Next, Ben, a devoted Dad, reveals his favorite times of the day – solitary mornings and joyful times with daughters aged five and two (plus a son in Heaven).

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 Episode 2 of What a Stranger Told Me, Jon meets Ben, a devoted father of two young girls, for a heartfelt street-side chat that radiates resilience and hope. This storytelling podcast uncovers raw stories from everyday people. Ben shares the quiet joy of early mornings before his daughters wake, a precious pause as a dad to kids with complex needs. His eldest, a brilliant five-year-old on the autism spectrum, faces a rare disability that heightens her fears, yet her cleverness and humor shine through. Ben beams with pride over her inspiring triumph—her first movie outing to see Sonic the Hedgehog, where she danced with joy despite sensory challenges, teaching him that courage unlocks happiness.

Ben’s three-year-old, a vibrant “joy bomb,” twirls in tutus and loves cats, bringing light to their home. Despite enduring the loss of a son and years of grief, Ben, a Christian, finds unshakeable hope in his faith. He embraces acceptance, celebrating his daughter’s profound wisdom at five: that facing fears leads to joy. This insight fuels Ben’s determination to stay present and find beauty in life’s challenges, inspiring those around him. His story reflects a powerful journey of love, resilience, and connection, showing how hope can thrive in adversity.

This episode of What a Stranger Told Me weaves themes of parenthood, hope, resilience, and human connection, offering a raw, uplifting glimpse into a stranger’s remarkable heart. It’s real, warm, and deeply inspiring, proving a chance chat can reveal profound truths. Join Jon to hear Ben’s story, a reminder that every stranger carries a tale worth hearing.

🎙️ 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

 

Next, Ben, a devoted Dad, reveals his favorite times of the day &ndash; solitary mornings and joyful times with daughters aged five and two (plus a son in Heaven).
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 Episode 2 of What a Stranger Told Me, Jon meets Ben, a devoted father of two young girls, for a heartfelt street-side chat that radiates resilience and hope. This storytelling podcast uncovers raw stories from everyday people. Ben shares the quiet joy of early mornings before his daughters wake, a precious pause as a dad to kids with complex needs. His eldest, a brilliant five-year-old on the autism spectrum, faces a rare disability that heightens her fears, yet her cleverness and humor shine through. Ben beams with pride over her inspiring triumph&mdash;her first movie outing to see Sonic the Hedgehog, where she danced with joy despite sensory challenges, teaching him that courage unlocks happiness.
Ben&rsquo;s three-year-old, a vibrant &ldquo;joy bomb,&rdquo; twirls in tutus and loves cats, bringing light to their home. Despite enduring the loss of a son and years of grief, Ben, a Christian, finds unshakeable hope in his faith. He embraces acceptance, celebrating his daughter&rsquo;s profound wisdom at five: that facing fears leads to joy. This insight fuels Ben&rsquo;s determination to stay present and find beauty in life&rsquo;s challenges, inspiring those around him. His story reflects a powerful journey of love, resilience, and connection, showing how hope can thrive in adversity.
This episode of What a Stranger Told Me weaves themes of parenthood, hope, resilience, and human connection, offering a raw, uplifting glimpse into a stranger&rsquo;s remarkable heart. It&rsquo;s real, warm, and deeply inspiring, proving a chance chat can reveal profound truths. Join Jon to hear Ben&rsquo;s story, a reminder that every stranger carries a tale worth hearing.
<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

Stranger stories inspire as Jon meets Ben, a father embracing hope and resilience through his daughters’ autism journey.  