EPISODE · Jul 28, 2026 · 25 MIN
Ep. 275: What If I Never Left? Revisiting My Childhood Hometown in Southern Illinois
from Everything & Anything...and a bit gay Podcast · host Zach Randes-Friedman
In this week's This Is Everything episode, Zach takes listeners on a trip back to Southern Illinois, where he visited his mother for her birthday and revisited the tiny rural town he lived in until age seven. He reflects on what his life could have looked like had his family never relocated to Florida — the bullying he likely would have faced, the lack of diversity in his childhood school, and the very real possibility his life would have taken a darker turn. He traces the ripple effects of that one relocation decision all the way to meeting his husband in New York City 27+ years ago, and reflects on gratitude, chosen paths, and the "what if" moments that shape a life. Podcast song by SIXFOOT 5: https://www.sixfoot5prod.com Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sixfoot-5/1551774977 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5rHMzoU0G0fLhaBsrQiOOY?si=laSZ5hiKTYubJJyhrzf2JQ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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What this episode covers
Zach revisits his childhood hometown in rural Southern Illinois and asks the big "what if" — what would his life have looked like if his family never moved to Florida? A personal, reflective episode on small towns, chosen paths, and finding his husband because of one relocation decision decades ago.
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Ep. 275: What If I Never Left? Revisiting My Childhood Hometown in Southern Illinois
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