Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Danielle Smith's government is facing fire after a Calgary high school student was silenced, humiliated, and dismissed at an Alberta Next town hall. Is Alberta's freedom-loving premier (and her event moderator Bruce McAllister) practicing what her government preaches? Ryan opens with a some quick thoughts off the top before really digging into the story (32:00). But first... 3:10 | PM Mark Carney's popularity is down since he was elected, but Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has his own problems. There's also a curious trend south of the border, as President Donald Trump's secretary of health is actually less popular than POTUS himself among Canadians. Liaison Strategies' David Valentin takes us into his latest polling.  READ MORE: https://www.liaison.ca/ 32:00 | How can anybody take the results of the UCP's Alberta Next panels seriously after what went down in Calgary? Ryan pulls no punches in his assessment of the Evan Li debacle.  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  1:03:00 | It's never been more affordable to enjoy fall at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge! We've got details on a 30%-off promotion through the first two weeks of October, and a free (!) TALK concert during the Jasper Dark Sky Festival in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper.  BOOK at the JPL: https://www.fairmont.com/en/hotels/jasper/fairmont-jasper-park-lodge/offers/fall-getaways.html JASPER DARK SKY FESTIVAL: https://www.jasperdarksky.travel/ 1:07:00 | Jespo gives Real Talkers the floor re: the town hall censorship story via our 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.

September 30 is a day to reflect, to listen, and to confront the truths of Canada’s history. On this special episode, we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with honest, challenging, and hopeful conversations about where we’ve come from and where we go next. This is more than a day off—it’s a call to remembrance, responsibility, and renewal. Ryan welcomes journalist Dani Paradis and artist, politician, and community leader Aaron Paquette for a candid discussion on the stories that shape us, the role of media and art in reconciliation, and what meaningful action looks like in 2025. CONNECT WITH DANI: https://www.daniparadis.com/ WATCH RE-KEN-SI-LE-A-SHEN on APPLE TV: https://tv.apple.com/ca/movie/re-ken-si-le-a-shen/umc.cmc.1ujmxfg99gse2nx975ea9kh2h  WATCH RE-KEN-SI-LE-A-SHEN on AMAZON PRIME: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/RE-KEN-SI-LE-A-SHEN/0NTYMDEOXTX3R6VG4I1C413YTT 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.

Rachel Gilmore has to be the most-trolled journalist in Canada. It's impossible to ignore the vitriol around everything she posts, let alone criticism from high-profile voices like MP Andrew Scheer and TV host Ben Mulroney. Rachel joins Ryan and Supriya Dwivedi (2:30) to talk about organized opposition to her work, and how it impacts her personally and professionally. We get into Irish hip hop group Kneecap's "ban" from performing in Canada, and criticism aimed at Erica Kirk.  READ RACHEL'S WORK: https://rachelgilmore.substack.com/ 1:03:30 | Jespo and Johnny debrief after the Gilmore interview, and take a look at other news headlines, including Premier Doug Ford pulling the plug on photo radar in Ontario.  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  1:37:30 | Jespo was at Rogers Centre to watch the Toronto Blue Jays clinch their first AL East division championship in a decade. We toast Canada's Team in 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.

Real Talker Gordon is so fired up about the UCP's school library book ban that he wrote a song about it. For the first time ever, we present an original tune as this week's 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, 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.

She's Canadian punk royalty. A fearless, unapologetic icon. An activist. A survivor. And an incredible human being. We welcome Bif Naked and producer Adam Scorgie to the Real Talk studio (2:30) in the historic Mercer Warehouse ahead of the Edmonton Film Festival premiere of a new documentary chronicling her remarkable life.  GET TICKETS TO BIF NAKED at EIFF: https://2025eiff.eventive.org/films/689b7c33db2368453d0eebc5 1:06:00 | There's no better place to see the stars than Jasper National Park. We've got details ahead of the fifteenth Jasper Dark Sky Festival in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper.  LEARN MORE: https://www.jasperdarksky.travel/ 1:18:00 | Jespo and Johnny debrief on the Bif Naked interview and Jimmy Kimmel's return to late night. We celebrate the life and mourn the loss of a dear friend of the show, Dr. Darren Markland. 1:42:00 | Real Talker Gordon is so fired up about the UCP's school library book ban that he wrote a song about it. For the first time ever, we present an original tune as this week's 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, 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.

Ian Runkle, an Alberta-based criminal defence and firearms lawyer and YouTube star, claims Prime Minister Mark Carney misled the public on his firearm buyback program, raising critical concerns for gun owners. Meanwhile, Philippe Fournier, founder of 338Canada, reveals that Calgary's mayoral race is tightening, with polling showing Farkas in the lead. They also dive into national sentiments regarding trust in U.S. relations and political leadership, discussing potential risks and voter perspectives that shape the current landscape.

Donald Trump will host a UFC event on the South Lawn of the White House in July (2:00). Canada will officially recognize the State of Palestine (6:00). Separatism sentiments are flaring up again in Quebec (19:00), and RCMP have intercepted another group trying to cross the Canada-U.S. border into that province (24:30). We get into all the top stories with Supriya Dwivedi in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  29:30 | Did you see what Kamala Harris wrote in her new memoir about wanting to choose Pete Buttigieg as her 2024 running mate? Supriya has a message for Democrats ahead of 2028.  40:00 | Sonya Sharp wants to be Calgary's next mayor. She defines the "ballot box question" ahead of October 20, and tells us how the city would operate differently if she had the top job.  CHECK OUT SONYA'S CAMPAIGN: https://sharpformayor.ca/ 1:19:30 | The Real Talk family suffered a tragic loss when a beloved guest and friend of the show died in a mountain bike crash. Ryan speaks from the heart in a personal edition of 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.

Wayne has a word of warning for podcasters, Ross says Jimmy Kimmel deserves his fate, Robert has words of warning about a "both sides" approach, "29 Tilers," Edward, and Peter are pissed about Jespo's interview with the Prime Minister, and Kayne says it's time to put on your poppy.  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, 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.

Are Temporary Foreign Workers standing in the way of Canadians finding work? As premiers of different political stripes call for an overhaul to Canada's TFW program, former Notley NDP cabinet minister Shannon Phillips and Pierre Poilievre's former communications director Ben Woodfinden (2:40) hash it out on Real Talk in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/ We analyze Liberal vs. Conservative approaches to immigration policy, and how effective "anger" can be in advancing political priorities (26:00). Stick around for healthy debate on Canada's new trade agreement with Mexico (32:00), Alberta's plan to invoke the Notwithstanding Clause on three transgender laws (38:30), and citizenship markers on driver's licenses (47:00).  MORE on SHANNON and BEN'S WORK: https://mbpolicy.com/ 54:00 | Wayne has a word of warning for podcasters, Ross says Jimmy Kimmel deserves his fate, Robert has words of warning about a "both sides" approach, "29 Tilers," Edward, and Peter are pissed about Jespo's interview with the Prime Minister, and Kayne says it's time to put on your poppy. 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, 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.

Popular late night TV host Jimmy Kimmel is off the air after delivering a monologue on the Charlie Kirk murder suspect and MAGA. President Donald Trump is crowing, typical "cancel culture" critics are celebrating, and free speech defenders are sounding the alarm. Where is all this headed?  4:00 | Max Fawcett, lead columnist at Canada's National Observer, calls it how he sees it. We get into how Max thinks Canadians should respond to Charlie Kirk's assassination (42:00), and why he thinks Chrystia Freeland is the best Prime Minister Canada Never Had (45:00).  56:20 | Both PM Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith are talking "Grand Bargain". Max tells us whether or not an open letter from oil and gas CEOs to the PM will effectively influence Canada's emissions and project approval policies. We wrap with a quick chat about Alberta's plan to include citizenship data on drivers' licenses (1:01:30).  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  1:09:00 | Interest rates are down a quarter-point. What does that say about the economy? Marshall McAlister of North Road Investment Counsel gives us his informed take. Stick around for story time as Jespo shares details of his nightmare self-advised investments, and Marshall brings us up to speed on the smartest way to set yourself up for retirement.  NORTH ROAD INVESTMENT COUNSEL: https://www.northroadic.com/ 1:31:45 | Here's to all the volunteers! We celebrate the heartbeat of our home province in this week's edition of Alberta Wins presented by Play Alberta.  DOWNLOAD THE PLAY ALBERTA APP: https://playalberta.ca/ 1:34:30 | The 25 highest-paid TV hosts in the US are making more than a half-billion dollars this year. Jespo and Johnny see what Real Talkers have to say about the Jimmy Kimmel story, as shared in our 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.