Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane tried to take the Nightshift outdoors with a hammock-side broadcast on a gorgeous Ottawa evening. For Throwback Thursday, Ryan joins the conversation as they sift through clues that spark big memories: the Blue Jays in ’91, Saturn in ’92, the cultural phenomenon of The X-Files in ’93, and the blockbuster roar of Jurassic Park in ’94. It’s a relaxed, nostalgic, and thoroughly Canadian cross-countr...

Taylor Swift’s decision to release her new album on cassette sparks a bigger conversation: why do physical formats still matter in the digital age? Music commentator Eric Alper joins Shane to break down the numbers behind cassette sales, the enduring draw of vinyl, and how collectibles—from posters and bobbleheads to mixtapes—carry meaning beyond music itself. Together, they explore how fans connect with artists t...

When Cracker Barrel updated its logo, the internet noticed—and not in a good way. Shane and Ryan dive into why some redesigns feel like bold refreshes while others look like unfinished drafts. Along the way, they unpack whether logo changes actually move stock prices, and debate what makes a brand identity truly timeless. Ryan points to the brilliance of Apple and Lego, while Shane leans on Mercedes and other icons that get i...

Shane rewinds to 1993 for a Throwback Thursday filled with seismic moments in Canadian politics, sports, and technology. Canada’s first female Prime Minister, Kim Campbell, had just taken office before a historic election shifted the political landscape. The Somalia Affair and the Krever Inquiry into tainted blood defined headlines, while the Toronto Blue Jays capped off back-to-back World Series victories—sharing the s...

What made 1993 such a turning point in culture? Shane Hewitt and Ed Conroy from Retro Ontario revisit the year that gave us Snoop Dogg’s first album, the debut of The X-Files, and the inauguration of Bill Clinton. They explore how television, music, and shifting media formats shaped society, while digging into the nostalgia cycle that explains why vinyl is back—and why CDs may be next. It’s a lively look at the cu...

Movies, music, and even TV shows don’t just entertain—they change how we travel. Shane Hewitt talks with film critic Richard Crouse about the influence of pop culture on tourism, from “The Girl from Ipanema” drawing fans to Brazil to “Yellowstone” fueling trips to Montana. Richard also shares stories from his personal memorabilia collection, including a signed Jane Fonda book and “Lord of t...

Shane Hewitt sits down with Tony Chapman to explore what it takes to reinvent yourself when life shifts direction. From professional athletes facing retirement to anyone navigating career or personal change, Tony shares lessons from his podcast Chatter That Matters and the story of Jason Demers, a former NHL player redefining his next chapter. Together they dig into dependability, mentorship, legacy, and how recognizing your own st...

Flight attendants aren’t just there to serve drinks—they’re the first line of safety in the sky. Shane Hewitt sits down with “Aussie Jess,” Jessica Valiant, to unpack the realities of life as a flight attendant and why the role is so often misunderstood. From the grueling training process to the challenges of fair compensation, Jess shares insights from both her flight crew career and her new work as a...

What language would you love to learn? Shane Hewitt welcomes Ryan O’Donnell, Noah Scanga, and Tony Tedesco for a lighthearted conversation about the challenges—and fun—of picking up new languages. From Noah’s interest in learning computer code, to Ryan’s goal of speaking Spanish, to Tony’s use of Babbel ahead of a trip to France (with his Italian already in the bag), the group shares personal sto...

Is the age of free speech online coming to an end? Shane Hewitt talks with Greg Fish, author of The Cyberpunk Survival Guide, about the growing wave of government-led web censorship in the name of “safety.” They explore why governments now believe they can finally rein in the internet, the risks this poses to open discourse, and what it means for everyday users trying to navigate an increasingly controlled digital world...

As Parliament resumes, the political landscape is shifting. Shane Hewitt welcomes Rob Breakenridge to unpack what lies ahead for Pierre Poilievre, Justin Trudeau, and a sidelined NDP. Rob argues that Mark Carney is not Justin Trudeau and cautions that Poilievre will need to navigate carefully as tensions reset in Ottawa. They also explore how organized labour now wields more influence than Jagmeet Singh’s party, and Rob share...

What happens when your favorite treat disappears from the menu? Ryan O’Donnell joins Shane Hewitt to share the heartfelt (and hilarious) letter he wrote to Starbucks after the loss of his beloved Vanilla Bean Scone—and then compares it to a version written by ChatGPT. Which one makes the stronger case? Along the way, Shane suggests Ryan take his letter-writing talents to a new audience: Kenny G. It’s a playful con...

From smartphones to science fiction made real, Shane Hewitt and tech expert Kris Abel break down the latest in technology. Health Canada has just approved Google Pixel phones to use their built-in temperature sensor for personal health checks, making forehead scans part of everyday life. At the same time, Google’s Pixel 10 lineup is unveiled—featuring AI-powered tools like Magic Cue, Camera Coach, and a 100x telephoto z...

Language is more than words—it’s culture, land, and identity. Shane Hewitt sits down with Dr. Lorna Williams to explore the global movement to revitalize Indigenous languages and the essential role they play in community and connection. From the impact of colonization to the innovations of young people leading new programs, Dr. Williams shares stories of resilience, education, and technology helping to keep languages al...

Shane Hewitt talks with Dino Ambrosi of Project Reboot about the real costs of screen time on youth and families. From social media addiction to the normalization of endless scrolling, Dino shares why kids often feel trapped in their habits and how visualizing time spent online can spark change. They explore the generational divide in how technology is understood, the importance of boredom, and what parents can do to help kids buil...

Shane Hewitt is joined by Lindsay Broadhead and Jamie Ellerton for a wide-ranging conversation that blends politics, personal gripes, and tech news. Jamie returns from his summer off with a good news story before the panel dives into full “Karen mode,” venting frustrations about delivery bikes, bad drivers, and the agony of poor customer support. They also unpack Apple’s expansion of repair programs into Canada&md...

It’s a lighter night on Shane Hewitt & the Nightshift as the team swaps personal stories and good news. Noah shares the painful lessons learned from eating too many yummy cookies, Shane looks back on a hard lemonade mishap, and Ryan celebrates finally beating the notoriously tough video game Bloodborne—a victory a decade in the making.  Hey, good news is good news, no matter how big or small.

Good News Tuesday:...

Shane Hewitt talks with Patrick Sojka from Canada's Premier Credit Card, Points and Miles Resource | Rewards Canada  about the rising threat of scams targeting loyalty programs. From stolen e-vouchers to full account takeovers, fraudsters are finding new ways to cash in on rewards points. Patrick explains how loyalty fraud works, why it’s growing worldwide, and what consumers can do to protect their accounts. The convers...

Shane Hewitt talks with Matt Gurney about the shifting landscape of Canadian politics and the outsized role social media plays in shaping public discourse. They explore how engagement often turns into noise—validation over substance—and why politics has become just another distraction in daily life. From the rapid churn of public opinion to the strategies of political figures who will shape Canada’s future, this c...