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 57: Cubed Watermelon

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 : 'Just One Day' by Lydia Luce Stream it here : https://ffm.to/justoneday Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs...

Oct 13, 20251 hr

EPISODE 56: Rebellion and The River

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 : 'Not The Place' by Laura Reznek Stream it here : https://ffm.to/nottheplace-soab Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soa...

Oct 06, 202553 min

EPISODE 55: It's Like I've Met You 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 : 'The Girl I Was' by Yasmin Hass Stream it here : https://ffm.to/thegirliwas Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabends...

Sep 29, 20251 hr

EPISODE 54: We'll Be Holding Each Other's Hands

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 : 'Send In The Harpist' by Fairhazel Stream it here : https://ffm.to/sendintheharpist Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/...

Sep 22, 202537 min

EPISODE 53: A Very Different Place

*Content warning : this episode contains references to suicide and 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 : 'Thunder and Lightning' by Clara Mann Stream it here : https://ffm.to/thunderandlightning Listen to all th...

Sep 15, 20251 hr

EPISODE 52: People Were Scared of Us

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 New Chapter' by Niamh Regan Stream it here: https://ffm.to/anewchapter-soab Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soaben...

Sep 08, 202531 min

EPISODE 51: A Song For My Daughter

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 : '10/10' by 'Cinnabar Wood' Stream it here : Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————...

Sep 01, 202543 min

EPISODE 50: The Best Man There Ever Was

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: 'Thursday' by Daudi Matsiko Stream it here: https://ffm.to/thursday-soab Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist: https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ...

Aug 25, 202557 min

EPISODE 49: I Go To Extremes

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 : 'Unconditional' by Martin Luke-Brown Stream it here : https://ffm.to/unconditional-soab Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm...

Aug 18, 202548 min

EPISODE 48: Outliers, Hugs, and Biscuit Thrusters

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 : 'Share The Weight' by Fran Lusty Stream it here: https://ffm.to/sharetheweight Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabe...

Aug 11, 202555 min

EPISODE 47: The Time I've Got Left

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 : 'There We Go' by Tom Rosenthal Stream it here : https://ffm.to/therewego-soab Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soaben...

Aug 04, 202549 min

EPISODE 46: Looking for the Dangling Carrot

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 Still Love Him Dearly' by Alice Faye Stream it here : https://ffm.to/istilllovehimdearly Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https:/...

Jul 28, 202537 min

EPISODE 45: The Air Is My Ocean

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

Jul 21, 202542 min

EPISODE 44: A Second 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 : 'Roots' by Rosie Miles Stream it here : https://ffm.to/soab-roots Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs -----...

Jul 14, 202533 min

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
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android