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.
Park Bench Perspectives
Latest Episodes
Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 26 - Bee Stings, Butter Debates, and Fainting at the Fair
Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 26 - Bee Stings, Butter Debates, and Fainting at the FairCarlos and Mike Hammer open with Mike describing getting close to double-digit hornet/bee stings at work and joking about claims that venom helps...
Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 25 - State Fair Strategies and Remembering Dolly Parton
State Fair Strategies and Remembering Dolly PartonCarlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer banter about why the Minnesota State Fair is the best, comparing it to the well-regarded Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport and criticizing ...
Park Bench Perspective - Episode 24 - Showing Up, Getting Uncomfortable, and the Romance of Baseball
From a park bench conversation, Carlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer discuss how society and parenting can over-coddle people, leaving them reluctant to be uncomfortable, take risks, make phone calls, handle conflict, or ask someone out face-to-face...
Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 23 - From Newport Beach to Little League Sponsors: Donuts, Old Teams, and Old Maps
Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 23 - From Newport Beach to Little League Sponsors: Donuts, Old Teams, and Old MapsCarlos Figueroa and co-host Mike Hammer open the Park Bench Perspective podcast with Hammer reporting from a bench in Ne...
Park Bench Perspective Episode 22 - Serendipity, Youth Sports, and Showing Up
Park Bench Perspective: Serendipity, Youth Sports, and Showing UpMike Hammer and Carlos Figueroa chat from their “park bench perspective” about Minnesota’s heat wave, brief rain, and the Twins acquiring a reliever and a starter. They re...
Fan Mail
Boys, enjoying the podcast. Happy to join you as a guest as your schedule allows. Joe Riley.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
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