Alberta's rolling back benefits for nearly 80,000 people with disabilities with its new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP). Amidst steep cost of living increases, benefits are being cut by 10% alongside a 67% cut to fully-exempt employment income. We talk to Inclusion Alberta CEO Trish Bowman and Real Talker Averie, an advocate for adults with mental illness, in our feature interview (4:00) presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.

THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RapidEX FINANCIAL. THE CRYPTO WORLD MOVES FAST, BUT YOUR TRUST IN AN EXCHANGE SHOULDN'T BE A GAMBLE. RapidEX IS SECURE, FINTRAC-REGISTERED, AND NON-CUSTODIAL. SAVE 50% ON FEES ON ONLINE INTERAC E-TRANSFER TRADES WITH PROMO CODE RYAN50 AT https://rapidexfinancial.com/.

SHARE YOUR STORY: talk@ryanjespersen.com

MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/

INCLUSION ALBERTA: https://inclusionalberta.org/adap-facts-and-take-action/

ADAP: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-disability-assistance-program

47:00 | Get your neon ski suits out of storage - it's Retro Day in Jasper on January 31! We've got details in #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper.

JASPER in JANUARY: https://www.jasper.travel/january/

MARMOT BASIN: https://www.skimarmot.com/

52:15 | The Bank of Canada maintains the key interest rate at 2.25%. Premiers in Saskatchewan and Ontario have very different takes on Mark Carney's deal with China. Alberta separatists are ramping up efforts around their petition. What does it all mean for Alberta businesses? Shauna Feth, president and CEO of Alberta Chambers of Commerce, has her Eye on Alberta Business.

CONNECT with ACC: https://www.abchamber.ca/

TAKE THE HOT BUTTON ISSUE SURVEY: https://research.albertaperspectives.ca/jfe/form/SV_0GOnjhL52yHpCm2

1:19:20 | Real Talkers have a lot to say in our Live Chat powered by Park Power.

SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/

1:52:15 | We're auctioning off six club tickets to the Oilers game vs. the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, January 31 along with (optional) Golden Bus transportation from Central Social Hall St. Albert to Rogers Place that evening. All proceeds from this amazing auction item generously donated by Play Alberta will go toward the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic's fundraising for KidSport and Uncles and Aunts at Large.

ENTER YOUR BID: https://www.32auctions.com/RTPondHockey2026

FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen

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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors

The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

EP#240 | Pursuing Experimental Passion Projects can be A Lot of PRESSURE

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Merch Idea: Reaper Shirt Release

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