THE PATH BACK TO PLEASURE AND TRUST with Maria Merloni THE PATH [TESSA] As we navigate the season of “Love Month” here at the Open Nesters, I find myself reflecting deeply on what it means to truly inhabit our bodies and our relationships as we age. I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Maria Merloni, a therapist and sex and relationship coach who is redefining what it looks like to turn sixty with vitality, grace, and an open heart. Maria’s journey is a powerful reminder that our “second act” in love can often be more profound and fulfilling than our first, provided we are willing to do the cellular work required to heal and grow. BACK TO PLEASURE AND TRUST One of the most striking parts of our conversation was Maria’s transparency about her own path to finding a healthy partnership. After a first marriage and a cycle of dating men with unhealed addictions, she realized she wasn’t “bad at picking men”—she was actually picking the exact right people to point her toward her own unhealed childhood trauma. By engaging in deep, somatic therapy, she broke that cycle and eventually met her husband, Paul, at a Tantra gathering. Her story beautifully illustrates that when we heal our internal landscape, the external world—and the partners we attract—changes to meet us. Maria and Paul’s relationship is a masterclass in intentionality. They don’t just “exist” together; they celebrate what they call a “Relationship Party” every week. While many couples only discuss the logistics of finances or children, Maria and Paul use this time to check in on their spiritual development, their health goals, and how they are feeling within the relationship itself. It turns the implicit into the explicit, ensuring that no resentment builds and that both partners feel seen and cherished. It’s a practice I believe every Open Nestor could benefit from as we redefine our lives after the kids have flown the nest. Beyond the home, Maria and Paul have embraced the freedom of the Open Nest by becoming “home exchangers,” traveling the world from Bali to Hawaii while working virtually. This sense of adventure isn’t just about the stamps in a passport; it’s about a lifestyle of “life wide open.” They’ve turned their home into a sanctuary for the community, hosting non-sexual “cuddle parties” to address the touch-deprivation so common in our modern, tech-heavy world. This commitment to service and connection is a beautiful example of how we can use our wisdom years to foster community and healing for others. We also dove into the vital topic of embodiment and “Yoni Massage,” a practice Maria teaches to help women reconnect with their bodies. For many of us, aging can bring physical changes—menopause, dryness, or a sense of disconnection—that make us feel less “sensual.” Maria reclaims this not just as a sexual act, but as a spiritual and healing practice. She explained how “stuck energy” from past traumas can live in our tissues, and how gentle, intentional massage can release that energy, balance hormones naturally, and open up new pathways for pleasure that many women never even knew were possible. It was refreshing to hear Maria debunk the “malarkey” of the patriarchy regarding women’s sexual potential. She reminded me that our power is often tied to our sexual functioning and our ability to feel pleasure, yet we have been conditioned to feel shame or believe we have limitations. Whether it’s exploring the lost art of the “sacred spot” or simply learning to love our bodies as they are today, the journey toward sexual empowerment doesn’t have an expiration date. At 64, I find myself constantly learning new ways to appreciate my own “juiciness” and presence, and Maria’s work is a guiding light for that exploration. We closed our talk with a beautiful sentiment from her husband, Paul: the intention to “make every moment sacred.” Despite the very real hardships life has thrown their way—including the loss of a child and family health struggles—they choose to remain present. Using techniques from Tantra, they focus on the “now,” whether that’s the color of the morning sky or the sensation of breath. As Open Nesters, we have the choice to stay stuck in the grief of the “empty” nest or to awaken to the divinity in every moment. I am choosing the latter, and I hope Maria’s wisdom inspires you to do the same. 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. And visit her page here on the Open Nesters Website. If you like, please answer the question: What do you need to OPEN your NEST? In your LIFE. In your BODY. In your SPIRIT. Do you need MORE… Adventure Freedom of Expression Exploration and Fun Body Movement New circles of friends Deep love relationships
