# Pt 1: Why Talking to Strangers Changed My Life | That Park Bench Girl

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/stompcast-5575398/pt-1-why-talking-to-strangers-changed-my-life-that-park-bench-girl
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/stompcast-5575398/pt-1-why-talking-to-strangers-changed-my-life-that-park-bench-girl.md
Podcast: [Figuring It Out](https://stenobird.com/podcast/stompcast-5575398)
Published: 2026-03-23T01:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/stompcast/episodes/pt-1-why-talking-to-strangers-changed-my-life-that-park-benc
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/64c105ce6e0909001188b2c1/e/69bc114062f6c66afe49d1bb/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/stompcast-5575398/episodes/pt-1-why-talking-to-strangers-changed-my-life-that-park-bench-girl
Duration seconds: 1844

## Resource

In May 2024, Lara Philippart decided to sit on a bench and invite strangers to talk about their mental health, becoming ‘That Park Bench Girl’. She’s since had over 100 conversations, and today she adds Dr Alex George to that list.  In part one, Lara explains why she began ‘park benching’, the surprising statistics around the amount of men who have spoken to her and the process of becoming a mental health first aider.  If you or anyone you know is struggling, call Samaritans at 116 123 Follow @thatparkbenchgirl Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now! Order Happy Habits - out now!  Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle : the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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## Transcript

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