Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

A looming referendum, new pipeline proposals, a $13B AI data centre announcement...it's been a big Calgary Stampede for Premier Danielle Smith. We get into it all (2:10) in an exclusive interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY. ROOTED IN PRAIRIE GRIT AND A REBELLIOUS SPIRIT, HANSEN IS KNOWN FOR AUTHENTIC, SMALL-BATCH WHISKY AND OTHER SPIRI...

Meta's historic $13 billion AI data centre announcement - the largest private-sector technology project in Alberta's history - has people talking about jobs, investment, and economic diversification. It's also prompting tough questions about its massive electricity demand and water use. Former premier Alison Redford (3:15) and Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw (36:10) join us to unpack what it c...

The Calgary Stampede isn't just Canada's biggest party. It's also the country's biggest networking event, where prime ministers, premiers, cabinet ministers, mayors, CEOs, lobbyists, and power brokers all show up to make deals, build relationships, and shape what's next. So, halfway through Stampede, we ask: Which politician is winning Stampede?  2:50 | Erika Barootes and Sabrina Grover debate who...

The Strategists co-hosts Zain Velji and Stephen Carter (00:30) are all fired up. Corb Lund (42:00) is all fired up. It's Episode Two on the Real Talk Road Trip at Calgary's National Music Centre!  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY. ROOTED IN PRAIRIE GRIT AND A REBELLIOUS SPIRIT, HANSEN IS KNOWN FOR AUTHENTIC, SMALL-BATCH WHISKY AND OTHER SPIRITS CRAFTED WITH LOCAL ALBERTA INGREDIENTS....

Real Talk is on the road at Calgary's stunning National Music Centre! We get the inside scoop on the first weekend of Stampede and that big pipeline announcement from federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson (2:45), MP Corey Hogan (20:00), strategist Sharan Kaur (32:00), Tourism Calgary CEO Alisha Reynolds (46:30), National Music Centre CEO Andrew Mosker (58:30), and Mayor Jeromy Farkas (1:27:30). Feat...

Alberta's going it alone...at least for now. The province will be the initial proponent of a new pipeline to the West Coast, according to The Globe and Mail. Premier Danielle Smith says the province will foot the $14M bill for early engineering, planning, and regulatory legwork before handing it off to the private sector...but is that likely to happen? We discuss in this episode, including a surpr...

For more than a decade, 24 Sussex Drive has sat empty - a crumbling symbol of political paralysis, complete with asbestos, mould, and even rats. Now Prime Minister Mark Carney wants to change that, announcing a national design competition and a fundraising campaign to restore Canada's official prime ministerial residence. Is this a long-overdue investment in a national institution...or tonedeaf pr...

Real Talkers sound off on the Stampede Cowboys tent controversy, with fiery takes from Robert, Ruthann, Teryl, Natalie, and Julie. The Flamethrower is proudly presented by our amazing friends at the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park. WHEN YOU VISIT THE DQs IN PALISADES, NAMAO, NEWCASTLE, WESTMOUNT, or BASELINE ROAD, BE SURE TO TELL 'EM REAL TALK SENT YOU! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@...

Is Alberta's separation debate driving economic uncertainty, or is it simply exposing deeper problems with Canada's competitiveness? We sit down (9:15) with economist Dr. Trevor Tombe, Robin Bobocel from the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, and Candace Laing from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to unpack what political uncertainty means for investment, hiring, productivity, and the decisions shaping...

Guest host Supriya Dwivedi talks AI, algorithms, and online harms with McGill University's Taylor Owen in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY. NORTHERN EYES SEVEN-YEAR SHERRY CASK IS NOW AVAILABLE! HANSEN IS PROUDLY LOCAL, ALWAYS ORIGINAL. https://hansendistillery.com/ MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwes... SAVE on...

The Mike Babcock era in Edmonton begins, as the Oilers officially onboard the controversial Stanley Cup champion coach. Will Babcock's baggage hurt the team, or will his trademark intensity help superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl win their first Cup? Former Oiler Shawn Belle gets into it in our feature interview (3:00) presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED...

It's a pre-Stampede showdown, as Premier Danielle Smith and Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas trade barbs ahead of The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Smith says Calgary's killing the vibe by cracking down on late night noise. Farkas says it's "bullshit," saying he's "answering to people rather than answering to money". Jespo and Johnny get into it right off the bat (2:20). Let us know what you think! ...

Did you know Alberta's net contribution to Ottawa effectively saves taxpayers in the rest of Canada about $1,000 a year? Guest host Rob Breakenridge digs into the numbers with Fraser Institute's Tegan Hill, then catches up with Canadian history buff Craig Baird to talk about the end of an era: after nearly 75 years, Hockey Night in Canada is leaving CBC. What does the iconic broadcast mean to Cana...

Pat in Airdrie is fuming over changes to Alberta's electoral boundaries, Jan lacks faith ahead of the fall referendum, Gillian says it's worth fighting for French in schools, Janelle's demanding more for primary care nurses, and Ryan from the band F&M wants Jespo and Johnny to be better Canadians. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR...

Canada’s energy future is one of the most consequential—and contentious—questions facing the country. Is global demand for oil and gas set to remain strong for decades, or are economic and technological shifts already weakening the business case for major fossil fuel projects? Max Fawcett and Heather Exner-Pirot square off in a spirited debate (4:00) on LNG, energy transition, climate policy, and...

Canada's new Online Safety Act could fundamentally change how Canadians (especially young people) experience the internet. From age restrictions on social media and new obligations for tech companies to concerns about privacy, free expression, and government oversight, the legislation is already sparking fierce debate. Digital policy experts Supriya Dwivedi and Vass Bednar (4:30) join us in our fe...

Alberta separatism isn't a new concept. Even before Alberta became a province, critics were sounding off against "the horde of grafters connected with the Ottawa Liberal Machine," as was written in the Calgary Herald in 1905. Author Tyler Dawson explores the definitive history and analysis of Alberta's long-simmering separatist movement in his new book "The Republic of Alberta: An Idea That Won't...

How many Albertans are actually ready to leave Canada? And what do the latest numbers tell us about the state of the separation movement? Guest host Rob Breakenridge gets into it with Ipsos CEO Darrell Bricker in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. Plus, is Alberta finally getting serious about passenger rail? Bruce Graham with Friends of Calgary Airport-Banff Rail join...

Strength in numbers. That's Pierre Poilievre's call to the provinces as a nation-wide alternative to Alberta separation. Will Quebec play along? We get into an advance copy of Poilievre's speech (14:00) with Supriya Dwivedi in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. But first...what will come from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's meeting with Quebec Premier Christine Fréche...

Real Talkers are fired up over separatist talking points and Mark Carney's position on Donald Trump. Tyler W., Michael in Calgary, Geoff in Toronto, and Garth sound off in 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, or BASELINE ROAD, BE SURE TO TELL...

Did you know a third of Calgary residents were born outside North America? Mayor Jeromy Farkas joins Jespo in our historic Mercer Warehouse studio (3:45) to discuss the separation distraction, immigration realities in Alberta, downtown crime, and the future of rail across the province. Feature interviews on Real Talk are presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY Rapid...

How did the media get it so wrong with B.C.'s Conservative leadership race? Does Alberta separation really deserve this much attention? Does Canada's Online News Act accomplish anything? UFC on the White House lawn: is this real life? We get into it all with political and cultural commentator J.J. McCullough (4:30) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS...

If Alberta can talk about leaving Canada, can cities talk about leaving Alberta? That's the question Edmonton councillor Aaron Paquette is putting on the table with a motion exploring ways municipalities could gain more independence from the province amid growing uncertainty around Alberta's separatist movement. Paquette joins Vegreville councillor Taneen Rudyk and political scientist Dr. Duane Br...

Canadian ranchers are warning Ottawa not to sacrifice domestic beef producers in ongoing trade talks with Mercosur, the South American bloc including Brazil and Argentina. At the same time, Canadian consumers are facing stubbornly high grocery prices, especially at the meat counter, raising major questions about imports, food security, trade policy, and Canada’s economic relationship with the Unit...

Red hot takes on Alberta separation from Jesse, Geoff, Anna Banana, Alberta Maverick, Peaches, Chris, Colin, Alex, AJ, and a heart-wrenching appeal from Brendon in The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park. SUPPORT NIKKI'S GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-nikki-access-lifesaving-treatment FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com WHEN YOU VIS...