The Lonely Hour

#40 An ER Nurse—and Mother, and Wife—Works Through Crisis May 31, 2020

It's a strange time for all of us, but only healthcare workers know the particular stresses of caring for sick people right now—and what it feels like to put themselves at risk for contracting coronavirus every day they’re at work. In this episode, nurse Mary-Elizabeth Suarez records from the ER at Stanford Hospital.

#39 One Story of Food, Friendship, and Caretaking in the Time of Corona May 17, 2020

Kimberly Chou was already experiencing a period of uncertainty this winter. Now we all are—and the stakes are high. Those of us who are lucky enough to be at home are seeking comfort, and Kimberly is finding it in food and gift giving. Plus: Understanding how the pandemic has impacted the restaurant industry.

#38 Single Life and Skin Hunger in Isolation May 03, 2020

It’s hard not to think about touch right now, when it’s something so many of us are craving and can't have. In this episode, we explore physical contact, relationships and single life during the era of social distancing.

#37 One Family Successfully Quarantines and Finally Touches Again Apr 25, 2020

In our next isolation diary, host Julia Bainbridge's father records from the Maryland countryside, plus a relaxation meditation to help reduce anxiety right now.

#36 Finding Moments of Joy During Coronavirus Lockdown Apr 15, 2020

The Walking Dead actress Pollyanna McIntosh chooses good vibes over stress while sheltering in place in Los Angeles. Let her be your guide to finding happiness in the small things right now.

#35 The Era of Social Distancing Apr 08, 2020

We are social distancing—a term with which we're now all painfully familiar—in order to slow contagion of the coronavirus. In a break from format, host Julia Bainbridge talks more directly to listeners in this episode, and she consults various experts about dealing with anxiety as well as ways to find joy in this time of crisis.

TLH to the Rescue Apr 05, 2020

We've been social distancing—a term with which we're now all painfully familiar—and so have you. But we've also been working: The Lonely Hour will have new episodes, starting this week, to help you through these strange, isolating times. Get ready to hear more from us soon. xo

#34 The Importance of Doing Nothing, with Jenny Odell Aug 02, 2019

Jenny Odell, author of How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy, talks about wandering, observing without judgment, and letting go of the idea that time is money. Part four of The Lonely Hour's mini-series, Inner Lives.

Original illustration by Payton Cosell Turner.

#33 How Loneliness Tells You Where to Go, with David Whyte Aug 01, 2019

Poet and philosopher David Whyte discusses his inner life and the importance of loneliness: "I've always felt that when you do feel loneliness, it's always a kind of inverse measure of what you actually belong to." Part three of The Lonely Hour's mini-series, Inner Lives.

Original illustration by Payton Cosell Turner.

#32 How a Healthy Inner Life Improves the Outer Life, with Priya Parker Jul 31, 2019

Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering, shares how discussing her childhood dreams with her mother equipped her with the tools to deeply understand what it is that she desired. Part two of The Lonely Hour's mini-series, Inner Lives.

Original illustration by Payton Cosell Turner.

#31 Why Boredom Leads to Creativity, with Manoush Zomorodi Jul 30, 2019

Manoush Zomorodi, host of the Note to Self podcast, makes the case for rethinking our digital habits and being more purposeful about putting boredom into our lives. Part one of The Lonely Hour's mini-series, Inner Lives.

Original illustration by Payton Cosell Turner.

#30 The Loss of Faith and a Marriage, the Gaining of an Identity Apr 03, 2019

Having grown up in a born-again Christian community with strict rules governing how best to live, James finally woke up to the fact that he didn’t know himself—and that his marriage was crumbling. He turned inward, retreating to a cabin in the Catskills, to figure it all out.

This episode is sponsored by Audible and Away. Original illustration by Payton Cosell Turner.

#29 Facing Dead-of-Winter Maine Alone in a Tent Mar 27, 2019

Brandon Baltzley is the chef and co-owner of a restaurant called the Buffalo Jump. Determined to kick his substance abuse issues, he climbed a snow- and ice-covered hill in the dark to reach his home for the next month of his life: a yurt with no heat or running water.

This episode is sponsored by HelloFresh and Care/of Vitamins. Original illustration by Payton Cosell Turner.

#28 One Month—No Schedule, No Internet, and No Electricity Mar 20, 2019

How losing both parents, navigating the transition of her only sibling, and extreme burnout led film producer Annabelle Dunne to seek solitude in Sri Lanka with just a cot and 17 books—and what it taught her about how she should lead her life now that she’s back home.

This episode is sponsored by Audible and Away. Original illustration by Payton Cosell Turner.

#27 Looking for Clarity Halfway Around the World Mar 13, 2019

After a decade in New York working as a talent agent and a producer in fashion and a loss in her family, Kamey Butler sacrificed leaving her friends and familiar places to try to regain control the only way she knew how: She bought a one-way ticket to Cape Town.

Original illustration by Payton Cosell Turner.

Alone Together: Spend Valentine’s Day With Yourself If You Want To Feb 14, 2019

Comedian Lane Moore, host of Tinder Live author of the new essay collection How to Be Alone: If You Want To, and Even If You Don't, talks about “stranger luck” and how she plans on spending Valentine’s Day with her dog, Lights.

We’re baaaaaccckkkkk! Jan 15, 2019

Find four new episodes of The Lonely Hour on Stitcher Premium. Subscribe now at stitcher.com/lonelyhour.

#26 The Loneliness of Losing Yourself Jun 14, 2017

Abandon Me author and former heroin addict and dominatrix Melissa Febos discusses what it’s like to lose your identity to addiction and obsession—and host Julia Bainbridge signs off with a meditation on living in that loneliness.

#25 Weird in a World That’s Not Jun 07, 2017

Jennifer Romolini, author of the new memoir and career guide, Weird in a World That's Not, opens her book with this: “I am not supposed to be here. I spent the first 28 years of my life as a fuckup and a failure. I failed and I failed and I failed.” And then she became a professional success—and wrote a book about it. She speaks about her journey on today’s episode.

Coming Next Week! May 30, 2017

Writer Jennifer Romolini visits the show next week. Here's an excerpt from her new book, Weird in a World That's Not.

#24 Alone in the Maine Woods for 27 Years May 24, 2017

At the age of 20, Christopher Knight left his car and the rest of the world behind: He didn’t send a letter, spend any money, or use the internet for over two decades. He said one word to one person, accidentally, during that time. Michael Finkel, who wrote a book about Knight called The Stranger in the Woods, shares his story.

#23 When You’re a Stranger To Yourself May 17, 2017

Brooke Russell stepped onto the scale and couldn’t believe the number she saw. She tells the story of how, as she struggled with disordered eating, she kept herself away from others.

#22 When You Start to Doubt Your Faith May 10, 2017

David Bazan—a touring musician, most notably with Pedro the Lion—always assumed God existed. His life, and music, was centered around his Christianity. Then he started to question all of it.

#21 “When Can I Say I’ll Be Alone Forever?” May 03, 2017

Comedian and writer Aimée Lutkin hasn’t dated in a while, and wonders if she ever will again.

#20 Suddenly an Outsider Apr 26, 2017

Our awareness of an "ism" can lead to loneliness, and in George McCalman’s case, that ism was racism. After living much of his life in New York City feeling part of the community, he suddenly felt like an outsider, because of an episode at a magazine where he worked in his twenties.

#19 The Invisible Chef: Kat Turner Apr 19, 2017

A personal chef to big-name celebrities, Kat Turner has been behind the scenes for years. Now, she wants to step forward, in front of a camera.

The Lonely Hour Returns Mar 30, 2017

Season two picks up on April 19th. Here's a sneak peek of what's coming!

#18 Bonus: The Holidays Dec 24, 2016

A holiday message from The Lonely Hour, plus, some writers try to define loneliness.

#17 The Expat: Reid Whitten Dec 08, 2016

Reid Whitten, an international trade lawyer, willingly moved to his firm’s Brussels office. Three years later, expat life has turned out to be lonelier than he anticipated.

#16 The Leaver: Samantha Silva Nov 23, 2016

Writer Samantha Siva discusses the breakup of her marriage, and the loneliness of having been the breaker.

#15 The Spanking Fetishist: Jillian Keenan Nov 09, 2016

Sex with Shakespeare author Jillian Keenan struggled with understanding her spanking fetish—and so did those around her.

#14 Our Host, Julia Bainbridge, Tells Her Story Oct 26, 2016

Our host Julia Bainbridge attempts to answer why she's doing this podcast, and shares what's in store for season two.

#13 Essay Episode: A Hoodie Is a Haven Oct 12, 2016

For writer Charlotte Druckman, wearing a hood lets people know she’d like to be left alone.

#12 Essay Episode: Lonely Our Oct 03, 2016

Writer and activist Stephen Satterfield reads his Lonely Hour poem, called “Lonely Our.”

#11 Essay Episode: On the Fence Sep 14, 2016

Writing professor Rachel Mennies considers the particular breed of loneliness found on Carnegie Mellon's campus.

#10 Essay Episode: I'm Never Alone Anymore, and I Miss It Aug 31, 2016

Former New York Times 'Frugal Traveler' Matt Gross finds himself alone (in Istanbul) for the first time in years.

#09 Essay Episode: I'm Not Lonely, But I'm Not Bragging Aug 17, 2016

In the first of our five essay episodes, a pre-season two mini-series, Jamie Feldmar wonders if her lack of loneliness means something might be wrong with her.

#08 Mental Illness: Kira Asatryan and Kat Kinsman Apr 17, 2016

Human closeness is fundamental to our mental well-being, but many people have hurdles to human closeness. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, or addiction, mental illness can be isolating.

#07 Addiction: Gerardo Gonzalez, Reina Zelonky, and Anne Bainbridge Apr 01, 2016

Both substance abuse and sobriety can be isolating.

#06 Entrepreneurship: Brian Bordainick, Patrick Janelle, and Jill Lindsey Mar 17, 2016

We idolize the Mark Zuckerbergs of the world, but many of those entrepreneurs struggle through anxiety and loneliness on their way to the top — if they ever reach it.

#05 Writing: Will Chancellor, Andrew Friedman, and Carolyn Murnick Mar 03, 2016

The act of writing is a solitary one. We talk to three writers about their process, and about the loneliness of their profession.

#04 Solo Dining: Jamie Feldmar, Keff, Amanda Cohen, and Samantha Rose Widder Feb 21, 2016

Do people like — or are they even growing to prefer — dining alone?

#03 Motherhood: Kate Rope, Molly Guy, and Alyssa Shelasky Feb 05, 2016

Motherhood can be a lonely-making experience, whether it's because of postpartum depression, the pressure of guarding a human life, or the quest to get pregnant in the first place.

#02 Social Media: Patrick Janelle, Molly Guy, Kat Kinsman, Sydney Engelberg, and Anna Caltabiano Jan 22, 2016

"Technology has distracted us from the age-old truths of what is most important — true friends whom we can be ourselves in front of, rather than our carefully scripted online persona.

#01 Solo Travel: Alan Feuer, Paula Froelich, and Randall Reeves Jan 06, 2016

In this episode, New York Times writer Alan Feuer expands on what he wrote about his 400-mile drive on Alaska’s Dalton Highway, which he calls one of America’s loneliest roads. I talk to Yahoo Travel editor at large Paula Froelich, a big fan of solo travel, as seen on her adventure travel web series A Broad Abroad, about “giving myself the gift of reflection” on the road. And I learn what single handing is from Randall Reeves, who plans to circumnavigate both the Americas and the Antarctic in a small sailboat starting in September 2017, passing through four separate oceans and nearing both poles in the process. Oh, and he’s doing it alone.

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