Roam Alone

Theresa Stephens
  • 5.0 (7)
  • 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.

Episodes

  1. 1D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. FEB 12

    Traveling Alone to Concerts: Finding Your Community on the Road

    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 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 tips Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens. Instagram: @theresaannstephens Facebook: /theresastephens Facebook: /RoamAlone

    21 min

  5. FEB 1

    Why People Start Traveling Alone: One Traveler’s Story

    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 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 Nuggets Rick Steves' tours Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens. Instagram: @theresaannstephens Facebook: /theresastephens Facebook: /RoamAlone

    43 min

  6. JAN 21

    Finding Strength Through Solo Travel After Cancer

    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—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 disabled Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens. Instagram: @theresaannstephens Facebook: /theresastephens Facebook: /RoamAlone

    39 min

  7. JAN 11

    Traveling Alone After Loss: How Solo Travel Helps You Heal

    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 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 Stamps 00:00 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 Indriya Elephant Nature Park Indriya Retreat Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens. Instagram: @theresaannstephens Facebook: /theresastephens Facebook: /RoamAlone

    45 min

  8. JAN 3

    First Solo Trip: Leaving Home to Find Yourself

    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 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 Stamps 00:00 Growing up in the south end of Louisville feeling like an outcast 06:03 At age 10, planning a secret solo float down the Ohio River 12:49 A Greyhound bus west at 19 years old 20:19 A snowstorm forces a bold change in direction 28:08 Picked up by a “New Age” preacher for an epic cross-country ride Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens. Instagram: @theresaannstephens Facebook: /theresastephens Facebook: /RoamAlone

    43 min

  9. 12/26/2025

    The Confidence You Gain From Traveling Alone

    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 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 life Links: Greece's Flying Dress Photo Shoot Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens. Instagram: @theresaannstephens Facebook: /theresastephens Facebook: /RoamAlone

    25 min

  10. 12/18/2025

    Growing Up With Solo Travel: A Life of Independent Adventure

    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, 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 Breakdown 03:15 – 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: @theresaannstephens Facebook: /theresastephens Facebook: /RoamAlone

    46 min

  11. 12/10/2025

    Becoming a Solo Traveler

    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 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 next Please like and Subscribe to the show! If you have a solo travel story, leave a recorded video or voicemail at theresaannstephens@gmail.com and you could be featured on the next Roam Alone! Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens. Instagram: @theresaannstephens Facebook: /theresastephens Facebook: /RoamAlone

    41 min
  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 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
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Roam Alone
  • Show Website
    Roam Alone

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