Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

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...

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 Albert...

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...

#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...

7:47 | How do you find a therapist that's a good fit? Registered clinical counsellor Megan Jespersen (yes, she's Ryan's sister!) explains how you can tell if you'd benefit from therapy, how to choose the right counsellor, and how to tell if the sessions are effective or not. Megan discusses the evolution of stigma around counselling, the growth of specific specialties (ie - religious trauma), and...

4:36 | Max Fawcett, lead columnist for Canada's National Observer, responds to Ryan's Tuesday interview with David Knight Legg about Canadian energy and Russia's war in Ukraine. The former editor of Alberta Oil magazine digs into Canada's role in lowering global emissions, the politics of international petroleum markets, and the "coal-powered" criticism of electric vehicles (EVs). 34:08 | Beloved...

4:23 | David Knight Legg, founding CEO of Invest Alberta, lays out his theory of the "real" reason Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine. Legg argues Canadian interests need to better assert themselves in the global energy trade. Plus, the former Principal Advisor to Alberta Premier Jason Kenney explains how he would advise Kenney through his current leadership review.  39:26 | He's an Emmy Award winner,...

3:29 | On the heels of Alberta Premier Jason Kenney's address to party members over the weekend in Red Deer, UCP founding president Erika Barootes and political scientist Dr. Duane Bratt debate whether or not Kenney will survive his leadership review, and the implications either way. Plus, we evaluate the early stages of the federal Conservative leadership race.  42:56 | Ryan and producer John Hic...

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

28:18 | The federal government's 2022 budget is supposed to help Canadians with the skyrocketing cost of living. Did it? Political strategist Sarah Biggs and economist/journalist Erica Ifill share their takes on the Liberal's fiscal plan.  53:56 | Two years into a pandemic, how do we rebuild, reinvigorate, and reconnect our communities? Puneeta McBryan and Lisa Holmes share their thoughts and expe...

3:22 | Ryan shares his thoughts on Real Talk's recent break, including details on the work being done behind the scenes to address the events of March 17 and 18.  21:58 | Journalist Brandi Morin, just back from the Vatican, shares her observations around Pope Francis' apology for the Catholic Church's role in residential schools, and what it means for Reconciliation in Canada.

I didn't stand up for what is right today. I'm going to do better in the future.

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

2:18 | Ryan and Sarah follow up on Thursday's debate.  19:42 | Dalhousie University professor Dr. David Black tees up sports angles on Russia's attack on Ukraine. Are international sports sanctions effective in impacting foreign policy? Should Russian athletes be held accountable by fans for past support of Vladimir Putin? How much courage are Russian athletes showing, speaking out against Putin's...

12:20 | Registered psychologist Dr. Angela Grace and curriculum experts Dr. Carla Peck and Dr. Dwayne Donald discuss the Alberta government increased funding for charter schools and delaying new math and English curriculums for Grades 4-6 until next year, while moving ahead with the updated curriculum for students in kindergarten to Grade 3 starting September 2022. 49:59 | Author of All Made Up: T...

1:55 | Ryan unpacks Brian Jean's landslide win in the Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche byelection, with 63% of the vote.  15:39 | Associate Professor of Law at the University of Alberta, Dr. Ubaka Ogbogu on facing ongoing harassment and threats after Alberta's Premier singled him out calling him "deranged" and a "NDP law professor" on social media. He details if he's going to take legal action against J...

2:29 | Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations Bob Rae discusses the nation's role on the world stage and how our country can and should deal with Russia's aggression towards Ukraine. 27:43 | Edmonton-based photographer Dale MacMillan joins us live from Poland where he's working with the humanitarian group, Medair, to help refugees from Russia-invaded Ukraine. 43:43 | Criminal defense lawyer Kyl...

4:04 | Calgary Beltline resident Meaghan Walsh on weekly  “freedom” demonstrations taking over 17th Avenue in south-central Calgary on Saturday afternoons, why counter-protestors are starting to show up, and the local police's uneven response to the different sides. 18:15 | Computer scientist Dr. Ryan Henry on the establishment of the National Cybersecurity Consortium, and the need for it as cyber...

4:25 | Ryan and the team discuss a new poll on the Conservative leadership race. It found Pierre Poilievre is the favourite amongst Conservative voters to lead the federal party. 11:06 | Dr. Andy Knight on what the Coutts border blockade, January 6th insurrection, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine indicates there is a new world order in the making. 40:26 | #RealTalkRoundTable | Economist Dr. Kent F...

#TrashTalk | Ryan lets it rip on Real Talker emails about what's pissing 'em off this week. Presented by Local Environmental.

4:54 | Ryan and editorial producer Sarah Hoyles discuss Canada Border Services Agency rejecting trucker driver Jaskirat Singh Sidhu's bid to stay in Canada after serving his sentence for his involvement in crash that killed 16 members of the Humboldt Broncos hockey team.  20:10 | Dr. David Novog explains what is at stake as Russian forces take control of nuclear power plants in Ukraine and what it...

2:30 | Ryan ponders what the new Saturday morning call-in radio show featuring the Alberta Premier will sound like, who is paying for it, and how it will be used to further Jason Kenney's leadership.  15:01 | McMaster University economist Dr. Adam Lavecchia explains what The Bank of Canada interest rate increase means for Canadians' every day lives and expenses. 33:15 | Question of the Week | Ryan...

2:17 | Ryan and Sarah review the news headlines including Alberta's Premier Jason Kenney having a block party on Twitter where he stopped many Albertans from accessing his account. 11:50 | Wilfrid Laurier University's Dr. Izabela Steflja on how war affects women from the battlefield to the home front, and their ability to commit war crimes. 32:46 | #TheLeadingEdge | The first centre of its kind in...

11:58 | McGill University political scientist, Dr. Aaron Erlich on the disinformation campaigns waged by Russia to control its citizens and reinforce the illegal invasion of Ukraine. 39:36 | The creator of Little Mosque on the Prairie and author of the new book, Jameela Green Ruins Everything, Zarqa Nawaz discusses how the "freedom convoy", and now Putin, are making Muslims look good. 1:17:50 | #P...