Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

5:02 | The whip-smart Supriya Dwivedi appears in her regular Friday slot to chime in on Jason Kenney's (quasi) resignation, Pierre Poilievre's interview with Jordan Peterson, and Canadian exceptionalism in the context of another mass shooting in the US. 37:30 | Political commentator Kathleen Smith, strategist (and former Kenney communications director) Blaise Boehmer, and Alberta Party leader Barry Morishita form this week's Real Talk Round Table, taking on The Resignation, the future of the UCP, and what the Alberta Party's got to do to capitalize on this opportunity.  1:25:50 | This week's edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental kicks off with a rant about the zipper merge, and picks up steam from there!  Submit your Trash Talk: talk@ryanjespersen.com Check out Local Environmental: https://localenvironmental.ca/

1:00 | Ryan shares his initial thoughts just twelve hours after Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced his resignation following a 51.4% approval in his UCP leadership review. 12:00 | UCP founding president Erika Barootes, former Alberta Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk, and political strategist Melissa Caouette explore what led to Kenney's low score, who might seek the party leadership, and what it means for Albertans.  1:11:38 | Johnny and Ryan break down Game One of the first playoff Battle of Alberta in 31 years, including a memorable moment between agitator Matthew Tkachuk and Evander Kane.

1:34 | Andrew Walker, host of The Hedge, joins Ryan and Johnny to tee up Game One of the Battle of Alberta. Who's the favourite to advance past this series? What's the smart wager? Is it cool that Wayne Gretzky picked the Flames to win? Check out (and subscribe to) The Hedge: https://www.thehedgepod.com/ 30:51 | May Long Weekend marks the kickoff for so many attractions in Jasper, including canoe tours, river rafting, and a wide array of cabins. This week's #MyJasper Memories gets you set for spring and summer in Jasper National Park!  Plan your own MyJasper Memories: https://www.jasper.travel/realtalk/ 34:47 | Students protesting a dress code enforcement blitz in Ottawa caught the attention of the nation when video surfaced of a clash with police. Farrah Khan, manager of Consent Comes First at the Office of Sexual Violence Support and Education at Toronto Metropolitan University moves the conversation forward, with great insights on how dress codes police students' bodies and identities.  Learn more about Farrah Khan: https://www.farrahkhan.ca/longer-biography Check out Consent Comes First: https://www.ryerson.ca/sexual-violence/

0:20 | Ryan and Johnny kick off the show with an impromptu review of Amazon's new season of Kids in the Hall. 4:00 | A day ahead of the Battle of Alberta - Game One, we take a look at terms of the wager between the Mayors of Calgary and Edmonton. 8:30 | The majority of Albertans think United Conservative Party members need to dump leader Jason Kenney...but will they? Dr. Jared Wesley, political scientist at the University of Alberta, digs into the results of a Viewpoint Alberta survey conducted by Common Ground Politics. Check out the survey results here: https://www.commongroundpolitics.ca/kenneyreview 37:42 | How many Real Talkers believe a reversal of the Roe v. Wade decision would have an impact on abortion access in Canada? Find out, as we review the results of our most recent Get Real: Question of the Week conducted by our research and strategy partners at Y Station. Take this week's Question on the Stanley Cup Playoffs: https://ryanjespersen.com/question-of-the-week 41:08 | Following news of David Milgaard's passing over the weekend, journalist Jana Pruden shares about her two-day experience sitting down with the justice advocate, and the connection they maintained ever since.  Read Jana's 2019 feature in The Globe & Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-is-it-really-50-years-david-milgaard-on-justice-faith-and-freedom/ 1:16:05 | In this week's edition of The Leading Edge presented by Leading Edge Physio, we learn about technology developed by NASA now being used for Parkinson's patients and post-stroke rehabilitation.  Learn more: https://leadingedgephysio.com/

2:20 | It's official: hockey fans get their first Battle of Alberta in 31 years! Ryan and Johnny kick off the show with their thoughts ahead of Game One on Wednesday. 8:39 | Emmy Award-winning talk host Charles Adler makes his bi-weekly appearance on Real Talk, sharing his thoughts on the horrific mass shooting in Buffalo, NY, the Conservative Party's leadership race, Jason Kenney's leadership review, and the legacy of David Milgaard, who passed away over the weekend.  47:02 | Canadians are sending millions of dollars worth of PPE and other emergency equipment to Ukraine via the organization Firefighter Aid Ukraine. We're joined live by Vitalii Hrytsko of Ukraine's State Emergency Service, and Edmonton firefighter Kevin Royle, project director at FAU.  Learn more and donate: https://www.firefighteraidukraine.com/ 1:12:14 | This week's edition of Positive Reflections is personal for Ryan, who celebrates his long-time friend Declan - an optimistic, courageous 13 year old who just realized a major, long-time dream!  Send us your Positive Reflection: talk@ryanjespersen.com  Positive Reflections is presented by Kuby Energy. https://kubyenergy.ca/

It's a grass roots political edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Environmental, fuelled by your emails to talk@ryanjespersen.com!

2:57 | Ryan starts the show with breaking news, as mourners at slain Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh's funeral are met with violence from Israeli defence forces. Plus, Elon Musk says his $44B Twitter purchase is "on hold": what does that mean moving forward? 11:49 | Veteran Alberta political correspondents Graham Thomson and Catherine Griwkowsky dig into the most important details of Jason Kenney's UCP leadership review, Brian Jean's presence at the Legislature, and a recent opinion from the Alberta Court of Appeal.  Read Catherine's work: https://www.politicstoday.news/alberta-today/ Read Graham's work: https://ipolitics.ca/opinions/kenney-takes-a-victory-lap-while-the-race-is-still-underway 38:46 | The stars of The Strategists podcast join for their bi-annual Real Talk Round Table. Zain Velji, Corey Hogan, and Stephen Carter make for a wildly-entertaining (and informative) half hour analyzing the federal Conservative leadership race, Kenney's UCP leadership review, and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh being harassed in Peterborough. See The Strategists live on May 19: https://thestrategists.ca/products/the-strategists-live-in-edmonton 1:15:36 | It's a grass roots political edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Environmental, fuelled by your emails to talk@ryanjespersen.com!

Sometimes, there's a day that demands Real Talk go into overtime. This is one of those days. We cover the stories making headlines, and make sure you know what's going on "off the radar," too. 3:14 | Described as a "cultural phenomenon" related to the war in Ukraine, the Saint Javelin brand has quickly become recognized as a symbol of Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion. Ryan talks to founder and CEO Christian Borys just moments after he announced a partnership with the World Ukrainian Congress to fund non-lethal military equipment for Ukraine. Learn more: https://www.saintjavelin.com/ and https://www.ukrainianworldcongress.org/ 14:52 | Is Twitter set to become even nastier if Elon Musk's purchase goes through? Christopher Bouzy, founder of BotSentinel.com, explains the role bots and trolls play in poisoning public dialogue.  32:38 | Speaking of Twitter, our most recent Question of the Week presented by Y Station shows many Real Talkers are cynical (or at least concerned) about the future of the social media platform. Ryan reviews the results of our most recent survey, and tees up the current one (about SCOTUS Roe v. Wade).  CHIME IN: https://ryanjespersen.com/question-of-the-week 38:18 | The killing of veteran Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh is described as  "deliberate and targeted" by Al Jazeera, the outlet she represented for many years. We review what we know at this point, including reports from journalists who were near Abu Akleh when she was shot, and criticism around "whitewashed" reporting and response from western media outlets and elected representatives.  47:17 | How much do you know about the political maneuvering happening in your own backyard? Ryan connects with Alberta Mayors Cathy Heron, Janet Jabush, and Trina Jones for an update on a potential Alberta Provincial Police Service, EMS in crisis, and changes to the Municipal Government Act.  Learn more about work being done by Alberta Municipalities: https://www.abmunis.ca/ 1:27:28 | Inspired by his conversation with the Mayors, Ryan shines light on a very personal Twitter thread from a BC-based family doctor, @drherrling.  1:31:09 | Hours after Conservative Party of Canada leadership candidates squared off in Edmonton, Ryan reviews highlights and themes of the official English language debate. What jumped out at you as you watched Wednesday's showdown? Send us an email: talk@ryanjespersen.com 1:41:14 | Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh was targeted and harassed by self-identified "Freedom Convoy" supporters during a stop in Peterborough, ON. We take a look at public response to this heinous circumstance, including Mr. Singh's message to the public after the fact.

3:03 | Award-winning photojournalist Leah Hennel takes us into Alberta ICUs, ERs, and COVID wards via the stunning images in her new book, "Alone Together: A Pandemic Photo Essay".  Check out more of Leah's work: https://leahhennelphotography.com/ Get your copy of the book: https://bookpublishers.ab.ca/titles/alone-together/ 18:24 | REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for our Real Talk Golf Classic on June 23rd at The Ranch! Ryan shares a few details about the big day, which you won't want to miss! REGISTER: https://ryanjespersen.com/real-talk-golf-classic 21:21 | It's been three years since the Chuckegg Wildfire tore through more than 800,000 acres near High Level, AB. Mayor Crystal McAteer and Chief James Ahnassy of the Dene Tha' First Nation look back on May of 2019, and share how their communities have been working together ever since to address the challenges of living in such a remote, rural region.  43:30 | Should we de-extinct animals like the Woolly Mammoth? Should we be concerned insect populations are plummeting? Do mushrooms and mould actually rule the world? Anthropomania podcast hosts Jay Ingram and Niki Wilson look at nature through a human lens, and explain why an "empathetic world view" is so important.  Subscribe: https://anthropomania.com/ 1:05:44 | This week's #MyJasper Memories celebrates Jasper local Naji Khouri, whose entire job is to ensure visitors to the region have the best-possible experience. Whether you're looking to chase summits or birdie putts, eat picnics or five-star spreads, or sleep under the stars or in the lap of luxury, Naji's got you covered!  Check out more about his story (and amazing options to explore Jasper) here: https://www.jasper.travel/realtalk/

8:18 | National Observer columnist Sandy Garossino says it's time for "an adult conversation about abortion". She lays out exactly what that conversation needs to look like, including the role men need to play.  Read Sandy's column here: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2022/05/07/opinion/lets-have-adult-conversation-about-abortion 34:10 | Ryan reviews the results of Monday's unofficial, unscientific Twitter poll on pandemic-related data collected from Canadians' cell phones, and privacy concerns around the common practice. Check out the final poll results: https://twitter.com/ryanjespersen/status/1523665964448899074?s=20&t=uxJhV43esR9uLarsLsk4NA 43:30 | It's one of the most powerful films you'll ever see. Love in the Time of Fentanyl screens at NorthwestFest on Friday, May 13. We catch up with filmmaker Colin Askey, and harm reduction workers Ronnie Grigg and Trey Helten.  Get your tickets to see Love in the Time of Fentanyl at NorthwestFest: https://www.northwestfest.ca/films-2022-backend/love-in-the-time-of-fentanyl 1:21:26 | Every Tuesday, we feature innovators and difference makers in The Leading Edge presented by Leading Edge Physio. This week, it's Priority Printing in the spotlight!  https://leadingedgephysio.com/