Roam Alone

Send us Fan Mail What would you do if you knew you couldn’t get it wrong?  That’s the question that drives Kristy Halvorsen, author of Perfect Unfolding , and today’s guest on Roam Alone.  In this episode, Theresa sits down with Kristy Halvorsen — author of the new book Perfect Unfolding — to talk about the nine years she's spent living on the road in her Airstream, affectionately named Coddi...

Send us Fan Mail What does it look like to leave everything behind and travel the world solo — not for two weeks, but for four years straight? In this episode of Roam Alone, host Theresa Stephens sits down with Loni James, a fearless long-term solo traveler who has explored 36 countries since setting off on her journey after the loss of her mother to Alzheimer's disease.   Loni's story i...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the safety net you've relied on your entire life suddenly disappears? In this inspiring episode of Roam Alone, Jenni shares her remarkable journey from addiction recovery, financial hardship, and self-doubt to becoming a confident solo backpacker and hiker. Although she has been sober for more than 20 years, Jenni admits that she spent much of her adult life...

Send us Fan Mail What if travel wasn’t just a vacation — but your career? In this episode of Roam Alone , host Theresa Stephens talks with Michelle, a professional travel writer who has explored 35+ countries and built a life centered around global adventure. Michelle shares how she transformed her passion for travel into sustainable work, along with practical advice for solo budget travelers look...

Send us Fan Mail What 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 ultima...

Send us Fan Mail In 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 alo...

Send us Fan Mail Is 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 sol...

Send us Fan Mail Solo 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 st...

Send us Fan Mail In 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 i...

Send us Fan Mail What 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 advent...

Send us Fan Mail What 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 c...

Send us Fan Mail What 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 jou...

Send us Fan Mail What 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—...

Send us Fan Mail In 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 tr...

Send us Fan Mail What 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...

Send us Fan Mail Solo 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...

Send us Fan Mail In 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 , re...

Send us Fan Mail In 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 open...