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.
Episodes
26 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...
Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 21 - From San Jose to St. Louis Park: Chuck Chastain’s Perspective
From San Jose to St. Louis Park: Chuck Chastain’s Park Bench PerspectiveCarlos Figueroa and Mike “Hammer” talk on their “park bench” podcast with guest Chuck Chastain, a St. Louis Park High School class of ’84 alumnus who moved from San ...
Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 20 - The Random Show
The Random Show: St. Louis Park Support, Phobias, and FaithCarlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer open with talk about extreme summer heat, humidity, and smoke affecting breathing, then shift to St. Louis Park community issues: a Hel...
Park Bench Perspecties - Hazardous to Your Health: Concert Mishaps and Survival
Surviving Rock ’n’ Roll: Concert Mishaps, Heat, and Close CallsCarlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer trade “park bench perspective” banter before sharing stories about concerts being hazardous. They recall a late-’90s Bob Dylan/Paul Simon sho...
Park Bench Perspecrives - Episode 18 - Aquila Park Fourth of July Memories, Fireworks, and Dog Stories from the Bench
Fourth of July Memories, Fireworks, and Dog Stories from the BenchMike Hammer and Carlos Figueroa reunite on the “park bench” to talk about Fourth of July plans, memories of the 1976 bicentennial mural at Elliott Elementary, and how fir...
Father’s Day Reflections and Baseball Chatter: From Park Bench Perspectives to Square Box Baseball
Mike and Carlos Figueroa talk on Father’s Day from their “park bench” perspective, reflecting on Carlos’s late father and how youth baseball has changed from inexpensive local leagues to costly, professionalized travel ball. They reminisce abou...
Park Bench Perspectives - Beek's Pizza, Babe Ruth Baseball, and The White Shadow
Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 16: Beek's Pizza, Babe Ruth Baseball, and The White ShadowEpisode Summary: In this episode of Park Bench Perspectives, hosts Carlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer welcome a very special ...
Park Bench Perspectives - The Older Sister Perspective: Tom Petty, Twins, and a Broken Tibia
In this episode of Park Bench Perspectives, hosts Mike and Carlos welcome a special guest to the bench: Mike’s older sister, Michelle. Bringing her "older sister female perspective" to the show, Michelle joins the conversation while re...
Memorial Day Bench Talk: Dad Jokes, Raccoons in the Attic, Fireworks, and Barter
Memorial Day Bench Talk: Dad Jokes, Raccoons in the Attic, Fireworks, and BarterOn a Memorial Day in Minnesota, Carlos and Mike Hammer record “Park Bench Perspectives,” starting with a dad joke from Brady about “paranormal jeans.” They t...
First Jobs and St. Louis Park Rituals
From their “Park Bench Perspective,” Carlos and Mike Hammer reminisce about growing up in St. Louis Park and early work experiences, starting with a childhood paper route and frustrations with school fundraisers, including a story about Melissa...
We Remember Summers in St. Louis Park
St. Louis Park Summertime Perspectives (and the “Bare Ass Pool” Story)Carlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer talk on Park Bench Perspectives about May leading into summer in St. Louis Park, recalling elementary track meets (relays, sack races)...
Mother’s Day Park Bench Perspective: Remembering Judy and Maria
On Mother’s Day, hosts Mike Hammer and Carlos Figueroa return to their “park bench perspective,” invite listeners to leave Fan Mail or voicemails on their Buzzsprout page to share St. Louis Park stories, and dedicate a mom-centric episode to th...
The St Louis Park Experience: Posters, Postcards, and Parents
Posters, Pop Cans, and Park Bench PerspectivesMike Hammer and Carlos Figueroa reminisce on a “park bench” about teen bedroom posters (Farrah Fawcett, Led Zeppelin, Lamborghini, Easy Rider), poster-shopping at places like the Fun Shop an...
Tapping the Keg at the St. Louis Park Train Trestle
Lady Gaga, Keg Parties, and Park Bench PerspectivesFrom their park bench, Mike Hammer and Carlos Figueroa catch up about Mike attending a Lady Gaga concert and joking about painkillers for his bad knee, then give a shout-out to cl...
Talkin’ ’Bout My St. Louis Park Generations Gen X vs Gen Z Music Swap
From their “park bench perspective,” Carlos and Mike (“Hammer”) welcome Mike’s Gen Z daughter, Georgia, to discuss generations and music. They joke about Gen X vs. baby boomers, naming conventions like Gen Alpha/Beta, and how streaming and Blue...
Rockin' the SLP Part 2
Rockin' the SLP Park 2Carlos Figueroa and co-host Mike Hammer chat on Park Bench Perspectives about how music and pets mark life’s timeline while reminiscing about growing up in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. They joke about their limited m...
St Louis Park Plays That Funky Music - Part 1
Park Bench Perspective: First Albums, Concert Memories, and Music DiscoveryCarlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer discuss music from their “park bench” perspective while joking about Carlos’s recent knee surgery and lack of musical talent. The...
Baseball, Hot Dogs, and Juggs
On this episode of Park Bench Perspectives, Mike Hammer and Carlos kick off spring by talking baseball—how T-ball and Little League shaped their Minnesota childhoods, expanded their friendships and rivalries, and later became a bond through the...
Growing Up in a Smaller World in St Louis Park
Park Bench Perspectives: Growing Up in a Smaller WorldFirst off Mike Hammer and Carlos Figueroa really appreciate all the great feedback. We recorded this episode before receiving comments but rest assured SLP Food Part 2 is on the...
Restaurants, Robberies, and Pig Roasts
Fan Feedback, St. Louis Park Food Memories, and Pig Roast StoriesMike Hammer and Carlos Figueroa open the episode by reading early listener feedback, including a Minneapolis commenter questioning whether Hammer is the real 1984 graduate...