Ashley Ryall wanted to get the f*ck out.

A native of the small town of Weare, N.H., she dreamt of escaping small-town life as soon as possible. When college in Connecticut offered that opportunity, she took it and ran with it. And after studying abroad in Australia, an experience that completely opened up her worldview, Ashley vowed to live a life of adventure from that point forward.

Except it didn't pan out that way.

From the Portsmouth Public Library, Ashley Ryall joins host Troy Farkas⁠⁠ to discuss the trap she fell into in her 20s, how her marriage fell apart, what escaping New England taught her about belonging, how the Seacoast gave her everything she was searching for, and why she's now writing a memoir about her lifelong journey toward self-discovery.

CHAPTERS:

• Ashley Ryall's life-changing trip (00:00)
• How Ashley's life became boring (06:25)
• Debating having children (14:46)
• Getting a divorce (17:04)
• SPONSOR: 3 Bridges Yoga (23:26)
• SPONSOR: JOBTALK LLC (24:49)
• Ashley's cross-country adventures (26:20)
• How the Seacoast became home (34:17)

• Advice to younger self (46:35)

For more "Seacoast Stories" episodes straight to your phone every Monday, FOLLOW the show for free here on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠⁠⁠pages.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS FOR SUPPORTING OUR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S MONTH PROGRAMMING:

• ⁠⁠3 Bridges Yoga⁠⁠: New members get one FREE class with code "STORIES" at digital checkout all March! If you're an existing customer, email [email protected] to arrange a custom discount with Stephanie.
• ⁠⁠JOBTALK LLC⁠⁠⁠: Get 50% off ⁠⁠⁠JOBTALK Academy⁠⁠⁠ courses with the code "SEACOASTSTORIES50" for the rest of 2025!