Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

5:56 | How healthy is our Parks system? Kevin Van Tighem, former Superintendent of Banff National Park, brings us up to speed on some of the stories flying under the radar including coal exploration around Alberta's Eastern Slopes.   28:18 | Spirit Island is truly one of Canada's most spectacular spots. In this week's edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper, we highlight the best (and only!) way to explore this magical, off-the-beaten path island. Learn more: https://www.jasper.travel/realtalk/   31:13 | What a treat to welcome Ryan's dad, Dr. Bruce Jespersen, to the Real Talk studio! Ahead of Father's Day, the two discuss the Parkinson's diagnosis that ended Bruce's medical career a few years ahead of schedule, his take on the future of family medicine, and what it's like welcoming another grandchild to the fold!   49:25 | Figure skating's governing body has introduced a minimum age (17) for international competitions. We check in with Olympic gold medalist and World Champion Kaetlyn Osmond to better understand the pressures young skaters face, and how this new policy might affect the sport in the short- and long-term.

2:20 | Leela Aheer wants to lead the United Conservative Party. The UCP MLA announces her leadership campaign on Real Talk, and lays out her vision for Alberta, including fixing the UCP's reputation problem.   32:23 | Kristin Raworth checks in live from France, where she visited Juno Beach on the 78th anniversary of D Day. Kristin shares some of the sights and experiences, including what the locals say about Canadians who landed there on June 6, 1944.   49:45 | This week's edition of The Leading Edge celebrates Outloud St. Albert, a safe inclusive space for LGBTQ2S+ youth.   Learn more: https://outloudstalbert.ca/ Check out Leading Edge Physiotherapy: https://leadingedgephysio.com/   51:55 | In just four games, the Edmonton Oilers dream of a trip to the Stanley Cup Final is done. The Hedge host Andrew Walker shares his top takeaways from the Oilers' run, and what the off-season might look like. Check out The Hedge: https://www.thehedgepod.com/

3:49 | Doug Ford's got an even bigger majority government...but how? Political organizer Jaskaran Singh Sidhu, founder of State Strategy and Baaz digital news network, explains how Ontario's Premier reinvented himself, why voter turnout was so low, and what Ford's victory means for the rest of Canada.  Connect with Jaskaran: https://www.statestrategy.ca/ 27:47 | The "bi-weekly" gig didn't last long for Charles Adler on Real Talk, as audience demand forced our hand! Now a *weekly* guest every Monday, the Titan of Talk chimes in on the Ontario election results, and his thoughts on mandatory voting.  41:51 | It's been 78 years since more than 150,000 Canadian, American, and British troops stormed five beaches in France, dubbed "Operation Overlord". Historian and author Don Levers takes us into the "What if" perspective behind his book "Our Father's Footsteps".  Check out Don's books: https://donleversbooks.com/ 1:04:26 | In a very personal edition of Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy, Ryan shows off a few photos of Noah Orville, the newest addition to the Jespersen clan!

10:26 | BC will decriminalize "hard" drugs - the first province to do so - under a limited exemption from Ottawa. Journalist Andrea Woo joins from Vancouver to paint a picture of how serious the opioid crisis is, what led to BC's initiative, and what politicians and the public are saying about it. Check out Andrea's reporting here: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-decriminalize-drugs-british-columbia-canada/ 34:58 | Supermodel, actress, and author Ashley Callingbull became the first Indigenous woman to appear in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition earlier this month. The former Mrs. Universe and recently-announced in game host of the Edmonton Elks shares how she rose to stardom despite a tough childhood as an "insecure girl from the reserve". Follow Ashley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleycallingbull/?hl=en 54:52 | This week's edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper showcases a couple new ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Jasper National Park: guided trail running and guided yoga hikes!  Make your own #MyJasper Memories: https://www.jasper.travel/realtalk/ 58:01 | With his smash hit "Jason Kenney's Hot Boy Summer" entering its "fifth wave" at Grindstone Theatre, three-time World Improv Champion Donovan Workun's riding high! The always-hilarious actor and comic explains how the plot has evolved over the past year to include the Freedom Convoy and the Premier's resignation, and tells us how he's preparing to open for Pete Davidson and Amy Schumer later this summer.  Get your tickets for Jason Kenney's Hot Boy Summer: https://www.grindstonetheatre.ca/jasonkenneyhotboysummer

12:25 | Tensions are high between levels of government, as Edmonton's downtown crime rate continues to rise. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi tells Ryan how he's responding to an inflammatory letter from Alberta's Justice Minister Tyler Shandro, and what the city needs to address root causes. Plus, Mayor Sohi tees up Game One of the Western Conference Final between the Oilers and the Avalanche, including whether or not he's proposing a bet with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. 37:04 | Real Talker Raija-Liisa Schmidt-Teigen checks in live from Damascus, Syria. The humanitarian worker explains why she thinks the world perceives refugees from Syria and Ukraine differently, and shares what many Syrians think about the future of their beloved but war-torn country. Having also lived and worked in Afghanistan, Raija-Liisa comments on the Western world's withdrawal from that country. And, on a completely different note, she explains why she believes the truck driver that caused the Humboldt Broncos bus crash should be able to stay in Canada (based on her own tragic, lived experience). This is an interview you don't want to miss. 1:14:36 | On The Leading Edge this week, the Swimex pool! Find out why so many people living with low back or neck pain are choosing aquatic therapy to help them achieve well-being and a healthy life.  The Leading Edge is presented by Leading Edge Physio: Life shouldn't hurt!  https://leadingedgephysio.com/

5:17 | Journalist Brandi Morin checks in from Montreal, where she attended the Canadian Association of Journalists' Annual Awards (and met Cypress Hill). Brandi responds to the NY Post and National Post stories characterizing mass graves outside former residential schools as "fake news," and shares about her own fact finding mission over the weekend. Check out Brandi's new podcast documentary on the irreconcilable conflict between the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project: https://www.canadaland.com/podcast/784-sea-wolves-oil-snakes/ 42:27 | Is it Justin Trudeau's fault that Jordan Peterson's unvaccinated father couldn't attend a family wedding in California this weekend? Charles Adler brings Canadian Common Sense to his bi-weekly appearance on Real Talk, including commentary on the recent NRA Convention in Houston, and the Supreme Court decision on Canada's "inhumane" and "degrading" parole ineligibility law.  1:23:13 | This week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy celebrates an anonymous donor and other advocates in Lethbridge, Alberta making life a little bit easier for refugees from Ukraine.  Submit your Positive Reflection: talk@ryanjespersen.com

Ryan wraps up Real Talk's week with a full-throttle version of Trash Talk, presented by Local Environmental.  Submit your Trash Talk: talk@ryanjespersen.com

0:00 | Ryan and Johnny riff on last night's Oilers overtime win, wrapping up the Battle of Alberta in just five games. Who's going to paint Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek's face blue and orange, they wonder? 5:07 | Real Talker Gillian Essien makes her move from the email inbox to on screen, assessing this week's Conservative Leadership French language debate. A born-and-raised Montrealer now living in Alberta, Gillian offers a great perspective on the significance of what went down Wednesday evening. 20:09 | Strategist Supriya Dwivedi, also a born-and-raised Montrealer, shares what jumped out at her during the French language debate. She and Ryan also touch on the Supreme Court striking down life without parole, the horrific school shooting in Texas, and why nobody's talking about healthcare during Ontario's election season. 42:35 | Two senseless killings in Edmonton's Chinatown district prompted hundreds of people to show up at City Hall this week, demanding more from decision makers. That, combined with an inflammatory letter from Alberta's Justice Minister to Edmonton's Mayor, has contributed to an unusually high-profile and high-stress week for Edmonton's elected representatives. Councillors Sarah Hamilton, Andrew Knack, and Erin Rutherford join Ryan for this week's Real Talk Round Table. 1:12:16 | Per tradition, Ryan wraps up Real Talk's week with a full-throttle version of Trash Talk, presented by Local Environmental.  Submit your Trash Talk: talk@ryanjespersen.com

4:50 | Real Talker Jest Sidloski takes us through the journey of #RobinWatch22: the joy and heartbreak of the circle of life, happening right under his family's porch camera.  19:49 | What does it mean for Alberta to be "Fuji, not Kodak"? How does hydrogen fit into Canada's clean energy future? Matthew Klippenstein of the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association explains how hydrogen factors into future economic opportunity, including mainstream vehicle trends and more. 37:29 | Ryan gets into the results of our most recent Get Real: Question of the Week presented by Y Station. We asked where your hearts are at through the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs - you might be surprised by the results!  42:54 | Chief Billy Morin, elected in 2015 as the youngest Chief in Enoch Cree Nation history, reviews his three terms in office. Chief Morin announced just a few days ago he won't be seeking re-election, so Ryan (obviously) asks what's next, what he's most proud of, how his perspective differs from many other Chiefs across Canada, and more.

1:20 | Ryan begins the show talking about the tragic and infuriating mass shooting at at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas that claimed the lives of at least 19 children and two teachers.  15:55 | It's been two years since Pamela Jeffery founded The Prosperity Project to address the impact COVID-19 was having on women in Canada. Pamela joins Maureen Lesham, founder of The 482 Collective, to assess The Prosperity Project's impact through its first two years, and the work that remains. Learn more: https://canadianprosperityproject.ca/ and https://www.the482collective.com/ 30:57 | How concerned should we be about Monkeypox? Pediatrician Dr. Daniel Summers explains why he's speaking out against prominent American epidemiologist Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, and what he's telling his own patients about the viral disease. Follow Dr. Summers on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WFKARS 44:21 | She served as Alberta's Premier from 2015-2019, and she wants the top job again. Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley talks about her vision for Alberta, including "fixing" healthcare, and addressing Calgary's unemployment, currently the highest of any major city in Canada. Read more about the NDP's plan for Alberta: https://www.albertasfuture.ca/ 1:09:12 | John and Ryan discuss racist and threatening comments sent to Colorado Avalanche star Nazem Kadri and his family. Ryan reads an email from Real Talker "Megan," who wrote to talk@ryanjespersen.com 1:18:09 | This week's edition of #MyJasper Memories takes a look at wellness benefits to getting outside. Did you know physicians around the world are starting to prescribe time outdoors? Learn more about "nature deficit disorder," and some of the solutions that await you in Jasper National Park! #MyJasper Memories is presented by Tourism Jasper.  Learn more: https://www.jasper.travel/realtalk/