Being single provides optionality (i.e., having the right but not obligation to take action.) In other words: freedom. Yet, singles often fail to consider their freedom and pursue a conventional life - valuing the same things and living similar lifestyles as their partnered counterparts. Last week’s episode examined how garnering financial freedom gives rise to freedom more generally. This week’s episode examines giving up power (or opportunities to pursue power) in order to gain freedom. Peter McGraw speaks to Timothy Krieder, a writer and cartoonist, about how he has avoided the power to dedicate more time to his artistic endeavors (or simply sit in a bar and talk to friends, which fuels his artistic endeavors).

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Being single provides optionality (i.e., “having the right but not the obligation to take action.”) Peter McGraw speaks to Anita Dhake (aka the Thriftygal) to examine how money can buy you freedom. Anita retired early and presents ways to lower your expenses in order to gain financial freedom. They talk "F-you” money, her admiration of Judge Judy, the questions she asks before making a material purchase, and their mutual love of salads for breakfast. 

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Peter McGraw often talks about how half of the American singles are not interested in a relationship or dating. In other words: it is totally normal to want to date OR to not want to date. In this episode, he speaks to the person who is responsible for these data: Anna Brown, a research associate at the Pew Research Center, as non-partisan, non-advocacy, non-profit. Anna presents some facts, and Peter does some editorializing.

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Welcome to the final episode of Peter McGraw's series on solitude. He invites two solo travelers – one part-time and one full-time – to a live podcast taping for his Solo club on Clubhouse. Topics include their experiences traveling alone, how they meet people on the road, and how they walk a city alone (i.e., flaneuring). They present tips for packing, safety, and saving money. They close the conversation with an important solo travel question: what do you do when a couple asks you to move seats on an airplane so they can sit together?

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For the penultimate episode of a six-part series on solitude, Pete McGraw speaks to Susan Newman, an expert who has written the book about being an only child. They are joined by Julie Nirvelli, a regular contributor to Solo who happens to be an only child and the mom of an only child. They discuss the reasons behind the rise of only children as a common family structure, the stereotypes and myths of only children, and the benefits of being an only child.

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Peter McGraw continues his series on solitude with a conversation with Sasha Cagen, the founder of the QuirkyAlone movement. A QuirkyAlone is someone who enjoys being single (but is not opposed to being in a relationship) and generally prefers to be alone rather than dating for the sake of being in a couple. Does that sound like you? They discuss the origins of the term, its evolution, and how the media landscape represents singles. If you stick around to the end, you will learn about one of Sasha’s favorite QuirkyAlones.

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Peter McGraw is joined by guest co-host Lily Rains to continue the mini-series on solitude. They talk to Mason Currey, an author of a book that reveals how many great thinkers used their alone time to change the world with their art, music, and ideas. 

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This week's episode continues our investigation of solitude. Peter McGraw speaks to a friend and remarkable single, Christina Martinez, about how she spends her alone time. They discuss her “Old man activities,” which include restoring a vintage van – an endeavor that has connected her to a new community and friends. They give encouragement and present best practices for people who want to cook alone, dine alone, and go to the movies alone. 

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Peter McGraw kicks off a series on solitude with a scientific look at the topic. In this episode, he speaks to Robert Coplan, a psychologist working at the leading edge of this complex, fascinating topic. They discuss the problem of loneliness, but also cover the opposite problem: being alonely. Aloneliness is the stress that people feel when they don’t get enough alone time. Peter and Robert also talk about the solo's freedom to pursue solitude and how solitude leaves them unencumbered to pursue vast benefits: personal growth, rejuvenation, reflection, and creative pursuits. 

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Peter McGraw invites the co-founders of the Onely blog, Christina Campbell and Lisa Arnold, to talk about rebellious singles. These remarkable singles were able to accomplish extraordinary things through their ability, focus, and fortitude. However, one important thing to note is that their remarkable lives happened not despite their singleness but because of it. Finally, the bonus material is back on the Solo slack channel. The topic: the stereotype of the crazy cat lady. 

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