Well Enough Alone - A Guide To Thriving Solo

What do we actually need to live a happy life? Are marriage and children the pathway to fulfilment, or do they actually make you less happy? This week, Jill talks to someone who has studied these questions in depth and come up with some illuminating answers that not everyone wants to hear. Professor Paul Dolan is one of the world's leading experts on happiness, a professor of behavioural science from the London School of Economics, the author of several books on happiness, and host of the podcast, Get Happier, among others. He's spent more than three decades researching how we can measure and value the richness of the human experience, and what he's found is fascinating. One of the things we're often told from an early age is the best way for us to achieve fulfilment is to get married and have kids. But does the science align with the fairytale? Do we need to partner and procreate to be a fully actualised and contented human? Or can we be truly happy alone? This is an illuminating and validating conversation about the science of doing life solo. You can find out more about Paul's work through his website, learn more about his books here and check out his podcasts here. To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or follow Jill @jillstark__ Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.  Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we let go of perfectionism and people-pleasing and learn to put our own needs first? This week, Jill speaks with Dr Michelle McQuaid, an internationally recognised positive psychology expert, about how more women are breaking free from damaging people-pleasing patterns and living as their authentic selves. Michelle is the author of six best-selling books, and an honorary fellow at Melbourne University's Centre for Wellbeing Science. Her life and work explore the intersection of mental health, identity, and the societal norms that quietly erode our sense of self, with a particular focus on how women are conditioned from an early age to be the ‘good girl', and how we can shed these limiting beliefs. She also recently found the courage to end her 23-year marriage and gained freedom and fulfilment as she enters what she describes as her “Grey Queer” years, exploring her bisexuality and prioritising her relationship with herself. Michelle also shares her fascinating personal story of growing up with a family background of drug addiction and homelessness, which has given her a unique perspective in building identity and resilience. You can find out more about Michelle's work through her website, read about her Good Girl Game Changers project on her Substack, and check out her book, The Perfectly Imperfect Little Girl, here. To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or follow Jill @jillstark__ Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.    Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To have kids or not have kids? In a world where marriage and parenthood are still seen as the expected life path, what does it mean to defy convention and choose a different way? This week, Jill talks to award-winning documentary filmmaker Therese Shechter about her revolutionary film, My So-Called Selfish Life and the unstoppable rise of the child-free movement. In a world where reproductive rights are under attack, Therese explores how the freedom to choose whether or not to become a mother has never been more urgent. She's a child-free woman whose work delves deep into a subject that has often been shrouded in shame and stigma, and finds that for many women, there simply is no physiological or emotional imperative to have children. Therese also drops some truth bombs about the “biological clock”, and the surprising number of women who regret becoming mothers, and finds that much of what we've been told about the drive to procreate is a social construct. Just one quick content note: this episode was recorded last year, prior to the US election before we knew that J D Vance, that famous lover of childless cat ladies, would be Vice President, so keep that in mind while you're listening. You can follow Therese on Instagram @trixiefilms, find out more about her film, My So Called Selfish Life here or head to her website for information on her other work. To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or follow Jill @jillstark__ Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.   Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's guest is the very definition of thriving solo. Cindy Gallop is a trailblazer for single, child-free living. She's torn up the rule book, rejected outdated societal expectations, and actively celebrates her solo life. She's also someone who is open about the fun she's having as an older woman dating younger men casually for sex – a trend she says is the relationship model of the future. In this episode, she talks to Jill about why she loves being unmarried and child-free and the liberation she finds in her own company. An entrepreneur and a social disruptor, Cindy describes herself as the ‘Michael Bay of business' because she likes to blow things up. As the founder and CEO of MakeLoveNotPorn, Cindy's visionary reimagining of the porn industry has challenged misogynistic and unrealistic depictions of sex. It's a movement that promotes healthy, consensual and authentic sexual behaviour that empowers women and prioritises connection and open communication. Cindy also talks about her unique perspective on ageing and loving her body, and how she's living life unapologetically on her own terms. You can follow Cindy on Instagram @cindygallop or follow @makelovenotporn, and check out her website here. To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ WellEnough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson andTrent Bartlett. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do death and dying have to teach us about getting comfortable with aloneness and living a good life? It's a subject that's often taboo and shrouded in fear and secrecy, but it's also something none of us can avoid. But what does a good death look like? Is it a lonely and frightening experience? Or can it be something profound and beautiful, with as much to teach us about how to live as how to die? This week, Jill talks to Annie Whitlocke about her work as a death doula, providing emotional, physical, spiritual and practical support to people in their final days. Annie has had a fascinating life. She's happily single after six marriages, and has experienced immense loss and hardship, giving her unique insights about how to find peace in aloneness. Just as birth doulas provide non-medical support throughout the birthing process, Annie, a death doula, Buddhist chaplain and pastoral carer, is there at the other end of the cycle, acting as a nurturing companion in life's last transition. You can learn more about Annie's work here and read about it in her own words here. To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.  Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've ever been with a partner and asked, “Is this relationship going anywhere?” or been swept up in a romance without stopping to question if it's really what you want, then you may already be familiar with the “relationship escalator.”It's a phrase coined by journalist, Amy Gahran, to describe the default set of steps society expects all intimate relationships to follow. She challenged the cookie cutter approach to modern love with her groundbreaking book, Stepping Off the Relationship Escalator.This week, she chats to Jill about unconventional intimate relationships including consensual nonmonogamy, polyamory and asexuality, as well as her own experiences of solo polyamory, and what she's learned from being in relationships that don't follow the standard social script. Amy is based in Boulder, Colorado, and also writes under the pen name Aggie Sez on her blog, Solo Poly. To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only, early and ad-free episodes on Patreon. Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's episode is one we're really honoured to bring to you. Our guest is someone with boundless courage and compassion, who has shared some of her most vulnerable moments with the world so that others might feel less alone. Rosie Batty is, as she says, the member of a club no mother wants to join. She lost her 11-year-old son, Luke, in 2014 when he was killed by his father that thrust her into the national spotlight as passionate campaigner on the issue of family violence. In this raw and moving conversation, Rosie speaks with profound clarity about how she found hope in the darkest of places, and what she has learned about identity, solitude, the power of human connection, and cultivating a strong sense of self. Rosie has spent the past ten years tirelessly advocating for social, cultural and legal change, on family violence inspiring millions not just in Australia but around the world. In 2014, she won the Pride of Australia Award and in 2015 was named Australian of the Year. Rosie is not on social media but you can read more about her memoirs, A Mother's Story, and Hope here. If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, call or visit 1800RESPECT (in Australia) or contact your local support organisation. To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only, early and ad-free episodes on Patreon. Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 2: Episode Six Jacinta Parsons: On reclaiming your forever self, the wisdom of older women and lessons from living with chronic illness Reaching mid-life and reckoning with the ageing process can also be a time of invisibility and isolation, particularly for women. Living with a chronic illness can also be a lonely place. It can feel like the world is moving on around you while you're stuck in freeze frame. But what if these experiences were actually the birthplace for bringing forth the greatest version of ourselves? One that is truly at peace and comfortable alone.This week's guest has lived and researched both these topics and has many lessons to impart about the importance of finding our ‘forever self.' In a moving and intimate conversation, Jacinta and Jill get vulnerable as they dive into some of life's biggest topics. Jacinta Parsons is a broadcaster, public speaker, ABC Melbourne radio host and author of three books that delve into the complexities, frailties and wisdom of the human condition:Unseen: The Secret World of Chronic Illness; A Question of Age; and the soon to be released,A Wisdom of Age. You can follow Jacinta on Instagram: @jacintaparsons or visit her website here. To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only, early and ad-free episodes on Patreon. Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's episode is a really juicy one so buckle up! Can we have a fulfilling, safe and healthy sex life when we're unpartnered? Is sex an essential part of the human experience or are there other ways to find intimacy? Our guest this week is Cyndi Darnell, a certified clinical sexologist, psychotherapist and couple's counsellor based in New York. She works with singles, traditional couples and people in open, polyamorous, kinky and consensual non monogamous relationships. She walks us through what sex can look like if we're not partnered, how our sexual appetites change through different seasons of our life, and the less conventional, but no less fulfilling, relationship structures available to us. In an extremely candid episode, Jill shares experiences from own sex life, as Cyndi helps navigate a path through a topic that is often shrouded in shame and secrecy. And Cyndi speaks about her rich and full child-free, single life and how she's rejected social expectations and embraced ‘relationship anarchy'. You can follow Cyndi on Instagram: @cyndi_darnell or visit her website here. To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only, early and ad-free episodes on Patreon. Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode is one that many of you asked us for – what does it take to have a child on your own? Whether you're sure you want kids, still trying to decide, or want to be child-free, this week's guest has many life lessons that can help you figure out, or reaffirm, what's right for you. Alexandra Collier was 37 and living in Brooklyn with the man she loved when she woke up to a ravenous hunger to have a baby that unfortunately her younger partner didn't share. What happened next is an extraordinary story of courage, hope, and what it means to start a family on your own terms. Alexandra's memoir Inconceivable: Heartbreak, Bad Dates and Finding Solo Motherhood is a moving account of that journey, and she shares with Jill the logistics, emotional complexity, financial implications and judgement she faced when she chose to become a single parent. But she also speaks of the joy and empowerment she's found in following her own path, and what life looks like for her now with a five-year-old. Alexandra is an award-winning Melbourne writer who has written for theatre, screen and print. She lived and worked in New York for a decade where her plays were produced Off Broadway You can follow Alexandra on Instagram: @alexandracollierwrites and learn more about her book, Inconceivable, here. To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only early and ad-free episodes on Patreon. Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 We live in an age when we're more connected than at any point in history. But in our terminally online timeline, many young people are feeling a profound sense of loneliness, isolation and pessimism about the future. They are often disengaged from politics and less than hopeful about modern dating and relationships. Our guest this week is someone who has tapped into that feeling of apathy and disconnection and created a powerful platform for social and political change. Hannah Ferguson is the founder and CEO of Cheek Media, an independent news commentary platform that aims to educate and inform while at the same time making young people feel more engaged and less alone.She talks candidly with Jill about the personal stories she shares in her new book Taboo: Conversations we never had about sex, body image, work and relationships, a vulnerable exploration of modern womanhood that exposes and celebrates the messy, honest and insular parts of ourselves. Hannah is also the co-host of politics and pop culture podcast, Big Small Talk, and the author of two best-selling books, Bite Back and Taboo – all this by the age of 25! To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only, early and ad-free episodes on Patreon. Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine being the star of a reality TV dating show as one of the most visible eligible bachelors in the country, and you find love in the full glare of the public eye only to have your life fall apart. That's what happened to Dr Matt Agnew, when he appeared on The Bachelor, fell in love, broke up, then felt himself slowly unravel. In this week's episode, Matt speaks with courage and candour about his battle with mental illness, living in the spotlight, how he's found happiness alone, and why he's passionate about dismantling patriarchy and modelling healthy forms of masculinity. Matt is an author, an engineer, a data scientist and an astrophysicist, who has written two books, Is My Phone Reading My Mind: The Real Facts About Artificial Intelligence, and Dr Matt's Guide to Life in Space.   You can follow Matt on Instagram: @drmattagnew or visit his website here.To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only, early and ad-free episodes on Patreon. Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Content warning: this episode discusses issues of mental illness and suicide. If you need support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or your local crisis centre, Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back for season two and what a way to kick off, with Australian broadcasting icon, Yumi Stynes – a fierce and fearless trailblazer who knows all about finding your strength when you are very much on your own.Yumi opens up about surviving some very public media pile-ons, and how she manages the hateful trolling that has made her fear for her safety.She also shares her journey through two divorces, how it helped her cultivate a robust sense of self, and why we she threw a huge party to celebrate the end of her last marriage.Yumi's wisdom, strength and trademark humour make for a candid conversation where nothing is off limits, as she speaks about the freedom and joy she's found in embracing not only the single life but sobriety.A writer, podcaster, TV presenter, and mother-of-four, Yumi is the author of the best-selling Welcome To book series (Welcome to Your Period, Welcome to Consent, and more), and her award-winning podcast Ladies We Need To Talk is a groundbreaking show tackling topics that have often been shrouded in shame, stigma or ignorance.Check out the episode she did recently with Jill talking about her own sobriety journey.You can follow Yumi on Instagram: @yumichildTo stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only earlycontent on Patreon.Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett.Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Claire Mason: on sobriety as a path to single freedom, self-love and happiness Can quitting drinking be the key to a happy, single life? This week, Jill talks to podcaster, body positivity advocate and digital creator, Claire Mason about her journey from party girl to sober queen. They share stories about their history of binge drinking and what happens when you can no longer numb your emotions with alcohol. There are many parallels with choosing to be single and choosing an alcohol-free life, and in this raw and real conversation, they discuss what it's like to be stripped bare and feel all your feelings. You can follow Claire on Instagram @claire_maso_or @lyssk_official. And check out her podcast, Booze-Free Bants, here. To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only early access to episodes on Patreon. Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett.    Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our friends are some of the most important people in our lives. They're the people we can be 100% ourselves with. And for many single people, they are our family. So why are friendships seen as lesser than romantic or blood family relationships? This week, Jill talks to journalist and author, Gyan Yankovich, about her book, Just Friends, and what would happen if society treated friendship with the same reverence and respect as marriage. Can a friend be more than just a friend – can they be someone to build a shared future with? This conversation explores the power of modern friendship – what it means to be, to make, and sometimes to lose a friend, and why these pivotal relationships are so often undervalued. You can follow Gyan on Instagram @gyanyankovich learn more about her book Just Friends here. To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only early access to episodes on Patreon. Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett.   Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Jill talks to TV presenter, public speaker and proud Warumungu/Yawuru woman, Megan Waters about growing and healing through times of struggle and why time alone is an essential part of her self-care toolkit. She also talks about her deep connection to her Indigenous culture and how kinship and community have helped her build a strong sense of self. Megan is open about her battle with a chronic health condition, the impact it's had on her mental health, her plans to freeze her eggs, and how she's grown stronger through times of adversity. Megan Waters is the co-host of NITV's Yokayi Footy Show, a Nike trainer and ambassador, a gym owner, breathwork teacher, and a boundary rider for Fox Footy's AFLW coverage. You can follow her on Instagram @megzyy_ To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only earlyaccess to episodes on Patreon. Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett.   Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the best things about solo life is the freedom to live life your own, without having to run decisions past anyone else. But one of the more challenging things is how expensive it can be to live alone. You have the same household costs as couples but only one income. Whether it's booking a room in a hotel, paying for health insurance, or forking out for power bills, groceries and living expenses, it all costs more when you do it solo. We're essentially paying a single person's tax. So, how can we better manage our finances when we can only rely on ourselves? And how do we understand the patterns that drive our spending? This week, Jill talks to certified Financial Behaviour Specialist®, Emma Edwards – founder of The Broke Generation – about how to get underneath the emotional side of money and why our spending habits are often tangled up with our sense of identity and behavioural patterns. Emma also talks movingly about the challenges of being an only child caring for ageing parents. You can find out more about her through her website, The Broke Generation, follow her on Instagram @the.brokegeneration, listen to her podcast or read her book, Good With Money. To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only earlyaccess to episodes on Patreon. Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett.  Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are single people often ignored by policy makers? And is that about to change?This week, Jill is joined by writer and political commentator, Lauren Beckman, to dissect Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance's attack on “miserable, childless cat ladies” and how this group is becoming a potent voting bloc.Single person households are the fastest growing demographic and yet we're often treated like we don't exist as politicians make their pitches to “working families.”The number of people living alone is rising – it's a constituency that political leaders should be courting rather than insulting. Ignore us at your peril!Lauren helps to break down the politics of being single and how the shifting social tides are changing the political landscape.She has a background in the Australian public service and is now Head of Canberra at Future Women, where she works to progress gender equality in Australian workplaces.You can follow Lauren for her political and social insights through an intersectional feminist lens on her Instagram account, @lauren.lately.To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only early access to episodes on Patreon. Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If a romantic connection is something you see in your future – whether for one night or forever – then you do not want to miss this week's episode.Jill speaks to Alita Brydon – dating expert, body positivity champion and creator of the cult social media phenomenon, Bad Dates of Melbourne on Facebook.Just because you enjoy time on your own doesn't mean you can't still dip your toe in the dating pool. And what a cesspit that can often be!If you want to survive the modern dating scene, you're going to need to be mentally prepared. And sometimes it helps to hear from those who have been through the wars too.Alita is the perfect guide to walk you through it.She's created a space for people to share their dating horror stories – and the occasional triumph – and after hearing from hundreds of thousands of people from all over Australia, she has learned a thing or two about how to navigate the dating experience.You can follow Alita and Bad Dates of Melbourne on Instagram and Facebook.To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only earlycontent on Patreon.Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danni Duncan: on choosing not to have children, and the rise of the child-free movement.The pressure to couple up starts early in life, but it's not just a pressure to be partnered, it often comes with an expectation that you will also want to have children.In a world where the nuclear family is still the archetype, it's often seen as a biological imperative to become a parent.But more and more people are choosing to be child-free. The number of women having children has been steadily declining for decades.This week, Jill speaks to someone who has torn up the motherhood rule book and is writing her own script.Danni Duncan is a content creator from New Zealand who has built an online audience by celebrating the choice to be childfree.With almost quarter of a million followers across Instagram and TikTok, her content showcases all the upsides to a life without kids.She joined Jill for a wide-ranging conversation about their choice not to have children, the pushback they've both faced, and how things are slowly changing.You can follow Danni on Instagram or TikTok.To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only earlycontent on Patreon.Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From an early age we're told that that the dream is to find our soulmate, have the big wedding, and then live happily ever after.But for a long time, that fairytale was one only straight people could aspire to.On the day same-sex marriage was finally legalised in Australia, Stuart Henshall was proposed to live on national television.He and his fiancée became the first couple to ever get married at Sydney Mardi Gras, tying the knot on top of a giant wedding cake in front of the world's cameras.But the fairytale was short-lived. Stuart talks to Jill about the complex emotions of fighting for the right to get married, only to see it end in divorce.And they discuss whether gaining access to this traditional institution has imposed heteronormative pressures on LGBTIQ+ people to get engaged and marry, even if it's not what they really want.Stuart also talks about the power of shame and his journey to self-acceptance, and how he's learned to love his solo life.You can follow Stuart at @dvynepr.To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram.@wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only early access to episodes on Patreon.Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a world obsessed with partnering up and settling down, it can sometimes feel like you're a square peg in a round hole if you're on your own.So how can you learn to not just accept your own company but actually love it? Is loneliness something we can banish, or is it a necessary part of the human condition?And how do you deal with pressure to be coupled and/or have children, from people in your life who may mean well but are not respecting your choices?Today, Jill speaks with Dr Ahona Guha – a clinical and forensic psychologist and an author whose latest book, Life Skills For A Broken World is a guide to building essential psychological skills.She writes widely for the media on matters related to mental health, social justice, and equity. And she's also a single woman, living her best solo life with her greyhound rescue, Carla.You can follow Ahona on Instagram @drahonaguha or check out her books and writing at ahonaguha.comTo stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only earlycontent on Patreon.Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production.Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when the life you planned comes crashing down around you?  Jess King faced a major betrayal that changed everything. But in rebuilding herself from the ashes of that crisis, she found freedom and strength in her own company. Jess is one of Australia's leading curve models, a body positivity advocate, and a content creator. She's walked runways across Europe, Asia and Australia for some of the world's leading fashion labels, and is on a mission to inspire young women to be confident and love themselves. But despite all her career and personal successes, some insist that “finally” finding a partner is her greatest achievement. In this candid conversation, Jess shares what she's learned about self-love and compassion, managing anxiety, and how to maintain your sense of self whether you're single or partnered. You can follow Jess on Instagram @jessraeking To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only early content on Patreon. Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett.   Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 As single people, we're often pitied or seen as living half a life. We're just incomplete puzzles desperately searching for the missing piece to make us whole. But what if the risk is not what we'll miss out on if we don't organise our lives around a romantic partner, but what we'll miss out on if we do? Today, Jill speaks to Dr Bella DePaulo – the world's leading thinker on the single experience about her research, which shows that for millions of people in every corner of the globe, being single is actually the key to thriving and living their best life. And contrary to popular cultural assumptions, those who embrace their single status, grow happier as they age. Dr DePaulo is a professor of psychology with a PhD from Harvard, she's 70, has always been single, and says she always will be. She's the author of Single at Heart: The Power, Freedom, and Heart-Filling Joy of Single Life. Her TEDx Talk, “What no one ever told you about people who are single,” has been viewed more than 1.6 million times. You can learn more about her at her website, www.BellaDePaulo.com or follow her on Instagram @bellasingleatheartTo stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only early access to episodes on Patreon. Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett.    Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fearless and fabulous at 51, Yvie Jones is one of Australia's most well-loved TV personalities and a proud and unapologetic long-term single woman. In this raw and candid conversation, she talks about love, grief, body image, self-worth, and how she's built connection and community while doing life solo.And for the first time, she shares behind-the-scenes details of what really happened in that viral moment on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here – when she refused to be weighed on camera – and how this turning point helped her take back her power. Yvie Jones is a broadcaster, actor and a podcaster, who became a household name with her friend Angie Kent as stars on the hit show Gogglebox, winning four Logies. She's a regular co-host on Studio Ten and The Project, as well as hosting her own show, Snackmasters, and the popular podcast, Two Girls One Pod.You can listen to Yvie's podcast here or follow her on Instagram @yvie_jones To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__ or support the show and get subscriber-only early access to episodes on Patreon. Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a podcast for anyone who's ever been told that being single makes you incomplete, or life will only begin when you find “the one.”I wanted to make it because I was tired of outdated cultural narratives that told me there were only two life paths available to us – “partnered and happy” or “single andsearching.”There is a different way – solo and thriving.With more solo households today than at any point in our history, single people are the fastest-growing demographic.And yet, being alone is often viewed as a state of limbo before we meet “the one” and settle down.What if the one you've been looking for is you? Could embracing your single status rather than fearing it be the key to a whole and happy life?To leave “well enough alone” means to stop trying to change something that is already good enough.I wanted to make a space for conversations that celebrate solo life, flipping the script on sad and lonely single stereotypes and embracing all that a life untethered has to offer.And that's exactly what I've done, with my incredible production team at Spare Room, who have helped me turn this dream into a reality.Over the last few months, I've interviewed inspiring guests – some who are single and some who aren't – who shared stories of the strength and comfort they've found in their own company.And I talked to leading experts in psychology, human behaviour, business and health about the upsides and the challenges of solo living – from choosing to be child-free or being a single parent, to managing a budget on one income, enjoying your freedom or navigating loneliness, and dipping your toe in the dating pool.Whether you're happily single, trying to get comfortable with your solo status, or even partnered and looking to carve out more time for yourself, Well Enough Alone is here to help you live your life your way. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well Enough Alone is a celebration of solo living that tears up the “sad and lonely”single script and embraces a path that can be joyful, expansive and fulfilling.Because there is more to life than “partnered and happy” or “single and searching.”There is solo and thriving.Hosted by best-selling author and award-winning journalist, Jill Stark, this podcast isfor anyone who's ever been told that being single makes you incomplete. Or that lifewill only begin when you find “the one”.To leave “well enough alone” means to stop trying to change something that isalready good enough.What if the one you've been looking for is you? Could embracing your single statusrather than fearing it be the key to a happy life?Jill talks to inspiring guests, some who are single and some who aren't,about what they've learned from time spent in their own company, and interviewsleading experts in psychology, human behaviour, business, health and wellbeing,about how to thrive alone. Get early access to new episodes by subscribing on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.