Serenbe Stories

Jennifer Band and Josh Hiller spent 13 years living in London—including a full year in lockdown—before making the move to Serenbe in 2021. As parents of two young children, they had been thinking about returning to the States for some time, but hadn’t quite found a place that felt right. That changed the moment they discovered Serenbe. It offered the perfect blend of what they loved about European life—walkability, a strong sense of community, vibrant energy—paired with the space and ease of suburban living in the U.S.

A few years in, Jen and Josh have truly found their footing and embraced the rich, connected life they've built here. Their kids are thriving at The Terra School, and Josh has even uncovered a new creative passion he didn’t know he was missing.

In this conversation, Monica and Steve sit down with Jennifer and Josh to talk about the highs and lows of moving to a new country and community, the curious and open-hearted people they’ve met, and—yes, even though it’s only April—the unexpected magic of Halloween in Serenbe.

Show Notes:

• Serenbe Events Calendar
• The Terra School at Serenbe
• The Blue Eyed Daisy
• Austin’s at Serenbe
• George Cohen’s Road to Recovery & Serenbe (Serenbe Stories)

Keywords: Serenbe, London, Europe, community, family, music, remote work, creative outlets, cultural experiences, transition, personal growth, walkability, Halloween 

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!

Serenbe Stories is a podcast about making an impact, building a better life, and the extraordinary power of nature and community. Follow Serenbe on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Spring has officially arrived in Serenbe and the community is in full bloom. Despite the haze of pollen, residents are eager to embrace the outdoors, whether they’re digging into garden beds or hitting the trails.

In this special episode of Serenbe Stories, Serenbe’s Director of Landscape and Natural Resources Thomas Peters joins Monica for a conversation about all things Spring. Thomas’s dedication to ecological stewardship shines through in his thoughtful approach to land management, from implementing natural pest control methods to using prescribed burns that revitalize the ecosystem and support the growth of native species.

In this conversation Monica and Thomas dive into the intersection of environmental stewardship and community engagement, the triumphs and challenges of habitat restoration, and Thomas shares a few practical tips for anyone looking to get their hands in the soil this season.

Show Notes

• Pollinators, Songbirds, and Creepy Crawlies with Thomas Peters (Serenbe Stories)
• A Permanent Pollinator Habitat in Serenbe’s Wildflower Meadow (Serenbe Stories)
• Serenbe Plant Sale | April 26, 2025
• Serenbe Events Calendar
• MTB Atlanta: Building Trails, Connecting Communities 
• Leave the Leaves (Life at Serenbe)
• Spring Has Sprung (Life at Serenbe)

Keywords: Serenbe, biodiversity, Spring, gardening, gardening tips, pollinators, pollinator habitat, native plants, prescribed burn, Indigenous knowledge, environmental stewardship, sustainable practices, trails, trail system, mountain biking, community trails 

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!

Serenbe Stories is a podcast about making an impact, building a better life, and the extraordinary power of nature and community. Follow Serenbe on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

When Natalie and TJ Aldridge first discovered Serenbe in early 2016, it felt like fate. While planning their wedding nearby, a friend suggested they direct guests to the Inn . So they decided to check it out -- and that first visit absolutely changed everything. Looking for a place to live after their wedding and ready to leave city life behind, they learned the Textile Lofts would be finished just in time. Nine months and a wedding later, they became some of Serenbe’s youngest residents.

In this episode of Serenbe Stories, Monica and Steve catch up with TJ and Natalie to hear their story, exploring TJ’s career shift from data analytics to Serenbe Real Estate, Natalie’s global adventures with iconic hotel group Belmond, and how the community has stepped up to support their journey as new parents.

Show Notes

• Serenbe Real Estate
• Serenbe Events
• Belmond Official Site
• George Cohen’s Road to Recovery and Serenbe (Serenbe Stories)
• Terra School at Serenbe
• Acorn to Oak Health
• The Wine Shop at Serenbe

Keywords: Serenbe, community, real estate, travel, parenting, Belmond, lifestyle, support, exploration, personal stories

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!

Serenbe Stories is a podcast about making an impact, building a better life, and the extraordinary power of nature and community. Follow Serenbe on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

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 Estate
• Seasons by Jack Kidd
• Serenbe Trail Riding
• Serenbe Events Calendar
• Lifelong 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 Serenbe
• The Hill at Serenbe 

Keywords: Serenbe, community, travel, career, pets, culture shock, horseback riding, trail riding, Seasons, author, writing, real estate, community, restaurants, cocktails

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!

Serenbe Stories is a podcast about making an impact, building a better life, and the extraordinary power of nature and community. Follow Serenbe on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

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 infrastructure

In 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 Notes

• Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy
• The Conservation Fund’s Working Farms Fund
• The Common Market
• Cottage Food | GA Department of Agriculture
• Smyly Farms Online Store
• The Good Place Farm
• Blue Heron Urban Farms and Sanctuary
• The Deer Creek Farm
• Rodale Institute
• Minro Studio
• Serenbe Farms
• Serenbe Events

Keywords: Serenbe, agriculture, Georgia, young farmers, community, sustainability, environmental issues, farming infrastructure, local food, Chattahoochee Hills, local agriculture, farmers market

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!

Serenbe Stories is a podcast about making an impact, building a better life, and the extraordinary power of nature and community. Follow Serenbe on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.