Park Bench Ontology

The Bench Is Still Here — A Note Before the Break

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Season 2 is done. This is a short note before the pause — where the show has been, where it's going, and why the bench isn't going anywhere.Season 3...

Grocery Store Security Guards and the Collapse of Abundance

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The security guard at the grocery store is a sign before they are a deterrent. This episode takes Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower as its anchor ...

Childs Was Right

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In 1982, John Carpenter released The Thing — a film about paranoia in isolation.But beneath the alien horror is a quieter question:Why does crisis a...

“Elbows Up, Davos, and The Shock Doctrine

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we examine the “Elbows Up” movement and Mark Carney’s Davos speech through the framework of Naomi Klein’s The Shock Doctrine. When ...

Why Does Society Feel Like an Art Gallery?

08 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What actually gives people power today?🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support:🌐 Website...

The Real Housewives of the Overlook Hotel

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when reality TV becomes a haunted house?This episode looks at The Shining and The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City as the same structure...

State & Revolution at the Dinner Table | Park Bench Ontology S2E3

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Arguments about communism, socialism, and capitalism rarely fail because people disagree.They fail because nobody is using the same definitions.This e...

EPISODE 2 - Enframing & Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 2 of Park Bench Ontology looks at enframing — the idea that modern systems don’t just control what we do, but how the world shows up to us...

Burnout Is a Feature, Not a Bug

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Burnout isn’t an accident.In this episode, I sit on a park bench and talk about why stillness feels suspicious, why boredom is treated like a proble...

Simulation / Spectacle: The Real Satanic Panic

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

They told us fantasy games were dangerous, but reality was the real cult. In Episode 8, Gavin looks at how the Satanic Panic became a rehearsal for to...

Necropolitics: Living Isn’t the Point Anymore

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Gavin looks at necropolitics — the philosophy of who gets to live, who’s left to die, and how power hides behind empathy.From Charlie K...

Freedom From Freedom: To Be Free of Freedom

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone loves to talk about “freedom” — but what kind?The freedom we’re sold isn’t liberation; it’s consumption. It’s “freedom” as ...

Psychopolitics: How Control Got Cute

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Park Bench Ontology, Gavin dives into the strange world of psychopolitics — where control doesn’t come from force anymore, it c...

Hauntology - The Future Isn't Coming

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The future isn’t coming — it’s being rewritten. In Episode 4 of Park Bench Ontology: Hauntology, I explore how capitalism erases anything that d...

Capitalist Realism & My Old Navy Malcolm X Shirt

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode of Park Bench Ontology, we dive headfirst into capitalist realism—the idea that capitalism is the only system that feels “...

Racecraft: The Making of Whiteness

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Some guy once told me he was proud to be white. But “whiteness” was never a culture — it was manufactured as a team sport by the people in power...

The Sopranos & The Denial of Death

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tony Soprano’s panic attacks aren’t just mob stress — they’re existential dread. In this episode of Park Bench Ontology, we dive into Ernest B...

Welcome to the Collapse

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Uncolonized is Evolving…New Season. New Ontology.From Uncolonized → Park Bench OntologyFor years, Uncolonized has been our space to challenge cult...

Episode 25: Narratives, Existential Dread & The Spook Who Sat by the Door

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Uncolonized host Gavin unpacks the weaponization of narratives, existential dread in capitalist culture, and the revolutionary symbolism of The Spook ...

S16E25: Sinners & Andor – A Deep Dive into Discourse

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the Uncolonized Podcast, Gavin and Daniel tackle the cinematic and cultural complexities of the film Sinners and the hit series Andor. Jo...

S16E24: Election Aftermath Instagram Live/ with Derek Forgie

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of Uncolonized, we dive deep into the recent Canadian federal election outcomes with special guest Derek Forgie from @Partiesov...

S16E23: Polling Stations, Power Trips & the Myth of Democracy

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this solo episode, Gavin unpacks his firsthand experience working at a Canadian federal election polling station—and why it left him more convinc...

Episode 16: Museums, Deportations, and Colonial Déjà Vu

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Uncolonized, Daniel and Gavin tear into the Royal Ontario Museum, where one of the board’s chairpersons is connected to a company makin...

The Silent Majoity...sort of.

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Uncolonized, Gavin Stephens and Daniel Grant dive into the media’s favorite zombie narrative: the “silent majority.” Every election...

Episode 20: Mickey 17, Race, and the Politics of Auteurship

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Daniel and Gavin dissect Bong Joon Ho’s Mickey 17, using Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of cultural capital to examine who gets to be seen as...

Episode 19: You Can’t Take It With You

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Uncolonized - Episode 19: You Can’t Take It With YouThis week on Uncolonized, Gavin Stephens talks about losing his stuff in a fire—and not in a m...

Uncolonized S16E18 – The Authoritarian Mindset & Canadians Who Want to be Annexed

31 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, it's just me, Gavin Stephens, diving into a bizarre but growing phenomenon—Canadians who actually want the U.S. to annex Canada. I break ...

S16E17: Finding Common Ground with Derek Forgie

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Uncolonized, I sit down with comedian, activist, and host Derek Forgie (MTV, Just For Laughs, CBC) to discuss his new project, Parties Ov...

S16E16: Ontario’s 2025 Election: What Now?

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Uncolonized, Gavin and Daniel break down the results of the 2025 Ontario election. What do the numbers say? What does it mean for the fut...

S16E15: Great Television

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this solo episode, Gavin breaks down the latest political spectacle—Trump letting his mask slip and Zelenskyy failing to navigate the game of pol...

Episode Title: S16E14 - Captain America: Brave New Neoliberalism

24 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Uncolonized, Gavin Stephens and Daniel Grant dive into Captain America: Brave New World, breaking down the political and social imp...

S16E13: ADHD in Adults: The Hidden Struggle with Nichole Henderson

17 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Uncolonized, host Gavin Stephens sits down with Nichole Henderson, a registered psychotherapist (BA, SSW, MACP) and founder of Yellow Cha...

S16E12: Capitalism isn’t natural

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this solo episode of Uncolonized, Gavin dives into the philosophy of Herbert Marcuse and how it connects to his real-life experiences with peo...

S16E11: Wicked, Capitalist Realism & Hollywood Revolution

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of Uncolonized, hosts Gavin Stephens and Daniel Grant delve into the 2024 film Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu.  They ...

In God We Trust

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Uncolonized, Gavin & Daniel take a Canadian perspective on the incoming U.S. administration and the inauguration. How does this ...

S16E09: Hulk Hogan, Hyperreality & America’s Plutocracy

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Uncolonized, it’s a solo episode with me, Gavin Stephens. In Part 1, I dive into WWE’s big move to Netflix, focusing on the rece...

S16E8: The Assassination of a CEO and the Fight Over Wealth Inequality

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 8 of Season 16, Gavin Stephens and Daniel Grant discuss the shocking assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson by Luigi Mangione...

Episode Title: S16E7: How Social Media Fuels Far-Right Populism

08 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 7 of Season 16, hosts Gavin Stephens and Daniel Grant tackle the slow bleed of reality as social media continues to shape public discourse....

S16E6: Breaking Down Heretic – Hugh Grant’s Sinister New Role

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Uncolonized, we dive into the gripping thriller Heretic, starring Hugh Grant in a chilling performance as the diabolical Mr. Reed. Direct...

S16E05 - So what now?

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode of Uncolonized, we dive into the aftermath of the recent U.S. election and what it means for Canadians, as it looks like anot...

S16E04 - Libertarians and their slavery metaphors

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 4 of Uncolonized Season 16, Daniel and Gavin dive deep into the 2023 film Jones Plantation, an indie movie created by anarcho-capitalists t...

S16E03 - These MSG Rallies

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Uncolonized Podcast Season 16, Episode 3: This week, Gavin and Daniel dive into a surreal yet unsettling event—Donald Trump’s recent rally at Madi...

S16E02 - Immigrant anxiety

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Uncolonized, host Gavin Stephens dives into the heated topic of how immigrants are politicized as scapegoats in Western societies. ...

S16E01 - Are we even human any more?

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we looked at social media companies and the lack of autonomy in art and the world. We also discussed how renters are suffering from algorit...

S15E10 - Sorry we're late

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the title says, we are late on this one. Life has happened so this season was a bit loose. However here we are with a new and final episode for sea...

S15E09: Doug Ford's selling off of Ontario (Part 1)

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gavin & Daniel are back with the penultimate episode of Season 15. There has been so much going on, especially in Ontario. Ontario Place closing, ...

S15E08 - White journalist does blackface, thinks he solves racism...again

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week Gavin is all by himself, and letting loose. Gavin discusses a bunch of current events including the Canadian journo who decided to write a b...

S15E07- Why is Canada’s support for LGBTQ2 rights and visibility declining ?

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week Daniel & Gavin discussed Canada's decline in support for the LGBTQ2 community based on a recent poll, and the general anger that seems t...

S15E06 - Kendrick Vs. Drake & the business of beef.

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S15E05 - Philosophy, physics and spirituality walk into a bar (featuring Morgan O Smith)

27 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week Morgan O Smith (Yinniergy, The Buzz) joins us to talk about the connections between Philosophy, Physics and spirituality. It's an intense an...

S15E04 - Pro Palestine Campus Protests

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S1503 - Civil War & Keffiyehs

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, Gavin & Daniel reviewed the politically complicated mess that is Alex Garland's latest film; Civil War.We also talked abou...

S15E02 - Neoliberal Climate Action, in Action

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week Daniel & Gavin talk about Gavin's need for right-leaning liberals to understand he's not on their side about climate change. Check out t...

S15E01 - The Eclipse brought us back.

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S14E10: I Don't LIke North Americans

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S14E09: Welcome Back Lady Vivdly (Full episode)

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S14E08 - They Cloned Tyrone part 1

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We're back with a new episode. Gavin & Daniel review the Netflix sci-fi mystery film, They Cloned Tyrone this week. Starring John Boyega, Jamie Fo...

S14E07 - Fargo Season 5 Review

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S14E06 - Claudine Gay Vs. Harvard

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week Gavin & Daniel DISCUSSED the recent resignation of Havard president Claudine Gay, and what it means moving forward for academia. Check ...

S14E05 - The Curious Case of Katt Williams

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S14E04 - How Palestine Is Discussed

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S14E03: Matt Rife, Guyana and the world between

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Both Daniel and Gavin have a connection to the small country that is known as Guyana. After its recent oil discovery, the South American country has f...

S14E02: How the right wins

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S14E01: Has the NDP lost it's base?

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Ontario NDP kicking Hamilton MPP Sara Jama out of caucus for calling for a cease-fire during the Israeli / Hamas conflict, and the way the Federal...

S13E10: Taking up space

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S13E09 - Special guest Candice Gregoris

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S13E08: Canada's Climate Refugees (part 1)

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week Gavin & Daniel discuss an an article recently published by Breach Media, about Canada's First Nations becoming climate refugees. Why we'...

S13E07: Blind Side Update

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S13E06 - Jamie Foxx and the Green Belt

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week Daniel & Gavin discussed the conversation surrounding Jamie Foxx's cryptic tweet. They also talked about the Ontario government's corrup...

S13E05 - WGA/AFTRA STRIKE (part 1)

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S13E04 - Space Traders

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S13E03 - Fake elections, the TTC and more (part 1)

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S13E02- Affirmative Invasion

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S13E01 - Daniel is Back! (Part 1)

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week Daniel returns! He and Gavin talk about the Billionaires sub implosion and how the right is blaming it on "wokeness". We also talked about C...

S12E16 : Gavin talks to comedian Habib Siam. part 1

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S12E15 - With special guest writer Lionel Vaz (Part 1)

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S12E14 - the memeification of mental health with Rhiannon Archer (part 1)

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S12E13 - A.I & The writers strike with AJ Bate (Part 1)

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S12E12 - Canadian school board freak outs (With mzvividlyfoxxy) part 1

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week Gavin is joined once again by prolific tea-bringer, mzvividlyfoxxy. They talk Pride flag bannings in Norwich Ontario. School board freakouts...

S12E11 - Tucker & Lemon Fired! with Dave Getachew (part 1)

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S12E10- Black Neurodiversity

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S12E09 - The Double Standard Strikes Again

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S12E08 - The fear of A.I with Monty Scott

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we welcomed Comedian Monty Scott to the show. He & Gavin sit down to have a good conversation about A. I, pot dispensaries and so much m...

S12E07: What is a woke?

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S12E06: Chris Rocks Slap Back!

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S01E05 - How did the left loose Unions?

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S12E04: Black Mental Health Matters

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week Gavin & Daniel discussed the federal Liberal government's proposal to give 1.5 million to black communities for mental health. We also t...

S12E03 - Disgraced Mayors and Stag & Does

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel and Gavin talk about Mayor John Tory stepping down, and how it was hiding a bigger scandal that involved wedding plans. Also the guys pay tribu...

S12E02 - Police budgets & the TTC

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This weeks episode we talked about the recent crime wave on the Toronto public transit, and how the Police budget benefits from it's reporting. Also L...

S01E12 - Season 12 Premiere

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're back and happy to be here. This first episode Daniel Grant & Gavin Stephens discuss a few topics including Black Canadians feeling all work ...

S11E10: Tanya Vividly talks local elections

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S11E09: The Woman King

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S11E08: Kanye West...again

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S11E07: is Jeff Dunham uncancellable?

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S11E06 - The Conservatives have a new Leader

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S11E05: BLM VS. BLM

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S11E04 - FN MEKA is this the future of art?

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S11E03 - Anti-racism has been cancelled

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...

S11E02 - No more pronouns in Wisconsin

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Gavin & Daniel talk about the Wisconsin school board's decision to eliminate all pronouns in emails. (A normal move). As well they took a look at Cana...

S11E01 - The spectacle of Trauma

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

🎙 Park Bench Ontology — existential comedy for the end of the world.🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎧 Podcast...