Jon Coghill & Tim Reid
“The name of the game was to get out alive.” Meet the humanitarian crises photojournalist who faced a hostile crowd in Papua New Guinea, defused it with intuition, and walked away with his life. His raw story from the frontlines – Haiti earthquakes, Uganda child soldiers, Vietnam poverty projects – is gripping, humble, and full of survival wisdom. Hit play for part 1; you’ll be hooked.
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.
Episode Summary
Meeting the Photojournalist & His Giant Dog
Jon spots a man with a massive Caucasian Shepherd – “giant of the giants”. Turns out he’s a former humanitarian crises photojournalist. Travelled the world documenting disasters: Haiti earthquake, Uganda child soldiers, Vietnam ecotourism, Papua New Guinea riots. One rule: keep perspective.
From Corporate to Humanitarian Crises Frontlines
He left a good job to chase meaning. First solo assignment: map an impoverished Vietnam region for poverty reduction. Village elder wept, gave him a ring. Within a year, tourism transformed lives. Humanitarian crises photojournalist work is diverse – earthquakes, riots, child soldiers.
The Papua New Guinea Hostile Crowd
In PNG, a crowd turns nasty over payment. Translator panics: “We’re fucked.” Humanitarian crises photojournalist spots an elder on the edge. Beelines to him, explains he’s helping locals. Elder gives thumbs up – crowd disperses, waves goodbye. Intuition saved the day.
How Intuition Saves Lives in Humanitarian Crises
No training for that moment. Humanitarian crises photojournalist relies on reading people, culture. Elder respect is key in PNG. One wrong move and it’s over. “The name of the game was to get out alive.”
From Danger to Giant Dog Dad
Now in Australia with his huge dog – no more crises. Keeps website up for nostalgia. Humanitarian crises photojournalist who saw the worst, chose life, and never lost humility.
Wrapping Up Part 1
This humanitarian crises photojournalist’s stories are just starting. Part 1 ends on a cliffhanger – more survival tales coming.
Time-Coded Chapters
00:00 – Intro and meeting the photojournalist with giant dog
00:35 – Website nostalgia – humanitarian crises around the world
01:08 – Vietnam poverty project: elder’s ring, tourism transformation
02:50 – Papua New Guinea hostile crowd – translator says “we’re fucked”
04:00 – Intuition saves the day: beeline to elder for thumbs up
05:30 – “The name of the game was to get out alive” – farewell part 1
00:35 – Website nostalgia – humanitarian crises around the world
01:08 – Vietnam poverty project: elder’s ring, tourism transformation
02:50 – Papua New Guinea hostile crowd – translator says “we’re fucked”
04:00 – Intuition saves the day: beeline to elder for thumbs up
05:30 – “The name of the game was to get out alive” – farewell part 1
Key Moments
- Giant Caucasian Shepherd – “giant of the giants”
- Humanitarian crises photojournalist: Haiti, Uganda, Vietnam, PNG
- Vietnam elder wept, gave ring – poverty to tourism in a year
- PNG crowd turns nasty – translator: “we’re fucked”
- Beelines to elder – thumbs up disperses angry mob
- “The name of the game was to get out alive”
- Keeps website for perspective – never forget who he was
Listen to the Full Conversation
Humanitarian crises photojournalist survives hostile crowd with intuition. Part 1 of a gripping story.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
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