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 Author of Unwed & Unbothered, Emma Duval
My guest on the podcast today is the gorgeous Emma Duval.
Emma is an author and illustrator whose first book, Unwed & Unbothered: The Defiant Lives of Single Women Throughout History, shines a light on the overlooked history of single women without kids, celebrating their lives, achievements, and legacies. Emma is also the founder of the first virtual museum dedicated to women without children, which can be viewed online at www.childfreehistory.com
Emma herself is married, but she is childfree by choice, and during our conversation we talk, among other things, about what motivated her as a married woman to write a book all about single women. We also talk about how she has come up against serious pressure from her family about her choice not to have kids, and how she they don’t even know about her book.
Emma’s book is full of such interesting stories of amazing women throughout history including Jane Austen, Florence Nightingale, the Beguines, and many, many more, and I know that you guys will find this episode so interesting.
02:14 Guest Introduction: Emma Duval
03:42 Emma's Journey and Inspirations
04:52 Challenges and Pressures of Being ChildFree
06:56 Writing 'Unwed and Unbothered'
20:05 Online Communities and Support
23:32 Historical Context of Single Women
31:10 The Beguines Movement in Medieval Europe
32:47 Chosen Families and Intentional Communities
34:34 Margaretta Forten: An Unsung Heroine
39:14 Prioritising Pursuits Other Than Marriage
46:02 Women with Gumption: Stories of Defiance
51:47 Illustrating History: Bringing Women to Life
55:07 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Buy Emma's book: https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Unwed-Unbothered/Emma-Duval/9798881600037
Buy the book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/unwed-unbothered-the-defiant-lives-of-single-women-throughout-history-emma-duval/7892978
Check out the first virtual museum dedicated to women without children, which Emma founded: http://www.childfreehistory.com/
Follow Emma on Instagram: @MillennialEmma
- Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book
- Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions
- Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo
- Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson
- Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme
- 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!