Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

What happens when a nation forgets its past? Tim Cook, Chief Historian at the Canadian War Museum, argues that remembering war isn't just about the past — it's about who we are today. From the 20th anniversary of the museum’s iconic new home to the 80th anniversary of VE Day, this conversation moves through personal, powerful stories embedded in artifacts and voices of veterans. Discov...

It’s more than grooming — it’s connection. Matty Conrad, founder of Victory Barber and GQ’s beard expert, joins Shane Hewitt to unpack why the barbershop still matters in 2025. In an age of isolation and digital noise, these intimate, real-world spaces give men something they rarely admit they need: trust, conversation, and presence. Matty shares how a haircut can lift conf...

Barbershops as spaces for connection: In a world of earbuds and echo chambers, the barbershop still holds space for real conversation. Shane Hewitt is joined by Jimmy Zoubris and Ryan Price for a candid episode of The Study — reflecting on men’s mental health, social connection, and why the simple ritual of a haircut still matters. From hot shaves and casual debates to silence and shar...

Smart Thermostat Savings Smart home tech promises savings, but at what cost? Handy Andy Baryer joins Shane Hewitt to break down how programs like BC Hydro’s Peak Saver work — using smart thermostats to reduce electricity usage during peak times by preheating homes and throttling energy consumption quietly in the background. The upside: lower bills and incentive cash. The catch? Utiliti...

Mining robots, moon factories, and self-replicating spacecraft  Forget flying saucers — if alien probes have visited our solar system, they’re probably in the asteroid belt or quietly building factories on the moon. Shane Hewitt speaks with Alex Ellery, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Carleton University, about how interstellar spacecraft might actually work &...

What connects a weathered barbershop chair to astronauts stranded in orbit? Perspective. Shane Hewitt threads two seemingly unrelated stories — a chat with beard guru Matty Conrad about why barbershops still matter to men, and a look at how space junk is literally trapping Chinese astronauts aboard their own space station. It’s a night of contrasts: the intimate, grounded role of a hai...

Part 1: From classical music and game nights to a budget with no punch — this week’s Roundup blends the personal and the political. Andrew Caddell and Jimmy Zoubris open with the small gestures that keep relationships strong, before shifting to one of the flattest federal budgets in memory. Despite massive spending, clarity and direction were missing. Ministers stumbled in interviews,...

Movies: An action-packed Predator reboot, a dark boxing biopic with Sydney Sweeney, and a courtroom war drama with Russell Crowe speaking German — this weekend’s watchlist swings big. Steve Stebbing returns with fresh picks that surprise, hit hard, and raise eyebrows. Streaming: In the second half, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein gets its Netflix debut — and Steve calls i...

After 40 years with tremors, Kirk Neff underwent brain surgery that changed his life — now he can carry a cup of coffee again. Shane reflects on that milestone and asks: what’s the one thing you never want to lose the ability to do for your favorite person? This episode blends big science and small moments, featuring heartfelt talk about love languages, acts of service, and what makes...

Can food be a language of love, legacy, and leadership? For Jerry and Tanner Agar, the answer is a sizzling yes. In this two-part episode, they unveil FlavorPhiles — a new podcast where kitchen wisdom meets storytelling flair. They explore how restaurants create unforgettable moments, what hospitality really means, and how the kitchen became their connection point as father and son. The conv...

Everyone’s chasing ROI from AI — but what if we’re asking the wrong questions? Media strategist Mohit Rajhans breaks down the disconnect between tech investment and real-world outcomes, challenging the idea that innovation equals progress. He and Shane explore the messy middle of digital transformation: from the myth of a paperless world to the risk of vanishing AI platforms. The...

Kirk Neff spent his career behind the camera capturing life-changing stories — until his own body became one. Diagnosed with essential tremors, he found his hands, and his work, slipping away. This episode reveals the quiet fight behind the lens, the emotional toll of losing control, and the life-altering surgery that gave him back more than just steadiness. Hear what it’s like to live...

The poppy isn’t just a pin — it’s a powerful symbol of remembrance, and now it’s more accessible than ever. Nujma Bond from the Royal Canadian Legion joins Shane Hewitt to reveal how modern updates like tap-to-donate boxes and Amazon delivery are reshaping the annual Poppy Campaign while keeping its purpose intact. They dig into what the Legion really does with donations &m...

This Remembrance Day, step closer to the stories behind the ceremonies. From the mud of cavalry charges to the steel of modern warfare, Canadian military history lives in the shift from horses to tanks — and Captain Sheldon Smith shares what that evolution meant on the battlefield and for the soldiers themselves. Dr. Stacey Barker joins to explore the meaning behind Canada’s Tomb of th...

What’s the price of happiness — literally? Shane Hewitt breaks down a new ranking of Canada's happiest cities cross-referenced with real estate prices, revealing what a single point on the happiness index actually costs in places like Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Calgary. From shocking housing gaps to the real value of joy, this is a playful but eye-opening look at lifestyle, money, and mo...

What did happiness cost in 1988? Shane Hewitt takes us back to the era of acid-wash jeans, shoulder pads, and conga lines to Kokomo. With nods to The Beach Boys, the price of milk, and a prime minister who wasn’t named Trudeau, this nostalgic ride compares what life looked like then vs. now — and why the past still resonates. Relive the cultural pulse of the late '80s: the number one s...

There’s $115 billion for infrastructure—but just $680 million for agri-food. In this candid breakdown, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois scrutinizes Canada’s 2025 federal budget through an economist’s lens, revealing who benefits, who’s left out, and what voters should watch for next. Learn why automatic tax filing could ease food insecurity, how changes to the temporary foreign...

No, we’re not getting an election — but we are getting drama. Shane Hewitt and Rob Breckenridge unpack a week of political gamesmanship in Ottawa, from floor crossings and budget brinkmanship to one MP who quit, stayed, and confused everyone. Rob breaks down why crossing the floor isn’t always betrayal, why voters feel disconnected from the people they elect, and why transparency...

It’s 1988, and somehow — against all odds — the Beach Boys have the #1 song in America. Eric Alper joins Shane Hewitt for Throwback Thursday to unpack how Kokomo became a generational anthem, why Brian Wilson wasn’t even on the track, and how a song about tropical islands saved a California band’s career. From family feuds to therapist blockades, discover the wild sto...

Remember your first “Just Do It” ad? Or those gold-rimmed Petro-Canada Winter Olympic glasses? Ed Conroy of Retro Ontario does — and he joins Shane Hewitt to dig deep into why 1988 was one of the weirdest, happiest years in pop culture memory. With Kokomo topping charts and Die Hard redefining action, the year was packed with unforgettable music, movies, and marketing moments. Ed...

Part 1: From front‑row concerts to film premieres, Richard Crouse brings an insider’s lens to how entertainment evolves. He joins Shane Hewitt to discuss a genre‑blending album featuring The Tragically Hip, Nelly Furtado & co., crafted for the FIFA World Cup — and why it matters. Part 2: Then they pivot to his newest “Booze & Reviews” segment, where he pairs the bio...

What looked like a fun cameo at a Blue Jays game was actually a million-dollar marketing masterstroke. Tony Chapman reveals how a $10,000 seat behind home plate—occupied by a faux Colonel Sanders—sparked global buzz, sidestepped official sponsorship deals, and revived an iconic brand. This episode uncovers the deeper story behind the "Curse of the Colonel," KFC’s unexpected link...

Think you’re just ignoring a scam call? You might be ignoring a cry for help. Dr. Lee Kuhnle reveals a harrowing reality: many call center scammers are victims of human trafficking, trapped in brutal compounds and forced to defraud strangers under threat of violence. In this episode, hear how criminal syndicates across Southeast Asia turned pandemic-era unemployment into global exploitation,...

What started as a billing disaster turned into a digital wake-up call. After blowing past his shared data limit, Shane decided not to top up—but to opt out. With just calls, maps, and dial-up-slow messages, he stripped his smartphone back to basics. The surprising result? Relief. In this solo episode, Shane gets honest about tech dependence, app fatigue, and what it feels like to not be reac...

It had no flash, no clear story, and no retail wins—so what was this budget for? Jamie Ellerton and Lindsay Broadhead dissect the 2025 federal budget, suggesting it may be less about Trudeau’s vision and more about making space for Mark Carney’s. They break down what the budget offers (sector-specific nods, civil service cuts) and what it dodges (a national narrative, voter trust...