
is a low-stakes existential crisis disguised as a comedy podcast for people quietly losing faith in the script of modern life. Each week, comedian and writer Gavin Stephens dissects the absurd machinery of capitalism and culture — from sitcoms to wealth inequality, Baudrillard to people who talk in the movies — exposing the broken myths, invisible rules, and slow-motion collapse we all pretend isn... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 421 | Founded | 13 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | PhilosophySociety & CultureComedy | |||

"I Watched CBC's Boys-Are-Falling-Behind Segment So You Don't Have To" — matching the YouTube title across platforms means search and word-of-mouth ("did you see/hear the boys-falling-behind episode") converge on one phrase instead of splitting disco... more
Hamilton voted down a data center last week. Hundreds showed up to a planning tribunal, the city council meeting was livestreamed on Reddit, and the proposal was denied. It was a real win.
The infrastructure that needed the data center is unaffected... more
Stand-up comedy has always told itself it speaks truth to power. But the court jester was only in the room because the king let him in.
In this episode, Gavin traces the mythology of the truth-telling comedian — from Lenny Bruce and Mort Saul throug... more
The "don't judge the past by today's standards" argument sounds principled. It references real historical philosophy — presentism, anachronism, the dangers of projecting backwards. And if you look at it charitably, it almost makes sense.
Except it's... more
Love this show. Always keeps me interested and always look forward to new episodes. Can’t recommend it enough.
-Tabby from Your New Best Friends Podcast
MRD is so addictive! Gavin and B Black discuss cultural events and critique them through a minority - and uniquely Canadian - lens. They also bring in guests with a variety of backgrounds (not just comedians; they are both experience stand up comedians) whose expertise adds depth to the conversations. While the material can be heavy at times, Gavin and B Black keep things light and funny with their great chemistry and dialogue while highlighting the controversies within our culture that everyone... more
Gavin and B Black examine racism in Canada. It's eye-opening but entertaining
Gavin and B do an amazing job of breaking down today's racial & social concerns as they appear in pop culture. Whether thats the growing MAGA trends or Hollywood's "white" saviour complex in films, they look at he issues and break down whats actually going on. Loving listening to them discuss the topic at hand every week!
Just wanted to drop you a line to tell you how much I've really been enjoying MRD. I've been listening since the beginning, and while sometimes I find myself yelling at my phone when I watch, at least I'm passionately engaged. :) I also love that they change the format every season just a little to keep it fresh.
Regarding S03E01, for the record I've never been able to watch The Blind Side because something always just felt off about it. Gavin and B. Black very effectively put into words what t... more
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.










Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Park Bench Ontology blends sharp cultural critique with low-stakes existential humor, frequently unpacking capitalism, public symbols, and modern identity through monologue and conversation. Episodes tether philosophy to everyday life, exploring topics like productivity culture, wealth inequality, media critique, surveillance, and the performative nature of brands. The show stands out for its blend of accessible humor, dense ideas, and a distinctive Canadian perspective, with a willingness to tackle heavy themes while keeping the tone witty and engaging for curious, value-driven listeners.
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Park Bench Ontology launched 13 years ago and published 421 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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