In Episode 6 of What a Stranger Told Me, Tim meets Paul, an excavator operator who lives in his car, and has a warm heart and a ready smile, as he prepares for a day out with his granddaughter and Bluey! This storytelling podcast captures raw stories from everyday people.

Living in his Holden Astra for years, Paul follows the work—from Debra to Port Macquarie—cooking on park benches, showering at Southbank, and charging his phone over a Starbucks coffee. He dreads the lonely nights curled on a mattress in the back, but daylight brings relief: walking among people, watching lives unfold, feeling less alone.

A family breakup pushed him here, but Paul keeps moving forward. He’s saving for a business, chasing better pay, and lighting up for his grandkids’ visit to Bluey’s World. His stepdaughter (23) and grandson (3) are driving up; his own son stays distant. Nature, self-healing, and random yarns with strangers keep him steady.

He once sat all night with a drunk, angry man by the river—just to listen. “Everyone’s got a story,” he says.Favourite time? Wandering Southbank, nodding at strangers, soaking in the bustle. Paul’s positivity shines: “Two steps forward, one back—then three forward.” He knows loneliness, but chooses connection every day.

This episode of What a Stranger Told Me weaves themes of resilience, connection, simplicity, and human kindness, offering a warm glimpse into a stranger’s big heart. It’s real, raw, and uplifting, proving a chance chat—and a park-bench coffee—can light up a life. Join Tim to hear Paul’s story, a reminder every stranger carries a spark worth sharing.

 

🎙️ 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

In Episode 6 of What a Stranger Told Me, Tim meets Paul, an excavator operator who lives in his car, and has a warm heart and a ready smile, as he prepares for a day out with his granddaughter and Bluey! This storytelling podcast captures raw stories from everyday people.
Living in his Holden Astra for years, Paul follows the work&mdash;from Debra to Port Macquarie&mdash;cooking on park benches, showering at Southbank, and charging his phone over a Starbucks coffee. He dreads the lonely nights curled on a mattress in the back, but daylight brings relief: walking among people, watching lives unfold, feeling less alone.
A family breakup pushed him here, but Paul keeps moving forward. He&rsquo;s saving for a business, chasing better pay, and lighting up for his grandkids&rsquo; visit to Bluey&rsquo;s World. His stepdaughter (23) and grandson (3) are driving up; his own son stays distant. Nature, self-healing, and random yarns with strangers keep him steady.
He once sat all night with a drunk, angry man by the river&mdash;just to listen. &ldquo;Everyone&rsquo;s got a story,&rdquo; he says.Favourite time? Wandering Southbank, nodding at strangers, soaking in the bustle. Paul&rsquo;s positivity shines: &ldquo;Two steps forward, one back&mdash;then three forward.&rdquo; He knows loneliness, but chooses connection every day.
This episode of What a Stranger Told Me weaves themes of resilience, connection, simplicity, and human kindness, offering a warm glimpse into a stranger&rsquo;s big heart. It&rsquo;s real, raw, and uplifting, proving a chance chat&mdash;and a park-bench coffee&mdash;can light up a life. Join Tim to hear Paul&rsquo;s story, a reminder every stranger carries a spark worth sharing.
&nbsp;
🎙️&nbsp;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

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

Meet Paul, a grandfather who lives in his car and is taking time out to celebareate his grand daughters birthday at the Bluey exhibition.