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My 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 Rice

02:46 Gail's Story: Hiring an Escort at 70

05:35 The Experience and Its Impact

09:05 Reflections on Ageing and Visibility

17:18 Exploring Tantra and Self-Discovery

20:28 Romantic History and Singlehood

25:42 Regret and Life Choices

33:58 Perspectives on Ageing and Urgency

36:01 Reflecting on Ageing and Gratitude

37:19 The Impact of Mindset on Ageing

38:46 The Power of Female Community

43:34 Embracing Singlehood and Overcoming Loneliness

54:24 The Pressure of Anti-Ageing Culture

01:00:33 The Importance of Touch and Companionship

01:04:49 Celebrating Independence and Self-Discovery

01:06:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Listen to Gail's piece: https://podcasts.apple.com/vg/podcast/i-hired-a-male-escort-for-my-70th-birthday-the-sunday-story/id1501716010?i=1000734694214

Follow Gail on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gailrice.psych.writes/?hl=en

Join Gail's Substack: https://gail263.substack.com/

Support the show

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
• Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected]

And thank you so much for listening!

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I 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 show

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
• Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected]

And thank you so much for listening!

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On 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 show

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
• Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected]

And thank you so much for listening!

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The wonderful Chanté Joseph, writer of the viral British Vogue piece, ‘Is Having A Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?’ is back for Part 2 of our conversation. If you haven’t already listened to Part 1, I highly recommend you go and do that first, and you're then going to want to come back and listen to this part, too!

In this second half of our conversation, Chanté talks about how she’s started being totally upfront with men she’s dating, rather than holding back for fear of losing someone; she talks about a book called The Tragedy of Heterosexuality by Jane Ward, which has really transformed the way that Chanté thinks about relationships and dating; we also talk about polyamory and non-monogamy, the question of whether human beings are even built for long-term relationship, as well as 'Strangers In The City', an event series that Chanté started with her best friend which brings solo people together. 

02:38 The Tragedy of Heterosexuality

02:58 Polyamory and Non-Monogamy

06:04 Emotional Dominance in Relationships

11:39 Questioning Long-Term Relationships

19:05 The Fear of Being Alone

21:20 Cultural Perspectives on Singledom

22:59 The Irony of Singledom for Women

23:56 Scott Galloway and the Masculinity Crisis

24:56 Encouraging Men to Step Up

27:07 The Role of Community in Relationships

29:22 Reflections on Societal Pressures

34:19 Chanté's Personal Journey and Career Focus

36:52 Strangers in the City: Chanté's Event Series

Read Chanté's Vogue piece: https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/is-having-a-boyfriend-embarrassing-now

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chantayyjayy/?hl=en

Book a 'Strangers In The City' event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/strangers-in-the-city-81942438803

Follow Strangers In The City on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strangersinthecityevents/?hl=en

Support the show

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
• Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected]

And thank you so much for listening!

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In this end-of-year minisode, I’m sharing a loving-but-direct wake-up call before 2026: being single is not the problem — feeling directionless is. 

I talk about how the real fix for feeling stuck isn’t finding a partner, it’s finding something meaningful to move towards: a project, a purpose, a path that lights you up from the inside out. I share honestly from my own life about how direction filled the void I once thought a boyfriend would fix, and I invite you to choose one thing you want to build in 2026 so you stop waiting for your life to start and begin creating it instead.

Support the show

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
• Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected]

And thank you so much for listening!

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On today’s Thursday Thoughts, Polly and I are talking about one of my favourite topics…enthusiasm!

Enthusiasm is one of the highest vibration emotions there is; and if we’re not feeling enthusiastic about anything in our life, that’s a sign that something needs to change.

But just like joy and gratitude, enthusiasm is something that we have to choose, to prioritise, to cultivate. And the more we cultivate it, the more things we’ll find to be enthusiastic about.

We really hope you’ll find something of value in this conversation.

Love,
Polly & Lucy x

Support the show

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
• Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected]

And thank you so much for listening!

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I'm super excited that my guest on Thrive Solo this week (and next) is the fabulous Chanté Joseph, writer of the viral British Vogue piece, ‘Is Having A Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?’ 

If you haven’t heard of Chanté or this piece, you’ve probably been living in a cave for the last month or so because when I say this article went viral, I mean VIRAL — globally. I’ve heard so many people talking about it — people you would never expect to even come across this kind of content, which just speaks to how this piece has really hit a nerve. 

Chanté is hear to tell us all about the rollercoaster that has been the last couple of months, and this conversation truly is a must-listen — not just for single women, but for everyone. Chanté and I talk about how she came to write the article, the people she interviewed and why she ended up asking the question 'Is Having A Boyfriend Embarrassing Now’ in the first place; we talk about the hate and abuse she’s received online since writing the piece, how the fantasy of the fairytale is starting to fade, as well as the movement that is happening when it comes to single women. We also talk about how women often put up with sub-par behaviour from men because they’re scared of somebody walking away if they're honest about their needs and desires in the relationship. 

Make sure you come back next week for Part 2 because you're not going to want to miss it!  

02:19 The Viral Article: 'Is Having A Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?'

04:08 Chanté's Journey and Insights

06:52 The Impact of the Article

12:51 Reactions and Reflections

14:41 The Bigger Picture: Solo Movement

16:28 Chanté's Personal Experience

20:35 Unexpected Viral Fame

20:54 Navigating Newfound Responsibility

21:35 The Pressure of Public Expectations

22:59 Dealing with Online Hate

24:52 Personal Attacks and Misunderstandings

32:37 Responding to Young Men's Concerns

35:50 Setting Boundaries in Dating and Relationships

Read Chanté's Vogue piece: https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/is-having-a-boyfriend-embarrassing-now

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chantayyjayy/?hl=en

Book a 'Strangers In The City' event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/strangers-in-the-city-81942438803

Follow Strangers In The City on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strangersinthecityevents/?hl=en

Support the show

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
• Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected]

And thank you so much for listening!

Send a text

In Week 10 of my mini series ‘10 Weeks To A Joyful Christmas’, I’m talking about remembering that, despite the fanfare, Christmas is just one day.

Support the show

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
• Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected]

And thank you so much for listening!

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This week, Polly and I are diving into Christmas — the bits that feel magical…and the bits that feel a little wobbly.

Because for so many of us, this season can stir up old stories, tricky family dynamics, or that familiar mix of sadness and joy sitting right next to each other.

We hope you find something useful in here.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas! 🎄

Love,
Polly & Lucy xxx

Support the show

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
• Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected]

And thank you so much for listening!

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This week is Part 2 of my conversation with the wonderful, funny and fabulous Bronwyn, one of my Thrive Solo membership community members, who I absolutely LOVE. 

If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, I recommend you do that first, and then come back to this half, because you’re going to want to hear the whole conversation. 

In this half of our chat, we discuss everything from the need to feel like we’ve been ‘chosen’, the idea that our self-worth has to come from being in a relationship, the sense that we sometimes feel like we need to say yes to someone even if we’re not that in to them, just in case they’re the last person who’s ever going to want to be with us! 

We also talk about changing subconscious beliefs, finding direction in life, as well as our journalling and affirmation practices. 

You’re going to love the second part of this very honest and totally untamed conversation. 

Enjoy!

Email Bronwyn: [email protected] 

Support the show

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
• Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected]

And thank you so much for listening!