

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

Oct 14, 2022 • 1h 21min
October 14, 2022 - Supriya Dwivedi and The Strategists
7:38 | Nothing but intellectual heavyweights on this Friday edition of Real Talk, starting with Supriya Dwivedi. With a public inquiry examining the use of the Emergencies Act, we explore why this actually matters to the average Canadian. With COVID cases rising (including hospital admissions) across the country, what might this winter look like? The co-hosts of Seriously get into those stories and more in typical candid fashion.
SUBSCRIBE TO SERIOUSLY: https://seriouslypod.com/
36:54 | This might be the best Real Talk Round Table of 2022. The Strategists co-hosts Stephen Carter, Zain Velji, and Corey Hogan return for a hilarious (and insightful) look at Premier Danielle Smith's first week in office, and what a smart counter-strategy for Rachel Notley might look like. We kick off the conversation (presented by Urban Timber) with a look at Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland's controversial comments about African nations from Washington, D.C. earlier this week.
CHECK OUT THE STRATEGISTS: https://thestrategists.ca/
EXPLORE URBAN TIMBER: https://www.urbantimber.ca/
1:12:30 | Real Talkers are fired up this week! From the design of our new studio to Premier Smith's comments and a call for more women in politics, this week's Trash Talkers have a lot to say! Trash Talk is presented every Friday by our friends at Local Environmental Services.
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/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.

Oct 13, 2022 • 1h 12min
October 13, 2022 - Polarized Politics: Madame Premier Founder Sarah Elder-Chamanara; Kelly Rudyk
10:25 | Do people debate ideas anymore? Have we lost our ability to respectfully disagree? Entrepreneur, podcaster, and former political staffer Sarah Elder-Chamanara explains why she's walking away from her political and feminist fashion brand. Regardless of where you land on the political spectrum, you're bound to find this conversation relevant.
CHECK OUT MADAME PREMIER: https://www.madamepremier.com/
CHECK OUT SARAH'S PODCAST "ELLECTED": https://www.madamepremier.com/blogs/ellected
47:24 | What's your "Big Why"? How would you build (and fund) a healthy community? Do you see your priorities respected and reflected by different levels of government? "Priority Based Budgeting" expert Kelly Rudyk gives us food for thought ahead of budget season, including the number one question to ask the next politician that knocks on your door.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PBB: https://www.itslogical.ca/
1:03:17 | Conspiracy theorist and alt-right radio host Alex Jones has been ordered to pay nearly a billion dollars to families of several Sandy Hook victims. What do you even say about this guy? Ryan and John try to find the words.
SEND US YOUR THOUGHTS: talk@ryanjespersen.com
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/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.

Oct 12, 2022 • 1h 18min
October 12, 2022 - Charles Adler and Bruce Arthur; #MyJasper Memories
6:36 | Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the unvaccinated population is "the most discriminated-against group" she's ever seen in her lifetime. What does the controversial comment say about how Smith intends to govern? Her former radio colleague Charles Adler joins for a candid (and bang on) assessment of the premier's first day in office.
34:55 | Real Talker "Cheryl" wasn't impressed with what she heard from Premier Smith on Tuesday's Real Talk. Ryan reads Cheryl's email, submitted to talk@ryanjespersen.com.
40:15 | Now that its CEO and board has stepped down, how does Hockey Canada begin to rebuild? How is the average Canadian supposed to wrap their mind around not just the sexual assault scandal, but the bigger picture culture problems? Toronto Star columnist and TSN contributor Bruce Arthur provides plenty of food for thought.
1:02:48 | The Jasper Dark Sky Festival is just days away! This week's #MyJasper Memories features the must-attend event, including details on keynote speakers and fun family activities.
GET YOUR TICKETS: https://jasperdarksky.travel/
1:06:26 | Do you believe in the supernatural? Ryan shares a personal experience that forever changed the way he "sees" the spirit world.
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/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.

Oct 11, 2022 • 60min
October 11, 2022 - Premier Danielle Smith
It's a new era for Real Talk! The first show from our new location features Alberta Premier-designate Danielle Smith, who joins us in studio just a couple hours before her swearing-in ceremony.
4:07 | What is Premier-designate Danielle Smith's first order of business once she swears in? What's her message to Albertans who say she's not yet earned a mandate to govern? What did she say to Prime Minister Trudeau during their first official phone call? Why won't she seek the open seat in Calgary-Elbow? Will she unblock people on Twitter, now that she'll be leading Alberta's government? We cover a lot of ground in our first interview since Smith's UCP leadership victory.
42:43 | Huupe is the world's first "smart" basketball hoop, and it's transforming how people play one of the most popular sports on the planet. The technological innovations and interpersonal implications place Huupe in the spotlight of this week's The Leading Edge presented by Leading Edge Physiotherapy.
LIFE SHOULDN'T HURT: https://leadingedgephysio.com/
55:51 | If you've heard Brandi Morin on Real Talk before, you know she's a force of nature. The journalist (and member of our Real Talk Editorial Board) was in New York City over the weekend accepting an Edward R. Murrow Award for her six-part Al Jazeera series on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. We're proud to feature Brandi in this week's edition of Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy.
GET YOUR FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/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.

Oct 1, 2022 • 5min
Trash Talk - September 29, 2022
We love hearing from our international audience members! Marty in Melbourne is the star of this week's edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services.
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Oct 1, 2022 • 1h 10min
September 26, 2022 - COVID Travel Restrictions Lifted: Charles Adler; Cancer Care Delays: Andrea Woo
0:57 | Starting October 1, travellers will no longer be required to wear masks, provide proof of vaccination, or use the ArriveCAN app to enter Canada. Ryan kicks off the show with an early look at his unofficial, unscientific Twitter poll on non-mandatory mask use "in transit".
CHECK OUT THE POLL: https://twitter.com/ryanjespersen/status/1574401471801856006
14:13 | Emmy Award-winning talk radio legend Charles Adler tells us whether or not he'll continue to mask up on planes, and how he arrived at his decision. Chuck also chimes in on the stories making news over the weekend, including Pierre Poilievre clapping back at derogatory comments aimed at his family, W. Brett Wilson's bizarre obsession with the Prime Minister, and CBC anchor Ginella Massa's statement about women wearing (or not wearing) hijabs in Canada.
37:52 | Cancer patients in BC have the longest wait times for care in the country. Journalist Andrea Woo tells us why, expanding on her excellent reporting for The Globe and Mail. READ ANDREA'S RECENT WORK: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-british-columbia-cancer-care-staff-shortages/
58:57 | Brian Jean wants to "axe taxes" as Alberta's next premier. But where's he been for the last month or so? We take a look at an...interesting video posted by the former Wildrose Party leader with about a week to go in the UCP leadership campaign.
1:05:05 | Not every Positive Reflection has a happy ending. Sometimes, we feature stories of people making the most of a tragic circumstance. That's the case in this week's edition, presented by Kuby Energy. GET YOUR FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kubyenergy.ca/
SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/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.

Sep 29, 2022 • 1h 19min
September 29, 2022 - SLAPP Lawsuit; Canada’s Claim to the Northwest Passage; AB Municipalities Panel
9:07 | Political operative Craig Chandler, fired by Danielle Smith this week, is suing Mount Royal University's Dr. Duane Bratt and private citizen Cassandra Raugust for defamation. But why? In an exclusive interview, the two defendants share their side of this bizarre story stemming from prank calls purporting to be from the Smith UCP leadership campaign.
HEAR THE CALLS MADE TO CASSANDRA:
https://twitter.com/thisismecassie/status/1561021051005329409?s=11&t=tcNAJqlkGb6f9tdhDMzqaQ
https://twitter.com/thisismecassie/status/1561547577673367552?s=11&t=uafC63BZuOFO0CYjeiovfg
https://twitter.com/thisismecassie/status/1561549195735072769?s=11&t=s6L0Vn9TG5w11fik-NYbog
30:32 | Does the United States still see Canada's claim to the Northwest Passage as "illegitimate"? Prompted by an email from Real Talk subscriber Lydia, we speak with Yale University political scientist Dr. Andy Knight about the Arctic territory, its historical connection to Canada, and present-day implications including climate change (including international shipping routes) and national security.
42:44 | More than a thousand elected representatives and other engaged Albertans gathered in Calgary last week for the Alberta Municipalities Convention & Trade Show. What do you need to know? We check in with ABMunis president Cathy Heron and director Dylan Bressey for an update on an Alberta police force, EMS and other healthcare services, the "strained" relationship between different levels of government, and more.
CHECK OUT ALBERTA MUNICIPALITIES: https://www.abmunis.ca/
1:10:45 | This is our final show from Real Talk Studio 1.0! Ryan and John have an update for you as we prepare to move into our new digs next week. Circle Tuesday, October 11 on your calendar - we expect that'll be our first show from Studio 2.0!
1:14:14 | We love hearing from our international audience members! Marty in Melbourne is the star of this week's edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services.
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/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.

Sep 28, 2022 • 1h 14min
September 28, 2022 - Planetary Defence; Former White Supremacist Brad Galloway; Dr. Sajjad Fazel
4:05 | In a scene straight out of the movies, NASA scientists (intentionally) crashed a satellite into an asteroid ten million kilometres away from Earth. It's an early step in establishing a "planetary defence" strategy. Does it make you feel more safe, knowing humans may avoid the fate of the dinosaurs?
16:45 | For nearly a third of his life, Brad Galloway was a white supremacist. Now, he works to combat hate, extremism, and terrorism in Canada. He tells Real Talk how he fell into extremism, and how he got out. Is the far-right group "Diagolon" (whose leader Jeremy Mackenzie joked about sexually assaulting Anaida Poilievre) a threat to security in Canada? How can the average person spot red flags, and what should we do about them? Don't miss this important conversation.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BRAD'S WORK: https://preventviolence.ca/
39:29 | Dr. Sajjad Fazel is demanding more from politicians. The health policy expert, frustrated by divisive, partisan attacks, says it's time we see more empathy and respect from elected officials.
READ SAJJAD'S THREAD: https://twitter.com/SajjadFazel/status/1573795401106423811?s=20&t=LjkdrKb4_jq_lR5r9L8VJA
1:02:34 | Are you still driving with a Graduated Driver's License (GDL)? Alberta's making changes to how it certifies drivers. Johnny gets personal about his own situation (and it's pretty hilarious).
1:09:31 | The Jasper Dark Sky Festival is happening October 14 to 23! Don't miss your chance to experience the world's largest dark sky preserve in stunning fashion. #MyJasper Memories is presented Wednesdays on Real Talk by our friends at Tourism Jasper.
LEARN MORE & GET YOUR TICKETS: https://jasperdarksky.travel/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/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.

Sep 27, 2022 • 1h 3min
September 27, 2022 - Fascism in Italy: Dr. Piero Garofalo; Cyborg Cockroaches (For Real!)
0:20 | Is Italy back on the road to fascism? Will thousands of Canadians be left uninsured for damages from Hurricane Fiona? What are the implications of Alberta pushing back on Ottawa's "firearms confiscation program"? What percentage of Real Talkers polled will still wear masks on airplanes? There's a lot to keep an eye on these days. Ryan opens the show with a few quick hits.
11:01 | Is the election of Italy's new PM Giorgia Meloni an indicator that country is back on the road to fascism? What does the far-right coalition government mean for Italy, the EU, and the "western world"? Dr. Piero Garofalo, author of "Internal Exile in Fascist Italy" sets the scene (going back a hundred years), and brings us up to present day.
ORDER DR. GAROFALO'S BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Piero-Garofalo/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3APiero+Garofalo
37:51 | Real Talker "Darren" emailed the show, taking issue with the oft-invoked phrase "common sense politics". It perfectly tees up our upcoming interview with Dr. Sajjad Fazel on Wednesday.
EMAIL REAL TALK: talk@ryanjespersen.com
43:05 | In this week's The Leading Edge: cyborg cockroaches. No, seriously. They're real, they're fascinating, and one day they might save your life. The Leading Edge is presented Tuesdays on Real Talk by Leading Edge Physiotherapy.
LIFE SHOULDN'T HURT: https://leadingedgephysio.com/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/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.

Sep 24, 2022 • 7min
Trash Talk - September 23, 2022
Audience member Catalina's email about the "Mushy Middle" lit a fire under a whole bunch of Real Talkers, including a few featured in this week's edition of Trash Talk. We couldn't help ourselves - we had to include Flames coach Darryl Sutter, too.
Trash Talk is presented by Local Environmental Services.
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/
SUBMIT YOUR TRASH TALK: talk@ryanjespersen.com