In this Episode of Open Late, Drea reconnects with Jessica, the creator of the podcast! Jessica talks about her journey as a mother and the challenges and joys she has experienced. They also discuss the need for self-care and finding time for oneself amidst the demands of parenthood. The conversation touches on the dynamics of Jessica's relationship with her partner and the importance of keeping the spark alive. They also explore the topic of open relationships and the potential for sexual exploration. Jess also reveals that she is considering taking courses to stimulate her brain and potentially writing a book. She also announces that she will not be returning to host the podcast for the time being, but may consider coming back in the future. She shares her concerns about raising children in a poly household and the potential for outsiders to treat them differently. In the end, Jessica expresses her gratitude and love for the listeners and her excitement for what the future holds. In this Episode of Open Late: Becoming a Mother and the First Night with Twins Self-Care and Finding Time for Oneself Jess Open Relationship and Sexual Exploration Raising Children in a Poly Household Mentioned in This Episode: “Untrue” By Dr. Wednesday Martin: https://a.co/d/fTuD0j4 Connect With Jess: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journey.with.jessica/?hl=es Connect With Drea: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openlatethepodcast/  https://www.instagram.com/thedrearenee/  • Website:  https://www.openlatepodcast.com/  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@openlatepodcast/videos 5:46 We set it up in a way that made us feel cozy, confident, like we had everything we needed. And that did nothing for the fact that you are so terrified when you bring your kids home for the first time. -Jessica Esfandiary 9:59 My interactions with anyone outside sort of my very inner circle have been very limited. Like I will go days, sometimes like weeks or maybe never texting somebody back. And I like feel bad a little bit, but I also don't have the capacity to think about that interaction or those feelings or that person because my life is so full on 24 seven. - Jessica Esfandiary 11:25 I think my perspective on the world has changed a lot too, being a parent, like I feel deeper for the problems of the world, like the children that are like, you know, traumatized or hurt or misplaced because of like all the war that's going on and happening in like so many different countries. - Jessica Esfandiary 22:28 And If you are having good sex, you probably are not on antidepressants. - Jessica Esfandiary 24:23 The interesting thing that I have found over the years when people are in disbelief about being open, it is mostly because in their experience on any long term relationship that they have ever been in, the spice dies, and the happiness generally fades, unless a couple find ways to become mutually excited about things. - Jessica Esfandiary 30:27 Some people will use a situation to sort of get unhealthy needs met, like people can come into non monogamy, in a way, because they have all these needs, and they're trying to meet them with like lots of different partners, you know, that's like a big intersection of love dependency or sex addiction and non monogamy. - Jessica Esfandiary 39:34 People get so stuck in their boxes, and I've done this too. And I think just being in our community has helped me so much, especially coming from Texas of all that you should, you're supposed to, you have to, and you really don't have to do anything. You can make your life how you want to make it. -Drea Renee 42:56 Do I have any concerns? I am kind of concerned that outsiders or society or teachers, other kids, might be awful to my children. - Jessica Esfandiary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices