The Lonely Hour

#15 The Spanking Fetishist

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

#14 The (Lonely Hour) Host

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

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

#12 Essay Episode: Lonely Our

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

#11 Essay Episode: On the Fence

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

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

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

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

Both substance abuse and sobriety can be isolating.

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

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.