The Open Nesters

These two are right… on… the… verge.

They can almost count the months until they set themselves free from traditional life. They talk about it. They can just about taste the adventure that lies ahead once they shed themselves of remaining life obligations (college tuition, jobs, possessions). Haven and Buck have each survived multiple marriages and a lot of dating. They have reached the point where they want to take full charge of their own lives.

On the horizon… an incredible exploration of themselves and Noth America, for the plan is to sell it all, buy a Mercedes Sprinter Van… and hit the road.

So where do love and plant medicine come into the picture?

You should listen to this full episode… but I’ll tell you that Buck and Haven are very open-minded when it comes to MDMA, Marijuana, and Ayahuasca to name a few. These are “people of the light” if I may. They seek higher truths and a lifestyle that is their own.

We have had so many wonderful guests this first year of our podcast. That said, for those seeking the knowledge of the enlightened, this is a worthwhile Open Nesters episode to hear.

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

Meet Abs and Mags.

Who… you ask?

This is Tessa… and I am so excited to introduce you to these two incredible ladies. Because I know in my core that many of you will benefit greatly from this podcast. We all deal with it. Oftentimes it can get the best of us. It is there under the surface. Lurking. Yet there are ways of controlling it.

When we met as undergraduates at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1980s, neither of us thought of ourselves as particularly anxious. Sure we had bad stomachs, but didn’t most students on the Penn meal plan?

We also worried a lot, but we figured we owed that to our Jewish parents. It didn’t occur to us that we were both experiencing the beginnings of a lifelong struggle with anxiety, and we had no idea how important each of us would become in helping the other learn to manage her disorder. More about Abs and Mags in the podcast and here.

However, there are ways to live with your anxiety-without letting it control your life-and even become more hopeful and happy in the process.

We understand and we can help. If you are looking for a safe, supportive space to learn to manage your anxiety (even just to hear that you will get through it), you’ve found your people. Join our free community.

THE ANXIETY SISTERS’ SURVIVAL GUIDE is a warm and practical guide to coping with anxiety-and finding ways to laugh. We’ve helped thousands of anxiety sufferers, and we can’t wait to help you too!

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

We thought it was time to review what we have learned so far on our podcast journey over the past year. Our new sense of ease comes from learning that things don’t always go our way… some things are not in our control. And that we are ok with that. We have learned to be flexible as we have grown older vs. getting more rigid.

We have heard so many versions of open nesting on the podcast this year. Thinking about our guests – some of these people are doing simply amazing things! From tours in Italy to entrepreneurship in Costa Rica there are so many things that can be accomplished in life’s Act III. Hearing about these various pursuits we are just invigorated by the possibilities.

And our learning does not stop with business and travel. Our interview with Pat Whitty stands out. A true “modern elder,” Pat opened our eyes. You can hear the full episode here. Pat Whitty Modern Elder.

We talk about how “giving each other space” has really helped us both develop our own individual pursuits. And we find this to be so incredibly valuable.

And one more thing… if you want to hear about how we opened up to our kids about our own open relationship, listen to our interview on Kitty Chambliss’ show “Loving without Boundaries.”

Enjoy the episode. We are looking forward to the next 40 episodes of The Open Nesters Podcast.

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

Hi, this is Tessa. 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. And it comes with its complexity, AS DOES monogamy.

Two divorcees find that they want something different in their lives after divorce. They each have children and they each found that they wanted an open relationship. And they found each other after the age of 50. We call it Act III. Mark and Eliza now find that a polyamorous relationship was right for them. You will not find selfishness with these two people. Rather they put their children first… and have found a way to make this new lifestyle a major success.

Mark explains how he checked jealousy at the door when he embarked on a new lifestyle. Eliza was crystal clear on what she wanted after her marriage. No to living with a new partner. No to marriage. She wanted to be able to date whomever she wanted but wanted her partner to do the same. She was married for 20 years… but really did not want to “always be a part of a couple.”

There’s a name for what these two were seeking: “solo polyamory.” One definition:

We are so pleased to share this fascinating conversation with 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

Hi, this is Tessa. Welcome to Episode 38… with Pam Grout. Pam has led a very unconventional life. She has traveled the world. Had a daughter later in life who she tragically lost. She is a prolific writer and is just, simply an incredible guest. I love Pam’s writing and her work has meant a lot to me.

So that means, I am quite pleased to share this wonderful interview with Pam on our Open Nesters Podcast with you.

I am the author of 20 books, two screenplays, a live soap opera, a TV series and enough magazine articles that I haven’t starved in 25 years without a 9-5 job. On this site, you’ll find all sorts of information about my books and about my career as a freelance magazine and travel writer.

If you’re an editor, you can easily click on Portfolio to view writing samples from my illustrious magazine and newspaper career.

If you’re looking for a speaker, you can contact my agent at CAA (Creative Artists Agency) here.

And if you’re a reader of my books, you can find out more about me, read excerpts and take quizzes to see if you’re qualified as an artist, a manifester or a P.L.B. (that’s a person who lives big for those who haven’t yet read Living Big!) And if you’re really jazzed, simply click here.

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

Pam has some amazing resources on her site:

FREE CREATIVITY TEST

CREATIVITY EXERCISES

TRAVEL WRITING

Hi, this is Tessa. Welcome to Episode 37… with Effy Blue from Curious Fox. Effy and her business partner, Jacqueline Misla, lead a group of really ‘bright lights’ in podcasting, events, blogging and thinking. These incredible people explore whatever makes them curious when it comes to human relationships.

We were all dissatisfied by the one-size-fits-all prescription for love, sex, and relationships society had offered us. We were all seeking our own expression of loving and relating. Curious Fox was born out of a need to broaden our knowledge base in these major areas of our lives and connect with a community that shares the same values.

Curious Fox inspires individuals to challenge the status quo in love, sex, and relationships through insight and connection focused events such as panel discussions, socials, soirées, live streams, an annual conference as well as a podcast so we can all thrive in love and life within a community we trust.

Straight, gay, trans, cis, gender nonconforming, monogamous, polyamorous, mother, father, neither, religious, secular- together we are united by our differences, curiosity, and strength to challenge the status quo.

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

Curious Fox have some amazing resources on their site:

RELATIONSHIP BLOG

QUIZ

PODCAST

On Effy’s relationship coaching website she has an amazing set of resources that you should explore.

Hi, this is Tessa. Welcome to Episode 36… with David and Carolyn from Home Exchange. First – what is this thing?

With this service there is a big concept that all participants have to embrace… and that is “TRUST.” If you have it or can find it with guests and your home, this could be a wonderful way to travel the world in a very unique way. As Open Nesters we are so delighted to introduce this concept and company to our thousands of listeners. Act III should be the very best act of your life. HomeExchange may very well be a way for you to accomplish so much more than you might otherwise be able to do… this is a good one!

Listen to this episode and you will get the full story on HomeExchange.  I cannot wait for you to hear it. And share comments below or on our Facebook page The Open Nesters.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

You will develop a clear understanding of your purpose and vision in life by understanding how to choose new, empowered actions.  A Book of of Life Reading raises your vibration, elevating your life path, your relationships, your business – everything in your life will shift. You will remember your soul’s Creation story and live in the realm of what is infinitely possible 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

Resources from Esther Russell

Energy Healing

Reading Your Book of Life

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.

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

Resources from Bridget and Colleen

Hot Flashes & Cool Topics Blog

HF&CT Podcast