My Solo Chronicles

Send us Fan Mail In August of 2025, I spent a few days staying at Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel, located in the heart of the city, in a tiny capsule no bigger than a cozy pod. I'll share what it was really like checking in, navigating the unique setup, sleeping in such a compact space, and whether capsule hotels live up to the hype. Was it comfortable? Claustrophobic? Surprisingly rela...

Send us Fan Mail After almost a year of living and working overseas in Japan, it was time to make the long journey back to California. In this episode of My Solo Chronicles , I share the story of my solo drive from my hometown in Michigan back to Los Angeles—a trip that gave me plenty of time to reflect on the experiences, challenges, and memories from my year abroad. What made this journey unique...

Send us Fan Mail What 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 i...

Send us Fan Mail What 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...

Send us Fan Mail What 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 li...

Send us Fan Mail What 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 l...

Send us Fan Mail In 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...

Send us Fan Mail In 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 Mail In 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...

Send us Fan Mail I 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 ab...

Send us Fan Mail This 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,...

Send us Fan Mail In 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,...

Send us Fan Mail In 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,...

Send us Fan Mail In 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 r...

Send us Fan Mail In 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 r...

Send us Fan Mail Exploring 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 c...

Send us Fan Mail Exploring 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 c...

Send us Fan Mail When 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...

Send us Fan Mail When 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...

Send us Fan Mail When 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...

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 unma...

Send us Fan Mail Have 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 Aug...

Send us Fan Mail Not 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...

Send us Fan Mail If 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...

Send us Fan Mail As 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 spectac...