Thrive Solo
Let’s be real — being single and child-free? It’s pretty damn awesome. Don’t believe me? Stick around. I promise you, by listening to this podcast, you’re going to start seeing your solo life in a whole new light — one that feels empowering, exciting, and full of possibility.
I’m Lucy Meggeson, and I’m here to help you stop seeing singlehood as a consolation prize and start embracing it as the incredible opportunity that it is. Because the truth? Being single isn’t second best. It’s not a waiting room. And it sure as hell isn’t a life of lack. In fact, when you lean into it, it can be just as fulfilling—if not more so—than being coupled up with kids.
And besides, no matter what our relationship status, what we all really want is to feel good in the here and now. So instead of focusing on what’s ‘missing,’ let’s focus on what’s possible. The freedom. The adventure. The extra time and headspace to create a life that’s truly our own.
Because here’s the thing: you are so much more powerful than you realise. Your thoughts shape your reality. And when you shift your mindset, you shift your life. My mission isn’t just to help you feel better about being single—it’s to help you recognise your own agency. To help you see that you are the creator of your own experience. And that you, and you alone, get to decide what your life looks like.
So join me here every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and let’s build lives that feel joyful, meaningful, and wildly fulfilling — on our own terms.
Let’s Thrive Solo…together.
E-mail me at lucy@lucymeggeson.com
Thrive Solo
The One Where I Talk To Retired Academic & Author, Helen Taylor
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My guest on the podcast today is the wonderful Helen Taylor.
Helen is 77 years old, a retired academic, and the author of Childless By Choice: The Meaning & Legacy Of A Childfree Life. It was absolutely fascinating to talk to a woman who went against the grain at a time when motherhood was not only expected, but really was seen as totally central to the lives of women.
From a very young age, Helen decided not to have children, and in her new book she shares her reasons for choosing to remain childfree as well as the very complex feelings that have accompanied her choice. In our conversation, Helen tells me all about how her own mother’s attitude towards motherhood impacted her choice to not have kids; we also talk about the issue of regret, we talk about how women without kids are still often seen as outliers, we talk about how families can come in all shapes and sizes, and Helen also shares her thoughts about the later stages of a child-free life.
02:15 Guest Introduction: Helen Taylor
04:51 Helen's Early Life and Decision
07:26 Impact of Societal Expectations
11:39 Contraception and Abortion
19:05 Challenging Family Pressures
27:51 Redefining Family and Friendships
30:45 The Legacy of a ChildFree Life
31:08 Exploring Fulfillment Without Children
35:13 Regret and the ChildFree Choice
37:33 Grandparenting and Childcare Challenges
39:33 Writing 'Childless by Choice'
40:56 Reactions to the Book
52:28 Alternative Families and Friendships
54:16 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook
57:54 Wrapping Up and How to Connect
Buy Helen's Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Childless-Choice-Meaning-Legacy-Childfree/dp/1917523300
Check out Helen's website: https://www.helen-taylor.co.uk/
- 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: lucy@lucymeggeson.com
And thank you so much for listening!