Podcast Summary: Life Kit (NPR)
Episode: How to Make Your Solo Trip a Success
Date: January 15, 2026
Host: Marielle Segarra
Featured Guests: Amelia Edelman (journalist), Markita Harris (travel journalist), Cameron Clark (psychotherapist), Joy Fox (seasoned solo traveler)
Overview
This episode of Life Kit focuses on practical tips, psychological insights, and personal anecdotes designed to empower listeners to travel solo confidently. Host Marielle Segarra, alongside journalist Amelia Edelman and other expert guests, breaks down the steps for planning a rewarding solo trip—from first outings to overcoming loneliness and making meaningful connections on the road.
Main Takeaways and Discussion Points
1. Start Small and Build Confidence
(04:08 – 05:42)
- Start with Mini-Trips: Don’t feel pressured to take a big, international trip right away.
- Markita Harris: “See if you can just have a beach day by yourself somewhere that's local.” (04:57)
- Cameron Clark: Even running errands or visiting a bookstore/grocery store solo can be a first step. (05:01)
- Test the Waters on Group Trips: While on a trip with friends or family, take a day for yourself to get a taste of solo exploring.
- Cameron Clark: “Maybe it's taking a trip where you're on a trip with friends and you decide to take one day out of that week long trip to do something on your own.” (05:34)
- Rip Off the Band-Aid, If You Want: Not everyone needs to start small—some, like Joy Fox, jump in with both feet, fueled by fresh heartbreak and curiosity.
- Joy Fox: “I know I was heartbroken when I went... I met the beautiful Luigi who showed me the whole of, you know, the Italian Riviera... It was such a great adventure.” (06:04)
2. Choose the Right Destination for You
(06:27 – 09:30)
- Personal Comfort & Goals: Choose a place that matches your language, travel style, and interests.
- Markita Harris: “The best thing to do is go somewhere that's English speaking or that speaks whatever languages that you know.” (06:49)
- Joy Fox: “Just learn a little bit of the language, even if it's only Bonjour or, you know, where's the toilet?” (07:04)
- Ignore Social Media Hype: Influencer hotspots may not suit everyone; focus on what feels good for you.
- Cameron Clark: “Our own personal experience... is going to look really different.” (08:29)
- Safety and Comfort Vary: Sometimes home feels less safe than abroad.
- Markita Harris: “The worst experience I had was in Malibu... the host was just deeply racist and I felt unsafe.” (08:52)
- Community and Representation: Some destinations might feel more welcoming to different identities.
- Markita Harris: “And I loved Rio... I've never been to a place where so many people looked like me.” (09:21)
3. Plan Ahead—But Not Too Much
(09:30 – 12:34)
- Do Your Research: Know about local holidays, open businesses, and peak tourist seasons to avoid disappointment.
- Markita Harris: “Why didn't I know that there were so many religious holidays?” (10:37)
- Shoulder seasons = best times to avoid crowds and closures. (10:56)
- The “Single Supplement”: Many trips are priced for two; find those that offer solo traveler deals.
- Joy Fox: “I am trying to find trips now that either give you a heavy discount or don't charge [the single supplement] at all.” (11:47)
- Tap Into Solo Travel Organizations: Join communities or platforms dedicated to solo travelers.
- Joy Fox: “You can travel solo and... have two or three nights with somebody who will host you and show you what they do locally.” (12:23)
4. Balance Comfort and Growth—Push Your Zone, Don’t Break It
(14:20 – 17:49)
- Take Manageable Risks: Confidence grows with experience and gentle risk-taking.
- Cameron Clark: “The more risks that we take, the more confident that we feel and the less anxiety we're going to have in distressing situations.” (14:26)
- Stay Within Your ‘Window of Tolerance’: Learn from moderate discomfort, don’t overwhelm yourself.
- Cameron Clark: “We never want to push ourselves past a place of moderate discomfort...” (14:56)
- Loneliness Happens—Don’t Fear It: Embrace moments of discomfort and loneliness as part of the journey.
- Markita Harris: “They call it traveler's melancholy. I got tired of myself... And I think that's fine. I think use that to kind of push you to book a tour... You should know who you are in these circumstances.” (16:32)
- Joy Fox: “I'm not brave. Every time I do something different, I'm scared… But life is too short to sit around and have regrets about not doing something.” (17:11)
5. Be Ready to Pivot
(18:47 – 20:16)
- Plans Will Change: Not every experience will suit you—know when to reassess or let go.
- Markita Harris: Recounts feeling out of place in fancy restaurants solo: “Should I be here with a man? Should I be here with a... With another person? That experience definitely made me feel like, okay, this is not for me.” (19:13)
- “You gotta move on. And if you can't move on, then you need to hop on a plane and get back home and take care of yourself, period.” (19:48)
- Have Backups: A little pre-planning for alternates (restaurants, hotels, routes) builds resilience.
- Cameron Clark: “We're working a little bit on building our trust within ourselves... I can take care of myself and I know how to reach out for support.” (20:16)
6. Make Connections—You’re Never Really Alone
(20:34 – 22:22)
- Build Community On the Road: Solo travel often leads to serendipitous friendships and moments.
- Markita Harris: “There's always a friend somewhere... solo travel has taught me that you're never alone.” (20:42)
- Simple Kindness Opens Doors: Initiate conversations with a smile, a compliment, or a question.
- Joy Fox: “You know, smile and maybe give them a compliment... I just think there's kindness. I think when you're traveling on your own, you've got the best of both worlds.” (20:59)
- Connect With Yourself Too: Journaling, quiet mornings, and small pleasures can enrich solo time.
- Cameron Clark: “Solo travel has the ability to help us really deepen our experience of trusting ourselves.” (21:37)
- Joy Fox: “I love my solitary life. I love silence… I just really, really, really appreciate everything I've got, and I'm grateful for everything I've got. It's wonderful to go, but it's even more wonderful to come back.” (22:02)
Memorable Moments & Quotes
- On overcoming anxiety about solo travel:
Marielle: “For a long time, I had this idea that solo travel would be sad for me… Turns out I love looking at a sunset alone.” (00:00) - On venturing out after heartbreak:
Joy Fox: “I pawned my engagement ring and went straight to Italy by myself without ever having left my small English village before.” (06:04) - On discomfort — and “traveler’s melancholy”:
Markita Harris: “I got tired of myself. I need to hear another voice besides my own... And that, for some people, might manifest in a certain existential loneliness. And I think that’s fine.” (16:32) - On courage and regret:
Joy Fox: “I'm not brave… But life is too short to sit around and have regrets about not doing something.” (17:11) - On being open to new connections:
Markita Harris: “There's always a friend somewhere. And I think in a weird way, solo travel has taught me that you're never alone.” (20:42) - On coming home:
Joy Fox: “It's wonderful to go, but it's even more wonderful to come back.” (22:02)
Key Timestamps
- Intro & Theme Setup: 00:00 – 02:39
- Why Solo Travel? Guest Stories: 03:44 – 06:27
- Choosing a Destination: 06:27 – 09:30
- Planning Tips, Safety, and Single Supplements: 09:30 – 12:34
- Stepping out of Your Comfort Zone: 14:20 – 17:49
- Being Ready to Pivot: 18:47 – 20:16
- Building Connections: 20:34 – 22:22
- Recap of Main Takeaways: 22:22 – 23:31
Recap: The Six Takeaways
- Start small—practice close to home to build confidence.
- Pick a destination that serves your comfort, not social media’s expectations.
- Plan ahead for logistics, safety, and value, but leave some room for flexibility.
- Embrace manageable discomfort—loneliness and nerves are natural.
- Be prepared to change course—flexibility is key to solo success.
- Make connections—with locals, fellow travelers, and yourself.
For more on Life Kit or to explore their resources, visit npr.org/lifekit.