Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

13:32 | Maclean’s Magazine senior writer Paul Wells on the progression of the federal election campaigns a week in and how he still gets surprised by the electoral process even after 25+ years of covering Canadian politics.  47:57 | World Sikh Organization of Canada's Harman Singh Kandola details the plight of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus who are in ever-increasing danger amid the advance and takeover by the Taliban in Afghanistan. 1:10:25 | #MyJasper Memories | Maligne Canyon - Ryan takes us to the impressive natural formation containing waterfalls and underground streams plus vast plant and animal life. https://www.jasper.travel/realtalk 1:14:13 | Director of NYU's Institute for Public Knowledge Eric Klinenberg explains how the pandemic highlights the value of public spaces, including parks, libraries, transit and schools. 1:33:37 | Legendary Canadian broadcaster and journalist Linden Macintyre on the state of journalism in Canada, the need for an independent press, and what keeps him motivated.

10:25 | McGill researcher Safia Amiry shares her lived experience growing up in Afghanistan under Taliban rule (attending a secret school), her loved ones' plight from inside the country now, and how it all motivates her studies. 32:04 | NDP candidate for the federal riding of Edmonton Strathcona Heather McPherson addresses how the party hopes to translate the popularity of their leader, Jagmeet Singh, into votes. 49:32 | Dr. Verena Kuret and Dr. Eliana Castillo outline the dire health implications for pregnant people who contract COVID-19 and how effective vaccines are. New mother María Castrellón opens up about her search for information and medical guidance on how vaccination could impact her and her child. 1:24:19 | We review Real Talkers' thoughts on the Tokyo Olympics via our Question of the Week.  Presented alongside our strategic partner Y Station.  1:42:08 | A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency author Seth Klein offers lessons from the Second World War that can now be applied to the climate crisis.

8:56 | Long-time political strategist and pollster David Herle offers his early impressions a week or so into the federal election campaigns.  57:32 | A powerful conversation about harm reduction with a client of Alberta’s supervised consumption services, Ophelia Cara. She shares how the resources have impacted her life and how concerned she is with the Province's plans to close them down. 1:28:43 | Former PC MLA, associate minister, and leadership candidate Donna Kennedy-Glans unpacks how she lost her spot on the Banff Centre board after publicly criticizing Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s leadership. 2:05:44 | Plus, a boost for your Monday with #PositiveReflections courtesy of Kuby Energy.

Ryan rolls out the best rants of the week, as submitted to talk@ryanjespersen.com. Buckle up for another edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Waste.

12:23 | Elite athlete Sean McColl brings us into his Olympic debut experience in Sport Climbing at the Tokyo games. 37:48 | #RealTalkRoundTable on the anticipated snap federal election, with Washington Post columnist David Moscrop, political commentator Emma May and political strategist Jarrett Campbell.  1:51:57 | #TrashTalk presented by Local Waste

52:40 | Metis Settlements General Council President Herb Lehr demands the provincial government stop imposing their views on Indigenous peoples with unilateral changes to the Metis Settlements Act.  1:13:25 | Alberta's former Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. James Talbot explains why he felt compelled to sign a joint letter sent to Canada's Prime Minister requesting federal intervention in the province's COVID response. 1:37:37 | The University of Alberta's China Institute Director Dr. Gordon Houlden unpacks the "hostage diplomacy" using Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig as political bargaining chips by China during the extradition battle involving Meng Wanzhou, a senior executive at Chinese tech giant Huawei.  1:56:41 | Legendary Canadian musician Tom Cochrane regales his 40+ years of touring and how COVID-19 is changing everything.   2:39:33 | #EatYourWords presented by Prairie Catering A customer who lost his cool on wait staff at the Union Bluff Hotel in Maine, USA sends in an apology with $100 attached.

8:00 | Globe & Mail health reporter André Picard explains why COVID-19 vaccine passports shouldn't be up for debate and Canadians should brace themselves for more pandemic nastiness. 54:00 | #MyJasper Memories | Patricia Lake - Ryan revisits his time at the mountain lake just north of the Jasper townsite, where hikes, paddling, skating, and swimming can all be enjoyed. jasper.travel/realtalk 1:04:18 | University of Calgary’s Political Science professor Dr. Lisa Young unpacks election finance and money in politics while cautioning against conflicts of interest accusations. 1:38:46 | Astrologer Alice Sparkly Kat explores the recent resurgence in astrology and what it provides to people who use it.

5:42 | We chat about the Edmonton Police Service taking to the social media platform TikTok with a video depicting an officer crushing drinks (water) and going to crush his daughter's date's skull. 21:54 | Lawyer Eleanore Sunchild recounts the injustices and discrimination experienced by Colten Boushie and his family. It's been five years since the 22-year old Red Pheasant Cree Nation man was killed on August 9, 2016. 54:54 | Infectious disease specialist Dr. Ameeta Singh addresses the outbreak of syphilis in the prairie provinces and what's being done to combat the sexually transmitted infection. 1:35:17 | Conservation biologist working with the World Wildlife Fund, James Snider unpacks the new  IPCC global climate science report on the dire consequences of human activity on the planet and underscores that immediate, sweeping action is needed now.

1:04 | Ottawa-based lawyer Michael Spratt explains how sidewalk chalk is a lawful part of peaceful protest, despite what Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan may claim.  50:30 | Ryan reviews Real Talkers' responses to the latest Get Real: Question of the Week on the lifting of pandemic health measures in Alberta, presented in partnership with Y Station.  1:16:21 | Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Alberta analyzes Alberta Health Services' plan to cut nurses wages by 4%, what it means for healthcare and why the nurses union is set to demonstrate on August 11, 2021.  1:33:10 | Cultural sensitivity trainer Bob Joseph calls for the Indian Act to be rescinded after highlighting reasons why, which are all found in his national bestselling book, 21 Things You May Not Know about the Indian Act.  2:20:39 | #Positive Reflections presented by @KubyEnergy

Ryan rolls out the best rants of the week, as submitted to talk@ryanjespersen.com. Buckle up for another edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Waste.