Wonder isn’t a luxury—it’s a lever for real change. We trace the quiet path from a single sunset or museum hall to the deep shift you feel when you come home from a trip and realize your mind, mood, and body aren’t quite the same. Drawing on the science of awe and years of solo travel coaching, we break down how novelty, vastness, and meaning work together to rewire attention, dial down rumination, and open space for gratitude and connection.

You’ll hear how nature’s big canvases—mountain ranges, star-splashed skies, ocean edges—create instant perspective, and why human-made marvels like Machu Picchu and the pyramids spark the same wide-open feeling. We talk about awe in cities and art galleries, in music that lifts the chest, and in small spiritual moments that make time feel deep. Along the way, we translate research into simple practices: a daily awe pause, choosing a “vastness anchor” for each destination, slowing your pace by 20 percent, and keeping a one-line reflection that turns fleeting wonder into lasting change.

We also explore what’s happening under the skin. Awe is more than emotion; it’s whole-body. From brain networks lighting up to the calming shifts in breath and heart rate—and even potential immune benefits—these moments act like micro-reset buttons. Whether you’re planning a big trip or staying close to home, you’ll leave with a toolkit to find awe on purpose and let it do its quiet, healing work. If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review telling us the last moment that truly awed you.

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The calendar flips to October and the store aisles explode with tinsel—meanwhile, your heart feels heavy at the thought of the holidays. If you’re a single woman or newly navigating an empty nest, those weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s can feel like a pressure cooker of memories, expectations, and silence. We decided to tell the truth about it—and share a better way to move through it.

We start by naming the hard stuff: sadness, loneliness, grief, and the ache of feeling like the odd one out at someone else’s table. From there, we get practical. You’ll learn how to map your emotional and physical needs, choose travel that supports them, and time your bookings to avoid sticker shock. We talk road trips that keep costs low and control high, why international travel can be a hidden bargain during U.S. Thanksgiving, and how a cruise or city break can flip the script on a day you’ve come to dread.

We also dig into rituals that turn grief into meaning. Think small, tangible acts—gifting keepsakes that carry a loved one’s story, volunteering in their honor, cooking one dish that keeps their light at the center of your table. We draw a bright line between being alone and feeling lonely, then offer concrete ways to connect: inviting yourself to a friend’s dinner, gathering other solo travelers, or joining meetups at your destination. And for Christmas, we walk through choosing family time that feels safe and nourishing—or building chosen family traditions that fit who you are now.

If you’ve been waiting for permission to design a holiday season that heals, this is your nudge. Press play, take what serves you, and start a tradition you’ll actually look forward to. If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help more women find their way to joyful, self-made holidays.

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Wondering if group travel might be your next adventure? Join me as I chat with Avery Hale-Smith, Chief Experience Officer at Backroads, who shares how guided active adventures are transforming the way people experience destinations worldwide.

Avery reveals how her own childhood travels—from immersive village experiences in Ecuador to studying abroad in India—shaped her perspective on what makes travel truly meaningful. These formative journeys ultimately led her back to Backroads, where she now works alongside her father (the founder) to create exceptional active travel experiences focused on cultural connection and personal growth.

We dive deep into the remarkable surge in women's adventure travel, with Backroads seeing triple-digit growth in their women-specific trips. Avery explains this phenomenon: "Women tend to spend much of their lives doing things for others. Now they're waking up and feeling like 'why wait?' The time is now to choose me." This shift has created a boom in journeys with spiritual elements, like the Camino de Santiago, where women find both connection and personal transformation.

The conversation takes unexpected turns when Avery describes their unique active safaris in Africa—where guests actually bike through game reserves alongside giraffes—and their adventures spanning from Antarctica to the Azores. For solo travelers (my specialty!), there's exciting news about upcoming reduced single supplements to make these experiences more accessible.

Perhaps most valuable are Avery's insights for women venturing out alone: "Start small, follow your intuition, and remember you're capable of more than you think." Whether you're considering your first solo journey or looking to join a group adventure, this episode illuminates how stepping beyond your comfort zone—with the right support—can create life's most enriching experiences.

Ready to discover how active travel might transform your next adventure? This conversation will inspire you to explore the world in ways you never imagined possible.

https://www.backroads.com

https://www.instagram.com/backroadstravel/

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https://www.cherylbeckesch.com

hello@cherylbeckesch.com

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