Biophilic Solutions: Nature Has the Answers

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 Atlanta, Steve has spent decades exploring how the places we live can better support o...

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 relation to the land.

In this episode, Monica sits down with journalist and author Kelse...

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, Monica sits down with New York Times bestselling author Leigh Ann Henion, whose latest b...

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: Transforming Where We Live with Radical Common Sense, Serenbe founder Steve Nygren sat down wit...

This week, we’re joined by Amy Martin, host of the Peabody Award-winning podcast Threshold, for a conversation that spans everything from the hidden harms of noise pollution and ecological grief to imagining a future free from the looming threat of climate change. Amy brings a thoughtful, poetic lens to the climate conversation, reminding us of the urgency of the moment, the profound beauty of the world we’re trying to protect, and...

What if we told you that simple, meaningful action starting today can help protect the world’s oceans?

In this hopeful and eye-opening episode, Monica sits down with Katie Day, Senior Manager of Science and Policy at the Surfrider Foundation, to talk about the practical steps we can all take to safeguard our oceans and coral reefs. Katie breaks down how interconnected threats—like plastic pollution and harmful sunscreen ingredients—...

Over the past few years, we've had the privilege of sitting down with visionaries, scientists, designers, farmers, poets, and policymakers. Each conversation has expanded our perspective, encouraging us to see the world through a broader, greener lens.

For our 100th episode, we’re hitting pause to reflect on this amazing journey so far. We’ve sifted through the highlights to spotlight the themes and ideas that continue to rise ...

Today, we’re diving into one of the most urgent and complex challenges of our time: how to truly and equitably mitigate climate change, starting in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This conversation spans a web of critical themes: climate finance, cutting-edge technologies, and most importantly, putting Indigenous communities at the forefront of protecting and restoring the planet’s most vital ecosystems.

Joining us is the brilli...

Time and again, we've examined how the challenges we face – poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and more – are deeply intertwined. Understandably, it can start to feel pretty overwhelming. But here’s the encouraging part: the solutions are just as interconnected. 

In this episode of Biophilic Solutions, we speak with Helena Norberg-Hodge, founder and director of Local Futures, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring ecol...

Let’s face it. Our waste habits are, well, pretty wasteful. Every single day, more than 27,000 trees are cut down just to make toilet paper. Meanwhile, the average disposable diaper takes over 500 years to decompose in a landfill, all while leaching harmful plastics and chemicals into the environment. And that’s not even counting other single-use sanitary products like tampons, pads, and wipes. Put simply, our throwaway culture is ...

On today’s episode, we’re delving into the growing epidemic of loneliness, examining its root causes, far-reaching impacts, and what it will take to rebuild our social fabric. For this important and timely conversation, we were thrilled to be joined by Radha Agrawal, author of the bestselling book Belong: Find Your People, Create Community & Live a More Connected Life. Radha is also the Co-founder, CEO, and Chief Community Arch...

For many people, work simply isn’t working anymore. Wages have stagnated while the cost of living continues to rise. Endless hours in front of a screen leave us burnt out. More often than not, the labor we do feels disconnected from any real purpose. But what if there was another way? Imagine a future where small communities live in harmony with the land, and the work we do is rooted in care for each other, for the earth, and for o...

Today, we’re exploring the landscapes of the future with Stacy Passmore and Diane Lipovsky, co-founders of the award-winning landscape architecture studio, Superbloom. Stacy and Diane are redefining the role of landscape architecture by designing spaces that foster meaningful connections between people and the land. From transforming schoolyards and government buildings to rewilding a 50-acre golf course and planning solar parks, t...

We’re living in an era largely defined by consumerism, social media addiction, climate change, and political unrest. Given all of that, it’s really no surprise that many of us feel overwhelmed, burned out, and disconnected.

That’s why, today, we’re thrilled to welcome Douglas Rushkoff, an award-winning author and documentarian, who was named one of the world’s ten most influential intellectuals by MIT. Douglas’s work tackles some of...

This week, we’re sitting down with Rebecca Magee to discuss the importance of seasonal living, the need to honor periods of rest, and how reconnecting with nature can lead to a more thoughtful and invigorating way of life. 

Rebecca is the founder of Sister Seasons,  an impact company that helps changemakers work with nature’s cycles to develop the skills they need to be thriving, regenerative leaders on a rapidly changing planet. Wi...

As we launch Season 5, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the vital role of nature in uncertain times. Our connection to the natural world isn’t just about aesthetics – it profoundly shapes our mental health, strengthens community bonds, and influences our cultural identities. In this episode, we explore how technology can either distract us or serve as a tool for deeper engagement and examine how our consumption habits affect our...

Season 5 of Biophilic Solutions premieres on Tuesday, March 4th! This season, we're taking a broader approach to biophilia—going beyond architecture and design to examine nature’s role in culture, politics, and spirituality. We’ll tackle pressing issues like the rise of AI, the influence of social media, and the current political climate, all through the lens of nature and balance. With a focus on hope and possibility, we’ll p...

This year, we’re embracing the slower pace of winter and our mantra is less rush, more cheer. More time with family and friends, more warm cups of tea, more long walks in the woods, and of course more time spent curled up with a good book. So, as the holiday season approaches, we’re back with more nature-inspired and uplifting reads. So whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for someone special in your life or are in need of s...

Does the natural world bear witness to history? What lessons can nature teach us about survival, adaptation, and connection? This week, we’re exploring those questions and so much more alongside Erin Sharkey. Erin Sharkey is the editor of A Darker Wilderness: Black Nature Writing From Soil To Stars, an acclaimed anthology that weaves together history, personal narrative, and imaginative storytelling in order to explore the profound...