The Open Nesters The Open Nesters

Walking for Comfort, Vitality, and Inspiration

with Bruce Fertman

(Season 4 | Episode 159)













[Tessa] This week on The Open Nesters Podcast:  We explore embracing movement for graceful aging with author Bruce Fertman.

Balance. Vitality. Mindfulness... in the "open nest" stage of life. We explore the transformative power of walking for holistic well-being



























EPISODE TIME-CODE



















5:58 Navigating Life's Dark Nights









6:52 The Power of Questioning Beliefs





12:12 Walking Together in Silence





13:20 The Beauty of Walking Shoulder to Shoulder





21:21 Generating Vitality Through Walking





24:07 Finding Comfort in Physical Contemplation





32:58 Awakening the Inner World Through Movement





36:59 Exploring Aging Well and Health























































As you will hear in the show, we delve into Bruce's background, his journey from a rambunctious, energetic child to his passion for movement disciplines like martial arts and dance. Bruce discusses the importance of harnessing energy and finding harmony within oneself as one ages. We talk through the transition into the "open nest" stage of life, post-children leaving home, and the opportunity for personal reflection and growth during this period.













Bruce emphasizes the significance of slowing down, asking questions, and deepening one's connection with their body as they age. He shares simple exercises like questioning where one's body is, how much space it occupies, and whether it feels alive. Bruce's approach encourages individuals to find comfort, vitality, and inspiration by tuning into their bodies from the inside out. Our conversation touches on the transformative power of walking, not just as physical activity but as a reflective, meditative practice that enhances awareness and connection with the environment.



























Walking for Comfort, Vitality, and Inspiration







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Catastrophe Soup

Ingredients for Reinvention

(Season 4 | Episode 158)













[Tessa] The Open Nesters podcast - this week with Margery and Dom. We're calling it "CATASTROPHE SOUP."

This Open Nesters podcast features a conversation with Margery and Dom Piccini, a couple who share their journey as they transition into the open nesting stage of life. They reflect on their experiences as their children left home and they faced financial hardships, ultimately leading to a period of reinvention. Margery discusses her shift from a successful mortgage broker to a life and business coach, incorporating her personal development journey and overcoming an autoimmune disease through deep inner work.













EPISODE TIME-CODE













1:19 The Pivotal Transition to Open Nesting





2:38 Children Leaving the Nest





6:07 Facing Challenges Together





13:22 Embracing Vulnerability and Seeking Help





24:10 Overcoming Personal Challenges





30:04 Uncovering Trauma and Healing





33:44 Navigating Financial Crisis





36:14 Bless and Release: Finding Peace and Fulfillment











































Dom emphasizes the importance of having purpose as an empty nester, whether through individual pursuits or shared activities with a partner. This couple stresses the significance of honesty and communication in maintaining a strong relationship, especially during challenging times. Margery highlights the role of peace, joy, and fulfillment in guiding clients toward a meaningful third act in their lives and encourages authenticity and vulnerability as pathways to growth.



























To conclude, Amir and I talk through the resilience and transformation demonstrated by Margery and Dom. How they overcame adversity. Redefined success. Found joy in new beginnings. We are so appreciative of Marjorie and Dom's openness and willingness to share their journey, offering insights into navigating life's transitions with grace and courage.













CATASTROPHE SOUP















Resources for You













We want to provide you with support and many many resources for your own Open Nesting Journey. Our resource page has so much to offer as does our private discussion group on Facebook about queerness, relationship fluidity in the empty nest, and other topics of interest:

Open Nesters Resource Page

The Open Nesters Private Facebook Group





























About Tessa













Tessa Krone is the engine behind and the face of The Open Nesters.

Tessa holds an MA in Consciousness Studies and i...

Viva Monogamy

with Mali and Joe

(Season 4 | Episode 157)













[Tessa] The Open Nesters podcast - this week with Mali and Joe.

Mali and Joe share insights from their book "Wild Monogamy," discussing challenges faced in promoting it and the importance of investing in relationships. They explore topics like handling jealousy, social media's impact, and sustaining connection through activities like date weekends.

About The Book

Wild Monogamy: Cultivating Erotic Intimacy to Keep Passion and Desire Alive

National Indie Excellence Awards: Gold Medal

Living Now Book Awards: Silver Medal

Independent Publisher Book Awards: Bronze Medal

Drawing on stories from real people and the latest research on sex and love, Wild Monogamy encourages couples to develop—or redevelop!—their erotic intimacy. You'll learn how to create an environment of love and trust in which you can compassionately and creatively work with personal challenges, explore your desires, and enjoy new depths of connection together. In the process, you will:



* Enhance your emotional connection

* Use the healing power of eroticism to break free of fear, insecurity, inhibition, shame, and self-consciousness

* Transform everyday moments into moments of playfulness and passion

* See intimacy issues as perfect opportunities for healing, growth, and pleasure

* Design your own intimate adventures

* Ignite your attraction and desire for each other















EPISODE TIME-CODE





















5:06 Supporting Each Other







6:25 Overcoming Jealousy





7:42 Relationship Pitfalls





11:34 Growth in Relationships





12:20 Finding Gratitude





27:58 The Essence of Monogamy





29:08 The Challenge of Finding the Book





34:28 Investing in Your Relationship





35:53 Embracing "Wild Monogamy"









































In this episode of The Open Nesters Podcast, Mali and Joe discuss their book "Wild Monogamy" and the challenges they faced with its promotion on platforms like Amazon due to its sexual content being misunderstood as erotica. Despite the setbacks, their book has won multiple awards, and they emphasize the importance of continuing to invest in one's relationship and finding ways to communicate and have fun together.



























MALI APPLE













The conversation delves into topics such as dealing with jealousy, the impact of social media on insecurities, and the importance of gratitude and self-awareness in relationships. Mali and Joe share their approach to maintaining a strong connection, including taking time for date weekends away from work and technology while recognizing the uniqueness of their relationship dynamic.

Home Everywhere and Nowhere

with Jonathan Pillot

(Season 4 | Episode 156)













[Tessa] He's back! My dear friend Jonathan Pillot.

Jonathan is a creator, an explorer, and a man who is constantly challenging the norms. Each time we meet he brings me so much that is new. And so I am thrilled to have Jonathan back on the pod.

In this episode of The Open Nesters Podcast, Jonathan shares his personal journey of self-discovery and open nesting. He discusses open nesting, embracing nomadic living, and freeing oneself from societal labels. Jonathan explores the complexities of life, the value of authenticity, and self-acceptance.

Through his reflections on shame, mental health, and communication, Jonathan advocates for compassion, empathy, and self-love. He also sheds light on his upcoming projects, involvement in end-of-life work, and activism for societal issues, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and raising awareness. Jonathan is a testament to the power of self-discovery and living authentically despite societal expectations, offering insights into navigating life's paradoxes with grace and resilience.

READ JONATHAN'S LATEST BLOG HERE: ANGER + LOVE













HOME EVERYWHERE AND NOWHERE













TIME-CODE













0:00:06 The Open Nesters Podcast

0:13:03 Embracing Your Authentic Self

0:26:46 Balancing Community and Solitude

0:37:42 The Paradox of Home and Nomad Life

0:40:03 Confronting Shame and Mental Illness

0:40:18 Unlabeling and Redefining Yourself









































Resources for You













We want to provide you with support and many many resources for your own Open Nesting Journey. Our resource page has so much to offer as does our private discussion group on Facebook about queerness, relationship fluidity in the empty nest, and other topics of interest:

Open Nesters Resource Page

The Open Nesters Private Facebook Group





























About Tessa













Tessa Krone is the engine behind and the face of The Open Nesters.

Tessa holds an MA in Consciousness Studies and is a speaker, coach, program, and journey facilitator & leader, author and, of course, Podcaster.

Her offerings are based on her mission to help people open to their most self-expressed, loving selves. Tessa’s specialties include embodiment from all the senses and elements of our inner and outer lives, ranging from mindfulness, dance, play, and sensory exploration in nature.  If she had one superpower, it would be to help people, especially as they age, to live more open-hearted lives.



























Please email Tessa to make a connection. If you like, please answer the question:

What do you need to OPEN your NEST? In your LIFE. In your BODY. In your SPIRIT.

Relationship Fluidity in the Empty Nest

with Dr. Tammy Nelson

(Season 4 | Episode 155)













[Tessa] The Open Nesters podcast with Dr. Tammy Nelson.

Today we explore open relationships and non-monogamy, emphasizing communication and boundaries. Tammy and I discuss societal acceptance of diverse relationship models, from traditional monogamy to polyamory. Dr. Nelson introduces the Date Night Card Deck for intimate conversations and mentions a couples retreat in Joshua Tree. The episode highlights the importance of continuous communication and respect in navigating non-traditional relationships.













TIME-CODE













0:01:15 Dr. Tammy Nelson's Expertise

0:04:34 Couples Seeking Help

0:09:26 Overcoming Challenges

0:19:21 Understanding Boundaries

0:25:57 Upcoming Couples Retreat

0:31:31 Importance of Communication

0:33:28 Explore More Episodes







































The Open Nesters podcast explores the concept of being Open Nesters, embracing new adventures, relationships, and passions in the later stages of life. In a recent episode, Dr. Tammy Nelson, a sex and relationship expert, discussed the evolving dynamics of relationships, including open relationships and non-monogamy. Dr. Nelson shared insights from her book "Open Monogamy," emphasizing the importance of open communication, transparency, and understanding personal boundaries in relationships.













Dr. Nelson introduced the concept of the Date Night Card Deck, a tool designed to facilitate conversations around desires, appreciations, and boundaries in relationships. The cards provide a structured approach to discussing intimate topics and exploring fantasies with a partner. The episode also mentioned an upcoming couples retreat led by Dr. Nelson in Joshua Tree, California, aimed at couples seeking to rejuvenate their relationships and enhance intimacy through guided discussions and activities.













Throughout the episode, the hosts, Amir and Tessa, shared personal anecdotes and reflections on their own journey exploring alternative relationship dynamics, highlighting the evolution of their boundaries and comfort levels over time. The discussion underscored the importance of continuous communication, courage, and mutual respect in navigating non-traditional relationship structures.















Resources for You













We want to provide you with support and many many resources for your own Open Nesting Journey. Our resource page has so much to offer as does our private discussion group on Facebook about queerness, relationship fluidity in the empty nest, and other topics of interest:

Open Nesters Resource Page

The Open Nesters Private Facebook Group





























About Tessa













Tessa Krone is the engine behind and the face of The Open Nesters.

Tessa holds an MA in Consciousness Studies and is a speaker, coach, program,

Infidelity, and the Empty Nest

with Gordon & Jenn

(Season 4 | Episode 154)













[Tessa] In this episode of The Open Nesters Podcast, we hear from Jenn and Gordon as they share their journey from swinging lifestyles to polyamory. They discuss the importance of communication, honesty, and setting boundaries as they navigate blended families and transition into an open relationship. Jenn and Gordon highlight the growth in their relationship, self-discovery, and the support of a community. Hosts Amir and Tessa reflect on the significance of communication and community in unconventional relationships, offering resources for those exploring different relationship dynamics.













TIME-CODE













0:13:11 Jenn and Gordon's Background and Relationship Journey

0:17:28 Navigating Relationships with Children Around

0:27:42 Overcoming Personal Challenges in Open Relationships

0:34:28 Importance of Communication and Effort in Open Relationships

0:37:03 The Authenticity of Jenn and Gordon's Story

0:39:27 Encouraging Audience Engagement and Resources on Open Relationships







































Gordon & Jenn talk about their background, navigating blended families, and transitioning into an open relationship as they became empty nesters. They discuss the importance of communication, honesty, and setting boundaries to maintain a strong connection and trust within their relationship. Jen and Gordon share insights on discovering new aspects of themselves sexually, growth in their relationship, and the significance of having a supportive community. They emphasize the need for continuous effort, understanding, and being open-minded in exploring different relationship dynamics.

To sum up, Amir and I reflect on the guests' openness, vulnerability, and the importance of communication and community in unconventional relationships.















Resources for You













We want to provide you with support and many many resources for your own Open Nesting Journey. Our resource page has so much to offer as does our private discussion group on Facebook about queerness and other topics of interest:

Open Nesters Resource Page

The Open Nesters Private Facebook Group





























About Tessa













Tessa Krone is the engine behind and the face of The Open Nesters.

Tessa holds an MA in Consciousness Studies and is a speaker, coach, program, and journey facilitator & leader, author and, of course, Podcaster.

Her offerings are based on her mission to help people open to their most self-expressed, loving selves. Tessa’s specialties include embodiment from all the senses and elements of our inner and outer lives, ranging from mindfulness, dance, play, and sensory exploration in nature.  If she had one superpower, it would be to help people, especially as they age, to live more open-hearted lives.



























Please email Tessa to make a connection. If you like, please answer the question: