OM DENNE EPISODE
[TESSA] Welcome back, fellow Open Nesters! As you know, Amir and I started this journey because we refuse to accept the traditional, melancholy narrative of the “empty nest.” Instead, we chose an open nest—a life wide open to new adventures, vibrant health, expanding sexuality, and deep spirituality. This week on the podcast, we are wrapping up our friendship series with a truly special guest: my dear friend, former entertainment attorney, and creative alchemist, Jonathan Pellett. Our conversation was a beautiful reminder that opening our doors to new connections can lead to the most unexpected and rewarding chapters of our lives.
Jonathan and I have an origin story that perfectly captures the unconventional spirit of our open nesting journey. We actually met through a dating site, but almost instantly, we both recognized a profound, soul-level friendship rather than a romantic spark. We bypassed the awkwardness and jumped straight into creative collaboration, throwing an incredible 50-person event in the village right in the middle of the COVID era. He quickly became like a brother in my home, effortlessly fitting in, washing dishes, and sharing our space with the comfort of a lifelong family member.
CREATIVE ALCHEMYDuring our interview, I told Jonathan that I consider him one of the greatest community builders I know, a label he humbly pushed back against. For him, it’s not about orchestrating a formalized “community”; it’s simply about the authentic love of friendship. Whether he’s bringing together an eclectic mix of expats in San Miguel de Allende or holding space for challenging conversations, Jonathan operates on the belief that friendship is the foundational core of our human experience. He reminded me that when we drop the heavy labels and just focus on connecting with the people in front of us, a beautiful community naturally builds itself.
The most profound takeaway from our chat was Jonathan’s concept of “creative alchemy” within relationships. Friendships, like any deep connection, aren’t always perfectly aligned; they have their shadows, their disagreements, and their messy moments. Creative alchemy is the active choice to take those dark, painful, or uncomfortable parts of a relationship and transform them into light and joy. Instead of walking away the moment someone triggers us or disappoints us, true friendship asks us to stay in the fire, hold ourselves accountable, and alchemize that friction into a deeper, more resilient bond.
A crucial tool for this alchemy—and a beautiful gift Jonathan shared with me—is the practice of “allowing.” We spend so much of our lives trying too hard, clinging to rigid expectations, and demanding that people meet us exactly where we want them to be. What if we simply allowed people to show up as they are? When we stop forcing outcomes and release our attachment to how a friendship “should” look, we create a spaciousness that invites genuine connection. It’s about making peace with the imperfections of others and ourselves, giving everyone the grace to just be without trying to control the narrative.
As we navigate this incredibly liberating season of our lives, I encourage you all to look at your own friendships through this alchemical lens. Where can you practice a little more allowing? How can you transform a moment of friction into a deeper connection with a friend or estranged family member? I invite you to listen to the full episode on The Open Nesters podcast to hear more of Jonathan’s incredible wisdom. Keep your hearts open, keep expanding your circles, and remember that our nests are only as vibrant as the beautiful souls we invite into them.
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:
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…
- Adventure
- Freedom of Expression
- Exploration and Fun
- Body Movement
- New circles of friends
- Deep love relationships
