What a Stranger Told Me
Tim Reid & Jon Coghill
Outreach Signals
Publishing Details
Contact & Outreach
About This Podcast
Storytelling meets human connection in this intriguing Australian podcast. Hosts Jon Coghill (Powderfinger) and Tim Reid (award-winning podcaster) travel around chatting with strangers of all ages & backgrounds - uncovering their raw, unique, and very personal stories. Take a break from the everyday, and dive into lives of people you’d never otherwise meet.
And if you’ve got a story you’d love the world to hear, then call us on +61 489 272 286.
Or maybe you'd like us to chat to strangers in your town, or maybe you’ve got a conference you’d like us to podcast from, then contact us at What a Stranger Told Me.
Credits ...
Made & Hosted by Tim Reid & Jon Coghill
Music Supervision by Dennis Feletto
Photography by Andy McColl & Will Reid
Social Media
Explore Statistics
Recent Episodes
S1E27 She Perved First – Then He Declared “We’re Gettin’ Married” | A Romantic Stranger Story
Meeting the girl of your dreams started with mutual perving and a bold “We’re gettin’ married”. Sammy’s cheeky love story – nail gun accident, Valentine's magic, young romance – is funny, sweet, and…
S1E26 Cantankerous Bloke Speaks His Mind (Then Some) – A Strangely Blunt Chat
Picture a cantankerous bloke who speaks his mind about everything from new bridges to staying active after 70 – he did Everest Base Camp at 69, plans Annapurna at 71, and doesn't let bad knees stop…
S1E25 Willy The Busker Spreads Happiness Like It’s His Full-Time Job | A Strangely Joyful Chat
Willy the busker spreads happiness like it’s his full-time job – because for him, it basically is. One minute he’s blasting Latin beats in Pitt Street Mall, the next he’s healing sick strangers in…
S1E24 Abattoir Butcher Stories ft. Nude Knife Belt Wearing | A Strange Chat
Abattoir butcher stories can be wild – and this 50-year legend has them all. From playing Tom Jones for the ladies to watching school kids chew raw bones, surviving horrible accidents, and the guy…
S1E23 Frenchie Dumped Her Boyfriend, Quit Work, and Moved to Australia at 33 | Another Strangely Curious Story
She always knew she’d quit her job and move to Australia before turning 35. At 33, a breakup became the catalyst: she quit her job, moved to Australia, sold everything, and bought a one-way ticket.…
S1E22 How to Get Over a Breakup (From a Stranger Living It) | A Heartbreaking Stranger Story
Ever wondered how to get over a breakup when it's mutual but still stings? Meet Mitch, a 24-year-old support worker who swaps a planned couples' trip for a solo escape to Byron Bay after his first…
S1E21 British Lad Plans Bali Tattoo Extravaganza | Another Head-Scratching Story
Ever wondered what it's like getting tattoos in Bali from a total stranger's perspective? Meet Aaron, a scaffolder from Plymouth who's turned his three-week Bali escape into an epic ink mission –…
S1E20 Retired Criminal Lawyer Creates an Unusually Slow Life | Another Stranger Story
In Episode 20 of the What a Stranger Told Me podcast, Tim meets Simon – a retired lawyer who's traded courtroom chaos for Byron Bay's slow rhythms. This storytelling podcast uncovers honest moments…
S1E19 Bali Bombings Burns Unit Nurse Reflects On The Chaos | Another Stranger Story
In Episode 19 of What a Stranger Told Me, Tim pulls up a chair at the Gympie Muster beside Jane Turner (not Kath!) – a veteran burns, ICU and emergency nurse who has spent decades on the absolute…
S1E18 Vision-Impaired Guy Survives Horrific Boating Accident | Real Stories from Strangers
In Episode 18 of What a Stranger Told Me, Jon meets Richard at the Gympie Music Muster — a man who is laughing, drinking, dancing, and living louder than most sighted people, all while being almost…
S1E17 Romantic Designer Outsmarts His Stutter – Real Stories from Strangers
In Episode 17 of What a Stranger Told Me, Jon meets Hugh, an 18-year-old industrial design student who’s found clever, practical ways of living with a stutter while chasing his creative dreams.…
S1E16 Homesick Train Driver Shares Reality Of His Job - Another Stranger Chat
In Episode 16 of the What a Stranger Told Me podcast, Jon sits down with a Perth-born train driver who now calls Sydney home, though his heart never really left the west. Dragged across the country…
S1E15 Passionate Soundy Protects Ears Like Gold - Another stranger chat
In Episode 15 of What a Stranger Told Me, Jon meets Chris, a passionate sound engineer and tour manager for the ARIA-winning Indigenous duo Electric Fields, grabbing a quick chat in Glenelg before…
S1E14 Quitting Smoking After 40 Years – Another Real Story from a Stranger
In Episode 14 of What a Stranger Told Me, Jon meets an anonymous health worker on her lunch break — a rare pocket of calm in a high-stress job. She’s been smoking for 40 years, quit once using…
S1E13 Sleep Coach Searches For Peace & Quiet - Another Stranger Story
In Episode 13 of the What a Stranger Told Me podcast, Jon meets Anna—a sleep coach on a working holiday, helping CEOs, trauma-affected kids, and exhausted parents learn to sleep well again. This…
S1E12 A Frustrated Magician On Holidays - Real Stories From Real Strangers
Today we catch up with a Sydney magician on day two of a two-week holiday—and he's feeling a little punchy. As always, the What Stranger Told Me podcast uncovers honest moments from everyday lives. …
S1E10 Young Butcher Chooses The Simple (Slightly Hectic) Life - Another Stranger Story
Today you'll meet Rhys in Episode 10 of What a Stranger Told Me - a 20-year-old qualified butcher who’s already lived a lifetime in boots and blades. This storytelling podcast uncovers honest moments…
S1E11 Inside a Huge, Loving Country Family - Real Stories from Strangers
Let's meet Emma—one of six siblings from a sprawling beef cattle clan, now bridging country roots with coastal life. The What a Stranger Told Me podcast uncovers honest moments from everyday lives. …
S1E9 Two Cowgirls Cling To Their Country Roots - Real Stories From Strangers
In Episode 9 of What a Stranger Told Me, Jon pulls up a chair with Lucy and Eliza—two young women whose cowgirl roots run deep, even in the suburbs. This storytelling podcast uncovers honest moments…
S1E8 Tough Guy Retires Wealthy at 36 - Another Story from a Real Stranger
It's time to meet a tattooed tough guy who retired wealthy at 36 after turning a tiny disability care business into a burgoning empire. This storytelling podcast captures raw stories from everyday…
Frequently Asked Questions
What a Stranger Told Me has published 29 episodes since October 2025, covering topics in Documentary, Education.
What a Stranger Told Me is currently dormant with new episodes every few days. Average episode length is 9m.
Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for What a Stranger Told Me, including email and social media links.
Similar Podcasts
Law Enforcement Talk: True Crime and Trauma Stories
John "Jay" Wiley, Bleav
599 episodes
Care More Be Better: A Podcast For Sustainable Social Impact and Regeneration
Corinna Bellizzi
345 episodes
What Came Next
Broken Cycle Media
182 episodes
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation
Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan
375 episodes
19 Keys Presents High Level Conversations
EYL Network
484 episodes
Dalton Fischer Podcast
Dalton Fischer
19 episodes