The Spinster Life Podcast

If you're a childfree person who's been told "You'll die alone!" buckle up because Kat Vellos and I are about to reveal the secret to living a life surrounded by people who love and care about you -- friends!I had an amazing conversation with Kat, a friendship expert and author of the book, We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships.You can read Kat's writing in over 100 countries and she's been interviewed by The New York Times, NPR, Communication Arts, The Good Life Project, and many more. Sign up for my Substack Newsletter to get new Spinster Life Podcast episodes, including my full conversation with Kat, delivered directly to your inboxHere's how to connect with Kat: Here to Make FriendsKat's NewsletterGet Kat's book! We Should Get Together is the handbook for anyone (childfree or not) who's ready for better friendships, yesterday. It's the perfect book for anyone who wants to have dedicated, life-enriching friends, and who wants to be that kind of friend, too.More Spinster Life:InstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

The holidays are tough, but especially for single people. Too much family togetherness and too many questions into your personal life can instill dread in the heart of even the staunchest singelton. So how can you get through it? I asked solo life expert Mary Delia Allen for her hot take on self-care during the holiday season. Here's Mary DeliaIf you're a visual person, you can check out this video on YouTube: More Spinster Life:InstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Happy Single Holidays! And I don't mean eating a Swanson turkey TV dinner by yourself on Thanksgiving. I'm talking about the two international holidays in November celebrating singleness in their own unique institutional way, St.Catherine's Day, and Singles Day 11/11. So let's contrast and compare the two and examine how they're both great and problematic in different ways.You can watch the full video on YouTube: More hat videos:Stephen Jones Video More Spinster Life:InstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

I'm not a big Halloween person, but one gruesome thing I enjoy year-round is true crime stories. First, who doesn't love a mystery? And second, stories of murdering husbands reveal the not-so-sunny side of marriage and one of the upsides of staying single. True crime stories also help me feel safer, revealing troubling patterns of behavior to watch for in any situation. Betty and Glen Wolsieffer were an All-American couple living in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Until Betty was found dead on their bedroom floor on August 30, 1986, and Glen's story of a masked intruder started to fall apart. Learn how ladders, dew, and infidelity at the Red Roof Inn ended in the gruesome demise of a housewife as I create art and tell you the story of the shocking privilege of the cheating dentist. You can watch the video version on YouTube, or check out the finished artwork on Instagram. Sources: Forensic Files EpisodeHandsome Devils EpisodeForensic Files Now Blog PostMore Spinster Life:InstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

What do you think when I say hormones? You probably think about the symptoms of PMS like mood swings and bloating, and you probably think of estrogen. But hormones are so much more. These complex chemical reactions inside our body not only bring on changes like puberty or menopause, but play a crucial role in helping us sleep, regulating our moods, and just..keeping us alive. That's right, hormones aren't just sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone, hormones are involved in every body process necessary for life. So reducing menopause to an estrogen issue ignores all the other pieces of the puzzle, all the other hormones that play a role in the aging process, and doesn't do anything to help understand what's going on inside your body. Let's get educated about hormones with Moyra Gorski as our guide. She loves educating women about their bodies and helping them make changes to feel better and get the life they want. Here's Moyra:Website Journal to JoyMoyra's 8 Tips to Aging Well More Spinster Life:InstagramYouTubeSubstackMoyra is also my special guest on YouTube this week. Check it out here: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

**post updated 10/6/23**No discussion of cat ladies would be complete without discussing how the crazy got into the cat lady stereotype in the first place, and, how hard it is to remove it today. Even for cat ladies themselves! Today I'm talking to Lucy Meggeson, host of The Spinsterhood Reimagined Podcast, and Haley Shapley, Author of Strong Like Her, to continue our conversation about cat ladies. Haley shared some fascinating facts about how images of cats were used to discredit women fighting for the right to vote. In the eyes of the anti-sufferage movement, cats were useless, silly, feminine beings who belonged in the home, who needed the safety of the domestic sphere, and who didn't deserve to be seen and heard. Just like human women. Here are some of the memes: This last image actually tells the fascinating story of how government tried to silence suffragists and the cruel game of cat and mouse they played with suffragettes (the name for suffragists in the UK.) Read more about the history of anti-sufferage memes: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-bizarre-history-of-anti-suffrage-cat-memes_n_5818f36ce4b00f11fc5c38b5https://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2013/12/04/the-feminization-of-the-cat-in-anti-suffrage-propaganda/https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/teaching-justice-anti-suffrage-postcards.htmhttps://aphrabookclub.com/post/crazy-cat-lady-the-history-of-cat-memes-rooted-in-feminist-history/Here's Lucy Meggeson:InstagramPodcastLucy's Last Appearance on The Spinster Life PodcastHere's Haley Shapley:InstagramStrong Like HerHaley's Last Appearance on The Spinster Life PodcastMore Spinster Life:InstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Diane Keaton is an American treasure who just keeps on giving. From her memorable film roles in Annie Hall, The Godfather, First Wives Club, Somethings Got To Give, Book Club, and many more, to her strong Instagram game, to her iconic fashion sense, Keaton is a walking advertisement for staying single and thriving. In today's episode, I'm taking a deep dive into what makes Diane Keaton's memorable personal style so powerful. And, I'm going into my own closet to recreate some of Keaton's most memorable signature outfits to help me find my spinster style. Follow Diane Keaton on Instagram, you won't regret it. And if you have a Diane Keaton-inspired look you'd like to share, tag @livingthespinsterlife on Instagram!My previous video about women and pantsSpinster Life Podcast Episode About Coco ChanelMore Spinster LifeInstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Michele Wispelwey is back! As the founder of Femgevity, a digital telehealth platform for women, Michele channels her experience in the healthcare industry to help women fight back against the traditional ways doctors have health with women as they age. She's on a mission to extend women's health spans and prevent the side effects holding them back from enjoying their golden years. Most doctors don't know ANYTHING about menopause, but that doesn't mean that we don't have the medical technology to make menopause a less uncomfortable and potentially dangerous time in a woman's life. Michele dishes the facts about menopause and how it can be the best part of the rest of your life. Resources Find a Menopause specialist on the NAMS website Here's MicheleFacebookInstagramTikTokTwitterLinkedInYouTubeMore Spinster LifeInstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

It's time to check back in with three of my favorite cat ladies to discuss the cats vs kids debate. Are cats just a substitute for kids? Or, do people, single, married, divorced, etc, have cats because they like cats and get value from their lives becauseLet's find out!I'm so pleased to welcome Leysan, Lucy, and Haley back to the podcast to talk about pets, children, and the different ways we all show our pets we care. Here's Leysan Khabibullina:InstagramLeysan's Last Appearance on The Spinster Life PodcastHere's Lucy Meggeson:InstagramPodcastLucy's Last Appearance on The Spinster Life PodcastHere's Haley Shapley:InstagramStrong Like HerHaley's Last Appearance on The Spinster Life PodcastMore Spinster Life:InstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Natalie Bevans is a master esthetician who has been helping women feel beautiful in their own skin for 20 years. Today she's joining me to get real about aging and to tear down some of our assumptions about being less beautiful the older we get. It's easy to get caught in the trap of comparing ourselves to other women and feeling like you come up short in comparison. Natalie has some tips for you on how to help your skin stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible and how we can all adjust our thinking around what beautiful skin looks like. Here's Natalie IG @thefortembeautyNatalie Teaches You 10 Simple Steps to Create Glowing Skin - Free Download! More Spinster Life InstagramYouTubeSubstackMy Latest YouTube Video About Aging This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

I'm so pleased to welcome Michele Wispelway to the show. Michele is on a mission to revolutionize women's health through her digital telemedicine platform FemGevity. With her extensive experience and unwavering passion, she's here to empower women, tackle menopause, and unleash feminine longevity. For women, the thought of getting older is terrifying. We're inundated with stories about the decay of our bodies and how we'd better “hurry up” and take advantage of our youth while we can. You've probably read all about the “dangers” of having a baby over the age of 35. Your pregnancy is "geriatric”, your kid will probably have some kind of genetic abnormality IF you can even get pregnant at all. Because after you turn 35 you're eggs are rotten and your uterus becomes an inhospitable wasteland. But is that really how fertility works? Today, we discuss how we perceive women once they've hit the age 35 and reveal the source of the panic about “old” women having babies. We'll also discuss why we never talk about the decline of men's fertility and what you can do to empower yourself to feel comfortable in your own body. Resources Where the 35-Year Fertility Cliff Myth Comes FromHere's Michele Facebook InstagramTikTokTwitter LinkedInYouTubeMore Spinster Life InstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Shana Francesca is the founder of Concinnate World where she uses the principles of life design to help her clients live more joyful and fulfilled lives. In the second part of our conversation, we take on the world! Why do we believe the things we do? And what can we do to dismantle belief systems that have existed for thousands of years? Call out inequalities when we see them, keep talking about it, and never shut up about it. Articles About The Bumble Kidnapper Here and HereListen To The First Part of My Conversation With Shana FrancescaHere's Shana:linktr.ee/ShanaFrancescalinktr.ee/ConcinnateWebsiteMore Spinster Life:InstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Picture it: 2020, the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. A gorgeous young redhead hunches over a laptop, listening intently to the final cut of her passion project, a podcast about single women. Her finger hovers indecisively over the post button. Will she launch the podcast, or will she let it languish on her hard drive?That redhead was me. And that podcast was The Spinster Life Podcast. I did, of course, launch the podcast because I'm now 50 episodes deep. But what would have happened if I hadn't pushed past my fears and hit publish on the first episode?I speculate on what I would say to my past self about all my fears and doubts in this very special episode of the podcast. It's no secret that I love TV, so this episode is my homage to sitcom clip shows. I've learned a lot, laughed a lot, cried a little, and now I'm looking back at all of it. A huge thank you to all my fantastic guests over the years, I'm so proud of what we've created together. Another huge thank you to everyone who has ever listened. If you want to post about The Spinster Life or share with friends I've made it super easy for you. You can use this link to access copy and graphics that you can use to create social media posts for your feed. Thanks for helping me spread the word about the show. You can subscribe to The Spinster Life on Substack! You'll get new episodes of the podcast directly in your inbox. Look for new episodes bi-weekly (I mean the every other week kind of bi-weekly) as well as my column Dating Myself Era, a resource for learning how to date yourself (sometimes featuring personal stories from my own dating journey.) Or watch my YouTube videos! I recently hit 1,000 subscribers and would love to skyrocket my subscriber count. InstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

This nimbly-bimbly little kitten lived in a trash pile behind my apartment building and was the impetus for helping an entire colony of feral cats.The brand Cat Lady has come to symbolize singleness, is usually preceded by the word crazy, and is generally not a compliment. If you're a single woman who has a cat, or two cats, or five cats, you have probably seen some eye rolls and been told that men will run away in terror from you. But f**k all that noise! Cats make great pets,cat ladies are rad, and I have the receipts to prove it. This is the first in a series of episodes about cat ladies, where we break down stereotypes surrounding single women with cats and reveal the real people behind the cats. Today, I talk to my guests Leysan, Lucy, and Haley about how their cats came into their lives. Here's Leysan Khabibullina: Instagram Leysan's Last Appearance on The Spinster Life PodcastHere's Lucy Meggeson:Instagram Podcast Lucy's Last Appearance on The Spinster Life PodcastHere's Haley Shapley: Instagram Strong Like HerHaley's Last Appearance on The Spinster Life PodcastMore Spinster Life:InstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

I've got to take myself on more dates! This year I undertook a very vulnerable and public look back at my years on the dating scene I call the 300 First Dates Project. Throughout the short life of this project, I've reflected on mistakes I've made and the bad behavior I've witnessed. Years later, I'm still traumatized. But I think I've figured out how to heal. The only antidote to going on bad dates is to go on good dates. And who is the best person to take me on these dates? Me! This solo episode is a love letter to dating yourself, and a document of my first stab at solo dating with a purpose. More Spinster Life:InstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Patricia Smith Griffin is a historian, genealogist, podcaster, and the keeper of a rich family history. She is descended from early Ohio settler Charity Davis Ceasar Broady and was told the story of her family's legacy, passed down through the generations by the women in her family, since the time she was born. To honor her family and keep the stories alive, Patricia founded Charity's Children Project, a non-profit organization committed to establishing a multicultural center in Dayton, Ohio, and wrote and voiced The Legacy of Charity's Children, a short story podcast series that illuminates the generational journey of one of Dayton's oldest African American families.Patricia joins me to show us how single women can leave a legacy for themselves by telling us the stories of her unmarried (and married late in life) relatives and how their accomplishments shaped her family. She also gives us some tips on how you can find the spinsters in your family tree. Here's Patricia: Charity's Children Website The Legacy of Charity's Children PodcastEmail Patricia More Spinster Life: InstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Shana Francesca is a  speaker, writer, and entrepreneur.  She helps people live more joyful and connected lives through the principles of life design.  Shana believes our present and future are transformed when we infuse our lives with intention, we design our lives, and realize the power in accepting ourselves as the author of our story. This week, we're talking about our homes, the one sanctuary where we still have some control over our bodies. Shana throws down some wisdom that goes beyond paint colors or throw pillows. She challenges us to look past what we were taught our homes should be and how we set boundaries to find what feels intentionally authentic. Resources: Dormzilla Article Here's Shana: linktr.ee/ShanaFrancescalinktr.ee/ConcinnateWebsiteMore Spinster Life:InstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

When you think of romcoms, which rom-com star comes to mind? Julia Roberts? Meg Ryan? Reese Witherspoon? Today on the podcast, the right answer is Sandra Bullock. Lucy and I are taking a look at 3 of Sandy's classic rom-com roles from 1995 - 2009; Lucy in While You Were Sleeping, Lucy in Two Weeks Notice, and Margaret in The Proposal. How have these movies aged? Does the portrayal of women get better or worse as the years progress? Lucy and I went on a wild ride to find out. There was sweetness, there was conflict, and in the end, our mutual hate of one of these movies reunited us. Lucy is a frequent contributor to the podcast. She's a post-graduate researcher focusing on mental illness in sitcoms and previously she's been on the show to discuss women in sitcoms, the portrayal of women in BoJack Horseman, and the women of the MCU. **Spoiler Alert - There Will Be Spoilers**Here's Lucy:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lucy_rivers_pgr/And Twitter: https://twitter.com/LucyriPhdMore Spinster Life: InstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

My guest Kira Sabin is a Positive Psychology Practitioner, Certified Life Coach, and the Troop Leader of Love at the Relationship-Quotient.com. For the past 14 years she's been unleashing her no-nonsense wisdom to coach singles on building the relationship they need. She is obsessed with understanding how love and relationships work from a psychological, emotional, and scientific point of view. She works with singles from around the world through her process, the Owner's Manual, and her Relationship Quotient Community. She hails from America's Dairyland, Madison, WI, and is, in fact, a cheesehead!Kira and I can both agree, dating sucks! But why exactly? Well, we break it down and lay out the top 7 reasons that dating sucks - for everyone! Even if you're having a great time dating, meeting quality matches who treat you with respect, and looking forward to swiping right, Kira has some insights that will help you get even better at dating. And if you're not, we commiserate about how dating has changed but our brains still haven't caught up to the new reality. Here's Kira: InstagramFacebookTwitterKira Sabin's WebsiteMore Spinster Life: InstagramYouTubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

This week, Amie is joined by Chantelle Dyson, a love and life coach. She helps singles find confidence in their relationship with themselves so they can find a healthy, fulfilling relationship with someone else. If that's what they're after, that is. Chantelle is the host of the podcast The Single Girl's Guide To Life and the founder of The Single Girls Club, a space for single women to create community. If one of your resolutions this year was to “get back out there” and start dating, listen up! Chantelle tells us about three key areas that singles should work on, community, courage, and character, to make dating as stress-free as possible. And maybe even fun!Here's ChantelleWebsiteOn InstagramOn TikTok This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

I'm joined again by Lucy Rivers for some of her hot takes on how women are portrayed in the media. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the women of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (or the MCU, ifykyk). At first glance, it seems like Marvel has made huge strides in bringing more female-identifying characters into its heavily male-dominated universe, and made the movies more watchable for female viewers. But is this representation real equality? Or a hollow gesture meant to placate uppity women? Lucy and I use our vibranium shield to reveal the patriarchy behind some of the most successful movies of all time. **Spoiler Alert - There Will Be Spoilers**Here's Lucy:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lucy_rivers_pgr/And Twitter: https://twitter.com/LucyriPhdResources We MentionedSuperheroines and Sexism: Female Representation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by Folukemi Olufidipe and Ms. Yunex Echezabal https://www.jsr.org/hs/index.php/path/article/view/1430/684Pop Culture Detective: Born Sexy Yesterday video essay  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Happy New Year! Most people make resolutions to move on from their past. But this year, I'm going to confront and revisit my past in order to move forward. Before I became a spinster, I went on a lot of dates. Some were great, some were so-so, and some were living nightmares. But I learned something from each and every one of those approximately 300 first dates. What exactly did I learn? Every Friday I'll find out when I release a new blog post on Substack. I'll tell the tale of a date I went on and how it changed my approach to looking for love.You can sign up for the newsletter here: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

So you're single this December. Happy Solo Holidays! This whole season is both wondrous and stressful for everyone, but it can be especially difficult for those who are not currently partnered. How do you navigate the big feelings and the endless questions about your personal life from well-meaning friends and family? Friend of the show Mary Delia Allen, author of the book Enjoy Your Solo is back to give you some much-needed peace of mind. She's got a Santa's sack full of coping mechanisms, thought exercises, and scripts that will make your solo holiday a merry one. Get yourself an eggnog and settle in for a great conversation. Here's where to find Mary Delia online: Get a copy of the book: https://www.amazon.com/Enjoy-Your-Solo-Great-Single-ebook/dp/B09L32Z4C5Follow Mary Delia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enjoyyoursolo/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enjoyyoursoloWebsite: https://themarydelia.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Amie is joined this week by Mary Delia Allen, the author of Enjoy Your Solo: How To Be Great At Being Single. Traditionally, we're all told to couple up because being a part of a couple meant security and prosperity, especially for women. But how times have changed! Single people are the fastest growing demographic. 48% of US adults are single, 30% of US of US households are people living alone!Being single isn't just popular, it's fleeting time in your life where you get to really know yourself. Check out Enjoy Your Solo for some great advice Get a copy of the book: https://www.amazon.com/Enjoy-Your-Solo-Great-Single-ebook/dp/B09L32Z4C5Follow Mary Delia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enjoyyoursolo/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enjoyyoursoloWebsite: https://themarydelia.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Welcome back to the podcast! You can also watch this episode on YouTube. It's never been easy to be a woman. But in the 16th and 17th centuries, it was especially treacherous. Childfree, unmarried, and other “weird” women were accused of witchcraft and executed in retaliation for being themselves. The Sanderson sisters, the main characters in the Hocus Pocus movies, were outcasts, weird women who were intensely disliked by the townspeople of Salem. They were called ugly, old hags and cast out of their community for not fitting in. This Halloween, let's take a look at what Hocus Pocus can show us about how single, childfree women are othered, and why being a witch was a tempting way to escape all the constraints society places on women. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

In this very haute couture solo episode, Amie has graduated from fangirling to a more nuanced way to look at what famous spinsters of history can teach us. This analysis of fashion maven Coco Chanel delves into both the good and the bad. Sure, Coco Chanel changed fashion by designing clothes that were less restrictive and easier to move in, which helped further women's rights. But Coco was also a raging anti-semite and a Nazi spy. Did Coco's popularization of pants for women cancel out her hateful views? Keep listening to find out. Listen to the episode about Marie Marvingt here: https://www.spinsterlifepodcast.com/marie-marvingt-the-fiancee-of-danger/Video About Women's Financial Freedom in France: https://histoire.bnpparibas/en/videos/french-womens-journey-toward-financial-independence/#:~:text=On%2013%20July%201965%2C%20women,without%20authorisation%20from%20her%20husband. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Post grad researcher Lucy Rivers is back for another look at TV. This time around, we're discussing the women of the Netflix series BoJack Horseman. Even though the show has a male lead, the women he surrounds himself with are a vitally important part of the show. In her academic work, Lucy has explored how mental illness is represented on TV through the lens of BoJack Horseman. If you've never seen the show, be warned that there are spoilers. And if you have seen BoJack, you are familiar with the darkness the brightly colored animated characters hold within themselves. Including the female characters, who essentially become main characters throughout the run of the show.Amie and Lucy discuss the portrayal of Princess Carolyn, Diane, Beatrice, and Gina and how they fit into the new era of television. Follow Lucy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucy_rivers_pgr/And Twitter: https://twitter.com/LucyriPhd This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

“In his book on female aviators, Bernard Marck explained under the photos of three women that the first woman piloted balloons, gliders, airplanes, hydroplanes, and helicopters. The second woman was"a medalist who made a clean sweep in the entire range of sports: swimming, gymnastic, skiing, walking, fencing (saber, foil, and épée), polo, bobsled, boxing, ju-jitsu, shooting, equitation, ice-skating, rock climbing, and more.” The third woman was an inventor of several useful items. He concluded, "The whole is just one woman: Marie Marvingt."-Rosalie Maggio, Marie Marvingt, Fiancée of Danger The first time Emma Duval was on the podcast, she told us about her favorite spinster, Marie Marvingt. Emma returns to tell us all about Marie's fantastic life. The excerpt from Rosalie Maggio's excellent book sums up the life of a woman who defied expectations of what a woman should do and lived a life full of danger and suspense. Check Emma Out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millennialemma/And Twitter: @MillenniaEmmaCheck out We're Childfree, Not Childless here: https://www.spinsterlifepodcast.com/were-not-childless-were-childfree/It's the first episode Emma and I did together. Here's the book: https://www.amazon.com/Marie-Marvingt-Fiancee-Danger-World-Class/dp/1476675503We used this book as our main source for the episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

In this episode, Amie confronts her own mortality as she talks to Patricia De Fonte about estate planning. But she soon learns that estate planning isn't just for when you're dead. Patricia breaks down everything you need to know for your own estate plan. Things like: What to look for in an estate lawyerHow to decide who gets your stuff How insurance can help you answer the question “Who will take care of you when you're old and infirm?” How to talk to the people in your life about estate planningDon't be chaos! Start estate planning now. You can reach out to Amie or Patricia with any questions you may have. They may even make it into a future episode. About Patricia Patricia lived the Spinster life until she found herself at the altar at 37! She had no umbrella insurance, no disability insurance, no estate plan - was completely disorganized as a single person. She was born in San Francisco and currently lives there with her husband and their two children. Her pronouns are she/her and her hashtags are #estateplanning, #estateplanningwithheart, #loveanddeathandtaxes. Patricia De Fonte, JD, LLM,  is the founder of De Fonte Law PC, where she and her team practice Estate Planning with Heart™. De Fonte Law PC works remotely with clients throughout California. Patricia believes that her role as counselor and connector is as important as her role as an attorney, and she helps every client fully utilize their team of advisors, ensures each client completes a full insurance audit, and invites financial advisors to attend funding meetings.Credentials: BA Communication & AA Italian Santa Clara University. JD Golden Gate University. LLM Golden Gate University. Torch Award for ethics BBB 2021. Superlawyer designation 2021 and 2022. Patricia De Fonte speaks virtually and in person each month. She facilitates estate planning workshops through two non-profits in the Bay Area on Fundamentals of Estate Planning for Parents. She also hosts periodic panel discussions on pertinent financial topics to help educate the community and build a team of experts for each client.Her Website: http://www.defontelaw.com/Follow Her On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patriciadefonteFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pdefontelawLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/defontelaw/Take a workshop with Patricia: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/patricia-de-fonte-estate-planning-attorney-14519573501 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Female pleasure. Access to the contraception of your choice. Women masturbating! Breaking up with someone who is anti-choice!! For a show about nothing, Seinfeld sure had a lot to say. In this episode, listen to Amie's conversation with Sheevani Desai, the host of Hot & Heavy: The Elaine Benes podcast where they nerd out and fangirl all over Julia Louis Dreyfuss and the legacy Elaine had on their lives, and on the television landscape. Elaine was different from other single female characters on TV in the 90s, and even today. She dated around, but she wasn't looking for true love. She seemed content in who she was, and she wasn't about to sacrifice her life for any man. Well, maybe Jon-Jon. And as two former supervirgins, they commiserate about how most of the sex jokes went right over their head the first time they watched the show!Follow Sheevani and the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheevani1978/https://www.instagram.com/hotheavyelaine/Listen to Hot & Heavy: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Another solo podcast episode! This time I'm livid about a paint commercial! You might have seen the uproar online about an ad for paint that aired in the UK all over social media. It was supposed to be a lighthearted story about a couple painting a nursery, but it quickly turned into a story about how childfree women are constantly told that they don't know what they really want. You can also watch this episode on YouTube: Here's a link for the ad:And here's a link to the article I mentioned. Here's a link to the Wall Street Journal Article. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

In this episode, Amie sits down with fellow spinster and fellow podcaster Lucy Meggeson, the host of Spinsterhood Reimagined, for a two-part conversation. What could two childfree spinsters possibly have to talk about if they don't have husbands or kids? Plenty as it turns out. In part one ( catch part two on Spinsterhood Reimagined), Lucy and Amie tell their single stories, which feature late-night inspiration, career trajectories that veer off the well-trodden path, and a little bit of woo-woo spirituality.Follow Lucy on InstagramListen to Part Two Here This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

It's a podcast. No, it's a video. Wrong again. It's both! In this episode of my YouTube podcast crossover show, I discuss the legacy of 30 Rock and how the show contributed to how we see single women in their late 30s and beyond. Was Liz Lemon a secret spinster hero? Or did the show do more to further the idea that all women feel incomplete if they're not in a relationship? You can listen to more TV commentary about how sitcoms treat single female characters in this podcast episode.Here's the video I referenced about Tina Fey's jokes about race.And you can catch the YouTube video here. Visit The Spinster Life website for more fun times and feminist outrage.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

One host. One microphone. One camera. In this episode, Amie monologues about the rantings of an old white man and the writings of Elena Ferrante.Last week The Sunday Times published a piece titled "Should We Tax The Childless?" and the internet blew up and said, "Absolutely Not"!  Childfree people are already familiar with this handwringing about how we are not doing our part to furnish the future country with trash collectors and doctors. Now that this absurdity has been put on full display, will it be easier to be childfree? Amie also responds to a not-so-current piece of media, The Lost Daughter. Both the movie and book make a good case for making childfree a more appealing option for women. Blog: IG: Medium: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Will television rot your brain if you talk about it with an academic? Amie finds out when she talks to Lucy Rivers, a post-grad researcher who has a thing or two to say about how women are represented in US sitcoms. Light spoiler alerts ahead! Amie and Lucy do discuss what happens in the series finale of The Golden Girls. Don't say that you weren't warned! TimestampsMary Tyler Moore - 13:25MASH - 21:01Frasier - 26:12Parks and Rec - 33:36The Golden Girls - 36:37The Simpsons - 41:58Brooklyn 99 - 48:06The Office - 55:04Follow Lucy on Social Media: WebsiteInstagramTwitterLinkedInFollow The Spinster Life on Social MediaSubstack NewsletterBlog: Podcast: IG: Medium: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

One host. One microphone. One camera. Amie is thrilled to introduce a new format for the podcast and YouTube! In this yet untitled series, listen as Amie monologues about some of the pieces of content that she's watched this week, and how they've changed (or solidified) how she thinks about single women in the pop culture narrative. In this episode, Amie reacts to two streaming shows about the women of the FLDS. First is Keep Sweet, Pray and Obey, a docu series featuring interviews with former FLDS women, many of whom were child brides. She also reacts to Under The Banner of Heaven, and adaptation of a book she's never read. Even though she has a longstanding obsession with cults, Amie is still shocked by the content of these two series. Keep Sweet on Netflix: Under The Banner of Heaven:  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

One host. One microphone. One camera. Amie is thrilled to introduce a new format for the podcast and YouTube! In this yet untitled series, listen as Amie monologues about some of the pieces of content that she's watched this week, and how they've changed (or solidified) how she thinks about single women in the pop culture narrative. In this episode, Amie tackles Instagram Face. Social media has warped our perceptions of what a "normal", average, run-of-the-mill face looks like. How does that affect real women in the real world who are trying to live up to an impossible beauty standard? She also looks at an old Newsweek article that may be the actual reason started a podcast about single women in the first place. In 1986 Newsweek casually dropped the statistic that a woman over 40 is more likely to be killed in a terrorist attack than to get married. Even though the stat was a lie, it colored the way that many Americans view the worth of women as they age. Watch This Episode on YouTubeFinancial Diet Video: You Must Remember This Podcast Episode: Article About The 1986 Newsweek Article (the original article is not available online): I Like To Watch on YouTubePodcast Episode With Haley Shapley:  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Three months before her wedding, my guest Laëtitia Nguyen was focused on wedding planning. When her fiance called off the engagement, Laëtitia didn't let her heartbreak overtake her. Instead, she went through with the wedding as planned, except for one new twist. She married herself in a beautiful ceremony, the wedding of her dreams! Listen as Laëtitia tells us about her Solo Wedding in Santorini, and the other steps she has taken to create the family she wants.  The Websitethe Go Fund Me pageInstagram Twitter YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Amie gets another chance to talk to the incomparable Yanna Slack! This week they discuss how spinsters can take care of themselves when they're sick, injured, or aging. And it turns out there are lots of ways to set up a robust support system for yourself, and so many social changes we can advocate for that can help us all live more connected lives. This is the second part of a two-part series. You can check out the first part here.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Amie is joined by guest co-host Yanna Slack. Yanna's experience with spinsterhood started in childhood when she was surrounded by multiple single women who lived fulfilled lives full of peace and freedom. Today, she tells us about the Beguines, an independent spiritual order that gave women the freedom to remain single, and the invaluable service they provided to their communities. This is part one of two. Join us next week when we discuss how single women can live independent lives in sickness and in health.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Haley Shapley is the author of Strong Like Her, a look at the history of female athletes. Shapley's own foray into weightlifting gave her a unique insight into the way women's bodies are viewed in relation to fitness and made her curious if women have always been judged more than men. The short answer is yes. Enragingly, yes. But as Shapley started researching how women throughout history stayed fit, she found more layers to the story. And she learned about some amazing women who made fitness history. We discuss the obscure art of pedestrianism, how impractical wool swimming costumes truly are, and how weightlifting got a foothold in American culture. Follow Haley on InstagramOr go to her website This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Money: a subject we've never tackled on the podcast before. Until today that is. Amie chats with Financial Planner Rachael Burns about how newly single women, or women who've always been single, can take small steps toward making a financial plan that leaves their sanity intact. Rachael is the face of True Worth Financial. She specializes in helping newly single women get a handle on their finances to live the life they desire. Follow Rachael on IG, or go to her website.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Amie welcomes sex and relationship therapist Liz Dube to the show. Let's talk about sex! Just because you're single doesn't mean that you have to be celibate, and it also doesn't mean that you have to be in a committed relationship. Casual sex comes with some risks, but Liz gives us some great advice on how to navigate personal safety, consent, and what to do when someone catches the feels. You can follow Liz on TikTokOr go to her websiteAnd her course Reignite Your Desire  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

In the last episode, Amie and Laurel told you a little bit more about Gloria Steinem. This week, Laurel asks Amie about her experience living like Gloria, and Amie dishes about:  All the highs and lows. All the outrage and ah-ha moments. All the radical feminism. Thanks to Laurel for guest hosting! You can follow our podcast, Love Fool (@lovefoolpodcastofficial) on IG!Listen to Part OneAmie's Essay: Blog and MediumForbes Billionaire ListArtwork!! Jane Eyre Wuthering Heights Radical Feminist Tshirt Sources Revolution From WithinMoving Beyond Wordshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndgEkTZMfuwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxmklZxqkWMhttps://www.npr.org/2020/09/25/916870127/feminist-gloria-steinem-on-finding-herself-free-of-the-demands-of-genderhttps://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/interviews/a31202/the-lenny-interview-gloria-steinem/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_Steinem*Some links may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links you help support The Spinster Life.   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

How do you live the spinster life? By following in the footsteps of other great spinsters! The podcast is launching in a bold new direction. One where Amie and her guest hosts don't simply talk about spinsters, they actually live like spinsters.  In this episode, Amie tells us why she wants to live like Gloria Steinem for a week and how she's going to do it.  What will she learn? Will she be able to handle the pressure of living like a feminist icon? Do aviator glasses really suit Amie's facial structure?   Find out in the next episode. This is part 1 of 2. Amie is joined by co-host Laurel Daggers. A big thanks to Laurel for helping to smash the patriarchy. You can find her on Instagram. Or, you can listen to the podcast we host together, Love Fool.  Resources  Interview with Gloria Steinem Interview With Gloria SteinemNPR Article The Lenny Interview With Gloria SteinemMoving Beyond Words Revolution From Within *Some links may be affiliate links. When you buy using these links you help support The Spinster Life. Thanks* This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

I welcome my guest Aimée Lutkin. She is a writer, director, and performer from New York City, where she was born and raised. Her writing has been featured on Jezebel, Marie Claire, and Glamour online, among other places.Her latest work is her memoir The Lonely Hunter. I sat down with Aimée (pronounced ah-may, like amazing) to talk to her about dating, the loneliness epidemic, and the history of modern romance.  Follow AiméeInstagramTwitter Buy The Lonely Hunter This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

What did Amie and Eva get up to in 2021? The pandemic felt endless, Eva went through some changes in her personal life, Amie wrote a book and had great hair on national television, and their conversations, as usual, have plenty of tangents. Hear all about it in this very lengthy, very open episode.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

The Spinster Life is one year old! And what a journey it's been. Eva and Amie reminisce about their favorite moments from the podcast and make plans for the future. They did exchange the traditional one-year anniversary gifts of paper and clocks to remind themselves about their looming mortality. They did not, however, eat old cake from the freezer. A huge thank you to everyone who has listened to the podcast so far, we appreciate your support!   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

 In this episode, Eva interviews Amie and her roommate Kasha about what it's like to have a roommate in your 40s. It is all cheesecake and St. Olaf stories like The Golden Girls? Are there constant fights? Is it something in between?? Find out as Eva hurls thoughtful, sometimes divisive questions at Kasha and Amie, who dish out some roommate realness. As always, we play our favorite game, but this time, we play Why Isn't She Married, to test how well Kasha and Amie know each other.You can find Kasha at kasha-shana.com Thanks so much for listening. You can find full show notes here.https://bit.ly/3ARcUpr This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Think you know Stacey Abrams the politician and voting rights activist? In this episode, Eva and Amie learn more about spinster Stacey Abrams and her sultry side. Stacey also published romance novels under the nom de plume Selena Montgomery, while she was attending Yale Law School! E & A also tell us about their attempt at writing erotica, discuss the high price of success, and play a new game called "Close Calls With Marriage". Full Show Notes: https://spinsterlife.com/project/stacey-abrams-the-romance-novelist-who-is-preserving-democracy/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com

Have you seen the 2019 movie Spinster starring Chelsea Peretti? Eva and Amie have, and they'll tell you exactly what they thought about it. Are they biased because they are spinsters? Not at all. Listen to find out what worked in this movie, and what didn't from two screenwriters who have watched way too many movies. This episode contains spoilers. If you haven't seen the movie we discuss specific plot points. Read Our Full Show Notes Here: https://bit.ly/3AnfMKS This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thespinsterlife.substack.com