Algorithms shape what we see, share, and even think about — but do we really understand them? In this episode, Shane Hewitt and Ryan break down what algorithms are, how they’ve become central to digital culture, and why they carry both promise and pitfalls. They explore how algorithms guide everything from social media feeds to surprise discoveries, while also critiquing how easily we blame them for negative experiences online. With personal anecdotes, humor, and a critical look at the agendas behind platforms, the conversation highlights why algorithms deserve a more nuanced perspective in today’s connected world.

Shane Hewitt; @iamshanehewitt, shanehewitt.ca | Ryan O’Donnell

Originally aired on2025-09-24

Algorithms shape what we see, share, and even think about &mdash; but do we really understand them? In this episode, Shane Hewitt and Ryan break down what algorithms are, how they&rsquo;ve become central to digital culture, and why they carry both promise and pitfalls. They explore how algorithms guide everything from social media feeds to surprise discoveries, while also critiquing how easily we blame them for negative experiences online. With personal anecdotes, humor, and a critical look at the agendas behind platforms, the conversation highlights why algorithms deserve a more nuanced perspective in today&rsquo;s connected world.
Shane Hewitt; @iamshanehewitt, <a href="http://shanehewitt.ca">shanehewitt.ca</a> | Ryan O&rsquo;Donnell
Originally aired on 2025-09-24

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.

The Algorithm Dilemma: Understanding Its Role in Our Lives

Parkinson's sensory memory recovery creates impossible moments you assume disease prevents. Your friend has Parkinson's. You visit with old photos from decades ago. He remembers the scene, the crew, the cameras. But he can't remember how it feels. The wind. The movement. The freedom. Those sensory memories are gone. You assume they're gone forever. Mike Farrell brought a MASH photo showing him and Alan Alda on a motorcycle from the set. Alan looked at it and said he couldn't remember the wind. So Mike put him on his motorcycle and took him for a ride.

 

At the end, riding behind Mike with his face against his back, Alan said softly: I remember now. Mike asked: Remember what? Alan answered: How it feels. Wind, movement, freedom. Mike posted the photo of them on the motorcycle as old men alongside the original MASH set photo. The caption ended: For one hour Hawkeye was back. The disease didn't reverse. The memories didn't permanently return. But for one hour, re-experiencing the sensation brought back what talking about it couldn't.

 

When someone you love disappears into Parkinson's or dementia, you're searching for any moment they come back. You can describe memories to them. You can show them photos. Sometimes you need to put them back in the actual experience to trigger what words and images can't reach.

 

Topics: Parkinson's sensory memory, MASH actors reunion, Alan Alda memory recovery, dementia friendship care, motorcycle therapy


Originally aired on 2026-02-03

Parkinson's sensory memory recovery creates impossible moments you assume disease prevents. Your friend has Parkinson's. You visit with old photos from decades ago. He remembers the scene, the crew, the cameras. But he can't remember how it feels. The wind. The movement. The freedom. Those sensory memories are gone. You assume they're gone forever. Mike Farrell brought a MASH photo showing him and Alan Alda on a motorcycle from the set. Alan looked at it and said he couldn't remember the wind. So Mike put him on his motorcycle and took him for a ride.
&nbsp;
At the end, riding behind Mike with his face against his back, Alan said softly: I remember now. Mike asked: Remember what? Alan answered: How it feels. Wind, movement, freedom. Mike posted the photo of them on the motorcycle as old men alongside the original MASH set photo. The caption ended: For one hour Hawkeye was back. The disease didn't reverse. The memories didn't permanently return. But for one hour, re-experiencing the sensation brought back what talking about it couldn't.
&nbsp;
When someone you love disappears into Parkinson's or dementia, you're searching for any moment they come back. You can describe memories to them. You can show them photos. Sometimes you need to put them back in the actual experience to trigger what words and images can't reach.
&nbsp;
Topics: Parkinson's sensory memory, MASH actors reunion, Alan Alda memory recovery, dementia friendship care, motorcycle therapy
 Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-02-03

The Motorcycle Ride That Brought Hawkeye Back for One Hour

Part 1: Saskatchewan vs. The City: Where is Canada’s Real Quality of Life?

Canada's most livable cities ranking just dropped. Montreal sits at 185. Saskatoon claims 15. You're supposed to care about walkability scores and economic metrics. But here's what the list misses: Montreal drivers are all equally crazy, giving high fives while breaking every traffic rule together. Saskatoon might rank higher, but can you get world-class beef with brown sauce at 2 AM? The ranking assumes livability means the same thing to everyone.

 

Why does Montreal rank 185 spots below Saskatoon when it has underground cities, festival seasons that transform entire neighborhoods, and coffee shops where former mayoral advisors hold court? Because jaywalking is a way of life and rights on red don't exist. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan offers something no algorithm measures: walk into your bank on a first-name basis, claim your favorite restaurant spot without a reservation, and when hard times hit, people show up in droves.

 

The ranking tells you where to live. The people living there tell you why rankings don't matter. One city gives you the Jazz Fest and old-meets-new architecture. The other gives you sunrises over endless skylines and a community that knows your children's names. Neither shows up in the methodology.

 

Topics: livable cities Canada, Montreal culture, Saskatchewan rural life, city rankings, urban planning, community versus metrics

 

PART 2: Poilievre: Good at Opposition. Can He Actually Govern?

Conservative leadership review delivered 87% for Pierre Poilievre. You're supposed to see that as resounding victory. Media spent weeks drafting replacement scenarios, floating Jason Kenney's name before votes were counted. The membership said otherwise. But confidence in opposition skills doesn't answer the governing question. You can hold the government accountable for every misstep while cameras roll. Running the country when international crises hit requires different capabilities entirely.

 

Why did every major Poilievre platform point become Liberal policy while he stayed in opposition? Housing, immigration costs, all the hot topics he championed. The Liberals adopted them, Mark Carney pivoted to prime ministerial in months, and Poilievre remained effective at holding feet to the fire but never showed he could be the one making calls. Jimmy Zoubris talked to National Council members before the vote. Everyone predicted mid-80s. The party supports him. The caucus now decides if he's the guy for the next election. Saskatchewan conservatives say he's not reading the room: too focused on divisiveness instead of being pro-Canada on things that matter.

 

This wasn't a close call. 87% is clear. What it doesn't clarify: can opposition skills translate to governing when you're the one answering the hard questions instead of asking them? The vote confirmed party loyalty. It didn't confirm readiness for what comes next.

 

Topics: Pierre Poilievre, Conservative Party, leadership skills, political strategy, governing versus opposition

 

GUEST: Jimmy Zoubris | Entrepreneur & Political advisor, Montreal | Lesley Kelly | highheelsandcanolafields.com


Originally aired on 2026-02-02

Part 1: Saskatchewan vs. The City: Where is Canada&rsquo;s Real Quality of Life?
Canada's most livable cities ranking just dropped. Montreal sits at 185. Saskatoon claims 15. You're supposed to care about walkability scores and economic metrics. But here's what the list misses: Montreal drivers are all equally crazy, giving high fives while breaking every traffic rule together. Saskatoon might rank higher, but can you get world-class beef with brown sauce at 2 AM? The ranking assumes livability means the same thing to everyone.
&nbsp;
Why does Montreal rank 185 spots below Saskatoon when it has underground cities, festival seasons that transform entire neighborhoods, and coffee shops where former mayoral advisors hold court? Because jaywalking is a way of life and rights on red don't exist. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan offers something no algorithm measures: walk into your bank on a first-name basis, claim your favorite restaurant spot without a reservation, and when hard times hit, people show up in droves.
&nbsp;
The ranking tells you where to live. The people living there tell you why rankings don't matter. One city gives you the Jazz Fest and old-meets-new architecture. The other gives you sunrises over endless skylines and a community that knows your children's names. Neither shows up in the methodology.
&nbsp;
Topics: livable cities Canada, Montreal culture, Saskatchewan rural life, city rankings, urban planning, community versus metrics
&nbsp;
PART 2: Poilievre: Good at Opposition. Can He Actually Govern?
Conservative leadership review delivered 87% for Pierre Poilievre. You're supposed to see that as resounding victory. Media spent weeks drafting replacement scenarios, floating Jason Kenney's name before votes were counted. The membership said otherwise. But confidence in opposition skills doesn't answer the governing question. You can hold the government accountable for every misstep while cameras roll. Running the country when international crises hit requires different capabilities entirely.
&nbsp;
Why did every major Poilievre platform point become Liberal policy while he stayed in opposition? Housing, immigration costs, all the hot topics he championed. The Liberals adopted them, Mark Carney pivoted to prime ministerial in months, and Poilievre remained effective at holding feet to the fire but never showed he could be the one making calls. Jimmy Zoubris talked to National Council members before the vote. Everyone predicted mid-80s. The party supports him. The caucus now decides if he's the guy for the next election. Saskatchewan conservatives say he's not reading the room: too focused on divisiveness instead of being pro-Canada on things that matter.
&nbsp;
This wasn't a close call. 87% is clear. What it doesn't clarify: can opposition skills translate to governing when you're the one answering the hard questions instead of asking them? The vote confirmed party loyalty. It didn't confirm readiness for what comes next.
&nbsp;
Topics: Pierre Poilievre, Conservative Party, leadership skills, political strategy, governing versus opposition
&nbsp;
GUEST: Jimmy Zoubris | Entrepreneur &amp; Political advisor, Montreal | Lesley Kelly | highheelsandcanolafields.com
 Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-02-02

NEW - Livability Gaps: From Saskatchewan Peace to Montreal’s Jaywalking Culture

Poop pills could save your life, but first you need a complete flush. You're prepping for treatment. Drinking the same bowel prep solution people drink before colonoscopies. You're clearing out your native microbiome. Making room. Tomorrow you'll sit in the clinic on an empty stomach and swallow donor bacteria packaged in capsules. Thirty-five pills. One hour. Your cancer is advanced. Your immunotherapy has been struggling. Your gut went from healthy ecosystem to diseased, inflammatory wreck when cancer became chronic. The bacteria you need don't live there anymore.

The donor stool gets processed to pure microbial components, frozen in triple-layer capsules until your treatment day. If engraftment succeeds (donor microbiome colonizes and thrives), you respond significantly better. Nature Medicine published the data. Melanoma patients. Kidney cancer patients. Those with successful engraftment experienced fewer side effects, better outcomes. Those without? Pills didn't take. Treatment kept struggling.

Your gut is your biggest immune organ. Trillions of bacteria produce metabolites that travel through your bloodstream to your brain, your organs, everywhere. The gut-brain axis is real. When those bacteria fail, your immune system fails. Immunotherapy requires a functioning immune system to kill cancer. Maleki's team now testing the same approach for IBD, MS, ALS.

Topics: poop pills cancer, microbiome treatment, immune system restoration, bacterial therapy, inflammatory disease

GUEST: Dr. Saman Maleki | @‌smimmunology

Originally aired on 2026-02-02

Poop pills could save your life, but first you need a complete flush. You're prepping for treatment. Drinking the same bowel prep solution people drink before colonoscopies. You're clearing out your native microbiome. Making room. Tomorrow you'll sit in the clinic on an empty stomach and swallow donor bacteria packaged in capsules. Thirty-five pills. One hour. Your cancer is advanced. Your immunotherapy has been struggling. Your gut went from healthy ecosystem to diseased, inflammatory wreck when cancer became chronic. The bacteria you need don't live there anymore.
The donor stool gets processed to pure microbial components, frozen in triple-layer capsules until your treatment day. If engraftment succeeds (donor microbiome colonizes and thrives), you respond significantly better. Nature Medicine published the data. Melanoma patients. Kidney cancer patients. Those with successful engraftment experienced fewer side effects, better outcomes. Those without? Pills didn't take. Treatment kept struggling.
Your gut is your biggest immune organ. Trillions of bacteria produce metabolites that travel through your bloodstream to your brain, your organs, everywhere. The gut-brain axis is real. When those bacteria fail, your immune system fails. Immunotherapy requires a functioning immune system to kill cancer. Maleki's team now testing the same approach for IBD, MS, ALS.
Topics: poop pills cancer, microbiome treatment, immune system restoration, bacterial therapy, inflammatory disease
GUEST: Dr. Saman Maleki | @&zwnj;smimmunology
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-02-02

The Algorithm Dilemma: Understanding Its Role in Our Lives

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