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.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
EPISODE 100: Don't Ever Stop Dreaming
***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
Aug 10 1 h 09 min
EPISODE 99: Everyone Deserves To Have Secrets
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 Rose
Aug 3 1 h 13 min
EPISODE 98: Realistically I Should Be Dead
*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 th
Jul 27 1 h 17 min
EPISODE 97: Seeing Stars in Sea Glass
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 Rose
Jul 20 50 min
EPISODE 96: You and I Are So Different
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 Rose
Jul 13 1 h 02 min
EPISODE 95: Periscopes and Bagels
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 Rose
Jul 6 1 h 06 min
EPISODE 94: The Most Surreal Meeting
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 Rose
Jun 29 48 min
EPISODE 93: Branches Don't Grow Straight
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 Rose
Jun 22 55 min
EPISODE 92: Stand By Me
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 Rose
Jun 15 53 min
EPISODE 91: Lads, Crying, and David Attenborough
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 Rose
Jun 8 1 h 06 min
EPISODE 90: So Glad I Didn't Hide Away
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 Rose
Jun 1 1 h 02 min
EPISODE 89: I Am What I Am
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 Rose
May 25 44 min
EPISODE 88: Feels Like We're Untouchable
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 Rose
May 18 54 min
EPISODE 87: Charge It To The Game
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 Rose
May 11 1 h 04 min
EPISODE 86: Talking To Gina
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 Rose
May 4 46 min
EPISODE 85: Where All The Trouble Lies
*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
Apr 27 1 h 06 min
EPISODE 84: Called To The Fanny
*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 hap
Apr 20 55 min
EPISODE 83: Maybe You Already Have It All
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 Rose
Apr 13 47 min
EPISODE 82: The Only Mussel Road in Cornwall
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 Rose
Apr 6 1 h 04 min
EPISODE 81: Down For Life
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 Rose
Mar 30 55 min
Chart trend
Position in the Documentary chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#42#82JunJulAugSep
#2
all-time peak
2
days in the top 3 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where Strangers on a Bench ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 21, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
What a wonderful gift of humanity in such inhumane times! Tom Rosenthal is a delightful conversationalist! If Ep 100 is his last, I’ll be forced to wish him well (😉), but will start and the beginning and work through the stories again!
Tametadav · Aug 2026
From “do you have a favorite day of the week?” to “what are you doing next?” you’re invited to journey through vignettes of a complete stranger’s life. Tom’s follow up questions evoke funny, sad, and often poignant moments that remind you each time we’re all just humans-so much more alike than not. I never miss an episode and highly recommend!!
Gram TDiz · Jul 2026
This show is a beautiful slice of humanity. Every episode feels so different but all have this through thread of genuine connection. Tom is an excellent interviewer and matches the vibe of the strangers while also sharing authentic bits of himself. Do yourself a favor and add this to your rotation, it won’t disappoint.
KitKat08642 · Jun 2026
Thank you for doing the work of discovering your talent for inviting souls of all kinds into all kinds of conversations. Each week I look forward to hearing you lovingly draw our fellow humans into sharing the simple, the profound, the gritty, the dark, the painful, and the joyous places they have known, lived, and survived. Bless you sir! May your amazing conversations continue!
Moregraceman · May 2026
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