Jeffrey Rosenthal has a personal stake in this question. He was born on a Friday the 13th, and every time someone calls the date unlucky, it feels a little bit personal. So he did what a statistics professor does: he got access to a massive database of unexpected deaths from the Ontario coroner's office and checked whether the date actually holds up.

The result surprised even him in a few specific ways. Friday the 13th itself came in lower than the yearly average, but a nearby date showed a small uptick, one Jeffrey has a theory about involving timing and reporting delays. He also ran the same test on Halloween, expecting a similar pattern, and found something worth explaining.

The real discovery came somewhere else entirely: a specific multi-week window each winter where unexpected deaths spike well outside normal statistical variation. Jeffrey explains the medical reason behind it, and it has nothing to do with luck.

Topics: is Friday the 13th unlucky, statistics and superstition, confirmation bias, winter death rates, Ontario coroner data

GUEST: Jeffrey Rosenthal | http://probability.ca

Originally aired on 2026-09-11

Jeffrey Rosenthal has a personal stake in this question. He was born on a Friday the 13th, and every time someone calls the date unlucky, it feels a little bit personal. So he did what a statistics professor does: he got access to a massive database of unexpected deaths from the Ontario coroner's office and checked whether the date actually holds up.
The result surprised even him in a few specific ways. Friday the 13th itself came in lower than the yearly average, but a nearby date showed a small uptick, one Jeffrey has a theory about involving timing and reporting delays. He also ran the same test on Halloween, expecting a similar pattern, and found something worth explaining.
The real discovery came somewhere else entirely: a specific multi-week window each winter where unexpected deaths spike well outside normal statistical variation. Jeffrey explains the medical reason behind it, and it has nothing to do with luck.
Topics: is Friday the 13th unlucky, statistics and superstition, confirmation bias, winter death rates, Ontario coroner data
GUEST: Jeffrey Rosenthal |<a href="http://probability.ca"> http://probability.ca</a>
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-09-11

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.