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 or a stroll through the nature trails and end up moving. A coffee-and-ceramics studio, dreamed up and run by neighbors, has become a beloved local hangout. And community traditions like Porchfest transform front porches into concert stages and art galleries, turning ordinary moments into something magical. These experiences are joyful on the surface, but they also weave the deeper social and cultural fabric that makes a community thrive.

In this episode, Steve Nygren explores how visitors bring fresh energy and perspective, how local businesses reflect and shape a community’s values, and why even the simplest neighborhood gatherings can spark lasting connections. 

Whether you’re dreaming of creating something new in your own town or simply curious about how thriving communities take shape, this episode offers inspiration and practical ideas for inviting people in and building places that feel like home.

Show Notes

• Pre-Order Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Steve Nygren
• Start In Your Own Backyard Substack
• Learn more about Serenbe
• Serenbe Stories Podcast
• Minro Studio
• Porchfest at Serenbe
• Serenbe Real Estate

Keywords: placemaking, community, hospitality, belonging, Serenbe, Steve Nygren, intentional living, visitors, local businesses, Porchfest, goat yoga, nature trails, meaningful design, walkable communities, neighborhood traditions, connection, joy, events, potlucks, concerts, bake sales, sustainability, thriving communities, home, invitation, culture

Now through October 12, order a copy of Start In Your Own Backyard and you'll receive a tote bag, keychain and signed bookplate from Steve Nygren.

Get a Start In Your Own Backyard Book Bundle Today
Pre-Order from your favorite bookseller, send in your receipt and we'll mail you a book bundle as our gift.

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 music, theater, sculpture, literature, and public art are so vitally important. You’ll hear insights from Dr. Anjan Chatterjee, director of the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics, on how our brains respond to beauty, as well as stories from artists themselves who have seen firsthand how art can knit people together and shape a place’s identity.

We’ll also share how Serenbe pioneered a permanent funding model for the arts by dedicating 1% of real estate sales to its nonprofit Art Farm, ensuring that creativity remains central to community life for generations to come.

Whether it’s a sculpture tucked along a forest trail, neighbors gathering for a midsummer play in the woods, or children inspired by visiting artists, this episode reveals how the arts sustain not just culture, but the human spirit itself.

Show Notes

• Pre-Order Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Steve Nygren
• Start In Your Own Backyard Substack
• Learn more about Serenbe
• Serenbe Stories Podcast
• The Art Farm at Serenbe
• The Aesthetic Brain: How We Evolved to Desire Beauty and Enjoy Art by Dr. Anjan Chatterjee
• Serenbe community celebrates Curtis Patterson’s striking new sculpture by Gail O’Neill (ArtsATL)
• Naturally Fragile & Durable with Rachel Garceau (Serenbe Stories)
• Morgan Boszilkov Studio

Keywords: art in community, arts funding, Serenbe, Start In Your Own Backyard podcast, Steve Nygren, Art Farm, public art, creativity, culture, biophilic community, artist residencies, sculptures, theater in nature, concerts by the pond, transfer fee model, community building, creative placemaking, arts and wellbeing, art and neuroscience, Curtis Patterson, community design, sustainable community, supporting artists

Now through October 12, order a copy of Start In Your Own Backyard and you'll receive a tote bag, keychain and signed bookplate from Steve Nygren.

Get a Start In Your Own Backyard Book Bundle Today
Pre-Order from your favorite bookseller, send in your receipt and we'll mail you a book bundle as our gift.

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 choices like walkable streets, welcoming front porches, and all-important “third places” can help weave back some of the social fabric we’ve lost. And this sense of connection isn’t just for adults. Kids and elders, the bookends of every community, are often the most isolated today. Giving children the freedom to roam and ensuring older adults remain woven into daily life isn’t nostalgic, it's essential for building healthy, resilient, and connected communities.

You’ll also hear from designer and conversation expert Fred Dust, city planner and walkability expert Jeff Speck, and Serenbe’s own Garnie Nygren and Dr. Phil Tabb, as together we explore how small design choices, intergenerational living, and even casual encounters with neighbors can transform our health and happiness.

This episode is an invitation to imagine a world of free-range kids, uncaged elders, and communities where connection is built into the everyday.

Show Notes

• Pre-Order Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Steve Nygren
• Start In Your Own Backyard Substack
• Learn more about Serenbe
• Serenbe Stories Podcast
• Wellness Begins With Community: 5 Ways That Serenbe Builds For Human Connection by Steve Nygren (Substack)
• Serenbe Urbanism: A biophilic theory and practice of sustainable placemaking by Phillip James Tabb
• Making Conversation: Seven Essential Elements for Meaningful Communication by Fred Dust
• Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time by Jeff Speck

Keywords: community, community building, walkable cities, walkability, walkable, connection, loneliness epidemic, conversation, Fred Dust, Jeff Speck, Phill Tabb, Steve Nygren, Serenbe, biophilic design, biophilic cities, third places, urban planning, urban design

Now through October 12, order a copy of Start In Your Own Backyard and you'll receive a tote bag, keychain and signed bookplate from Steve Nygren.

Get a Start In Your Own Backyard Book Bundle Today
Pre-Order from your favorite bookseller, send in your receipt and we'll mail you a book bundle as our gift.

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 willpower.

In this episode of Start In Your Own Backyard, Steve Nygren explores why true wellness has little to do with fitness trackers, supplements, or trendy diets and everything to do with the environments we live in. From walkable streets and nourishing food to sacred geometry and a deeper connection with nature, the design of our communities profoundly shapes our health and happiness.

You’ll hear from thought leaders like Dr. Phill Tabb on building in harmony with nature, Maria Rodale on the importance of cooking and eating real food, and Professor Alfred Vick on the power of edible landscapes. Along the way, we look at how Serenbe’s organic farm, trail system, and intentional design offer a model where wellness is woven into daily life.

If you’ve ever wondered why the wellness industry leaves us chasing solutions that rarely last, or how our communities themselves can be reimagined to support better health, this episode offers a new perspective on what it means to truly thrive.

Show Notes

• Pre-Order Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Steve Nygren
• Start In Your Own Backyard Substack
• Learn more about Serenbe
• Serenbe Stories Podcast
• Serenbe Urbanism: A biophilic theory and practice of sustainable placemaking by Phillip James Tabb
• About Keith Critchlow
• Love, Nature, Magic: Shamanic Journeys into the Heart of My Garden by Maria Rodale
• Aflie Vick Eats Plants (And Talks Environmental Ethics) on the Serenbe Stories Podcast

Keywords: wellness, community design, Serenbe, biophilic design, walkability, local food, edible landscapes, sacred geometry, health and environment, sustainable living, intentional community, nature connection, regenerative design, public health, placemaking, real food, holistic wellbeing, everyday wellness, trails and green space, healthy communities, Phillip Tabb, Maria Rodale, Alfie Vick, Steve Nygren

Now through October 12, order a copy of Start In Your Own Backyard and you'll receive a tote bag, keychain and signed bookplate from Steve Nygren.

Get a Start In Your Own Backyard Book Bundle Today
Pre-Order from your favorite bookseller, send in your receipt and we'll mail you a book bundle as our gift.

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 our brains respond to beauty and why elements like coherence, fascination, and hominess are essential to creating spaces that feel truly welcoming. Serenbe’s land planner Dr. Phil Tabb and urbanist Diana Lind also join the conversation to discuss how architectural variety, thoughtful placement, and mixed-use design infuse neighborhoods with both beauty and charm.

At Serenbe, that means wide porches, walkable streets, and hamlets with distinct personalities. These choices echo timeless towns while offering something fresh. From zoning laws that sap character to design principles that spark delight, this episode uncovers why beauty and charm are vital ingredients for places that feel alive, authentic, and deeply human.

Show Notes

• Pre-Order Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Steve Nygren
• Start In Your Own Backyard Substack
• Learn more about Serenbe
• Serenbe Stories Podcast
• The Aesthetic Brain: How We Evolved to Desire Beauty and Enjoy Art by Dr. Anjan Chatterjee
• Brave New Home: Our Future in Smarter, Simpler, Happier Housing by Diana Lind
• Biophilic Urbanism: Designing Resilient Communities for the Future Phillip Tabb

Keywords: Beauty, Charm, Architecture, Neuroaesthetics Dr. Anjan Chatterjee, Phil Tabb, Diana Lind, Serenbe, Placemaking, urban design, walkability, community design, authentic neighborhoods, zoning, mixed-use development, timeless towns, porches, hamlets, connection, belonging, sense of place, fascination, coherence, hominess, human-centered design, why beauty matters in architecture, charming neighborhoods design, neuroaesthetics and architecture, walkable community design. creating authentic neighborhoods, timeless architecture principles, mixed-use community benefits, how zoning laws shape neighborhoods, sense of place in architecture

Now through October 12, order a copy of Start In Your Own Backyard and you'll receive a tote bag, keychain and signed bookplate from Steve Nygren.

Get a Start In Your Own Backyard Book Bundle Today
Pre-Order from your favorite bookseller, send in your receipt and we'll mail you a book bundle as our gift.

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 disconnection from) the natural world. From the science of nature deficit disorder to the philosophy of biophilia, from America’s problematic obsession with manicured lawns to the potential of pollinator-friendly and edible landscapes, Steve unpacks how nature shapes us in profound ways.

Along the way, he’s joined by some of the leading voices in this movement: Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, environmental health expert Dr. Howard Frumkin, architect Liz Calabrese, and land planner Phil Tabb. Together, they make a powerful case for why reconnecting with nature is both common sense and urgent.

A greener, healthier future is possible. It’s already taking root in communities across the country. The only question is, will you choose to be part of it? 

Want to dive deeper? Steve’s book, Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense, comes out on October 7th, 2025, and is available for pre-order now wherever you get books. Part memoir, part guidebook, it offers a blueprint for building sustainable, connected communities, places where wonder exists in the everyday and people of all ages can truly thrive.

Show Notes

• Pre-Order Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Steve Nygren
• Start In Your Own Backyard Substack
• Learn more about Serenbe
• Serenbe Stories Podcast
• Biophilic Solutions Podcast
• Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv
• Biophilic Urbanism: Designing Resilient Communities for the Future Phillip Tabb
• Planetary Health: Protecting Nature to Protect Ourselves by Samuel Myers and Howard Frumkin

Now through October 12, order a copy of Start In Your Own Backyard and you'll receive a tote bag, keychain and signed bookplate from Steve Nygren.

Get a Start In Your Own Backyard Book Bundle Today
Pre-Order from your favorite bookseller, send in your receipt and we'll mail you a book bundle as our gift.

In the first episode of Start In Your Own Backyard, Steve shares his transformative path to founding Serenbe, a thriving community rooted in nature on the outskirts of Atlanta. He talks about why the built environment lies at the heart of so many modern challenges, the personal healing he discovered in nature, and how each of us can take steps toward positive change starting right where we are.

Because, let’s be honest: life in America isn’t working the way it should. Not for most people. Across the board, whether it’s public health, community trust, or our relationship with the natural world, we’re seeing signs of major strain. 

That’s where optimism comes in. It may not always feel like a superpower, especially when the headlines keep piling up and the problems we face seem impossibly big. But optimism is so much more than wishful thinking. It’s the energy that drives meaningful action. It’s what allows us to picture a better future and believe we have a role in making it real.

Want to dive deeper? Steve’s book, Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense, comes out on October 7th, 2025, and is available for pre-order now wherever you get books. Part memoir, part guidebook, it offers a blueprint for building sustainable, connected communities, places where wonder exists in the everyday and people of all ages can truly thrive. Published by Matt Holt Books and distributed by Simon & Schuster.

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Show Notes

• Pre-Order Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Steve Nygren
• Start In Your Own Backyard Substack
• Learn more about Serenbe
• Serenbe Stories Podcast

Keywords: Serenbe, Steve Nygren, wellness community, nature-connected living, sustainable community, intentional community design, biophilic design, built environment, urban planning and wellness, community building, wellness

Now through October 12, order a copy of Start In Your Own Backyard and you'll receive a tote bag, keychain and signed bookplate from Steve Nygren.

Get a Start In Your Own Backyard Book Bundle Today
Pre-Order from your favorite bookseller, send in your receipt and we'll mail you a book bundle as our gift.