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Artwork for Strangers on a Bench

Strangers on a Bench

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes62Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureDocumentary

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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! 

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

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

Unnamed Kite Enthusiast
A kite flying enthusiast who shares his experiences and passions.
Episode: EPISODE 45: The Air Is My Ocean
Unnamed Guest
Creative writing graduate and storyteller
Episode: EPISODE 42: If Only You Knew
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 6.2k ratings
  • 5 stars for 50% of the interviews

    For me these podcasts are either fantastic and really tell some amazing life journeys that grab my attention or some I have skipped after 5 minutes , I still give 5 stars for brilliant ones because I can listen again . I love the older people’s interviews . They have such fascinating stories and tell them in such a way that grabs attention. Tom is a great interviewer .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rafaelia❤️
    United Kingdom2 days ago
  • Review from Australia

    I look forward to the day when the next episode is available - I hope there are more to come as this show is just so, so good and interesting. I just love hearing about the life that these people are living. Tom is so thoughtful and humorous - I give it 10/10!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    gretushka
    Australia3 days ago
  • Love this!

    Love this podcast! Did I hear a little love interest sparking with interviewee on episode 60? ;)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BBAKER1223
    United States9 days ago
  • So real.

    I love this podcast.

    Being anonymous helps people open up in a way that is pretty rare these days!

    I feel like Tom purposely approaches such a wide variety of people but it can be surprising how much people have in common from all walks of life.

    Random encounters with strangers can bring value to your day in ways that you would have never expected. And sometimes you can help them in ways they wouldn’t have expected.

    What’s not to love?

    Thanks Tom. 👌

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Island Han
    United Kingdom13 days ago
  • Normal strangers

    This is such a gem. I love the bare bones concept and real conversations. The songs are such a plus as well. I love the real people, no celebrities needed here. Thank you !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nicolette Sommer
    Netherlands15 days 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 61: Seven Paramedics
Q: What do you miss most about your partner?
He misses her presence, love, and routine, expressing that he didn't feel the need to tell her he loved her because she knew it, highlighting their deep bond.
EPISODE 61: Seven Paramedics
Q: What was it like for you to be diagnosed with cancer? What was that moment like?
He felt a cold shiver down his back and sensed something was wrong; the doctor gave him a grim prognosis, indicating he might have 18 months left to live, but later clarified that his condition wasn't as bad as initially thought.
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.

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?

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

How many episodes of Strangers on a Bench are there?

Strangers on a Bench launched a year ago and published 62 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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How do I access podcast episode transcripts 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. Unnamed Kite Enthusiast
2. Unnamed Guest
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.

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