Ray Thompson, a revenue and operations executive and managing partner at Buy Build Sell LLC, joined the Plutopia podcast while on a 23,000-mile road trip across the U.S. with his family. Taking a break from years of intense corporate work, he embraced remote working and launched a new business aimed at helping people become entrepreneurs through acquisitions. The journey—covering 49 states so far—offered him deep connections with people from all walks of life, reinforcing his belief that most Americans are decent and not as divided as portrayed by the media. Along the way, Ray reflected on personal milestones, explored the country’s natural beauty, engaged in meaningful civil discourse, and promoted a shift toward more sustainable, community-focused, and cooperative ways of living and working.

I met hundreds of people. I’ve spent two hours in a hardware store in Custer talking to a gentleman. I’ve spent times sitting at the bar eating a steak with someone I’d never met. Artists studios in Maine and you name it. I’ve met all kinds. We might have certain leanings, but I didn’t meet the radicalized segment that the media focuses on. It was not present. I found that really encouraging and inspiring, really. And that was a great part of the trip, just meeting that many people and seeing how close we really are. If we just take the time to spend more time together talking to each other as opposed to exchanging comments on Facebook or social media.