Raised in the dominant culture that equates fulfillment with marriage and children, social scientist and author of Single at Heart, Bella DePaulo, came to recognize that living single was her most authentic and joyful life path. Over decades of research, writing, teaching, and community organizing, she has challenged the harmful stereotypes and systemic biases faced by single people, while elevating the ‘single at heart’ values of solitude, friendship, and autonomy. Now in her 70s, Bella is fulfilling a lifelong dream of creating a foundation dedicated to empowering single people.

Growing up Lucy assumed she’d follow the traditional path of marriage and motherhood but, as she grew older, she found herself increasingly questioning the dominant cultural script. Despite a brief period of intense broodiness, she realized that the single, childfree life gave her the freedom, peace, and purpose that she craved. Today, through her Thrive Solo podcast and book, Lucy empowers others to reject pronatalist expectations and embrace happiness on their own terms.

From a very early age Pip sensed she didn’t want children, and a diagnosis of premature ovarian failure at 15 confirmed that path. As she grew older, Pip found herself desperately searching for the perfect partner to complete her. A chance conversation blew open the door regarding societal expectations around relationships, sex, and conventional measures of success. Childfree, single, and celibate, Pip lives an independent, authentic, and joyful life with her family of two rescue dogs.

Raised in a Black feminist family of highly educated women committed to service, Kat Calvin grew up without the pressure to marry or have children. Single and childfree, Kat channels her time and energy into projects that make a difference - building a life of purpose, freedom, and joy.