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Dad finds hope in his daughter’s autism journey – Real Stories from Strangers

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Topics in this Episode

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Jon Coghill & Tim Reid 

Imagine parenting children with autism and hearing your five-year-old say, “If I want a life of joy and happiness, it’ll look like learning to face my fears.” Meet Ben, dad of two little girls with complex needs, who took his autistic daughter to the cinema for the first time – and watched her dance out afterwards. His chat on parenting children with autism is warm, honest, and full of light – hit play and feel the hope.
 
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 Ben Before His Friend Arrives

Jon bumps into Ben just before his friend shows up. Ben is dad to two little girls with complex needs. One is a 5-year-old with autism. The other is a 2-year-old with hearing loss. Parenting children with autism is his world, and he’s all heart.
 

The Early Morning Peace & Bedtime Cuddles

His favourite times come early. Before anyone wakes, he gets a quiet moment to himself. Then, when he walks in from work, the girls run for big cuddles and playtime. Parenting children with autism makes those seconds feel perfect.
 

Taking His Autistic Daughter to the Movies

The big win happened recently. They took his 5-year-old to see Inside Out 2. Sensory overload is huge for her. Loud sounds and dark rooms feel scary. Yet they prepared her for weeks. She walked out dancing, beaming, and proud. Parenting children with autism taught her that joy comes after facing fear.
 

The 5-Year-Old’s Profound Lesson

After the movie she said something amazing. “If I want a life of joy and happiness, I think it’ll look like learning to face my fears.” Parenting children with autism gave a 5-year-old wisdom most adults never find.
 

Finding Hope in the Small Things

They celebrate everything. Tiny wins become massive. For example, parenting children with autism means looking for beauty wherever it hides. It also means staying grateful for plenty. Ben learns as much from his girls as they learn from him.
 

Ben’s Vibe & Wrapping Up

Ben’s energy feels calm, loving, and inspiring. Parenting children with autism isn’t easy. Still, it’s full of light. This chat leaves you smiling at the power of small victories.
 

Chapters

00:00 – Intro and meeting Ben before his friend arrives
00:56 – Dad of two girls with complex needs – autism & hearing loss
01:50 – Favourite times: early morning peace & bedtime cuddles
03:20 – Taking autistic daughter to Inside Out 2 – huge sensory win
04:45 – 5-year-old’s wisdom: joy lives after facing fear
05:58 – Celebrating everything, finding hope in small things
07:46 – Farewell and episode close
 

Key Moments

  1. Parenting children with autism – 5-year-old & 2-year-old with hearing loss
  2. Early morning quiet & big bedtime cuddles
  3. Took autistic daughter to cinema – walked out dancing
  4. 5-year-old lesson: “joy comes after facing fear”
  5. Celebrate every tiny win – it’s everything
  6. Finding hope and gratitude in the chaos
  7. Parenting children with autism teaches dad as much as kids
 

Listen to the Full Conversation

Parenting children with autism – raw, hopeful, beautiful. Ben’s 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
Photography by Will Reid & Andy McColl

Be on the Podcast
+61 489 272 286

"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.
"Alex's phoenix rise from burnout moment and Jackie's sweet post-surgery glow—pure inspiration! What a wonderful podcast, so right for its time."
Sophia M.
“Loved this episode. Who’d have thought you’d go lolly shopping after weight loss surgery! Go girl!”
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."
Isla F.
“This podcast makes me feel normal. Magic for my daily grind.”
Terry M.
"Caught Ep 5 mid-shift break, and the train driver's near-miss chills stuck with me all night—raw stuff. Then that smoker's no-BS relapse chat? Been there. Tim and Jon make you feel seen, like chatting with a mate over brekkie."
Marcus L.
“Hugh has got me thinking that anything is possible. Thanks guys for a great podcast. I’ve subscribed.”
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.

“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.

“Alex’s phoenix rise from burnout moment and Jackie’s sweet post-surgery glow—pure inspiration! What a wonderful podcast, so right for its time.”

Sophia M.

“Loved this episode. Who’d have thought you’d go lolly shopping after weight loss surgery! Go girl!”

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.”

Isla F.

“This podcast makes me feel normal. Magic for my daily grind.” Terry M.

“Caught Ep 5 mid-shift break, and the train driver’s near-miss chills stuck with me all night—raw stuff. Then that smoker’s no-BS relapse chat? Been there. Tim and Jon make you feel seen, like chatting with a mate over brekkie.”

Marcus L.

“Hugh has got me thinking that anything is possible. Thanks guys for a great podcast. I’ve subscribed.”

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.

Lovin' it? Then Here's More Strangeness ...

how to be yourself – goth teen artist draws dying butterfly in street chat
parenting children with autism – dad shares movie fear win in street chat
turning 50 as a mum – shares mental health breaks in street chat
how to rebuild your life – young waiter shares 3-week philosophy turnaround in street chat
female weight loss surgery story – Jackie shares 40kg down lolly hunt in street chat
homeless grandfather story – Paul plans grandson’s Bluey’s World birthday while living in his car

Be on the Podcast
+61 489 272 286

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