Park Bench Perspectives

Carlos Figueroa & Michael Hammer
  • 5.0 (4)
  • RELATIONSHIPS

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

  1. 13H AGO

    Rockin' the SLP Part 2

    Send us Fan Mail 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 “Come Sail Away” at the Piccadilly Circus arcade at Ridgedale, bus adventures to Southdale and skipping school for a Twins opening day at Met Stadium, and Mike bringing home a puppy from 31 Flavors in an ice-cream pail. They discuss Walkmans, punk/new wave, a signed Ramones “End of the Century” cover from cousin Susie, Neil Young’s Live Rust, changing attitudes toward alcohol and marijuana, house parties and bands, and the Zenith house era with dogs Cosmo and Windsor, then close with listener feedback requests and Mike’s insole business plug. 00:00 Welcome to the Bench 01:12 Guitar Dreams and Lessons 02:23 Need a New Theme Song 02:53 Music and Memory Triggers 04:31 Arcade Days at Ridgedale 05:25 Bus Adventures and Mischief 06:54 Puppies at 31 Flavors 10:11 Moped Plant Caper 13:00 Headphones Punk and Mr Baum 14:09 Ramones Devo and Cousin Susie 15:37 Babysitting Chaos and Apple Tossing 17:11 Big Kid Pranks and Chubby Checker 17:39 Pickup Game Memories 18:09 Neil Young Tape Era 19:49 Reefer Madness Talk 20:45 Stoner vs Drinker Labels 24:30 Ride Shares and Cabs 25:27 Band Names and Trivia 26:54 Local Venues and Bandshell 28:42 House Shows and Parties 30:31 Zenith House Stories 32:07 Wrap Up and Thanks

    34 min

  2. 2D AGO

    St Louis Park Plays That Funky Music - Part 1

    Send us Fan Mail 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 Cassidy, and Saturday Night Fever, and talk about influences such as an older sister and radio. They cover favorite artists and genres spanning the Rolling Stones, Doors, Led Zeppelin, REO Speedwagon, Queen, Prince, punk (Ramones, Sex Pistols, Iggy Pop), and rap, and recall concerts and ticket-buying experiences including Paul McCartney, Neil Young (with the Shocking Pinks), Devo, George Strait, and Paul Simon/Bob Dylan. They briefly detour into early cable TV and music video channels, plug Foot Pain Authority insoles and Hammer’s Substack, and invite St. Louis Park musicians to join future episodes. 00:00 Park Bench Intro 00:32 Knee Surgery Catchup 01:06 Why Music Matters 02:24 First Albums Debate 05:05 Early Influences Stories 07:44 Guilty Pleasures And Queen 09:27 Punk Rap Country Mix 11:01 Concert Memories McCartney 12:50 All Night For Neil Young 14:19 Neil Young Breaks The Rules 15:21 Tailgate Heat and Chaos 16:11 Neil Young Live Memories 17:02 Kidhood Movie and Music Discovery 17:39 Hunting Punk Imports 18:34 Old School TV Tech 21:15 Cable Hacks and Early Videos 23:24 Prince and MTV Era 24:27 Albums and Genre Detours 26:39 First Concerts and New Venues 28:47 Adult Shows and War Stories 29:19 Sponsor Plug and Substack 30:44 More Music Ahead Closing

    32 min

  3. APR 2

    Baseball, Hot Dogs, and Juggs

    Send us Fan Mail 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, and hit-and-run. They share stories about curveballs, pitching machines (“Juggs”), town ball traditions, and a Little League moment when Mike was told to pitch inside and hit a batter. The conversation also touches on MLB’s financial imbalance, fears of a future work stoppage, and a plug for FootPainAuthority.com plus Mike’s Substack and Carlos’s in-progress novel. 00:00 Bench Intro Theme 00:50 Show Welcome Banter 01:08 Future Topics Tease 01:48 Spring Means Baseball 02:04 T-Ball Childhood Days 03:33 Girls In The Game 04:23 Twins Return And Fears 05:31 Town Ball Tradition 07:07 Twins Memories And Voices 09:51 Stealing Home And Small Ball 13:15 Cheating And Pitch Guessing 16:01 Curveball Shock Story 17:24 Pitching Machines And Fungo 19:45 Beanball Confession Setup 20:20 Little League Hit Batter 22:20 Baseball Radio Memories 22:45 Why Baseball Works 24:54 Pitch Clock Debate 26:16 Seat Upgrading Game 28:18 Dodgers Money Problem 30:27 Beep Baseball Origins 34:33 Backyard Baseball Days 37:22 Sponsors And Signoff

    39 min

  4. MAR 30

    Growing Up in a Smaller World in St Louis Park

    Send us Fan Mail 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 current events. They discuss how friendships can resume effortlessly after years and reflect on how their childhood world felt geographically small, expanding through bikes, sports, and later broader social circles, contrasting that with how the internet expands kids’ worlds today. They reminisce about the Eliot neighborhood and Eliot Elementary, teachers and school memories, hiding chocolate milk, and sports and biking adventures, including Evel Knievel-inspired jumps. They recall anxiety about mixed-grade “Team Room,” Eliot’s closure, being merged with rival Cedar Manor, and resulting friendships. They touch on social anxiety, learning about people through conversation, bar-industry dynamics around “freebies,” and invite viewers to comment and join the community. 00:00 Theme Song Intro 00:39 Welcome to the Bench 01:02 Why the Bench Matters 01:33 Old Friends Chemistry 03:02 Growing Up Pre Internet 03:45 Eliot Neighborhood Boundaries 04:33 Sports and Skating Days 05:47 Bikes and Dirt Jumps 07:20 Eliot School Memories 07:38 Chocolate Milk Heist 09:57 Name Stories and Chuck Norris 11:27 Teachers and Team Room Anxiety 13:23 Childhood Crush Memories 13:33 School Closure Shock 14:05 Rival Schools Merge 15:58 Classroom Chaos Stories 17:18 Friendships Over Time 18:16 Small Talk And Anxiety 20:18 Avon Collectibles Tangent 21:08 Bar Friends And Freebies 23:39 Growing Up And High School 24:05 Community Call And Signoff Sponsors Foot Pain Authority If your feet are barking louder than your opinions, check out Foot Pain Authority for insoles and relief. Mention that you “heard about it on the bench.”  https://www.footpainauthority.com From Carlos Carlos also shares an update on his upcoming psychological thriller, The Ghost of Lake Osakis, andI write essays on my Substack about institutions, technology, and change.  https://substack.com/@carlosmfigueroa Join the conversation What St. Louis Park restaurant do you remember most? Drop a comment and tell us which places still live rent-free in your memory.

    26 min

  5. MAR 30

    Restaurants, Robberies, and Pig Roasts

    Send us Fan Mail 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. Louis Park-area staples such as Beaks Pizza (including an all-you-can-eat contest and a late-night cash-register robbery), Lincoln Dell deli, Schlotzky’s, My Pie, Clark’s submarine sandwich, and the McDonald’s by the high school during open campus and smoking-era rules. They share stories about skipping school to make pizza, Rocky Rococo’s heart-shaped pizza while watching Luke and Laura’s wedding, Carlos’s family pig roasts and an epic joint graduation party, plus the Lions Club pancake breakfast and paper route memories. Carlos plugs his Substack and a baseball-law feature, “The Ballpark Barrister.” 00:00 Show Intro and Tease 00:18 Theme Song and Greetings 00:54 Fan Mail and Feedback 01:10 The Mike Hammer Mystery 02:22 Listener Ideas and Expanding Town 03:41 Beaks Pizza Memories 04:47 Pizza Contest with Joe 05:50 Beaks Robbery Story 07:02 Lincoln Del Deli Love 08:41 More Local Eats Roundup 09:14 McDonalds Open Campus Days 10:32 Skipping School for Pizza 11:45 Homemade Crust Hacks 12:03 Open Campus Pizza Runs 12:41 McDonalds and Cafeteria Classics 14:11 Rocky Rococos Memories 16:11 Pig Roast Block Party 18:28 Graduation Party Chaos 20:04 Lions Club Breakfast Talk 21:15 Bennigans and Paper Route Donuts 22:55 Substack Plug and Sign Off Sponsors Foot Pain Authority If your feet are barking louder than your opinions, check out Foot Pain Authority for insoles and relief. Mention that you “heard about it on the bench.”  https://www.footpainauthority.com From Carlos Figueroa Carlos also shares an update on his upcoming psychological thriller, The Ghost of Lake Osakis, andI write essays on my Substack about institutions, technology, and change.  https://systemsunderpressure.substack.com/s/the-ballpark-barrister Join the conversation What St. Louis Park restaurant do you remember most? Drop a comment and tell us which places still live rent-free in your memory.

    24 min

  6. MAR 22

    Stirrups, Smorgasbords, and St. Louis Park

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode Minnesota March weather and the false promise of springWhy baseball and spring were inseparable growing upMeeting before kindergarten at Elliott ElementaryLittle League, Cub League, Babe Ruth, and neighborhood baseball memoriesKite flying across from Elliott and the legend of razor-blade kite warsOpening Day rituals, stirrups, and looking right in a baseball uniformSt. Louis Park restaurant memories, including:Shakey’s PizzaYangtze RestaurantDavid Woo’sPerkinsEmbersMr. SteakJolly TrollBridgeman’sFarrell’sCarriage House, bowling, pinball, and Saturday hot dogsHow food places become part of a town’s identityListener callout: favorite St. Louis Park restaurants, past or presentSponsor mentions and Carlos’s upcoming novel, The Ghost of Lake OsakisNotable moments Mike and Carlos realizing they forgot to actually introduce themselvesThe case for proper baseball stirrup height, argued like it’s constitutional lawA wonderfully chaotic detour from restaurants into MSG, hot dogs, and marijuana policyThe reminder that old neighborhood places were never just businesses—they were landmarks in people’s lives Mentioned in this episode Elliott ElementarySt. Louis Park baseballSols Koch’s Sporting GoodsShakey’s PizzaYangtze RestaurantDavid WooPerkinsEmbersMr. SteakJolly TrollBridgeman’sFarrell’sCarriage HouseFoot Pain AuthorityThe Ghost of Lake Osakis by Carlos FigueroaSponsors Foot Pain Authority If your feet are barking louder than your opinions, check out Foot Pain Authority for insoles and relief. Mention that you “heard about it on the bench.”  https://www.footpainauthority.com From Carlos Carlos also shares an update on his upcoming psychological thriller, The Ghost of Lake Osakis, and talks briefly about his Substack writing on institutions, technology, and change. Join the conversation What St. Louis Park restaurant do you remember most? Drop a comment and tell us which places still live rent-free in your memory.

    31 min
  7. Welcome to Park Bench Perspectives

    MAR 22

    Welcome to Park Bench Perspectives

    Send us Fan Mail 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 judged by character, while noting how memory is reconstructed rather than replayed. They share nostalgic examples from childhood media and parenting perspectives, and reject simplistic “generation wars” and horoscopes. The hosts begin a “Mount Rushmore of St. Louis Park,” naming Sol from Sol’s Superette, Lyle Hanks, the Coen brothers, Mark Rosen, Al Beugen, and Carlos’s father as influential figures. They close by introducing their current work: Carlos in law, Substack writing, and a novel, and Mike in construction/handyman work, insoles/foot care, a home maintenance guide, and a product-authentication project, plus family details. 00:00 Welcome to the Bench 00:58 Meet the Hosts 01:22 Growing Up St Louis Park 02:25 Friendship and Community 03:45 Nostalgia and Time Travel 04:35 How Memory Rewrites 05:50 Simpler Times Then 06:58 Beyond Generation Wars 08:14 Earliest Childhood Memories 10:06 Mount Rushmore of SLP 15:01 Mentors and Coaches 17:29 Neighborhood Watch and Lessons 19:29 Who We Are Today 20:49 Insoles and Side Hustles 22:58 Wrap Up and Sign Off You can find Carlos Figueroa's writing at systemsunderpressure.substack.com Check out Mike Hammer’s massaging insoles at https://www.footpainauthority.com

    24 min
  • 7 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Carlos Figueroa & Michael Hammer
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Park Bench Perspectives
  • Show Website
    Park Bench Perspectives

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