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In this week's episode of Thrive Solo, my guest is the wonderful Caroline Young, author of 'Single And Psycho: How Pop Culture Created The Unstable Single Woman.'

Although single herself, Caroline is Mum to an almost-one-year old boy, whose father she co-parents and lives with.

During our conversation, Caroline explores the societal and pop culture stereotypes of single women, sharing insights from her book and her personal experiences. We discuss characters from movies such as Fatal Attraction and Bridget Jones' Diary, and other shows that depict single women as unstable, crazy, or desperate. We also talk about the pressure women face regarding marriage and children, and the resilience required to break these stereotypes. 

Caroline also shares her journey of becoming a mother later in life and how this transition changed her societal visibility. 

02:14 Guest Introduction: Caroline Young

05:01 Caroline's Unique Family Dynamics

06:43 Writing 'Single and Psycho'

08:48 Exploring Pop Culture Stereotypes

10:28 Relating to Pop Culture Characters

19:22 Themes and Takeaways from her book

27:51 Visibility and Perception Changes

30:35 Struggles with Invisibility

30:59 Rebecca Traister's Perspective on Marriage

31:58 American vs. UK Views on Marriage

34:14 Deciding to Try IVF Again

34:41 Advice for Women Considering Solo Motherhood

37:00 Enjoying Solo Motherhood

38:53 Celebrating Single Women's Complexity and Resilience

40:23 Backlash Against Single and Childless Women

45:01 Caroline's Online Dating Experiences

47:32 The Impact of Having a Baby on Her Thoughts Around Relationships

48:37 Final Thoughts and Book Highlights

53:24 Embracing Aging and Motherhood in Your Forties

54:58 Conclusion and Contact Information

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And thank you so much for listening!