My Solo Chronicles

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when life forces you to start over—and you finally decide to choose yourself?In this final part of this 3-part series, I wrap up my conversation with Coretta, discussing the deeply personal journey from childhood trauma, her divorce, and what led her into a season of solo living, self-discovery, and faith.Coretta shares how serving in the military shaped her, what it was like navigating loneliness after moving to Boston, and how that quiet season challenged her to confront who she was, what she believed, and what she truly wanted for her life. We explore the role her Christian faith played in helping her rebuild, and how it grounded her through some of the most uncertain moments of her journey. Her journey is a reminder that choosing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s the first step toward becoming who you were always meant to be. Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when life forces you to start over—and you finally decide to choose yourself?In this second part of this 3-part series, I continue my conversation with Coretta, discussing the deeply personal journey from childhood trauma, her divorce, and what led her into a season of solo living, self-discovery, and faith.Coretta shares how serving in the military shaped her, what it was like navigating loneliness after moving to Boston, and how that quiet season challenged her to confront who she was, what she believed, and what she truly wanted for her life. We explore the role her Christian faith played in helping her rebuild, and how it grounded her through some of the most uncertain moments of her journey. Her journey is a reminder that choosing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s the first step toward becoming who you were always meant to be. Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when life forces you to start over—and you finally decide to choose yourself?In this episode of My Solo Chronicles, I sit down with Coretta Ponder to talk about the deeply personal journey from childhood trauma, her divorce, and what led her into a season of solo living, self-discovery, and faith.Coretta shares how serving in the military shaped her, what it was like navigating loneliness after moving to Boston, and how that quiet season challenged her to confront who she was, what she believed, and what she truly wanted for her life. We explore the role her Christian faith played in helping her rebuild, and how it grounded her through some of the most uncertain moments of her journey. Her journey is a reminder that choosing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s the first step toward becoming who you were always meant to be. Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhat keeps you going when the distance feels heavy?What makes the sacrifice worth it?In this episode of My Solo Chronicles, Mike shares his story of working cross-country for years in the airline industry — living miles and time zones away from his wife and children.While his family built their daily life back home, Mike built a career from hotel rooms, early departures, and long stretches of absence. His version of “solo” wasn’t about independence or adventure. It was about purpose.We explore what it really means to stay committed when proximity isn’t possible. The emotional weight of providing from afar. The discipline of showing up for your family in ways that don’t always get seen. And the clarity that comes when you’re forced to answer one powerful question:What’s your why?This is a story about distance — but even more, it’s a story about devotion.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this new episode of My Solo Chronicles, we explore the question “What’s your why?” through Barbara’s powerful and deeply personal story.Barbara reflects on her journey as a Black female entrepreneur in the cosmetic industry, in the late 70s, which includes a pivotal moment when she had to travel to New York just to source products/ingredients suitable for women of color, that weren’t available elsewhere. What started as research quickly became clarity—revealing the gaps in the industry and helping define the purpose behind her work.She also speaks about resilience, representation, and what it means to build your own lane when the system isn’t built with you in mind. This conversation is a reminder that sometimes your “why” is born out of necessity—and grows into the courage to create what doesn’t yet exist.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of What's Your Why, DQ shares why she chooses to travel solo and how those experiences have shaped her confidence, self-awareness, and sense of purpose. She talks about the lessons learned on the road, the freedom of moving alone, and why solo travel can be one of the most transformative ways to understand your "why". Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this first episode of this four-part series, What's Your Why, I start with my own story. After losing my mom in 2016, grief became the unexpected catalyst that pushed me towards doing life solo. What began as a way to cope slowly with my mom's passing, quickly began to transform into a way to honor her - by saying yes to experiences she never had the chance to live.I reflect on how my mother's legacy shaped my courage, my independence, and my decision to step out into the world alone. This is a conversation about loss, healing, and finding purpose through solo journeys - no matter what "solo" looks like for you. Towards the end of the episode, I invite you to reflect on your own why. If there's a story behind what drives you, I'd love to hear it - reach out via email or connect with me through social media and share what your why is. Support the show

Send us Fan MailI left the U.S. for Japan for eight months—and came back changed. In “The Return Home,” I reflect on returning to the U.S. after living and working in Japan, and the emotional complexity of coming home to a life that no longer feels the same. This episode explores reverse culture shock, shifting identity, and the quiet disorientation of reintegrating after long-term solo living abroad. From unpacking suitcases to unpacking who I became overseas, this is an honest look at how the journey doesn’t end when you return home—and how learning to come back can be its own kind of travel. Support the show

Send us Fan MailThis brief episode is a quick check-in to let you know that My Solo Chronicles is taking a short pause. After 30 episodes of amazing solo travel stories and reflections, I’m taking some time to reimagine what’s next — exploring not just solo travel, but all the ways we can embrace doing things alone, from everyday adventures to personal growth. I’ll be back soon with fresh ideas, new energy, and more stories to share. In the meantime, my moonbeams, take yourself somewhere quiet or loud, fun and adventurous and embrace the discovery of something new about yourself.  Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this two-part episode, Corinne shares her leap from college graduation straight into the unknown: moving to Japan to begin her career. With little more than determination and curiosity, she navigated the transition from student life in the U.S. to building a new life abroad.From the challenges of adapting to a new workplace culture to the everyday surprises of living in Japan, Corinne’s story highlights the courage it takes to start fresh in a foreign country. Along the way, she reflects on lessons in independence, resilience, and finding joy in the unexpected, while being guided by her faith and strength in God.Whether you’ve dreamed of working overseas, wondered what life in Japan is really like, or are just curious about how to thrive after graduation, this two-part series offers inspiration, honesty, and practical insights for anyone ready to take a big leap.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this two-part episode, Corinne shares her leap from college graduation straight into the unknown: moving to Japan to begin her career. With little more than determination and curiosity, she navigated the transition from student life in the U.S. to building a new life abroad.From the challenges of adapting to a new workplace culture to the everyday surprises of living in Japan, Corinne’s story highlights the courage it takes to start fresh in a foreign country. Along the way, she reflects on lessons in independence, resilience, and finding joy in the unexpected, while being guided by her faith and strength in God.Whether you’ve dreamed of working overseas, wondered what life in Japan is really like, or are just curious about how to thrive after graduation, this two-part series offers inspiration, honesty, and practical insights for anyone ready to take a big leap.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this special two-part episode, Megan goes to Tanzania, not just as a solo traveler, but a part of the Peace Corps—bringing her unique perspective as she speaks about the deep cultural ties and her adventurous spirit, as she takes us beyond the tourist trails into the heart of the country, she once called home.From the everyday rhythms of Tanzanian life, Megan shares both the raw challenges and the transformative joys of traveling alone. Her Peace Corps background adds a rare layer of insight, showing us not just how to experience Tanzania as a visitor, but how to truly connect with its people and spirit.Whether you’re drawn to East Africa’s untamed beauty or curious about how the Peace Corps shapes a traveler’s journey, this two-part series is packed with courage, culture, and inspiration for anyone ready to embrace solo adventure.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this special two-part episode, Megan goes to Tanzania, not just as a solo traveler, but a part of the Peace Corps—bringing her unique perspective as she speaks about the deep cultural ties and her adventurous spirit, as she takes us beyond the tourist trails into the heart of the country, she once called home.From the everyday rhythms of Tanzanian life, Megan shares both the raw challenges and the transformative joys of traveling alone. Her Peace Corps background adds a rare layer of insight, showing us not just how to experience Tanzania as a visitor, but how to truly connect with its people and spirit.Whether you’re drawn to East Africa’s untamed beauty or curious about how the Peace Corps shapes a traveler’s journey, this two-part series is packed with courage, culture, and inspiration for anyone ready to embrace solo adventure.Support the show

Send us Fan MailExploring what happens when you have a desire to learn a different language, and that desire takes you LITERALLY out of the country! In this poetic and personal 2-part episode series of My Solo Chronicles, I sit down with Prism, who as a student in 2018, spent a transformative year alone in Germany. We trace the inner and outer landscapes of her solo journey—from taking on the challenge of climbing 533-spiral stairs of the Cologne Cathedral in Germany and visiting unfamiliar streets, to the quiet moments that shaped her from within.We talk about navigating solitude in a foreign country, and the subtle art of adapting without losing yourself.Join us as we reflect on how living abroad alone wasn’t just about travel and education, but about learning to listen to herself, to grow through discomfort, and to come home with a deeper understanding of who she is.Support the show

Send us Fan MailExploring what happens when you have a desire to learn a different language, and that desire takes you LITERALLY out of the country! In this poetic and personal 2-part episode series of My Solo Chronicles, I sit down with Prism, who as a student in 2018, spent a transformative year alone in Germany. We trace the inner and outer landscapes of her solo journey—from taking on the challenge of climbing 533-spiral stairs of the Cologne Cathedral in Germany and visiting unfamiliar streets, to the quiet moments that shaped her from within.We talk about navigating solitude in a foreign country, and the subtle art of adapting without losing yourself.Join us as we reflect on how living abroad alone wasn’t just about travel and education, but about learning to listen to herself, to grow through discomfort, and to come home with a deeper understanding of who she is.Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhen a solo trek across the U.S. at just 15 sparks a lifelong curiosity about the world beyond your front door, it can set the course for a life of bold adventures. In this three-part series, I sit down with bestselling author, producer, director, and podcaster Wells Jones to explore the early travels that fueled his passion for discovery—and ultimately led him to places most only dream about.From serving as a pararescue and survival officer in the Antarctic with the U.S. Navy, to co-leading Kayak for a Cause (setting a Guinness World Record with 313 sea kayaks alongside co-author Miles Spencer), to Running with the Bulls in Spain, Wells has collected stories that are as daring as they are inspiring.We also discuss his bestselling book, A Line in the Sand, and how his real-life journeys shaped the stories within. Through it all, Wells hopes to encourage others to step outside their comfort zones and discover the world for themselves.Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhen a solo trek across the U.S. at just 15 sparks a lifelong curiosity about the world beyond your front door, it can set the course for a life of bold adventures. In this three-part series, I sit down with bestselling author, producer, director, and podcaster Wells Jones to explore the early travels that fueled his passion for discovery—and ultimately led him to places most only dream about.From serving as a pararescue and survival officer in the Antarctic with the U.S. Navy, to co-leading Kayak for a Cause (setting a Guinness World Record with 313 sea kayaks alongside co-author Miles Spencer), to Running with the Bulls in Spain, Wells has collected stories that are as daring as they are inspiring.We also discuss his bestselling book, A Line in the Sand, and how his real-life journeys shaped the stories within. Through it all, Wells hopes to encourage others to step outside their comfort zones and discover the world for themselves.Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhen a solo trek across the U.S. at just 15 sparks a lifelong curiosity about the world beyond your front door, it can set the course for a life of bold adventures. In this three-part series, I sit down with bestselling author, producer, director, and podcaster Wells Jones to explore the early travels that fueled his passion for discovery—and ultimately led him to places most only dream about.From serving as a pararescue and survival officer in the Antarctic with the U.S. Navy, to co-leading Kayak for a Cause (setting a Guinness World Record with 313 sea kayaks alongside co-author Miles Spencer), to Running with the Bulls in Spain, Wells has collected stories that are as daring as they are inspiring.We also discuss his bestselling book, A Line in the Sand, and how his real-life journeys shaped the stories within. Through it all, Wells hopes to encourage others to step outside their comfort zones and discover the world for themselves.Support the show

Send us Fan Mail"A Japanese garden is thought of as a living canvas". ~ Adachi Zenko (1899-1990)What do you get when you put together 2000 pieces of art that include a collection of modern Japanese paintings, and 165,000 square meters of gardens? The Adachi Museum of Art! I can finally say that this is a museum that I can check off my "to visit" list and a museum that is unmatched. Walking through this beautifully designed museum not only calmed me but took me to a peaceful moment that nowadays don't come often. Boy was this an outing worth the wait! Support the show

Send us Fan MailHave you ever talked yourself into doing something and then wonder why you did that? Well, in today's episode I share how a simple and unknowingly "yes" to come and see the NEO Yasugi-bushi festival dance group practice, would see me not only learn a traditional Japanese dance, but prepare me for what will be the biggest stage I've NEVER been on, the annual August Yasugi Festival. Feet don't let me down!Support the show

Send us Fan MailNot in a million years did I ever think I would be one of those fortunate Army's that would get tickets to see BTS, let alone one of its members, in concert, as well as briefly visit one of Japan's most beautiful cities, Osaka. In this episode, I share how I was not only able to get a ticket to Jhope's "Hope on the Stage" concert, meet some awesome people along the way, but take in the sights and sounds of a city that is defined by its charm, lights of Dotonbori, and its welcoming vibe. It was a weekend made in heaven!Support the show

Send us Fan MailIf I thought hiking Gassen Castle Ruins was intense, I was in for a rude awakening when I decided, on a whim, to "attempt" to hike one of the highest mountains in Japan, Mt. Daisen Summit. Situated in beautiful Tottori, Japan, what was originally planned as a solo challenge, turned into a team challenge when two of my friends decided to join me. Despite tapping out at 3 miles halfway up, not only did this mountain hike pull me in with its beauty and charm but convinced me to come back soon and really make it to the top. Challenge accepted!  Support the show

Send us Fan MailAs I continue to explore the rural area of my temporary home, I was steered towards checking out one of Japan's oldest castle ruins, Tsukiyama Tomita Castle, or Gassan Toda Castle. The history and beauty of this historical landmark, in the town of Yasugi, invites you to step back in time, as well as be a little adventurous and climb the steps to the very top, to get a spectacular view of the countryside and see what the people in the Sengoku period to the Edo period saw.    Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I talk about the long and hilarious journey I took from Detroit to Atlanta to Seoul and eventually to Japan. What started out as a day-and-a-half of traveling and nervousness, ended with a lot of reflection and gratitude to the people who helped me finally arrive in Japan safely, and begin this new year-long adventure.    Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhat was once a HUGE eyesore in the city of Detroit, has been giving a new and renovated life! The Michigan Central Train Station is slowly but surely being returned, thanks the Ford family, to its grand life of the past. Walking through its doors felt like I had stepped back in time, with the same glee and enthusiasm I can only imagine my grandpapa had, upon his arrival to Detroit.  Support the show

Send us Fan MailA week after returning to Michigan and years of saying I'm going to go and check out the Plymouth Ice Festival, I finally did. It was a different type of experience, because let's face it, who wants to spend minutes looking at big blocks of ice....in the middle of winter....in Michigan! Who knew I would have the time of my life!Support the show

Send us Fan MailDuring my long return journey back to Michigan, I begun to think back on my solo leap of faith of moving to the Big Apple itself, New York City. Memories begun to come back of how I gave up so much of my life in Detroit, just to live out my dream of living in this amazing city. When I say it was an adventure of a lifetime, it was an adventure that I will never forget, and I hope that this episode will inspire you to reach for whatever dream(s) that lives in your heart. Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhat a way to end my journey of living in California, but with a quick trip to San Francisco! I've always dreamt of going to the "city by the bay" to visit two of my favorite places, the island of Alcatraz and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Along the way I explore what the city had to offer, as well as making memories that will last me a lifetime. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail"Mama needs a break!". Finally, I get to share my sister-friend, Tiffany's, story about her solo travel to the beautiful city of Charleston, South Carolina. During this episode, we discuss her reasons for this much-needed break from life's stresses and worries, as well as how this trip helped her to refocus and get re-energized. What turned out to be a few days of interacting with other women during a women's retreat, turned out to be a few days of not only rediscovering who she is, as a wife, a mom, and a full-time news producer, but as a person. Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe Whaley House Museum! Known for its history and its charm, is mostly famous for being one of America's most haunted locations. On a recent Saturday off, where I could have simply stayed home and relaxed, I decided on the spare of the moment, to hop in my car and take a drive, a very long drive to San Deigo to visit this gem. I didn't get to see any ghost, but I sure did have one heck of a fun and spooky time.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIt was my weekend to work and with an unexpected opportunity to have that Saturday off, I decided to take that time to finally visit one of California's gems, the Getty Villa Museum, designed by J Paul Getty. After spending almost three hours basking in Roman, Greek, and Egyptian art, I can now tick this amazing museum off my list of "things to see". Support the show

Send us Fan MailYou've heard of wedding crashers, well now there's a new one. Just call me the "tour group crasher"! In this new episode, I discuss how a low-key outing, at The National Gallery, on my final day in London, had me not only seeing some amazing artists and their work but gate-crashing in on a group of tourists that made the end of my vacation visit one of the most memorable times I'll never forget. Support the show

Send us Fan MailThere has been a countless number of times I've told the story of my 2 1/2 day's journey to California from Michigan, by car and by myself, and people to this day still can't believe that I even attempted such a feat. They're either shocked, surprised, or inspired. But this is just the beginning because in a few months, I will be making this same exact journey back to Michigan before heading overseas. Oh, what fun times!Support the show

Send us Fan MailIt's always a good idea to escape from the hustle and bustle of life sometimes, and get away to a quiet place, just to clear your mind and replenish your soul. On one of my weekends off, I did just that, and headed to Topanga Canyon for a mini trip, which not only lead me to some of the area's hotspots but allowed me to cross paths with a couple, at the beautiful restaurant Inn of the Seventh Ray, for a good meal, and showed me that there are still amazing people in this world. Support the show

Send us Fan MailAs someone who has done yoga many times before, I had seen videos and read articles about people doing yoga with puppies, I thought how great of an idea that is to add animals to the mix, because they have a way of bringing that sense of calmness to an environment. So quite naturally when the opportunity to register for a yoga class that incorporates goats came up, I literally jumped at the chance to purchase a ticket and wondered, "it'll be just like doing yoga with puppies, right?". Boy was I in for an exciting and hilarious treat!Support the show

Send us Fan MailWho doesn't like going to a musical! Well, I delve into what it was like, for me, to truly step out of my comfort zone and venture into this exciting and scary adventure, because this was something I had never done before and never thought I would do. Going to the Six musical by myself was actually a dare/bet, and I never lose a bet! What started out as something nerve-wrecking, turned out to be something absolutely magical.Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhether you live in LA or are visiting, the main tourist attraction to go to is the famous Hollywood sign. This iconic monument was a "sort of" welcome on my very first hiking trip in Griffith Park, to the front of it, when I moved to California in 2022. In this latest episode, I share how I hiked up to the back of the Hollywood sign for the last time before I move back out of the country, as well as sharing how this hike not only introduced me to some great people, but had come full circle, from the first time.  Support the show

Send us Fan MailAfter returning from a trip to Japan, I immediately started planning my return trip back to London. I wanted to experience the things I couldn't when I briefly lived there, for a spell. In this episode, I talk about the places I rediscovered and the charm and regal vibe that made my heart smile, that also made me be so extremely happy to be back in a place that I considered then and, on this visit, as y second home away from home.Support the show

Send us Fan MailJapan has always been on my bucket list, ever since I was a kid. Once I returned from living in London and eventually making my way out to California, I decided that the time was right for me to step out of my comfort zone, travel to Japan, by myself, with only a few phrases in Japanese, and with my faith in God and finally tick off my list this amazing/beautiful place. Even though it was a short trip, who knew I would fall in love with the country. Support the show