Shane Hewitt didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a radio host. His journey began with a simple frustration: the music on the radio in the late ’80s and early ’90s didn’t speak to him. Determined to shake things up, he found himself drawn into broadcasting—not to follow tradition, but to challenge it.
That same spirit of innovation defined his tenure on The Shift. When Shane took over the show from former host Drex, he reimagined it as a platform for meaningful conversations and authentic listener engagement. His signature phrase, “radio done differently,” wasn’t just branding—it was a mission. This approach built a loyal audience of “Shiftheads” and reshaped the way talk radio connected with listeners.
After The Shift wrapped, Shane launched The Nightshift on Bell Media’s iHeartRadio, bringing his intentional, audience-focused storytelling to a new stage. His philosophy is simple: respect the gift of listening. That belief runs through every facet of his career, from podcast consulting to public speaking.
Whether delivering keynote speeches, engaging a room of business leaders, diving into deep conversations with thinkers like John and Julie Gottman, or simply recommending a favorite local pizza spot, Shane’s approach is grounded in authenticity, curiosity, and a genuine desire to connect.
The Shift with Shane Hewitt became a prominent national talk radio show in Canada. How did the concept for the show originate, and what was your role in its development?
The original Shift show was something I took over from a host called Drex after he quit. At the time, I was building a new business called PLAYDIO (a licensed music-for-business company—think of the music you hear in Boston Pizza). I had been doing some fill-in spots for legendary talk radio hosts Charles Adler and Roy Green, and I also filled in for Drex. Then, they handed the show to me and asked if I wanted to keep the name The Shift. I kept the name but changed the intention behind the show. I called it a “Shift in thinking” and “a shift in how we do radio.” That’s where the phrase for the show, “radio done differently,” came from. The only thing I ever asked for from my team was to be intentional. If we don’t know why we’re doing it, we don’t do it. That truly transformed the Shift show, diving deeper into topics people care about and encouraging the audience—our “Shiftheads”—to share their stories as well.
After The Shift concluded, you launched Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift on Bell Media’s iHeartRadio talk network. What did this transition look like for you, and what differences have you experienced between the two shows?
This is such a great question, and I really wish people could see what it takes to create shows like mine. People conspire online about, “I bet they make you say that” or “have that guest,” etc. And nobody has ever once asked me to say or do anything on the radio—ever. The iHeart Talk Radio group is just so big, with so many resources. It’s very cool to have the support of so many people believing in what we do every day. That’s the magic part—having people in your corner.
You have a background in audio production, radio, and podcast consulting—what, in your opinion, makes a good podcast? What’s your advice to those dreaming of starting one, and why do so many podcasts struggle to gain traction?
The quick answer is why are you there? It’s one thing to have a cool topic or some ideas or opinions to share, but you need to know why you’re doing it. It’s part of my Unlock My Words keynote, and it applies to all businesses, projects, and relationships in our lives. Six little words guarantee success. One of those words is INTENTION, and the other is SUSTAINABILITY. Can you make that podcast and then make it 100 more times—and make it better? Ask yourself if you can do that.
Public speaking can be daunting for many. What tips do you have for managing nerves and maintaining composure when addressing an audience, whether on-air or in person?
A good speaker is less about the time in front of the audience and more about the time before you’re in front of an audience. Here are three quick tips for comfortable public speaking: One, believe in what you’re sharing (know the story). Two, know what’s next (where is the story going?). Three, know how to end it (how do you get out of the story?).
Something that distinguishes you in your work is your ability to be relatable, even though the somewhat impersonal medium of radio. What is your secret?
Many radio, TV, and influencer personalities believe they’re giving the gift of stories or music to the audience. I believe the opposite. The real gift is the listening from the audience. If I’m receiving the gift of someone’s listening, I work harder not to waste that opportunity and to give them something meaningful in return.
You are a strong believer in the power of words and their impact. How has this belief influenced your relationship with yourself and others?
It’s integrity. I like myself now because I’ve stopped lying to myself. I say it so quickly now, but it took a decade of work. The easiest person in the world to lie to is yourself. Once I started cleaning up the words I used with myself, that spilled over to those around me.
Do you have any favorite local food spots you’d recommend?
My favorite place I’ve been to since moving to Ottawa is L’Orée du Bois in Chelsea. An afternoon outside in the summer there is heavenly. The Grand in the market is also fantastic.
If you could co-host your show with any person in the world, past or present, who would it be, and what topics would you discuss?
Oh man, that’s a tough one. I recently hosted a 30-minute conversation with John and Julie Gottman. Their work on relationships is amazing—hard to top that. I think I’d go social, observational, and philosophical for this… Jimmy Carr, the comedian, is deeply philosophical—I’d love to have him on.
Is there a particular song or movie that never fails to lift your spirits?
Ted Lasso is my go-to for a boost of positivity—and oddly enough, Downton Abbey always gets me too. Music-wise, after decades of DJing across Canada, classic house tracks are my easy pick-me-up. Deee-Lite’s “Groove Is in the Heart” never fails.
What’s your best advice for any professional looking to establish themselves in their career?
I’ll choose one word: FAIL. We’re often so afraid to fail that we don’t even try. Let’s flip that perspective. If I told you that you’d reach the top of your game, make your million, or become the boss on your 25th try, how quickly would you race to fail 24 times just to get there faster? Go fail, learn, and get at it. The only catch? I don’t know the number—I wish I did.
