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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

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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

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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

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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 5
• 05:54 – First solo mission trip at age 12
• 14:17 – Lessons from Grenada
• 17:58 – Venice, for better or worse
• 28:58 – Tips for when travel goes wrong
• 33:30 – Solo travel within marriage
• 37:49 – Passing the travel mindset to the next generation
• 42:36 – Travel dreams as empty nesters & the slo-mad life

Mentions in Episode 2:

• YWAM UofN Kona
• 2006 UK Bomb Plot Foiled
• Isabella Thoburn College

Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.

Instagram: @theresaannstephens

Facebook: /theresastephens

Facebook: /RoamAlone

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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