

Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Relay
Real Talk about news, politics, and pop culture. Hosted by Ryan Jespersen from Edmonton, Alberta. Live weekday mornings at 8:30am MT. #RealTalkRJ
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 13, 2024 • 1h 31min
Alberta Speaks: Your Questions for Premier Danielle Smith
We're not exaggerating when we claim the most engaged talk show audience in the country. Every day, hundreds if not thousands of you comment on our YouTube episodes, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok posts, not to mention the mountain of emails to talk@ryanjespersen.com. Look no further than today's episode. We asked you to send us your questions for Premier Danielle Smith, and did you ever deliver! You've got a front row seat as we open up our inbox for a look at what matters most to Albertans right now.
9:55 | But first...Naheed Nenshi pulled no punches during his March 12 appearance on Real Talk. Ryan takes a look at what the former Calgary mayor's critics have to say in our Instagram comments.
23:30 | Charles Adler called the Alberta NDP "soft" during our March 12 episode. Is he right?
30:05 | Did you check out our March 7 episode about "wokeness" in Canada with Eric Kaufmann and Chief Allan Adam? Ryan reads a couple emails taking issue with the conversation around residential schools.
WATCH THAT EPISODE: https://rtrj.info/030724Kaufmann
38:20 | We've got hundreds of messages to choose from, after a whole bunch of you answered the bell and emailed your questions for Premier Danielle Smith. What a great opportunity to truly understand the issues that matter most to so many of you. Ryan and Johnny open up the Real Talk inbox...
EMAIL US: talk@ryanjespersen.com
57:35 | Ryan shares some personal memories from his family's recent getaway to Jasper. #MyJasper Memories is presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper every Wednesday on Real Talk!
VENTURE BEYOND: https://www.jasper.travel/
1:24:15 | Our friends at Lady Wood want to send you and your ladies to the Real Talk Golf Classic! Ryan shares details on how you and your ladies can win your way into The Ranch G&CC on Thursday, June 20.
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
GET YOUR FREE REAL TALK SOCKS! BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.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.

Mar 12, 2024 • 1h 7min
Nenshi Launches Alberta NDP Leadership Bid with a BANG!
"Incompetent, immoral, and dangerous." There's no room for misinterpreting how Naheed Nenshi feels about Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and her UCP government. The former Calgary mayor launched his Alberta NDP leadership campaign with an indictment of Smith's performance (and integrity) - will NDP supporters see him as the best bet to win the next election?
2:40 | Charles Adler tells us why he thinks Nenshi's candidacy is "the most fascinating political story in Canada."
35:40 | (The bilingual) Naheed Nenshi tells us why he thinks the NDP lost the election in May 2023, whether the party needs a rebrand, what he makes of "damaged goods" criticism in Calgary, how he'd win over rural voters, and what he'd do for small business.
CHECK OUT HIS CAMPAIGN: https://nenshi.ca/
1:04:42 | We laughed out loud when Stephen sent us this video of a black bear taking a soak! It's a perfect fit for Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy.
SEND US YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kubyenergy.ca/
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.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.

Mar 9, 2024 • 6min
FORCED Into Involuntary Drug Treatment?!
Gerald's arguing for safe supply, police officer Anton sees a role for "involuntary" drug treatment, Ben says Big Oil's not pulling its weight, and Kat says Alberta needs to get serious about health supports: it's The Flamethrower presented by the Dairy Queens of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!
Fire up your Flamethrower: talk@ryanjespersen.com

Mar 8, 2024 • 1h 6min
International Women's Day: Calls To Action
ACTION! Our International Women's Day Real Talk Round Table looks at the past, present, and future of women in the workforce and society at large. Where are we seeing progress? Where are we spinning our tires? What issues are girls and young women facing today, and how does that compare to generations previous?
1:50 | Jana Pruden, Margo Long, and Julie Savard-Shaw tell us where their focus is on International Women's Day 2024.
JANA'S IWD FEATURE: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-meet-the-queens-of-the-gilded-age-who-pioneered-womens-journalism-in/
CANADIAN PROSPERITY PROJECT: https://canadianprosperityproject.ca/
YESS: https://yess.org/
59:16 | Gerald's arguing for safe supply, police officer Anton sees a role for "involuntary" drug treatment, Ben says Big Oil's not pulling its weight, and Kat says Alberta needs to get serious about health supports: it's The Flamethrower presented by the Dairy Queens 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, tell 'em Real Talk sent you!
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.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.

Mar 7, 2024 • 1h 20min
How "Woke" is the Average Canadian?
Are you "woke"? Do you describe people who think differently than you as "woke"? Would you characterize Canadian politics and society as "woke"? In this episode of Real Talk, we take a look at new research on the supercharged phrase that was once applied as a badge of honour - now, not so much - and where Canadians actually stand on so-called "culture war" issues.
4:25 | University of Buckingham politics professor Eric Kaufmann takes us into his research: "The Politics of Culture Wars in Contemporary Canada".
READ MORE: https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/politics-of-culture-wars-canada/
37:38 | The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is taking the Alberta Energy Regulator to court, after the AER failed to notify the First Nation about a toxic tailings pond leak for nearly a year. Chief Allan Adam tells us what led to the Statement of Claim, how Imperial Oil and the Alberta government fits into the story, and what other legal action he's considering.
CHIEF ADAM on REAL TALK April 2021: https://rtrj.info/042821Adam
CHIEF ADAM on REAL TALK March 2023: https://rtrj.info/030623Adam
1:15:10 | Real Talker Gillian says Calgary Pride banning all political parties from their parade is a win for The Right.
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.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.

Mar 6, 2024 • 1h 11min
Does Alberta Need a National Pharmacare Plan?
Nobody will be surprised to learn Alberta and Ottawa are at odds again. This time, it's over the funding and management of Pharmacare. Alberta was the first province to publicly decline the federal government's proposal for a national program...but is that actually a good move for everyday Albertans?
4:15 | Dr. Rupider Toor explains why she thinks Alberta should sign on to the national Pharmacare plan.
DR. TOOR'S PREVIOUS REAL TALK INTERVIEW: rtrj.info/081723Toor
PROJECT EMPOWHER: https://projectempowher.ca/
26:25 | Take Back Alberta founder David Parker says he's seen the light. He says, after speaking with Premier Danielle Smith, he's done with vicious online attacks against his political opponents. Do you buy it? Does it matter?
37:15 | We had a big response to our March 6 episode about harm reduction with Euan Thomson and Anthony Furey. Ryan and Johnny discuss.
42:00 | Real Talker Emily gives us the goods re: how she feels about a national Pharmacare plan.
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com
44:30 | It's DUMPING snow in Jasper right now! We show off a few photos of the brand new Knob Quad Chair at Marmot Basin and tee up the spring social schedule on the mountain in #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper.
LEARN MORE: https://www.skimarmot.com/
47:30 | Johnny's been riding the bus to work for a while now, and says it's not the experience he was expecting. His comments lead to a bigger conversation about social supports, and a reference tto our interview with Guy Felicella and Dr. Andrea Sereda.
GUY FELICELLA ON REAL TALK: https://rtrj.info/051723Felicella
1:03:30 | We've got an update to the story of that tailings pond leak contaminating the land and water near the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.
1:05:15 | We remember Kyle Dube.
WATCH OUR DUBE INTERVIEW: https://rtrj.info/040623Dube
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.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.

Mar 5, 2024 • 1h 30min
Investigating Alberta's Approach to the Opioid Crisis
What's wrong with rehab? After all, isn't getting people "clean" an obvious solution to Canada's opioid crisis? As the Alberta government heavily invests in drug treatment facilities (at the expense of Supervised Consumption Sites), we take a look at what's working and what's not in addressing a health crisis claiming 21 lives every day across the country.
3:25 | Euan Thomson and Anthony Furey discuss Euan's feature in the March issue of Alberta Views and debate different approaches to the opioid crisis across Canada.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH REHAB: https://albertaviews.ca/whats-wrong-with-rehab/
SAVE 50% on a subscription to Alberta Views with the promo code AVRJ: https://albertaviews.ca/subscribe/
EACH AND EVERY: https://www.eachandevery.org/
35:00 | The Discourse co-hosts Erika Barootes and Cheryl Oates give us their take on Anthony and Euan's debate about the drug crisis. Plus, we get into Alberta Budget 2024, the national Pharmacare plan, the ArriveCAN debacle, and more.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE DISCOURSE: https://www.youtube.com/@UC1WjKtBGH6U0S6HDePuLjkw
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.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.

Mar 4, 2024 • 1h 20min
Is Charles Adler the next CEO of the CBC?
Discussion on whether Charles Adler could be the next CEO of the CBC, insights on Alberta budget impact on businesses, and considerations for Alberta's Heritage Fund. Also, exploration of leadership skills for media roles, independent thinking in politics, and tax competitiveness in Alberta's budget.

Mar 2, 2024 • 10min
WTF? "Ryan's Blind Support for Pierre Poilievre"?!?
Real Talk covers Alberta budget, Trudeau interview, Black History Month Round Table, skilled labor shortages, and Ryan's comical 'blind support of Pierre Poilievre'. Chapters explore government decisions, controversies, skilled talent shortages, youth investment, political coverage, and Russian propaganda allegations.

Mar 1, 2024 • 1h 9min
What Does the Alberta Budget Mean For You?
Everybody's got their own interpretation of a provincial budget. There's a long list of communities, projects, and organizations deserving of big investments. And, inevitably, there's a long list of communities, projects, and organizations that won't wind up with the cash they say they need. In this episode, we lay out the implications of the 2024 Alberta Budget and attempt to answer one Real Talker's astute question posted in our live chat: "I'm confused...is Alberta rich or poor?"
2:30 | Edmonton Chamber of Commerce CEO Doug Griffiths and Edmonton Downtown Business Association CEO Puneeta McBryan dig into the budget, from the top headlines to the storylines flying under the radar.
CHECK OUT THE CHAMBER: https://www.edmontonchamber.com/
CHECK OUT THE DBA: https://www.edmontondowntown.com/
16:29 | Alberta's Minister of Finance Nate Horner gives us the government's explanation for a delay in income tax cuts, minimal infrastructure funding for cities, a new EV tax, disparity in funding for Calgary vs. Edmonton, and public safety issues.
56:50 | Real Talkers are fired up about the Alberta budget, our Trudeau interview, our Black History Month Round Table, skilled labour shortages, and Ryan's "blind, biased support of Pierre Poilievre" (LOL). It's The Flamethrower presented by the Dairy Queens of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com
VISIT THE DQs in PALISADES, NAMAO, NEWCASTLE, WESTMOUNT, and BASELINE ROAD!
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.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.