1998 nostalgia hits differently once someone points out that it was actually the last safe year. Google arrived. Email became something everyone had. Cell phones showed up in pockets that had never held one before. And none of the bad stuff had taken hold yet. Every website looked different. Loading one felt like going somewhere.

What does it feel like to look back at a year that was genuinely exciting about the future without knowing what the future was actually going to do? The internet in 1998 was surfing. An adventure. A place where you booted up the phone line and went exploring. Pokemon arrived the same year and for the same reason: a universe so complex and so vast that it felt like the whole world had opened up and there was always more to find.

The Big Lebowski came out that summer. The Chicago Bulls played their last dance. skunkmaster_J_1981 sent his first email. Not everything from 1998 aged well. The feeling of it did.

Topics: 1998 nostalgia, Throwback Thursday, Pokemon history, Big Lebowski, early internet culture

GUEST: Ed Conroy | retroontario.ca | @‌retrontario

Originally aired on 2026-04-16

1998 nostalgia hits differently once someone points out that it was actually the last safe year. Google arrived. Email became something everyone had. Cell phones showed up in pockets that had never held one before. And none of the bad stuff had taken hold yet. Every website looked different. Loading one felt like going somewhere.
What does it feel like to look back at a year that was genuinely exciting about the future without knowing what the future was actually going to do? The internet in 1998 was surfing. An adventure. A place where you booted up the phone line and went exploring. Pokemon arrived the same year and for the same reason: a universe so complex and so vast that it felt like the whole world had opened up and there was always more to find.
The Big Lebowski came out that summer. The Chicago Bulls played their last dance. skunkmaster_J_1981 sent his first email. Not everything from 1998 aged well. The feeling of it did.
Topics: 1998 nostalgia, Throwback Thursday, Pokemon history, Big Lebowski, early internet culture
GUEST: Ed Conroy |<a href="http://retroontario.ca"> retroontario.ca</a> | @&zwnj;retrontario
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-04-16

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.