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Strangers on a Bench

Published by Tom Rosenthal

  • Society & culture
  • Documentary

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 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.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, opens in a new tabMake something like it

On the charts

7 chart placements

Every published chart this podcast appears in, in the snapshot behind this page. Each one links to the chart it came off.

  1. Number 24DocumentaryAustralia
  2. Number 144Society & cultureAustralia
  3. Number 70DocumentaryCanada
  4. Number 8DocumentaryUnited Kingdom
  5. Number 29Society & cultureUnited Kingdom
  6. Number 54DocumentaryNorway
  7. Number 70DocumentaryUnited States

From the feed

Recent episodes

The latest episodes published to this podcast’s own RSS feed. Titles and descriptions are the publisher’s.

  1. EPISODE 100: Don't Ever Stop Dreaming from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    Aug 10, 20261 hr 9 min

    ***ANNOUNCEMENT*** After 100 episodes of 'Strangers on a Break' it feels the right time to take a break. I can't say when it will return but I very much hope it will do one day. I've written more about this on an instagram post that you can find here. https://www.instagram.com/p/Db-JDbFDESZ/?img_index=1 Thank you so much for listening and see you on a bench one day! Tom x ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Don't Ever Stop Dreaming' by Tom Rosenthal, featuring Rachel Kitchlew on the harp. Stream it here : https://ffm.to/donteverstopdreaming Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. EPISODE 99: Everyone Deserves To Have Secrets from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    Aug 3, 20261 hr 13 min

    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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Textbook Kisses' by AK Patterson Stream it here : Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. EPISODE 98: Realistically I Should Be Dead from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    Jul 27, 20261 hr 17 min

    *Content warning : this episode contains references to suicide and drug use., 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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Never Say Die' by Ye Vagabonds Stream it here : https://ffm.to/neversaydie-soab Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. EPISODE 97: Seeing Stars in Sea Glass from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    Jul 20, 202650 min

    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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Rainbow of The Night' by Bethany Reeves & The Solis Choir Stream it here : https://ffm.to/rainbowofthenight Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. EPISODE 96: You and I Are So Different from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    Jul 13, 20261 hr 2 min

    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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Where I'm Supposed To Be' by Lail Arad & JF Robitaille Stream it here : https://ffm.to/whereimsupposedtobe Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. EPISODE 95: Periscopes and Bagels from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    Jul 6, 20261 hr 6 min

    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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Leave a Trace' by Yeemz Stream it here : https://ffm.to/leaveatracesoab Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. EPISODE 94: The Most Surreal Meeting from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    Jun 29, 202648 min

    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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Something Sweet' by Yoshika Colwell Stream it here : https://ffm.to/somethingsweetsoab Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. EPISODE 93: Branches Don't Grow Straight from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    Jun 22, 202655 min

    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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Rings of a Tree' by Tagore Chayne Stream it here : https://ffm.to/ringsofatree Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  9. EPISODE 92: Stand By Me from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    Jun 15, 202653 min

    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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'You Come Around' by Calÿpso Stream it here : https://ffm.to/youcomearoundsoab Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  10. EPISODE 91: Lads, Crying, and David Attenborough from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    Jun 8, 20261 hr 6 min

    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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Tynemouthing' by Jes Lowe Stream it here : https://ffm.to/tynemouthing Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  11. EPISODE 90: So Glad I Didn't Hide Away from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    Jun 1, 20261 hr 2 min

    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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Pyrrhula pyrrhula' by Him Gone Ape Stream it here : https://ffm.to/pyrrhulapyrrhula Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  12. EPISODE 89: I Am What I Am from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    May 25, 202644 min

    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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : ''I Am What I Am' by Hetta Falzon Stream it here : https://ffm.to/iamwhatiam-soab Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  13. EPISODE 88: Feels Like We're Untouchable from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    May 18, 202654 min

    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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'To Cairns and Back' by Juni Habel Stream it here : https://ffm.to/tocairnsandback Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  14. EPISODE 87: Charge It To The Game from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    May 11, 20261 hr 4 min

    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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Mother Knows Best' by Peter Deaves Stream it here : https://ffm.to/motherknowsbest Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  15. EPISODE 86: Talking To Gina from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    May 4, 202646 min

    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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Never Stop Talking' by Genevieve Dawson Stream it here : https://ffm.to/neverstoptalking Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  16. EPISODE 85: Where All The Trouble Lies from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    Apr 27, 20261 hr 6 min

    *Content warning : contains one graphic description of violence*. 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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'The Night Before Your Wedding Night' by Matt Maltese Stream it here: https://ffm.to/thenightbeforeyourweddingnight Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  17. EPISODE 84: Called To The Fanny from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    Apr 20, 202655 min

    *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 Woolley Theme tune by Tom Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Ella's Still Alive!' by Lizzy and The Palm Stream it here : Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  18. EPISODE 83: Maybe You Already Have It All from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    Apr 13, 202647 min

    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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'Thoughts While Swimming' by Theresa Lola feat John Roseboro Stream it here : https://ffm.to/thoughtswhileswimming Theresa Lola Website : https://www.theresalola.com/ Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  19. EPISODE 82: The Only Mussel Road in Cornwall from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    Apr 6, 20261 hr 4 min

    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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song: 'Mussel Shell Road' by Toby & Jen Kessell Stream it here: https://ffm.to/musselshellroad Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist: https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram: @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  20. EPISODE 81: Down For Life from Strangers on a Bench, opens in a new tab

    Mar 30, 202655 min

    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 Rosenthal & Lucy Railton Incidental music by Maddie Ashman End song : 'River Talk' by Adam Melchor Stream it here : https://ffm.to/rivertalk Listen to all the end songs featured on the podcast (so far) on one handy playlist : https://ffm.to/soabendsongs ———————————————————————————— Instagram : @strangersonabench Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ranking source

Apple Podcasts rankings via the Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.

Observed September 20, 2026.

Apple and Apple Podcasts are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

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