The Open Nesters

When we think about midlife, the empty nest, and the chapters that follow, we often talk about reinventing ourselves, traveling, or picking up long-forgotten passions.

But being an Open Nester also means opening our hearts to the entire spectrum of the human experience—including the profound transitions of aging, loss, and death. In this encore episode, I had the deep joy of welcoming back my dear friend Lynnea Brinkerhoff, a gifted coach, consultant, and death doula who brings remarkable warmth, playfulness, and grounding to life’s most tender moments.

Lynnea and I first connected years ago during a graduate program on consciousness, and our bond has always been anchored in laughter, shared curiosity, and deep presence. Over the last decade and a half, we’ve walked alongside one another through personal milestones and profound family losses. When my own mother was passing, Lynnea was right there to help me hold that sacred space—guiding me to ground myself physically and emotionally so I could step into loving leadership for my family.

One of the most powerful insights Lynnea shared in our conversation is that holding space for loss doesn’t mean drowning in solemn heaviness. We often view grief as an obstacle to avoid, yet true growth comes from finding vitality in life’s final transitions and dancing with both the “ten thousand joys and the ten thousand sorrows.” In somatic work, even the smallest physical movement—a gentle sway, a conscious stretch, a deep exhale—can unstick old tension held deep in our core, creating the emotional capacity we need to face heartbreak without shutting down.

Lynnea shared a moving story about her work with Pearl, a 99-year-old elder full of humor and fire. When Pearl’s final moments arrived, surrounded by care and tenderness, her gaze softened into the universe and the only word she spoke was a quiet, awe-filled, “Wow.” Lynnea was also able to guide Pearl’s son from frozen avoidance into intimate, heartfelt connection at her bedside, giving him a transformative moment of closure and truth that will stay with him for the rest of his life.

This poignant work centers on finding vitality in life’s final transitions rather than viewing death simply as a clinical, medical event. It is a sacred human passage that deserves ritual, presence, and sensory connection. Simple acts—lighting a calming scent, gently washing hands, listening to unspoken wishes, or stepping outside to look at the moon together—reconnect us to the present moment. In a culture that spends so much energy attempting to control the uncontrollable, allowing ourselves to feel the rhythm of life and death is where deep healing actually begins.

As Open Nesters, many of us find ourselves navigating the loss of our parents while redefining our own relationships and purpose. Rather than turning away from the tenderness of these moments, finding vitality in life’s final transitions offers us an opportunity to show up fully in love, humor, and embodiment. When we learn to face our fears of the unknown, we discover that grief isn’t the opposite of joy—it’s the deep emotional ground that makes every breath, every laugh, and every connection so infinitely precious.

To explore more of Lynnea’s compassionate work and end-of-life resources, you can connect with her through Virtual Memorials. We invite you to join our vibrant Open Nesters community, share your own stories in our private discussion group, and keep tuning in as we explore what it truly means to live life wide open.

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

Friendship is the heartbeat of a life well-lived.

Despite our need for meaningful connection, friendship can seem surprisingly difficult to find. But what if friendship isn’t something we find at all, but something we learn to create?

That journey begins with oneself and the exploration of the quiet places within our hearts.

As we become more heart-centered, we are willing to see one another not only for who we have been, but for who we are becoming, allowing for more curiosity, growth and change in ourselves and our friendships. Old relationships evolve and new ones beckon.

Stacey Tessa K. Battat–through her years exploring what makes friendships deepen, endure, and come alive–has uncovered for herself how old relationships can evolve and new ones can beckon. She identified five doors to open ourselves and create richer connections: Play, Inspiration, Generosity, Value Alignment, and Creative Alchemy.

The Five Doors of Friendship is an invitation to welcome possibility in both old and new friendships, softening the path to feel seen, energized, challenged, accepted, and celebrated!

When Amir and I sat down with Jennifer and Chris for this episode, I knew we were in for something special. There is a quiet, profound sweetness in the way these two understand each other—a connection honed not by daily routines in the same living room, but through years of intentional presence across continents.

Their story began decades ago as high school sweethearts who eventually went their separate ways, traveled the world, and reconnected later in life via long-distance emails and letters. What struck me immediately was how they built a foundation of compersion—that rare, beautiful feeling of genuine joy for your partner’s happiness outside of yourself—long before they even attached a label to their relationship.

When Jennifer brought up the idea of exploring ethical non-monogamy, it wasn’t a reckless leap; it was a conscious invitation to growth. For Chris, taking those first steps into polyamory while separated by an ocean was a radical, challenging shift that required deliberate inner work. They immersed themselves in books, attended meetup groups, and established dedicated two-hour check-ins to hold space for the hard, uncomfortable conversations. Through navigating long-distance dating, time zone hurdles, and emotional friction, they discovered that opening their relationship didn’t pull them apart—it built an indestructible framework for radical honesty and deep self-awareness.

What I love most about their dynamic is how fluidly they allowed their relationship to evolve. After several years of practicing polyamory, both Jennifer and Chris found themselves naturally transitioning back toward a committed, monogamous bond. Their time exploring open relationships wasn’t a “failed experiment”—it was a transformative bridge that taught them how to express their desires, set healthy boundaries, and bring a renewed sense of erotic novelty and intimacy back to each other. It’s a powerful reminder that we have full permission to design our relationships in seasons, choosing what serves our growth at any given stage of life.

This spirit of openness inevitably ripples into our homes and how we show up for our adult children. Both Jennifer and Chris recently experienced the unexpected gift of having their adult daughters move back home—Jennifer’s 26-year-old daughter for ten months, and Chris’s daughter while pursuing her PhD in Germany. As parents, watching our children navigate their own adult transitions allows us to model a life of continuous self-discovery. By letting go of traditional expectations in our own lives, we create a supportive, judgment-free space where our children feel safe to grow, return, and eventually take flight again.

As we move through midlife, there is so much grace in giving ourselves permission to ask for what we need, whether that’s in the bedroom, in our careers, or in our living arrangements. Aging doesn’t mean settling into static routines; it’s an invitation to step out of the “vanilla” defaults society hands us and try something new from the menu. When we embrace the pauses, practice active listening, and give ourselves grace, we realize that midlife isn’t about holding onto control—it’s about opening our hearts to whatever rich experiences are waiting for us next.

If there’s one takeaway from my conversation with Jennifer and Chris, it’s that there is no single right way to be an open nester. Whether you are navigating long-distance longing, rethinking your relationship design, or welcoming adult kids back into your spare room, the secret lies in savoring every season for what it is. I encourage you to pause, listen closely to your partner and yourself, and step boldly into your next chapter. What is one area in your relationship or life where you could give yourself more permission to grow this week?

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

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…

Welcome back, my beautiful Open Nesters community! In this episode, we stepped into a deeply powerful, honest, and necessary conversation about recovery, healing, and the real work of reinventing ourselves in “Act 3″—that transformative stage of life when our kids have left or are leaving the nest. Joining me for this rich panel were three incredible guests: Andrea Cashman, a yoga and mindfulness facilitator; Kelvin Young, a certified sound healer and recovery support specialist; and DeDe Armstrong, a recovery coach with master’s degrees in social work and addiction counseling. Together, we explored how recovery isn’t just about stepping away from a substance; it’s about opening our hearts, transforming our family dynamics, and rediscovering our inner vitality.

When our children fly the nest, many parents find themselves standing in an unfamiliar quiet. For some, this shift brings up sudden loneliness or a lack of purpose, which can easily lead to coping mechanisms like alcohol or other habits. But as our guests pointed out, Act 3 offers a fresh canvas. Andrea shared how her own path into sobriety initially grew out of caring for both her aging parents and her children simultaneously. The sheer stress made her realize she needed to stay clear and clear-headed. What began as a necessity transformed her entire outlook, unlocking a brighter, lighter enthusiasm for living, dancing, and teaching that she now shares with others.

One of the most touching themes of our discussion was how our personal healing ripples throughout our entire family system. DeDe, who has been in recovery for 23 years, reflected on how her relationship with her four adult children shifted when alcohol was no longer the center of family gatherings. Instead of trying to manage or control her children, she focuses on open communication, healthy boundaries, and showing up with pure presence. Her children now bring friends who are struggling to her for support, proving that living transparently creates a safe harbor for the next generation.

Navigating this massive shedding process is rarely something we can do alone, yet Staci highlighted a critical gap in our modern culture: a stark lack of mentors for this specific season. When she found herself surrounded by snakes and overwhelmed by the shifting dynamics in her marriage and parenting, she realized she desperately needed navigational tools and a wise female guide. Unfortunately, she couldn’t easily find a mentor to help her understand why her voice suddenly felt different or why she couldn’t remember what used to bring her joy as a child. This gap is exactly why we have these conversations—to build a community where we can share wisdom and support each other through our personal evolutions.

Kelvin’s story offered a raw and profound testament to the power of inner motivation and redemption. Having experienced incarceration and active addiction earlier in life, Kelvin found his sobriety while in prison, fueled by a desire to become a father his 26-year-old daughter, Tatiana, could be proud of. Today, almost 15 years sober, Kelvin travels the country offering sound healing and breathwork. When his daughter watched the documentary detailing his journey, Uprooted Addiction, and told him how proud she was, it underscored a vital truth: recovery restores the priceless relationships that matter most.

We also tackled the tricky question of how to support loved ones who may be struggling without stepping into judgment or unwanted interventions. DeDe reminded us that our primary job is to be present, listen, and model a life that feels appealing and whole. Recovery works through attraction rather than coercion. When we meet people with curiosity instead of criticism, we honor their individual journey. Rather than forcing an agenda, holding space with an open heart allows others to ask questions when they are truly ready to seek change.

Reframing how we view addiction is crucial for systemic healing. Kelvin highlighted that addiction is a human experience, not a human identity. Behind any struggle with substances, technology, or other behaviors is often a person trying to soothe underlying trauma, chronic stress, or emotional distress. In a culture that constantly keeps our nervous systems in fight-or-flight mode, reaching for external relief is an understandable response. By approaching addiction with compassion rather than damaging labels like “addict,” we empower individuals to look past the substance and focus on building a meaningful, purposeful life.

Recovery looks completely different for everyone, and there is no one-size-fits-all formula. As our panel pointed out, pathways can range from 12-step programs and harm reduction to sound healing, yoga, therapy, and mindfulness practices. DeDe emphasized the importance of a holistic approach that treats the whole person—addressing sleep, physical wellness, mental health, and spiritual alignment alongside medical support. Sobriety isn’t just about abstaining; it’s about giving ourselves permission to feel our genuine emotions, face life’s pain, and embrace true freedom.

As Open Nesters, this chapter of life is ours to reclaim. Whether you are navigating your own recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply curious about making a lifestyle shift, remember that your light is meant to shine bright, not be dimmed. I invite you to explore the work of our wonderful panelist guests: find DeDe at dedearmstrong.com, Andrea at andreacashmanyoga.com, and Kelvin at soulcarelovellc.com. Let’s continue to trade “empty” for “open,” step into our vitality, and keep our hearts wide open to endless possibilities!

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

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…

Welcome back, fellow Open Nesters! In our latest episode of season six, we are once again trading the concept of an “empty” nest for an open one, opening the doors to vibrant health, renewed relationships, and deep spirituality. Today, I am thrilled to share the insights from our deeply soulful guest, Staci McCormack, an author, retreat leader, and life coach. Staci joined us to discuss the incredible, and sometimes incredibly messy, journey through the second half of life. She reminded us that this stage is an opportunity to step into our wisdom and embrace the wide-open possibilities ahead. Her story is a beautiful testament to the fact that while this period can feel disorienting, it is ultimately a profound invitation to rediscover our authentic selves.

During our conversation, Staci beautifully articulated a feeling that I know so many of us can relate to: the realization that we’ve spent decades caught in a relentless cycle. She described this early phase of adulthood as a treadmill of running, striving, struggling, and searching. Staci shared a poignant memory of standing in her living room in her mid-forties, looking at a rather dull Christmas tree while her teenage son entered his “grunt stage,” and realizing she was merely playing out a theatrical script. It was a powerful awakening to the fact that we cannot fully experience the “new” until we are willing to trudge through the “muck” of our established, often exhausting routines.

The universe has a funny way of forcing us to pay attention when we ignore the signs that it’s time for a change, and for Staci, that wake-up call came in the form of actual snakes. She shared a truly wild situation that manifested in her life: her home became infested with hundreds of them! At first, they were a terrifying nuisance that sent her running for the hills, but as she deepened her spiritual understanding, she realized they represented a vital metaphor. Just as a serpent must shed its skin to unfold and grow, we too must shed our outdated identities and the protective layers we’ve built up over the years to truly become ourselves.

Navigating this massive shedding process is rarely something we can do alone, yet Staci highlighted a critical gap in our modern culture: a stark lack of mentors for this specific season. When she found herself surrounded by snakes and overwhelmed by the shifting dynamics in her marriage and parenting, she realized she desperately needed navigational tools and a wise female guide. Unfortunately, she couldn’t easily find a mentor to help her understand why her voice suddenly felt different or why she couldn’t remember what used to bring her joy as a child. This gap is exactly why we have these conversations—to build a community where we can share wisdom and support each other through our personal evolutions.

Sometimes, when we finally surrender control and admit we are in over our heads, the universe delivers exactly what we need—even if it’s not the traditional mentor we envisioned. For Staci, her miracle arrived in the completely unexpected form of a puppy. After neighbors gifted her teenage son a new dog, Staci and her husband were initially resistant, questioning their capacity to take on a pet during such a chaotic transition. Ironically, this very puppy turned out to be a natural hunter that methodically cleared the snakes from their property, one by one. It was a beautiful, humorous lesson in releasing our grip on how we think our problems should be solved and remaining open to unexpected forms of grace.

With the snakes gone and the metaphorical air cleared, Staci and her husband were able to embark on the crucial work of coming “home” to themselves. They recognized that after forty years together, they were two completely different individuals than when they first met, and they needed to intentionally redesign their relationship. This meant giving each other the literal and emotional space to reconnect with the girl and boy they once were, taking time apart for personal discovery, and establishing a new commitment to communicate openly. Returning to our authentic selves requires a willingness to step off the treadmill and give our partners the freedom to do the same.

Our conversation with Staci was a vibrant reminder that this stage of life is not a closing chapter, but a wide-open door. As we open ourselves to better relationships with our adult children, our partners, and most importantly, ourselves, we invite endless vitality into our days. If you are feeling lost in the muck or overwhelmed by the shedding of your own skin right now, please know that it is entirely okay to pause, take space, and figure out what lights you up. We are all in this beautiful, messy process of aging and evolving together, and I am so grateful to share this open nest with all of 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

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…

Welcome back, beautiful listeners, to another reflection from the host’s chair of The Open Nesters Podcast. As Amir and I wrap up this incredible season, we had the absolute privilege of welcoming back two of our favorite returning guests, Sue Jaye Johnson and Joe Richman.

Since we last spoke with them a couple of years ago, they have fully transitioned into this vibrant, sometimes chaotic chapter we affectionately call “open nesting.” Sitting down with them felt like catching up with old friends who have just returned from a profound expedition, brimming with wisdom about relationships, sexuality, and the spiritual journey of aging.

THE PLEASURE REPORT, created by writer, journalist, and filmmaker Sue Jaye Johnson, is a publication and community dedicated to investigating our relationship to pleasure. We are defining pleasure in an infinitely broad sense. We interrogate our pleasure in grief, in rage, in pain, in culture, in politics, and in our longing for a better world. Each month we have a theme.

We can experience pleasure passively, or, we can MAKE our pleasure.

Together, we will explore the tenants of pleasure: attention, awareness, sensation, and acceptance. You will learn tools, be exposed to new ways of thinking, and being in your body, in this world. We are an engaged community of pleasure researchers. I invite you to join us.

Transitioning away from full-time parenthood isn’t just about reclaiming your living room or enjoying a quieter house; it is a profound and often jarring emotional shift. Sue was incredibly candid about her own experience, describing the departure of her kids as a deeply moving process that she intentionally leaned into during an artist residency on Cape Cod. Letting go of the daily caretaking role requires us to face our own identities outside of being “Mom” or “Dad,” which can be utterly terrifying if we don’t hold space for the transition.

“It’s a little mini death, you know? It’s like a death of an era… I wanted to just feel all the feelings of it. Because I knew if I didn’t, it would come out sideways.” – Sue Jaye Johnson

One of the most challenging aspects of this new chapter is stepping back from fixing our children’s problems, a hurdle Sue and Joe tackled through an intentional practice of radical trust. They committed to trusting their younger daughter’s decisions completely for two months, consciously stopping themselves from jumping in with solutions or unprompted advice as she navigated her gap year. This wasn’t a passive withdrawal, but an active, disciplined choice to let their child fall, fail, and ultimately succeed on her own terms. It is a powerful reminder that our ultimate job is to raise capable adults, and at a certain point, our constant intervention actually hinders their magnificent growth.

What truly struck me during our conversation was how beautifully Sue Jaye and Joe balance their deep, intentional connection with a fierce sense of personal independence. They aren’t afraid to travel separately—Joe taking solo trips to explore, and Sue Jaye embarking on adventures with her girlfriends—recognizing that time apart only enriches the energy they bring back to their shared New York City apartment. This level of autonomy requires a rock-solid foundation of security and a mutual understanding that personal growth doesn’t threaten the relationship; it actively feeds it.

Joe and Jaye aren’t just navigating this territory quietly; they are actively building tools and communities for others through their initiatives like Relationship Tripping and the Love Lab. They shared incredible insights from their six-week programs, where they guide couples through the universal stumbling blocks of long-term intimacy by turning the relationship itself into a vehicle for exploration. Their approach provides a structured yet expansive way to communicate without triggering old defenses.

The Mirror: Recognizing that your partner reflects your own inner landscape.

The Teacher: Viewing conflicts and triggers as essential lessons for personal growth.

Fear and Desire Practices: Creating a safe container with a timer to voice deep-seated needs without interruption.

This episode was a beautiful, raw reminder that our roles as parents don’t vanish; they just evolve into something requiring less management and more observation. Amir and I are so deeply grateful to Sue and Joe for bringing their authentic selves to the studio and breaking the conventional paradigms of aging and partnership. For anyone feeling the sting of the changing seasons in their own home, I highly encourage you to listen to this episode, check out their upcoming book, and explore their adventurous new dating events in Manhattan. The nest isn’t empty, my friends—it’s just finally wide open.

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

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…

[TESSA] Welcome back to the Open Nesters Podcast blog! In our latest episode of Season 6, we continue our mission of trading empty for open, opening the door to new adventures, vibrant health, and reimagined relationships. Amir and I had the absolute pleasure of welcoming back one of our favorite guests, our dear friend Ya. Since she and her partner Carl moved away from New England down to North Carolina, I’ve been in absolute awe of how they’ve grown and evolved. They are the perfect example of what it means to truly lean into this stage of life—making dramatic shifts, coming together, and fearlessly stepping out into the unknown.

During our conversation, Ya opened up about their whirlwind relocation from Connecticut to Charlotte. In just eight weeks, they sold their house and moved away from the area they had called home for 16 years. What makes this transition so incredibly significant is that it was their very first move without their children. With their oldest two already living independently, their youngest daughter used this relocation as an opportunity to find her own place in New York. Ya shared how deeply proud she is of her kids’ independence, proving that as parents, we really do build a foundation that allows them to navigate the world on their own while we boldly figure out our next act.

Of course, moving away from a four-bedroom house on two acres meant a massive downsizing effort. Ya described the intense but liberating journey of minimalism, dividing their lifelong belongings among four different households as her children also settled into new apartments. It was a beautiful, tangible lesson in impermanence. By letting go of physical items—whether they were handed down to her kids, sold, or donated—Ya planted seeds of understanding for her family that life is always shifting. It’s a powerful reminder that our homes are ultimately made of the relationships we nurture, not the objects we collect along the way.

One of the most fascinating parts of our interview was Ya’s perspective on how we build communities throughout the different seasons of our lives. When we’re younger, our circles are largely based on proximity, like schoolmates or entry-level coworkers. Later, they tend to revolve around our children’s playdates and sports teams. But when the kids finally fly the nest, we are often left wondering who our true circle really is. Ya and Carl realized that at this stage, friendship requires absolute intentionality; they had to consciously figure out who they wanted to surround themselves with and what spaces actually aligned with their authentic selves.

And they certainly found their tribe in Charlotte! Moving to a walkable, diverse city environment allowed them to organically connect with people who share their unique interests. As polyamorous and active members of the king/swinger lifestyle, Ya and Carl intentionally sought out a larger Black and Brown community, using platforms to discover local meetups and “munches.” From roller skating and arcade nights to starting a dedicated Facebook group for like-minded couples, they are shaking things up and proving that you don’t have to quietly settle into a 55-and-over community unless you truly want to.

Beyond her personal adventures, Ya is pouring her vitality into incredible professional projects. She is currently coaching within Black and Brown communities to help decolonize the mindset around non-monogamy, guiding folks to move ethically without the burden of societal shame or judgment. I was especially thrilled to hear about her new venture, Canella LS Events. By hosting events like an R&B-infused “Leather and Lace” night and educational impact play demos in traditionally “vanilla” spaces, Ya is normalizing alternative lifestyles and giving people a safe, welcoming environment to explore exactly who they are.

As my partner Amir perfectly noted at the end of our chat, Ya is so remarkably comfortable in her own skin, and there is absolutely nothing phony about her. Her courage to start a new business, build an entirely new community from scratch, and authentically reimagine her future is deeply inspiring to me. If you are contemplating a major change in your own life, I hope Ya’s story encourages you to let the excitement of a new adventure completely overshadow the anxiety. Be open to the possibilities, say yes to the things that light you up, and remember to live every day in gratitude for the beautiful transitions ahead!

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…

[AMIR] Welcome back to The Open Nesters Podcast blog! We are your hosts, Tessa and Amir, and today we are taking a dive straight into our archives to revisit one of our most profound, perspective-shifting discussions. In this special episode, we welcome back Dr. Rosalyn Dischiavo—affectionately known as Dr. Roz—founder of the Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment. We sat down with her to unpack the multifaceted transition of “Act 3,” that vibrant, wide-open stage of life that emerges after the kids have left the nest. We are trading empty for open, exploring new adventures, and diving deep into how this phase impacts our sexuality, identity, and personal capacity.

During our chat, Dr. Roz completely reframed the often-stigmatized “midlife crisis.” Rather than a juvenile panic, she aligned with Carl Jung’s view that this period is a profound combination of a mortality crisis and an identity crisis. Dr. Roz reminded us that the Chinese word for crisis beautifully combines the symbols for danger and opportunity. Sometimes, our lives require a little bit of ripping apart—or at least some careful dissecting and rearranging—to make room for a genuine biological and spiritual awakening. It is a powerful reminder that our “Act 3” is an opportunity to wake up to our fullest potential.

One of the most fascinating concepts we explored is what Jung called the “golden shadow.” Most of us are familiar with hiding our darker, socially unacceptable urges in the shadows. However, Dr. Roz pointed out that we also hide our most enlivening, extraordinary traits—our deep intelligence, our raw sexiness, and our sheer awesomeness. Whether out of genuine humility or a desire for social conformity, we often dim our own light so we do not threaten the status quo. Stepping into our open nester years means finally reclaiming that golden shadow and giving ourselves permission to shine without apology.

As we embrace this new stage, our very identities are often put to the test. Many of us have built our self-concept around being monogamous and faithful parents. But what happens when we decide to open our relationships or explore new erotic themes? Dr. Roz emphasized that identity is inherently fluid, yet challenging our long-held definitions of faithfulness can shake our core values and relationship safety. Whether we view new relationship styles as a capacity, a behavior, or a deep-seated sexual orientation, navigating these waters requires us to openly redefine what loyalty and commitment mean to us and our partners.

For those curious about polyamory, swinging, or kink, Dr. Roz offered some incredibly grounding advice: do not just jump in blindly. It is easy to fall into a “kid in a candy store” mentality, but opening a relationship without preparation is a recipe for disaster. We highly recommend starting with books to educate yourselves before attending local meetups or informational munches. And remember, energy, time, and holidays are not infinite! Bringing new people into your life requires intense communication, boundary-setting, and a mutual understanding that you are initially there just to look and learn.

We also dove into the fascinating world of core erotic themes, specifically discussing Jack Morin’s four cornerstones of eroticism: longing and anticipation, prohibition, power dynamics, and overcoming ambivalence. Dr. Roz explained how these themes naturally turn up the heat in our relationships. For example, simply experiencing the longing of a partner being on a date with someone else, or the anticipation of trying something taboo like swinging, can reignite passion in existing partnerships. These dynamics push us to look at our desires through fresh lenses, proving that expanding our erotic capacities can make us infinitely more interesting to ourselves and our partners.

Of course, you cannot talk about open relationships without addressing the elephant in the room: jealousy. Dr. Roz was adamant that the polyamory community often unfairly shoves jealousy into the shadow, treating it as something uncool to admit. But if left unexamined, jealousy becomes malignant. We must regularly shine a flashlight on it, breathe through it, and use tools like Kathy Labriola’s The Jealousy Workbook. True compersion—feeling joy for your partner’s pleasure—is not just a magical feeling of lightness and rainbows; it is an active choice to support your partner even while you are actively processing your own jealous insecurities.

Finally, we rounded out our beautiful conversation by discussing the lost art of receiving, the central theme of Dr. Roz’s book, The Deep Yes. As parents and partners, we have spent decades giving from a place of scarcity until we are completely burnt out. Dr. Roz taught us that we must learn to receive fully—whether it is food, sleep, touch, or beauty—until we are so full that our giving simply spills over from a place of natural abundance. We are so grateful for Dr. Roz’s wisdom, and we hope this archive dive inspires you to embrace the fluidity, expansion, and beautiful messiness of your own Act 3!

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…

[TESSA] In this episode, we speak with Chandra Kantor about community, aging, and the way relationships can become more mutual over time. Chandra shares that she is entering her 50th year, teaches yoga, works as a life coach, and is a mother of three boys. She describes her family structure, including co-parenting with her first husband and being in a committed open relationship with her current husband.

We talk about the shift that happens as children become adults, especially how a parent-child relationship can move toward mutuality. Chandra describes setting clear expectations around responsibility, gratitude, and communication, including family dinners where everyone shares appreciations.

A major part of the conversation focuses on community. Chandra explains that she first experienced deep community through her father’s circle in Santa Barbara and later found it in contact improvisation and women’s circles. She describes how community grows through inviting people in, showing up during hard times, and asking for help. She says that trust deepens when people can receive support as well as offer it.

We also discuss open relationships, polyamory, jealousy, and compersion. Chandra shares that she had no framework for open relating in her first marriage, but later learned about it through dating a polyamorous partner. She explains that she and her current husband moved slowly, used therapy and group support, and repeatedly adjusted their agreements when needed. For her, compersion means feeling joy in a partner’s joy, and she connects that to self-trust and self-worth.

Finally, Chandra talks about her work leading yoga classes, retreats, and workshops that emphasize vulnerability, self-expression, and appreciation. She says she wants people to bring those practices back into their families and communities. She closes by reflecting on perimenopause as a stage that can bring clearer boundaries, less people-pleasing, and more unapologetic self-expression.

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…

[TESSA] Welcome back, Open Nesters! Amir and I are so excited to dive into a truly special conversation today. In this episode, we sit down with a remarkable father-son duo, Adam and Isaac Paulman. Together, we explore the delicate art of modern masculinity, conscious parenting, and the lifelong journey of knowing when to hold on and when to completely surrender. Trading the empty nest for an open one means opening our doors to new adventures and redefining our relationships, and this multi-generational chat perfectly embodies that spirit.

Our conversation naturally gravitated toward the evolving dynamics of parenthood as our children grow up. Adam bravely opened an honest window into what it means to redefine family dynamics when your child becomes an adult. He admitted that very little of his life was intentional until recent years, describing himself as the sum total of his “yeses” and “noes” along the way. Hearing him articulate the bizarre and beautiful transition of looking at his child and realizing he is now a fully capable young man was a profound moment for both Amir and me.

This transition is perfectly illustrated by 18-year-old Isaac’s current adventure. Right now, Isaac is traveling independently in Turkey with his cousins. Adam candidly shared his paternal instincts to protect his son, wrestling with the anxiety of Isaac being so far away. Yet, Adam has consciously chosen to step back from the role of a rescuer, recognizing Isaac as a fully functioning adult who is supported by his own skills and family. It’s a powerful lesson in surrender, reminding us that we don’t have to fix everything; sometimes, having faith in our children is the ultimate act of care.

Beyond parenting, we explored Adam’s fascinating work as a facilitator for Cuddle Parties—a concept that might sound intimidating to some, but is deeply rooted in establishing boundaries and consent. Adam explained that a core foundation of a Cuddle Party is teaching people how to navigate their desires and clearly say “no” to things they don’t want to do. Here are a few key takeaways from his facilitation work:

We loved how Adam framed these gatherings not just as places for physical touch, but as advanced communication workshops disguised as social events. We discussed how this is especially vital for men, who often carry immense societal pressure and find it challenging to express vulnerability or ask for the nurturing touch they actually desire. Amir pointed out how hard it is for generations of men to embrace these feminine concepts of belonging and connection. Adam’s work provides a safe, guided space to flex these muscles, proving that learning to voice your boundaries is a lifelong practice.

In a beautiful parallel to his consent work, Adam also leads experiences in Forest Bathing, an eco-therapy practice brought over from Japan. Instead of the traditional “leave no trace” hiking mentality, Adam encourages a reciprocal relationship with the natural world. He guides people to interact with nature as a lover—receiving the scent of a flower or the taste of a berry, and allowing those natural gifts to nurture the soul. This practice fosters a deep sense of belonging to the planet, showing us that our interactions with the forest can create paths for healing and connection.

As Amir and I reflect on this episode, we are left with a renewed appreciation for the ongoing work of adulting and open nesting. Whether it is giving our grown children the space to travel the world, learning to set boundaries at a Cuddle Party, or finding belonging in the woods, the Pullmans remind us that growth never stops. We don’t have to rescue each other from the journey; we just have to support each other as we walk our own paths. We hope you tune into the full episode to absorb Adam and Isaac’s wisdom, and perhaps find the courage to practice your own authentic “yes” and “no” today.

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…

Welcome to another episode of the Open Nesters podcast, where Amir and I trade our empty nest for an open one filled with vibrant health, relationships, and endless possibilities.

This week, I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Joan Price, an 82-year-old senior sex expert and an incredible advocate for aging and sexuality. Joan brings such a refreshing, realistic, and wildly open perspective to what she calls “Act Three”—the stage of life where we are getting older but are absolutely still entitled to rich, fulfilling intimacy.

In my fifties, I still felt incredibly sensual and sexual, but as I entered my sixties, I started experiencing unexpected setbacks, including breaking my neck in a car crash. Joan completely validated these physical realities, reminding us that as we age, our bodies simply change. From the aches and joint pains that make certain physical positions impossible, to the very real physiological shifts that cause arousal to take longer and lubrication to decrease, these hurdles are completely normal.

But normal doesn’t mean the end of pleasure; it just requires a profound shift in our attitude and expectations. Joan emphasizes that we must let go of the judgment, the blaming, and the unrealistic goal of trying to recreate the exact kind of sex we had in our twenties. Instead, this chapter of life is about opening our minds to a completely new, expansive world of receiving and experiencing pleasure.

A major part of this new chapter involves communication, which can be daunting if you’ve never had to explicitly ask for what you need before. Joan pointed out that if intercourse is no longer pleasurable or even possible, we must be brave enough to tell our partners exactly what our aging bodies require now. Our brains need to consciously connect with our bodies, asking them to show us what they need, and then we must boldly share those discoveries with our lovers.

One of the most liberating ways to explore these changing needs is through solo sex. Joan is a massive proponent of self-pleasure, explaining that taking the time to explore your own body alone allows you to intimately understand how your arousal patterns have shifted over the years. Giving yourself permission to experiment with solo touch is not only perfectly healthy, but it’s often the foundational step to communicating your evolving desires to a partner.

When it comes to discovering new sensations, Joan is also a vocal advocate for integrating high-quality sex toys into your routine. She advised us to ditch the old, poorly made novelties of the past and invest in well-designed, body-safe toys, like a specifically chosen vibrator. Whether used alone or with a partner, these tools can quite literally be the difference between having an orgasm and not having one.

Speaking with Joan was a profound reminder that pleasure truly does not have an expiration date. I highly encourage all of our listeners, whether you are single or partnered, to check out her website and dive into her groundbreaking books, including the wonderful anthology Ageless Erotica. We don’t have to quietly close the door on our sexuality as we age; instead, we can step boldly into this new act, open our minds, and write an entirely new, beautiful chapter of intimacy.

Ultimately, we need to completely redefine what a successful sexual encounter looks like. Joan challenges the deeply ingrained societal idea that sex must always lead to intercourse or a specific, standardized type of climax. Instead, we should embrace exploring arousal slowly, enjoying lower-pressure intimacy, and relishing the long, sensual buildup without demanding a specific finish line.

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…