Claim OwnershipShane Hewitt and The Nightshift
Subscribed: 3Played: 1,491
Subscribe
Description
Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.
1054 Episodes
Reverse
Movember didn’t start as a global campaign — it started with facial hair and a question: what if we could use mustaches to change how men think about health? Since then, it’s raised more than $1.5 billion and sparked life-saving conversations worldwide. Todd Minerson of Movember joins to talk about how the campaign transformed the way we address prostate cancer, mental health, and masculinity. Hear how community, vulnerability, and honest conversation are driving real impact — and why showing up for each other matters now more than ever. GUEST:Todd Minersonhttp://movember.com Originally aired on 2025-10-30
What if time was more than just hours and years — what if it was something to celebrate? Bob Addison shares how he used a time calculator to mark his son’s 5,000th day on Earth, transforming a quirky number into a meaningful family milestone. This episode explores how playful engagement with time can spark lasting traditions. From using Wolfram Alpha to track life events to creating new rituals around numbers, Addison shows how small ideas can build powerful connections. A celebration of time, creativity, and the joy of making memories that count. GUEST:Bob Addison@riobobbo Originally aired on 2025-10-30
Some songs don’t age — they echo. Smashing Pumpkins' "1979" captures the raw ache of adolescence with a sound that blends grit and dream. In this episode, Shane and Ryan unpack why this track still resonates, tracing its themes of freedom, regret, and identity. The conversation journeys through lyrical interpretations, Gen X nostalgia, and cultural shifts like the end of disco and baseball’s transformation. More than a breakdown of a hit song, this episode explores how music captures moments — and why some of those moments follow us forever. Originally aired on 2025-10-30
1979 was a year of seismic shifts — in sports, politics, and pop culture. In this solo “Throwback Thursday” edition, Shane revisits the events that shaped a generation, from the WHA-NHL merger that launched Wayne Gretzky into superstardom to the political upheaval that defined Canada and the world. Dive into the moment Joe Clark became (and quickly ceased to be) Prime Minister, the chaos of the Iran hostage crisis, and the blockbuster films that filled theaters — including The Amityville Horror and Star Trek: The Motion Picture. This episode blends memory with history, offering a reflective journey through one of the most formative years of the late 20th century. Originally aired on 2025-10-30
Coffee may fuel the world, but in Colombia, its cultivation comes at a dangerous price. Dr. Sylvain Charlebois brings an emotional account of the violence faced by farmers resisting cartel control — where oppression, kidnapping, and fear are daily threats. This episode explores the crisis at the heart of Colombian agriculture, where innovation and resilience are needed to push back against criminal dominance. Hear why farming must be reimagined as a protected, supported profession — and how international attention could help spark a farming renaissance. GUEST:Dr. Sylvain Charlebois@foodprofessor
Alberta’s government is making waves with its use of the notwithstanding clause — and the implications are profound. In this episode, Shane Hewitt and Rob Breakenridge unpack what it means for collective bargaining rights, democratic norms, and the future of Alberta’s education system. From the forced end to a teacher strike to the broader challenge of attracting and retaining educators, the conversation spotlights the political and practical fallout. The episode also examines a symbolic shake-up across the pond: King Charles stripping Prince Andrew of royal titles amid the Epstein scandal — a discussion on accountability at the highest levels. GUEST: Rob Breakenridge@robbreakenridgerobbreakenridge.ca Originally aired on 2025-10-30
Fear isn’t just a feeling — it’s a survival system hardwired into the brain. Neuroscientist Dr. Samantha Yammine explains how the amygdala triggers the fight or flight response and what that cascade of cortisol and adrenaline actually means for how we react, cope, and sometimes spiral. In this episode, explore how fear functions as both a protective tool and a challenge to mental well-being. Dr. Yammine breaks down the biology behind anxiety and shows how understanding the brain can lead to more self-compassion. From survival instincts to emotional patterns, this conversation brings clarity to the science behind what scares us — and why that knowledge is power. GUEST:Dr. Samantha Yammine@science.samhttp://samanthayammine.com Originally aired on 2025-10-30
In 1979, a baseball promotion turned into a cultural reckoning. The Chicago White Sox’s “Disco Demolition Night” invited fans to bring disco records to be blown up on the field — all for a $1 ticket. But when 50,000 people showed up, chaos followed. Ed Conroy of http://retrontario.com breaks down the bizarre, unforgettable events at Comiskey Park. From the radio shock jock who pitched the idea, to the deeper anti-disco sentiment brewing in America, this episode explores how one night became a flashpoint for music, sports, and social tension. Discover how a gimmick for better ticket sales spiraled into a riot and marked the symbolic end of an era. GUEST:Ed Conroy@retrontariohttp://retrontario.com Originally aired on 2025-10-30
Richard Crouse joins Shane Hewitt for a genre-hopping double feature — starting with a walk through the “ABCs of Horror” and ending with a wild ride through pop culture’s strangest corners. In the first half, they dig into iconic horror films from A Quiet Place to Candyman, exploring what makes fear fun, cinematic, and unforgettable — plus spooky cocktails to match. Then it’s over to the weird and wonderful: unmade Star Wars scripts, Elijah Wood wedding-crashing, and how the phrase “six seven” became a linguistic mystery. This episode blends the creepy with the curious, celebrating film, fandom, and the unexpected joys of storytelling. GUEST:Richard Crouserichardcrouse.ca Originally aired on 2025-10-30
From the Clearwater Monster to conspiracy theories that never die, Nathan Radke explores how the human mind turns stories into “truth.” In conversation with Shane Hewitt, he breaks down the psychology of belief — why pseudoscience spreads, how hoaxes evolve into cultural touchstones, and what it takes to challenge them. Using the Clearwater case as a lens, the two reflect on the tension between skepticism and open-mindedness in a world fascinated by the supernatural. Learn how curiosity, when paired with critical thinking, becomes our best defense against deception. GUEST:Nathan Radke@theuncoverup Originally aired on 2025-10-29
What is the scariest sound in a horror movie, anyway? Ever notice how the quietest moments in a movie feel the most intense? Shane Hewitt and James Deaville dive into the psychology of sound — how directors and composers use audio cues to create fear and anticipation. As a film sound scholar, James reveals why subtle noises like dripping water or footsteps can feel more unsettling than jump scares. Together, they explore how music persuades the mind, and why listening closely transforms the way we experience movies. GUEST: James Deaville Originally aired on 2025-10-29
DESCRIPTION:Why does a curve ball actually curve? Athi Selvadurai breaks down the Magnus effect — the science behind how spin, air pressure, and motion create lift on a ball in flight. Through simple analogies and sports examples, he explains how faster airflow reduces pressure and redirects the ball’s path. The discussion connects physics to performance, revealing how understanding lift can give athletes and fans a new way to see the game. GUEST:Athi Selvadurai Originally aired on 2025-10-29
PART 1What keeps Canadians glued to the screen — or in the stands — during late-night Blue Jays games? Jamie Ellerton and Lindsay Broadhead join Shane Hewitt to capture the energy, emotion, and sense of community that baseball brings. They share stories of exhaustion and exhilaration, ticket scrambles, and game-day rituals, revealing how sports unite people across the country. This episode celebrates the camaraderie that defines fandom, the cultural pull of the Blue Jays, and the joyful chaos that comes with caring deeply about the game. PART 2What happens when a national institution falls behind the times? Shane Hewitt, Jamie Ellerton, and Lindsay Broadhead dissect the challenges facing Canada Post, from outdated structures to union politics and stalled modernization. The trio discusses the tension between innovation and practicality — including the tricky rollout of electric delivery vehicles and even the problem of winter tires. Their candid conversation blends policy critique with humor, closing on a lighter note about scary movies and the quirks that make every debate human. GUEST: Jamie Ellertonconaptus.comLindsay Broadheadbroadheadcomms.ca Originally aired on 2025-10-29
Scary movies are dumb (Shane’s words.. No worry). Not everyone loves a good scare — and that’s okay. Ryan O’Donnell joins Shane Hewitt for a playful guide to surviving horror movies without losing sleep. From choosing the right genre to avoiding themes that hit too close to home, Ryan explains how to make fear fun and even find laughs in the process. He shares his personal favorite, The Babadook, while Shane admits he’d rather skip the whole thing. This lighthearted chat turns terror into entertainment, proving horror doesn’t have to be horrifying. GUEST: Ryan O’Donnell Originally aired on 2025-10-29
Space looks glamorous — until you have to live there. Greg Fish joins Shane Hewitt to peel back the shiny promises of space colonization, exposing the gritty realities of confinement, sanitation, and survival. Together they question the grand visions sold by Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, asking whether humanity is ready for the social and psychological toll of life off-world. The discussion blends science, skepticism, and history, revealing why the dream of space may be more about ego than exploration — and what it really takes to endure the void. GUEST: Greg Fishcyberpunksurvivalguide.com Originally aired on 2025-10-29
Why do we pay to be scared? Natasha Bailey unpacks why fear fascinates us — from haunted houses to horror films — and what it teaches about control, anxiety, and resilience. She explains how simulated fear offers a safe space to test boundaries, manage uncertainty, and even build confidence. The conversation reveals how people who struggle with anxiety experience fear differently and why moments of surrender, like quitting a job without a plan, mirror the emotional lessons found in spooky thrills. Discover how fear isn’t just a reaction — it’s a tool for growth and self-understanding. GUEST:Natasha Bailey Originally aired on 2025-10-29
What happens when a country built for one era wakes up in another? Journalist Matt Gurney lays out a candid diagnosis of Canada’s post-war hangover — a mix of nostalgia, denial, and misplaced optimism that’s slowing adaptation to new economic and political realities. This episode unpacks why the old playbook no longer works, what needs to change in Canada’s collective mindset, and how acceptance might be the most radical act left. GUEST:Matt Gurney@mattgurneyhttp://readtheline.ca Originally aired on 2025-10-28
Meteorologist Jim Abraham joins Shane Hewitt to explore how weather forecasting is evolving — from storm physics to the psychology of how we talk about risk. He explains why accountability and communication are just as critical as technology, and how artificial intelligence could reshape forecasting accuracy. The conversation moves beyond definitions like “hurricane” or “post-tropical storm” to focus on real-world impacts and how language can shape public response. Jim also highlights the intersection of science, communication, and risk management in keeping people safe when the weather turns severe. GUEST:Jim Abraham Originally aired on 2025-10-28
It’s not all bad news in Canadian politics — awareness is growing, and complacency is finally being challenged. This Good News Tuesday episode looks at why recognizing our political comfort zone is actually a sign of progress. The conversation reframes “the Trump effect” as a mirror, not a cause, showing how Canada’s stability can become strength when matched with honesty and adaptation. Rather than focusing on outrage or decline, it celebrates awareness as the first step toward better governance. Originally aired on 2025-10-28
This Good News Tuesday is packed with stories that prove optimism still thrives — from the energy of a Blue Jays crowd to the resilience of fans and athletes alike. A highlight comes from Michelle Beer, who found purpose and healing through baseball after a difficult health journey. The episode also celebrates Denise Bacon, who played clarinet during brain surgery, and Cameron Rogers, whose journey from homelessness to the Olympics shows what determination looks like in real time. Even Halloween gets a spotlight, as communities rediscover the joy of decorating and connecting. Proof that hope and humanity are still very much alive. Originally aired on 2025-10-28
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States