Professor Timothy Caulfield argues that most viral online debates aren't built to uncover truth at all, they're built to produce a winner, a loser, and maximum shares. This one is for anyone who has watched a debate clip online and sensed something was off about the exchange without being able to name why.

Timothy Caulfield names the specific techniques behind that feeling, from the information overload of the Gish gallop to the bait-and-switch of the Motte and Bailey fallacy, and explains how state actors use these same tools to manufacture distrust in institutions. The conversation wraps with a simple framework for recognising when a debate is designed to inform versus designed to polarize.

Topics: Timothy Caulfield, Gish gallop, misinformation tactics, polarization, debate manipulation

GUEST: Timothy Caulfield | @caulfieldtim

Professor Timothy Caulfield argues that most viral online debates aren't built to uncover truth at all, they're built to produce a winner, a loser, and maximum shares. This one is for anyone who has watched a debate clip online and sensed something was off about the exchange without being able to name why.
Timothy Caulfield names the specific techniques behind that feeling, from the information overload of the Gish gallop to the bait-and-switch of the Motte and Bailey fallacy, and explains how state actors use these same tools to manufacture distrust in institutions. The conversation wraps with a simple framework for recognising when a debate is designed to inform versus designed to polarize.
Topics: Timothy Caulfield, Gish gallop, misinformation tactics, polarization, debate manipulation
GUEST: Timothy Caulfield | @caulfieldtim

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.

Shane Hewitt &amp; 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&mdash;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&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;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.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

ICYMI - Why Online Debates Are Rarely Actual Debates

Before diving into open relationships, the question on the table is simpler: if two people already struggle to make time for each other, how does adding a third person make anything easier? Anyone who has wondered how non-monogamy actually works in practice, logistically and emotionally, gets a candid, unfiltered take here.

One theory floated is that a primary partner offers stability while a secondary partner fills in what's missing, though skepticism runs deep about whether that setup actually holds up long term. The conversation opens with a simpler question first, what one thing each person would change about their own relationship, before circling into the harder territory of open marriages and where the boundaries actually sit.

Topics: open relationships, relationship expectations, non-monogamy, time management, relationship dynamics

Originally aired on 2026-07-24

Before diving into open relationships, the question on the table is simpler: if two people already struggle to make time for each other, how does adding a third person make anything easier? Anyone who has wondered how non-monogamy actually works in practice, logistically and emotionally, gets a candid, unfiltered take here.
One theory floated is that a primary partner offers stability while a secondary partner fills in what's missing, though skepticism runs deep about whether that setup actually holds up long term. The conversation opens with a simpler question first, what one thing each person would change about their own relationship, before circling into the harder territory of open marriages and where the boundaries actually sit.
Topics: open relationships, relationship expectations, non-monogamy, time management, relationship dynamics
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-07-24

Can You Really Add a Third Person Into a Relationship?

Provinces claim they're united against tariff threats, but columnist Andrew Caddell points out one premier who can't even agree to loosen alcohol shipping rules without approval from an assembly that won't sit until after the next election. Anyone who assumed Canada's internal trade was straightforward will find the reality far messier here.

Andrew Caddell also breaks down why the new Gordie Howe Bridge matters more than its price tag suggests, replacing a rickety, truck-heavy crossing with a four-lane route that skips downtown Windsor entirely. The billions lost to interprovincial trade barriers, and the protectionism hiding behind promises of cooperation, round out a sharp look at how much friction still exists between provinces that claim to be on the same team.

Topics: interprovincial trade barriers, Gordie Howe Bridge, alcohol trade rules, premiers meeting, Quebec SAQ

GUEST: Andrew Caddell

Originally aired on 2026-07-24

Provinces claim they're united against tariff threats, but columnist Andrew Caddell points out one premier who can't even agree to loosen alcohol shipping rules without approval from an assembly that won't sit until after the next election. Anyone who assumed Canada's internal trade was straightforward will find the reality far messier here.
Andrew Caddell also breaks down why the new Gordie Howe Bridge matters more than its price tag suggests, replacing a rickety, truck-heavy crossing with a four-lane route that skips downtown Windsor entirely. The billions lost to interprovincial trade barriers, and the protectionism hiding behind promises of cooperation, round out a sharp look at how much friction still exists between provinces that claim to be on the same team.
Topics: interprovincial trade barriers, Gordie Howe Bridge, alcohol trade rules, premiers meeting, Quebec SAQ
GUEST: Andrew Caddell
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-07-24

NEW - It's Technically Illegal to Ship Wine Between Provinces

A New Brunswick MLA delivered a speech that still had the AI's own commentary baked into it, proof that the copy button grabs everything, whether you meant to include it or not. Anyone who has ever pasted something without double-checking what came along with it will feel personally attacked by this one.

From there it's straight into the strange corners of the internet, including Jimothy, a raccoon whose rare condition gave him the shape of a stuffed toy, and a sign repair worker rescued after getting stuck nearly 130 feet above a highway. A quick AI trick for fixing a misbehaving air conditioner opens things up before the stories get weird.

Topics: AI copy paste mistake, Jimothy raccoon, Buc-ee's sign, odd news, AI home tips

Originally aired on 2026-07-24

A New Brunswick MLA delivered a speech that still had the AI's own commentary baked into it, proof that the copy button grabs everything, whether you meant to include it or not. Anyone who has ever pasted something without double-checking what came along with it will feel personally attacked by this one.
From there it's straight into the strange corners of the internet, including Jimothy, a raccoon whose rare condition gave him the shape of a stuffed toy, and a sign repair worker rescued after getting stuck nearly 130 feet above a highway. A quick AI trick for fixing a misbehaving air conditioner opens things up before the stories get weird.
Topics: AI copy paste mistake, Jimothy raccoon, Buc-ee's sign, odd news, AI home tips
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-07-24

ICYMI - Why Online Debates Are Rarely Actual Debates

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