Radical Living & the Big Ass Calendar: Marni Batista on Open Nesting, Intentional Living, and Midlife Reinvention Open Nesters Podcast Episode (S5 | E189)

[Tessa] In this episode of The Open Nesters Podcast, I had the pleasure of welcoming back Marni Batista, who has recently released her insightful book on radical living and personal growth. Our conversation delved into the transformative concept of open nesting—a mindset shift that encourages embracing new adventures and relationships as we transition into this next phase of life. Our discussion highlighted how this period can be an opportunity for rediscovery, focusing on vitality, spirituality, and even sexuality.

2:07  Intentions Behind Open Nesting 5:26  Planning for Joyful Experiences 12:54  The Art of Mindful Living 21:50  Embracing Ancient Wisdom 27:47  Responding to Life’s Challenges 32:23  Connecting the Dots of Life The Big Ass Calendar

Marni shared her unique approach to planning one’s life through what she calls the “Big Ass Calendar,” a visual strategy that allows us to intentionally allocate time for family, romance, friendships, and personal growth. We discussed how many people fall victim to time denial, mistakenly believing that they have endless opportunities to realize their dreams and desires. Instead, Marni emphasizes the importance of taking proactive steps and setting priorities to prevent falling into routine distraction.

We explored the powerful questions that can help guide us in making intentional life choices, particularly when faced with challenges. A key takeaway from our dialogue was her adoption of the royal approach to decision-making, grounded in mindfulness and awareness of our deeper intentions. By asking ourselves whether something truly needs to be done, by whom, and when, we can better navigate the complex web of expectations, both from ourselves and others.

Marni also opened up about her personal experiences of balancing familial obligations and the expectations of others while making sure to honor her own needs. We examined the concept of resonance; distinguishing between what feels soul-aligned versus dissonant can help guide us toward fulfilling decisions, especially when dealing with the intricacies of family dynamics as we enter this stage of life.

As we discussed her journey, Marni outlined the seven principles derived from ancient wisdom that shape her book. These principles offer a framework not just for understanding a meaningful life, but also for navigating transitions with grace and clarity. In sharing relatable anecdotes, Marni illustrated how she applied these principles in her own life and how they can empower others in the face of uncertainty.

We concluded the episode with Marni inviting listeners to explore their own paths toward radical living. I encouraged our audience to pursue these themes further by checking out her book and reflecting on how these ideas resonate within their own lives. The insights shared in this episode are essential for anyone navigating the changes that come with opening up to new life possibilities, especially during the open nesting phase where we can truly embrace what lies ahead.

Resources 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