Strangers on a Bench
Society & Culture
About
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.
Episodes
- EPISODE 86: Talking To Gina
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, Tom Rosenthal recounts his conversation with Gina, a stranger he encountered on a park bench. The episode includes music by Genevieve Dawson.
- EPISODE 85: Where All The Trouble Lies
Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and records their conversation. This episode contains a graphic description of violence.
- EPISODE 84: Called To The Fanny
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, Tom Rosenthal talks with a stranger he met on a park bench. He recorded their conversation for the podcast.
- EPISODE 83: Maybe You Already Have It All
Tom Rosenthal sits down with a stranger on a park bench and records their conversation. The episode is produced by Tom Rosenthal and edited by Rose De Larrabeiti. Music by Maddie Ashman, and the end song is "Thoughts While Swimming" by The…
- EPISODE 82: The Only Mussel Road in Cornwall
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal talks with a stranger on a park bench. The episode includes the song "Mussel Shell Road" by Toby & Jen Kessell.
- EPISODE 81: Down For Life
Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and records their conversation. The episode is produced by Tom Rosenthal and edited by Rose De Larrabeiti. The theme tune is by Tom Rosenthal and Lucy Railton.
- EPISODE 80: Pépito
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal sits down with a stranger to record their conversation. This episode contains discussions of abuse and sexual assault.
- EPISODE 79: Cormorants and Lewis Hamilton
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, Tom Rosenthal sits down with a stranger on a park bench to record their conversation.
- EPISODE 78: We Forget How To Play
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal sits down with a stranger on a park bench to record their conversation. The episode features production by Rosenthal, with editing by Rose De Larrabeiti and a musical contribution…
- EPISODE 77: I See Dead People
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal sits down with a stranger on a park bench to record their conversation.
- EPISODE 76: Success, Sex, and The Cause
Tom Rosenthal sits on a park bench with a stranger to record their conversation for this episode of Strangers on a Bench. The episode features production by Tom Rosenthal, editing by Rose De Larrabeiti, and music contributions from various…
- EPISODE 75: Donna
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal sits down with a stranger on a park bench to record their conversation. The episode features the song 'Donna' by Father of Fred as the end track.
- EPISODE 74: Tuesday is Green
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, Tom Rosenthal records a conversation with a stranger he meets on a park bench. The episode features production by Tom Rosenthal, editing by Rose De Larrabeiti, and music by various artists.
- EPISODE 73: Shut The F*** Up and Enjoy Your Life
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal sits down with a stranger on a park bench to record their conversation. The episode features production by Tom Rosenthal with original music and songs included.
- EPISODE 72: Just Ask The Trees
Host Tom Rosenthal sits on a park bench with a stranger to record their conversation. This episode features production by Rosenthal, editing by Rose De Larrabeiti, and music by various artists.
- EPISODE 71: All Plumbers Are Philosophers
Tom Rosenthal sits down with a stranger on a park bench to record an unscripted conversation. This episode features the resulting discussion between them.
- EPISODE 70: When You Realise Who You Are
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal sits down with a stranger on a park bench to record their conversation. The episode features production by Tom Rosenthal and an end song by Aqualung.
- EPISODE 69: I've Never Felt This Way Before
Tom Rosenthal sits down with a stranger on a park bench to record their conversation for the podcast. This episode features incidental music and an end song by Rosie H Sullivan and Riley Pearce.
- EPISODE 68: I Hate This House
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal sits down with a stranger in a park to record a conversation. The episode also features the song 'I Hate This House' by Jas Ratchford.
- EPISODE 67: What We Do To Survive
Host Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench to sit down and record a conversation. This episode documents that interaction as part of the Strangers on a Bench podcast series.
- EPISODE 66: Truth Puddle
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, Tom Rosenthal records a conversation with a stranger he meets on a park bench. The episode features production by Rosenthal, editing by Rose De Larrabeiti, and music contributions from various artis…
- EPISODE 65: The Thirty-Seven Club
In 'The Thirty-Seven Club,' host Tom Rosenthal engages a stranger on a park bench, recording their conversation for the podcast.
- EPISODE 64: A Letter To My Mum
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal approaches individuals sitting on park benches to ask for permission to record their conversations. This episode captures one such interaction.
- EPISODE 63: All You Need Is One Good Night
In 'All You Need Is One Good Night,' Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks to record their conversation. The episode details what happened during this encounter.
- EPISODE 62: I Wish That Was My Last Kiss
Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench to record their conversation. This episode includes music by Sunflower Thieves and was produced and edited by Tom Rosenthal and Rose De Larrabeiti.
- EPISODE 61: Seven Paramedics
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal approaches strangers on a park bench and asks to record their conversations. This particular episode features an interaction with seven paramedics.
- EPISODE 60: That's What She Said
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger in a park, asks to sit and record their conversation, and documents the resulting interaction.
- EPISODE 59: The Back of His Neck
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal asks a stranger on a park bench if he can record their conversation. The episode features music by Anna B Savage.
- EPISODE 58: Gratitude, Painted Nails, and The Irish Lottery
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal engages in a conversation with a stranger, exploring themes of gratitude, painted nails, and the Irish Lottery. The episode is produced by Tom Rosenthal and edited by Rose De Larr…
- EPISODE 57: Cubed Watermelon
In this episode, host Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench to record their conversation. The resulting discussion is presented in this installment.
- EPISODE 56: Rebellion and The River
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger in a park and records their conversation. The episode features music by Laura Reznek and credits production, editing, and mixing.
- EPISODE 55: It's Like I've Met You Before
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench to record their conversation. The episode details the resulting interaction.
- EPISODE 54: We'll Be Holding Each Other's Hands
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks to record their conversation. The episode captures the resulting interaction.
- EPISODE 53: A Very Different Place
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal records a conversation with a stranger he approached in a park. The episode contains a content warning for references to suicide and self-harm.
- EPISODE 52: People Were Scared of Us
In this episode of 'Strangers on a Bench', host Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench to ask for permission to record their conversation. The episode captures the resulting interaction.
- EPISODE 51: A Song For My Daughter
Tom Rosenthal talks to a stranger on a park bench for this episode of Strangers on a Bench. The episode includes incidental music and features the song '10/10' by Cinnabar Wood.
- EPISODE 50: The Best Man There Ever Was
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal sits down with a stranger on a park bench to record their conversation. The episode includes production credits and a featured end song.
- EPISODE 49: I Go To Extremes
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal approaches strangers on a park bench to ask if he can record their conversation. The episode captures the resulting interactions.
- EPISODE 48: Outliers, Hugs, and Biscuit Thrusters
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench to record their conversation. The episode details the resulting interaction.
- EPISODE 47: The Time I've Got Left
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and records their conversation. The episode includes incidental music and an end song by Tom Rosenthal.
- EPISODE 46: Looking for the Dangling Carrot
In "Looking for the Dangling Carrot," Tom Rosenthal asks strangers on park benches if he can record their conversations. The episode includes music by Alice Faye and was produced and edited by Tom Rosenthal and Rose De Larrabeiti, respecti…
- EPISODE 45: The Air Is My Ocean
In 'The Air Is My Ocean,' host Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and records their conversation. The episode features editing by Rose De Larrabeiti and mixing by Mike Woolley.
- EPISODE 44: A Second Life
In 'A Second Life,' host Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench to record their conversation. The episode captures the resulting interaction.
- EPISODE 43: The Definition of a Mystery
In "The Definition of a Mystery," host Tom Rosenthal approaches strangers on a park bench, asking permission to sit and record their conversations. The episode captures the resulting interactions.
- EPISODE 42: If Only You Knew
Tom Rosenthal interviews a stranger he met on a park bench. The episode includes music by Natalie Wildgoose.
- EPISODE 41: A Common Humanity
Tom Rosenthal approached a stranger on a park bench and asked to record their conversation. This episode features music by Roo Panes and was produced by Tom Rosenthal.
- EPISODE 40: A Seal Called Noon
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger in a park and asks to record their conversation. The resulting interaction is documented in this episode.
- EPISODE 39: The Runaway
In 'The Runaway,' Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger on a park bench and asks to record their conversation. The episode documents the resulting interaction.
- EPISODE 38: Casinos, Cheating, and Chamomile
This episode of Strangers on a Bench features a conversation recorded by host Tom Rosenthal with a stranger on a park bench. The discussion touches on themes of casinos, cheating, and chamomile, with original music by various artists.
- EPISODE 37: Pain Softens Your Heart
In this episode of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal sits with a stranger in a park and records their conversation. The content includes descriptions of violent abuse.