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Artwork for Strangers on a Bench

Strangers on a Bench

Tom Rosenthal
Mental Health
London
Relationships
Family Dynamics
Grief
Personal Growth
Parenting
Love
Friendship
Self-Discovery
Music
Family
Family Relationships
Cancer
Parenthood
Compassion
Spirituality
Work-Life Balance
Aging
Death

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 revea... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes84Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Strangers on a Bench

Latest Episodes

*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 ... more

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 Ro... more

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 Ro... more

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 Ro... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Guest (name not identified)
Shares personal stories about love, panic attacks, and aspirations to become a photographer.
Episode: EPISODE 63: All You Need Is One Good Night
Unnamed Kite Enthusiast
A kite flying enthusiast who shares his experiences and passions.
Episode: EPISODE 45: The Air Is My Ocean
Unnamed female guest
A woman reflecting on her Muslim upbringing, familial trauma, and the journey of self-discovery and healing.
Episode: EPISODE 37: Pain Softens Your Heart
Unnamed Campaigner
LGBTIQ human rights campaigner
Episode: EPISODE 32: Becoming a Superhero
Unnamed guest
Episode: EPISODE 26: £5 Bread and Concussion
Unnamed Dutch Man
A Dutchman passionate about Latin dancing and self-reflection
Episode: EPISODE 25: The Teacher Will Appear
Unnamed Male Guest
A young man reflecting on his personal journey and relationships
Episode: EPISODE 18: Snowy Arrivals and Father Figures

Host

Tom Rosenthal
Host of Strangers on a Bench

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 7.2k ratings
  • Great

    I have been listening to this podcast for a long time now and absolutely love it, so many interesting people and I love the style of chat, very casual and calm, keep up the good work and vibes

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    suevid
    United Kingdom11 days ago
  • My favourite podcast

    This is still my favourite podcast - it’s wonderful, insightful, heartwarming, and thought provoking. This is the highlight of my podcast listening week!! It also makes me now want to go to Cornwall (I’m in Australia) to the mussel shop and ask for the rude shout lady (ep 82) - I have never wanted to meet a stranger so much!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NessBarry
    Australia13 days ago
  • The Best!

    This is now my favourite podcast - I am up to episode 8. I usually listen to lots of news/politics podcasts and this is the perfect antidote to so much bad news. People can be so interesting and thoughtful. Tom asks great questions that encourage the stranger on the bench to share their stories, thoughts and feelings and I just find it very calming, reassuring and life affirming to hear them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cheshire Kat 8
    United Kingdom14 days ago
  • Absolutely Superb.

    I just discovered these podcasts today, and listened to seven one after the other.

    They are so entertaining; being funny, sad, poignant, thought provoking and entertaining.

    Thank for doing these Tom, and the pleasure I’m deriving from them 👍

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Napper 62
    United Kingdom15 days ago
  • Everyone should listen to this

    It is so lovely to hear such a wide range of viewpoints and life experiences. Everyone should listen to this to learn empathy and look outside the box of their own experience.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fteale
    United Kingdom15 days ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are consistently seen as authentic and relatable, with stories that feel both ordinary and profound.
The musical interludes at the end are a meaningful, soothing signature that deepens emotional takeaway.
Listeners appreciate the host's attentive, nonjudgmental approach and the way conversations unfold slowly and honestly.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

EPISODE 82: The Only Mussel Road in Cornwall
Q: You mentioned a funeral concept with living elements and pop-culture homage. How would that work and what would it mean for attendees?
The idea is to pre-record messages and allow a living, celebratory, and slightly surreal farewell that blends humor with affection, ensuring that the goodbye reflects the person's mischievous spirit and bonds with friends and family.
EPISODE 82: The Only Mussel Road in Cornwall
Q: What does the Palmhenge road symbolize to you beyond its materials?
It represents turning a natural, coastal landscape into a narrative and legacy, showing that creativity and play can reshape how a place is remembered and experienced by future generations.
EPISODE 82: The Only Mussel Road in Cornwall
Q: What is the big project you're imagining with the mussel shells and Palmhenge, and why now?
The guest envisions a physical, imaginative road and monument built from mussel shells that would honor family, place, and memory, turning everyday materials into a personal, enduring sculpture that anchors their Cornish identity and the island's whimsical spirit.
EPISODE 79: Cormorants and Lewis Hamilton
Q: So if she comes, the great kisser, next week, how are we, are you trying to move it forward?
The guest confirms strong feelings but hesitates about commitments, indicating he would enjoy progress if things align, while keeping things light and ongoing rather than setting fixed dates.
EPISODE 74: Tuesday is Green
Q: What would you say to anybody who might be listening, who thinks they have an issue with alcohol and struggles with the concept of stopping?
A first stop would be Alcoholics Anonymous, the website. Read the stories of people who have got sober.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Strangers on a Bench

What is Strangers on a Bench about and what kind of topics does it cover?

On bench-based conversations, intimate chats unfold between a singer-songwriter host and a rotating cast of strangers who share life stories, vulnerabilities, and moments of grace. Episodes blend themes of grief, identity, resilience, spirituality, and everyday joy, often concluding with a musical moment that echoes the guest's narrative. The format emphasizes listening, curiosity, and human connection, making it a comforting, boundary-preaked space where ordinary people reveal extraordinary truths. A standout aspect is how the host creates space for honesty without sensationalism, and how music punctuates each episode to heighten emotional resonance.

Where can I find podcast stats for Strangers on a Bench?

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How many listeners does Strangers on a Bench get?

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What are the audience demographics for Strangers on a Bench?

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How many subscribers and views does Strangers on a Bench have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Strangers on a Bench has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Strangers on a Bench?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Strangers on a Bench:

1. Desert Island Discs
2. Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth
3. The Louis Theroux Podcast
4. Off Air with Jane & Fi
5. How To Fail With Elizabeth Day

How many episodes of Strangers on a Bench are there?

Strangers on a Bench launched 2 years ago and published 84 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Strangers on a Bench?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Strangers on a Bench?

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What guests have appeared on Strangers on a Bench?

Recent guests on Strangers on a Bench include:

1. Guest (name not identified)
2. Unnamed Kite Enthusiast
3. Unnamed female guest
4. Unnamed Campaigner
5. Unnamed guest
6. Unnamed Dutch Man
7. Unnamed Male Guest

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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