Roam Alone

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when the life you built no longer feels like the life you want?In this episode of Roam Alone, Theresa sits down with Jen Rulon, who made a bold decision at age 50: she left her marriage, her career, and the United States to start over alone in Costa Rica.Jen opens up about the fear that came with such a massive transition — and how stepping into the unknown ultimately allowed her to rediscover herself.Today, Jen is thriving. She has built a successful business as a midlife reinvention coach, cultivated a strong community in her new hometown, and found love again — proof that reinvention isn’t reserved for the young or the fearless.This conversation explores what it really means to choose yourself, especially in midlife, and why starting over can become the most empowering chapter yet.In This Episode, We Talk About: Leaving a marriage and long-term career later in life  Moving abroad alone at 50 Navigating fear, doubt, and identity loss during major transitions  Building community from scratch in a new country  Reinventing your career after midlife  Why reinvention requires courage — not certainty  Finding love and belonging after starting over Key TakeawayYou don’t have to feel ready to change your life. Sometimes courage simply means taking the next step while you’re still afraid.About Jen RulonJen Rulon is a midlife reinvention coach helping women redesign their lives with purpose, confidence, and authenticity after major life transitions. After relocating solo to Costa Rica at age 55, she now supports others navigating reinvention, identity shifts, and bold new beginnings.Connect with Jenjenrulon.comFollow Roam AloneIf this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and share the podcast — it helps more people discover stories of courage, independence, and self-trust through solo travel.Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.Instagram: @theresaannstephensFacebook: /theresastephensFacebook: /RoamAlone

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Roam Alone, Theresa speaks with Diane about navigating one of life’s biggest transitions and choosing solo travel as a path toward personal renewal.After divorce, selling her business, and entering an empty-nest chapter, Diane set out alone to reconnect with herself — volunteering at resorts around the world and rebuilding confidence, purpose, and identity along the way.We discuss: Why major life transitions often spark solo travel  Traveling alone after divorce  How volunteering abroad makes long-term travel affordable  Letting go of other people’s expectations  The emotional reality of starting over at midlife  How solo travel helps you hear your own voice again  Reinvention after 50  Practical tips for women considering their first solo journey ✨ This episode is for anyone standing at a crossroads wondering: Who am I now?https://helpx.net/Pueblo InglesNomadic Matt - Travel on $75 a DayRoam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.Instagram: @theresaannstephensFacebook: /theresastephensFacebook: /RoamAlone

Send us Fan MailIs home a place — or a feeling we carry with us?In this episode of Roam Alone, Theresa welcomes Kelly Peeler, a woman who redefined independence by living nomadically in a van for six years before planting new roots on Milos, Greece.Kelly’s story challenges traditional ideas about stability, success, and what it means to belong somewhere.Together, they discuss: Choosing solo travel as a way of life  Building confidence through long-term travel  The emotional evolution of nomadic living  Creating spaces where women feel safe to create and rest  Why reinvention doesn’t have an expiration date This episode is especially powerful for women navigating life transitions, creative awakenings, or the desire to design life on their own terms.Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.Instagram: @theresaannstephensFacebook: /theresastephensFacebook: /RoamAlone

Send us Fan MailSolo travel is booming — and one group is leading the movement: women over 50.In this episode of Roam Alone, we explore why midlife and older women are becoming one of the fastest-growing groups of solo travelers in the world.From financial independence to life transitions like empty nests and retirement, more women are choosing to explore the world on their own terms.Travel studies show women now make up the majority of solo travelers, and women over 50 are driving one of the biggest shifts in travel culture.In this episode we discuss:• Why solo travel is growing among women over 50• The life changes that inspire many women to travel alone• Why many solo female travelers are actually married• The confidence and freedom that solo travel can bringIf you’ve ever wondered whether solo travel later in life is possible — or transformative — this episode is for you.Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.Instagram: @theresaannstephensFacebook: /theresastephensFacebook: /RoamAlone

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Roam Alone, we talk about solo hiking in Europe and starting solo travel after 65 with long-distance walker Paula Kreissler. In this episode of Roam Alone, Paula shares how she discovered self-guided walking trips through The Natural Adventure and why the format—independent but supported—was the perfect way to begin solo travel. What started with Scotland’s iconic West Highland Way has grown into more than ten journeys across Western Europe, each ranging from 80 to more than 100 miles.Paula talks about navigating washed-out trails, trusting her instincts when routes disappeared, and the empowering feeling of relying entirely on herself. But the biggest transformation didn’t happen on the trail—it happened when she returned home carrying a new sense of strength, confidence, and independence.Her story is proof that adventure doesn’t have an expiration date—and sometimes the best journeys begin when you least expect them.Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction to Paula 02:10 Discovering The Natural Adventure 09:46 First solo walk: The West Highland Way in Scotland 16:25 Paula’s many solo walks—and where she’s headed nextSee for yourself! Check out The Natural Adventure: https://www.thenaturaladventure.com/Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.Instagram: @theresaannstephensFacebook: /theresastephensFacebook: /RoamAlone

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when a six-month backpacking trip changes the entire trajectory of your life?In Episode 9 of Roam Alone, I sit down with Donovan Pacholl, co-founder of Embark Exploration Co., the outfitter behind my very first summit: Mount Kilimanjaro.Donovan shares how a backpacking journey through Europe and Africa evolved into a global trekking company that now leads adventurers up some of the world’s most iconic mountains. We revisit my experience climbing Kili with Embark, talk about what makes a trek beginner-friendly for first-time solo travelers, and unpack one of the biggest fears holding people back: safety.If you’ve ever wondered:Is the world actually safe for solo travelers?Are people inherently good?What’s the best first “big” adventure if you’re going alone?Donovan answers with the grounded confidence of someone who’s spent decades exploring remote corners of the globe.Time Stamps: 00:00 – The backpacking trip that became a lifelong calling 16:30 – The best Embark trip for your first solo adventure 22:41 – Safety tips and why the world isn’t as scary as it seemsThis episode is for anyone craving adventure — but waiting for reassurance.Check out all of the treks YOU can join with Embark Exploration!!Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.Instagram: @theresaannstephensFacebook: /theresastephensFacebook: /RoamAlone

Send us Fan MailWhat if solo travel started with a concert ticket?In Episode 8 of Roam Alone, I’m joined by Molly — the ultimate concert queen — who travels solo to cities across the country (and now internationally) to see her favorite artists live. I first met her at a Jon Batiste show, proof that live music and solo travel are powerful tools for connection.Molly shares how traveling alone came about organically and how planning trips around concerts became her gateway into confident, independent travel. For her, attending concerts solo isn’t lonely — it’s one of the easiest ways to meet new people, build community, and create meaningful travel experiences.If you’ve ever hesitated to travel solo or attend an event alone, this episode will inspire you to buy the ticket — and trust yourself to go.Time Stamps 00:00 Meeting Molly at a Jon Batiste concert 04:43 How solo travel came about organically 07:02 Developing new friendships while attending concerts solo 09:20 First international solo trip to celebrate turning 50 13:00 Molly’s best solo travel safety tipsRoam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.Instagram: @theresaannstephensFacebook: /theresastephensFacebook: /RoamAlone

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when a shared dream outlives the person you planned it with?In Episode 7 of Roam Alone, I’m joined by Anne—a traveler who embodies wanderlust in its truest form. After the death of a close friend, Anne made the brave decision to take the trip they had always dreamed of together: the Amalfi Coast. What began as a tribute became the start of a lifelong solo travel journey.From a chance encounter with a stranger in Paris to practical safety strategies that help her navigate the world solo, Anne reminds us that travel can hold both loss and beauty at the same time.Time Stamps:00:00 Introduction to Anne and her intrepid wanderlust02:10 Taking her first solo trip to the Amalfi Coast as a tribute to a friend12:48 A powerful encounter with a stranger at a Paris restaurant26:21 Anne’s solo travel safety tips, including the famous “don’t mess with me” faceAnnie's NuggetsRick Steves' toursRoam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.Instagram: @theresaannstephensFacebook: /theresastephensFacebook: /RoamAlone

Send us Fan MailWhat do you do when the body you once trusted changes—but the desire to explore the world doesn’t?In Episode 6 of Roam Alone, I sit down with Tracy, a traveler I first met as a tentmate while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 2018. Back then, we bonded over thin air, heavy packs, and a shared love of going it alone. Years later, we planned to reunite for a trek to Everest Base Camp—until a cancer diagnosis changed everything.After intensive radiation and chemotherapy, Tracy was left disabled. But instead of retreating from the world, she reimagined how she could move through it. At the end of 2025, Tracy embarked on a two-week solo journey through Europe, navigating accessibility and uncertainty — but on her own terms.This episode is about resilience, independence, and redefining what adventure looks like when everything changes.Time Stamps·       00:00 — Meeting Tracy on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro·       06:35 — Running a New Orleans half marathon solo after plans fall apart·       09:52 — Joining the Peace Corps and moving alone to a small town in Ukraine·       18:00 — A cancer diagnosis that changes everything·       28:00 — Traveling solo through Europe while newly disabledRoam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.Instagram: @theresaannstephensFacebook: /theresastephensFacebook: /RoamAlone

Send us Fan MailIn Part Two of my conversation with Mark Fryer, we explore how solo travel can become a powerful tool for healing after loss.Mark shares what it was like traveling alone to Puerto Vallarta shortly after the death of his mother—an emotionally raw journey that included an unexpected and dangerous run-in with a drug cartel. Years later, following a divorce, he embarked on a solo trip through Southeast Asia, where travel shifted from escape to intentional healing.From volunteering at Thailand’s Elephant Nature Park to a two-day boat journey down the Mekong River and discovering the surprisingly cosmopolitan cities of Laos, Mark reflects on how slowing down and traveling alone helped him reconnect with himself. The episode closes with a powerful discussion of a 10-day Buddhist meditation retreat at Indriya in northern Thailand, and the stillness that comes from sitting with grief rather than running from it.This episode of Roam Alone is a conversation about grief, resilience, solo travel, and the courage it takes to keep moving forward.Time Stamps00:00 Traveling to Puerto Vallarta after the loss of his mother 11:53 Post-divorce solo travel to Thailand & Elephant Nature Park 22:04 Two-day Mekong River boat trip and discovering Laos 34:40 A 10-day Buddhist retreat at IndriyaElephant Nature ParkIndriya RetreatRoam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.Instagram: @theresaannstephensFacebook: /theresastephensFacebook: /RoamAlone

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

Send us Fan MailSolo travel isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about meeting a stronger version of yourself.In this episode, Rosemary Sims opens up about how traveling alone transformed her confidence and sense of independence during a pivotal career change. What began as a single trip turned into a deep trust in her own abilities—one that continues to shape her life long after the suitcase is unpacked.We talk about the magic of Spain, the boldness of a flying dress shoot in Greece, and the powerful moment when you realize you can handle anything—anywhere. Rosemary also shares what it’s like to return home after solo travel with a renewed sense of self-sufficiency and clarity.This conversation is about more than travel. It’s about becoming more self-sufficient, trusting your instincts, and realizing you’re capable of far more than you think.Time Stamps·       00:00 Meet Rosemary Sims·       02:52 The first solo trip that changed everything·       07:37 Spain and a sense of déjà vu·       14:23 Greece: The iconic flying dress experience·       16:43 Identity shifts while traveling abroad·       20:27 Applying solo-travel confidence to real lifeLinks:Greece's Flying Dress Photo ShootRoam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.Instagram: @theresaannstephensFacebook: /theresastephensFacebook: /RoamAlone

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Roam Alone, we sit down with Kristen Thoburn, whose journey into solo travel began earlier than most—on mission trips with her parents at just five years old. By age twelve, Kristen was already traveling solo, laying the foundation for a lifetime of independence, resilience, and curiosity.Kristen shares stories from destinations like Grenada and Venice, reflects on being the victim of a robbery abroad—and why it didn’t stop her from continuing to roam—and explains how solo travel has actually strengthened her marriage to her husband, Nate. Together, they embrace independent travel while raising a son who’s catching the travel bug himself.This conversation explores how travel evolves through life stages—from childhood to marriage to dreaming about a future empty-nester / slo-mad lifestyle—and why roaming alone can be one of the most powerful tools for personal growth.Episode Breakdown03:15 – Traveling on mission trips at age 505:54 – First solo mission trip at age 1214:17 – Lessons from Grenada17:58 – Venice, for better or worse28:58 – Tips for when travel goes wrong33:30 – Solo travel within marriage37:49 – Passing the travel mindset to the next generation42:36 – Travel dreams as empty nesters & the slo-mad lifeMentions in Episode 2:YWAM UofN Kona2006 UK Bomb Plot FoiledIsabella Thoburn CollegeRoam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.Instagram: @theresaannstephensFacebook: /theresastephensFacebook: /RoamAlone

Send us Fan MailIn the very first episode of Roam Alone, host Theresa Stephens shares the personal stories that ignited her passion for exploring the world on her own. From a spontaneous birthday weekend in Chicago to an unforgettable solo night at a Jon Batiste concert, Theresa reflects on the quiet confidence and unexpected connections that come from taking that first step alone.She also opens up about one of her most transformative adventures—traveling to Africa solo to join a group trekking Mount Kilimanjaro. Through these moments, Theresa reveals how independence, curiosity, and courage shaped her journey and ultimately inspired the creation of this podcast.Whether you're dreaming of your first solo trip or already a seasoned wanderer, this episode dives into the beauty, growth, and self-discovery that solo travel makes possible.00:00 — Welcome + what this episode is about 06:13 — My weekend solo trip to Chicago 14:52 —Kilimanjaro on a whim 27:58 — Jon Batiste meetup in Cincy 36:01 – What’s nextPlease like and Subscribe to the show! If you have a solo travel story, leave a recorded video or voicemail at [email protected] and you could be featured on the next Roam Alone!Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.Instagram: @theresaannstephensFacebook: /theresastephensFacebook: /RoamAlone