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
Rockin' the SLP Park 2
Carlos 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 musical talent, Carlos’s LaBelle’s electric guitar that Mike borrowed for lessons, and invite listeners to submit a jingle for the podcast. Memories include hearing “Com...
Park Bench Perspective: First Albums, Concert Memories, and Music Discovery
Carlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer discuss music from their “park bench” perspective while joking about Carlos’s recent knee surgery and lack of musical talent. They reminisce about early records and where they bought them (Shopper City, Down in the Valley), including first albums like The Who’s Tommy, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, Sean Cas...
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 their own kids. They reminisce about the Twins as a constant “soundtrack to life” on WCCO, old players and eras, and the appeal of small-ball fundamentals like bunting, stealing,...
Park Bench Perspectives: Growing Up in a Smaller World
First 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 agenda for next week.
Park Bench Perspectives, as two longtime friends chatting on a virtual park bench about their lives, the St. Louis Park, Minnesota community they grew up in, and cur...
Fan Feedback, St. Louis Park Food Memories, and Pig Roast Stories
Mike Hammer and Carlos Figueroa open the episode by reading early listener feedback, including a Minneapolis commenter questioning whether Hammer is the real 1984 graduate, which they clarify by distinguishing him from an older Mike Hamer. They discuss how suggestions are expanding their focus beyond their childhood neighborhood and recall St...
Welcome to Park Bench Perspective: Old Friends, St. Louis Park, and Making Sense of the World
Carlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer introduce their show, “Park Bench Perspective,” describing it as a thoughtful conversation between two lifelong friends rather than a hot-take format, starting with memories of growing up in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. They discuss the town’s sense of community, diversity, and how people were j...
In this episode
- Minnesota March weather and the false promise of spring
- Why baseball and spring were inseparable growing up
- Meeting before kindergarten at Elliott Elementary
- Little League, Cub League, Babe Ruth, and neighborhood baseball memories
- Kite flying across from Elliott and the legend of razor-blade kite wars
- Opening Day rituals, stirrups, and looking right in a baseball uniform
- St. Louis Park restaurant m...
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