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.

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

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