Thrive Solo

Lucy Meggeson
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Jan 22, 2026 • 31min

Thursday Thoughts — How The Hardest Times Become Our Greatest Lessons

Send us Fan MailOn this weeks Thursday Thoughts, Polly and I are talking about how our hardest times and biggest “failures” often become our greatest lessons.We talk about how difficult seasons can shape us, clarify what really matters, and guide us onto the right path.A reminder that nothing is wasted – and if you’re in a tough chapter right now, sending you loads of love and hope this may be of a little help to you.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!
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Jan 20, 2026 • 1h 12min

The One Where I Talk To Storyteller, Comedian & Journalist, Melanie Hamlett

Send us Fan Mail*** TRIGGER WARNING *** Domestic abuse and sexual abuse are mentioned in this episode.My guest on the podcast today is Melanie Hamlett, a comedian, journalist, public speaker, and storyteller based in France. She's written dozens of articles for publications like Harper’s Bazaar, The Washington Post, Glamour, The Daily Beast, Slate, Cosmo, The Guardian, Playboy, and The Huffington Post. Her viral article for Harper's Bazaar called ‘Men Have No Friends and Women Bear the Burden’ has been referenced in dozens of podcasts, books, and publications including GQ, The New Yorker,  Oprah, and Slate, and was also the inspiration for the sketch Man Park on Saturday Night Live, according to Vanity Fair.  I came across Melanie on social media, and it’s her TikTok and YouTube pages where she's doing most of her storytelling, culture criticism, and journalistic work these days — and she is HILARIOUS. She is a real force of nature, and you will hear that loud and clear in this conversation, so buckle up and be prepared for more swearing than usual. Melanie herself is actually married to a Frenchman — hence she lives in France — but she has very strong views about men, the patriarchy, and how women have been conditioned to essentially abandon themselves for the sake of romantic relationships. She is childfree. In our conversation, we delve into Melanie's past as an outdoor guide, her experiences in male-dominated environments, and her viral article 'Men Have No Friends and Women Bear the Burden.' We discuss societal issues, the impact of patriarchy, and the importance of fostering genuine communities and dating oneself. We also talk about Scott Galloway who Melanie is not a fan of, the need for women to centre their own well-being and build strong, supportive networks, and much more.Follow Melanie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melhamlett?lang=enFollow Melanie on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRW66WXeQGNdV1NtyAIv0CgWatch one of Melanie's reels about Scott Galloway: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ4sZ6bCv2E/? 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!
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Jan 17, 2026 • 8min

Minisode Ep. 192 — Peace Starts From Within

Send us Fan MailThis week's minisode is a gentle reset for a noisy world. I'm talking about staying informed without being consumed, and why your real power is in tending your corner of the world: your mind, your words, your energy. Choose presence, protect your inputs, and be the calm that ripples outward. 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!
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Jan 15, 2026 • 37min

Thursday Thoughts — Prioritising Joy

Send us Fan MailOn today’s Thursday Thoughts, Polly and I are talking about that ‘back to school’ feeling that so many of us feel after Christmas and New Year.If you’re feeling low following the festive season, now is the time to make finding joy a priority. Because like so many things in life, we have to get intentional about choosing it.Polly and I also talk about being aware of our thoughts, how our inner world creates our outer world, and why being truly present in the moment is the key to living a joyful life.We hope you’ll find something useful in here.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!
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Jan 13, 2026 • 1h 7min

The One Where I Talk To Comedian, Rosalie Minnitt

Send us Fan MailMy guest on this week's episode is the completely divine Rosalie Minnitt, a comedian, writer and performer, who made her Edinburgh Fringe debut with her critically acclaimed character comedy show ‘Clementine’, a Jane Austen parody that meditates on girlhood, romance and everything in between and inverts the Austen image of "spinsterdom". Described as ‘delirious, demented stuff’ in Chortle, listed in the Telegraph’s Funniest Shows at the Fringe and one of the British Comedy Guide’s Top Reviewed Shows, Rosalie has sold out multiple runs at Soho Theatre, including the main space, and was in the Guardian’s Top Ten Comedy shows of 2023. Rosalie was a total delight and it was so interesting talking to a younger single woman — she’s 28 — about all things relationships, men, comedy, life, patriarchy, the state of dating, and so much more. Our conversation includes the complexities of modern romantic relationships, societal expectations, and the importance of self-belief and community among women. Rosalie also talks about her inspirations, her journey in the comedy world, and her outlook on dating and personal growth. 02:15 Guest Introduction03:50 Rosalie's Journey into Comedy05:35 Creating 'Clementine': Inspiration and Process13:52 Exploring Themes of Romance and Feminism24:04 Challenges and Reflections on Feminism35:34 The Ingrained Sexism in Society36:29 Finding Support and Belief in the Industry38:26 Navigating Single Life and Dating Challenges40:18 The Struggle of Maintaining Authenticity in Relationships47:48 The Complexities of Modern Dating51:19 The Need for Connection and Community57:37 Exciting Projects and Future Plans01:01:21 Final Thoughts and FarewellFollow Rosalie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosalieminnitt/?hl=enGet tickets to Rosalie's show, Clementine: https://linktr.ee/rosalieminnitt 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!
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Jan 10, 2026 • 13min

Minisode Ep. 191 — 3 Simple Ways To Lower Your Stress In 2026

Send us Fan MailOn this week's minisode, I'm sharing a trio of things that will significantly lower your stress levels when you incorporate them all into your life. You're welcome.  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!
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Jan 8, 2026 • 31min

Thursday Thoughts — Maintaining A Positive Attitude When Life Throws A Curveball

Send us Fan MailOn today’s Thursday Thoughts, Polly and I are talking about maintaining a positive mental attitude even when life throws us a curveball.Last week, Polly injured her knee on the last day of her skiing trip, and is currently on crutches while she waits to find out how serious the injury is.She talks about how she’s feeling and how she’s been trying to stay positive and expect the best possible outcome. Because, as Polly and I have discussed here before, two people can experience the exact same circumstances in two very different ways - depending on their thinking.We hope you’ll find something useful in here!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!
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Jan 6, 2026 • 1h 13min

The One With 'I Hired A Male Escort For My 70th Birthday' Writer, Gail Rice

Send us Fan MailMy guest on Thrive Solo this week is the wonderful Gail Rice, a Canadian born psychologist and writer based in Sydney, Australia. Gail’s work explores how the stories we carry can hold us back...or call us forward. Her writing shines a light on the unspoken stories around aging, desire, and reinvention, and she’s also currently writing her memoir. Gail recently wrote an essay for The Times, also featured in the New York Times Modern Love podcast, entitled ‘I hired a male escort for my 70th Birthday’. Because that’s exactly what she did. In fact, Gail didn’t hire just one escort, she hired two, because the first experience was, shall we say, sub-par. As well as talking about her experience of hiring an escort at the age of 70, Gail and I also talk about some really important topics around ageing, including how so many women start to feel invisible the older they get, the particular kind of urgency that Gail feels as she moves into her later life, and the importance of mindset around ageing.02:15 Guest Introduction: Gail Rice02:46 Gail's Story: Hiring an Escort at 7005:35 The Experience and Its Impact09:05 Reflections on Ageing and Visibility17:18 Exploring Tantra and Self-Discovery20:28 Romantic History and Singlehood25:42 Regret and Life Choices33:58 Perspectives on Ageing and Urgency36:01 Reflecting on Ageing and Gratitude37:19 The Impact of Mindset on Ageing38:46 The Power of Female Community43:34 Embracing Singlehood and Overcoming Loneliness54:24 The Pressure of Anti-Ageing Culture01:00:33 The Importance of Touch and Companionship01:04:49 Celebrating Independence and Self-Discovery01:06:18 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsListen to Gail's piece: https://podcasts.apple.com/vg/podcast/i-hired-a-male-escort-for-my-70th-birthday-the-sunday-story/id1501716010?i=1000734694214Follow Gail on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gailrice.psych.writes/?hl=enJoin Gail's Substack: https://gail263.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!
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Jan 3, 2026 • 37min

Minisode 190 — 50th Birthday Special

Send us Fan MailI turned 50 on New Year's Day. How this happened, I have no idea. But anyhoo...I've put together a list of 50 bits of advice / things I've learnt / words of wisdom, and I'm sharing it with you here. I sincerely hope that some of these nuggets might help you make the most of your journey in this crazy thing we call life. HAPPY NEW YEAR! 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!
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Jan 1, 2026 • 32min

Thursday Thoughts — Getting Intentional

Send us Fan MailOn this week’s Thursday Thoughts, Polly and I are getting intentional about 2026.  Because any change you want to make starts with you, and now is the moment to begin living life by design, rather than by default.We chat about why clarity of direction matters, and how real change happens when you start becoming, and embodying, the future version of yourself now.We hope you find something useful in here.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!

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