Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980, and it did not blow its top. It blew its side, and the wall of water and debris that followed changed everything for everyone below it.

In Canada, ash fell on cars in Kamloops and the cloud reached Lethbridge. Victoria and Vancouver felt a shockwave through their homes. Harry R. Truman, 83 years old, had refused to leave his lodge on Spirit Lake. In March, he said you couldn't pull him out with a mule team. He and his 16 cats were buried under 150 feet of volcanic debris.

USGS scientist David Johnston was on the mountain that morning. His last four words, heard on ham radios around the world: Vancouver, Vancouver, this is it. His body was never found. His trailer turned up in 1993. Researchers believe the mountain is already inside the 30 to 100 year window for another eruption.

Topics: Mount St. Helens, Harry R. Truman, David Johnston, Mount St. Helens 1980, Canadian ash fall

GUEST: Ed Conroy | retroontario.com | @retrontario

Originally aired on 2026-05-14

Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980, and it did not blow its top. It blew its side, and the wall of water and debris that followed changed everything for everyone below it.
In Canada, ash fell on cars in Kamloops and the cloud reached Lethbridge. Victoria and Vancouver felt a shockwave through their homes. Harry R. Truman, 83 years old, had refused to leave his lodge on Spirit Lake. In March, he said you couldn't pull him out with a mule team. He and his 16 cats were buried under 150 feet of volcanic debris.
USGS scientist David Johnston was on the mountain that morning. His last four words, heard on ham radios around the world: Vancouver, Vancouver, this is it. His body was never found. His trailer turned up in 1993. Researchers believe the mountain is already inside the 30 to 100 year window for another eruption.
Topics: Mount St. Helens, Harry R. Truman, David Johnston, Mount St. Helens 1980, Canadian ash fall
GUEST: Ed Conroy | retroontario.com | @retrontario
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-05-14

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.

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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.