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 past year walking through various parks across the UK and Ireland, 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. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

EPISODE 87: Charge It To The Game

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 : 'Mother Knows Best' by Peter Deaves Stream it here : https://ffm.to/motherknowsbest Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/...

May 11, 20261 hr 4 min

EPISODE 86: Talking To Gina

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 : 'Never Stop Talking' by Genevieve Dawson Stream it here : https://ffm.to/neverstoptalking Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://f...

May 04, 202647 min

EPISODE 85: Where All The Trouble Lies

*Content warning : contains one graphic description of violence*. 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 : 'The Night Before Your Wedding Night' by Matt Maltese Stream it here: https://ffm.to/thenightbeforeyourweddingnight Li...

Apr 27, 20261 hr 6 min

EPISODE 84: Called To The Fanny

*Content warning - 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 : 'Ella's Still Alive!' by Lizzy and The Palm Stream it here : Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://f...

Apr 20, 202655 min

EPISODE 83: Maybe You Already Have It All

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 : 'Thoughts While Swimming' by Theresa Lola feat John Roseboro Stream it here : https://ffm.to/thoughtswhileswimming Theresa Lola Website : https://www.theresalola.com/ Listen to all the...

Apr 13, 202648 min

EPISODE 82: The Only Mussel Road in Cornwall

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: 'Mussel Shell Road' by Toby & Jen Kessell Stream it here: https://ffm.to/musselshellroad Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist: https://...

Apr 06, 20261 hr 4 min

EPISODE 81: Down For Life

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 : 'River Talk' by Adam Melchor Stream it here : https://ffm.to/rivertalk Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ...

Mar 30, 202656 min

EPISODE 80: Pépito

**Content Warning - abuse and sexual assault**. 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 Light' by Núria Graham Stream it here : https://ffm.to/alight Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one han...

Mar 23, 202659 min

EPISODE 79: Cormorants and Lewis Hamilton

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 : 'World's Best Kiss' by Toby Sebastian Stream it here : https://ffm.to/worldsbestkiss Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to...

Mar 16, 202644 min

EPISODE 78: We Forget How To Play

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 : 'As You Turn Another Page' by Morgan Harper-Jones Stream it here : https://ffm.to/asyouturnanotherpage Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlis...

Mar 09, 202638 min

EPISODE 77: I See Dead People

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 : 'Spirit Comes to the Homewares Store' by Benny Profound Stream it here : https://ffm.to/spiritcomestothehomewaresstore Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on o...

Mar 02, 202657 min

EPISODE 76: Success, Sex, and The Cause

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: 'paint dry' by Olive Klug Stream it here: https://ffm.to/paintdry Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ——————...

Feb 23, 202639 min

EPISODE 75: Donna

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 : 'Donna' by Father of Fred Stream it here : https://ffm.to/donna-soab Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ——...

Feb 16, 202641 min

EPISODE 74: Tuesday is Green

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 : 'Running into Colour' by Lemoncello Stream it here : https://ffm.to/runningintocolour Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.t...

Feb 09, 202656 min

EPISODE 73: Shut The F*** Up and Enjoy Your Life

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 : '..and enjoy your life!' by Jay Verma Stream it here : https://ffm.to/andenjoyyourlife Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm....

Feb 02, 20261 hr 3 min

EPISODE 72: Just Ask The Trees

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 : 'When We Land On This Earth' by Ella Tobin Stream it here : https://ffm.to/wherewelandonthisearth Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : h...

Jan 26, 202646 min

EPISODE 71: All Plumbers Are Philosophers

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 : 'Pull The String' by Luke Hart Stream it here : https://ffm.to/pullthestring Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabend...

Jan 19, 202645 min

EPISODE 70: When You Realise Who You Are

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 : 'Out of My Depth' by Aqualung Stream it here : https://ffm.to/outofmydepth Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendso...

Jan 12, 202657 min

EPISODE 69: I've Never Felt This Way Before

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 : 'I'm Certain of It' by Rosie H Sullivan & Riley Pearce Stream it here: https://ffm.to/imcertainofit Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playli...

Jan 05, 202640 min

EPISODE 68: I Hate This House

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 : 'I Hate This House' by Jas Ratchford Stream it here : https://ffm.to/ihatethishouse Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/...

Dec 29, 202555 min

EPISODE 67: What We Do To Survive

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 : 'Better Slow Down' by Tré Burt Stream it here : https://ffm.to/betterslowdown Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soaben...

Dec 22, 202550 min

EPISODE 66: Truth Puddle

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 : 'Looking At The Storm' by Elanor Moss Stream it here : https://ffm.to/lookingatthestorm Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm...

Dec 15, 202551 min

EPISODE 65: The Thirty-Seven Club

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: 'Benchwork' by The Pain Stream it here: https://ffm.to/benchworksoab Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———...

Dec 08, 202536 min

EPISODE 64: A Letter To My Mum

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 : 'Be Sure To Write' by Marie Dresselhuis Stream it here : https://ffm.to/besuretowrite Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.t...

Dec 01, 202550 min

EPISODE 63: All You Need Is One Good Night

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 : 'The Weight of Easy Things' by Joel Duntin Stream it here : https://ffm.to/theweightofeasythings Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : ht...

Nov 24, 202543 min

EPISODE 62: I Wish That Was My Last Kiss

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 : 'Fifty Dollars' by Sunflower Thieves Stream it here : https://ffm.to/fiftydollars Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/so...

Nov 17, 202550 min

EPISODE 61: Seven Paramedics

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 : 'Go Bollocks' by Paul Haworth Stream it here : https://ffm.to/gobollocks Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsong...

Nov 10, 202532 min

EPISODE 60: That's What She Said

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!' by Vilray Stream it here : https://ffm.to/life-soab Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————...

Nov 03, 202539 min

EPISODE 59: The Back of His Neck

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 : 'The Back of His Neck' by Anna B Savage Stream it here : https://ffm.to/thebackofhisneck Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ff...

Oct 27, 202543 min

EPISODE 58: Gratitude, Painted Nails, and The Irish Lottery

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 : 'Reasons to Smile' by Rhys Lewis Stream it here : https://ffm.to/reasonstosmile Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soab...

Oct 20, 202551 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android