Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

2:54 | United Conservative MLA Leela Aheer gives her personal perspective on how government can combat systemic racism, on the heels of Ryan's interview with NDP MLA David Shepherd earlier this week. We get into "calls from inside the house" criticizing Premier Jason Kenney's leadership (in the context of his leadership review), the Brian Jean Factor, Alberta's curriculum review, and Leela's member statement yesterday on Female Genital Mutilation.  25:33 | It's a special edition of #MyJasper Memories live from Jasper, as Ryan checks in with Tahlon Sweenie, Director of Golf Operations at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge ahead of opening day at the course - May 7. Book your golf here: https://www.fairmont.com/jasper/golf/the-fairmont-jasper-park-lodge-golf/ #MyJasper Memories is presented by Tourism Jasper. Check out some of the highlights Jasper has to offer here: https://www.jasper.travel/realtalk/ 37:47 | What does Elon Musk's $44B Twitter takeover mean for users of the social media site? What are some of the potential gains and losses, and some of the stories flying under the radar? Are conversations about "free speech" on point, as the public dissects this story? Dr. Aimée Morrison of the University of Waterloo, and social media strategist Beverley Theresa lay it out.

Real Talk is on the road! Ryan hosts from the beautiful Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Jasper, AB, where he's speaking at the Community Leaders Camp: https://13waysinc.com/camp/ 5:55 | Doug Griffiths, former Progressive Conservative minister Doug Griffiths, founding CEO of 13 Ways, Inc., talks about the state of present-day conservatism in Alberta, Jason Kenney's leadership review, and 13 pathways to success (the follow-up to Doug's book, "13 Ways To Kill Your Community". https://13waysinc.com/ 28:34 | Why are we ignoring engineers when it comes to COVID mitigation strategies? Matthew Oliver, P.Eng. explains what led to his Twitter thread earlier this week, taking aim at medical doctors and researchers mocking his colleagues working in ventilation and filtration. Thread: https://twitter.com/sameo416/status/1518418260349177856?s=20&t=BXbC3tlPgzBno5qUrC2KkQ 43:14 | Author, economist, and political scientist Chris Blattman takes us into his new book, "Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace". The University of Chicago professor analyzes what's fuelling Putin's war in Ukraine, how to interrupt the evolution of conflict into war, and why NHL players' birth cities have a correlation to how violent they are on the ice. https://chrisblattman.com/why-we-fight/ 59:26 | In this week's The Leading Edge presented by Leading Edge Physio, we highlight an innovative new program at MacEwan University. The first of its kind in Canada, The Distinguished Visiting Artist in Country Music program aims to launch aspiring performers into a career in country music. https://www.macewan.ca/campus-life/news/2022/04/news-dvacm-launch-22/

4:06 | Ryan and John take a look at Monday's breaking news: Elon Musk's reported $43B purchase of Twitter. Will his (rumoured) ownership of the social media platform impact how (or if) you continue to use it? The conversation continues later in the show at 1:00:51. 9:48 | A proposed Anti-Racism Act (Bill 204) fell at the Alberta Legislature, meaning at least for now, government departments will continue to not track race-based data. We talk to the MLA behind the private members bill, Edmonton-City Centre's David Shepherd, along with Dunia Nur of the African-Canadian Civic Engagement Council.  38:25 | It's a big day for Andrew Walker, as the longtime Canadian sports broadcaster launches his new show The Hedge - https://thehedgepod.com/. We talk to Walks about his move from "mainstream media" to an independent podcast, and the significance of betting and fantasy to today's sports fan. 1:06:40 | This week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy features a 15-year-old who found thousands of dollars in a stolen safe, and tracked down the rightful owner. Now that's a story that'll restore your faith in humanity! Send us your Positive Reflection: talk@ryanjespersen.com

#TrashTalk | It's Friday, so brace for another rowdy edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental!

2:53 | Emmy-winning comedian Paul Mecurio gets the show started with a laugh. The two-time COVID sufferer talks about isolating in NYC, and helping his 94-year-old Mom sort through her stuff. See Paul at The Comic Strip April 22 & 23: https://wem.thecomicstrip.ca/ 13:03 | Supriya Dwivedi makes her weekly Friday appearance, tackling Dr. Leslyn Lewis' claim that Bill Gates is undermining Canadian sovereignty, Pierre Poilievre's double standard (?) on Canada's housing crisis, and Edmonton as a model for affordable housing.  41:58 | The Alberta Technology Symposium just wrapped in Calgary, and we welcome two industry leaders to this week's Real Talk Round Table. Koleya Karringten, Executive Director of the Canadian Blockchain Consortium, and Adam O'Brien, CEO of Bitcoin Well, explore Alberta's tech ecosystem, including how to attract new investment and support innovation hubs.  1:13:10 | It's Friday, which means another edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental. Submit your Trash Talk to talk@ryanjespersen.com!

4:20 | On the eve of Earth Day, researchers Jared Gonet, Dr. Jeffrey Farner, and Dr. Evan Davies take us into the work they're doing to protect the planet. The conversation covers incorporating Indigenous worldviews with more "western" ideas of conservation, microplastics and nanoplastics in the world's water supply, and computer models informing our understanding of future water demand. 34:20 | A group of engaged citizens continues to fight a proposed solar farm in Edmonton's river valley. Kristine Kowalchuk, chair of the Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition, explains why they believe the proposed location is a bad fit, and what she wants the public to do about it.  Learn more: https://www.ervcc.com/ 43:39 | Ukraine's defence ministry is using Clearview AI facial recognition to identify Russian soldiers on the battlefield, at checkpoints, and elsewhere. Ethically Aligned AI CEO Katrina Ingram explains why the technology is so controversial, and how it does (or will) impact people around the world.

2:50 | Professional poet and spoken word artist Laureate Wakefield Brewster joins us a week after he was introduced to Calgary City Council as the city's sixth Poet Laureate. He tells us when he first knew he perceived the world as an artist would, what it means to "infiltrate" society, and how he's approaching his two-year term. 27:35 | Blaise Boehmer, former Director of Communications for Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, shares his take on Kenney's leadership review, the Brian Jean factor, record insurance profits in Alberta, the UCP approach to harm reduction, and other political stories making news across the province. 58:38 | In this week's edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper, we show off a couple ways you can get high up into the alpine in Jasper National Park. Marmot Basin still offers world class mountain riding until closing day on May 1, and the Jasper SkyTram just opened for the season! Learn more here: https://www.jasper.travel/realtalk/

4:50 | Earlier this month, Megan Wright publicly left what she says was her "dream job" with Leduc Fire Services. In front of Leduc city councillors, she cited allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct throughout her career. Megan joins Ryan to explain what led to her resignation, and how the mental health implications of a career in first response contributed to her experience.  45:20 | In this week's edition of The Leading Edge presented by Leading Edge Physiotherapy, we shine the spotlight on Food for Thought, a family-run non-profit providing hot meals for school children that might otherwise go hungry. Learn more here: https://www.foodforthoughtedmonton.com/ 47:19 | His career as a fashion-turned-nature photographer has earned David Liittschwager accolades around the world. The National Geographic legend tells us why he specifically chose three elusive sea creatures for his stunning new book, "Octopus, Seahorse, Jellyfish". (A warm welcome to our audience members who typically download the Real Talk podcast, but are here to see David's mesmerizing photos!) 1:13:09 | The first show of every week, Kuby Energy presents Positive Reflections. This week, we highlight the remarkable story of Gabriel Clark, a 12-year-old woodworker whose Ukraine fundraiser smashed every goal, skyrocketing him to Instagram fame along the way!

#TrashTalk | It's Friday, so brace for another rowdy edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental!

9:13 | Political analyst (and lawyer and broadcaster) Supriya Dwivedi shares her take on Pierre Poilievre's big Alberta crowds, early campaign positions taken by Jean Charest, Patrick Brown, and Dr. Leslyn Lewis. Plus, lax COVID attitudes and the connection to Ontario's upcoming election, the rumoured federal "truck tax," and Elon Musk's quest to buy Twitter. 38:49 | We celebrate unsung healthcare heroes in this week's Real Talk Round Table. Medical Laboratory Technologists Shawna Gawreluck, Ahmed Mostafa, and Anne Halpin share about their "behind the biohazard doors" profession, and explain the impact COVID's made on the work they do.  1:11:59 | It's Friday, which means time for a (curiously somewhat family-friendly) edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental! Submit your Trash Talk to talk@ryanjespersen.com