit skeptical, she was blown away by the results – and her sober(ish) journey began. With regular movement, reduced alcohol intake, and a little push from her new pain remedies, Mehrnush felt the stress from her busy law practice melt away – and in 2023, she opened Soberish, Atlanta’s only non-alcoholic bottle shop and cannabis boutique. The concept proved wildly popular and now, just over a year later, she’s opened a second location right here in Serenbe. Mehrnush’s vision of a holistic approach to wellness aligns perfectly with Serenbe’s approach to healthy living and we couldn't be more thrilled to welcome her to the community. Hear about Mehrnush’s impressive background as a real estate attorney, her entrepreneurial spirit, and why functional, holistic wellness is the furthest thing from boring. Notes:Soberish AtlantaNon-Alcoholic Bottle Shop Opening New Storefront SerenbeSerenbe EventsThe Sober Social AtlantaThe 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. 

Steve Nygren, the founder of Serenbe and a pioneer in wellness real estate, joins Chuck Heath, founder of Ameyalli, to explore the transformation of community living. They discuss how integrating health and well-being into design is reshaping real estate. Key topics include the importance of biophilia, the blend of ancient healing practices with modern innovations, and the sustainability challenges developers face. Their conversation delves into creating meaningful environments that promote health, emphasizing local initiatives as a foundation for global change.

After years of commuting between major cities - London to New York, New York to Atlanta, Atlanta to Los Angeles - Natalie McGrath & Simon Hawkins finally decided to plant roots down South. In 2020 – a year that changed everything for so many people – they visited Serenbe for the first time and fell in love with the English countryside feel. Six months later, as their friends started leaving the city, they made an intuitive decision to buy the 2020 Serenbe Showhouse. Even though Natalie & Simon are a bit more settled now, they still travel on a weekly basis - for work and for play.  As Natalie’s role as Chief Marketing Officer at Rent the Runway and Simon’s as Vice President of the Americas at Virgin Atlantic take them all over the world, Serenbe has become a precious place for them to come together and relax during the weekend. In this episode of Serenbe Stories, Natalie & Simon discuss their journey to rural Georgia, their exciting and busy careers, and how they unwind here in Serenbe.Show NotesSerenbe EventsRent the Runway Virgin Atlantic The New Rustic: 2020 Serenbe Showhouse (Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles)Serenbe YogaAustin’s Cocktailery & KitchenMinro StudioSpa at Serenbe 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. 

Tony Cuviello and April LaCerra were living in Colorado and seriously considering a move to Asheville, when April’s interest in regenerative farming led her to Serenbe. Serenbe’s emphasis on biophilia and wellness immediately resonated with April – and with Tony on board, they packed up their car and moved here without ever having visited. Now, April & Tony are the owners and operators of Allchemy: A Biophilic Farmacy. Located in the heart of the Mado neighborhood, Allchemy is a health, home, & wellness retail space that redefines the traditional pharmacy experience by carrying products that meet a rigorous set of health and environmental standards. April and Tony are all about the incremental changes we can make to start living healthier, more biophilic lives and their storefront is such an amazing resource for doing just that. In this episode, Steve and Monica chat with April and Tony about living in harmony with nature, taking the guesswork out of clean products, and how even subtle changes can have a big impact. Show NotesAllchemy WebsiteAllchemy InstagramRegenerative Organic Agriculture (Rodale)2025 Biophilic Leadership SummitHope Rises On Its Current: Defining Biophilia with Liz Calabrese (Serenbe Stories)Jackfir Clean Natural SkincareYukaEWG Healthy LivingThe 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. 

Austin’s Cocktailery + Kitchen is the latest addition to Serenbe’s lively culinary scene, offering refined cuisine and expertly crafted drinks with a special focus on hard-to-find spirits and – in true Serenbe fashion – locally sourced botanicals. With a dining room reminiscent of 1920s European cocktail lounges, walking into Austin’s is like stepping into another world – and that’s why today, we’re so excited to be speaking with the talented design duo behind these dramatic and beautiful interiors. Amanda Dashwood and Jillian Rooker are the creative force behind Rook & Dash, an Atlanta-based full-service design firm that they founded together in 2022. Amanda and Jillian believe that in addition to being functional, design should engage the senses and inspire the viewer, which is exactly what they’ve achieved here in Serenbe. In this episode of Serenbe Stories, Garnie and I get an inside look at the Austin’s design process, from a fruitful visioning session with Steve to the unconventional leather top bar, textural plaster walls, and all the details in between. 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.