Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Whaaaaat is going on. Alberta's (Conservative) Premier Danielle Smith says she and (Liberal) Prime Minister Mark Carney have found "unprecedented common ground," and that Ottawa is "finally listening to Alberta". In this episode, Premier Smith talks to Ryan about negotiations around a new pipeline, Charlie Kirk's murder, Ottawa's gun "confiscation scheme," international attention around Alberta's...

The political world was rocked on September 10th with the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. As his killing is being investigated as a politically motivated act of violence, the tragedy raises urgent questions about the rise of political extremism, the safety of public discourse, and the consequences of toxic polariza...

Mark Carney's got his hands full. Canada's Prime Minister joins Ryan in the Real Talk studio to talk about pressing pause on the EV mandate (0:30), finding a balance between industry and environmental priorities (4:30), Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's list of nine demands (7:00), and negotiating a new deal with the U.S. (11:15). Carney tells us about "the coolest experience of (his) life" (13:15)...

Prime Minister Mark Carney's government is facing criticism over its emissions reduction plan, after pausing Canada's EV mandate and appearing to waffle on meeting its obligation to the Paris agreement by 2030. Have the Carney Liberals gone soft on their climate commitment?  2:30 | Caroline Brouillette, executive director of Climate Action Network Canada, says Canada's climate commitment is a matt...

Canada's first-ever Minister of Artificial Intelligence, Evan Solomon, says AI is the nation's "Gutenberg moment". How will the feds best equip and enable Canadian businesses to maximize its impact? How will legislation protect institutions like banking and healthcare from nefarious forces? What role will Alberta play in Canada's AI and digital innovation strategy? We get into it all with Minister...

Rural Resident Ryan has a hot take on dealing with rural crime, (Urban) Robert says "woke" city people don't deserve the heat, Wendy calls Danielle Smith to the carpet, and Matthew wants Jespo to be better on the "Blatchford boondoggle". It's 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 Pa...

Veteran news anchor Lynda Steele set off a firestorm when she called out Alberta conservatives in our September 4 episode. We lead with the loudest responses (3:10), before turning our attention to a wide-open mayoral race in Calgary. Later in the episode, crack a cold one with Jespo's basketball teammates who bring insights on craft beer, inter-provincial trade, and vibrant communities. WATCH LYN...

Could Donald Trump's history with Jeffrey Epstein ultimately cost him the presidency? Are you paying too much for cable? Are municipal parties polluting Alberta's political landscape? Veteran broadcaster Lynda Steele (2:00) gets Real in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  CHECK OUT LYNDA'S NEW PROJECT: https://killeenandsteele.ca/ MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmont...

Premier Danielle Smith's UCP government presses pause on a Ministerial Order targeting school library books, as Edmonton Public Schools pull 200 titles from shelves, including works by Margaret Atwood, Maya Angelou, and Ayn Rand. Smith calls the move "vicious compliance," promising new, more specific rules to come. Is this anything but a losing battle for the UCP?  7:30 | Political scientist Dr. D...

We're thrilled to welcome Supriya Dwivedi back to our regular rotation, starting with this episode (2:30), where the former senior advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes on Alberta's school library book ban, PM Mark Carney's negotiations with President Donald Trump, California Governor Gavin Newsom's Trumpian social media strategy, and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre's "Stand on Guard...

Trevour Bouds has words for Max Fawcett (and Mark Carney), Adam C. and Cole chime in on infill, Alberta Gengar's hardly a fan of Return To Work policies, Gillian's bracing for (looking forward to?) a teachers' strike, Lisa says no pay for work travel is nothing new, and Alex has a word of warning for vapers. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE U...

5:30 | Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi responds to criticism from business leaders during our August 27 episode, counters criticism around the $400M Fan Park deal with the province, and tells us why he despises the word "woke," in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  42:45 | Rahim Jaffer tells us what lured him back into politics after 17 years out of the spotlight, explai...

Calgary's ten years ahead of Edmonton when it comes to economic development. Can Alberta's capital city catch up? What happens if it doesn't? Ahead of municipal elections on October 20, we check in with the City of Calgary's Thom Mahler, Edmonton Downtown Business Association's Puneeta McBryan, and Heather Thomson from the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce (1:00).  CHECK OUT THE EDMONTON CHAMBER'S MUNI...

Density and infill might be the most divisive issue in Canada's major urban centres right now...or at least it feels that way. After a heated exchange during our August 22 Group Chat Round Table, we check in with Athabasca University political scientist Dr. Alex Rivard, who lays out what national polling actually tells us about where Canadians stand on the issue (17:30).  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: t...

Real Talkers Robert, Travis, James, Touring Zebra, Gerry, and Jan have a LOT to say about the Alberta separation movement and its spokesperson Jeff Rath. It's 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, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Ta...

Jespo's real life political Group Chat returns to the Real Talk studio for an entertaining and enlightening look at the top headlines, including our August 20 interview with Alberta separatist Jeff Rath, a looming teachers' strike, council races across the province, Edmonton's infill debate (this one gets heated), and Pierre Poilievre's by-election win in our feature interview presented by Mercede...

It's a tale of two cities in Alberta: Calgary spends a BILLION dollars more than Edmonton every year, while the capital city struggles with its bottom line. That translates into fewer services and higher property taxes. One Edmonton councillor says he's got the formula to fix the discrepancy.  14:30 | Aaron Paquette lays out his plan to save Edmonton.  CHECK OUT PAQUETTE'S VISION FOR AN ECONOMICAL...

What would life in Alberta look like if the province made good on threats to leave Canada? What would Alberta separation mean for industry, trade, real estate, social programs, treaties with First Nations, and a million other things?  6:00 | Jeff Rath of the Alberta Prosperity Project lays out his group's vision for a sovereign Alberta.  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  1:15:20 | Yo...

Pierre Poilievre is headed back to the House of Commons, having won the Battle River--Crowfoot by-election with 80% of the vote. But his future as Conservative leader is not guaranteed. We dig into the numbers - and the storylines - in this episode of Real Talk.  3:00 | National post correspondent Rahim Mohamed argues Poilievre's by-election win quells Alberta separation sentiment and internal dis...

Real Talkers Jake, Andrew, and Bruce have lots to say about Jespo's vaping interview with Dr. Mark Tyndall. Tarra's demanding fairness for folks with disabilities. Neil calls Jespo out (and he's absolutely correct), and Kinnerit writes in from Israel after our Gaza interview with Sharan Kaur. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHRO...

Mark Carney's taking punches from political opponents, who say the Prime Minister hasn't delivered on his promise to "deal with" Donald Trump. Max Fawcett, lead columnist at Canada's National Observer, says it's too early to say whether or not Carney's plan has failed. But first, as Trump and Vladimir Putin sit down in Alaska, we ask Max what's at stake for the world (including Canada). We get int...

Did you know some of the world's best gin and whisky is distilled just outside Edmonton? Did you know Alberta boasts some of the best wine selection on the planet? In this special episode of Real Talk, we connect with experts and entrepreneurs in wine, spirits, and "ready to drink" cocktails and mocktails to better understand what it takes to make it in the booze business.  1:00 | Anohka Distiller...

Two of the most powerful people on Planet Earth will meet one-on-one, as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin convene in Alaska. With so much at stake, including the future of Ukraine, can either President be trusted? We ask Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and Senator Charles Adler (11:30) where his head's at ahead of the summit in Anchorage.  1:00 | But first...is Alberta headed for an early election?...

You've probably seen those big, flavoured vape clouds rising from commuters at the bus stop and kids outside the mall. Cigarette smoking is down across the board, but more and more people are vaping. Critics say vapes are a gateway to addiction, while others point to their value as a smoking cessation tool. What does the evidence say?  2:30 | Dr. Mark Tyndall, firner Director of the BC Centre for...

Alberta has more measles cases than the ENTIRE United States this summer. Seventy people are sick with E. coli after eating at a popular Calgary restaurant. Pistachios are being recalled due to salmonella concerns. Young people are drinking less...but vaping more. A surprising number of Canadians are dying from melanoma (skin cancer). And the Alberta government is continuing its fight against gend...