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

EPISODE 100: Don't Ever Stop Dreaming

August 10, 2026 · 1 hr 10 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…
EPISODE 99: Everyone Deserves To Have Secrets

August 3, 2026 · 1 hr 14 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…
EPISODE 98: Realistically I Should Be Dead

July 27, 2026 · 1 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…
EPISODE 97: Seeing Stars in Sea Glass

July 20, 2026 · 50 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…
EPISODE 96: You and I Are So Different

July 13, 2026 · 1 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…
EPISODE 95: Periscopes and Bagels

July 6, 2026 · 1 hr 7 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…
EPISODE 94: The Most Surreal Meeting

June 29, 2026 · 48 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…
EPISODE 93: Branches Don't Grow Straight

June 22, 2026 · 55 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…