Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Relay
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Jul 2, 2025 • 1h 56min

EXCLUSIVE: Alberta's Progressive Conservatives Are Back

Ousted (former) UCP MLAs Peter Guthrie and Scott Sinclair are reviving the PC Party of Alberta, saying they'll restore "balance and normalcy" to politics in the province. In a Real Talk exclusive, we find out why they're doing it, and how they intend to dethrone Danielle Smith's UCP (2:30).  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  May 22 LUKASZUK INTERVIEW: https://rtrj.info/052225CanadaForever 1:07:00 | Rest in Peace, Jodi Broadhead. Ryan remembers a friend of the show who died under tragic circumstances on June 21.  1:10:40 | The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge's world-class golf course is officially open, celebrating 100 years! Plus, the (beautiful) Ursidae Lair Scotch tasting lounge has specials through the summer. We've got details in MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper. BOOK JPL GOLF: https://www.jaspermountaingolf.com/ RESERVE A TABLE at URSIDAE LAIR: https://ursidaelair.com/ 1:15:30 | Jespo and Johnny debrief on PC 2.0, take a look at the University of Pennsylvania/Lia Thomas story (1:26:30), Paramount's settlement with Donald Trump (1:28:55), and the Diddy verdict (1:31:00).  1:50:50 | We hope you had a fantastic Canada Day. Jespo highlights a fireworks capture on one of his favourite Instagram accounts for Positive Reflections presented by Solar by Kuby. FOLLOW SAMEER on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sameer.pictures/ SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com  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.
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Jun 28, 2025 • 5min

"You've Become the SNOWFLAKES You Warned Us About!"

Real Talkers Rosie and Cactus Sheriff are fired up over the UCP's library book distraction, while Jennifer and AJ trade barbs after our Don Iveson interview. David, Eddie the Valiant, and Thera-P share their hot takes on residential infill. 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 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.
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Jun 27, 2025 • 1h 35min

Indigenous History // Real Talkers Split on Infill

Elected Ontario school board councillor Catherine Kronas has been suspended for speaking out against land acknowledgements. She's mounting a legal challenge - does she have a case? We put that story (2:00) in front of our Real Talk Round Table panelists right out of the gates as we recognize National Indigenous History Month. Stick around to hear how Matricia Bauer (Warrior Women),  Keith Diakiw (Talking Rock Tours), and Kendra Dudzic (The Woods Experience) are preserving and amplifying Indigenous history through tourism.  WARRIOR WOMEN: https://warriorwomen.ca/ TALKING ROCK TOURS: https://www.talkingrocktours.com/ THE WOODS EXPERIENCE: https://atthewoods.ca/ 50:00 | Real Talkers are coming at the residential infill issue from a ton of different directions. Ryan reads a bunch of feedback from our email inbox (Kaila and Kyle), YouTube episode, and Instagram Reel (@RealTalkRJ). Stick around to hear why Jespo spoke to Edmonton city councillors at a public hearing on the Capital City Community Revitalization Levy (CRL).  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  1:29:00 | Real Talkers Rosie and Cactus Sheriff are fired up over the UCP's library book distraction, while Jennifer and AJ trade barbs after our Don Iveson interview. David, Eddie the Valiant, and Thera-P share their hot takes on residential infill. 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.
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Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 28min

Supriya Dwivedi: Mark Carney’s “Rookie Mistake”

Supriya Dwivedi says PM Mark Carney made a "rookie mistake" on India, and lays out her argument (36:00) along with her thoughts on Carney's "nation-building" Bill C-5 in this episode. But first, we follow up on the Alberta library book controversy (including public survey results) with Education Minister Dimitrios Nicolaides (2:45) and Laura Winton of the Library Association of Alberta (14:30).  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  31:15 | THANK YOU, REAL TALKERS! Our fourth-annual Real Talk Golf Classic raised SIXTY-ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS for the Real Talk Julie Rohr Scholarship! Jespo shares memories and photos (by the incredible Karly Watson at kliquethis).  FOLLOW KARLY on IG: https://www.instagram.com/karlywatson 1:04:45 | Jespo and Johnny debrief on the library book story, and hear from Real Talkers in 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
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Jun 25, 2025 • 2h 2min

Mayoral Candidate Wants Moratorium on Infill Development

Tim Cartmell wants to press pause infill development. The Edmonton mayor candidate says council has lost the public's trust, and it's time to re-evaluate how mature neighbourhoods are evolving. But what would a moratorium mean, big picture? Jespo gets into it right off the top of the show, and checks in with Real Talker Travis Watt (8:40), who says he's living an infill nightmare.  THOUGHTS? talk@ryanjespersen.com  50:00 | Former Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer wants to be Edmonton's next mayor. Does he stand a chance?  56:00 | The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge golf course opens July 1! We feature Canada's #1 golf resort in this edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper.  BOOK YOUR TEE TIME at the FAIRMONT JPL: https://www.fairmont.com/en/hotels/jasper/fairmont-jasper-park-lodge/golf.html 1:00:15 | What does it take to build a booming business these days? What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing business in Alberta? We welcome Alberta Business Awards of Distinction winners Annie Zaidi (Tiny Toes Castle - Red Deer) and Ashley Fedorchuk (World Guardian Security Services), and Alberta Chambers CEO Shauna Feth to the Real Talk Round Table.  ALBERTA CHAMBERS of COMMERCE: https://www.abchamber.ca/ ALBERTA BUSINESS AWARDS of DISTINCTION: https://abbusinessawards.com/ 1:36:30 | Jespo and Johnny take a look at the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power, and discuss key elements to a healthy, growing city.  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.
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Jun 24, 2025 • 1h 42min

Trump Irate at Iran & Israel // AB By-elections

Iran and Israel "don't know what the f*ck they're doing," says (an agitated) U.S. President Donald Trump, after the two nations violated what POTUS clearly believed to be a negotiated ceasefire. In this episode, political scientist Dr. Duane Bratt explains why the U.S. is stepping in (3:15), gauges the actual threat of Iranian nukes, and touches on economic implications for Canada. 24:30 | The Alberta NDP holds two ridings in Edmonton, the UCP holds a riding in central Alberta, and Naheed Nenshi finds his way into the Legislature. Duane gives us the takeaways from recent by-election results.  THOUGHTS? talk@ryanjespersen.com  36:30 | Turns out you don't have to be worth a billion dollars to own downtown real estate. Former Edmonton mayor Don Iveson, engineer Tegan Martin-Drysdale, and entrepreneur Kyla Kazeil tell us how they intend to reinvent downtown revitalization with Homestead Investment Co-operative.  LEARN MORE: https://homesteadcowork.ca/ JUNE 25 OPEN HOUSE DETAILS: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/invest-in-downtown-edmontons-future-hic-open-house-networking-event-tickets-1424658555089 1:29:15 | Jespo and Johnny debrief.  1:38:20 | Congratulations to Real Talker Justin and his growing family! Our faces hurt from smiling at this perfect Positive Reflection presented by Solar by Kuby.  SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com  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.
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Jun 18, 2025 • 1h 49min

Oilers Crushed // G7 // Iran & Israel

UGGGGGHHHHHHH. If you're looking to commiserate with fellow Oilers fans, Jespo and Johnny have you covered (2:22) after a devastating loss in Game Six of the Stanley Cup Final.  30:10 | All things considered, what can we take away from the G7? Is the US really going to war with Iran? Political strategist and commentator Sharan Kaur brings her informed insights. READ MORE FROM SHARAN on the G7: https://thehub.ca/2025/06/17/need-to-know-nothing-can-break-israels-resolve/ FOLLOW HER ON X: https://x.com/msSharanKaur 1:10:00 | Real Talkers have their say re: our June 17 interview with Alberta Teachers' president Jason Schilling.  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  1:37:30 | When's an appropriate time to ask your boss for a raise? We get into the differences between Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z.  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.
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Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 59min

Teachers Set to Strike // Trump Leaves G7 Early

95% of Alberta teachers have voted to strike - but will they? If so, could it happen before the end of this school year? In this episode, we ask Alberta Teachers' Association president Jason Schilling where negotiations are breaking down (3:45), and what it'd take to keep teachers from walking out.  53:30 | Real Talkers have their say via the Live Chat powered by Park Power. SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/ 1:15:00 | U.S. President Donald Trump leaves the G7 early, missing meetings with the presidents of Ukraine and Mexico. Did Canada get what it was looking for?  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  1:47:15 | Mark our words: the Edmonton Oilers will win Game Six tonight in Florida. Agree or disagree? 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.
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Jun 16, 2025 • 1h 44min

Corb Lund & Alberta’s Coal Controversy

After Alberta Premier Danielle Smith runs into rowdy opposition at a recent town hall in southern Alberta, we invite experts Dr. Bill Dohanue and Cornelis Kolijn and activist/musician Corb Lund for an in-depth look at the economics, environmental impact, and politics of coal mining on Alberta's eastern slopes (3:30).  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  1:09:30 | Real Talkers have their say on coal mining on Alberta's eastern slopes. The Real Talk Live Chat is powered by Park Power. Get exclusive discounts on internet, electricity, and natural gas at parkpower.ca/realtalk.  1:22:00 | Jespo and Johnny get into the G7 in Kananaskis including a Chief's message to President Trump on the tarmac in Calgary.  1:41:00 | "Lean in, not out!" Real Talker Sylvia has a Positive Reflection for Oilers fans around the world. Positive Reflections is presented by Solar by Kuby.  BOOK A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kuby.ca/ SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: 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.
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Jun 14, 2025 • 4min

"Workplaces Get the Unions They Deserve!"

"Interested Meow" has a beef with school librarians, Lynne says you don't have to have kids to have an opinion, Karen's calling out Alberta's Education Minister, Alberta Gengar's standing in solidarity with postal workers, Andre in Eastern Canada says build the pipeline, and Jeff says it's Danielle Smith's fault young drivers can't afford cars. 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 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.

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