Being Yourself When People Stare & Judge | A Courageous Stranger Story

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Jon Coghill & Tim Reid 

How to be yourself when people stare and judge? That’s exactly what this goth teen artist does every day. She rescued a dying butterfly from a bus floor, drew it, and turned judgment into art. This chat on how to be yourself is raw, funny, and full of courage – hit play and feel the freedom.
 
Personal stories of love, resilience & daring unfold in this loveable podcast, as story-collectors Tim Reid & Jon Coghill wander the streets of Australia chatting to strangers. 
 
It’s conversations… with everyday people.
 

Episode Summary

Meeting Ashton the Goth Teen Artist

Tim stops Ashton while she’s drawing in the park. She’s just rescued a dead butterfly from a bus floor – trampled, but still beautiful to her. Being yourself when people stare & judge? That’s her daily reality.
 

How to Be Yourself When People Stare & Judge

Ashton picked up the dying butterfly, took it home, and drew it. Being yourself when people stare & judge means seeing beauty where others see nothing. She turns small, strange moments into something meaningful.
 

Fashion, Judgment & Staying True

She loves bold goth fashion. Friends judged at first – now they love it. Being yourself when people stare & judge? Keep showing up. Her style desensitised them. The world won’t change if you hide.
 

Being Yourself When People Stare – The Real Talk

People stare on the street. Ashton doesn’t care. Being yourself when people stare & judge is simple: own it. She’d rather be out there than pretend. Kindness and confidence beat judgment every time.
 

Family Chips, Milkshakes & Jet Skis

Plans for the day? Chips, milkshakes, and jet skis with mum and sister. Being yourself when people stare & judge doesn’t stop the fun – it makes it better.
 

Ashton’s Vibe & Wrapping Up

Ashton’s energy? Creative, kind, fearless. Being yourself when people stare & judge is her superpower. This chat leaves you ready to wear whatever the hell you want.
 

Chapters

00:00 – Intro and rejections before Ashton
00:56 – Meeting the goth teen artist
01:19 – Dead butterfly rescued from bus floor
02:55 – Fashion judgment from friends – now they love it
05:32 – Being yourself when people stare & judge
08:14 – World won’t change if you hide
09:46 – Chips, milkshakes, jet skis with family – farewell
 

Key Moments

  1. Rescued dying butterfly from bus – turned it into art
  2. Bold goth fashion – friends judged, now love it
  3. Being yourself when people stare & judge – own it
  4. “The world isn’t going to change if you’re just hiding”
  5. Desensitised friends to her style – change starts with you
  6. People stare on the street – she doesn’t care
  7. Chips, milkshakes & jet skis with mum and sister

 

Listen to the Full Conversation

Being yourself when people stare & judge – goth teen’s dead butterfly art. Pure courage.Listen now on your favourite platform
 
 

 

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

“Loved Ashton’s butterfly story and Ben’s heartfelt dad wisdom—raw and real human chat. Thanks Tim & Jon.”

Emma L.

“Episode 1 hooked me with Ashton’s quirky animal collection and punk-goth courage, then Ben’s faith-fueled hope amid grief hit deep. The mom’s perimenopause honesty? Relatable gold. Tim and Jon nail that non-judgy vibe—must-listen for story lovers.”

Amelio S.

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Steph L.

“Mind-blowing tales from PNG riots to Vietnam village magic. Makes me want to get out and adventure.”

Liam K.

“Episode 3’s humanitarian deep dive gripped me. That PNG mob standoff diffused by an elder, Haiti’s earthquake horrors, and the Dalai Lama unification pitch? Epic. Tim and Jon let the storyteller shine—perfect for anyone craving real-world grit and hope.”

Olivia S.

“That rodeo dad’s comeback story had me cheering—tough love and big heart all in one ep!”

Tyler B.

“Stumbled on ep 4 during a road trip, and wow—the entrepreneur’s escape from a life of crime to building a care empire was amazing, while the cowgirls’ dirt-bike dreams took me back to farm summers. Tim and Jon keep it real, no fluff. Instant subscribe.”

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Marcus L.

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Will O.

“Ep 6 snuck up on me during a late-night scroll— the train driver’s cab solitude stories had me nodding along like I was riding shotgun, and Hugh opening up on stutter strategies? Empowering as hell. Tim and Jon, you guys turn market strolls into soul food.”

Felix A.

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