Park Bench Perspectives

About Park Bench Perspectives

Park Bench Perspectives is a conversation-driven podcast about making sense of the world without pretending to have all the answers. Hosted by Carlos Figueroa and Michael Hammer, two childhood friends who grew up in St Louis Park, MN =. Each episode feels like sitting down on a park bench—no scripts, no hot takes for the sake of it—just thoughtful discussion, honest questions, and a willingness to challenge assumptions. It’s not about being right. It’s about thinking better.

Publisher

Carlos Figueroa & Michael Hammer

Category

comedy · music · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

22 Mar 2026

Latest episode

29 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

28 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Sept 2026

   Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 26 - Reuniting with John Bigelow: Cedar Manor Memories, St. Louis Park, and Life After High School

   Send Comments and Feedback Reuniting with John Bigelow: Cedar Manor Memories, St. Louis Park, and Life After High School Hosts Mike Hammer and Carlos Figueroa welcome longtime friend John Bigelow to the “proverbial bench” to reminisce about growing up in St. Louis Park, especially their Cedar Manor and St. Louis Park High School years. John shares his neighborhood roots, family stories about his surname, and memories ranging from movie theater hangouts and concerts to being homecoming king a...

2. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Park Bench Perspectives - St. Louis Park Roots, Minnesota Wild Hockey, and Remembering Marty Hammer with Kevin Falness

   Send Comments and Feedback St. Louis Park Roots, Minnesota Wild Hockey, and Remembering Marty Hammer with Kevin Falness Carlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer host Park Bench Perspectives with guest Kevin Falness (St. Louis Park class of 1990), discussing their shared St. Louis Park roots and community pride. Falness recounts being born and raised in St. Louis Park, attending Susan Lindgren, Peter Hobart, and the high school, briefly living in Denver (1995–2000), then returning to raise a family ne...

3. 

   11 Sept 2026

   Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 26 - Bee Stings, Butter Debates, and Fainting at the Fair

   Send Comments and Feedback Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 26 - Bee Stings, Butter Debates, and Fainting at the Fair Carlos and Mike Hammer open with Mike describing getting close to double-digit hornet/bee stings at work and joking about claims that venom helps joints, then riff on butter vs. margarine, PB&J (including squeeze jars), Italian ice, and nostalgic frozen treats. The conversation shifts to the Minnesota State Fair: Mike recounts fainting in 2025 after heat, exhaustion, alc...

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Contact Park Bench Perspectives

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.