In Episode 20 of the What a Stranger Told Me podcast, Tim meets Simon – a retired lawyer who's traded courtroom chaos for Byron Bay's slow rhythms. This storytelling podcast uncovers honest moments from everyday lives. After 17 years as a cop and decades as a barrister, Simon moved to the coast in 2014 and never left. “Every day's my favourite,” he says with a grin. Retirement means mornings with nothing on the agenda and afternoons for rest – a far cry from his fast-paced past.

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.

Simon’s career was “accidental”. He left school at 15 for a labouring job, thinking it meant money, car, girl. Instead, he joined police cadets, excelled, and got pushed into prosecuting. Law school followed, leading to barrister life. “I enjoyed it, but I wish I'd done medicine,” he reflects, admiring expert witnesses in court. No regrets, though – it was his path.

Now 70-something (he looks younger), Simon fills days with slow breakfasts, town walks, organic salads at Fundies, coffee, and ocean swims. “I do nothing in the morning, rest in the afternoon,” he quips. From Cronulla's “same but not as nice” to Byron's laid-back vibe, it's the environment that hooked him. He swims most days, rolling arms over in the ocean group.

He’s philosophical about change: the world rushes, but he chooses slow. “Guilty sometimes – everyone's busy.” His voicemail? “Smile on my dial. Probably living the dream.” Abusive messages? He laughs them off.

This episode is about embracing slow after speed, no regrets, and finding joy in simple rhythms. Press play for a retired lawyer's wisdom – proof a chance chat can slow your own world down, too.

Chapters

• 00:00 – Laughing Blind Man at Gympie Muster
• 01:10 – The Day the Tinny Capsized
• 02:30 – Seven Freezing Hours Clinging to an Outboard Motor
• 04:20 – Waking Up Blind in Hospital
• 06:00 – From Depression to “You’re Getting a Guide Dog”
• 08:10 – First Embarrassing Cane Walks in Strange Suburbs
• 10:30 – How the Guide Dog Changed Everything
• 12:00 – Getting Happily Lost (and Found) at the Muster
• 13:20 – “I’m Having a Ball” – Final Beers and Wisdom

Key Learnings

1. Hypothermia + stress can accelerate sudden vision loss
2. The #1 rule when blind and lost: stop moving and ask for help
3. Guide dogs don’t just guide — they create instant community
4. Depression after sight loss is normal — action (cane → dog) beats despair
5. Living life blind can be louder and happier than living it sighted

🎙️ Want more, Stranger?

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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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