A young, Gothic artist on holiday honours life through dead animals, loves drawing and family. 

Ready for some stranger stories? Personal stories of love, resilience & daring unfold in this loveable podcast, as story-collectors Tim Reid & Jon Coghill wander the streets of Australia, microphone in hand, chatting to strangers.

It's conversations... with everyday people.

In this inaugural episode of the What a Stranger Told Me podcast, Tim heads of to seek some stranger stories, and strikes up a conversation with Ashton, a young Gothic-punk artist radiating individuality, right there on the street. This storytelling podcast dives into the raw, unfiltered stories of everyday people, capturing the beauty of chance encounters. Ashton opens up about a poignant moment when she found a dying butterfly trampled on a bus. Rather than passing by, she gently took it home to give it a peaceful end, a touching act tied to her unique practice of collecting dead animals. Far from grim, it’s her way of honouring their lives, a ritual she’s embraced for years to celebrate nature’s fleeting beauty and spark reflection. 

Ashton’s world revolves around art, where she channels her soul into intricate sketches. Her bold punk-Gothic style, inspired by legends like Alice Cooper and the dramatic flair of corpse paint, is a fearless expression of self, even when it draws judgment as a queer person. Her stories of resilience shine through as she shares how her vibrant energy softened her once-conservative grandparents’ views, proving the power of community to shift perspectives. A standout memory is her massive rhino beetle, lovingly named “Boss,” displayed proudly in her room as a tribute to life’s fragile spark.  

She also touches on her creative process, describing how a blank canvas becomes an invitation to splash paint and let inspiration flow, reflecting her belief that creativity is a vital release for everyone.

This episode of What a Stranger Told Me weaves together themes of life, death, art, and human connection, offering a raw, intimate look into a stranger’s extraordinary world. It’s real, messy, and deeply human, showing how a random chat can uncover profound truths.  

Join Tim as he uncovers Ashton’s story, a reminder that every stranger has a tale worth hearing.  

Click here for more real-life stories from strangers that’ll make you laugh, tear up, or maybe even stop and think.

🎙️ Want more, Stranger?

Like the idea of story-collectors Tim Reid & Jon Coghill chatting to attendees at your next conference or event? Or maybe you'd like them to chat to strangers in your part of the world. Hit them up here.

📸  Join us behind-the-scenes

Follow the What a StrangerTold Me podcast madness on Instagram.

☎️  Got a story you'd love to share?

Call us +61 489 272 286. You've got a whopping 10-minutes, so sit back, take a big breath and go for gold.

👽  Don’t be a stranger

Got some feedback? Bring it on. Just be gentle. One of us has thin skin ;)

🤩  Who’s behind all this strangeness?

Made & Hosted by Tim Reid & Jon Coghill
Music Supervision by Dennis Feletto
Photography by Will Reid & Andy McColl

 

A young, Gothic artist on holiday honours life through dead animals, loves drawing and family.&nbsp;
Ready for some stranger stories? Personal stories of love, resilience &amp; daring unfold in this loveable podcast, as story-collectors <a href="https://whatastrangertoldme.com/about/">Tim Reid &amp; Jon Coghill</a> wander the streets of Australia, microphone in hand, chatting to strangers.
It's conversations... with everyday people.
<hr>
In this inaugural episode of the What a Stranger Told Me podcast, Tim heads of to seek some stranger stories, and strikes up a conversation with Ashton, a young Gothic-punk artist radiating individuality, right there on the street. This storytelling podcast dives into the raw, unfiltered stories of everyday people, capturing the beauty of chance encounters. Ashton opens up about a poignant moment when she found a dying butterfly trampled on a bus. Rather than passing by, she gently took it home to give it a peaceful end, a touching act tied to her unique practice of collecting dead animals. Far from grim, it&rsquo;s her way of honouring their lives, a ritual she&rsquo;s embraced for years to celebrate nature&rsquo;s fleeting beauty and spark reflection.&nbsp;
Ashton&rsquo;s world revolves around art, where she channels her soul into intricate sketches. Her bold punk-Gothic style, inspired by legends like Alice Cooper and the dramatic flair of corpse paint, is a fearless expression of self, even when it draws judgment as a queer person. Her stories of resilience shine through as she shares how her vibrant energy softened her once-conservative grandparents&rsquo; views, proving the power of community to shift perspectives. A standout memory is her massive rhino beetle, lovingly named &ldquo;Boss,&rdquo; displayed proudly in her room as a tribute to life&rsquo;s fragile spark. &nbsp;
She also touches on her creative process, describing how a blank canvas becomes an invitation to splash paint and let inspiration flow, reflecting her belief that creativity is a vital release for everyone.
This episode of What a Stranger Told Me weaves together themes of life, death, art, and human connection, offering a raw, intimate look into a stranger&rsquo;s extraordinary world. It&rsquo;s real, messy, and deeply human, showing how a random chat can uncover profound truths. &nbsp;
Join Tim as he uncovers Ashton&rsquo;s story, a reminder that every stranger has a tale worth hearing. &nbsp;
<a href="https://whatastrangertoldme.com/category/season-1/">Click here</a> for more real-life stories from strangers that&rsquo;ll make you laugh, tear up, or maybe even stop and think.
<hr>
🎙️ Want more, Stranger?
Like the idea of story-collectors Tim Reid &amp; Jon Coghill chatting to attendees at your next conference or event? Or maybe you'd like them to chat to strangers in your part of the world. Hit them up <a href="https://whatastrangertoldme.com/contact/">here</a>.
📸&nbsp; Join us behind-the-scenes
Follow the What a StrangerTold Me podcast madness on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/whatastrangertoldme">Instagram</a>.
☎️&nbsp; Got a story you'd love to share?
Call us +61 489 272 286. You've got a whopping 10-minutes, so sit back, take a big breath and go for gold.
👽&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t be a stranger
Got some feedback? <a href="https://whatastrangertoldme.com/contact/">Bring it on</a>. Just be gentle. One of us has thin skin ;)
🤩&nbsp; Who&rsquo;s behind all this strangeness?
Made &amp; Hosted by Tim Reid &amp; Jon Coghill Music Supervision by Dennis Feletto Photography by Will Reid &amp; Andy McColl
<hr>
&nbsp;

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

 

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 &amp; backgrounds - uncovering their raw, unique, and very personal stories. Take a break from the everyday, and dive into lives of people you&rsquo;d never otherwise meet.
And if you&rsquo;ve got a story you&rsquo;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&rsquo;ve got a conference you&rsquo;d like us to podcast from, then contact us at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.whatastrangertoldme.com">What a Stranger Told Me</a>.
Credits ...
Made &amp; Hosted by Tim Reid &amp; Jon Coghill
Music Supervision by Dennis Feletto
Photography by Andy McColl &amp; Will Reid
&nbsp;

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.

What a Stranger Told Me

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.

Take a break from the everyday, and dive into the 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 Denis Feletto

Photography by Andy McColl & Will Reid

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 &amp; backgrounds - uncovering their raw, unique, and very personal stories. Take a break from the everyday, and dive into lives of people you&rsquo;d never otherwise meet.
Take a break from the everyday, and dive into the lives of people you&rsquo;d never otherwise meet.
And if you&rsquo;ve got a story you&rsquo;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&rsquo;ve got a conference you&rsquo;d like us to podcast from, then contact us at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.whatastrangertoldme.com">What a Stranger Told Me</a>.
Credits ...
Made &amp; Hosted by Tim Reid &amp; Jon Coghill
Music Supervision by Denis Feletto
Photography by Andy McColl &amp; Will Reid

A young, Gothic artist on holiday honours life through dead animals, loves creativity and family. 