Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Tammy's got Taylor Swift's back, Lauren's not sold on Mr. Wonderful's $70B Wonder Valley, John says Donald Trump and Danielle Smith better check themselves, and Anne says Poilievre and Trudeau need to grow backbones. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!  FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com  When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you!  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen 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.

Sarah Hamilton's tipping point into politics was a behind-the-scenes bully who called her one of the nastiest names going. The Edmonton city councillor tells us the story (6:35) in one of our most candid Real Talk Round Tables in a long time, recognizing three members of the 2024 Edify Top 40 Under 40.  2:16 | Jespo's favourite group chat gets together for its annual holiday Real Talk Round Table. Sarah Hamilton, Harman Kandola, and Jarrett Campbell take on the top stories, including Rachel Notley's retirement, Kevin O'Leary's proposed $70B Wonder Valley data centre (26:15), Edmonton's Mayoral race (34:00), the intersection of business and politics with cameos from group chat members Jenny Adams and Katherine O'Neill (42:45), the senseless murder of security guard Harshandeep Singh (48:50), and the healthcare CEO murder in NYC (59:49).  1:12:00 | Tammy's got Taylor Swift's back, John says Donald Trump and Danielle Smith better check themselves, and Anne says Poilievre and Trudeau need to grow backbones. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!  FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com  When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you!  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen 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.

20-year-old Harshandeep Singh was pushed down a flight of stairs, shot in the back, and killed just three days into a new job as a security guard. The suspect charged by Edmonton Police is a dangerous, repeat offender with a history of violent crimes. Amidst public outrage, people are questioning the role Mr. Singh's employer, the Government of Alberta, and Ottawa played in this tragedy. 4:10 | Mike Byrne, founder of Scope Safety & Security, exposes the shortcomings in training and accountability for security guards in Canada. 23:30 | Rich LaForge, Chair at ASIS Chapter 156, says under-trained, inexperienced security guards are being sent into dangerous situations across the country. He tells us who's responsible, and what needs to change.  39:00 | Ryan shares his thoughts on judicial reform in Canada, and shares comments from the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  44:30 | We ask Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton about that $70B data centre Kevin O'Leary's promising to build a half hour outside her city. Mayor Clayton claps back at critics saying it'd be tough to attract an international workforce to GP.  DETAILS ON WONDER VALLEY: https://rtrj.info/121124Max 1:19:30 | Order Real Talk merch by December 16, and we'll have it at your door by Christmas!  SHOP NOW: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/merch FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen 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.

Kevin O'Leary - the TV star otherwise known as "Mr. Wonderful" - says he's bringing a $70 billion data centre to northern Alberta. Premier Danielle Smith is over the moon, celebrating what would be the largest real estate investment in the province's history. But critics say there's no chance the Wonder Valley project will ever materialize.  1:55 | Max Fawcett, lead columnist at Canada's National Observer, tells us why he's not sold on Kevin O'Leary's $70B plan.  READ MAX'S COLUMN: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2024/12/10/opinion/kevin-oleary-playing-alberta-70-billion-fool 33:45 | Max gives us his take Luigi Mangione (allegedly) murdering UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, and what it says about the healthcare conversation in the United States. 51:09 | Jasper's chilliest season often delivers the warmest memories! We highlight holiday favourites waiting for you and your loved ones in Jasper National Park in #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper.  CHECK OUT THE JASPER PONY EXPRESS: https://www.jasper.travel/ponyexpress/ 54:00 | How serious is President-Elect Trump about Canada as the "51st state"?  1:08:45 | We ask Max what he makes of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's GST holiday, and the ensuing division between the PMO and Minister Chrystia Freeland.  1:14:30 | Does the fall of Bashar al-Assad mean peace for Syria? Experts say not necessarily. Max tells us what he's keeping an eye on. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen 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.

Canada is on the brink of a landmark $32.5B settlement with Big Tobacco, designed to address decades of health care costs and personal damages caused by smoking. Does the settlement go far enough?  2:55 | Rob Cunningham, author of "Smoke and Mirrors: the Canadian Tobacco War" gives us the good, the bad, and the ugly of the proposed $32.5B settlement.   34:10 | Jespo and Johnny take a look at the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power. 43:00 | 20-year-old security guard Harshandeep Singh was killed in cold blood on just his third day on the job. Ryan shares his thoughts on this horrific story.  SUPPORT THE GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-harshandeep-singh-anttals-family 53:15 | An insurance CEO is gunned down on the street in NYC, and the general public...laughs? Ryan's having a hard time wrapping his mind around this story. What do you think?  EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 1:06:40 | Did you hear the latest development in that case of 1979 hockey cards that a Saskatchewan family sold for more than $3M? FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen 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.

Jespo reunites with longtime talk radio colleague Rob Breakenridge in this episode, just a few weeks after Rob was unceremoniously laid off.  2:05 | The two talk about the future of media in Canada, tackle the country's top political stories, and wrap with thoughts on Syria and the Taylor Swift tour. 1:13:40 | It's an Eras Tour edition of Positive Reflections, presented by Kuby Renewable Energy! SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: kubyenergy.ca FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen 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.

Don't let ChatGPT run your show! Heed this warning from Real Talker Bernard (sort of). It's a ChatGPT-fuelled edition of The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you! FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, INSTAGRAM, and X: @realtalkrj JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN: @ryanjespersen REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch

Why are Canadians forced to wait more than a year for a hip replacement? Why does it take 18 months to get an MRI? How is it possible that 6.5M Canadians can't even find a family doctor? The provinces point the finger at Ottawa, while the feds point out provincial jurisdiction. At the end of the day, who's going to heal Canada's healthcare crisis?  3:40 | Federal Minister of Health Mark Holland joins us in studio ahead of a meeting with his Alberta counterpart. 29:50 | Alberta Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange joins us ahead of her meeting with Minister Holland. 42:50 | Jespo and Johnny check in on the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.  1:07:10 | We asked what you thought of President Joe Biden pardoning his son Hunter, and you flooded us with feedback! Ryan reads some of the top comments.  1:17:40 | Real Talker Bernard submits one of the most creative rants we've ever received. We love it so much we're giving him the entire segment. It's a ChatGPT-fuelled edition of The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com  When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you!  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, INSTAGRAM, and X: @realtalkrj  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON:    / ryanjespersen   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.

He was ordering food in a drive-thru and all of a sudden he couldn't remember how to say "lettuce". That's where Glenn Grant's ALS journey started just a few years ago. Twenty-seven months after his diagnosis, on November 19, 2024, Glenn chose Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD).  3:40 | Willy Grant explains why she and "The Husband" Glenn chose to make their ALS journey so public on social media, and tells us what it was like going through the MAiD process. WILLY'S GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-support-the-grant-family-in-their-time-of-loss 38:40 | A firefighter calendar is always a popular stocking stuffer. A JASPER Firefighter calendar is the PERFECT stocking stuffer! We've got details on the initiative raising essential funds to support individuals in Jasper experiencing trauma and tragedy in times of crisis. #MyJasper Memories is presented weekly on Real Talk by our friends at Tourism Jasper.  ORDER A FIREFIGHTER CALENDAR: https://www.crisisteamsociety.ca/calendar BOOK YOUR JASPER HOLIDAY GETAWAY: https://www.jasper.travel/ 42:00 | Singer-songwriter Matt Masters tells us about losing all his hair all at once, being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, quitting cannabis after 30 years, and releasing a book and an album in the same year.  CHECK OUT MATT'S ALBUM & BOOK: https://www.mattmasters.ca/ FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON:    / ryanjespersen   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

What's Alberta's top political story for 2024? Who's been Alberta's Best MLA? How about the top-performing UCP cabinet minister? And what about the most effective Opposition NDP MLA?  2:30 | Daveberta unveils the winners of his annual Best of Alberta Politics survey.  CHECK OUT DAVEBERTA'S SUBSTACK: https://daveberta.substack.com/ 51:00 | Is Alberta making the right move, outlawing up to 70% of existing photo radar locations?  1:03:00 | How's that Alberta Health Services overhaul coming along?  1:22:00 | Is ChatGPT transforming the way you live and work? We see what Real Talkers are saying in our Live Chat powered by Park Power.  BUSTING CHATGPT - EDWARD TIAN ON REAL TALK: https://rtrj.info/011023TianGPT FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON:    / ryanjespersen   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.