Divorce, Adult Kids, and Deep Self-Discovery with Dan Sivils (Season 2 | Episode 91)
Divorce, Adult Kids, and Deep Self Discovery (S2 | E91)
with Dan Sivils
(Season 2 | Episode 91)
[Tessa] I met Dan at the Calling in Love retreat in Columbia this summer. We talk about Dan’s divorce, his status as an Open Nester, and his work as a divorce coach. A year post-divorce, Dan has a cool new life in St. Louis. He is building a new life socially and romantically… early days for certain.

Meet Dan Sivils
My professional story began in 1992 with earning my law degree and becoming an attorney in Missouri. I enjoyed my work and excelled at what I did because of my ability to listen, understand, communicate, and formulate solutions. As a lawyer I balanced seeing the big picture and understanding the nuance of complex factors and moving pieces while being able to zero in on specific pieces of information that can make or break a case.
While managing my law career, I was introduced to the world of personal development work. Everything I learned and practiced in this arena complemented my work as a lawyer and allowed me to grow into my strengths, while getting to know myself more deeply. Because this work was so life changing for me, I decided to pursue coaching and teaching others in addition to my legal practice. Having the opportunity to coach others on that journey is an honor and a gift for which I am grateful.
I love what I do as a coach. Law will always be invigorating, but personal development work fulfills me in a unique way. For decades, I have remained committed to continual learning for my life with my own emotional, mental, and spiritual intelligence.
While my coaching work is often done via Zoom, I also lead outdoor retreats. I love being in nature for the beauty and for the presence, connection, peace, and clarity it provides. I have been trained in leading vision quests, personal development retreats and spiritually seeking wilderness trips. I bring added experience from my training as a wilderness first responder, and wilderness guide received from the world renowned National Outdoor Leadership School and Wilderness Medical Institute.
When I’m not working, I am creating fun, making people laugh, having adventure, or being totally introverted, alone, and loving it.
Below are snippets and links to our most recent Soulful & Spiritual episodes.
Tessa and Eric Myers, a seasoned counseling astrologer and author, to explore the transformative journey of open nesting. Cosmic Curriculum.
From Empty to Open: Reimagining Family Bonds in the Nesting Transition (S5 | E191). An interview with Zev Aaron from Zev Aaron Coaching.
My Adult Child Won't Talk to Me: Finding Hope and a Path Forward (S5 | E190) | THE RULES OF ESTRANGEMENT | Dr. Joshua Coleman
Marni and her "Big Ass Calendar," a visual strategy to intentionally allocate time for family, romance, friendships, and personal growth.
Awakening the Feminine: Moira Cormack on Tantra, Motherhood & Empowerment After 50. The Open Nesters Podcast.
“Embracing Aging: Ashton Applewhite on Fighting Ageism, Wisdom, and the Joys of Act III. THE OPEN NESTERS PODCAST.
Reflections on Transcendence and Growth. Open nesting, redefining this phase of life as a vibrant stage filled with new adventures.
An enlightening conversation with Dr. Dawson Church, a leading expert on the intersection of psychology, spirituality, and neuroscience.
The Open Nesters Podcast: Wanda Christopher share their journey and work in healing, recovery, and transformation. A 30 Day Boyfriend.
Mothering Love and Success PART TWO (S4 | E162) with Leslie Russell, Tami Nora and Tessa. Another exclusive from The Open Nesters Podcast.
Mothering Love and Success (S4 | E161) with Leslie Russell, Tami Nora and Tessa. Another exclusive from The Open Nesters Podcast.
I am so excited to have Bruce Fertman, an author focusing on walking well and aging on the show this week. The Open Nesters Podcast.
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Karen Berry, an experienced marriage and sex therapist with a soulful, spiritual approach that resonates with us as Open Nesters
Spiritual Cross Training with Benjamin Shalva (S4 | E152). He is the author of two books, Spiritual Cross-Training and Ambition Addiction
Sobriety and the Empty Nest Kelvin, Andrea, and Dede are 'open books' about their alcoholic and addicted pasts.
A Dry January in the Empty Nest? | The Open Nesters Podcast now in season 4. | Re- imagining the Empty Nest.
Open Nesting in the Love Lab (S3 | E146) | We sit down for a second time with Sue Jaye and Joe from Relationship Tripping.
Your Legacy Now - Kit Pappenheimer. With the crisis in Israel and the passing of my father, I really needed to speak with Kit Pappenheimer.
The Wisdom of Silence | The Pause That Matters | The Space In Between | The Open Nesters Podcast with Edi Pasalis
Failure is Our Friend (Season 3 | Episode 132) Thank goodness for Terry Clarke Murphy and her life experiences. Learned so much on this show.
Act III: Dream Big, Dream Small (Season 3 | Episode 131) | We discuss the nature of our dreams of Act III once the kids leave the nest.
Evolutionary Family, Partnership & Vision for Earth | Meet Hayden and Alia, two extra ordinary people on The Open Nesters Podcast.
Monogamish 101 with Dan and Mary | Adults kids, ecstatic dance, non-monogamy. Two people living their own lives... finally!
Aligning Our Values | Welcome to Act III | The Open Nesters Podcast with Tessa and Amir. Season 3 | Episode 126
Laughing and Dancing with Life and Death Season 3, Episode 125. The Open Nesters Podcast with guest Lynnea Brinkerhoff.
I met Shaman Hawk on the beach in Florida. I am so grateful that I did because I can now introduce this remarkable man to you, dear Open Nester Podcast listener.
This week I finally can share a conversation with Toni Bergens and Antoinette Sims. And this conversation is all about conscious dance, movement, and healing.
Fun without Dick and Jane (Season 3 | Episode 118). Guest Christie Mellor joins Tessa for a fascinating conversation about... perspective.
Junie Moon works in the shadows. Or, rather, she helps us deal with shadows. Demons. Deal with the parts of our lives that require a 'reckoning.'
Life as Polyamorous Elders | An interview with author Kathy Labriola, Therapist. Kathy has great expertise working with older poly clients.
How to Slow Down. Carl Honoré is a bestselling author, broadcaster and the voice of the Slow Movement The Open Nesters Podcast.
Spiritual Soulful Connections with three special guests: Lynnea Brinkerhoff, Esther Russell and Sara Levine. The Friendship Series.
Intuitive Living. C.c.elaine is such a delight and soulful and understands dreams and intuition through the hard times. So you should really enjoy this interview.
Who hasn’t heard the stereotypes about women of a "certain age?” We deal with that idea head-on with Vicki Larson. The Future is Female.
We named this episode "Goddess Wisdom" for a reason, for Madeleine Sklar is so wise about the ways of the world and polyamory.
We talk about Dan's divorce, his status as an Open Nester, and his work as a divorce coach. Deep self-discovery with Dan Sivils on The Open Nesters Podcast.
The Universe is Waiting for Your Order with Esther Jones-Alley (Season 2 | Episode 88). The Open Nesters Podcast.
Calling in Love Retreat: An event orchestrated by the Russell Family in Columbia. We go deeply into the world of these incredible people.
The Five Elements: Malaika was a mother, wife, business partner. And in one moment it all was taken from her.
Karen Bellone is an end-of-life doula. She has a great understanding of the fragility of life. A deep discussion on The Open Nesters Podcast.
The Radical and Magical Body & Spirit with Moira Cormack. From Scotland, we hear from an expert in Tantra on The Open Nesters Podcast.
Evolutionary Spirituality and Awe in Act III with Life Coach Josh Silver (S2 | E66). The Open Nesters Podcast.
Biohacking Age with Michelle St Jane (S2 | E63). This week on the Open Nesters Podcast an interview with a woman devoted to wisdom transference to the next generation.
Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing. The Open Nesters Podcast.
Love in the Third Third of Act III. Meet Kit and Jeff, two people who found each other nearly 10 years ago. The Open Nesters Podcast.
Healing Our Intimacy Wounds. We are so fortunate to have Isha Vela with us this week. We cover some complicated ground in our chat.
Welcome to The Open Nesters Podcast Season Two. This week we interview Bill and Jude Thomas and discuss Cultivating Readiness.
We have learned so much from so many smart and forward-thinking people. The Open Nesters Podcast Season Two Coming Soon.
Tessa Turns 60. A lady who exhibits curiosity, courage and compassion at every turn. We do a little bit of introspection with Tessa.
Labeling and Unlabeling. Tessa and Amir interview Jonathan Pillot, founder of UnLabelMe. Meet an enlightened man this week on TON.
Transforming Grief and Pain Through Art and Spirituality. An interview with Tami Nora on The Open Nesters Podcast.
The Anxiety Sisters on The Open Nesters Podcast. Meet Abs and Mags. They talk about dealing with, managing, and taking control of your anxiety.
Open Nesting 201 with Tessa and Amir. After 40 podcat episodes Tessa and Amir reflect on what Open Nesting means to them now.
Thank and Grow Rich. The Open Nesters Podcast Episode 38 with Pam Grout. Appreciate the world around you, there are marvels everywhere.
The Book of Life with Esther Russell. This week we explore The Akashic Record with empath and entrepreneur Esther Russell.
This remarkable septuagenerian (age 78) is a picture of an Open Nester. Pat is a modern elder and is a member of the Modern Elder Academy.
Bianca's husband of 21 years was diagnosed with prostate cancer five years go. This, of course, disrupted everything. Life went upside down.
Intuition, Kids and Heart intelligence with Julie Reisler. We are so pleased to welcome this inspirational lady to our podcast. So much to learn about parenting, self care, self love for you here.
Barbara Carrellas is a remarkable woman who has achieved so much as an educator, sex life coach, workshop facilitator and lecturer. It was my [Tessa] pleasure to sit down for a long talk with Barbara for the Open Nesters Podcast.
I (Tessa) talk generations, ageism and sexual enjoyment for our older generation with the marvelous Ashton Applewhite.
Laura Campbell helps us look at the spiritual essence of our years after 50 when we have the time and space to be still for a while.
Tessa interviews yoga teach and life coach Joy Okoye. Joy is in the middle of a huge life change. She is in "the void." She is moving from mother to friend with her two teenagers. And she is asking questions of herself... "Who am I?"
Mental Physical Emotional Space. Tessa and Amir discuss their own space and touch upon open relationships. Advice from Trevor Mullineaux.
Resources for You
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:
About Tessa
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
