Becoming Beloved

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The Open Nesters

212 episodes

5 days ago

We are the Open Nesters. We are the Baby Boomers and Gen X’ers who reject the traditional roles that our parents played and the empty nest syndrome. We defy the stigma of ageism, ailing health, empty retirement and a passionless sex life.

Together we explore the journey of re-discovering and reinventing our lives as our grown children leave the nest. We hear about the sides of people that have been left unexplored during a long-term marriage. The mysteries, fantasies and unmet desires and needs are laid wide open at this juncture in their lives. Their empty-nesting chapter in life is anything but empty! It’s an Open Nest, fulfilling, expansive, explorative, and raw. The stories reveal alternative lifestyles and explore how our generation is redefining life on their own terms.

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Becoming Beloved

The Open Nesters

53 minutes 46 seconds

2 weeks ago

Becoming Beloved

Becoming Beloved (S5 | E208)
with Kari and Steven Cardinale

BECOMING BELOVED
In this episode of The Open Nesters Podcast, we revisit a thought-provoking conversation with Kari and Steven Cardinale, experts in coaching and thought leadership. Kari, the Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy at the Modern Elder Academy, and Steven, an entrepreneur and author of "Synaptic Alchemy," share insights into their journey of becoming open nesters and the transformative power of love and relationships at this stage of life.

We delve into the idea of open nesting, a concept that transcends the traditional empty nester label. Rather than feeling empty or lost when children leave home, we explore how open nesters can embrace new adventures and deepened relationships. Kari and Steven's personal story offers a rich tapestry of experiences, highlighting how they navigated their individual transitions and merged their lives together, creating space for growth, exploration, and joy in their relationship.

EPISODE TIME CODE

3:43 Entering the Open Nest
15:52 Navigating Long-Term Decisions
24:38 Teaching at Modern Elder Academy
34:02 The Essence of Beloved
47:32 Closing Thoughts on Open Nesting

Throughout the discussion, we highlight the importance of curiosity and communication in couples' dynamics. Kari and Steven reflect on their unique personalities — Steven as the adventurous Tigger and Kari as the more cautious Eeyore — emphasizing how embracing these differences can foster stronger bonds. They introduce the idea of "casting a spell" over everyday moments, encouraging couples to transform mundane experiences into joyful and meaningful interactions.

Their insights on the book they co-authored, "Becoming Beloveds: A Practical Guide to Building Stronger Relationships," shed light on how recognizing and addressing fundamental needs within relationships can lead to richer connections. By applying Maslow's principles to romantic partnerships, they outline how couples can evolve from mere coexistence to partnerships characterized by intention, reverence, and love.

The couple also shares their aspirations at the Modern Elder Academy, where they teach methods for navigating midlife transitions and cultivating purpose. They provide guidance on how to explore values such as adventure and family while planning for the future — a process that can involve global adventures or simply deepening family ties, all while keeping the door open for full-circle connections with loved ones.

Listeners are encouraged to take actionable steps towards improving their own relationships, from identifying love languages to engaging in self and partner exploration through assessment tools. As they underline the necessity of maintaining curiosity in relationships, Kari and Steven invite us to consider: what if we shifted our perceptions of love? Could the simple act of referring to our partners as "beloved" elevate the quality of our interactions and fulfill emotional needs?