Tom Rosenthal

Strangers on a Bench

Society EN ↓ 100 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.

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Author

Tom Rosenthal

Category

Society

Podcast website

shows.acast.com

Latest episode

Aug 10, 2026

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Episodes

EPISODE 50: The Best Man There Ever Was 25.08.2025

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/thur...

EPISODE 49: I Go To Extremes 18.08.2025

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://...

EPISODE 48: Outliers, Hugs, and Biscuit Thrusters 11.08.2025

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.t...

EPISODE 47: The Time I've Got Left 04.08.2025

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://...

EPISODE 46: Looking for the Dangling Carrot 28.07.2025

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...

EPISODE 45: The Air Is My Ocean 21.07.2025

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-so...

EPISODE 44: A Second Life 14.07.2025

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-ro...

EPISODE 43: The Definition of a Mystery 07.07.2025

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:...

EPISODE 42: If Only You Knew 30.06.2025

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://f...

EPISODE 41: A Common Humanity 23.06.2025

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/readitb...

EPISODE 40: A Seal Called Noon 16.06.2025

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/asealca...

EPISODE 39: The Runaway 09.06.2025

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-s...

EPISODE 38: Casinos, Cheating, and Chamomile 02.06.2025

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 a...

EPISODE 37: Pain Softens Your Heart 26.05.2025

**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 R...

EPISODE 36: Why Was She Calling Me? 19.05.2025

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/pro...

EPISODE 35: Vulnerability Is a Bridge 12.05.2025

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...

EPISODE 34: Living on Borrowed Time 05.05.2025

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:...

EPISODE 33: Follow The Blood 28.04.2025

**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 St...

EPISODE 32: Becoming a Superhero 21.04.2025

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/t...

EPISODE 31: I Never Cherished Myself 14.04.2025

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/where...

EPISODE 30: He Thinks He's Guru Nanak 07.04.2025

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/colouredglasse...

EPISODE 29: Mushrooms, Mothers, and Dark Hours 31.03.2025

**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 Fa...

EPISODE 28: A Dancer's Mind 24.03.2025

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 Li...

EPISODE 27: Lunch Break Loving 17.03.2025

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 Li...

EPISODE 26: £5 Bread and Concussion 10.03.2025

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 List...

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