First Solo Trip: Leaving Home to Find Yourself

Send us Fan MailWhat do you do when you know—deep down—that you don’t belong where you were born?In Episode 4 of Roam Alone, Mark Fryer reflects on growing up in the south end of Louisville, Kentucky, where he often felt like an outcast in his working-class, Catholic upbringing. From an early age, Mark felt pulled toward the west, dreaming of a life beyond what he knew.That pull became reality at 19, when he left home alone on a Greyhound bus bound for Denver. What followed was far more than a simple trip—it became a transformative hitchhiking journey across America, marked by harsh weather, chance encounters, and a mysterious “New Age” preacher who changed the course of the trip.This is a story about trusting your inner compass, embracing uncertainty, and discovering who you are when you leave everything familiar behind.Time Stamps00:00 Growing up in the south end of Louisville feeling like an outcast06:03 At age 10, planning a secret solo float down the Ohio River12:49 A Greyhound bus west at 19 years old20:19 A snowstorm forces a bold change in direction28:08 Picked up by a “New Age” preacher for an epic cross-country rideRoam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.Instagram: @theresaannstephensFacebook: /theresastephensFacebook: /RoamAlone