Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

What happens when a lifelong Ottawan admits he’s never skated the Rideau Canal? Stefan Keyes shares the shock of that confession and helps unpack a wild year in Canada’s capital — one that included viral soccer, public service chaos, and a haunting small-town tragedy. From the billion-view “icicle kick” to federal job cuts threatening 28,000 workers, Stefan brings bot...

From niche tech to everyday tool, AI has gone from background code to front-page transformation in record time. Handy Andy Baryer joins Shane Hewitt to unpack what 2025 looked like for artificial intelligence — and what 2026 might break wide open. Hear why tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot are changing not just how we search — but how we work, learn, and live. W...

Open drug use. street disorder. harm‑reduction policy. enforcement shifts. It was a year in Victoria — and Ryan Price gives Shane a raw, local perspective on one of the biggest, most complex community stories of 2025. They talk about how the pendulum swung from harm‑reduction experimentation to stronger enforcement, how business owners reacted, and why this isn’t just a Victoria story...

If kids never learn how to fail, they won’t know how to succeed. Joanna Johnson makes the case for letting students feel the sting of real consequences — before the marks start counting for university. In this episode, Joanna shares what parents miss about accountability, what makes a good post-break reset, and why the best thing teachers can do is stop rescuing . It’s a powerful...

Forget the blockbusters — this is the awards show for real film lovers. Shane Hewitt joins film critic Steve Stebbing for the fifth annual Stebbies, where emotion, originality, and craft rule over profit. They break down the most powerful performances of the year, including Jesse Buckley’s haunting turn in Hamnet and Joel Edgerton’s gritty lead in Train Dreams. From first-time di...

When a family cookie night produces something called “the bloody cookie,” you know the holiday spirit is alive — and slightly unhinged. Bob Addison brings the stories, and Shane brings the disbelief. From wearing absurd hats in public to surviving a retirement home concert that barely touched Christmas, this episode captures the awkward joy of seasonal traditions that somehow sti...

Yes, a real Christmas tree. Yes, it played music. Kris Abel returns with a mix of awe-inspiring tech and holiday absurdity that’s as delightful as it is surprising. The episode opens with a bizarre glitch: San Francisco’s Waymo taxis shutting down in a power outage, cluttering the city like ghost cars. Then, the tone shifts — to bio-signals from a tree triggering digital renditio...

Career shifts in your 40s and 50s aren’t rare — they might be smart. Candy Ho shares how midlife reflection, workplace ceilings, and changing values can drive meaningful career reinvention. From holiday conversations with loved ones to tough chats with your boss, discover why now is the time to ask bigger questions about fulfillment, growth, and whether you’re still on the right...

Your teenager rolls their eyes when you ask them to hang out—but that doesn't mean they don't need you. Sarah Rosensweet unpacks the disconnect between teenage rejection and teenage need, revealing why persistent invitations to do everyday tasks together matter more than you think. The parenting coach shares the concept of "sideways listening"—why conversations happen more naturally wh...

Imagine performing in front of your hometown, selling out the venue you dreamed about as a kid—and suspecting it's goodbye. Shawn Hook lived that moment in Nelson, BC, one week before a biopsy confirmed tonsil cancer. For a professional singer, the stakes weren't just survival; they were existential. What happens when your voice IS your identity and suddenly both are at risk? Shawn walks thr...

Unsolicited parenting tips? Oversharing your Paris trip? Loud health updates? No thanks. Jen Kirsch and Tony Tedesco return with a holiday reality check on what not to say at seasonal gatherings. From navigating awkward conversations to managing social batteries and reading the room, this episode blends humor and real talk about modern party etiquette. Whether it’s knowing when to leave, ski...

A listener with twin toddlers is writing them handwritten birthday letters every year—sealed, mailed, and stored in a safety deposit box until they turn 18. It's a tradition built on love, intention, and the hope that words written today will mean something profound years from now. Shane shares how he started something similar but didn't finish, which sparks an honest conversation about the...

Ryan just had his first semi-viral TikTok — and it was about sardines. Shane listens (skeptically) as Ryan breaks down what happened when a simple snack turned into a social media phenomenon. They explore what makes content connect, why people love to share niche passions, and how it feels to suddenly be swarmed with comments — kind, curious, and condescending. From fish bones to fan r...

War isn’t just tanks and troops anymore — it’s fiber lines, fuel routes, and viral narratives. Richard Shimooka unpacks how invisible influence is redefining modern warfare and threatening global trust. From Russian interference to infrastructure sabotage, this episode reveals how today's conflicts play out in cyberspace, politics, and public perception. Shane and Richard explore...

What do old appliance boxes, family traditions, and name spellings have in common? In Handy Andy Baryer’s world, they all collide hilariously at Christmas. From wrapping gifts in rice cooker packaging to explaining why “Baryer” is spelled that way, Andy shares how growing up in a culturally diverse household brings unexpected flavor to the holidays. Shane and Andy trade laughs an...

Kids don’t send letters to the North Pole anymore — they update Google Docs. Ryan and Shane unpack how Christmas lists, gift wrapping, and holiday deception have gone fully digital. This episode compares old-school wish lists to today’s real-time, shareable spreadsheets, and explores how packaging games have evolved too. From using recycled boxes to hide high-tech gifts, to delib...

Guitars can change lives — and not just for kids. Andrew Allen shares how music became his outlet, his anchor, and now his message. This episode travels from basement band practices to public stages, where Andrew now blends performance and purpose. He opens up about giving kids space to explore, finding creative flow, and stepping into a deeper calling as a speaker and storyteller. Expect re...

Ever wondered how much it really costs to sell a $100 hoodie? Joe Cote from Merchant Growth pulls back the curtain on the true economics of small business retail — and why the holidays may no longer be enough to keep them afloat. From packaging and rent to payroll and marketing, Joe breaks down how tight margins, Amazon’s buying power, and consumer delay are hitting independent shops h...

Looking for something better than background noise this holiday season? Steve Stebbing delivers the ultimate watchlist with Shane Hewitt — including The Holdovers , Avatar: Fire and Ash , and essential Christmas episodes from the streaming vault. They revisit the mayhem of Gremlins , critique overplayed songs, and settle in for the annual Die Hard debate. Whether it’s family-friendly o...

Dragging through your days? Snapping at nothing? Feeling like even a nap won’t fix it? Shane and Ryan unpack the sneaky signs of holiday burnout and why it shows up even when everything’s “supposed” to be joyful. From resentment and brain fog to craving silence over socializing, they get real about how stress quietly builds through the season — and what actually helps...

Feeling short-tempered, tired, or checked out — but still pushing through? That’s not just a rough week. Social worker and wellness voice Maria DeRubeis joins Shane to unpack the subtle signs of burnout and why so many people miss them until it’s too late. In this episode, Maria explains how burnout hides behind people-pleasing, guilt, overcommitment, and even “good stress....

Can stealing ever be selfless? Shane Hewitt tackles the “Robin Hood” grocery theft lighting up social media, asking if morality shifts when food is stolen to be donated. From Krampus lore to escaped reindeer, this episode unwraps the stranger side of Christmas with sharp commentary and dry humor. Also on the docket: AI toys that bond with kids, holiday burnout, and how traditions shift...

Scams are evolving fast — and they're hitting too close to home. Jimmy Zoubris shares real stories from the frontlines of fraud, including one where an elderly person physically handed a torn-up credit card to a scammer at the door. In this honest, holiday-season conversation, Jimmy and Andrew Caddell join Shane to talk about digital trust, emotional traps, and why even smart people fall for...

Ever forwarded a meme and got hit with “yeah, I already saw that”? Mohit Rajhans breaks down what’s really going on behind those messages, and why your latest reel might be a subtle act of emotional connection. This episode explores the psychology behind digital sharing, what Spotify Wrapped and end-of-year content say about our culture, and how apps are increasingly profiling us...

Think border security is just about checking receipts? Think again. Aaron McCrorie from CBSA reveals how organized crime uses the same customs lines we all pass through to move drugs, weapons, and people — and how border officers track patterns and intercept threats most travelers never see. From coordinating with U.S., U.K., and Australian intelligence to watching criminal groups pivot from...