Park Bench Ontology

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 Becker’s The Denial of Death and how it explains Tony’s breakdowns, projection, and the absurd ways people cope with mortality. 🔗 Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: http://gavinstephens.ca 🎙️ Podcast: https://podbio.me/parkbenchontology 📷 Instagram: countgavin 🐦 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gavinbstephens.substack.com 📼 YouTube: https://youtube.com/parkbenchontology #sopranos, #sopranos #existentialism #analysis, #denialofdeath, #ernestbecker, #philosophy, #podcast, #park, #bench, #ontology, #mortality, #psychology, #popculture, #philosophy, #lo-fi philosophy, #comedy #podcast, #death #anxiety, #comedypodcast Visit our website: gavinstephens.ca Check out the Substack: Dispatch From The Simulation Follow us on instagram: @countgavin Follow us on BlueSky: GavinBStephens Subscribe and leave a review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Uncolonized is Evolving… New Season. New Ontology. From Uncolonized → Park Bench Ontology For years, Uncolonized has been our space to challenge culture, identity, and power. That work isn’t ending — it’s mutating. We’re evolving into Park Bench Ontology: a lo-fi philosophy podcast about collapse, comedy, and the strange theatre of being human. Think zine-brained philosophy meets Adult Swim absurdity — sitting on the park bench, staring at capitalism’s weird machinery, and laughing so we don’t scream. The first episode drops 22/09/25. It’s called Everyday Gltich and it dives into “The cognitive dissonance of everyday” or “the algorithms of dread”. Same feed. New lens. If Uncolonized was about breaking the empire’s script, Park Bench Ontology is about what comes after the script falls apart. Stick around. Things are about to get weird. Visit our website: gavinstephens.ca Check out the Substack: Dispatch From The Simulation Follow us on instagram: @countgavin Follow us on BlueSky: GavinBStephens Subscribe and leave a review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Uncolonized host Gavin unpacks the weaponization of narratives, existential dread in capitalist culture, and the revolutionary symbolism of The Spook Who Sat by the Door. Listen now + bonus episode on Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Uncolonized Podcast, Gavin and Daniel tackle the cinematic and cultural complexities of the film Sinners and the hit series Andor. Join us as we explore the narratives, themes, and the surrounding discourse that movies like these always seem to attract. In our bonus Patreon episode, we dive into the bizarre incident involving a woman who used a racial slur against a five-year-old and the concept of "vice signalling." http://pateron.com/theuncolonized Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode of Uncolonized, we dive deep into the recent Canadian federal election outcomes with special guest Derek Forgie from @Partiesoverproject. Join us as we discuss the implications of the election results, the shifting political landscape, and what it means for Canadians moving forward. This insightful conversation, recorded live on Instagram, offers a fresh perspective on the political climate in Canada. Tune in to gain valuable insights and engage with our community! Check out bonus episodes on our Patreon http://pateron.com/theuncolonized Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode, Gavin unpacks his firsthand experience working at a Canadian federal election polling station—and why it left him more convinced than ever that capitalism and democracy are fundamentally incompatible. From authoritarian micro-behaviors to racial dynamics at play, this episode dives deep into the cracks in the illusion of “free and fair” elections. In the bonus episode on Patreon, Gavin discusses the 2022 film Sinners, exploring themes of guilt, power, and collective moral failure. 👉 Support us and hear the bonus ep: patreon.com/theuncolonized 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 making money off deportations from the U.S. Spoiler: colonial institutions don’t really change — they just rebrand. We also get into Martin Heidegger’s idea of enframing, and how museums, despite all their shiny updates, are still running on the same colonial operating system. On our Patreon bonus episode patreon.com/theuncolonzed, we break down how the Peterborough mayor thought it was a good idea to use the N-word at a college event — and how boomers are still fumbling around the internet like it's a damn Rubik's Cube. If you want critical, unapologetic takes on colonialism, racism, and the slow-moving trainwreck of old power structures trying to survive the internet age — hit play. Want the real unfiltered shit? Subscribe to our Patreon for bonus episodes that pull no punches: patreon.com/theuncolonzed" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Uncolonized, Gavin Stephens and Daniel Grant dive into the media’s favorite zombie narrative: the “silent majority.” Every election cycle, pundits and pollsters act like it’s a shocking new revelation—but this trope is as old as Nixon. We unpack the latest reincarnation of it, featuring the supposed shift of white male Gen Z voters to the right, particularly towards Trump. Are they really shifting—or just revealing who they’ve always been? Plus, in our Patreon-exclusive episode, we get into a viral story about a woman who dated a string of far-right men. What she discovered about their views, emotional development, and how they perform masculinity says a lot about the culture we’re in. 👉 Watch the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92iotrec96g 👉 Get the full uncensored conversation on Patreon: patreon.com/theuncolonized Topics covered include: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 an “auteur” in the public imagination — and who doesn’t. We explore how race, class, and symbolic capital shape legitimacy in the film world, questioning why specific creators are celebrated as geniuses while others are sidelined, regardless of the quality of their work. Through Bourdieu’s lens, we look at the cinematic “field” as a battleground, where recognition isn’t just about talent — it’s about access to networks, education, prestige, and whiteness as an unspoken default. Mickey 17 becomes a springboard for unpacking how cultural power is produced and maintained in the West and how directors like Bong Joon Ho disrupt those norms — even while subtly reabsorbed into them. 🎬 Mickey 17 (2025) – Film Details Director & Writer: Bong Joon Ho Based on: Mickey7 by Edward Ashton Cast: Robert Pattinson Naomi Ackie Mark Ruffalo Toni Collette Steven Yeun (Full cast list available above or on IMDb) Production Companies: Warner Bros. Pictures, Plan B Entertainment Runtime: 137 minutes Budget: $118 million Box Office Gross: $127.3 million Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Uncolonized - Episode 19: You Can’t Take It With You This week on Uncolonized, Gavin Stephens talks about losing all my stuff in a fire—and not in a metaphorical, "finding yourself" way. Like, literally. Gone. Every DVD, vinyl, collectible—poof. So now I'm living in the future: a full-on subscription-based model for everything I used to own. Yay capitalism. I get into what it means to live in a consumer-based society where we don’t own anything anymore—except debt, anxiety, and maybe a Spotify playlist. I also explore the deeper truth that none of this stuff really goes with us when it’s all said and done. Death: the ultimate unsubscribe. It’s capitalism, it’s comedy, it’s mildly traumatic—but hey, at least it’s ad-free... sort of. 🔗 Support us on Patreon (because podcasts don’t burn): patreon.com/theuncolonized 📸 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes stuff (that still exists): instagram.com/uncolonizedpodcast 📚 Join our book club and pretend we’re intellectuals together: fable.co/club/uncolonized-podcast-with-gavin-stephens-493127919001 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 down the authoritarian mindset behind this and why some Canadians are in complete denial about Trump’s influence (inspired by this article). This is just Part 1—get the full conversation by joining our Patreon. Plus, if you’re into deep dives on decolonial thought, politics, and society, join our book club on Fable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Over. His podcast and show explore what it takes to bridge the growing divide between left and right in politics. Can real dialogue exist beyond the echo chambers? What does true common ground even look like? Derek and I break it all down in real-time. Follow Derek and Parties Over: 🔹 TikTok 🔹 Instagram Support Uncolonized: 💰 Join our Patreon for exclusive content: patreon.com/theuncolonized 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @uncolonizedpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 future of the province? And most importantly—how does this impact the people living here? From campaign promises to political fallout, we dive into the winners, the losers, and the bigger picture. This is just Part 1! Catch the full conversation, including Part 2, exclusively on our Patreon. Join us at patreon.com/theuncolonized to support the show and get access to bonus content. 🎙️ Tune in for sharp analysis, unfiltered opinions, and a conversation you won’t hear anywhere else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode, Gavin breaks down the latest political spectacle—Trump letting his mask slip and Zelenskyy failing to navigate the game of politics. Under late-stage capitalism, the pretension is gone, exposing the raw mechanics of power, media manipulation, and imperialism. What happens when the illusion of leadership crumbles? Gavin unpacks it all with his signature insight and humour. Catch the full unfiltered discussion in Part 2 on Patreon: patreon.com/theuncolonized Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Uncolonized, Gavin Stephens and Daniel Grant dive into Captain America: Brave New World, breaking down the political and social implications of the film. What does it mean to have a Black Captain America in today's world? How does the film tackle race, power, and patriotism? We get into all of it, plus our expectations for Anthony Mackie’s take on the shield. Directed by Julius Onah, Captain America: Brave New World stars Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, Carl Lumbly, Shira Haas, and Danny Ramirez. Patreon Exclusive: Over on our Patreon, Gavin shares a wild story about being confronted at one of his shows—by a group that seems pretty cozy with the convoy movement. You don’t want to miss it! Subscribe now: patreon.com/theuncolonized. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Uncolonized, host Gavin Stephens sits down with Nichole Henderson, a registered psychotherapist (BA, SSW, MACP) and founder of Yellow Chair Therapy. Together, they dive into the realities of ADHD in adults—especially those who go undiagnosed for years. They explore the challenges of late diagnosis, how ADHD manifests differently in marginalized communities, and the urgent need for affordable mental health care. Tune in for an insightful and necessary conversation on mental health, neurodiversity, and the barriers to proper diagnosis and treatment. 🔗 Learn more about Nichole’s work at Yellow Chair Therapy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode of Uncolonized, Gavin dives into the philosophy of Herbert Marcuse and how it connects to his real-life experiences with people who give off an uncanny valley vibe. He unpacks how this mindset makes capitalism feel like the natural order, making it harder to see the system at play. Critical thought is dismissed, replaced with endless consumption—so how do we break free? Tune in for a deep dive into ideology, reality, and the struggle to think beyond the script. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 critically examine the movie's political messaging, exploring how capitalist realism influences its portrayal of revolution. The discussion highlights the contrast between the film's narrative and the underlying economic ideologies it perpetuates. The hosts also analyze performances by Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, considering how their portrayals contribute to the film's themes. Tune in for an insightful conversation that challenges the surface-level storytelling of Hollywood's latest adaptation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Uncolonized, Gavin & Daniel take a Canadian perspective on the incoming U.S. administration and the inauguration. How does this political shift impact the U.S., Canada, and the world? We break it all down and cut through the noise. Catch the full conversation, including our extended discussion, over on Patreon: patreon.com/theuncolonized. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 reception of Hulk Hogan. I explore how Jean Baudrillard’s theory of hyperreality applies to Hogan and why he embodies America’s myth-making machine. I also share my evolving perspective on politics—shifting from the traditional left vs. right divide to a more direct Workers vs. Owners framework. In Part 2 (available exclusively on Patreon), I continue the discussion, tackling the TikTok ban and why America has always been a plutocracy. Tune in for deep analysis, cultural critique, and unfiltered takes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.