Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Explore the political landscape in Canada, focusing on rising independent candidates and the impact of recent controversies. Delve into the challenges of accountability within the hockey community and the necessity for cultural changes. Discover insights on immigration issues affecting local agriculture and communities, alongside nostalgic reminiscing about favorite Canadian TV shows. Discuss the implications of political debates, progressive conservatism, and the significance of community engagement in the Edmonton mayoral race.

Not guilty doesn't mean innocent. In one of our most important episodes to date, we take on the Hockey Canada verdict with Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE) CEO Mary Jane James and sexual violence survivor/advocate Kristin Raworth. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: talk@ryanjespersen.com  SACE: https://www.sace.ca/ SAiF SOCIETY: https://www.saifsociety.ca/ SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/ HAVE YOUR SAY: talk@ryanjespersen.com  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @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.

Joining the conversation are Craig Baird, a passionate Canadian historian and podcaster known for his insights on Canadian history, and Shauna Feth, the savvy President and CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce. They dive into the fascinating history of the Trans-Canada Highway and its role in uniting the nation. Craig shares stories from his book, while Shauna discusses the political landscape and economic opportunities in Alberta, including insights from a recent candidates forum. They also explore the cultural quirks and tourism potential of Jasper National Park.

Nothing but hot button issues in this episode, as we check in with Freedom Convoy lawyer Eva Chipiuk (4:00) after she was "debanked" by RBC, and get into the nitty gritty of Alberta's controversial new school library book policy.  35:30 | Provincial Education Minister Dimitrios Nicolaides and Library Association of Alberta past president Laura Winton debate Alberta's so-called "book ban."  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  1:09:40 | Jespo and Johnny debrief on the library book story and highlight comments in the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power. SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/ FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @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.

This episode's all about building. Jasper's rebuild. Canada's housing crunch. The truth about immigration. Oh, and Jespo's Happy Gilmore 2 review. As always, we want to know what you think... EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com  3:30 | Some of the most important stories relating to Jasper's rebuild are being buried. Or, at least, they were until Lisa MacGregor released "Crown Jewel in Ashes: Jasper One Year After the Fire". The veteran journalist paints a shocking picture of the hoops and hurdles displaced residents continue to encounter as they attempt to rebuild their lives. Real Talk feature interviews are presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  WATCH CROWN JEWEL IN ASHES: https://youtu.be/FRAV8s1XswA?si=FbK7YVxsSLqzEIaY MERCEDES-BENZ EDMONTON WEST: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/ 50:00 | Are immigrants to blame for Canada's housing crunch? Sabine Benoit, advisor to two federal immigration ministers, says there's way more to the story.  1:29:00 | Jespo and Johnny catch up, including comments from the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.  SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/ 1:42:00 | Have you seen Happy Gilmore 2 yet? Jespo offers his review (without spoilers), and we debate the best sequels of all time.  HAVE YOUR SAY: talk@ryanjespersen.com  1:55:30 | Real Talker Lenore shares a perfect Positive Reflection following her weekend visit to Jasper. Positive Reflections is presented weekly on Real Talk by our amazing friends at Solar by Kuby.  GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kuby.ca/ FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @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.

Karen and Les have strong words for Danielle Smith, while Anne and Clinton see the Hockey Canada verdict differently. 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!

We tackle the Hockey Canada verdict, shenanigans in the Battle River--Crowfoot by-election, Edmonton's "low key, low energy" mayoral race, and rumours around the federal NDP leadership "race" with Dave Cournoyer and Omar Mouallem (1:30) out of the gates.  DAVEBERTA: https://daveberta.substack.com/ EDIFY: https://edifyedmonton.com/ 51:00 | It'd be impossible to find fiercer advocates than Bean Gill, Carrie Anton, and Brad Bartko. The three forces of nature give us a wake-up call or two for Disability Pride Month. REYU: https://www.reyu.ca/ ACCESSIBILITY BY DESIGN: https://disabilityabd.com/ CARRIE ANTON: https://www.carrieanton.ca/ 1:23:00 | Karen and Les have strong words for Danielle Smith, while Anne and Clinton see the Hockey Canada verdict differently. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @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.

It's been a year since wildfire tore through Jasper, one of Canada's crown jewels. In this special episode, we connect with Mayor Richard Ireland (3:00), federal Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience Eleanor Olszewski (16:45), journalist Bob Covey (32:15), Tourism Jasper CEO Tyler Riopel (44:15), Fairmont JPL Director of Golf Operations Tahlon Sweenie (52:00), Evil Dave's Grill owner Mike Day (1:01:00), and Rockaboo Mountain Adventures' Lisa Darrah (1:09:00). Don't miss a moving edition of #MyJasper Memories submitted by Real Talker Cait, including powerful photos of Jasper's recovery (40:50). MyJasper Memories is proudly presented by Tourism Jasper.  BOOK YOUR JASPER ADVENTURE: https://www.jasper.travel/ READ the JASPER LOCAL: https://www.jasperlocal.com/ BOB'S MOUNTAIN LIFE FEATURE: https://rtrj.info/072425ML BOOK A TEE TIME at the FAIRMONT JPL: https://www.jaspermountaingolf.com/ BOOK DINNER at EVIL DAVE'S: https://evildavesgrill.com/home CHECK OUT ROCKABOO MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES: https://rockaboo.ca/ FIRESMART ALBERTA: https://firesmartalberta.ca/ 1:23:10 | Jespo and Johnny share their own thoughts on the wildfire anniversary, and touch on other headlines including Ozzy Osbourne and Hulk Hogan's deaths and a verdict in the World Junior sexual assault trial.  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @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.

Is Canada's military compromised? As four men (including two active members) face terrorism charges in Quebec, we talk to an expert on extremism and white supremacy in the Canadian Armed Forces. But first, Ryan comments on troubling attempts to harass and intimidate Alberta-based investigative journalist Carrie Tait.  12:00 | Dr. W. Andy Knight takes us into the findings of his report commissioned by the Canadian Armed Forces.  READ MORE: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/folio/2025/02/report-finds-deep-rooted-white-supremacism-lurks-in-canadian-military.html TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  51:30 | Jespo comments on Edmonton's expanded mayor race with the inclusion of former councillor Michael Walters. We review our unofficial, unscientific Twitter poll, and take a look at some of the "underdog" campaigns.  1:07:00 | The Longest Ballot Committee is at it again, this time in the Battle River--Crowfoot byelection. Do you think what they're doing (108 candidates and growing) is good for democracy? We dip into the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.  SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/ 1:30:30 | Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland says he's not looking for a fight with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. We tee up Smith's demand for an apology, leading up to our special July 24 episode marking the one year anniversary of the Jasper fire. 1:38:30 | Real Talker Dr. Colin shares a few thoughts on the heels of our 1,000th episode. FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @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.

1,000 episodes! THANK YOU, Real Talkers. In another Alberta politics exclusive, former Edmonton councillor Michael Walters announces his campaign for mayor (2:00). Find out what he'd do about the city's infill debacle, a strained relationship with the police department and the provincial government, bike lanes, plastic bag bans, downtown crime, and skyrocketing property taxes.  CHECK OUT MICHAEL'S CAMPAIGN: https://www.michaelwalters.ca 1:01:00 | It's Johnny's birthday! We raise a glass in honour of this show's intrepid technical director.  1:13:00 | It's mind-blowing, really. One THOUSAND episodes of Real Talk. Jespo, Johnny, and Real Talkers in the Live Chat powered by Park Power reflect on some of the show's high water marks.  SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: talk@ryanjespersen.com  PAY LESS for INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/ 1:47:00 | Our friends at YOUCAN Youth Services are about to double their service offerings thanks to a beautiful new location. We take you on a behind the scenes tour for this week's Positive Reflections presented by Solar by Kuby.  GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kuby.ca/ FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @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.