The Lonely Chapter

Sam Maclean
  • 4.9 (7)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Lonely Chapter is a podcast for people who are doing okay on the surface, but quietly unsure how to live well. Through calm, thoughtful conversations, host Sam Maclean sits down with guests from a wide range of backgrounds to explore the lessons they’ve learned through life, work, struggle, change, and growth. These are not conversations about having it all figured out. They’re reflections on meaning, identity, resilience, and what it looks like to live well when life doesn’t follow a straight line. Some episodes are long-form interviews. Others are solo reflections. All are designed to help you feel a little more oriented in your own life.

  1. 1D AGO

    Why You Feel Lonely in a Crowded City - And How to Fix It | Nini Fritz

    Loneliness is becoming one of the defining challenges of modern life. Even in crowded cities and hyper-connected digital spaces, many people quietly feel isolated and unseen. In this episode, I’m joined by Nini Fritz, a connection and wellbeing facilitator, to explore why loneliness can feel so acute in big cities - and why online connection often fails to meet our deeper human needs. We talk about the dopamine-driven pull of social media, the illusion of connection it creates, and how easily visibility gets mistaken for belonging. Nini shares why intention matters so much in our relationships, and how small, deliberate choices can help us rebuild real community and connection in everyday life. This is a thoughtful conversation about modern loneliness, attention, friendship, and what it actually takes to feel connected again - especially in a busy, distracted world. Takeaways → Why hyper-connectivity can increase loneliness rather than reduce it → How social media creates the illusion of meaningful connection → The difference between being visible and being truly known → Why intention matters more than proximity in relationships → Practical ways to build genuine connection and community → How shared interests can become the foundation for real belonging Connect with Nini → Website: https://www.the-work-happiness-project.com → EyeConnect Game: https://www.eyeconnectgame.com → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nini-fritz-24404bm23/

    1h 11m

  2. FEB 2

    4 Things I’ve Learned From Listening to Other People’s Stories

    After sitting down with nearly 90 people over the last two years, certain patterns keep repeating. In this solo episode of The Lonely Chapter, I reflect on four observations that sit beneath many of the stories shared on the podcast - not as advice, but as orientation. We explore: → Why insight alone rarely leads to change → Why confidence usually follows responsibility, not the other way around → Why people regret staying too long more than trying → Why struggle is relative, and comparison often keeps us stuck This podcast is for anyone who feels like they’re doing okay on the surface, but quietly unsure how to live well. 📷 Follow the podcast on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lonelychapterpodcast/

    19 min

  3. JAN 26

    The Problem With Growing Up Without a Rite of Passage | Chris Barton

    In this episode of The Lonely Chapter, I’m joined by Chris Barton to explore what happens when societies lose meaningful rites of passage - and why growing up without initiation leaves so many people feeling unprepared for adulthood. Chris is part of a movement working to restore structured rites of passage for young people, rooted in nature, responsibility, and challenge. He explains how the disappearance of these initiatory experiences in modern Western culture has contributed to confusion around identity, responsibility, and belonging. We talk about what rites of passage actually are, why they once mattered, and what fills the gap when they disappear. Chris also shares how carefully designed experiences in nature can help young people develop resilience, reflection, and self-trust through responsibility rather than motivation. This is a thoughtful conversation about growing up, identity, and the quiet cost of removing initiation from modern life. Expect to learn: → What rites of passage are - and what they are not → Why the absence of initiation often leads to risky substitutes → How nature and challenge build resilience and self-trust → The role of mentors and responsibility in development To learn more about Chris’s work: → Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildnaturerop → Email: wildnature.rop@gmail.com

    1h 6m

  4. JAN 19

    If You Want More From Life, Take More Responsibility | Medal of Honor Recipient Dakota Meyer

    In this grounded and challenging conversation, I’m joined by Dakota Meyer, U.S. Marine veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, to explore a simple but confronting truth: nobody is coming to save you. Dakota explains why personal responsibility sits at the centre of a meaningful life, and how leadership, identity, and fulfilment are built through action rather than intention. We unpack his core principle – risk plus responsibility equals reward – and what it reveals about why so many people feel stuck, lost, or quietly dissatisfied despite doing “all the right things”. This conversation moves through identity, mental health, resilience, and the role of community, while continually returning to one essential question: are you living in alignment with who you say you are? Dakota speaks candidly about truth, accountability, and the danger of outsourcing responsibility for your life – whether to institutions, labels, or other people. At its heart, this episode is an invitation to look honestly in the mirror, examine the evidence of your actions, and decide what kind of person you are becoming. In this episode, we discuss:→ Why “nobody’s coming to save you” is not cynical, but empowering → Dakota’s equation for life: risk + responsibility = reward → How identity is shaped by behaviour, not labels or intentions → The difference between resilience and avoidance → Mental health, accountability, and telling the truth without cruelty → What it means to be a “peopleist” – valuing people over titles → Why real change always begins with internal decisions and action Links mentioned in the episode:Dakota Meyer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dakotameyer0317/ Dakota’s Substack: https://dakotameyerthebluf.substack.com/

    57 min

  5. JAN 12

    The Foundations of Confident Speaking | Speech Coach Myles Usher-Doyle

    I’m joined in this episode by Myles Usher-Doyle, a speech coach and the founder of Speak-Well Coaching who has coached top tier communicators such as Chris Williamson (Host of Modern Wisdom). We talk about what sits underneath confident communication - why so many of us struggle to be seen when we speak, how fear shows up in the body, and why confidence is often less about learning techniques and more about feeling safe enough to show up as yourself. Myles shares insights from his work helping people find their voice, from eye contact and body language to the deeper emotional patterns that shape how we speak and how we listen. This is a conversation about presence, vulnerability, and learning to communicate in a way that reflects who you really are. If you’ve ever felt like you know what you want to say but struggle to say it out loud, this one will resonate.

    1h 25m

  6. JAN 5

    Why Tinnitus Gets Worse With Stress - with Dr Gladys Sanda

    In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Gladys Sanda, a tinnitus specialist who has spent over a decade supporting people living with tinnitus - and who also lives with it herself. We talk about the emotional and psychological impact tinnitus can have, including the fear, isolation, and heightened awareness that often accompany it. Gladys shares her personal experience of living with tinnitus, offering rare insight into what it’s like to both experience the condition and support others through it. Together, we explore how understanding what’s happening in the nervous system, alongside self-compassion, can change the way tinnitus is experienced. This conversation is about shifting the relationship with tinnitus - and about the possibility of living well, even when the sound doesn’t disappear. Key TakeawaysTinnitus affects far more than hearing, often impacting emotional safety, stress levels, and sense of connectionUnderstanding how the brain and nervous system respond to tinnitus can reduce fear and reactivitySelf-compassion plays a crucial role in learning to live well with tinnitusA holistic approach that considers both emotional and auditory factors can support long-term wellbeing Links & Resources📘 Beyond the Noise by Dr Gladys Sanda https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Noise-Practical-Tinnitus-Relief/dp/1036964973/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 🌐 Dr Gladys Sanda https://drgladys.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/tinnituswithgladys/ 📸 The Lonely Chapter on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lonelychapterpodcast/

    43 min

  7. 12/29/2025

    Best of 2025 | Life, Loss, Identity & Mental Health

    This episode is a reflective close to the year - a curated collection of moments from conversations across 2025 that stayed with us. It’s not a ranking of guests or episodes, and it’s not about what was “best”. Instead, these are moments where something honest was said, something meaningful clicked, or something human was revealed in a way that lingered long after the conversation ended. Across the year, The Lonely Chapter explored life, loss, identity, mental health, purpose, resilience, and what it means to live well when the answers aren’t obvious. This highlights episode brings together those ideas through powerful excerpts from full conversations, offering space to reflect rather than conclusions to follow. Episodes by order: Episode 79 - Inside the Mind of a World Record Endurance Athlete | Sean Conway Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5jWpNXWM9cmBQG00Tz1vr6?si=_7nVvU5yTRqoRDezZ61trQ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-lonely-chapter/id1744173358?i=1000737058489 Episode 52 - Exploring Origin Stories with David McIntosh: Motivation, Struggles & Triumphs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4IHHWeIxIvXuH235ujp30Q?si=OQeC6MCIT_-et63ImZSgtw Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-lonely-chapter/id1744173358?i=1000705215827 Episode 63 - Mastering the Art of Communication with Davina Hehn: Avoiding Conflict in Parenting Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1s7LFtCOAlXHv9r0TN8UZI?si=IIP3Yw8bRrW7qyP8QaC9mw Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-lonely-chapter/id1744173358?i=1000713060803 Episode 44 - Why Men Struggle in Silence | Martin Seager on Men’s Mental Health Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Lw4H6aPImgdqgWL05Q5jW?si=PHlCPPmCRI-vkDhI87qPSw Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-lonely-chapter/id1744173358?i=1000695470477 Episode 37 - Edward Troise: From Steroids to Strength — Rope Flow & Kettlebell Fitness Transformation Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1plkiMHLo0bJzKLr40nLgc?si=w9akoJxhQ9ix-QE0jrocCg Apple: a...

    1h 26m
  8. 10 Questions My Podcast Guests Left Me to Answer

    12/22/2025

    10 Questions My Podcast Guests Left Me to Answer

    In this episode of the Lonely Chapter Podcast, I embark on an exploration of the questions that have punctuated our discussions over the past year, with the aim of igniting thoughtful dialogue among listeners. Each question, derived from a diverse array of guests, serves as an invitation to delve into profound themes surrounding identity, vulnerability, and the essence of living authentically. The inquiries I revisit range from the existential to the practical, prompting listeners to reflect on their own lives. For example, I contemplate the question posed by Stephanie Nicoletti, 'Who are you at your core?', and share my insights on the difference between identity and self-identification. This exploration reveals the intricacies of how we perceive ourselves and the potential impact of external factors on our sense of identity. The episode also addresses the importance of vulnerability in communication, inspired by Lisa Sugarman's question about nurturing deeper connections with those closest to us. Ultimately, this episode is not merely a retrospective; rather, it is a call to action for listeners to engage with these questions in their own lives and to foster meaningful conversations with others. As we navigate the holiday season, I encourage everyone to take the time to reflect on these inquiries, enhancing both personal growth and the bonds we share with those around us. Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lonelychapterpodcast/

    31 min
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4.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Lonely Chapter is a podcast for people who are doing okay on the surface, but quietly unsure how to live well. Through calm, thoughtful conversations, host Sam Maclean sits down with guests from a wide range of backgrounds to explore the lessons they’ve learned through life, work, struggle, change, and growth. These are not conversations about having it all figured out. They’re reflections on meaning, identity, resilience, and what it looks like to live well when life doesn’t follow a straight line. Some episodes are long-form interviews. Others are solo reflections. All are designed to help you feel a little more oriented in your own life.

Information

  • Creator
    Sam Maclean
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    91
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sam Maclean
  • Show Website
    The Lonely Chapter