The Panama invasion of 1989 didn't end the way anyone expected. Twenty-seven thousand American troops surrounded one dictator hiding in the Vatican embassy. It took weeks of blasting rock music and a military siege to force Manuel Noriega's surrender.

Craig Baird breaks down how the CIA's former asset became America's target, the casualties nobody talks about (23 American soldiers, possibly thousands of Panamanians), and why Canada stood alone as the only nation in the Americas to publicly back the operation. Shane and Craig trace the parallels to Venezuela while examining what made Panama different: from the weeks-long Vatican embassy standoff to the troops blasting Metallica outside Noriega's door.

Discover why Brian Mulroney got the call the night before it happened, how history forgets invasions this messy, and what happens when 27,000 troops can't immediately capture one man. The siege, the music, the geopolitical mess: it's all here.

GUEST: Craig Baird | canadaehx.com

Originally aired on 2026-01-08

The Panama invasion of 1989 didn't end the way anyone expected. Twenty-seven thousand American troops surrounded one dictator hiding in the Vatican embassy. It took weeks of blasting rock music and a military siege to force Manuel Noriega's surrender.
Craig Baird breaks down how the CIA's former asset became America's target, the casualties nobody talks about (23 American soldiers, possibly thousands of Panamanians), and why Canada stood alone as the only nation in the Americas to publicly back the operation. Shane and Craig trace the parallels to Venezuela while examining what made Panama different: from the weeks-long Vatican embassy standoff to the troops blasting Metallica outside Noriega's door.
Discover why Brian Mulroney got the call the night before it happened, how history forgets invasions this messy, and what happens when 27,000 troops can't immediately capture one man. The siege, the music, the geopolitical mess: it's all here.
GUEST:&nbsp;Craig Baird | canadaehx.com
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-08

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.

Noriega's Surrender: 27,000 Troops, One Dictator

The 80s nostalgia machine started the second the decade ended. Ed Conroy explains: January 1, 1990, Best of the 80s CDs were in stores. Every other decade waits 20 years for its revival. The 50s became cool in the 70s. But the 80s got instant nostalgia and has kept it for 35 years. Why did this decade break every rule?

Shane and Conroy dissect Stranger Things' 10-year run as a symptom of the larger phenomenon. The show didn't create 80s nostalgia it capitalized on a movement that started in 1990 and never stopped. Conroy, a self-described decadeology specialist, points to the decade's defining trait: optimism. The 80s felt like the future was coming and everything would be okay. Then the 90s arrived with The Simpsons' irony and X-Files conspiracy theories, introducing the cynicism that defines culture today. The 80s, Conroy says, was the last "clean" decade the last time we believed without question.

Learn why Best of the 80s compilations appeared in stores the day the decade ended—and what that instant nostalgia reveals about the decade's unique appeal. Understand how the 80s escaped the normal 20-year waiting period for cultural revival. Discover what Conroy means by "clean": a decade untouched by the irony and darkness that followed. The 80s isn't just another nostalgic era it's the only one that never had to wait for people to miss it.

GUEST: Ed Conroy | retrontario.com, @retrontario

Originally aired on 2026-01-08

The 80s nostalgia machine started the second the decade ended. Ed Conroy explains: January 1, 1990, Best of the 80s CDs were in stores. Every other decade waits 20 years for its revival. The 50s became cool in the 70s. But the 80s got instant nostalgia and has kept it for 35 years. Why did this decade break every rule?
Shane and Conroy dissect Stranger Things' 10-year run as a symptom of the larger phenomenon. The show didn't create 80s nostalgia it capitalized on a movement that started in 1990 and never stopped. Conroy, a self-described decadeology specialist, points to the decade's defining trait: optimism. The 80s felt like the future was coming and everything would be okay. Then the 90s arrived with The Simpsons' irony and X-Files conspiracy theories, introducing the cynicism that defines culture today. The 80s, Conroy says, was the last "clean" decade the last time we believed without question.
Learn why Best of the 80s compilations appeared in stores the day the decade ended&mdash;and what that instant nostalgia reveals about the decade's unique appeal. Understand how the 80s escaped the normal 20-year waiting period for cultural revival. Discover what Conroy means by "clean": a decade untouched by the irony and darkness that followed. The 80s isn't just another nostalgic era it's the only one that never had to wait for people to miss it.
GUEST:&nbsp;Ed Conroy | retrontario.com, @retrontario
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-08

NEW: The Decade That Never Ended: 80s Revival with Ed Conroy

Best compilation albums of the 90s became the definitive way to discover music. Your friend's car had at least three. Your older sibling's bedroom had a stack of them. But which one actually deserved the throne?

Shane and Ryan compare Much Dance 93 (Bobby Brown, House of Pain, Snap) against Much Music Dance Mix 94 (I Like to Move It, Shoop, Show Me Love) and Big Shiny Tunes II. The conversation reveals movie soundtracks completely dominated the market. The Bodyguard sits at number one worldwide, Saturday Night Fever at number two. The Now series produced over 85 volumes. Every CD mentioned triggers instant memories: Rhythm is a Dancer, 2 Unlimited, Dr. Alban, Arrested Development.

Learn which compilation moved the most units, why movie soundtracks crushed dance mixes in sales, and which specific songs from the era defined an entire generation's musical gateway.

Originally aired on 2026-01-08

Best compilation albums of the 90s became the definitive way to discover music. Your friend's car had at least three. Your older sibling's bedroom had a stack of them. But which one actually deserved the throne?
Shane and Ryan compare Much Dance 93 (Bobby Brown, House of Pain, Snap) against Much Music Dance Mix 94 (I Like to Move It, Shoop, Show Me Love) and Big Shiny Tunes II. The conversation reveals movie soundtracks completely dominated the market. The Bodyguard sits at number one worldwide, Saturday Night Fever at number two. The Now series produced over 85 volumes. Every CD mentioned triggers instant memories: Rhythm is a Dancer, 2 Unlimited, Dr. Alban, Arrested Development.
Learn which compilation moved the most units, why movie soundtracks crushed dance mixes in sales, and which specific songs from the era defined an entire generation's musical gateway.
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-08

Much Dance 93 vs Big Shiny Tunes: Best Compilations Ranked

 

Panama invasion 1989 ended with Manuel Noriega's surrender in January 1990. Thirty-five years later, Venezuela headlines trigger the same questions. How similar are these moments? What playbook keeps repeating?

Shane and Ryan examine the December 1989 invasion that forced Noriega out. They play audio from George Bush Sr. explaining the intervention and Wendy Mesley's CBC report on Brian Mulroney's Canadian response. The hosts discuss Metallica getting blasted through speakers to push the dictator toward surrender. The conversation includes 1990 context: Toronto homes cost $255,000, Calgary $152,000, weekly groceries ran $180. Political language around military action sounded different then. Innocent people still got caught in the crossfire.

Discover how the Panama invasion unfolded, why the timing mirrors current headlines almost to the day, and what 1990 Canada looked like when this chapter of US intervention closed.

Originally aired on 2026-01-08

&nbsp;
Panama invasion 1989 ended with Manuel Noriega's surrender in January 1990. Thirty-five years later, Venezuela headlines trigger the same questions. How similar are these moments? What playbook keeps repeating?
Shane and Ryan examine the December 1989 invasion that forced Noriega out. They play audio from George Bush Sr. explaining the intervention and Wendy Mesley's CBC report on Brian Mulroney's Canadian response. The hosts discuss Metallica getting blasted through speakers to push the dictator toward surrender. The conversation includes 1990 context: Toronto homes cost $255,000, Calgary $152,000, weekly groceries ran $180. Political language around military action sounded different then. Innocent people still got caught in the crossfire.
Discover how the Panama invasion unfolded, why the timing mirrors current headlines almost to the day, and what 1990 Canada looked like when this chapter of US intervention closed.
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-08

Noriega's Surrender: 27,000 Troops, One Dictator

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