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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
Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Childhood Memories
Train Travel
Well-Being
Miniature Making
Cycling
Cemetery
Grief
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes65Foundeda 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! 

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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People also subscribe to these shows.

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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 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 6.4k 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 Kingdom24 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
    Australia25 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 Statesa month 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 Kingdoma month 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
    Netherlandsa 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 64: A Letter To My Mum
Q: What do you get from being in a relationship?
The guest talks about friendship, love, comfort, and having someone on your side.
EPISODE 64: A Letter To My Mum
Q: How do you want to keep her alive? Guessing that you do. It sounds like you do.
The guest expresses a desire to follow their mother's advice to live their best life and to find joy in memories of her.
EPISODE 65: The Thirty-Seven Club
Q: What would you say are the benefits of being a young parent?
He believes being a young parent keeps him in touch with his kids and helps maintain a youthful vibe in their family, as they still feel young themselves.
EPISODE 65: The Thirty-Seven Club
Q: Do you remember your first moment of connection with her?
The man recalls that the first time he saw his partner was at a party, despite not feeling ready to meet anyone because of a recent shoulder injury. However, there was an instant attraction and connection between them.
EPISODE 62: I Wish That Was My Last Kiss
Q: What would you say to people in your position when you were younger?
I wish anyone the best possible outcome for exploring what they want to explore.

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?

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?

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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. Life Changing
2. Desert Island Discs
3. Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth
4. Off Air with Jane & Fi
5. The Louis Theroux Podcast

How many episodes of Strangers on a Bench are there?

Strangers on a Bench launched a year ago and published 65 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.

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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. Guest (name not identified)
2. Unnamed Guest
3. Unnamed Kite Enthusiast
4. Unnamed female guest
5. Unnamed Campaigner
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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