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Turning 50 as a Mum: Running Away from Home for Mental Health Breaks | Another Stranger Story

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Topics in this Episode

AS HEARD ON

Jon Coghill & Tim Reid 

Turning 50 as a mum can feel scary – birthdays hit hard, you feel old, but also stronger than ever. Meet this 49-year-old mum of three teenage boys who “runs away from home” for mental health walks and coffee breaks from the chaos. Her chat on turning 50 as a mum is raw, funny, and full of heart – hit play and feel the solidarity.
 
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 a Mum on a Mental Health Walk

Jon bumps into a mum after a funny bingo-lady mix-up. She’s heading for a walk with her girlfriend, then coffee with her sister. Turning 50 as a mum? She’s 49, feeling the age, but also empowered. This chat feels like talking to a friend.
 

The Emotional Side of Turning 50 as a Mum

Turning 50 as a mum scares her – it sounds so old, like you’re more than halfway through life. Birthdays are all over the place: happy one day, sad the next. But mentally, she feels stronger and more empowered.
 

Running Away from Home for Mental Health

She “runs away from home” for mental health breaks. Three teenage boys push her buttons and strain the marriage. Turning 50 as a mum? She needs time for herself – walks in greenery, pigeon sounds, food smells, people watching.
 

Family Chaos & Teenage Boys

Three teenage boys make life hectic. Turning 50 as a mum? She’s stressed, but her community care job suits her chaotic personality. She loves it, but these breaks are essential.
 

Dreaming of Fiji & Wrapping Up

Friend’s 50th in Fiji – surfing guys, partying girls, pontoon boat. Turning 50 as a mum? She’ll need breaks, but it’ll be fun. Her vibe? Warm, honest, relatable. This chat leaves you nodding along.
 

Chapters

00:00 – Intro and meeting the mum on her walk
00:46 – Turning 50 as a mum: scary but empowering
01:47 – Running away from home for mental health breaks
02:55 – Three teenage boys pushing marriage & sanity
04:10 – Community care job – hectic but perfect for her
05:58 – Fiji 50th dream – surfing, partying, pontoon
07:25 – Turning 50 as a mum: emotional birthdays – farewell
 

Key Moments

  1. Turning 50 as a mum: sounds old, more than halfway through life
  2. Running away from home for walks & coffee – mental health must
  3. Three teenage boys – pushing marriage to the edge
  4. Community care job: chaotic, hectic, right for her personality
  5. Fiji 50th: surfing guys, partying girls, pontoon boat
  6. Birthdays emotional – happy one day, not the next
  7. Turning 50 as a mum: scary but mentally empowered

 

Listen to the Full Conversation

Turning 50 as a mum – raw, funny, relatable. Her story is gold.Listen now on your favourite platform
 
 

 

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🤩  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 ...

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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

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