Some songs don’t age — they echo. Smashing Pumpkins' "1979" captures the raw ache of adolescence with a sound that blends grit and dream. In this episode, Shane and Ryan unpack why this track still resonates, tracing its themes of freedom, regret, and identity.

The conversation journeys through lyrical interpretations, Gen X nostalgia, and cultural shifts like the end of disco and baseball’s transformation. More than a breakdown of a hit song, this episode explores how music captures moments — and why some of those moments follow us forever.

Originally aired on 2025-10-30

Some songs don&rsquo;t age &mdash; they echo. Smashing Pumpkins' "1979" captures the raw ache of adolescence with a sound that blends grit and dream. In this episode, Shane and Ryan unpack why this track still resonates, tracing its themes of freedom, regret, and identity.
The conversation journeys through lyrical interpretations, Gen X nostalgia, and cultural shifts like the end of disco and baseball&rsquo;s transformation. More than a breakdown of a hit song, this episode explores how music captures moments &mdash; and why some of those moments follow us forever.
Originally aired on&nbsp;2025-10-30

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.

Why ‘1979’ Still Hurts So Good: Music, Memory, and Growing Up

Part 1 - Jamie Ellerton: I'm a Moody Tipper and Here's Why

Tipping culture debate forces impossible decisions before you taste a single sip. The screen rotates. Three glowing percentages stare back. Your order hasn't been made. The barista hasn't smiled. But you're already choosing whether to look generous or cheap. Lindsay calls it creepy—tipping before service creates fear about what happens to your latte if you refuse.

Jamie confesses he's a moody tipper: a buck fifty on a good day, zero at a sandwich counter, always 15% for his stylist (20% on holidays). He argues the entire system is broken—abolish tipping, pay workers properly, set prices accordingly. Shane introduces his standing rule: if he's vertical while ordering, the tip isn't happening. The discussion reveals how servers share tips with management, kitchen staff, and bartenders, often keeping only 9-10% of what customers intended. Lindsay questions why customers assume financial superiority over service workers.

Learn why Jamie tips a single dollar to send a message about terrible service. Discover how ego drives tipping assumptions. Understand what separates counter service from table service.

Part 2 - A Leadership Vacuum: Bonnie Crombie and Francois Legault Quit the Same Day

Canadian political resignations hit twice in one day when two provincial leaders walked away. Bonnie Crombie pulled the pin on Ontario's Liberal leadership. François Legault quit as Quebec Premier. You're watching a recasting of who stands at the podium—and the timing isn't coincidence. It's wallet issues, healthcare crises, and voters demanding adults in the room.

Jamie explains Legault's resignation as waving the white flag after his fight with Quebec doctors made him toxic. Polling shows him matching Trudeau's pre-resignation numbers, with the Parti Québécois poised to win. Crombie's departure was different—she'd already quit in practice, MIA from Queen's Park since fall, drawing party salary while the Ontario Liberals stayed broke and leaderless. Lindsay argues voters want localized leadership focused on municipal realities, not broad platforms. Shane questions why Canada can't find leaders who actually lead. The conversation shifts to Trump's Greenland threats and CUSMA bluster while Mark Carney negotiates in China.

Discover why Jamie says take Trump seriously without taking him literally. Learn what Crombie's absence from Queen's Park revealed. Understand how auto sector economics connect Canadian and American workers.

GUEST: Jamie Ellerton, Lindsay Broadhead | conaptus.com, broadheadcomms.ca

Originally aired on 2026-01-05

Part 1 - Jamie Ellerton: I'm a Moody Tipper and Here's Why
Tipping culture debate forces impossible decisions before you taste a single sip. The screen rotates. Three glowing percentages stare back. Your order hasn't been made. The barista hasn't smiled. But you're already choosing whether to look generous or cheap. Lindsay calls it creepy&mdash;tipping before service creates fear about what happens to your latte if you refuse.
Jamie confesses he's a moody tipper: a buck fifty on a good day, zero at a sandwich counter, always 15% for his stylist (20% on holidays). He argues the entire system is broken&mdash;abolish tipping, pay workers properly, set prices accordingly. Shane introduces his standing rule: if he's vertical while ordering, the tip isn't happening. The discussion reveals how servers share tips with management, kitchen staff, and bartenders, often keeping only 9-10% of what customers intended. Lindsay questions why customers assume financial superiority over service workers.
Learn why Jamie tips a single dollar to send a message about terrible service. Discover how ego drives tipping assumptions. Understand what separates counter service from table service.
Part 2 - A Leadership Vacuum: Bonnie Crombie and Francois Legault Quit the Same Day
Canadian political resignations hit twice in one day when two provincial leaders walked away. Bonnie Crombie pulled the pin on Ontario's Liberal leadership. Fran&ccedil;ois Legault quit as Quebec Premier. You're watching a recasting of who stands at the podium&mdash;and the timing isn't coincidence. It's wallet issues, healthcare crises, and voters demanding adults in the room.
Jamie explains Legault's resignation as waving the white flag after his fight with Quebec doctors made him toxic. Polling shows him matching Trudeau's pre-resignation numbers, with the Parti Qu&eacute;b&eacute;cois poised to win. Crombie's departure was different&mdash;she'd already quit in practice, MIA from Queen's Park since fall, drawing party salary while the Ontario Liberals stayed broke and leaderless. Lindsay argues voters want localized leadership focused on municipal realities, not broad platforms. Shane questions why Canada can't find leaders who actually lead. The conversation shifts to Trump's Greenland threats and CUSMA bluster while Mark Carney negotiates in China.
Discover why Jamie says take Trump seriously without taking him literally. Learn what Crombie's absence from Queen's Park revealed. Understand how auto sector economics connect Canadian and American workers.
GUEST: Jamie Ellerton, Lindsay Broadhead | conaptus.com, broadheadcomms.ca
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-05

NEW - Smart Speakers - Tips: The Guilt Tax Breaking Canada

Tipping before service puts you in an impossible position the second the payment screen flips around. You're standing at the counter. Your sandwich isn't made yet. Your coffee isn't poured. But the machine wants 18%, 20%, or 25% right now—before anyone's done anything. Do you tip for a service that hasn't happened, or look cheap in front of a stranger?

Shane breaks down why he won't tip while standing anymore, and Ryan admits he's been guilted into a "millennial tax" he can't explain. The real problem? You might not even know where that money's going. Shane teases a conversation with Tony Tedesco that proves the person you think is getting your tip might not be touching a cent of it. The timing's broken. The transparency's gone. And the guilt is doing all the work.

Discover why the moment you're asked to tip matters more than the amount. Learn what changes when you flip the script and tip after the service instead of before. Understand why standing versus sitting became Shane's new rule for deciding who deserves it.

Originally aired on 2026-01-14

Tipping before service puts you in an impossible position the second the payment screen flips around. You're standing at the counter. Your sandwich isn't made yet. Your coffee isn't poured. But the machine wants 18%, 20%, or 25% right now&mdash;before anyone's done anything. Do you tip for a service that hasn't happened, or look cheap in front of a stranger?
Shane breaks down why he won't tip while standing anymore, and Ryan admits he's been guilted into a "millennial tax" he can't explain. The real problem? You might not even know where that money's going. Shane teases a conversation with Tony Tedesco that proves the person you think is getting your tip might not be touching a cent of it. The timing's broken. The transparency's gone. And the guilt is doing all the work.
Discover why the moment you're asked to tip matters more than the amount. Learn what changes when you flip the script and tip after the service instead of before. Understand why standing versus sitting became Shane's new rule for deciding who deserves it.
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-14

Tipping Before Service Kills the Whole Point

Tech toys and imagination collide over one controversial brick. Your kid gets a Lego set where the plane makes its own flying sounds. Swoosh. Pew pew. Automatic. You panic: what happened to using your imagination? What happened to making the noises yourself? The toy just handed them the creativity on a circuit board.

Ryan O'Donnell: upset, this dilutes childhood magic. Michelle Parnett Dwyer from the Strong National Museum of Play counters: tech innovation challenges makers, not just kids. Furby did it. Tickle Me Elmo did it. Ryan's moment of clarity: kids ignore designer intent entirely. They take the brick off. They use it differently. They play how they want. O'Donnell admits: "I am not a child anymore."

Discover why adult nostalgia distorts what kids actually need. Learn how children have always repurposed technology beyond its intended use. Understand the difference between protecting imagination and protecting your memories.

Originally aired on 2026-01-14

Tech toys and imagination collide over one controversial brick. Your kid gets a Lego set where the plane makes its own flying sounds. Swoosh. Pew pew. Automatic. You panic: what happened to using your imagination? What happened to making the noises yourself? The toy just handed them the creativity on a circuit board.
Ryan O'Donnell: upset, this dilutes childhood magic. Michelle Parnett Dwyer from the Strong National Museum of Play counters: tech innovation challenges makers, not just kids. Furby did it. Tickle Me Elmo did it. Ryan's moment of clarity: kids ignore designer intent entirely. They take the brick off. They use it differently. They play how they want. O'Donnell admits: "I am not a child anymore."
Discover why adult nostalgia distorts what kids actually need. Learn how children have always repurposed technology beyond its intended use. Understand the difference between protecting imagination and protecting your memories.
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-14

Why ‘1979’ Still Hurts So Good: Music, Memory, and Growing Up

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