In Episode 7 (Part 1) of What a Stranger Told Me, Jon meets a former humanitarian filmmaker who's dodged so many 'bullets' that he's now enjoying a well-earned sea change. This storytelling podcast captures raw stories from everyday people. 

Once a San Francisco commercial photographer, heartbreak launched him into the world’s toughest corners—earthquakes in Haiti, child soldiers in Uganda, cholera in PNG. He freelanced for NGOs, filming crises to spark donations and volunteers.One standout: transforming a destitute Vietnamese village into a tourist hub.

A weeping elder gave him a ring; a year later, the same man lifted him in joy. “You changed our lives forever.” From PNG’s machete-waving crowds (where he talked his way out by appealing to an elder) to riot zones, he used danger to heal personal grief. “I put myself in the most fucked-up places to keep my mind from ruin.”Now grounded with a giant dog, he keeps his old website live—a nostalgic anchor to the man who once flew into chaos.

Favourite time of the week? Walking his “horse-dog” in the shade, reflecting on lives saved and lessons learned.This episode of What a Stranger Told Me weaves themes of healing, impact, adventure, and human connection, offering a gripping glimpse into a stranger’s epic heart. It’s real, raw, and inspiring—Part 2 continues next.

 

🎙️ 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 7 (Part 1) of What a Stranger Told Me, Jon meets a former humanitarian filmmaker who's dodged so many 'bullets' that he's now enjoying a well-earned sea change. This storytelling podcast captures raw stories from everyday people.&nbsp;
Once a San Francisco commercial photographer, heartbreak launched him into the world&rsquo;s toughest corners&mdash;earthquakes in Haiti, child soldiers in Uganda, cholera in PNG. He freelanced for NGOs, filming crises to spark donations and volunteers.One standout: transforming a destitute Vietnamese village into a tourist hub.
A weeping elder gave him a ring; a year later, the same man lifted him in joy. &ldquo;You changed our lives forever.&rdquo; From PNG&rsquo;s machete-waving crowds (where he talked his way out by appealing to an elder) to riot zones, he used danger to heal personal grief. &ldquo;I put myself in the most fucked-up places to keep my mind from ruin.&rdquo;Now grounded with a giant dog, he keeps his old website live&mdash;a nostalgic anchor to the man who once flew into chaos.
Favourite time of the week? Walking his &ldquo;horse-dog&rdquo; in the shade, reflecting on lives saved and lessons learned.This episode of What a Stranger Told Me weaves themes of healing, impact, adventure, and human connection, offering a gripping glimpse into a stranger&rsquo;s epic heart. It&rsquo;s real, raw, and inspiring&mdash;Part 2 continues next.
&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

Join Jon as he meets a former humanitarian filmmaker who's dodged so many 'bullets' that he's now enjoying a well-earned sea change.