Solo Travel Adventures: Faith-Rooted Intentional Travel for Christian Women Over 50

Recent episodes

1. Solo Travel for Women 50+: Discover America's Most Charming Small Towns//194

   Aug 4, 2026

   Small towns can feel like a time machine and a deep breath at the same time. I’ve been drawn to quieter places lately, and I want to share what I’m learning as I explore small town travel in the USA as both a solo traveler and a travel coach. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to trade traffic and endless errands for a slower pace, friendlier hellos, and a main street you can actually walk, you’ll feel right at home here. We talk about why so many of us default to the kind of place we grew up in and why that can change as we get older, especially in an empty nest season or after downsizing. I also share one of the smartest “try before you buy” travel strategies I’ve seen: doing an extended stay to test a lifestyle before moving, because a quick vacation rarely shows you the real daily experience. Then I highlight small towns that deliver charm and calm, including Jefferson, Texas with its antiques and bed and breakfast warmth, Woodstock, Vermont for covered bridges and Green Mountain views, Chagrin Falls, Ohio for a walkable downtown and waterfall, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia for history and river scenery, and Mackinac Island, Michigan where there are no cars and the quiet is the whole point. If you’re craving a reset, pick one town and stay more than a night. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a change of pace, and leave a review with the small town you’d try first. Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

2. Are You Using Travel to Escape Your Problems? How Faith, Travel, and Reflection Bring Real Healing//193

   Jul 21, 2026

   You can feel it building for weeks: the pressure in your chest, the restlessness, the thought that if you could just get away everything would finally make sense. We’re talking about that temptation to use travel as an escape and the sobering truth that your deeper struggles don’t stay behind when the trip ends. I share a personal story from a June road trip and what I’ve been wrestling with around my living situation after years of nomad life. I’ve been longing to settle down, put down roots, and stop “flitting around,” and I realized how easy it is to call constant motion a lifestyle when it’s sometimes a way to avoid what hurts. Through prayer and daily guidance, I found clarity about what to do next and, more importantly, a sense of peace even before anything changed on the outside. We also explore the healthier side of travel: how intentional travel can give women the space to heal from trauma, reset mentally, and see a problem for what it really is. When you step out of the day-to-day noise with purpose, you can come home renewed, able to face your real life with a fresher mind and stronger direction. If you’re in a messy middle season and you know you need a break without running away, this conversation is for you. Listen, share it with a friend who keeps saying “I just need to leave,” and subscribe and leave a review so more sister travelers can find intentional, healing travel. Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

3. How the World Cup Inspires Travel: Finding Purpose and Adventure Through Global Events//192

   Jul 7, 2026

   The World Cup is not just a tournament, it is a moving map. Watching fans show up with songs, costumes, and total pride for their home countries reminded me how quickly a game can turn into real travel inspiration. Even if soccer is not your thing, the feeling is hard to miss: community, curiosity, and that sudden urge to look up a country you had not considered in years. We talk about how big global events shine a spotlight on places you might never have put on your travel list. Japan’s culture of respect, Scotland’s all-out fun, Norway’s crowd energy, and a first-time underdog like Cabo Verde can spark a brand-new “I want to go there” moment. That is where better travel planning starts, especially for solo women travelers: not with what is trendy, but with what genuinely pulls you in. Then I zoom out to a practical framework I love: travel with a why. Your why can be pure fun, but it helps to choose something you already care about and let it guide the destination. Think festivals, lantern nights, tulips in Amsterdam, cherry blossoms in Japan, the Northern Lights, music you would cross an ocean for, or even writing retreats if you prefer quieter experiences. When you build a trip around an event, you get the best kind of bonus, the experience you came for plus a deeper taste of local culture. I also share what I am dreaming about next, from future World Cup plans in Portugal, Spain, and Morocco to the butterfly migration in Mexico, plus an important update on the podcast schedule and where you can hear me as a guest soon. If this sparked a destination idea, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more sister travelers can find their next adventure. Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

4. How Travel Changes After 50: We Are No Longer in Our 20's//191

   Jun 30, 2026

   Your 23-year-old self might have measured a trip by how fast you could pack, how far you could drive, and how many friends you could squeeze into a weekend. But as we hit midlife, travel often stops being about proving we are adventurous and starts being about getting honest with what we need. I’m Cheryl Esch, and I’m exploring a question that keeps coming up when I watch younger travelers move through the world with pure spontaneity: how would you travel differently now, as a woman 50 and up? We talk about why last-minute plans can feel exciting at 23 and oddly stressful later on, and how that shift is not a loss of fun, it’s growth. We dig into identity, confidence, and the real reason some of us avoid being alone, especially on holidays. Then we move into intentional travel planning for solo travelers: the mental, emotional, and even spiritual prep that can turn “time off” into genuine renewal. I share three grounding questions to ask before you book anything: How am I feeling right now in my body and mind? Do I feel comfortable giving myself permission to step away? What do I want to feel during the trip and when I return home? Whether you crave a quiet retreat, a break from social media, or a purpose-filled adventure, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of what meaningful travel looks like in this season. If you want support creating a purposeful solo trip, I also share how one-on-one coaching can help. Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who needs time away, and leave a review telling me: what do you want your next trip to give you? Coaching Invitation If you’re feeling drawn toward solo travel but unsure where to begin, this is something I support women with through 1:1 coaching. Together we can explore what kind of travel experience fits your season of life and create a thoughtful plan that reflects the woman you are becoming. https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Apply for the Set Free to Become: A Spirit-led Travel Journey Coaching https://forms.gle/CG6K2pXEQmiXwfBW8 Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

5. Divine Guidance on Solo Road Trips//190

   Jun 23, 2026

   What would change if you treated your next solo road trip like a daily conversation with God instead of a race from one stop to the next? I just got back from a 15-day U.S. road trip that surprised me in the best ways, and it started with one intentional prayer: give me a truth, a promise, a word each day while I travel. I didn’t expect how clearly those “daily nuggets” would show up once I made the space to listen. A week before I left, my friend canceled, and I had to scramble to rework my plans, my lodging, and my budget. That disruption could have derailed everything, but it became part of the gift. Road trip travel is flexible in a way air travel isn’t, and that flexibility created room for rest, reflection, and real communion with God. I share how I journal each day, how I catch quick notes while driving, and how guidance can come through surprising places like a random autoplay song or a simple daily meditation that confronts worry and calls me back to trust. I also talk about the deeper side of travel memories, including what it felt like to return to the Badlands as an adult and how nature helps us savor the moment and carry it forward. Along the way, I recap the route (16 states and 4,600 miles), a personal answer I felt God gave me about where to live, and why intentional solo travel can strengthen faith and clarity. If you’re craving a meaningful road trip, Christian encouragement, and practical ways to travel with purpose, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review. What’s one thing you’d ask God to show you on your next trip? Coaching Invitation If you’re feeling drawn toward solo travel but unsure where to begin, this is something I support women with through 1:1 coaching. Together we can explore what kind of travel experience fits your season of life and create a thoughtful plan that reflects the woman you are becoming. https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Apply for the Set Free to Become: A Spirit-led Travel Journey Coaching https://forms.gle/CG6K2pXEQmiXwfBW8 Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

6. The Loneliness Nobody Talks About After Divorce and Empty Nest | Finding Yourself Again Through Solo Travel // 189

   Jun 9, 2026

   Loneliness can sneak in after divorce and an empty nest, not as a dramatic breakdown, but as a quiet feeling you carry while you still do your job, return calls, and tell everyone you’re okay. I’m Cheryl Esch, a travel coach and solo travel advocate, and I’m sharing what I wish more women said out loud: you can be surrounded by people and still feel completely alone. When big life transitions pile up at once, grief does not always look like tears in public. Sometimes it looks like isolation, numbness, and the exhausting work of pretending you’re “strong.” I talk about how my divorce collided with empty nest life, how depression can drain your motivation, and how winter and seasonal affective disorder can make everything heavier. We also get into the social side of healing: what happens when you finally get vulnerable and someone shuts you down, and why that moment can teach you to stay surface-level even when you desperately need support. If you’ve felt dismissed, too much, or hard to love during a transition, you’re not alone, and you’re not broken. We close with practical ways to rebuild community and confidence, including women-to-women support, divorce support groups, church groups, and the surprising power of a small women’s travel group (think 12 or fewer). Solo travel does not have to mean being lonely. It can be a bridge back to yourself and to friendships that feel real. If this resonates, subscribe, share this with a friend who’s starting over, and leave a review. What kind of support would change everything for you right now? Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

7. Solo Travel for Healing After Loss | Remembering Who You Are Again // 188

   Jun 2, 2026

   You can do everything “right” and still wake up wondering who you are. When your identity has been stitched to relationships, responsibilities, and everyone else’s expectations, a major life change can leave you feeling emotionally numb, stuck, and exhausted. We get real about that moment and why it’s more common than most of us admit. We talk about how solo travel can become a practical path to self-discovery, not as a glamorous escape, but as intentional time away that pulls you out of survival mode. Cheryl shares her own turning point after divorce, why a simple solo road trip created the solitude she needed, and how the goal is not to forget your life for a week but to remember who you are at the core. You’ll also hear concrete tools you can use right away: a phone-free reset, time in nature to quiet your brain, and journaling that works even when your thoughts feel messy. We explore how joy and laughter can return in small moments, and how faith can feel clearer when you finally stop living under constant noise. If you’ve been telling yourself you “just need a vacation,” this is your sign to choose something deeper. Listen, share this with a friend who feels lost, and subscribe and leave a review so more women can find the freedom to rediscover who they really are. Coaching Invitation If you’re feeling drawn toward solo travel but unsure where to begin, this is something I support women with through 1:1 coaching. Together we can explore what kind of travel experience fits your season of life and create a thoughtful plan that reflects the woman you are becoming. https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

8. Budgeting for Solo Travel Without the Shame or Stress [ft. The Budget Besties] // 187

   May 26, 2026

   Travel keeps getting blamed on “not enough money,” but that excuse falls apart the moment you can actually see your numbers. We sit down with Vanessa and Shana from Budget Besties, master financial coaches who work with women earning good money and still feeling stuck, stressed, or ashamed about budgeting. They make the B-word feel less like a punishment and more like a plan that gives you real permission to spend on what you love, including a trip you have been postponing for years. We talk through their practical, modern approach to a budgeting system that works in a digital world: a simple one-page layout, automatic money separation, and savings buckets that keep goals clear without tracking every single transaction. They share why most people are not failing at money because of “mindset,” but because nobody taught them the mechanics. Once the system is set up, confidence follows fast, and travel stops being a vague wish and becomes a funded category. We also dig into the truth about credit card points, travel guilt, and vacation debt. A credit limit is not a budget, and points are not worth the heaviness of a balance that steals the joy when you get home. You will hear why a high-yield savings account and a dedicated travel savings bucket can beat the stress of overspending, and how you can pay off debt while still making memories now, not in retirement. If you want budget travel tips, a realistic debt payoff plan, and a clear way to save for vacations in cash, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who keeps saying “maybe next year,” and leave a review so more women can travel with confidence. Find out more on how the Budget Besties can help you. https://budgetbesties.com/ Financial Coaching For Women Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/financial-coaching-for-women-how-to-budget-manage-money/id1562683557 Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

9. Why Hawaii? // 186

   May 19, 2026

   Hawaii isn’t one thing. It can be a surf town, a volcanic summit that feels like the moon, a rainforest with waterfalls, and a quiet stretch of beach that makes you forget what day it is. On my first trip to Hawaii, I head to Maui and use one guiding question to make sense of it all: why would someone choose Hawaii over any other “paradise” on the map? What I learn comes as much from conversations as it does from the scenery. I stayed in a hostel, even though that’s not the most common pick for women 50 and above, and it quickly becomes the most unexpected part of the journey. I meet young international travelers from South Africa, Germany, and Spain, and I hear why Hawaii feels like a unique US destination compared with the big-city routes most visitors take. I also meet Sandie, a 75-year-old nomad who returns each year for the relaxed pace, the temperate weather, and the steady calm that “island time” brings. We talk about what Hawaii offers that’s hard to replicate: turquoise beaches, volcanoes, national parks, hiking, beginner-friendly surf spots, history, and a living culture rooted in a deep connection to land and ocean. I also share practical solo travel tips for Hawaii planning, including why it can be easier than international travel, how distance and time zones factor in, and why the best itinerary starts with your real reason for going, whether that’s adventure, rest, healing, or spiritual renewal. If you’re craving nature, a reset from burnout, or a solo trip that feels safe and expansive, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend planning a getaway, and leave a review with your answer: what’s your why for travel? Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

10. From Divorce To Kuwait: A Midlife Move That Rebuilt One Woman’s Life // 185

    May 5, 2026

    A sleepless night. A divorce after 32 years. A job listing that makes zero sense on paper. Then Kuwait shows up on the screen and Danielle Hebert takes the leap. What starts as a desperate need for space turns into two years of solo living abroad that reshapes her confidence, her faith, and the way she sees the world. We talk through the practical realities of moving to a Muslim-majority country as a midlife woman: what Danielle asked in her interview about culture and dress, what surprised her when she landed, and how she learned to navigate daily life, safety, and boundaries. She shares the warmth she receives from strangers, neighbors, and coworkers in an international school community filled with people from across the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. The conversation also holds space for the complicated parts, including moments that feel unsettling and the inequality she witnesses among migrant workers. Most of all, Danielle explains why this wasn’t “running away.” It was healing travel with intention: rebuilding self-esteem through meaningful work, creating deeper connections with family back home, and finding spiritual rhythm in an unexpected place. If you’re searching for solo travel inspiration, a midlife reset, or hope after divorce, this story will challenge your assumptions and widen your imagination. Subscribe for more Solo Travel Adventures, share this with a friend who needs a fresh start, and leave a review telling us: where would you go to heal? Coaching Invitation If you’re feeling drawn toward solo travel but unsure where to begin, this is something I support women with through 1:1 coaching. Together we can explore what kind of travel experience fits your season of life and create a thoughtful plan that reflects the woman you are becoming. https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

11. Fearless Solo Travel: Faith, Freedom and Flight // 184

    Apr 28, 2026

    Fear can sound responsible, even wise, until you realize it’s quietly making your decisions for you. If you’ve felt that tension between wanting to take a solo trip and hearing the anxious loop of “what if something goes wrong,” I’m speaking straight to that moment. We get honest about the difference between real safety awareness and the internal fear that grows in the unknown, especially for women who want freedom but also want to feel grounded and protected. I share how I lean on scripture when fear gets loud, because God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. We talk about the Biblical pattern of being called to go even without perfect clarity, and how solo travel can become a personal journey of trust, courage, and discovering who you are in Christ. Then we flip the script on the questions that keep women stuck: not just “what if I can’t handle it,” but “what if God has already equipped me for this?” We also get practical with solo travel tips that build confidence without feeding the need to control everything: praying before you book, researching your destination, choosing accommodations wisely, sharing your itinerary, and staying connected with trusted people back home. I explain why safety isn’t rooted only in control, and how peace grows when you plan well, listen for Holy Spirit prompts, and stay open to the unexpected. If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to travel alone, let this be your nudge to take one small first step today. Subscribe for more solo female travel encouragement, share this with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review so more women of faith can find it. What’s one place you feel called to go next? Coaching Invitation If you’re feeling drawn toward solo travel but unsure where to begin, this is something I support women with through 1:1 coaching. Together we can explore what kind of travel experience fits your season of life and create a thoughtful plan that reflects the woman you are becoming. https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

12. What If Your First Trip Quietly Built You? // 183

    Apr 21, 2026

    Your travel style didn’t start when you booked your first grown-up trip. It started the first time you learned what “new” feels like. We’re digging into the idea of a travel origin story and how childhood experiences can shape your adult relationship with road trips, adventure travel, and even solo travel confidence. I share one of the most defining trips of my life: a four-to-five-week RV road trip at age nine, crammed in with a family of six and rolling from Pennsylvania through the Midwest and out to the West. It’s part awe and part chaos, with U.S. national parks like the Badlands, Arches in Utah, and the Grand Canyon leaving a permanent mark. Alongside the beauty are the moments that test you, including my first tornado on the horizon and a string of RV problems that turn into stories you never forget. We also talk about why the same exact trip can create totally different outcomes. One person feels inspired and hungry for nature and novelty. Another feels repelled and avoids that style of travel forever. The point isn’t to judge your past. It’s to use it. If you’re a midlife traveler trying to figure out what fits now, or a woman planning solo travel and wanting more courage, this conversation helps you connect your memories to a travel plan that actually matches your personality and season. If this sparks something, share it with a friend who needs a nudge, then subscribe and leave a review so more women can find the confidence to take the trip they’ve been holding back on. Coaching Invitation If you’re feeling drawn toward solo travel but unsure where to begin, this is something I support women with through 1:1 coaching. Together we can explore what kind of travel experience fits your season of life and create a thoughtful plan that reflects the woman you are becoming. https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

13. What If Your Next Trip Is God’s Direction? // 182

    Apr 14, 2026

    Your suitcase is packed, your itinerary is tight, and your mind is already racing ahead to everything that could go wrong. We have been there. That’s why we’re talking about the link between Christian travel and prayer while traveling and how bringing God into the process can change not just your trip, but your peace. We explore travel and prayer as two journeys that move you in different directions: one across the world and one closer to God. From the first moment a destination pops into your head, we walk through what it looks like to pray for guidance, timing, finances, and whether you should go solo or choose a tour. We also share a real story of wanting to take a specific trip, hitting roadblocks, and realizing God’s answer was “no” and why that can be a gift, not a loss. If you deal with travel anxiety, we spend time in scripture that speaks directly to it, including Philippians 4:6-7, and we talk about how thanksgiving and continual prayer can guard your mind with a peace that doesn’t depend on perfect plans. We also touch on praying for protection and staying open to hearing God more clearly when you step away from daily noise. If you want your next trip to be more than a getaway, press play, then subscribe, share this with a friend who loves faith-based travel, and leave a review so more women can find it. What’s the one thing you most need to pray about before you travel? Resources & Links Apply for 1:1 travel coaching with Cheryl: https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Coaching Invitation If you’re feeling drawn toward solo travel but unsure where to begin, this is something I support women with through 1:1 coaching. Together we can explore what kind of travel experience fits your season of life and create a thoughtful plan that reflects the woman you are becoming. https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

14. Can A Long Walk Reconnect Body Mind And Spirit? // 181

    Apr 7, 2026

    You can feel it when travel stops being about seeing more and starts being about becoming more. I’m Cheryl Esch, and I’m sharing the pull I’ve been sitting with lately: the desire for a deeper, quieter kind of solo travel that resets me from the inside out, not just for a weekend, but in a way that lingers. I talk honestly about the Camino de Santiago and the part people don’t always say out loud. I went in carrying big expectations after a hard season and wanted the walk to equal instant healing and a clean new beginning. It didn’t. That disappointment taught me something important about purposeful travel, spiritual travel, and mindful travel: when we force a trip to deliver a guaranteed transformation, we miss what’s happening right in front of us. The real work is staying open, letting God lead, and allowing meaning to unfold in its own time. Then I get practical about planning a pilgrimage style hike or multi day trek that fits real life. We walk through how I’m choosing my next route by listening to my body, factoring in injuries and training, testing what’s feasible on my schedule, and deciding whether a guided group tour makes sense. I also share a list of inspiring options around the world, including Kumano Kodo in Japan, Via Francigena, Cotswold Way, Scotland trails, Iceland’s Laugavegur, Patagonia, and more, with an eye toward quieter routes and nature focused experiences. If you’ve been craving a reset, a little peace, or just space to breathe again, press play. Subscribe for more solo travel inspiration, share this with a friend who needs a fresh start, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. What kind of walk is calling you right now? Resources & Links Apply for 1:1 travel coaching with Cheryl: https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Coaching Invitation If you’re feeling drawn toward solo travel but unsure where to begin, this is something I support women with through 1:1 coaching. Together we can explore what kind of travel experience fits your season of life and create a thoughtful plan that reflects the woman you are becoming. https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Episode 107: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2048349/episodes/15925135-finding-myself-on-the-camino-a-transformative-experience.mp3?download=true Episode 104: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2048349/episodes/15751955-preparing-for-the-camino-de-santiago-essential-tips-for-a-successful-pilgrimage.mp3?download=true Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

15. Group Trips Help Women Travel Braver with Doni Belau of Girl's Guide to the World // 180

    Mar 31, 2026

    You can feel it when life gets too crowded with roles: mom, partner, caretaker, employee, planner. The calendar stays full, but you start to wonder where you went. That’s why this conversation with Doni Belau, founder of Girl's Guide to the World, hits so hard. She shares what happened when she finally took a month to travel on her own and discovered something simple and life-changing: she could enjoy her own company again, make choices on the fly, and come home stronger. We get practical about solo travel for women and why “going alone” is often less about loneliness and more about reclaiming agency. Doni explains how women-only group tours can be the perfect first step if you want independence without the stress of handling every detail, especially the dreaded solo dinner table. We also talk about the psychology of travel, including the power of a pattern interrupt, how new places force your brain to wake up, and why connection and community are central to women’s wellness travel. Safety comes up too, with real talk about media-driven fear, naming specific risks, and planning with data and common sense. Doni shares her love for Japan, her complicated relationship with India, and how meaningful itineraries can include culture, conversation, and supporting women entrepreneurs around the world. If you’re craving confidence, clarity, and a push toward your next chapter, press play, then subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more women can find it. Find all of The Girl's Guide to the World Tours: https://www.girlsguidetotheworld.com/ Resources & Links Apply for 1:1 travel coaching with Cheryl: https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Coaching Invitation If you’re feeling drawn toward solo travel but unsure where to begin, this is something I support women with through 1:1 coaching. Together we can explore what kind of travel experience fits your season of life and create a thoughtful plan that reflects the woman you are becoming. https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

16. Can Midlife Women Stop Fearing Judgment And Start Traveling Alone? // 179

    Mar 24, 2026

    We name the hidden thing that stops many midlife women from traveling alone: the fear of what other people will think. We reframe judgment, talk through the comments people make about safety and money, and share simple ways to choose ourselves without apology. • fear of judgment as the real barrier to solo travel • identity pressure from decades of caregiving roles • common reactions ranging from admiration to disbelief • assumptions about cost and how frequent travel looks • worries disguised as concern about safety and loneliness • reframing solo travel as freedom, growth, and adventure • deciding for ourselves and refusing outside votes • limiting who we tell early and building a supportive circle • normalizing solo travel with real examples of women doing it • taking the trip first so confidence can follow • letting go of the need for permission from anyone Resources & Links Apply for 1:1 travel coaching with Cheryl: https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Coaching Invitation If you’re feeling drawn toward solo travel but unsure where to begin, this is something I support women with through 1:1 coaching. Together we can explore what kind of travel experience fits your season of life and create a thoughtful plan that reflects the woman you are becoming. https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

17. How to Choose Your Next Solo Trip in Midlife: Let Your Travel Dreams Reflect Who You’re Becoming // 178

    Mar 17, 2026

    When life suddenly grows quieter—when the schedule opens up, the house is still, and a new season begins—it can leave you wondering what comes next. In this reflective solo episode, Cheryl invites you to dust off the travel dreams you once tucked away while raising families, caring for others, or simply navigating a busy life. Those destinations you’ve always imagined visiting may hold more meaning than you realize. Cheryl shares a simple but powerful way to evaluate your travel dreams so you can choose the right solo trip for this season of life—one that reflects who you are becoming, not just who you used to be. What You’ll Hear Why your travel dreams may change in midlife How to create a meaningful “dream destination” list Three questions to ask before choosing your next trip Why some destinations speak to specific seasons of life How solo travel can help you rediscover who you are becoming Key Takeaways Travel dreams often reflect deeper desires for growth, reflection, and renewal. Not every dream destination fits every season of life. Asking why you want to visit a place can reveal what your heart is truly seeking. Solo travel can create space to listen, reflect, and grow into your next chapter. Resources & Links Apply for 1:1 travel coaching with Cheryl: https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Coaching Invitation If you’re feeling drawn toward solo travel but unsure where to begin, this is something I support women with through 1:1 coaching. Together we can explore what kind of travel experience fits your season of life and create a thoughtful plan that reflects the woman you are becoming. https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

18. Freedom, Community, And The Rise Of The Solo Woman Traveler with Tracey Nesbitt // 177

    Mar 10, 2026

    Ever wondered how to travel solo without paying more for the privilege—or feeling alone on the road? We welcome Tracey Nesbitt, cofounder and editor at Solo Traveler, for a lively, practical deep dive into the rise of solo travel among women 50+ and the smarter, cheaper ways to make it happen. Tracy shares how a rocky first duo trip nudged her toward independence, then relives the nerve-wracking paper map moment in Paris that transformed fear into hard-earned confidence. We get honest about the numbers driving this shift—more single-person households, later-life independence, and a generation refusing to “gear down.” Tracy breaks down how modern tours and river cruises now work for solos, with flexible days, activity choices, and easy-to-explore city docks. If you’ve ever bristled at the single supplement, you’ll love the inside look at Tracy’s List: a curated monthly email of vetted tours and cruises that now all carry zero single supplements. Expect distinctive itineraries, not cookie-cutter routes, plus options like roommate matching for travelers who prefer to share. The conversation turns personal when Tracey describes a powerful moment on the Rocky Mountaineer, watching Canada’s landscapes roll by from an open-air platform and feeling an unexpected surge of belonging. We unpack how solo trips can strengthen relationships, model healthy independence for kids, and refill your energy in ways that last long after you unpack. New to going alone? You’ll get concrete starting points: try a staycation, choose an English-speaking destination, observe local norms, and ask questions early and often. Ready to feel braver and spend smarter while you explore? Tap play, then subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review to help more solo-curious travelers find us. Apply for 1-on-1 travel coaching with me: https://cherylbeckesch.com/work-with-me/ Find Solo Traveler and Tracey Nesbitt: https://solotravelerworld.com/ Tracey's List: https://solotravelerworld.com/subscribe-to-traceys-shortlist/ https://www.facebook.com/SoloTravelSociety https://www.instagram.com/solotraveler/ Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

19. From Divorce To Discovery Through Travel // 176

    Mar 3, 2026

    The hardest part of divorce isn’t the paperwork. It’s waking up to a life that no longer feels familiar. Your name. Your routines. Your identity. And the question that whispers in the quiet: Who am I now? In this episode, we talk honestly about the emotional weight many women carry after divorce — guilt, shame, exhaustion, and the fear of starting over. And we explore a simple starting point: Not a bucket list. Not a long-haul flight. But small, intentional travel that meets you where you are. Inside This Episode: • Moving through guilt and “failure” narratives • Using nearby travel as healthy disruption • Why new environments shift perspective • Designing affordable, low-pressure reset trips • Creating space to hear your own voice again This isn’t about escaping your life. It’s about rebuilding it. Travel can become a container — a place to think clearly, breathe deeply, and remember who you are becoming in this next season. You don’t have to leap across the world. Sometimes healing starts with a sunrise walk in a new place. If you’re rebuilding after divorce and craving direction, you don’t have to figure this out alone. In 1:1 coaching, we build: • Emotional readiness • Safe, realistic travel plans • Confidence in your next chapter • Structure during transition This isn’t just about taking a trip. It’s about becoming confident again. 👉 Ready to become the woman who books the trip? Apply for 1:1 coaching here https://calendly.com/solotraveladventures/book-a-call Your next chapter doesn’t start someday. It starts with one decision. Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

20. What’s Really Stopping You From Booking That Solo Trip? (5 Identity Blocks) // 175

    Feb 24, 2026

    You feel the pull to travel alone. But something inside says, “That’s not me.” Not because you can’t. Because it feels unfamiliar. If you’ve ever thought: “It feels selfish to leave.” “I’m the responsible one.” “That kind of travel isn’t me.” “Isn’t solo travel for younger women?” “What will people think?” “Who even am I without my roles?” You are not alone. In this episode, Cheryl unpacks the identity blocks that quietly keep women over 50 from booking the trip they can’t stop thinking about. What’s Inside: • The caregiver identity and guilt • Why solo travel doesn’t require risk-taking • The “too late” myth • Handling other people’s reactions • Rediscovering who you are in this season This isn’t just about travel. It’s about confidence. It’s about permission. It’s about becoming. If solo travel feels like part of your next chapter — but hesitation keeps slowing you down — that’s exactly what 1:1 coaching is for. We build safety, clarity, and confidence so you can move forward peacefully. 👉 Apply for coaching at cherylbeckesch.com You don’t have to navigate this alone. Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50