What a Stranger Told Me cover art

What a Stranger Told Me

What a Stranger Told Me

By: Tim Reid & Jon Coghill
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About this listen

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

 Personal Development Personal Success Social Sciences
Episodes
  • She Perved First – Then He Declared “We’re Gettin’ Married” | A Romantic Stranger Story

    She Perved First – Then He Declared “We’re Gettin’ Married” | A Romantic Stranger Story
    Dec 25 2025

    Meeting the girl of your dreams started with mutual perving and a bold “We’re gettin’ married”. Sammy’s cheeky love story – nail gun accident, Valentine's magic, young romance – is funny, sweet, and full of butterflies. Hit play and feel the spark.

    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 (and sometimes a little further), microphone in hand, chatting to strangers.

    It's conversations... with everyday people.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    Meeting Sammy Before His Friend Arrives

    Jon bumps into Sammy just before his mate shows up. Sammy’s a young bloke with a big grin. She perved first – then he perved back. First words? “We’re gettin’ married.” Romantic stranger story starts here.

    Meeting the Girl of Your Dreams – The Cheeky Start

    She perved on him first. Then he perved back. Opening line: “We’re gettin’ married.” Sammy doesn’t believe in marriage – but for her, he’d do it. Romantic stranger story with no filter.

    The Nail Gun Accident

    Worst moment? Shot himself with a nail gun. Romantic stranger story takes a wild turn – but Sammy laughs it off. Life’s too short for regrets.

    Valentine's Day Magic

    It’s Valentine’s Day – not just Friday. They practice every night. Three-can bike ride to dinner? Romantic as hell. Romantic stranger story full of young love energy.

    Sammy’s Vibe & Wrapping Up

    Sammy’s energy? Cheeky, loving, no filter. Romantic stranger story that turns perving into forever talk. This chat leaves you smiling at bold love.

    Chapters

    00:00 – Intro and meeting Sammy
    00:56 – She perved first – then “We’re gettin’ married”
    01:50 – Doesn’t believe in marriage – but for her, yes
    03:20 – Nail gun accident – worst moment
    04:45 – Valentine’s Day magic & three-can bike ride
    05:58 – Practice every night – young love energy
    07:46 – Farewell and episode close

    Key Moments

    • She perved first – then he perved back
    • First line: “We’re gettin’ married”
    • Doesn’t believe in marriage – but for her, he’d do it
    • Shot himself with nail gun – laughs it off
    • Valentine’s Day – “not just Friday”
    • Three-can bike ride to dinner – romantic as hell
    • Practice every night – pure young love

    Listen to the Full Conversation

    She perved first – then “We’re gettin’ married”. Sammy’s romantic stranger story is gold. Listen now on your favourite platform.

    🎙️ 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

    #MeetingTheGirlOfYourDreams #YoungLoveStory #ValentinesMagic #NailGunAccident #PervingFirst #RomanticStrangerStory #FirstMeetingGirlfriend #CheekyLoveStory #WhataStrangerToldMe #StrangerStories #StorytellingPodcast #TimReid #JonCoghill #AustralianPodcast #ABCconversations

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

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    9 mins
  • Cantankerous Bloke Speaks His Mind (Then Some) – A Strangely Blunt Chat

    Cantankerous Bloke Speaks His Mind (Then Some) – A Strangely Blunt Chat
    Dec 22 2025
    Picture a cantankerous bloke who speaks his mind about everything from new bridges to staying active after 70 – he did Everest Base Camp at 69, plans Annapurna at 71, and doesn't let bad knees stop him. Meet an ex-South African Aussie granddad with a no-bullshit vibe and big goals. This bluntly strange chat is funny, inspiring, and full of fire – hit play and get motivated. 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 (and sometimes a little further), microphone in hand, chatting to strangers. It's conversations... with everyday people. EPISODE SUMMARY Meeting the Cantankerous Bloke on a Walk Jon bumps into Brian enjoying the sun at South Bank. Brian’s from Harvey Bay, here for family. He’s 71, ex-South African, 46 years in Australia. Cantankerous bloke with a fascination for bridges and how things evolve. The New Bridge & Architecture Rant He loves the new bridge – but really any bridge. Cantankerous bloke speaks his mind on how Brisbane has changed. Ex-South African, he’s seen Australia grow. No holding back. Everest Base Camp at 69 He did Everest Base Camp at 69 – knees shot, but made it. Cantankerous bloke who doesn’t let age win. Now planning Annapurna in 10 months with his son. Goals keep him going. Bikes, Walks & Staying Active Normally rides 50km a day. Today? Walking bridges for fun. Wife looks after grandkids, he escapes for peace. Cantankerous bloke who stays active after 70 – mentally and physically. From South Africa to Aussie Life Left South Africa young. Loves Brisbane's evolution. Cantankerous bloke who speaks his mind on gratitude – beautiful views, family, freedom. He’s not slowing down. Brian’s Vibe & Wrapping Up Brian’s energy? Warm, determined, inspiring. Cantankerous bloke who speaks his mind (then some). This bluntly strange chat leaves you ready to set your own goals. Chapters 00:00 – Intro and meeting Brian on his walk00:48 – 71, ex-South African, Harvey Bay local01:27 – New bridge fascination – how Brisbane evolved03:30 – Everest Base Camp at 69 – knees shot but made it05:15 – Planning Annapurna with son in 10 months07:42 – Normally rides 50km a day – walks bridges for joy08:20 – Wife with grandkids, he escapes for peace – farewell Key Moments Cantankerous bloke speaks his mindEverest Base Camp at 69 – knees shot but no excusesPlanning Annapurna at 71 – goals keep him youngNormally rides 50km a day – loves new spotsWife looks after grandkids – he gets peaceEx-South African, 46 years in Australia – gratefulCantankerous bloke who speaks his mind (then some) Listen to the Full Conversation Cantankerous bloke speaks his mind (then some) – Everest, Annapurna, no slowing down. Gold. Listen now on your favourite platform 🎙️ 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 CoghillMusic Supervision by Dennis Feletto #CantankerousBloke, #EverestAt69, #AnnapurnaPlans, #StayingActiveAfter70, #SeniorAdventure, #WhataStrangerToldMe, #StrangerStories, #StorytellingPodcast, #TimReid, #JonCoghill, #AustralianPodcast, #ABCconversationsSupport the show: https://whatastrangertoldme.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    9 mins
  • Willy The Busker Spreads Happiness Like It’s His Full-Time Job | A Strangely Joyful Chat

    Willy The Busker Spreads Happiness Like It’s His Full-Time Job | A Strangely Joyful Chat
    Dec 18 2025
    Willy the busker spreads happiness like it’s his full-time job – because for him, it basically is. One minute he’s blasting Latin beats in Pitt Street Mall, the next he’s healing sick strangers in Chile and Israel with energy work, then finishing with an Elvis duet that turns strangers into mates. This busker life story is pure sunshine – hit play and let the joy take over. 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 (and sometimes a little further), microphone in hand, chatting to strangers. It's conversations... with everyday people. EPISODE SUMMARY Meeting Willy the Busker in Pitt Street Mall Tim spots Willy busking with a huge smile. He’s Guillermo from Chile, but everyone calls him Willy. He used to carry heavy keyboards for his Latin band Calibú in Canberra. Three years ago he went solo with backing tracks. Now he spreads happiness every day. From Band to Solo Busker Spreading Happiness Carrying gear got too hard as the band aged. So Willy wanted freedom. Now he travels light and plays Latin beats. Money is nice, but smiles matter more. For him, busker life stories are all about making people happy. Healing People Across the World Willy is also a JP and celebrant. One day a sick man in Chile asked for help. Willy used energy work. The man got better. Then an Israeli war pilot contacted him. Same story. Busker life stories sometimes include miracles. The Elvis Moment Willy ends every set with Elvis. Jon joins in for a verse of “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. Two strangers, one mic, pure magic. Busker life stories at their best. Willy’s Vibe & Wrapping Up Willy’s energy is warm and kind. He has zero ego. Busker life stories that heal and connect. This chat leaves you smiling from ear to ear. Chapters 00:00 – Intro and meeting Willy busking in Pitt Street Mall00:49 – From Latin band Calibú to solo busker life stories02:30 – Money is nice, smiles are better04:15 – Healing a Chilean man and Israeli war pilot06:40 – JP and celebrant side hustle08:14 – Spontaneous Elvis duet – farewell Key Moments Used to haul keyboards for Latin band – now solo and freeWilly the busker spreads happiness like it’s his full-time jobHealed a very sick Chilean man with energy workIsraeli war pilot contacted him – same healing storyJP and celebrant – adapts to help people everywhereSpontaneous Elvis duet with Jon – pure joyHappiest guy in Pitt Street Mall Listen to the Full Conversation Willy the busker spreads happiness like it’s his full-time job – Latin beats, healing miracles, Elvis duet. Pure gold. Listen now on your favourite platform 🎙️ 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 CoghillMusic Supervision by Dennis Feletto #BuskerMakingPeopleHappy #LatinBusker #StreetMusician #HealingEnergy #ElvisDuet #PittStreetMall #BuskingLife #HappinessDealer #LatinMusic #WhataStrangerToldMe #StrangerStories #StorytellingPodcast #TimReid #JonCoghill #AustralianPodcast #ABCconversationsSupport the show: https://whatastrangertoldme.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    13 mins
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