Biophilic Solutions: Nature Has the Answers

In a time of deep political division and environmental crisis, what would it look like to design a democracy that’s truly in harmony with the natural world? In this episode, we revisit a powerful 2022 conversation with David Orr, Professor of Practice at Arizona State University, editor of Democracy in a Hotter Time, and one of the leading voices at the intersection of ecology, education, and politics. Orr challenges us to think beyond short-term fixes and consider how a “biophilic democracy” rooted in care for each other and the planet could transform the way we live and govern. We explore why democracies fail, how our brains are wired for both division and connection, and how education might help us build a more resilient and compassionate society. Show Notes: * Democracy in a Hotter Time: Climate Change and Democratic Transformation [https://bookshop.org/lists/author-interviews-biophilic-solutions], edited by David W. Orr * Democracy Unchained: How To Rebuild Government For The People [https://bookshop.org/books/democracy-unchained-how-to-rebuild-government-for-the-people/9781620975138], edited by David W. Orr, Andrew Gumbel, Bakari Kitwana, and William S. Becker * Dangerous Years: Climate Change, the Long Emergency, and the Way Forward [https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300234602/dangerous-years/] by David Orr * Democracy in a Hotter Time [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4asfd6KKi_I], presentation at Elon University (YouTube) * Design with Nature [https://www.amazon.com/Design-Nature-Ian-L-McHarg/dp/047111460X] by Ian L. McHarg * The Biophilia Hypothesis [https://bookshop.org/books/the-biophilia-hypothesis/9781559631471], edited by E.O. Wilson and Stephen R. Kellert * Dr. David Orr and Dr. Miranda Yaver [https://standupwithpete.libsyn.com/-dr-david-orr-and-dr-miranda-yaver-episode-435] on the Stand Up! With Pete Dominick Podcast * Children & Nature Network [https://www.childrenandnature.org/] * Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder [https://bookshop.org/books/last-child-in-the-woods-saving-our-children-from-nature-deficit-disorder/9781565126053] by Richard Louv * Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st Century Economist [https://bookshop.org/books/doughnut-economics-seven-ways-to-think-like-a-21st-century-economist/9781603587969] by Kate Raworth Keywords:  David Orr, biophilic democracy, nature and politics, ecological design, climate crisis, democracy reform, environmental education, sustainability, biophilia, civic engagement, ecological literacy, long-term thinking, political polarization, community resilience, democratic transformation, environmental ethics, nature connection, systems thinking, education and ecology, hope and renewal, doughnut economics, circular economy Biophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/biophilicsolutions/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/biophilic-solutions-nature-has-the-answers/] and learn more on our website [https://www.biophilicsolutions.com/]. #NatureHasTheAnswers

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 our health, happiness, and connection to nature. Now, he’s sharing that journey in his new book, Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense. 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. It’s out on October 7th, 2025, just one week from today. In this conversation, we cover a lot of ground: Steve’s early path as a placemaker, the turning point that inspired Serenbe, what it really means to take care of your own “backyard,” and how each of us can make change in the spaces we influence. It’s an inspiring reminder that meaningful transformation often begins very close to home. Show Notes * Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense [https://stevenygren.com/] by Steve Nygren * Listen to the Start In Your Own Backyard Podcast [https://startinyourownbackyard.buzzsprout.com/] * Steve Nygren on Substack [https://stevenygren.substack.com/] * Steve Nygren on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stevenygren/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenygren/] * Learn more about Serenbe [https://www.serenbe.com/]  Keywords: biophilia, radical common sense, sustainable living, placemaking, community design, intentional living, Serenbe, Steve Nygren, nature connection, regenerative communities, backyard solutions, sustainable communities, holistic design, living with nature, environmental design, human-nature connection, mindful development, local change, ecological living, design for well-being Biophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/biophilicsolutions/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/biophilic-solutions-nature-has-the-answers/] and learn more on our website [https://www.biophilicsolutions.com/]. #NatureHasTheAnswers

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 Kelsey Timmerman to explore what it means to belong to a place rather than own it. From Hawaiian teachings about belonging to a river to the idea that each of us carries with us a heart of the world, Kelsey invites us to rethink our connection to the Earth. Together, we dive into the paradox of hope in the face of devastation, why the people most connected to the land often carry the most optimism, and how agency and reverence can help us meet the urgent challenges of climate change. Show Notes * About Kelsey Timmerman [https://kelseytimmerman.com/about-kelsey/] * Regenerating Earth: Farmers Working with Nature to Feed Our Future [https://bookshop.org/lists/author-interviews-biophilic-solutions] by Kelsey Timmerman * Where Am I Eating? [https://bookshop.org/lists/author-interviews-biophilic-solutions] By Kelsey Timmerman * Where Am I Giving? [https://bookshop.org/lists/author-interviews-biophilic-solutions] By Kelsey Timmerman * Where Am I Wearing? [https://bookshop.org/lists/author-interviews-biophilic-solutions] By Kelsey Timmerman * HOW REGENERATIVE FARMING CAN FEED THE FUTURE (THE PACKER) [https://www.thepacker.com/news/sustainability/how-regenerative-farming-can-feed-future] * Rodale Institute [https://rodaleinstitute.org/] * Health & Happiness Project [https://www.healthandhappinessproject.org/] * Soil 4 Climate [https://www.facebook.com/groups/Soil4Climate/] Key Words: regenerative agriculture, climate change, biophilic living, connection to land, Hawaiian wisdom, belonging to place, heart of the world, Kelsey Timmerman, hope and agency, indigenous knowledge, environmental stewardship, sustainable farming, community resilience, reconnection with nature, changing hearts and minds Biophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/biophilicsolutions/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/biophilic-solutions-nature-has-the-answers/] and learn more on our website [https://www.biophilicsolutions.com/]. #NatureHasTheAnswers

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 book Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark dives deep into the wonders that come alive after the sun sets. From glowworms and synchronous fireflies to the hidden beauty of moonlit gardens, Leigh Ann shows us how embracing darkness can transform the way we experience nature. Join us for an illuminating (pun intended!) journey into the world of night, and discover why reclaiming darkness might just be one of the most healing biophilic practices we can embrace. Show Notes * Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark [https://bookshop.org/lists/author-interviews-biophilic-solutions]by Leigh Ann Henion * Leigh Ann Henion on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/leighannhenion/?hl=en] * About Leigh Ann Henion [https://leighannhenion.com/] * Burnout by Leigh Ann Henion [https://orionmagazine.org/article/burnout/] (Orion Magazine) Key words: Leigh Ann Henion, Night Magic book, Phenomenal book, New York Times bestselling author, night sky, darkness, dark skies, reclaiming the night, glowworms, fireflies, moon gardens, stargazing, nocturnal animals, nature connection, natural rhythms, light pollution, circadian rhythms, awe and wonder, mindful living, ecology, local nature, natural world, biophilia, biophilic, biophilic design  Biophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/biophilicsolutions/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/biophilic-solutions-nature-has-the-answers/] and learn more on our website [https://www.biophilicsolutions.com/]. #NatureHasTheAnswers

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 with Vanessa Champion for the Journal of Biophilic Design podcast. Together, they explore how to apply biophilic principles in real and meaningful ways to transform our neighborhoods, towns, and cities. We’re thrilled to share that conversation with you here. Along the way, Steve reflects on Serenbe’s beginnings, why traditional labels never quite fit, and how discovering the idea of “biophilic cities” helped frame his vision. Vanessa brings her own thoughtful perspective as a writer, photographer, and advocate for design that nurtures both people and the planet. And be sure to stay tuned until the very end! We’re giving you a sneak peek of Steve’s brand new podcast, also called Start In Your Own Backyard, featuring stories, expert voices, and practical inspiration from the book. Show Notes * Pre-Order Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Steve Nygren [https://stevenygren.com/] * Listen to the Start In Your Own Backyard Podcast * Steve Nygren on Substack [https://stevenygren.substack.com/] * The Journal of Biophilic Design [https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/] * Learn More about Serenbe [https://www.serenbe.com/] Biophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/biophilicsolutions/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/biophilic-solutions-nature-has-the-answers/] and learn more on our website [https://www.biophilicsolutions.com/]. #NatureHasTheAnswers