Roam Alone

Theresa Stephens
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Places & Travel

Roam Alone is a podcast about solo travel — the courage, transformation, and unexpected connections that happen when people explore the world on their own. Each episode features inspiring stories from travelers who discovered confidence, healing, and adventure through traveling alone. From first-time solo trips to long-distance walking journeys across Europe, guests share how solo travel changed their lives. Roam Alone explores everything from solo hiking and travel after major life changes to traveling alone later in life and finding community on the road. Whether you're dreaming about your first solo trip or already love traveling independently, these conversations will inspire your next adventure.

  1. 5d ago

    From Addiction Recovery to a 100-Mile Solo Hike: How Jenni Found Confidence on the Trail

    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 depending on her mother for support, especially financially. After her mother's death, Jenni inherited money but soon found herself facing bankruptcy and a difficult reality: she had never learned how to fully trust herself. Then she discovered hiking. What began with a single night sleeping in a tent in a friend's backyard slowly evolved into solo camping trips, overnight backpacking adventures, and eventually multi-day wilderness treks. Along the way, Jenni faced fear, made mistakes, learned hard lessons, and developed a level of confidence she never imagined possible. Most recently, she completed a solo 100-mile hike across Georgia over two weeks—a challenge that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. In this episode, we discuss: • Jenni's journey through addiction and long-term recovery  • Losing her mother and navigating life without a safety net  • Bankruptcy and rebuilding her life  • Why she chose solo hiking instead of group adventures  • Her first overnight camping experiences  • Mistakes she made as a beginner backpacker  • How solo travel and hiking build confidence  • Lessons learned from spending days alone on the trail  • Completing a 100-mile solo trek in Georgia  • The connection between outdoor adventure and personal growth  • Advice for women interested in solo hiking and backpacking This episode is a powerful reminder that confidence isn't something you're born with—it's something you build, one courageous step at a time. Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens. Instagram: @theresaannstephens Facebook: /theresastephens Facebook: /RoamAlone

    40 min

  2. May 10

    Solo Budget Travel: Safety Tips, Destinations & How to Make Travel Your Career

    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 looking to see more of the world without overspending. Whether you’re planning your first solo trip or dreaming of long-term travel, this episode delivers real-world strategies, safety insights, and an essential international travel checklist. ✈️ In This Episode, We Discuss: How Michelle turned travel into a full-time career The realities of travel writing and remote work Best destinations for solo budget travelers How to travel internationally on a budget Solo travel safety strategies for women and first-time travelers Common travel mistakes — and how to avoid them Planning your first international solo trip Essential international travel checklist items Confidence-building tips for traveling alone  🌍 Who This Episode Is For First-time solo travelers Budget-conscious travelers Women considering solo travel Aspiring travel writers and digital nomads Anyone dreaming of long-term or slow travel  🎒 Key Takeaway Solo travel doesn’t require unlimited money or fearlessness — just preparation, curiosity, and the willingness to take the first step. 🎧 Listen & Subscribe to Roam Alone If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Follow the podcast  ⭐ Share with a friend planning a solo trip  ⭐ Leave a review to help more travelers discover Roam Alone  Michelle's Blog: TravelHerStory Hostel World Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens. Instagram: @theresaannstephens Facebook: /theresastephens Facebook: /RoamAlone

    35 min

  3. Apr 23

    Midlife Reinvention: Moving Alone to Costa Rica

    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 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 Takeaway You 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 Rulon Jen 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 Jen jenrulon.com Follow Roam Alone If 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: @theresaannstephens Facebook: /theresastephens Facebook: /RoamAlone

    28 min

  4. Apr 12

    Starting Over at 55: How Solo Travel Helped Diane Rebuild Her Life After Divorce

    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 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 Ingles Nomadic Matt - Travel on $75 a Day Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens. Instagram: @theresaannstephens Facebook: /theresastephens Facebook: /RoamAlone

    30 min

  5. Apr 3

    Freedom and Reinvention: A Solo Traveler’s Journey from Van Life to an Art Residency in Greece

    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 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: @theresaannstephens Facebook: /theresastephens Facebook: /RoamAlone

    22 min

  6. Mar 23

    Why Women Over 50 Are Traveling Solo More Than Ever

    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 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 bring If 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: @theresaannstephens Facebook: /theresastephens Facebook: /RoamAlone

    20 min

  7. Mar 8

    Adventure After 65: Solo Walking Across Europe

    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 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 next See for yourself! Check out The Natural Adventure: https://www.thenaturaladventure.com/ Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens. Instagram: @theresaannstephens Facebook: /theresastephens Facebook: /RoamAlone

    37 min

  8. Feb 24

    From Backpacker to Mountain Guide: Turning Adventure Travel into a Career

    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 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 seems This 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: @theresaannstephens Facebook: /theresastephens Facebook: /RoamAlone

    29 min
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5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Roam Alone is a podcast about solo travel — the courage, transformation, and unexpected connections that happen when people explore the world on their own. Each episode features inspiring stories from travelers who discovered confidence, healing, and adventure through traveling alone. From first-time solo trips to long-distance walking journeys across Europe, guests share how solo travel changed their lives. Roam Alone explores everything from solo hiking and travel after major life changes to traveling alone later in life and finding community on the road. Whether you're dreaming about your first solo trip or already love traveling independently, these conversations will inspire your next adventure.

Information

  • Creator
    Theresa Stephens
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Roam Alone
  • Show Website
    Roam Alone

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