What if the cure for our collective heartbreak isn't therapy or medication, but completely reimagining where we live? Steve Nygren, founder of Serenbe and author of the new book "Start in Your Backyard," discovered this truth when he stepped off the treadmill of life 30 years ago and accidentally created one of the most revolutionary sustainable community living models in America. His friends living at Serenbe describe their lives as "feeling like college again" - not because they're partying, but because they've rediscovered what it means to live in true community where nobody locks their doors and relationships flourish through proximity and intentional design.
Steve returns to the show to dive deep into how biophilic design and intentional community planning can transform not just individual lives, but entire cultures. From the shocking statistic that Serenbe has 240 children with zero reported cases of asthma to the simple revelation that removing lawns and adding front porches can revolutionize neighborhood relationships, this conversation will completely shift how you think about the spaces you inhabit. Steve's radical common sense approach proves that the solutions to our isolation, health crises, and environmental challenges aren't complex - they're just forgotten.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
• How sustainable community living at Serenbe eliminates childhood asthma through chemical-free environments and biophilic design principles
• Why walkable neighborhoods create spontaneous relationships that transform mental health and community connection
• The revolutionary power of front porches, shared mail centers, and removing traditional lawns for building intentional community
• How to start local food systems in your own neighborhood that support regional resilience and better health
• Why Americans spend 93% of their time indoors or in vehicles and how environmental wellness can change everything
• Simple neighborhood design changes that create safety, reduce isolation, and foster genuine relationships
• How to leverage your talents locally instead of feeling overwhelmed by global problems you can't control
• The specific steps to transform your own backyard and street into a community building catalyst
Ready to stop feeling helpless about the state of the world and start creating change right where you are? Steve's journey from successful businessman to community visionary proves that one person with radical common sense can transform entire regions. Whether you're dreaming of sustainable development or just want to know your neighbors' names, this episode will give you the roadmap to start in your own backyard.
Prefer to watch on YouTube? https://youtu.be/Yi-FHpOMvLs
What changes could you make on your own street that would create the ripple effect you're looking for? Connect with me on Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website to continue this conversation about building the communities we desperately need.
Resources and Links Mentioned:
• "Start in Your Backyard" by Steve Nygren (available October 7th for pre-order)
• Serenbe community: serenbe.com
• Nygren Placemaking conference
• Ray Anderson and Interface Inc.
• Rocky Mountain Institute
• Paul Hawken's work on environmental solutions
• Book a free clarity call: https://go.allisonhare.com/45-min-call
Quotes
- "We are so car-centric that we don't walk anymore, and that creates a disconnection from running into people, that spontaneous thing that most people have fond memories of from college campuses." (02:16)
- "We have 240 kids living here now full time and there are no reported signs of asthma, which is statistically impossible in the United States today." (20:27)
- "If you look at all the people who put their names forward, not looking at who gets elected, just put their names forward to run. Only 30% of them are women." (24:07)
- "Rather than looking at the global issues and the global conversation, bring that back to the neighborhood. What's going on in your neighborhood?" (26:05)
- "Action is a huge antidote to depression." (35:27)
Timestamps
• 00:04 - Welcome back Steve Nygren, introduction to his new book
• 01:59 - The common sense solutions that created Serenbe
• 04:53 - Steve's journey from the "treadmill of life" to farm living
• 09:44 - How the vision for Serenbe evolved beyond personal use
• 12:32 - Creating diverse community without tribal mentality
• 14:05 - The pandemic families and community building
• 15:58 - Simple changes: front porch society and removing fences
• 20:15 - The asthma statistic and chemical-free living
• 22:35 - Getting started: what are your talents and local frustrations?
• 25:22 - Dealing with misinformation vs. local action
• 27:28 - The big bets and risks of creating something new
• 31:42 - Surprising lessons: how stuck we are as a society
• 33:34 - Simple changes: local food, natural landscapes, community connection
• 35:32 - Book details and how to connect with Steve
Tips/Takeaways
- Create a "front porch society" in your neighborhood where one household sits outside during school dismissal to provide safety and community connection
- Remove back yard fences to create common play areas and gardens that naturally bring neighbors together
- Replace chemical-treated lawns with native, edible landscaping that supports local ecosystems and health
- Focus on local food systems - support farmers markets and question where your food comes from and how it's grown
- Use your specific talents to address the problems that frustrate you most in your immediate neighborhood
- Take action locally rather than feeling overwhelmed by global issues - you can change your street and create cultural ripple effects
