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Serenbe Stories

Serenbe Media Network

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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.
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Have you ever noticed how DNA’s spiraling structure mirrors the shape of seashells and flowers? How our circulatory system branches like tree roots? Nature doesn’t just surround us—we are nature. Our bodies, minds, and societies are woven into its rhythms, yet in today’s modern world, we’ve severed that bond, and the consequences ripple through our environment, politics, culture, and even spirituality. Every other week, hosts Monica Olsen and Jennifer Walsh explore the profound connections b ...
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Start In Your Own Backyard

Serenbe Media Network

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Start In Your Own Backyard is a mini-series about how the choices we make, both big and small, can transform the world around us. For host Steve Nygren, this is personal. Two decades ago, while running through the woods on his beloved family farm, he spotted bulldozers toppling trees for what he feared was another soulless suburban development. That sobering moment sparked a question that changed the course of his life: Isn’t there a better way to build community? One that works with nature, ...
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Discover the best of Atlanta's arts and culture on The City Lights Collective from WABE. Short stories, rich voices, and innovative ideas, presented by a team of local contributors. From music and theater to spoken word, food, film, and festivals, this is the pulse of Atlanta’s creative world.
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In a time of deep political division and environmental crisis, what would it look like to design a democracy that’s truly in harmony with the natural world? In this episode, we revisit a powerful 2022 conversation with David Orr, Professor of Practice at Arizona State University, editor of Democracy in a Hotter Time, and one of the leading voices a…
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Modern life often leaves us on the treadmill of constant striving, chasing markers of success that don’t necessarily bring fulfillment. But what happens when you step off that treadmill and reimagine what’s possible? Our guest this week, Steve Nygren, did exactly that. As the founder and visionary behind Serenbe, a biophilic community just outside …
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A lot of what we’ve been exploring on this podcast comes back to an idea known as placemaking: the art of designing spaces that feel meaningful, welcoming, and rooted in community. At its core, it’s about creating places where people truly want to gather and belong. At Serenbe, that spirit comes alive every day. Visitors might arrive for goat yoga …
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✦ The band DEVO has been holding up a funhouse mirror to America for nearly fifty years. They broke out of Akron, Ohio, in the late '70s with a sound that was part punk, part art experiment, and all warning signs. Their concept of 'de-evolution'—that instead of progressing, society was actually regressing—felt satirical back then. But looking aroun…
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✦ The late great Radcliffe Bailey was a painter, sculptor, and mixed media artist who produced work that was personal, global, beautiful, complex, and resonated in a way that stayed with you long after you'd seen it. He was a citizen of the world and Atlanta's own. On September 26, the Auburn Avenue Research Library will host a panel entitled "Sout…
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✦ Since 2010, The Goat Farm has served as home to artists of all types in Atlanta. After a brief period of renovations, it reopened in 2024 and is now bigger and better than ever. You can see it in all of its glory at this year's second annual SITE festival. Sprawling over the whole 12 acres of the Goat Farms property will be exhibitions and instal…
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Food, shelter, walkable streets, even access to nature are all vital ingredients for a thriving community. But on their own, they aren’t quite enough. To truly flourish, people also need beauty, inspiration, and creativity woven into daily life. That’s where the arts come in. In this episode of Start In Your Own Backyard, Steve Nygren explores why …
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✦ But first, one of the special things about the Atlanta art scene is the small and intimate art galleries that focus on a particular artistic style. City Lights Collective member Katina Pappas-DeLuca sat down with Anja and Jumbe Sebunya, the founders and curators of aKAZI ATL, to learn more about their gallery of contemporary African art and their…
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✦ From a memorable guest appearance in the hit TV show "Atlanta" to a leading role in the slasher "I Know What You Did Last Summer," Atlanta resident Tyriq Withers has spent the past three years skyrocketing into one of Hollywood's most desired newcomers. Now, he's taking on his most anticipated role yet in the upcoming Jordan Peele-produced thrill…
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✦ The Out on Film festival has not only been a place where the diverse voices of the LGBTQ+ community can see themselves on the big screen, but it has also served as a safe haven, a place of education, and a family reunion. City Lights Collective co-host Jon Goode sat down with Festival Director Jim Farmer to discuss the origins of the event and wh…
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✦ When two of Atlanta's most innovative arts institutions—the Atlanta Opera and the Alliance Theatre—join forces, the result is bound to be something extraordinary. Their latest collaboration is a powerful new production of Fiddler on the Roof, the musical that has captivated audiences for generations. City Lights Collective member Zachary Brown re…
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Regenerative agriculture isn’t new. To quote today’s guest, it’s an “exciting old thing.” Yet in the modern world, this ancient, innate wisdom often feels forgotten, and the consequences show up in our food system, in our health, and in the climate. At its core, the challenge isn’t just about farming practices, it’s about how we see ourselves in re…
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Once upon a time, community wasn’t something you had to schedule, swipe for, or search out in a Facebook group. It was simply part of daily life. In this episode, Steve Nygren explores the loneliness epidemic, how our modern world has stripped away built-in community, and what it will take to bring it back. He dives into how thoughtful design choic…
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✦ On the 4th Monday of each month at Red Light Café, there's a variety show dedicated to chaotic goodness. It's called 'Joy Deficit' and the show always starts with a communal primal scream. City Lights Collective member Katina Pappas-DeLuca recently caught up with Joy Deficit's founder and host, Gina Rickicki, to tell us more about the scream and …
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✦ Produced at Assembly Studios in Atlanta, CBS's "Beyond the Gates" follows the relationships, rivalries, and secrets that follow the residents of the fictional gated community of Fairmont Crest. The fall season of the first African American daytime soap opera kicked off on Monday and features a diverse lineup of veteran talents and fresh faces. Tw…
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✦ Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will perform a special one-night-only concert on Friday, September 19, and everything on the program is special. Superstar pianist Lang Lang will be the soloist for Beethoven's Majestic Emperor Concerto, and the internationally acclaimed conductor Gemma New will direct the ASO in two works by Mozart. WABE icon and City …
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✦ English actor and producer Jon Boyega gained international recognition for his role as Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy; however, that was not Boyega's first dip into science fiction. His debut feature-length film, 2011's "Attack the Block," and his most recently released film, "They Cloned Tyrone," both use the science fiction comedy genre t…
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Most of us know that a sedentary, stress-filled lifestyle can take a heavy toll on our wellbeing. Yet when communities are designed for cars instead of people, when fast food is easier to find than fresh produce, and when green space feels totally out of reach, it becomes increasingly apparent that healthy choices are about so much more than willpo…
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✦ Today, it is more important than ever to state, define, and be clear about who you are. To do that, you may have to be bold, upfront, and... frank. To that end, a dynamic group of 11 queer artists, known as Frank, will present a diverse, multifaceted, and self-defining art show entitled "Being Frank: it is because I am." The show is at Ansley Mal…
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✦ In the immortal words of The Notorious B.I.G., get ready to sit and conversate for a few, with Atlanta's own Killer Mike. Legally known as Michael Render, the rapper, entrepreneur, and activist has launched a new podcast called "Conversate with Killer Mike." The show is recorded from his Atlanta studio, where he and his friends dive into topics b…
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✦ Food is a story—its origins, makers, and how recipes travel globally. The series "ChefATL," produced by SCAD, explores the stories behind the foods that inspire Atlanta chefs. In collaboration with WABE, SCAD students spotlight Atlanta restaurateurs each episode. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans spoke with SCAD student Astrid Sims, and Dear and th…
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When was the last time you really experienced nighttime? In our modern world of glowing screens, bright porch lights, and 24/7 brightness, true darkness has become rare. Yet nighttime holds a mystery and magic all its own, inviting us to slow down, tune into natural rhythms, and rediscover the awe that’s right outside our doors. In this episode, Mo…
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✦ The five main food groups that are important for anyone's diet include—fruits, vegetables, protein, grains, and chocolate…okay, maybe not the last one. However, it remains an essential building block of a balanced diet. A new exhibition at the Museum of Design Atlanta, also known as MODA, explores the origins of chocolate, its evolution into a gl…
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What makes a place feel magnetic? Why do some neighborhoods and buildings leave you feeling inspired, while others feel sterile and disconnected? In this episode of Start In Your Own Backyard, we explore how the built environment shapes our sense of joy, connection, and belonging. You’ll hear from neurologist Dr. Anjan Chatterjee, who explains how …
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Today’s special show was recorded live from Dragon Con. Join City Lights Collective hosts Kim Drobes and Jon Goode as they talk to the diverse communities of Dragon Con. Learn about the art and music of the con and meet the people who help make Atlanta’s biggest fan-based pop culture convention a yearly spectacular. Guests include: Dragon Con’s Art…
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✦ Brunching in Atlanta is practically a sport, and many of us don't know how to play. There are strategies involved—arrive early to beat the rush of a crowd, or maybe you're a diner that prefers to make reservations. BUT in this economy, who has the money to drop $80 to $100 on breakfast food and drinks every weekend? In our new mini-series, "Brunc…
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✦ "Cinematheque," Emory's film screening series, leads us on a deep dive into the history, present, and possible futures of cinema every spring and fall. Beginning tomorrow, August 27, through December, "Cinematheque" looks back exactly 50 years to 1975, an explosive and groundbreaking year for film, with blockbusters like "Jaws," underdog hits lik…
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Access to nature isn’t just a luxury. It's essential for our health, our well-being, and the resilience of our communities. But what happens when the fields, forests, and streams we once knew are paved over by highways, strip malls, and suburban sprawl? In this episode of Start In Your Own Backyard, Steve Nygren explores our deep connection to (and…
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✦ For decades, comedian and actor Jim Gaffigan has entertained audiences nationwide with his observational humor, personable stage presence, and a variety of film and television projects ranging from "Unfrosted" to his own self-titled comedy series. The eight-time Grammy nominee will be performing at the Atlanta Symphony Hall September 11-13 as par…
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✦ Creative digital technologies have no doubt expanded the art of animation for filmmakers, yet there's still nothing like the wow-factor of a fully handmade film. Director, writer, and animator Sebastian Soler crafted, placed, and shot every frame of his new Action-Thriller "Spanish Moss," a traditional stop-motion work he emphatically calls a "la…
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✦ Break out your Flux Capacitor because when this show hits 88 miles per hour, you're going to see some serious…. stuff. That's right, “Back to the Future, The Musical” is coming to the Fox Theater this September. Bob Gale, co-writer of the original movies who helped bring to life Marty McFly and Doc Brown, has adapted the story for the stage, givi…
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✦ Atlanta has increasingly become known for film production. Its ever-growing footprint is undeniable. Also undeniable is the growth of events, occasions, and festivals that celebrate and elevate Atlanta's films and filmmakers. One such event is the BronzeLens Film Festival, which is happening at Tara Cinema, August 20 through the 24th. BronzeLens …
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This week on Biophilic Solutions, we’re bringing you something a little different (yet very close to home). While Serenbe isn’t the main focus of this podcast, it is where Monica lives and works, and it’s one of the most vibrant examples of biophilic community in action. In anticipation of his forthcoming book, Start In Your Own Backyard: Transform…
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Start In Your Own Backyard is a mini-series about how the choices we make, both big and small, can transform the world around us. For host Steve Nygren, this is personal. Two decades ago, while running through the woods on his beloved family farm, he spotted bulldozers toppling trees for what he feared was another soulless suburban development. Tha…
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✦ At one point, it seemed like music fell into clear boxes. Hip Hop, R&B, Rock, Soul, Gospel, Heavy Metal, and so on and so on. As time moves forward, however, so many young artists grab their influences from such disparate and diverse places that the lines either blur or the boxes disappear completely. Take Atlanta artist Teddy Oso. Is his music h…
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✦ Brunching in Atlanta is practically a sport, and many of us don't know how to play. There are strategies involved—arrive early to beat the rush of a crowd, or maybe you're a diner that prefers to make reservations. Regardless, you'll need good stamina to make it through bottomless mimosas and rich portions of pancakes and bacon. BUT in this econo…
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✦ Once a month in Grant Park, there is a night of music where community appears, and genres disappear. A night where no one, not even the musicians, knows what's going to be played. Collaboration and discovery are the name of the game when The Biological Misfits are on the bandstand. The Biological Misfits were put together by Craig M Garrett and f…
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✦ We live in a time where women's rights, visibility, and autonomy are under assault and being eroded daily. Writer Trenton Judson has decided to write a film that challenges and flies in the face of these attacks. Enter, Bad... well, the second word also starts with a B and rhymes with Mitch. So, for the sake of FCC-monitored radio, let's call the…
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✦ Have you ever watched Ferris Bueller's Day Off or The Wizard of Oz and thought, "Where are all the Black characters?" Dad's Garage is answering that burning question in their show "Blackground," which is on stage through September 27. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans sat down with Jon Carr, the artistic director of Dad's Garage and one of the show…
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✦ Grease is the word, and it's also the film we're screening for our next City Lights Cinema event. Join us at the Plaza Theater next Saturday, August 16, at 4 pm for a movie plus shenanigans. We'll have a couple of competitions ahead of the screening – one for the hand jive - the ridiculous patty-cake type routine that the entire graduating class …
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✦ In good art, there is often beauty, offense, challenge, common ground, and that special little something that stays with you long after you've experienced it. When City Lights Collective co-host Jon Goode went to The Balzer theater to see the True Colors theater's presentation of "Ain't No Mo," by playwright Jordan E Cooper, he didn't know what h…
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