Strangers on a Bench

“Hello. Sorry to bother you. Can I ask a slightly odd question? I’m making a podcast called “Strangers on a Bench” where essentially I talk to people I don’t know for 10–15 minutes. Are you up for that? You wanna give it a go?”

My favourite podcast is no more. 100 episodes and out.

Say it ain’t so, Joe. Say it ain’t so!

I joined a few episodes in on the kind recommendation of my old friend Adam during our long distance phone calls when he’s bored driving along the south coast of England, and by bittersweet coincidence, the final episode takes place on a beach, the sound of the sea a very pleasing backdrop to podcast host Tom Rosenthal chatting with an always anonymous “stranger”, today and finally, with a ray of beach sunshine from Poland.

Why I enjoy this podcast so much is easily explained as (a) I had a very similar idea in 2013 (I was going to call it “Ironbridge Life” but I didn’t have the balls or the equipment or the belief to do it) and (b) this podcast is/was a sweet slice of English life that transcends any international boundaries as invariably Tom’s laugh filled questions lead to the universal essence in all our lives. Life, jobs, travel, pastimes, memories, death, loss, recovery, and arguably every facet of life you wouldn’t necessarily wish to share with a stranger on a bench! Which is why it is/was so engaging.

Right, what’s my next podcast obsession?

“Dear Diary” is a new concept I’m running with for the new year. Short, punchy, irreverent, spoiler free, telling you everything and nothing about that day’s particular journal entry. Here’s today’s entry. Do check back in tomorrow. After you’ve tempted yourself with one of these beauties I self-published either side of Christmas 2025:

"Alone with Everybody" - Link to Amazon

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