Tom Rosenthal

Strangers on a Bench

Society EN ↓ 95 episodes

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.

Author

Tom Rosenthal

Episodes

EPISODE 95: Periscopes and Bagels 06.07.2026 1:06:57

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 : 'Leave a Trace' by Yeemz Stream it here : https://ffm.to/leave...

EPISODE 94: The Most Surreal Meeting 29.06.2026 48:23

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 : 'Something Sweet' by Yoshika Colwell Stream it here : htt...

EPISODE 93: Branches Don't Grow Straight 22.06.2026 55:13

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 : 'Rings of a Tree' by Tagore Chayne Stream it here : https://ff...

EPISODE 92: Stand By Me 15.06.2026 53:10

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 : 'You Come Around' by Calÿpso Stream it here : https://ffm.to/y...

EPISODE 91: Lads, Crying, and David Attenborough 08.06.2026 1:06:51

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 : 'Tynemouthing' by Jes Lowe Stream it here : https://ffm.t...

EPISODE 90: So Glad I Didn't Hide Away 01.06.2026 1:02:43

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 : 'Pyrrhula pyrrhula' by Him Gone Ape Stream it here : https://f...

EPISODE 89: I Am What I Am 25.05.2026 44:51

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 Am What I Am' by Hetta Falzon Stream it here : https:...

EPISODE 88: Feels Like We're Untouchable 18.05.2026 54:49

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 : 'To Cairns and Back' by Juni Habel Stream it here : https...

EPISODE 87: Charge It To The Game 11.05.2026 1:04:16

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 : http...

EPISODE 86: Talking To Gina 04.05.2026 46:49

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 :&nbsp...

EPISODE 85: Where All The Trouble Lies 27.04.2026 1:06:03

*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 : '...

EPISODE 84: Called To The Fanny 20.04.2026 55:14

*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 an...

EPISODE 83: Maybe You Already Have It All 13.04.2026 47:43

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 S...

EPISODE 82: The Only Mussel Road in Cornwall 06.04.2026 1:04:01

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:&n...

EPISODE 81: Down For Life 30.03.2026 55:50

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...

EPISODE 80: Pépito 23.03.2026 59:02

**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 N...

EPISODE 79: Cormorants and Lewis Hamilton 16.03.2026 43:31

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 : ht...

EPISODE 78: We Forget How To Play 09.03.2026 38:24

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 he...

EPISODE 77: I See Dead People 02.03.2026 57:28

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...

EPISODE 76: Success, Sex, and The Cause 23.02.2026 38:54

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/paintd...

EPISODE 75: Donna 16.02.2026 41:29

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...

EPISODE 74: Tuesday is Green 09.02.2026 55:49

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 : http...

EPISODE 73: Shut The F*** Up and Enjoy Your Life 02.02.2026 1:03:16

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 : ht...

EPISODE 72: Just Ask The Trees 26.01.2026 46:21

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 :&nb...

EPISODE 71: All Plumbers Are Philosophers 19.01.2026 44:35

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://f...