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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.
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Facebook: /theresastephens
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