

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

Apr 22, 2025 • 55min
The One Where I Talk To Owner Of Yidan's Farm Stay, Yidan Xiong
Send us Fan MailPre-Order my new book, Shiny Happy Singles (UK) / Thrive Solo (US & Canada) here: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book. If you're in the UK, pre-order direct from Bloomsbury and get a 25% Discount by using the code: SHS25 at checkout! https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/shiny-happy-singles-9781399416436/My guest on the podcast this week is the fabulous Yidan Xiong.Born and raised in China, but now living in northern Thailand, Yidan went from being a marketing executive in Beijing, to being a farmer living in rural Thailand with an array of animals, from cats and dogs to pigs and chickens. Yidan has created her very own farm stay, Yidan’s Farm, for travellers and people living a nomadic lifestyle to come and immerse themselves in nature, interact with the animals, and help grow and harvest the food on the farm, as well as cook and eat together.Yidan is single and childfree.Topics that we cover are:her life in Beijing before she started a new life in, Chiang Dao, Thailand;the hard working ethic of the Chinese people;how she ended up creating Yidan’s Farm, and what that journey looked like;the picture she had in her mind when she started building her farm;the houses she built using bamboo because her Grandpa worked with bamboo in her childhood;how Yidan found local workers to help her with her project;the kinds of guests who tend to stay with Yidan on the farm;the many animals that Yidan has on the farm, and how many of them ‘found her’;how important nature is to her, having rediscovered the connection she always had to it as a young girl;the slower pace of life that she now enjoys;what freedom means to Yidan, and the part that money plays in feeling free;how her parents have reacted to her life in Thailand;her mother’s disappointment that Yidan hasn't married or had kids, and how she found it hard to believe that Yidan was ‘really’ happy;how she deals with the opinions of others when it comes to her way of life;the wonderful relationships she has with the people — largely women — who stay on her farm;what thriving solo means to Yidan.Follow Yidan's Farm on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@yidansfarmlifeinthailand7931Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lazybearka/?locale=en_GBFollow Yidan on Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/yidan333/?hl=enFollow Yidan's Farm on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yidansfarm/Book a stay on the farm: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/707506011857011499?source_impression_id=p3_1742665507_P3f-mhnCLVPD4QuS Support the showBuy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/bookJoin my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesoloDownload my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the MostAnnoying Questions Single Women Get Asked' Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacksCheck out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Apr 19, 2025 • 8min
Minisode Ep.154 — What If We're Not Meant To Settle Down?
Send us Fan MailOn today's minisode, I'm asking the question of whether or not we're actually meant to 'settle down' with one person for the rest of our lives.Despite being led to believe that marriage and babies are what we're all supposed to be striving for, the goal of life could also be growth, adventure, and freedom.Press 'Play' and let me know what you think!Pre-Order my new book, Shiny Happy Singles (UK) / Thrive Solo (US & Canada) here: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book. If you're in the UK, pre-order direct from Bloomsbury and get a 25% Discount by using the code: SHS25 at checkout! https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/shiny-happy-singles-9781399416436/ Support the showBuy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/bookJoin my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesoloDownload my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the MostAnnoying Questions Single Women Get Asked' Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacksCheck out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Apr 17, 2025 • 34min
Thursday Thoughts — Thriving Solo
Send us Fan MailOn this week’s Thursday Thoughts, we’re talking all about me! Last week, we delved into Polly’s business and offerings, so this week we’re doing the same with mine.I talk all about my podcast, Thrive Solo, my membership, also called Thrive Solo, and my new book, Shiny Happy Singles, which comes out on 19th June. (The US version, Thrive Solo, comes out on 24th June.)If you’re in the UK, you can get a 25% discount when you pre-order the book direct from Bloomsbury and use the following code at checkout: SHS25. Here’s the link: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/shiny-happy-singles-9781399416436/Love,Polly & Lucy x Support the showBuy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/bookJoin my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesoloDownload my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the MostAnnoying Questions Single Women Get Asked' Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacksCheck out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Apr 15, 2025 • 1h 12min
The One Where I Talk To Executive Coach & Thrive Solo Member, Pooja Venkatraman
Send us Fan MailMy guest on the podcast this week is the brilliant Pooja Venkatraman.Pooja is a double Harvard graduate, ex-management consultant, and former stressed-out over-achiever turned life coach, who helps high-stress, high achievers get clear on what they want to do next, take the next steps, and create the lives they actually want. She is also a member of my Thrive Solo membership.Pooja lives in New York City and is single and childfree.Topics that we cover are:how she has always been a high achiever;how she has always had a strong internal sense that she didn’t want to have kids;how despite knowing she didn’t want children, she assumed she would have to have them;how it took Pooja 30+ years to realise she could choose to remain childfree;the vision she always had for her life that involved a romantic partner;the conclusion she came to that there aren’t that many men who she would be excited to be with, and that she might never meet one;how she’s started to get to a place where she’s happy with — or without — a relationship;how Pooja’s friends still insist on ‘helping’ her date despite her telling them she’s no longer dating;why she’s come off the dating apps;her great love of writing, and how it makes her feel connected;how Pooja ended up becoming a life coach;the framework of her coaching and why it’s so important;why circumstances don’t have any inherent meaning, only the meaning we project onto them;why it’s so important to distinguish between thoughts and facts;becoming aware of the various ‘circuits’ in our brain and how they are, or are not, serving us;the ways in which our brain can work for or against us;Pooja’s thoughts on manifestation;her take on what it means to thrive solo.Check out Pooja’s website: https://poojavcoaching.com/Follow Pooja on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poojav.coaching/Sign up to her email newsletter: https://poojav.substack.com/Listen to her podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4115SuxkOtcIAXhVblhi4qListen to her podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/less-stress-more-flow-with-pooja-v/id1591272309 Support the showBuy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/bookJoin my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesoloDownload my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the MostAnnoying Questions Single Women Get Asked' Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacksCheck out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Apr 12, 2025 • 12min
Minisode Ep.153 — The More Serious Reasons Why It's Great To Be Childfree
Send us Fan MailOn today's minisode, I'm talking about the more serious things that parents have to deal with, and how us singles don't have to concern ourselves with any of them them. From the perils of social media and smart phones, to the unfathomable mental load of being a mum, and the planet we're leaving the next generation with, I share my thoughts on why choosing to remain childfree, or ending up without kids, might just mean you've dodged a bullet — bigtime. Press 'Play' and let me know what you think! Support the showBuy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/bookJoin my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesoloDownload my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the MostAnnoying Questions Single Women Get Asked' Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacksCheck out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Apr 10, 2025 • 35min
Thursday Thoughts — How Are You Breathing?
Send us Fan MailOn this week’s Thursday's Thoughts, Polly and I dive into the work that Polly does, and discuss the topic of breathing.Yes, we are all breathing all of the time but the question is how are you breathing?We explore why so many of us aren’t breathing as efficiently as we could be, why that really matters, and how it could be affecting your energy, stress levels, and overall wellbeing.We also chat about the tell-tale signs to watch for - and how to figure out whether your breathing is actually helping or quietly harming you.If you’d like to download your own FREE Breath Check-Up or any of Polly's other offers, go to https://www.pollywarren.comEnjoy!Love, Polly & Lucy xxx Support the showBuy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/bookJoin my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesoloDownload my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the MostAnnoying Questions Single Women Get Asked' Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacksCheck out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Apr 8, 2025 • 48min
The One Where I Wrote A Book
Send us Fan MailOn today's solo episode, I'm talking about my book!Having kept it quiet for a loooong time, I'm finally able to share the story of my book, Shiny Happy Singles (or Thrive Solo if you're in North America)! And boy, what a journey it's been.In this episode, I tell you how I got my UK deal with Bloomsbury, and my subsequent US deal with Hay House, the actual process of writing and what I've learned, as well as how I'm feeling about birthing my first book baby into the world. (Hint: overwhelmed and scared.)I sincerely hope you'll find this episode interesting!I cannot tell you how grateful I would be if you pre-ordered it (I explain in the episode why pre-orders are so crucial), and I have a cheeky 25% discount for those of you in the UK who buy the book directly from Bloomsbury! All you need to do is USE CODE: SHS25 at checkout by going to this link: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/shiny-happy-singles-9781399416436/ This offer only lasts until 5th May, so make sure you buy the book before then!If you're based in North America, you can pre-order it here: https://www.amazon.com/Thrive-Solo-Embracing-Opportunity-Childfree-ebook/dp/B0DPVDBRHL/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1QR1APYFXFKWB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1Rg4PaRYiKhiD8SOzq5-BEzyXpGqp7CHjT3vd1IVGwZnl1QZz95Lrl1EsVVGLGMr.3wGQ6B_El3tQjddAPZWywbEoNCYgaKKUWx8RhzZ8yzU&dib_tag=se&keywords=lucy+meggeson&qid=1742576571&sprefix=lucy+meggeson%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-2 Support the showBuy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/bookJoin my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesoloDownload my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the MostAnnoying Questions Single Women Get Asked' Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacksCheck out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Apr 5, 2025 • 13min
Minisode Ep.152 — The Hardest Thing To Be Is...Yourself
Send us Fan MailOn today's minisode, I'm talking about authenticity.Isn't it ironic that, so often, the hardest thing for us to do is just be ourselves?In this episode, I'm talking about why we find it so hard to be our authentic selves, and what we can do right now to start being more, well...us.Press 'Play' and let me know what you think! Support the showBuy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/bookJoin my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesoloDownload my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the MostAnnoying Questions Single Women Get Asked' Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacksCheck out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Apr 3, 2025 • 31min
Thursday Thoughts — Knowing Your 'Why'
Send us Fan MailOn today’s Thursday Thoughts, Polly and I are talking about knowing your ‘why’.When it comes to doing anything difficult in life, whether that be building a business or running a marathon, knowing your why can make the difference between doing the thing and not doing it.When we connect with the deeper reasons for doing something, and come back to those reasons, we’re far more likely to stay on track and achieve our goals in life.We hope you’ll find something useful in here!Love,Polly & Lucy Support the showBuy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/bookJoin my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesoloDownload my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the MostAnnoying Questions Single Women Get Asked' Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacksCheck out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Apr 1, 2025 • 1h 13min
The One Where I Talk To Founder & CEO Of Make Love Not Porn, Cindy Gallop
Send us Fan MailMy guest on the podcast this week is the remarkable Cindy Gallop.Cindy is an entrepreneur, advertising consultant, keynote speaker, and coach. Renowned for her outspoken advocacy, and for living in a truly authentic way, Cindy is the founder of MakeLoveNotPorn, the world’s first human-curated, user-generated social sex video sharing platform, socialising sex to promote consent, good sexual values and behaviour. She has revolutionised how we think about sex and relationships by challenging many of the outdated societal norms.She lives in New York City and is single and childfree.Topics that we cover are:Cindy’s gradual realisation that she had no desire to get married or have kids;her thoughts on those people who might be happier alone were they not living their lives dictated by societal norms;the time Cindy stripped down to her underwear for an interview at the age of 62, and the positive reactions she received;the ways in which the societal narrative negatively impacts girls and young women growing up;how not wanting to be in love is incredibly time efficient and removes a layer of bullshit from your life;why so many people are stuck in miserable relationships;living authentically, and how Cindy has managed to let go of the fear of what other people think;Cindy’s take on the secret to happiness;some of the great benefits of being single;her take on ageing, and how she coined the hashtag ‘say your age’;how Cindy encourages women to challenge ageism;her thoughts on the narrative around single women ‘dying alone’;what success means to Cindy;how she ended up dating younger men, and her experiences of doing so for many years;how she has discovered that many, many younger men want to date older women — not just sleep with them;MakeLoveNotPorn, Cindy’s unique social sex-tech platform designed to promote good sexual values and behaviour;the sex education product, makelovenotporn.academy, that Cindy is also working on for use in schools and homes;how she has struggled for years to get funding to support her business;how each and every video is watched by a member of Cindy’s team before it’s accepted;how MakeLoveNotPorn is proving to be a revelation for men in particular, where they can be open, emotional and vulnerable around sex.Help fund MakeLoveNotPorn: https://wefunder.com/makelovenotpornFollow Cindy on Instagram: @cindygallopSubscribe to MakeLoveNotPorn: https://makelovenotporn.tv/ Subscribe to Cindy’s Substack: https://dearcindy.substack.com/ Support the showBuy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/bookJoin my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesoloDownload my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the MostAnnoying Questions Single Women Get Asked' Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacksCheck out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!


