[TESSA] Christie Mellor and her husband Richard have an unusual and beautiful open nest. She is a writer, an actor, and a painter – I’d call that a “triple threat.”

And Christie is our guide to a delightfully empty (and possibly open) nest.

You may have heard of Christie as she is the author of The Three Martini Playdate, The Three Martini Family Vacation: her third part of this trilogy of ideas is Fun Without Dick and Jane.

In this episode, we talk through the concepts behind these books. Christie and I discuss how so many things have evolved since her early days in San Francisco in the 1960s. Christie shares how her adult children married, got jobs, and found their careers. And we talk about the “selling the house and moving to New York” thing… leaving her adult “boys” behind.

From Christie Mellor, the best-selling author of The Three-Martini Playdate comes this hilarious (and helpful) guide to recovering from getting those little angels into college and out of the house. Filled with unapologetically funny yet entirely sympathetic advice, Mellor answers important questions (Is $200 an hour too much to spend for exam tutoring? Is moving to an apartment near campus ever an option?) and offers wise counsel on saying good-bye, getting kids to stay in touch (without begging), and coping when they come home to roost (which they will—for holidays, summer break, and possibly for years after graduation). Best of all, she inspires empty nesters to embrace their newfound freedom and enjoy their lives to the full.

Having moved from my tiny, happy kitchen in New York City, I’m currently painting and staring at trees on a tiny island in the Pacific Northwest. Author of a bunch of books, including The Three-Martini Playdate and Fun Without Dick & Jane. Former actor & voiceover person and Singer of Depression-era & original songs with the fabulous musicians of Doozy.

You can see Christie’s artwork here: Hat Monkey Studio

Embracing the “Open” in Open Nesting with Martha Joy Rose. The Museum of Motherhood. The Open Nesters Podcast.

Courage We engage in a heartfelt conversation with our daughter, discussing the significance of courage as we navigate this stage of life.

We reflect and celebrate The Open Nesters and completing five seasons of The Open Nesters Podcast, a platform redefining the empty nester experience.

In this episode, I sit down with Lara and Michael Blackin, visionaries behind Temple in the Trees. Evolution. Intimacy.

We explore the transformative power of gratitude and personal growth through an interview with Pam Grout, the author of “Thank and Grow Rich.”

This week, as we approach Thanksgiving, we address the complexities of family dynamics, expectations, and the importance of gratitude during this unique holiday. Give Thanks!

From Engineer to Erotic Healer. Dr. David Freeman has transitioned from a successful engineering career to a life dedicated to sexual well-being.

Gary and Darcy explore themes of aging, vitality, spirituality, and sexuality, they redefine what it means to be in an empty nest.

From Empty to Open: Reimagining Family Bonds in the Nesting Transition (S5 | E191). An interview with Zev Aaron from Zev Aaron Coaching.

My Adult Child Won’t Talk to Me: Finding Hope and a Path Forward (S5 | E190) | THE RULES OF ESTRANGEMENT | Dr. Joshua Coleman

Maria Leonard Olsen found herself living alone, on her own, at 50 years old… for the very first time. The Open Nesters Podcast.

Kids, Identity and Thanksgiving. They’re coming home soon from college, or life, this time of year. Are we ready?? !!

Playing with the Unexpected with Laura & Izzy. Polyamory. Community. Communication. Support. The Open Nesters Podcast.

Mothering Love and Success PART TWO (S4 | E162) with Leslie Russell, Tami Nora and Tessa. Another exclusive from The Open Nesters Podcast.

Mothering Love and Success (S4 | E161) with Leslie Russell, Tami Nora and Tessa. Another exclusive from The Open Nesters Podcast.

This week on The Open Nesters. Catastrophe Soup Ingredients for Reinvention (S4 | E158) Adventures from the empty nest.

We talk about giving each other space in this short episode. Part 2 of our intimate episode about trust and generosity.

An episode about Trust and the Empty Nest (and generosity!) with Tessa and Amir (S3 | E147) | The Open Nesters Podcast

Open Nesting in the Love Lab (S3 | E146) | We sit down for a second time with Sue Jaye and Joe from Relationship Tripping.

The Radio Vagabond | Still on the Road with Palle Bo (S3 | E145). Catching up with our hero traveler, Palle Bo. Our third interview.

This is a male-generational show: Men trusting their sons, nature, and their peers. We discuss a male tradition of mentorship and wisdom.

Late Bloomer’s Success (Season 3 | Episode 137) It’s Q&A time with Tessa and Amir. And – I have to say, Amir was amazingly open!!

Choices That Matter with Kim DeYoung (S3 | E136). Our guest this week, Kim DeYoung, is the Choice coach, author of The Book of Choice.

Dream Big, Live Courageously! (Season 3 | Episode 134) We have Marni and Jeremy on our podcast this week. Believe me when I say you will live differently after listening to this episode.

Failure is Our Friend (Season 3 | Episode 132) Thank goodness for Terry Clarke Murphy and her life experiences. Learned so much on this show.

Evolutionary Family, Partnership & Vision for Earth | Meet Hayden and Alia, two extra ordinary people on The Open Nesters Podcast.

The Precipice of Readiness with Nancy Colier (Season 3 | Episode 127) | Now in Season Three | The Open Nesters Podcast

Josh Miller Changemaker. We launch a new category for The Open Nesters this week. that centers on teh voices of Gen Z and Millennials.

Fun without Dick and Jane (Season 3 | Episode 118). Guest Christie Mellor joins Tessa for a fascinating conversation about… perspective.

I believe as I have grown wiser I have learned to embrace a new level of surrender to mother earth and nature. About Motherhood

Wild Monogamy – Like when you go to a play party and just play with your partner. Sex and Sensuality on The Open Nesters Podcast.

Junie Moon works in the shadows. Or, rather, she helps us deal with shadows. Demons. Deal with the parts of our lives that require a ‘reckoning.’

Becoming Beloveds with Kari and Steven Cardinale (S3 | E112). We have to recently married open nesters this week on the podcast.

Transparency & Micro-Bursts of Connections with Laura Silverstein (S3 | E111). The Open Nesters Podcast with Tessa & Amir.

We leaf through the categories that our podcasts fall under in this brief chat. And you can drill down by category too, in Season 2.

We talk about Dan’s divorce, his status as an Open Nester, and his work as a divorce coach. Deep self-discovery with Dan Sivils on The Open Nesters Podcast.

Disability, Aging and Love Potion Number 9 (Season 2 | Episode 85). An interview with Dr. Mitchell Tepper on The Open Nesters Podcast.

Sensual Energy with Christine Marie Mason (Season 2 | Episode 84). We celebrate Sensuality, Sexuality and Health Month.

Calling in Love Retreat: An event orchestrated by the Russell Family in Columbia. We go deeply into the world of these incredible people.

The Five Elements: Malaika was a mother, wife, business partner. And in one moment it all was taken from her.

Shift the Course. A father and son have an open conversation – right on the air – about their roles in their ever-changing relationship.

Deconstructing Motherhood & Divorce with Joy Rose. Building confidence and self love in Act III of your life. The Open Nesters Podcast.

Maria Leonard Olsen found herself living alone, on her own, at 50 years old… for the very first time. The Open Nesters Podcast.

Mother Daughter Relationships can be so incredibly challenging. There is such a need to nurture this kind of relationship.

Parent-Child Estrangement & How to Heal. An interview with Dr. Joshua Coleman.

Off the Grid Dad. Meet Cort Geraipy… truly one of the most interesting people you will ever encounter.

The Anxiety Sisters on The Open Nesters Podcast. Meet Abs and Mags. They talk about dealing with, managing, and taking control of your anxiety.

Open Nesting 201 with Tessa and Amir. After 40 podcat episodes Tessa and Amir reflect on what Open Nesting means to them now.

Welcome to Episode 39 of The Open Nesters Podcast. Polyamory is only one of the many topics we discuss on this podcast. As you can imagine it is a polarizing topic. It is not for everyone.

Thank and Grow Rich. The Open Nesters Podcast Episode 38 with Pam Grout. Appreciate the world around you, there are marvels everywhere.

WHO NAD? (Who Needs a Dog?). Yuval and De’Ana tell us about their relationship changes, business changes and new life in Act III.

Divorce, Dating, and Dreaming with Ava and Dave. The Open Nesters Podcast Episode 30. Tessa interviews two fascinating divorcees.

Camp Reinvention. What can you do with your life… right now? !! Wendy and Dana can help with that question. The Open Nesters Podcast.

Maggie originally was simply interested in real estate and while she was pursuing various opportunities in that area she came across this idea of co-living and began Cosy Quarters.

Bianca’s husband of 21 years was diagnosed with prostate cancer five years go. This, of course, disrupted everything. Life went upside down.

If it feels right, why not? Meet Elicia and Doug from Core Emotional Healing. We have a marvelous conversation with this amazing couple from Costa Rica.

Intuition, Kids and Heart intelligence with Julie Reisler. We are so pleased to welcome this inspirational lady to our podcast. So much to learn about parenting, self care, self love for you here.

We want to celebrate 20 episodes!! And we thought this unplugged show would be an opportune moment to share a bit about this journey.

Bolder and Older with Carl Honoré. The Open Nesters, Tessa and Amir, welcome a truly remarkable author and speaker.

Laura Campbell helps us look at the spiritual essence of our years after 50 when we have the time and space to be still for a while.

A self-confessed digital nomad, now living in Medellin, Columbia… living his digital travel advice. He is truly a radio vagabond who lives the life that he describes in his highly acclaimed The Radio Vagabond Travel Podcast.

Amidst COVID these two open-minded adults found each other. And they found that polyamory could work for them both. Thea and Curt met in early March – just prior to COVID. And then quarantine. Phone calls. Video chats. “It was challenging, I didn’t know if we had physical chemistry,” noted Curt.

From ballroom dancing to… a spiritual practice, yoga, drumming, climbing, these three couples enlighten us to the many possibilities that arise with an open nest. And what about challenges with sobriety and the damage excessive alcohol can do to a relationship?

In the interview the Open and Gypsy Nesters cover a lot of ground. From jumping into a beat up (think $3,000 on ebay!) old motor home to “sailing the seven seas” on a modest sized boat the adventures abound.

In their premier episode, the original Open Nesters, Tessa & Amir, discuss the concept of Open vs. Empty Nest. We’re so pleased to begin our journey with you on The Open Nesters Podcast.

We want to provide you with support and 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

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 in 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. Do you need MORE…