Best Nerdy Thing Podcast Network Podcasts (2024)

1
Top Model, Mental Movies, & Celebrity Blogs 56:49

2M ago56:49

56:49

We're exploring all the things we got wrong about pop culture and what pop culture gets wrong about us! We begin by jumping on the JLo trash train. TikTok turned on Jenny from the Block, so now we are. The millions of dollars she spent on a bizarro vanity project pushed us over the edge. Team Ben Affleck? We discuss the nightmare that was America's…

1
BONUS: How Austin L. Ray is Fixing Atlanta from Biophilic Solutions Podcast 33:54

3M ago33:54

33:54

Today we have a special bonus episode from the Biophilic Solutions podcast. Monica catches up with Atlanta writer Austin L. Ray to discuss “How I’d Fix Atlanta,” his fantastic essay series he publishes featuring local writers sharing how they would fix Atlanta. Austin just launched the second collection of essays in a cool zine about the action ste…

1
Olympic Mistakes, Tonya Harding, & Pickleball 58:45

3M ago58:45

58:45

We're talking about the Olympics and all the mistakes that have been made over the years. We revisit the Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan scandal, what we got wrong about that societally, and what the media made worse. We learn about some games that used to be in the Olympics that have since been eliminated, and we're rooting for some of them to co…

1
Keeping Up with Collin & Sydney Jones 38:50

3M ago38:50

38:50

Over 6 years ago, Collin and Sydney Jones moved with their two young boys from Roswell, Georgia. It was a surprise weekend away for Collin that turned into a home purchase 9 days later. During that weekend, they happened upon a party at the Grange Green, discovered golf cart charcuterie and met a family who encouraged them to tour homes while that …

1
Artivism: Inspiring Change Through Creativity with Artist Nikkolas Smith 24:52

3M ago24:52

24:52

Nikkolas Smith is an artist Artivist and illustrator widely known for his distinctive style and emphasis on social justice issues. He is the illustrator of multiple children’s picture books, The 1619 Project: Born on the Water, I Am Ruby Bridges, That Flag, and Black Panther Wakanda Forever: The Courage To Dream as well was a gilm illustratorfor fi…

1
A Permanent Pollinator Habitat in Serenbe’s Wildflower Meadow 28:52

4M ago28:52

28:52

This week, we’re talking about a very exciting new endeavor here at Serenbe: the Wildflower Meadow Restoration Project. Over the next 18 months, the iconic meadow connecting the Inn at Serenbe to the wider community is set to undergo an incredible transformation into a permanent community of native plants that will serve as a protected pollinator a…

1
90s Nostalgia, Y2K, & Low Fat Diets 1:03:22

4M ago1:03:22

1:03:22

We're getting nostalgic for the 80s and 90s today! We're looking back and seeing what we got wrong about the final decades of the millennium. Were parachute pants horrible or awesome? The Rachel haircut--is it timeless or was it a fashion no? We discuss the early days of reality tv that Susie misses. We hear why Kato Kaelin still has habits he crea…

1
How Jetset World Travel’s Lindsey Epperly Sulek Found Home in Serenbe 28:19

4M ago28:19

28:19

Lindsey Epperly Sulek and her husband Jeremy first visited Serenbe in March 2022, tagging along with a pair of friends who were interested in a possible move. Of course, Jeremy and Lindsey (who had no plans to move) ended up here instead. Lindsey describes Serenbe as a place where her family immediately knew they belonged, particularly following a …

1
All Things Nerdy with Super Geek Trivia’s Abe Grier 42:07

4M ago42:07

42:07

It’s safe to say that if you’re a regular Serenbe Stories listener, you’ve heard many guests mention Halsa’s now-legendary trivia Thursdays.Trivia at Halsa is highly competitive, with regular teams like Rushmore, Crushmore, Slushmore, and the Scrappy Scraps. If you haven’t already attended, you should definitely plan to check out the next one - if …

1
Hollywood to Serenbe: Finding Magic in Community with Randy Zisk 24:45

4M ago24:45

24:45

A few years ago, television producer, writer, and director Randy Zisk and his family moved from Malibu California to the East Coast. After a brief stint in Decatur, they discovered Serenbe and were instantly drawn in by the distinctive architecture and easy access to nature. However, as it so often happens, once they officially made the move, they …

1
Beauty, Serenity, and a Place to Plant Roots with Sheri Salata 30:04

5M ago30:04

30:04

Sheri Salata was living in Napa Valley with no plans to move when a Serenbe resident just so happened to send her a link to the website, thinking it would be the perfect place to lead a retreat. After reading about Serenbe’s commitment to nature, the arts, and community, it didn't take Sheri long to realize that she not only wanted to lead a retrea…

1
For Edgar Guillory, Hospitality is Everything 26:23

5M ago26:23

26:23

Even though Edgar Guillory has worked for the Inn at Serenbe for less than two years, it’s almost impossible to imagine a time before him. As Director of Guest Experience, Edgar kickstarted The Inn’s concierge program, bringing an already high standard of service to an entirely new level of hospitality. In fact, he is so overwhelmingly popular with…

1
20 Years of Community with Steve Nygren 39:21

5M ago39:21

39:21

As we kick off the 10th season of this podcast, Serenbe is hitting a major milestone - 2024 marks 20 years since Serenbe’s groundbreaking, when the very first homes were being built and the first residents were taking a chance on a very new and evolving type of neighborhood development. In this episode, Monica and Steve take a trip down memory lane…

1
Introducing Season 10 of Serenbe Stories 1:02

5M ago1:02

1:02

Serenbe Stories will be back on Monday, March 18th for our milestone TENTH season and we couldn’t be more excited. In this upcoming season, we’re sharing more stories about the people that make Serenbe such a lively, interesting, and dynamic community. Hear from Steve Nygren about how Serenbe has grown in the 20 years since breaking ground, from re…

1
Abortion, Roe v Wade, & IVF 58:09

5M ago58:09

58:09

The theme of episode 64 of Brain Candy Podcast was abortion, and we had Jessica Semler on as our expert guest as she worked for Planned Parenthood. Today we revisited that conversation and invited Jessica back to discuss anything we got wrong 8 years ago. One thing Jessica did not get wrong is all the ways the Presidential election of 2016 would im…

1
Weaves, Wes, and Washing Jeans 59:01

6M ago59:01

59:01

Today we're discussing Brain Candy episodes 61 and 62, which covered hair and a mid-season discussion of Rivals 3. First Sarah shares what she got wrong about weaves and her regrets about encouraging Devyn to wear her natural hair for the final because the weave would be an encumbrance to their victory. We discuss the stigma of hair plugs for men a…

1
Sneezes, Mental Illness, & TJ's Quitters 56:23

7M ago56:23

56:23

Today we explore Brain Candy episodes 59 and 60 and all the wildness therein. We discuss whether Sarah has bipolar symptoms and why she thinks the DSM is a buncha malarkey. Susie explains why drunk driving and mental illness are similar. We reexamine a clip of TJ where he justified his condemnation of quitters, and whether we still disagree with hi…

1
Haunted Challenge House, Ozempic Oprah, & Body Positivity 1:05:02

7M ago1:05:02

1:05:02

We're back with more things we got wrong! We discuss 2023 and whether we made any mistakes last year and what we learned. Sarah is preparing for her surgery and we talk about the madness of medicine and how it all feels like wizardry. We are looking back at an episode of Brain Candy with Adam Butler (Susie's husband) as a guest. We discuss how his …

1
Golden Bachelor Lies, Zombie Apocalypse, & Killer Mistake 52:43

8M ago52:43

52:43

We revisit a story of a monk who raised his hand decades ago and never lowered it. Hear why we have some follow up questions for this fella, and why we question whether it was as painful as he says (even though there is plenty of evidence that it was very painful). Susie discusses her decision 8 years ago to write to criminals, and whether she regr…

1
Forgotten OCD, Fox Mulder, & Pizza Hut Tragedy 49:29

9M ago49:29

49:29

We're revisiting Brain Candy episodes 53 & 54 about personality tests, childhood nostalgia, and listener mail. We hear why Sarah knew she had OCD way back in 2016 and then somehow forgot despite having literally even symptom. She retook a personality test and her results now are not the same as in 2016, so we hear how she's changed. We discuss how …

1
Embracing Wellness and All Things Serenbe with Frank & Christine Egan 35:34

9M ago35:34

35:34

Serenbe had been on Frank and Christine Egan’s radar for years before they eventually uprooted their busy lives on Long Island and moved all the way down to rural Georgia. However, when you hear their full story, it’s not all that surprising that this is where they landed. In addition to running a successful orthodontics practice, Frank and Christi…

1
The Calm Force Behind the Inn & Farmhouse w/ Juliann West 23:42

9M ago23:42

23:42

Juliann West first heard about Serenbe in 2014 when her brother and sister-in-law tried convincing her to move here; however, at the time, she didn’t think she would ever leave her adopted home of Seattle or the Pacific Northwest. Flash forward to 2018 and Juliann found herself back in Serenbe’s orbit, this time as the newly appointed General Manag…

1
Beyonce, Beauty, and Bathrooms 55:19

10M ago55:19

55:19

We're covering Brain Candy episodes 51 on beauty hacks and 52 on headlines and hot topics. Sarah said she seemed immature during those conversations, but we were impressed at her encyclopedic knowledge on dermatology. She shares what she learned since then about beauty and her relationship with her self. Susie talks about how much she's changed in …

1
George Cohen’s Road to Recovery & Serenbe 24:10

9M ago24:10

24:10

George Cohen was just starting out in the mortgage business in 2013 when a family friend connected him with Serenbe Real Estate. However, his journey to becoming a full-fledged resident didn't happen overnight. It was a few years later, after overcoming personal challenges and embracing sobriety, that George immediately connected with key members o…

1
Intergenerational Living & Aging in Place w/ Steve Ngyren 19:59

10M ago19:59

19:59

On this week’s episode of Serenbe Stories, we’re sharing an interview that Steve Nygren gave on the Glowing Older podcast, alongside their host Nancy Griffin. Serenbe has big plans to break ground on a state of the art aging-in-place campus, designed to take down the barriers that often leave older generations siloed away from the greater community…

1
Polygraphs, Handwriting Analysis, & High School Reunions 1:01:57

10M ago1:01:57

1:01:57

Today's show covers Brain Candy episode 49 and 50; a Would You Rather bonanza, handwriting analysis, and another behind-the-scenes of the Challenge. We debate whether handwriting analysis is legit or nonsense and why Sarah is so darn good at it. We discuss Susie's fear of polygraphs and how she thinks the machine will frame her and cause her wrongf…

1
Changing Careers & Changing Your Life with Serenbe CFO Gil Mathis 36:47

10M ago36:47

36:47

Serenbe’s HR Director Stephanie Coyne is BACK for her first official Serenbe Stories takeover, where we’re putting the spotlight on our amazing employees. In today’s episode, Stephanie is catching up with Serenbe’s CFO Gil Mathis, who lives and works in the community. Gil and his wife Jeny - both longtime and beloved fixtures in the community - fir…

1
Kids, Dogs, & Designing A Life-Well Lived with Vern Yip 35:38

10M ago35:38

35:38

You might recognize today’s guest, Vern Yip, from shows like Trading Spaces, HGTV’s Design Star, and Deserving Design. He also runs his own design studio in Atlanta, designs a line of dog and kid-friendly furniture, has published multiple books on how to maximize your home - and he still has more TV and book projects in the works. Vern actually wro…

1
Striptease, Vaginal Rejuvenation, & Ping Pong Patriarchy 49:33

11M ago49:33

49:33

Sarah is all up in her feelings in this episode because she has some regrets about a past Brain Candy episode about vaginas. She explains why her words in the episode didn't match her actual feelings and why things are different now. We revisit the discussion on the Thai ping-pong shows and why Sarah would never go to one now. We hear why Sarah use…

1
Unveiling Serenbe’s Thin Places with Dr. Phill Tabb 33:40

10M ago33:40

33:40

If you’ve listened to Serenbe Stories for a while, then our guest today, Phill Tabb, will need no introduction. For those who need a refresher, Phill Tabb is Professor Emeritus of Architecture at Texas A&M University and has been involved with Serenbe since its earliest days, creating the community’s masterplan using the principles of sacred geomet…

1
Birds, Bugs, and the Serenity of Nature with Giff Beaton 34:41

11M ago34:41

34:41

Giff Beaton and Allie Kelly moved to Serenbe from Atlanta six years ago, motivated by a desire to raise their twin boys closer to nature and to escape the city’s urban sprawl. By day, Giff works as a Delta pilot - but he is also an accomplished naturalist & nature photographer, authoring or co-authoring multiple books like Birds of Georgia, Dragonf…

1
Bootleg Bananas and a Bag of Dicks 55:14

11M ago55:14

55:14

After an amusing Amazon anecdote, Susie is off to the races defending herself against an accusation and a 1-star review. We discuss episode 45 of Brain Candy wherein we psychoanalyze Johnny, and ask ourselves whether it's ethical to psychoanalyze psychos. Susie says yes, and we think she convinced Sarah, so we're in the clear. We listen back on the…

1
Capturing Serenbe with Installation Photographer Thomas Jackson 30:30

11M ago30:30

30:30

Thomas Jackson is an environmental artist and photographer known for his abstract photographs that combine landscapes, sculpture, and kinetic art. Last Spring, he installed and photographed three incredible pieces in Serenbe during an artist residency with the Art Farm, in partnership with Jackson Fine Art, an Atlanta-based and world-renowned galle…

1
Step Inside Serenbe’s Annual Designer Showhouse with Elizabeth Ralls & Lauren Iverson 31:56

11M ago31:56

31:56

Since 2014, Serenbe has partnered with Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine for our annual designer Showhouse. Every year, a selection of Atlanta’s top interior designers take over a new home within the community and we open up the space for tours. For the past ten years, every home has been absolutely breathtaking - and the best part? Each one is c…

1
Introducing Season 9 of Serenbe Stories 1:13

11M ago1:13

1:13

Serenbe Stories will be back for its 9th Season on Monday, September 18th! This season, we’re continuing to explore the people and places that make Serenbe such a dynamic and thriving community. Tune in for a behind the scenes look at our 10th annual Designer Showhouse, hear from renowned installation artist Thomas Jackson who created a stunning ph…

1
Back in Business, Black Lives, & Bananas 50:19

11M ago50:19

50:19

We're back after our summer hiatus, and hopefully feeling refreshed because we have a lot of wrongs to right. We reflect a bit on our approach to fixing our mistakes, but Susie is wondering why no one is apologizing to her for their mistakes. We discuss Brain Candy episodes 43 on Trolls and episode 44 on Race in America. We hear why Sarah was engag…

1
BONUS: Building the Serenbe Brand with Monica Olsen & Garnie Nygren 58:56

1y ago58:56

58:56

In this special bonus episode of Serenbe Stories, Garnie Nygren and Monica Olsen sit down with marketing expert Tony Triumph for a conversation all about building the Serenbe brand. Tony is the founder and CEO of the Triumphant Group, a New York based marketing agency that has worked with major brands such as Nordstrom, Kettle Vodka, and Hyatt Hote…

1
Love Where You Work with Stephanie Coyne & Amy Peterson 34:39

1y ago34:39

34:39

For the final episode of Season 8, Steve and Monica are turning the mics over to two of Serenbe’s amazing team members, HR Director Stephanie Coyne and Director of Community Operations Amy Peterson. Hear from Stephanie and Amy as they give listeners a rundown of living, working, and playing in the community - from learning on the job, new resident …

1
Building Genuine Connection & Stewarding Healthy Growth with Anne & Walter Henegar 30:53

1y ago30:53

30:53

Anne and Walter Henegar started making regular visits to Serenbe in 2008 and purchased their Mado townhome ten years later, becoming beloved part-time residents. So beloved, in fact, that many neighbors don’t even realize that they aren’t here full-time. When the Henegars aren’t in Serenbe, they’re up in Atlanta running Westside Presbyterian Church…

1
How TikTok Led Lisa & Jim Challenger to Serenbe 41:59

1y ago41:59

41:59

Lisa (aka Woody) and Jim Challenger were looking to move away from the freezing Chicago weather but finding little success - until Lisa stumbled across a TikTok of Serenbe that showed off the distinctive architecture, farm-to-table meals, and easy access to nature. They first visited in June of last year and were full-time residents by August. Lisa…

1
Slowing Down & Finding Balance with Entrepreneur Stephanie Nadi Olson 31:44

1y ago31:44

31:44

After years of working in the fast-paced world of digital marketing for massive companies like Microsoft and AOL, Stephanie Nadi Olson founded We Are Rosie, a revolutionary business that matches major brands with a national network of marketers looking for flexible but dependable work. After four years of rapid growth, Stephanie sold her company an…

1
This is Your Brain on Drugs & Marriage 59:34

1y ago59:34

59:34

We cover Brain Candy episodes 40 and 41 today, which includes discussions on mental health, drugs, and marriage. We start with a reflection on mental health and why there is a "stigma" sometimes about mental health, and the ways our brains can sabotage us. We learn which addictions are the most corrosive to our brains and we express our frustration…

1
Pro Bike Repair: The (Unofficial) Serenbe Welcome Center 29:06

1y ago29:06

29:06

Glen Slater grew up riding bikes everywhere and later worked in a bike shop in college, where he realized that his interest in building and machinery connected nicely with his love of cycling. He opened his own shop, Pro Bike Repair, in 2012 and moved it to Serenbe in 2019. In the intervening years, PBR has become the unofficial Welcome center due …

1
Embracing Small Town Living & Telling Your Own Stories with Amy Mass 33:02

1y ago33:02

33:02

When the world shut down in the Spring of 2020, Amy Mass and her husband Jared hit pause on their busy lives in Hollywood. Later that year, they piled into an RV with a few friends for what they imagined would be a relaxing Fall break in Serenbe - but like so many before them, they ended up under a contract for a house. Now, it’s almost impossible …

1
Sociopath Susie, Challenge Food, & Sarah's Pee Pants 37:10

1y ago37:10

37:10

Today we look back at more behind-the-scenes Challenge episodes and how so much of what we shared is now common knowledge. We discuss how the meals on the Challenge can be triggering, sporadic, and less than delicious. We talk about a cold call we did with Wes where he explained why he and Susie never got along, and his answer was extremely offensi…

1
Tales from the Bookshelf with Hills & Hamlets’ Josh Niesse 31:53

1y ago31:53

31:53

Stepping foot into the Hills & Hamlets Bookshop is like taking in a deep, calming breath. The atmosphere is warm and cozy and the shopkeepers couldn’t be friendlier or more knowledgeable. And even though the shop itself is on the smaller side, it’s packed to the brim with books from every genre you can think of including children's books, fantasy, …

1
Women in Aviation & The Magic of a Serenbe Potluck with Crystal Barrois 34:40

1y ago34:40

34:40

When Crystal Barrois and her husband drove down to Serenbe in late 2016, they knew they were home - despite the pouring rain. Since then, they’ve started a family here and watched their kids grow up as free range children, exploring the woods and community under the watchful eye of fellow neighbors, co-parents, and co-grandparents. It takes a villa…

1
Dressing Your Age, Secrets & Lies, ChatGPT Bios 1:03:33

1y ago1:03:33

1:03:33

We're covering a lot of ground today! First, Sarah wants to clarify on a psychology concept on early childhood trauma, and it's real good news! We were shocked to hear about an old sponsor who turned out to be a fraud, and we were both still using the product until now! Susie gives an amazing hack about money you might not even realize is owed to y…

1
Giving Back To Your Community with Philips McCarty 26:35

1y ago26:35

26:35

Philips McCarty and his family first came to Serenbe while searching for a getaway from bustling New York City life - particularly during the height of Covid, when people were longing for a connection to nature and access to open, outdoor spaces had never felt so important. Now the family splits their time between Serenbe and the city, where Philip…

1
Great Food, Lifelong Friendships, and Sustainable Living with Stephanie Walsh & Brandon Blanchard 43:57

1+ y ago43:57

43:57

Eleven years ago, a fateful Google search of ‘eco-conscious communities near Atlanta’ led Stephanie Walsh & Brandon Blanchard to Serenbe. In the intervening years, they’ve become integral members of the community. They’ve both worked here - Brandon in hospitality and Stephanie as an agent with Serenbe Real Estate - built a home here, lived in every…

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