The Open Nesters

Who Needs a Dog? With Yuval and De'Ana

(The Open Nesters Episode 35)

If you only have a minute for us, push play on the red button.

Yuval and Dee' AnaE35 summaryYuval and Dee' AnaE35 summaryYuval and Dee' AnaE35 summary

This is Tessa. We have very impressive couple this week on the podcast. They each came from a divorce, found each other on match.com and, actually, after falling in love did not plan on getting married. Yet... today they are (happily!) married. More on that in this episode.

Yuval and De'Ana each came to the relationship with two children.

Beyond their strong relationship, they jumped into new ventures. Yuval discusses how he was once a helicopter and jet pilot and found himself out of a job without a clear idea on what to do about that. That is when he and his dog found themselves spending so much time together. Yuval tells how he named his dog "WHONAD" an acronym for "Who Needs a Dog?" They spent every day together on long walks for many months. But... three months in... Yuval found himself speaking to "WHONAD" out loud and very directly... "I will never call you WHONAD again!" Burton, the dog, was very forgiving. And they are great pals to this today!

For her part De'Ana gave up her career to work with Yuval in Florida for a while - with Yuval as her boss... imagine that!!

These two are bold, take no prisoners and seize the day - that's for sure. It's all in the podcast. I cannot wait for you to hear it. And share comments below or on our Facebook page The Open Nesters.

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

* ask to join and we'll let you in

The Book of Life with Esther Russell

(The Open Nesters Episode 34)

If you only have a minute for us, push play on the red button.

Esther summaryEsther summaryEsther summary

Welcome to this week's podcast! This is Tessa. We have a dear friend on the podcast this week. Esther Russell. And that means... something epic. Something revealing. Something big. That's because Esther is what is called an "empath." She is highly in tune with the thoughts and feelings and emotions of others.

As a child Esther would go into a room, feel the weight of the feelings there (pains, joys sufferings) and burst into tears.

So, that is interesting in its own right. However, in her open nesting years, Esther has turned this unique ability to see into a service that she offers to others through her practice. Esther now helps us understand the influences, legacies, and insights of our elders through her study of the Akashic Record. And (particularly fascinating!!) Esther can summon our ancestors and in some ways put them to work on our own behalf. Her practice is called The Book of Life with Esther.

More About Esther...

WHO I AM

Having recognized my unique empathic and intuitive gifts from a very young age, I’ve continued to follow my inner vision throughout my life leading me on a journey of healing and spiritual awakening. As an intuitive, soul guide, energy healer, online psychic reader, and positive psychology coach, I’ve trained with master healers and spiritual teachers around the world.  My mission, passion and commitment are to be a lighthouse and spread light to everyone I meet.

#default-btn-519abf6b46c7c188abd891c090bbef64.ico-right-side > i {

margin-right: 0px;

margin-left: 8px;

}

#default-btn-519abf6b46c7c188abd891c090bbef64 > i {

margin-right: 8px;

}

Learn More

WHAT I DO

As your sacred guide I attune to your energetic field and receive guidance to answer your most compelling questions. From this Divine perspective we open the door to all possibilities and heal energy blocks.  I take you on a journey of remembering who you truly are and awaken your highest potential. We discover karmic patterns from this life (and past) that lay bare the reasons for your struggles and limitations.  A Book of Life Reading is a deep car wash for the soul.

#default-btn-bb2e75fe6ce6a937b47e5a42cdff4e30.ico-right-side > i {

margin-right: 0px;

margin-left: 8px;

}

#default-btn-bb2e75fe6ce6a937b47e5a42cdff4e30 > i {

margin-right: 8px;

}

Hot Flashes and Cool Topics

(The Open Nesters Episode 33)

If you only have a minute for us, push play on the red button.

hot flashes summaryhot flashes summaryhot flashes summary

Welcome to this week's podcast! This is Tessa. I have two powerful women on this week's show. Colleen Ricci Rosenblum and Bridget Biagi Garratt join me in a lively conversation about aging, an empty nest, menopause and... as the title suggests, Hot Flashes. Colleen and Bridget created a podcast for women over 50 called Hot Flashes and Cool Topics. They have had some impressive guests already and have even been featured in Women's Day Magazine.

A PODCAST FOR MIDLIFE WOMEN

Hot Flashes & Cool Topics Podcast is changing the narrative for women in midlife and beyond. The cultural lag needs to catch up to modern women over 50 who have more spending power, wisdom and positive energy to share with the world. Hot Flashes & Cool Topics features women over 50 that are single/married, professional/entrepreneur/retired, empty nester/childfree but all have in common that they enjoy the freedoms that come with this time. We cover every aspect of the modern midlife and beyond woman and showcase them as we are today and will continue to be tomorrow.

COLLEEN

Colleen started her professional career as an attorney, then a stay-at-home mom, Pilates instructor and now podcaster. She is married to her high school sweetheart, has two beautiful adult daughters and two adored pets.

BRIDGET

Bridgett is the married mother of two, former elementary school teacher, turned small time actor, turned podcaster along with friend and co-host Colleen Rosenblum. Bridget and Colleen started this podcast because the want to be the “umbrella” of topics that relate to midlife women... in a conversation style to ensure their voices are heard.

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

* ask to join and we'll let you in

Resources from Bridget and Colleen

Hot Flashes & Cool Topics Blog

HF&CT Podcast

Pat Whitty, Modern Elder

(The Open Nesters Episode 32)

If you only have a minute for us, push play on the red button.

Episode SummaryEpisode SummaryEpisode Summary

Welcome to this week's podcast! We have a very special interview for you, with a "modern elder" named Pat Whitty. This remarkable septuagenerian (age 78) is the very picture of an Open Nester. Life changes, career changes, finding great meaning in his life in his Act IIl (or as Pat calls it 'Chapter Four') define this fascinating man.

Pat is an alumnus and community leader of an organization called M|E|A The Modern Elder Academy. This organization is in Baja, California and is positioned as a "mid-life business school." People "connect with their wisdom" during two week visits to their campus. It's about finding your path in your next chapter of life.

Pat Whitty calls himself a Modern Elder Whisperer. Through his own study of health, aging, and his own transition to a Modern Elder, Pat has a unique understanding of the emotional and psychological needs of elders.

Pat recently left his position as the Dean of the School of Business at a San Antonio university to pursue a new career as a Health and Life Transition Coach helping people in midlife and beyond write the next chapter of their life.

He has a Master's Degree in Organizational Development from Incarnate Word University. He was manager of Leadership and Management Training at Chase Bank for 10 years.

Pat is the president of the Rotary Club of San Antonio at the Dominion.

More About Pat

Pat has been in this space for a long time. He owned the Dale Carnegie Training franchise in South Texas for most of his life. There they focused on personal development, communication skills, leadership, and management. Most recently he found himself to be the dean at a school of business in San Antonio, TX. He observed his life there. Private parking space, prestige, responsibility. Yet he was mostly just answering emails all day long where the dialogue was mostly about "CYA... covering your ass." THIS was not how Pat wanted to spend the rest of his days. He made a decision to leave that big job... voluntarily... at age 78!! At this age that is most certainly a "bridge burned!"

Pat formed his company "Chapter Four Coaching." The name comes from Pat's mom's advice:

Chapter One: "Get a Good Education"

Chapter Two: "Find a Real Good Job with a Real Good Company"

Chapter Three: "Retire and Live Happily Every After" 

For Pat it's all about Chapter Four.

My old self stalks me

Like a jilted lover

Keeping me from the new person

I'm eager to discover

 

That person did not make me happy

Yet it is still pulling on me

The security of misery

Is keeping me from being free

 

Am I Vladimir or Estragon

Waiting for Godot

Wasting my life away

In search of someone I don't know

 

I'm hearing the call

Ready for the adventure

Can't cross the threshold

Until I find a mentor

 

Why am I afraid of uncertainty

Seduced by the illusion of knowing

It's all in the past

Keeping me from growing