Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

The first day back in Parliament set a new tone—calm, polite, but surprisingly productive. Shane Hewitt and Vassy Kapelos unpack how civility replaced the usual drama, and what that signals for Canadian politics moving forward. They zero in on Mark Carney’s first public debate as Prime Minister, examining how he handled the spotlight and where his performance fell short. Pierre Poiliev...

Education promised opportunity—but for many millennials, it delivered disconnection. Shane Hewitt and Ryan O’Donnell explore the mismatch between what school prepared for and what work delivers, with Gallup data showing widespread disengagement. They examine generational shifts in job expectations: millennials craving purpose but often finding workplaces without stability or mentorship...

What makes a film festival unforgettable? Ben Harrison joins Shane Hewitt to break down TIFF, where he saw 20 films ranging from crowd-pleasing comedies to award-season heavyweights. Ben highlights Roof Man starring Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst as a festival standout and picks Nirvana the Band the Show: The Movie as his favorite for its humor and inventive style. Beyond the films themselves, t...

From paper routes to Parliament, Shane Hewitt, Stefan Keyes, and Lucas Meyer weave together stories of early work experiences and the shifting realities of Canadian politics. The first half explores the importance of those first jobs—whether delivering flyers, working in call centers, or transcribing tapes—to build work ethic, social skills, and resilience. They reflect on how technolo...

Saving for education doesn’t have to be overwhelming—or complicated. Shane Hewitt and Anita Bruinsma break down the essentials of Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs), showing how families can make the most of government grants and smart investing. They tackle the myths around RESP access, highlight the flexibility of covering more than just tuition, and explain what happens if a...

Movie lovers, get ready. Shane Hewitt and Steve Stebbing run through the latest lineup of films and shows making headlines. Stephen King’s The Long Walk brings a chilling vision to the screen, Spinal Tap II reunites the band for one last laugh, and Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale promises high drama in the halls of heritage. On the streaming side, Only Murders in the Building returns for sea...

What happens when real-world UFO disclosures collide with our love for sci-fi? This episode takes you from the latest UAP revelations in the U.S. to a spirited debate on which space series reigns supreme. Should Star Trek: The Next Generation still hold the crown? Does Stargate deserve more credit? Or is cult-classic V the overlooked champion? By the end, you’ll not only be up to speed on th...

Governments may know more about UFOs than they let on. In this episode, Chrissy Newton and Shane Hewitt unpack the latest UAP hearing, led by Representative Luna, where Navy and Air Force veterans gave sworn testimonies. Investigative journalist George Knapp dropped bombshells about Lockheed Martin’s alleged role in reverse-engineering alien tech and Russia’s historic awareness of UFOs...

Canada has its own deep history with UFOs — and plenty of stories to tell. In this episode, Shane Hewitt is joined by researcher Chris Rutkowski to talk about why Canada sees so many reports of strange lights and encounters in the sky. From legendary cases like Shag Harbor and Falcon Lake to the ongoing Canadian UFO Survey, the conversation blends science, humor, and cultural curiosity. Expe...

Shane Hewitt is joined by Andrew Caddell and Jimmy Zoubris for a Smart Speakers episode that blends pop culture and politics. The discussion kicks off with a light-hearted debate over the best alien and space-themed TV shows — with Star Trek , The X-Files , and Lost in Space at the center. Each panelist brings their perspective on how these shows shaped culture and imagination. The second ha...

Some stories defy logic, and that’s exactly why they’re worth sharing. On Shane Hewitt & the Nightshift , Ryan O’Donnell joins Shane for the Inside Copy segment to spotlight neighbors behaving strangely, the everyday reality captured by body cameras, and Kevin the blind pigeon’s curious adventure. The conversation also ventures into alien territory, revisiting theories...

What if the origins of life on Earth didn’t start here? Astrophysicist Sarah Rugheimer joins Shane Hewitt & the Nightshift to revisit a story from 2024 that raises one of humanity’s oldest questions: are we the aliens? The conversation explores theories of panspermia — the idea that life arrived on Earth via comets, asteroids, or interstellar dust. Together, Shane and Sarah u...

AI reflects society’s best and worst impulses, and social media amplifies them. Mohit Rajhans explains how his work bridges technology and communication while addressing the challenges of an online world driven by attention and validation. From the erosion of genuine social interaction to the dominance of algorithms and advertising, the conversation highlights what’s at stake for creat...

What kind of leadership does Canada really need right now? Shane Hewitt and political commentator Rob Breakenridge tackle the country’s current crossroads—from a shaky federal government to rising unemployment and deepening economic concerns. They explore Pierre Poilievre’s position as opposition leader, how a new prime minister might shift the tone, and why provincial government...

What happens when we rethink our relationship with alcohol? Holistic nutritionist Alyssa B joins Shane Hewitt to talk about mindful choices that can change the way we live, eat, and feel. From the empty calories in a glass of wine to the benefits of hydration and the rise of non-alcoholic alternatives, the conversation explores how small shifts in habits can have a big impact on gut health, mental...

Shane Hewitt reflects with listeners on a defining moment in history: where were you when 9/11 happened? From personal memories to national impact, the conversation revisits how that day changed the world and shaped lives in ways still felt today. Ryan O’Donnell Originally aired on   2025-09-11

2001 was a year that changed everything—from the tragedy of 9/11 to the cultural milestones that still shape our world today. Shane Hewitt and Ryan O’Donnell rewind the clock for a Throwback Thursday that covers it all: Jean Chrétien in Ottawa, George W. Bush entering the White House, and China joining the World Trade Organization. They revisit the launch of Wikipedia and the iP...

Pumpkin spice isn’t just a flavour—it’s a phenomenon. Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, aka @‌foodprofessor, joins Shane Hewitt to dig into the cultural and economic power of seasonal drinks. Why do lattes tied to fall nostalgia rake in billions? What makes chai resonate differently than matcha? And how do comfort foods surge when the economy slows down? From Starbucks strategy to shi...

Why do conspiracy theories take hold—and what do they reveal about us? Shane Hewitt sits down with Nathan Radke, co-host of The Un-Cover Up Podcast , to explore how events like 9/11 spawned lasting myths, what human psychology has to do with pattern-seeking, and why misinformation thrives in a digital world overflowing with information. Together, they unpack the balance between healthy skept...

Shane Hewitt and Ed Conroy revisit September 11, 2001, reflecting on its profound impact on media, culture, and daily life. They share personal memories of how radio became a lifeline for news in an era when the internet couldn’t keep up with global demand. The conversation explores how the optimism of the 80s and 90s gave way to a new era shaped by loss, fear, and resilience. Alongside the...

From the quirks of name pronunciation to the unexpected corners of pop culture, Richard Crouse joins Shane Hewitt for a conversation that’s as surprising as it is entertaining. They trade stories about nicknames and why some names never sound quite right, before diving into a little-known David Bowie project from the 18th century that’s now resurfacing at the Victoria and Albert Museum...

What do Nobel laureates, sneakers, and coffee shops have to do with the future of marketing? Shane Hewitt sits down with Tony Chapman for a wide-ranging conversation about how consumer behaviour is changing—and how businesses are scrambling to keep up. From the influence of Oscar Arias to the rise of direct-to-consumer giants like Nike, they unpack the power of storytelling, the rise of side...

What happens when AI decides who gets across the border? Shane Hewitt speaks with AI professor Ebrahim Bagheri about the growing use of algorithms to assign risk scores to travelers. They unpack the promise and pitfalls of automation in border security—raising questions about privacy, transparency, and bias. Drawing comparisons to flawed tools like the Dutch welfare fraud detector and the U....

It’s a grounded start to the show with news about the shooting of American Charlie Kirk.  The chat focuses on the impact of the teens who witnessed that video unexpectedly as it was shared widely on social media channels today.  Ryan O’Donnell Originally aired on   2025-09-10

Something rare is happening in Toronto—and across Canada: people are getting excited about the Blue Jays again. Shane Hewitt is joined by Lindsay Broadhead and Jamie Ellerton for a conversation that starts in the Rogers Centre and stretches across the country. Together, they unpack the cultural power of a shared national moment in baseball, and how it cuts through the economic gloom of a str...