Rephonic
Artwork for Strangers on a Bench

Strangers on a Bench

Tom Rosenthal
Music
Mental Health
London
Parenthood
Family
Grief
Mobile Phones
Aging
Life Purpose
Prison
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Childhood Memories
Train Travel
Well-Being
Miniature Making
Cycling
Cemetery
Brain Tumor
Living On a Boat

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 hi... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes56Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Strangers on a Bench

Latest Episodes

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!Β 

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!Β 

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!Β 

Produced by Tom Rosenthal

Edited by Rose De Larrabeiti

Mixed by Mike Woolley

Theme tune by Tom Ro... more

*Content warning : this episode contains references to suicide and 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!Β 

Produced by Tom Rosen... more

Key Facts

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

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth
Rosebud with Gyles BrandrethGyles Brandreth / Plain Jaine Media

Recent Guests

Unnamed Guest
An artist and long-time resident of London with a strong connection to nature and personal reflections on life events.
Episode: EPISODE 46: Looking for the Dangling Carrot
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 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 engaging, candid conversations with strangers on park benches, focusing on their life stories and emotional experiences.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 6k ratings
  • Humanity. What we all need right now

    No pretence here, just unhurried human connections, proving that beauty and magic can be found in the unremarkable. Thank you. This is the only podcast I’ve ever waited for new episodes for like it’s Netflix πŸ˜‚

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    badger1181
    New Zealanda month ago
  • Life Changing

    I’ve only recently discovered this podcast and listening to these conversations Tom has with these strangers is nearly always profoundly moving and often funny.

    Episode 47 might just change your life.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alistair 38
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • A joy to listen in

    One of my favourite podcasts. Tom does a wonderful job of teasing out fascinating insights into the lives of his β€˜strangers on a bench’. How often do we make (usually incorrect) judgements about strangers without knowing their story? These wonderful discussions will encourage you to think differently. Maybe even encourage you to strike up a conversation

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hamish of Bristol
    Australiaa month ago
  • Beautiful show

    I love this podcast so much!! It’s so raw and real and you never know where it will go. I like that he interviews lots of different types of characters even if perhaps their views are outdated or strange. Such a beautiful window into people’s lives

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    popoloho 12345688
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Laughing

    I love this podcast but recently the silly giggling from both Tom and guest is really annoying.. stop it please!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Fifi 61
    United Kingdoma month ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the authenticity and emotion of the conversations, highlighting the ability to draw out personal stories and life lessons.
The style of questioning and openness from the host makes the dialogue feel unforced and engaging, resonating well with an audience interested in real human stories.
many find the interactions to be profound, heartwarming, and thought-provoking, often leading to reflections on their own experiences.

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 48: Outliers, Hugs, and Biscuit Thrusters
Q: Can you tell me about the most joyous moment you felt?
The guest recalls overhearing a patient describe her as a lovely doctor, which boosted her spirits.
EPISODE 48: Outliers, Hugs, and Biscuit Thrusters
Q: What does your ideal day from waking up to going to bed look like?
The guest describes a day with a slow pace, enjoying coffee, being with her cat, and reflecting on life.
EPISODE 47: The Time I've Got Left
Q: What is your message to anyone who will be listening to this, who is in completely good health?
Don't let a situation like mine be the thing that makes you go home and hug those who you love and tell them you love them.
EPISODE 42: If Only You Knew
Q: What made you do this?
Tom explains that he's always been interested in breaking down the invisible barriers between people and finding out the stories of those around us.
EPISODE 42: If Only You Knew
Q: Can I ask what you've been thinking about?
The guest shares that she has been reflecting on her life and ideas for her suspense novel while sitting on the bench.

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?

Focusing on authentic human connections, the content captures candid conversations with random individuals encountered on park benches throughout London. The discussions cover a broad range of deeply personal topics, including mental health, family dynamics, societal issues, and individual life stories. This distinctive approach encourages vulnerability and offers listeners a raw glimpse into the experiences and emotions of everyday people, revealing both shared humanity and unique individual perspectives. Listeners can expect thought-provoking insights and a deep dive into the complexities of life as participants explore their emotions, beliefs, and the unexpected turns their journeys have taken.

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

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Strangers on a Bench. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Strangers on a Bench and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Strangers on a Bench get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Strangers on a Bench, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Strangers on a Bench?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Strangers on a Bench, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. Where Are You Going?
2. Desert Island Discs
3. The Louis Theroux Podcast
4. Off Air with Jane & Fi
5. Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth

How many episodes of Strangers on a Bench are there?

Strangers on a Bench launched a year ago and published 56 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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Strangers on a Bench from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Strangers on a Bench?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Strangers on a Bench. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Strangers on a Bench?

Recent guests on Strangers on a Bench include:

1. Unnamed Guest
2. Unnamed Kite Enthusiast
3. Unnamed female guest
4. Unnamed Campaigner
5. Unnamed Dutch Man
6. 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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days