Hannah Montana turns 20 this year, and the kids who came home from school and put it on are now the doctors, the managers, the people running things. Katelyn Thomas was 12 when it started. She is now a reporter, a mom, and she will absolutely be showing it to her son.

What does it feel like to come home from a hard day at school, sit down, and watch a show where a girl in a blonde wig was somehow the biggest pop star in the world and nobody noticed? Katelyn Thomas calls it an escape. Not therapy. Not a lesson. Just half an hour where the things that were hard stopped mattering for a while. That ritual was doing more work than anyone realized at the time.

Miley Cyrus went through a phase that was hard to watch and came out the other side with a voice nobody else has and an authenticity that Katelyn Thomas finds genuinely easy to respect. The growing pains were the show's thesis all along.

Topics: Hannah Montana 20th anniversary, Miley Cyrus millennial nostalgia, Disney Channel, millennials in leadership, TV as childhood escape

GUEST: Katelyn Thomas, Montreal Gazette

Originally aired on 2026-03-25

Hannah Montana turns 20 this year, and the kids who came home from school and put it on are now the doctors, the managers, the people running things. Katelyn Thomas was 12 when it started. She is now a reporter, a mom, and she will absolutely be showing it to her son.
What does it feel like to come home from a hard day at school, sit down, and watch a show where a girl in a blonde wig was somehow the biggest pop star in the world and nobody noticed? Katelyn Thomas calls it an escape. Not therapy. Not a lesson. Just half an hour where the things that were hard stopped mattering for a while. That ritual was doing more work than anyone realized at the time.
Miley Cyrus went through a phase that was hard to watch and came out the other side with a voice nobody else has and an authenticity that Katelyn Thomas finds genuinely easy to respect. The growing pains were the show's thesis all along.
Topics: Hannah Montana 20th anniversary, Miley Cyrus millennial nostalgia, Disney Channel, millennials in leadership, TV as childhood escape
GUEST: Katelyn Thomas, Montreal Gazette
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-03-25

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.