

Thrive Solo
Lucy Meggeson
Let’s be real — being single and child-free? It’s pretty damn awesome. Don’t believe me? Stick around. I promise you, by listening to this podcast, you’re going to start seeing your solo life in a whole new light — one that feels empowering, exciting, and full of possibility.I’m Lucy Meggeson, and I’m here to help you stop seeing singlehood as a consolation prize and start embracing it as the incredible opportunity that it is. Because the truth? Being single isn’t second best. It’s not a waiting room. And it sure as hell isn’t a life of lack. In fact, when you lean into it, it can be just as fulfilling—if not more so—than being coupled up with kids.And besides, no matter what our relationship status, what we all really want is to feel good in the here and now. So instead of focusing on what’s ‘missing,’ let’s focus on what’s possible. The freedom. The adventure. The extra time and headspace to create a life that’s truly our own.Because here’s the thing: you are so much more powerful than you realise. Your thoughts shape your reality. And when you shift your mindset, you shift your life. My mission isn’t just to help you feel better about being single—it’s to help you recognise your own agency. To help you see that you are the creator of your own experience. And that you, and you alone, get to decide what your life looks like.So join me here every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and let’s build lives that feel joyful, meaningful, and wildly fulfilling — on our own terms.Let’s Thrive Solo…together.E-mail me at lucy@lucymeggeson.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 9, 2023 • 1h 6min
The One Where I Talk To Writer, Kerry Graham
Send us a textSupport the showIn this week's episode, I talk to writer Kerry Graham. Kerry is a Baltimore-based writer and former English teacher. She is a Creative-in-Residence at the Baltimore Banner, and her essays and vignettes have appeared in dozens of publications. Huffington Post published her essay about being childfree by choice in three languages. Dan Rather said of Kerry’s writing, “in a sea of doom scrolling, a beautiful island of hope.”Topics that Kerry & I cover are:why she made the decision to stop talking about her relationship status; the story of how she came to be childfree;how she still struggles with other people’s perceptions of her childfree status;how we still live in a culture where the expectation is that you’ll become a mother;the implication that being single is a temporary state;how there are so many facets to human beings besides from our relationship status!the pressure on childfree women to make something amazing of their lives as a way of ‘making up for’ not having kids;how women tend to spend alot of time talking about their relationship status, when there is so much more to discuss;how we all have many important relationships in our lives, yet we prioritise romantic partners over and above all of them;Kerry’s experience of co-dependency in a previous long-term relationship;how, whilst other people can contribute to our happiness, we are ultimately responsible for it;why Kerry never wants to marry or cohabitate with anyone;the hard lessons she has learnt from previous relationships, and her determination not to repeat those same mistakes;ageing, and why we need to own it;Follow Kerry on Instagram: @mskerrygrahamFollow Kerry on Twitter:@mskerrygrahamKerry’s website:https://www.mskerrygraham.com/ Email Kerry: kerry@mskerrygraham.com Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

May 6, 2023 • 26min
Minisode Ep.52 - The Top 5 Regrets Of The Dying
Send us a textSupport the showIn this week's minisode, I'm talking about a book by Australian author, Bronnie Ware, called The Top 5 Regrets Of The Dying.Whilst the title may not immediately spark joy, both the book and this episode are far more about life than they are about death. Bronnie spent several years working in palliative care, caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives. She recorded their dying epiphanies in a blog called Inspiration and Chai, which garnered so much attention that she turned it into a book.And if we want to learn how to truly live life, who better to take advice from than someone at the end of theirs? Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

May 2, 2023 • 1h 22min
The One Where I Talk To Writers Joan DelFattore & Christina Campbell
Send us a textSupport the showIn this week's episode, I talk to writers Joan DelFattore & Christina Campbell.Joan DelFattore writes about living a single life in a world geared towards couples. Following her own experience of discrimination against being single in relation to her own cancer treatment, Joan wrote a peer-reviewed article that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2019, showing that patients with cancer are more likely to receive surgery or radiotherapy if they're currently married than if they're divorced, separated, widowed, or never married. Previous guest, Christina, writes about invisible illness, singles’ rights, and the inexorable onslaught of entropy. After earning her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction from George Mason University, Christina co-founded the singles’ advocacy blog, Onely. The site deconstructs cultural stereotypes about single hood, such as the myth that unmarried people die alone, eaten by their cats! Topics that Joan, Christina & I cover areJoan’s Tedx talk, ‘Sick While Single? Don’t Die of Discrimination’, and what prompted her to do it;how her research unearthed the systematic under treatment of single people;Joan’s 2019 article, Death by Stereotype, that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine;how many physicians can’t get their heads around a set up that isn’t family-based;Christina’s thoughts around the cultural expectation that people will automatically receive all the support they need from a spouse;the hesitation she sometimes feels around asking friends for help as a single woman;how Christina’s chronic tick-borne disease has often be misunderstood and even, at times, disbelieved;the discrimination Christina faces with regards her healthcare as a single woman;how she went to see a psychologist due to her ‘abnormality’ with regards not wanting to get married;Joan and Christina’s thoughts and advice around going through illness as a single;Christina’s Website:www.christinadc.com Contact Christina:www.onely.org Email Joan at:jdel4444@gmail.comJoan’s Website:joandelfattore.com Joan’s Tedx Talk - Sick While Single? Don’t Die Of Discrimination: Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Apr 29, 2023 • 16min
Minisode Ep.51 - The Joy Of Walking
Send us a textSupport the showThis week, it's a very mini minisode all about the joy of walking.As a kid, I was dragged on walks with my siblings by our Dad, every Sunday, in the woods behind the house I grew up in. And whilst back then I would roll my eyes at the mere mention of yet another walk, I'm so glad that it was implemented into my life at a young age.I've subsequently carried the habit of regular walks with me into adulthood, and barely a day goes by where you won't find me walking along the riverside.This episode serves as a little reminder that there are endless benefits to walking, not least the fact that it makes you feel good. And there is almost nothing that a brisk walk won't help.So, grab your headphones, press play on this episode, and get outside for a stroll. I promise you won't regret it. ;) Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Apr 25, 2023 • 50min
The One Where I Talk To Writer, Actor & Comedian, Lane Moore
Send us a textSupport the showIn this week's episode, I talk to award-winning writer, actor, comedian and musician, Lane Moore. Lane’s first book, How To Be Alone: If You Want To And Even If You Don’t, became an instant No.1 bestseller and was praised as one of the best books of the year by The New York Times, New York Magazine, NPR, Good Morning America, Fast Company, Marie Claire, and many others. She also gave a TEDx Talk based on the book, called How To Be Alone. Her second book, You Will Find Your People: How To Make Meaningful Friendships As An Adult, was released on 25th April 2023.Lane’s comedy show, Tinder Live, is regarded as one of the best comedy shows in the the world and has been praised by The New York Times, Spin Magazine, Entertainment Tonight, CBS, Time Out New York, and New York Magazine.As a musician, she is the front person and songwriter in the band, It Was Romance, which has been praised by Pitchfork, Vogue, Village Voice, and Billboard named it one of 16 Female-Fronted Bands You Should Know. Topics that Lane & I cover are:how she came to write a book called ‘How To Be Alone’;how we are socialised to think that being alone is the worst thing in the world;how, because of her upbringing, Lane had no choice but to learn how to be alone;how important it is for all of us to a find a home within ourselves;how we all need to find a community of people who have chosen themselves, over and above a partner;how if you find your people, you’re less likely to settle for a relationship that isn’t right for you;how awkward it can be to make new friends as an adult;how important it is to Lane to de-stigmatise how or when you meet your friends;the minefield that is friendship breakups;how she went through a friendship breakup whilst writing her book, You Will Find Your People;how we need to release the idea that our friends will be our friends forever, and cultivate more ease around friendships.Lane’s Website:https://www.lanemoore.org/ Buy Lane’s book (UK), You Will Find Your People:https://www.amazon.co.uk/You-Will-Find-Your-People/dp/1419762567 Buy Lane’s book (US):https://www.amazon.com/You-Will-Find-Your-People/ Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Apr 22, 2023 • 25min
Minisode Ep.50 - Why We Need Daily Awe-Gasms
Send us a textSupport the showIn this week's minisode, I'm talking about the power of awe, and how it turns out that experiencing awe for just a few moments each day has a positive impact on both our emotional and physical health. Researchers Michael Amster and Jake Eagle have found that practicing their 'A.W.E Method' just a few times a day for mere seconds, decreases stress, anxiety, and even depression. Awe can also improve our overall well-being, connectedness, generosity, and happiness. Whether it's an incredible sunset, listening to an uplifting song, or appreciating the beauty of our pet, awe is something that we should be intentionally cultivating in our lives. Although we live in a world that does nothing but distract us from the wonders that are all around us, we can find awe in almost any given moment. And, quite frankly, who doesn't want more awe-gasms?! Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Apr 18, 2023 • 1h 4min
The One Where I Talk To Sociology Professor, Dr Ketaki Chowkhani
Send us a textSupport the showIn this week's episode, I talk to professor Ketaki Chowkhani. Dr Ketaki Chowkhani is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the Manipal Centre for Humanities. Single and childfree herself, Ketaki designed and teaches India's first ever course on Singles Studies, and her writing on singlehood has appeared in the New York Times, The Hindu, Psychology Today, and Square Peg UK, among others. Her writing and teaching on singlehood has been mentioned in The Guardian, the New Statesman UK, and The Hindu. Topics that Ketaki & I cover are:her story around being single and childfree;how her conviction about single life being right for her has been a gradual process;how both of us feel as though we’re ‘single at heart’;how Ketaki came to create and teach India’s first course in single studies;the one main difference between being a single woman in India and being a single woman in the west;how Ketaki’s parent have responded to her life choices in terms of being single;the pressure she has had to deal with from her extended family;her essay in Angelica Malin’s book, Unattached;being a trailblazer for single women;some of the ways in which singles are discriminated against, and the common stereotypes;Ketaki’s research into what is making single hood possible / easy or not, i.e. housing, laws, and what can be done to improve things;how provisions for single people can affect whether or not someone stays in an abusive relationship, and how important it is to make singlehood desirable;reclaiming the term ‘spinster’ which Ketaki also uses in her Instagram handle!Follow Ketaki on Instagram: @spinster.adventuresFollow Ketaki on Twitter:@chowkhaniRead Ketaki’s essay in Angelica Malin’s book, Unattached (UK Link):https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unattached-Essays-Singlehood-Angelica-Malin/dp/1529110394 US Link to the book:https://www.amazon.com/Unattached-Essays-Singlehood-Angelica-Malin-ebook/dp/B0946G7RX7 Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Apr 15, 2023 • 23min
Minisode Ep.49 - All You Need Is...Energy
Send us a textSupport the showOn today's minisode, I'm talking about why the most important asset we have is our energy.Whilst we may worry about people's opinions and judgements when it comes to our single, childfree lives, we need to wise up to this one truth: the energy that we radiate carries far more weight than our relationship status, our qualifications, our bank balance, or anything else. It's not about whether or not we've ticked all the boxes of society's expectations. When it really comes down to it, people remember how you made them feel. Deep down, us humans aren't really fussed whether you're single or coupled, black or white, rich or poor, tall or short, 35 or 75 - they only care how they feel in your presence. That's the real kicker. Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Apr 11, 2023 • 1h 1min
The One Where I Talk To Writer & Professor, Craig Wynne
Send us a textSupport the showIn this week's episode, I talk to writer and professor, Craig Wynne. Craig is a writer and professor at the University of the District of Columbia where he teaches rhetoric and writing studies to first year students. His courses are themed around relationships and single studies. He is also a happy bachelor although this wasn’t always the case. In 2015, the end of romantic relationship had brought on a whole host of negative feelings around being single. This took him on a journey and exploration of all things single.Craig subsequently wrote a book, How To Be A Happy Bachelor, in which he provides his own observations, anecdotes, advice and takes on all things related to singlehood, and which is primarily written from the male point of view. Because after all, there are many books out there designed to show women how to be single, but no so many for men! Topics that Craig & I cover are:his university student’s views on being single;the internalised singlism that Craig suffered from following the break up of his relationship in 2015;how he came across the work of Bella DePaulo which was the catalyst for his journey into singlehood;how he brought some of his single research into his work, including a course called ‘How To Be Single & Happy’, and how this led the book deal for ‘How To Be A Happy Bachelor’;how men also received stigma around being single, although it looks very different to the narratives around single women;how men often find it harder to form social networks which can lead to isolation;how Craig does date, but finds that the single life suits him;The groups MGTOW (Men Going There Own Way) and INCEL (Involuntary Celibates) and their anger towards women;the vastly differing meanings behind the words ‘spinster’ and ‘bachelor’;Craig’s thoughts around men’s behaviour when dating online;how Craig met his most recent lady friend organically on a subway platform. (I LOVE this!);the terms ‘matrimania’, ‘singlism’ and ‘amatonormativity’.Craig and my mutual love of music, and going to gigs alone;Craig’s Website:https://www.thehappybachelor.org/ Buy Craig’s book (UK), How To Be A Happy Bachelor:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happy-Bachelor-Craig-Wynne-author/dp/1792407076 Buy Craig’s book (US), How To Be A Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Apr 8, 2023 • 26min
Minisode Ep.48 - 8 Things We Need To Let Go Of
Send us a textSupport the showIn this week's minisode, I'm talking about 8 key things that we need to let go of.These include:- negative self talk- assuming we can't- other people's drama (and our own)- people who no longer bring value to our livesYou'll have to tune in to find out the other 4... ;)Press 'Play' and let me know what you think! Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!