Strangers on a Bench
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.
12/05/25•39m 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.
05/05/25•39m 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.
28/04/25•39m 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.
21/04/25•36m 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.
14/04/25•33m 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.
07/04/25•36m 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.
31/03/25•34m 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.
24/03/25•28m 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.
17/03/25•32m 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.
10/03/25•32m 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.
03/03/25•32m 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.
24/02/25•32m 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.
17/02/25•25m 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.
10/02/25•32m 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.
03/02/25•26m 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.
27/01/25•30m 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.
20/01/25•30m 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.
13/01/25•31m 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.
06/01/25•26m 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.
30/12/24•30m 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.
23/12/24•32m 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.
16/12/24•35m 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.
09/12/24•39m 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.
02/12/24•18m 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.
25/11/24•24m 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.
18/11/24•23m 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.
11/11/24•27m 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.
04/11/24•23m 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.
28/10/24•38m 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.
21/10/24•29m 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.
14/10/24•28m 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.
07/10/24•17m 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.
30/09/24•19m 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.
30/09/24•31m 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.
30/09/24•30m 33s