Strangers on a Bench

Strangers on a Bench

By Tom Rosenthal

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 last 6 months walking the many parks of London, 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 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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song: 'Sculptor' by TamzeneStream it here: https://ffm.to/sculptor-soab-----------------------------Instagram: @stangeronabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
12/05/2539m 17s

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song: 'My Father Never Told Me He Loved Me' by Michael McGovernStream it here: https://ffm.to/myfathernevertoldmehelovedme--------------Instagram: @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
05/05/2539m 20s

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song: 'Follow The Blood' by Georgia RuthStream it here: https://ffm.to/followtheblood————————————————————————————Instagram: @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
28/04/2539m 55s

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 RosenthalEdited and mixed by Eloise WhitmoreTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song: 'There Are Many Ways To Say I Love You' by Edgar HurleyStream it here: https://ffm.to/therearemanywaystosayiloveyou————————————————————————————Instagram: @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
21/04/2536m 48s

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song: 'Where Goodbye Begins' by Flo PerlinStream it here: https://ffm.to/wheregoodbyebegins Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
14/04/2533m 15s

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song: 'Coloured Glasses' by UwadeStream it here: https://ffm.to/colouredglasses————————————————————————————Instagram: @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
07/04/2536m 23s

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song: 'Losing You' by FauziaStream it here: https://ffm.to/losingyou-soab————————————————————————————Instagram: @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
31/03/2534m 46s

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song: 'A Dancer's Mind' by BirdyStream it here: https://ffm.to/adancersmind————————————————————————————Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
24/03/2528m 50s

EPISODE 27: Lunch Break Loving

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song: 2 > 1 by Will Joseph CookStream here: https://ffm.to/2greaterthan1————————————————————————————Instagram: @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
17/03/2532m 6s

EPISODE 26: £5 Bread and Concussion

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song: £5 Bread by Lily LyonsStream it here: https://ffm.to/fivepoundbread————————————————————————————Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10/03/2532m 55s

EPISODE 25: The Teacher Will Appear

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 RosenthalEdited & mixed by Eloise WhitmoreTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'The Teacher Will Appear' by Danny CasioStream it here : https://ffm.to/theteacherwillappear-------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
03/03/2532m 27s

EPISODE 24: A Clown for a Day

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song: 'Neighbors' by Genevieve StokesStream it here: https://ffm.to/neighborssoab---------------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
24/02/2532m 37s

EPISODE 23: The Balletic Lawyer

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : Another Home by afromermListen here : https://ffm.to/anotherhome---------------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
17/02/2525m 31s

EPISODE 22: Libraries, Angels, and Anxiety

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'Flying The Nest' by Merrick WinterListen here : https://ffm.to/flyingthenest------------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10/02/2532m 34s

EPISODE 21: I Want to Be Un-Unique

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'Powerful Things' by The Howl & The HumListen here : https://ffm.to/powerfulthings-------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
03/02/2526m 8s

EPISODE 20: Two Funerals and a Faulty Printer

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'God I Love a Funeral' by Katie Gregson-MacLeodStream it here : https://ffm.to/godiloveafuneral---------------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
27/01/2530m 24s

EPISODE 19: Covid in Cambodia

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'Covid in Cambodia' by David Thomas BroughtonStream it here : https://ffm.to/covidincambodia--------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
20/01/2530m 26s

EPISODE 18: Snowy Arrivals and Father Figures

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'Snow in the city' by AbimaroStream it here : https://ffm.to/snowinthecity----------------------------------------------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
13/01/2531m 54s

EPISODE 17: Cold Water and The Edge

**Content Warning : This episode discusses 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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'Between Times' by dodieStream it here : https://ffm.to/betweentimes------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
06/01/2526m 51s

EPISODE 16: The Reluctant Flaneur

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'Monsieur Flaneur' by Caroline ChanStream it here : https://ffm.to/monsieurflaneur-----------------------------------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30/12/2430m 32s

EPISODE 15: Family Business

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'Life Long Love' by Rachel SermanniStream it here : https://ffm.to/lifelonglove-------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
23/12/2432m 39s

EPISODE 14: Mondays, Pedro, and Silence

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song by 'What About Me?' by Rae MorrisStream it here : https://ffm.to/whataboutmee-------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
16/12/2435m 2s

EPISODE 13: Maybe I Need To Go Home

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'The Poet' by Ezra GlattStream it here : https://ffm.to/thepoet-------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
09/12/2439m 2s

EPISODE 12: Quiet Chainsaw Man

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'Miles and Inches' by Billie MartenStream it here : https://ffm.to/milesandinches--------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
02/12/2418m 24s

EPISODE 11: If I Had a Boat

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song 'If I Had a Boat' by Chris BrainStream it here : https://ffm.to/ifihadaboat------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
25/11/2424m 32s

EPISODE 10: Shall We Roll Down the Hill?

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'Golden Now' by Will CooksonListen here : https://ffm.to/goldennow--------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
18/11/2423m 45s

EPISODE 9: Deli Meets

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'Nice to Meet You' by Tom OdellStream it here : https://ffm.to/nicetomeetyou------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
11/11/2427m 52s

EPISODE 8: Youngest of Six

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'Everything I Need' by Maddie AshmanListen to it here : https://ffm.to/everythingineedsong--------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
04/11/2423m 6s

EPISODE 7: The Disappearing Cyclist

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WooleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'Yellow Fedora' by Hohnen FordListen to it here : https://ffm.to/yellowfedora--------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
28/10/2438m 45s

EPISODE 6: Love, Death, and Parisians

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy RailtonIncidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'To Be Held' by AugustaListen to it here : https://ffm.to/tobeheld---------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
21/10/2429m 22s

EPISODE 5: Michael's Tree

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy RailtonIncidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : Michael's Tree by Sammy CopleyListen to it here : https://ffm.to/michaelstree--------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
14/10/2428m 27s

EPISODE 4: Making Miniatures by the Sea

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy RailtonIncidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : 'By The Ocean Side' by November UltraListen here : https://ffm.to/bytheoceanside-----------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
07/10/2417m 1s

EPISODE 3: I Threw My Phone in the Pond

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 RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy RailtonIncidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : You'll Never Be John Cleese by Alex BrenchleyListen to it here : https://ffm.to/soabsong3--------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30/09/2419m 18s

EPISODE 2: Fruit Sculptures for Breakfast

Tom Rosenthal approaches a stranger in a London park and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation.This is what happened!Producer by Tom RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy RailtonIncidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song : Fruit Sculptures by Sophie MayListen to it here : https://ffm.to/soabsong2---------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30/09/2431m 46s

EPISODE 1: A Fight

Tom Rosenthal approaches a random stranger in a park in London and asks if he can sit down next to them and record their conversation.This is what happened!Produced by Tom RosenthalEdited by Rose De LarrabeitiMixed by Mike WoolleyTheme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy RailtonIncidental music by Maddie AshmanEnd song 'Tryna Change' by Yvonne MKListen to it here : https://ffm.to/strangersonabench1---------------------Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30/09/2430m 33s
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