Strangers on a Bench - podcast cover

Strangers on a Bench

Tom Rosenthalshows.acast.com
Have you ever walked past a mysterious stranger on a park bench and wondered about their lives? Tom Rosenthal (singer-songwriter by trade) has spent the last 6 months walking the many parks of London, approaching random bench-dwellers and asking if he can sit next to them and record their conversation. Every stranger remains anonymous, neither name or place of work is ever revealed (even to Tom himself), leading to greater openness, intimacy, and surprising revelations from the participants. 

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Episodes

EPISODE 43: The Definition of a Mystery

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song: 'Certain Uncertainty' by Richard Walters Stream it here: https://ffm.to/uncertaincertainty Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist: https://ff...

Jul 07, 202548 min

EPISODE 42: If Only You Knew

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'For a Mother' by Natalie Wildgoose Stream it here : https://ffm.to/foramother Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabe...

Jun 30, 202536 min

EPISODE 41: A Common Humanity

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Read it Back Aloud' by Roo Panes Stream it here : https://ffm.to/readitbackaloud Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/so...

Jun 23, 202555 min

EPISODE 40: A Seal Called Noon

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song: 'A Seal Called Noon' by Alice Boyd Stream it here: https://ffm.to/asealcallednoon Listen to all end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist: https://ffm.to/soabends...

Jun 16, 202546 min

EPISODE 39: The Runaway

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Disappear' by Lisa Hannigan Stream it here : https://ffm.to/disappear-soab Listen to all end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs...

Jun 09, 202527 min

EPISODE 38: Casinos, Cheating, and Chamomile

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited and mixed by Eloise Whitmore Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song: 'Might Go Outside' by Seb Lowe Stream it here: https://ffm.to/mightgooutside Listen to all end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ——————————————...

Jun 02, 202542 min

EPISODE 37: Pain Softens Your Heart

**Content warning : contains description of violent abuse** Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End music: 'My Friend Robin' by Edward Cross Stream it here: https://ffm.to/myfriendrobin Listen to all end songs featured on the podca...

May 26, 202535 min

EPISODE 36: Why Was She Calling Me?

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song: 'Probably Nothing' by Luke Sital-Singh Stream it here: https://ffm.to/probablynothing Listen to all end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soa...

May 19, 202527 min

EPISODE 35: Vulnerability Is a Bridge

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song: 'Sculptor' by Tamzene Stream it here: https://ffm.to/sculptor-soab Listen to all end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ---------...

May 12, 202539 min

EPISODE 34: Living on Borrowed Time

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song: 'My Father Never Told Me He Loved Me' by Michael McGovern Stream it here: https://ffm.to/myfathernevertoldmehelovedme Listen to all end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one han...

May 05, 202539 min

EPISODE 33: Follow The Blood

**Content warning : Injury detail** Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song: 'Follow The Blood' by Georgia Ruth Stream it here: https://ffm.to/followtheblood Listen to all end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one hand...

Apr 28, 202540 min

EPISODE 32: Becoming a Superhero

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited and mixed by Eloise Whitmore Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song: 'There Are Many Ways To Say I Love You' by Edgar Hurley Stream it here: https://ffm.to/therearemanywaystosayiloveyou Listen to all end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : ht...

Apr 21, 202537 min

EPISODE 31: I Never Cherished Myself

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song: 'Where Goodbye Begins' by Flo Perlin Stream it here: https://ffm.to/wheregoodbyebegins Listen to all end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/so...

Apr 14, 202533 min

EPISODE 30: He Thinks He's Guru Nanak

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song: 'Coloured Glasses' by Uwade Stream it here: https://ffm.to/colouredglasses Listen to all end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs —...

Apr 07, 202536 min

EPISODE 29: Mushrooms, Mothers, and Dark Hours

**Content warning : this episode discusses self-harm** Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song: 'Losing You' by Fauzia Stream it here: https://ffm.to/losingyou-soab Listen to all end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on o...

Mar 31, 202535 min

EPISODE 28: A Dancer's Mind

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song: 'A Dancer's Mind' by Birdy Stream it here: https://ffm.to/adancersmind Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs —...

Mar 24, 202529 min

EPISODE 27: Lunch Break Loving

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song: 2 > 1 by Will Joseph Cook Stream here: https://ffm.to/2greaterthan1 Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs —...

Mar 17, 202532 min

EPISODE 26: £5 Bread and Concussion

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song: £5 Bread by Lily Lyons Stream it here: https://ffm.to/fivepoundbread Listen to all end the songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———...

Mar 10, 202533 min

EPISODE 25: The Teacher Will Appear

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited & mixed by Eloise Whitmore Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'The Teacher Will Appear' by Danny Casio Stream it here : https://ffm.to/theteacherwillappear Listen to all end the songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soa...

Mar 03, 202532 min

EPISODE 24: A Clown for a Day

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song: 'Neighbors' by Genevieve Stokes Stream it here: https://ffm.to/neighborssoab Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabends...

Feb 24, 202533 min

EPISODE 23: The Balletic Lawyer

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : Another Home by afromerm Listen here : https://ffm.to/anotherhome Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs -----...

Feb 17, 202526 min

EPISODE 22: Libraries, Angels, and Anxiety

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Flying The Nest' by Merrick Winter Listen here : https://ffm.to/flyingthenest Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabe...

Feb 10, 202533 min

EPISODE 21: I Want to Be Un-Unique

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Powerful Things' by The Howl & The Hum Listen here : https://ffm.to/powerfulthings Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm...

Feb 03, 202526 min

EPISODE 20: Two Funerals and a Faulty Printer

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'God I Love a Funeral' by Katie Gregson-MacLeod Stream it here : https://ffm.to/godiloveafuneral Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : ht...

Jan 27, 202530 min

EPISODE 19: Covid in Cambodia

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Covid in Cambodia' by David Thomas Broughton Stream it here : https://ffm.to/covidincambodia Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https...

Jan 20, 202530 min

EPISODE 18: Snowy Arrivals and Father Figures

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Snow in the city' by Abimaro Stream it here : https://ffm.to/snowinthecity Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabends...

Jan 13, 202532 min

EPISODE 17: Cold Water and The Edge

**Content Warning : This episode discusses suicide** Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Between Times' by dodie Stream it here : https://ffm.to/betweentimes Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) ...

Jan 06, 202527 min

EPISODE 16: The Reluctant Flaneur

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Monsieur Flaneur' by Caroline Chan Stream it here : https://ffm.to/monsieurflaneur Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/...

Dec 30, 202431 min

EPISODE 15: Family Business

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Life Long Love' by Rachel Sermanni Stream it here : https://ffm.to/lifelonglove Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soa...

Dec 23, 202433 min

EPISODE 14: Mondays, Pedro, and Silence

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation. This is what happened! Produced by Tom Rosenthal Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti Mixed by Mike Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song by 'What About Me?' by Rae Morris Stream it here : https://ffm.to/whataboutmee Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabend...

Dec 16, 202435 min
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