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This week, I'm thrilled to be speaking to the absolutely fabulous Zoe Hanson — solo Mum to her 13 year old daughter, Lois. 

Zoe raised Lois by herself from the moment she was born, and that was while she was hosting Heart’s south coast breakfast show having been one of the south coast’s longest running breakfast show hosts on both the Capital and Heart networks, including presenting Capital’s breakfast show alongside Johnny Vaughan. 

These days, you can hear Zoe on The So So Show, a podcast that she hosts with Tom Stroud about all things Southampton which is where Zoe lives. In our conversation, Zoe and I talk all about her former career; her company, The Podcast Lady, which she started as a way of helping business start their own podcasts; we talk about how both of us are feeling fabulous in our fifties, Zoe’s love of running, what single life looks like when you have a kid, and of course we also talk about Zoe’s journey of being a solo parent. I absolutely bloody loved talking to this woman, and I know that you’re going to love listening to her and feeling her amazing energy. So, without further ado, here is the awesome Zoe Hanson. 

Follow Zoe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoehanson84/?hl=en

Check out The Podcast Lady: https://thepodcastlady.co.uk/

Follow Zoe's new Instagram, How To Be Fifty for more news about her upcoming podcast: https://www.instagram.com/howtobe50_/

Listen to The So SO Show: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Dh4S5XgfFSa7qncBo8bOk

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• 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 week's minisode, I’m giving some loving tough love on the phrase “easier said than done” — because yes, changing your mindset, reprogramming old beliefs, and building a better life is hard…but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth doing. I talk about why so many of us stay stuck because we expect transformation to feel easy, when really it takes repetition, discipline, discomfort and daily self-awareness. This is a reminder that the work isn’t about becoming perfect; it’s about catching yourself quicker, choosing differently, and proving to yourself — again and again — that your life, your peace, and your future self are worth the effort.

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• 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 us Fan Mail

On this week’s Monday Motivation, Polly and I are talking all about sleep.

Sleep is one of the foundations of good health, yet it's something so many of us struggle to get enough of.

In this episode, we chat about some of the simple things we've found really help us sleep better, from creating a healthier sleep environment to small habits that can make a big difference.

We hope there's something in this conversation that helps you get a better night's sleep.

Love,
Polly & Lucy xx

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• 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 us Fan Mail

On this week's guest episode, I’m speaking to the wonderful Elisa Hanssen, single, childfree, and originally from The Netherlands but now living in Iceland for the last ten years having fallen in love with the country on a solo holiday. 

During her time in Iceland, Elisa has done all manner of things from being a horse riding guide, to knitting amazing Icelandic sweaters, to working in a kindergarten, to working in various guest houses, all the while making the very most of everything the country has to offer. 

In our conversation, Elisa talks about how and why she ended up leaving the Netherlands in search of a new life, why she loves Iceland so much, and the incredible Icelandic horses that she’s been so lucky to work with; we also talk about her love of solitude, spending time in nature, how she prefers herself when she’s single, and flying right over an erupting volcano!

Follow Elisa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisa_in_iceland/?hl=en

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• 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 us Fan Mail

On this week's minisode, I’m talking about one of the most underrated benefits of being single: the glorious absence of romantic relationship emotional admin. I unpack how relationships don’t just bring love and companionship — they also bring conflict navigation, mood management, compromise, repair, expectation-setting and constant background maintenance. Single life doesn’t remove every problem, of course, but it does remove a whole layer of emotional complexity, creating a level of peace that’s much easier to maintain. This is a reminder to notice not just what single life may be missing, but what you’re no longer carrying — and why that can feel absolutely delightful.

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• 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 us Fan Mail

On this week's Thursday Thoughts, Polly and I are talking all about boundaries.

Women in particular have been conditioned to believe that they should give OF themselves long before they should give TO themselves. But this can lead to burnout and resentment. And this is where boundaries come in.

The truth is that if we don’t implement boundaries, we’ll forever end up saying yes to things we don’t want to do, tolerating behaviour we shouldn’t put up with, and generally feeling depleted and frustrated.

Boundaries can be uncomfortable to implement - especially with the people we love - but they are not only important for our own wellbeing, but also for those same people. Because when we prioritise ourselves instead of everybody else, we show up better for our family and friends.

We hope you’ll find something useful in this conversation.

Love,
Polly & Lucy x

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• 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 us Fan Mail

I’m SO excited for you to hear my guest on this week's episode, because I think she’s one of my favourites so far — and to be fair I’ve only said that a handful of times in the four and a half years I’ve been making this podcast! Her name is Lauren Smith — you might know her on social media as 'ItsLaurenSmithy' — and she is a content creator, plus size advocate, and public historian-in-training who is basically joy personified. 

In this conversation, Lauren tells me how she began creating content around plus size fashion, but how her content has evolved into much more than that, including talking about her infectious passion for history, as well as single life and finding the joy in life; we talk about her own journey of learning to love her body, we talk about heartbreak, shame, loneliness, and what it’s like when your friends are all living a life that looks very different to your own. We also talk about how much she now loves her single life, the joy she finds in singing in a choir, and how wonderful it is to be able to go all in on your passions when you’re a solo woman. This truly was one of my favourite interviews for this podcast and I have no doubt that you’re going to bloody love this woman.

Follow Lauren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itslaurensmithy/?hl=en

Follow Lauren on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itslaurensmithy

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• 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 us Fan Mail

In this week's minisode, I’m talking about authenticity — and why you never regret honouring yourself, even when it risks being misunderstood. I unpack how many of us have been conditioned to shapeshift for approval, and how self-respect and self-trust are built by not abandoning yourself in the small moments: saying what you mean, holding boundaries, and choosing what’s true for you. Being yourself won’t please everyone — and that’s kind of the point — because authenticity is what attracts the right people, relationships and opportunities into your life.

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• 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 us Fan Mail

On this week’s Thursday Thoughts, Polly and I are chatting about the importance of checking in on your goals now that we’re nearly halfway through the year.

As always, we wander off into a few interesting tangents along the way! But at its heart, this conversation is a gentle reminder to pause, reflect, and ask yourself:

Are you heading in the direction you want to go? And are you getting there in a way that feels good?

We hope there’s something in here for you.

Love, 

Polly & Lucy x

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• 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 us Fan Mail

My guest on this week's guest episode is the gorgeous Carolyn Couch. 

Single, childfree by choice, 64 years old, and living in North Caroline, Carolyn is a career counsellor and coach. In this conversation, Carolyn and I talk about what it was like growing up in a small town in a southern US state where, even more so back then, it was very much expected that you would get married and have children. But Carolyn just knew that the traditional path was not for her and so she stuck to her guns and forged her own path. I know that you’ll love this episode because we talk about all sorts of things, not least solo life, changing careers as a woman, and how we can use AI to our advantage.

05:53 Lifelong Single Choice

11:42 Solitude Not Loneliness

13:21 Career Pivot Story

16:28 Coaching Methods Mindset

22:55 Advice for Single Women

27:00 Money Skills Planning

30:09 No Plan B Mindset

30:53 Urgency Creates Momentum

32:04 Baby Steps That Stick

33:24 Clarity Through Action

35:02 Accountability And Coaching

37:51 Invest In Yourself

39:16 Why Single Women Need Agency

40:45 AI As Career Coach

50:43 Gen Z Career Advice

Check out Carolyn's website: https://thenextstepcareercoaching.com/

Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenextstepcareercoachingllc

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_next_step_career_coaching/

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• 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!