Today we catch up with a Sydney magician on day two of a two-week holiday—and he's feeling a little punchy. As always, the What Stranger Told Me podcast uncovers honest moments from everyday lives.

Twenty years making kids gasp with colouring books and vanishing silks, he’s traded the stage for Cable Beach sun. “Just chilling,” he says. No tricks, no reveals - just a break from the grind. He’s self-taught, family-focused, and quick to bristle at secret-spillers. “People want wonder, not how-to.” A recent flop sent him back to the drawing board, but he covered it smooth. “We’re human.”

Silly Billy is his hero; big illusions aren’t his game. Favourite moment? A child’s eyes when blank pages bloom colour. That’s the real magic.Annoyed? Maybe. But the gruff edges soften when he talks kids’ joy. “It’s about moments.” Holiday or not, the craft follows.

This episode of What a Stranger Told Me is about rest, craft, and the magic that won’t switch off. It’s warm, real, and full of heart—proof even an annoyed magician carries wonder. Join Tim to hear the story, a gentle reminder every stranger, grumpy or not, has a spark worth catching.

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Call us +61 489 272 286. You've got a whopping 10-minutes, so sit back, take a big breath and go for gold.

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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

Support the show: https://whatastrangertoldme.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today you'll meet Rhys in Episode 10 of What a Stranger Told Me - a 20-year-old qualified butcher who’s already lived a lifetime in boots and blades. This storytelling podcast uncovers honest moments from everyday lives.

Apprenticed at 16, he’s sharpened knives that shave hair, run bandsaws through hands, and tomorrow he’ll dress a cow from paddock to plate. “I love the whole side of it,” he says. Old-school butchers in their 40s and 50s took him under their wing—cruisy, no bullshit, just craft.Raised on AC/DC, Metallica, and Green Day, he traded city clubs for rodeo dust. “No drugs, no drama—just beers and bulls.”

He’s jumped on a mate’s cow drunk, got bucked into a tree, laughed it off. “Stupid, but fun.” One day he’ll open his own shop—small town, sharp knives, honest meat.Favourite time? Cruising the bush after dark, windows down, radio loud. No drink-driving, no fuss. “I’ve never understood the point.”

This episode of What a Stranger Told Me is about craft, courage, and staying real at 20. It’s warm, real, and full of heart—proof a quick chat can cut deep. Join Jon to hear Rhys’s story, a gentle reminder every stranger carries a trade worth hearing about.

🎙️ 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

Support the show: https://whatastrangertoldme.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's meet Emma—one of six siblings from a sprawling beef cattle clan, now bridging country roots with coastal life. The What a Stranger Told Me podcast uncovers honest moments from everyday lives.

Growing up, family stretched beyond blood: a tight-knit rural community where everyone leaned in. “We relied on each other.” With 18 cousins and a matriarch nan at the centre, gatherings were loud, constant, essential.When nan passed, an auntie took the reins—now yearly reunions rotate from Tassie to Condobolin, keeping the bond alive. “We’re so lucky.”

Emma spends hours each week on the phone, nurturing ties across generations. Her 14-year-old niece gets gentle nudges away from screens: “Comparison steals joy—live your own life.”Coast living for nine years hasn’t faded the country pull. She helps friend Kristen grow Cowgirl Surf Club (sparked by a viral horse-surfing clip), blending rodeo grit with beach vibes. Fashion work beckons internationally—big travel ahead—but asked to choose? “Country, every time. The space, the realness, the air."

Favourite time? Red wine, country vinyl, family stories flowing. City crowds post more than they talk; out west, conversations run deep, even when service drops.

This episode of What a Stranger Told Me is about legacy, closeness, and the family you choose. It’s warm, real, and full of heart—proof a quick chat can open a whole world of love. Join Tim to hear Emma’s story, a gentle reminder of the importance of family - no matter the size.

🎙️ 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

Support the show: https://whatastrangertoldme.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 9 of What a Stranger Told Me, Jon pulls up a chair with Lucy and Eliza—two young women whose cowgirl roots run deep, even in the suburbs. This storytelling podcast uncovers honest moments from everyday lives.

Raised on cattle properties across Queensland and New South Wales, they grew up mustering, riding, and breathing wide-open spaces. “It’s not the hat,” they say. “It’s in your blood.”

Now one’s heading to boarding school in Toowoomba, surrounded by country girls just like her. The other’s studying animal care, dreaming of a future in equine vet nursing. But the farm never left them. They ride Western and English—barrel racing, show jumping, gently retraining a mare who once threw everyone off. “Trust takes years,” Lucy shares. “You feel it, the horse feels it.” She’s aiming for nationals after a tough season with hoof issues. Eliza’s stepping into competitive barrel racing this year—three barrels, tight turns, full gallop home.

Motorbikes are part of the mix too, with the twins (one boyfriend, one brother) keeping the country spirit alive on acreage. Tonight? A rare city night out—boots, laughs, maybe a little boot-scooting. Longreach was the plan, but this works just fine.

This episode of What a Stranger Told Me is about belonging, quiet confidence, and the pull of where you’re from. It’s warm, real, and full of heart—proof a quick chat can feel like coming home. Join Jon to hear their story, a gentle reminder every stranger has roots worth knowing.

🎙️ 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

Support the show: https://whatastrangertoldme.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time to meet a tattooed tough guy who retired wealthy at 36 after turning a tiny disability care business into a burgoning empire. This storytelling podcast captures raw stories from everyday people.

From housing trust violence—drug-addict parents, 11 schools, out of high school by year nine—he dodged jail and chose hustle. With ADHD as fuel, he bought the landlord’s building over coffee, stacked debt, and hit NDIS gold. Now 50 clients live like kings: Thai chefs, 20+ staff, full-time care.Neighbours see ink and no 9-to-5, whisper “drug dealer.” He shrugs: “I retired at 36—judge that.”

Eight near-deaths—800hp Skyline crash, stabbed at 19, electrocuted—sharpened instinct: trust your gut. From fire engineer to Fortune 500 manager, he showed rough kids another path. “If I can do it, anyone can.”Favourite time? Wrenching on his 1968 HK Premier—6.3L, 2600 supercharger, 800hp target. Roll racing with mates, gunning for Summernats. “Do your best—good things come.”

This episode of What a Stranger Told Me weaves themes of grit, wealth, instinct, and human triumph, delivering a raw, roaring ride. It’s real, relentless, and inspiring, proving a chance chat can rev an empire.

Join Jon to hear the story, a reminder every stranger carries horsepower worth unleashing.

🎙️ 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

Support the show: https://whatastrangertoldme.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 7 (Part 2) of What a Stranger Told Me, Jon's chat with the humanitarian filmmaker plunges deeper into fear, trauma, and triumph. This storytelling podcast captures raw stories from everyday people.

Six years after crawling through a 50-metre tunnel in Haiti’s earthquake rubble—sawing rebar beside a dead body, headlamp smashed, guided only by camera flashes—PTSD hit him mid-run in the Solomon Islands. Streams of tears, flash images of death. “I realised I needed to back off.”He’d chased fear on purpose: machete crowds in PNG, child soldiers in Uganda, cholera zones. Each crisis a shield against marriage grief.

But Haiti broke through—flies pouring from a hole, a husband hunting his wife’s blue-tiled bathroom, a lone worker sawing for weeks. “His mind split.” The filmmaker vanished into a tent, staring at walls. Now 60, he’s opted for beach suburbia with the love of his life and an 80KG Caucasian Shepherd—his new extreme. “I need big challenges.”

Suburbia shocks: loud music, rudeness, judgment. “Every man for himself.” Yet he’s happy—building on love, not adrenaline.This episode of What a Stranger Told Me weaves themes of fear, healing, love, and human extremes, delivering a raw, riveting finale. It’s real, haunting, and uplifting—proof a stranger’s tunnel can lead to light. Join Jon for Part 2 (this concludes the story).

🎙️ 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

Support the show: https://whatastrangertoldme.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Support the show: https://whatastrangertoldme.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Support the show: https://whatastrangertoldme.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.