Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

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...

Premiers in BC, Manitoba, and Ontario are calling out Alberta's Danielle Smith. The Americans can't believe Canadians aren't buying their booze. And legendary NHL playoff performer Claude Lemieux is dead by suicide days after carrying the torch at a Habs home game. We get into it all with Emmy Award-winning talk show legend Senator Charles Adler (6:30) in our feature interview presented by Mercede...

Prominent Alberta business, political, and community leaders may not agree on everything - but they agree on the most important thing - and that's Alberta's future in Canada. "Lead Not Leave" co-founders Peggy Garrity, Travis Toews, and Ken Boessenkool present the evidence for a stronger Alberta IN Canada in our feature interview (6:00) presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PR...

It may be too late to stamp out separatist sentiment in Alberta, but we don't have to fan the flames. Guest host Supriya Dwivedi hashes it out with strategist Zain Velji, commentator Rachel Gilmore, and Lead Not Leave co-founder Jen Gerson in feature interviews presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/ THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY....

Canada is at a "strategic crossroads" as an energy superpower, says Dr. David Knight Legg. The former principal advisor to Premier Jason Kenney argues Canada is perfectly positioned to meet Chinese demand. We discuss investment implications of Alberta separation talk in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RapidEX FINANCIAL. THE CRYPTO WORLD...

Premiers in B.C. and Ontario are calling out their colleague in Alberta for her "bad behaviour". This, as Western premiers gather in Kananaskis for their annual meeting on trade, the economy, energy security, defence and nation-building projects. Supriya Dwivedi digs into public statements from David Eby and Doug Ford in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West (4:00). THIS E...

"The hypocrisy would be hilarious if it wasn't so embarrassing." It's an All-Referendum Edition of The Flamethrower, as Real Talkers Crystal, Wayne, Robert, Kyle, Sean, Randy, and Joan sound off. FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com WHEN YOU VISIT THE DQs IN PALISADES, NAMAO, NEWCASTLE, WESTMOUNT, or BASELINE ROAD, BE SURE TO TELL 'EM REAL TALK SENT YOU! REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE R...

"Referendumb and Referendumber" is how Real Talker "Noob" describes Premier Danielle Smith's plan to ask Albertans whether or not they want to be asked about the province's future in Canada. That's right - on October 19th, Albertans will vote on a referendum question asking if Alberta should hold a referendum on separating from Canada. To try to make sense of it all, we reconvene our Real Talk Gro...

Fireworks at the Alberta Legislature as the UCP sends out a press release announcing a committee decision on an independence referendum...before the vote's even been held. The debacle (intentional or otherwise) has Opposition critics and everyday Albertans crying foul. NDP deputy leader Rakhi Pancholi was in the room as the drama unfolded. She takes us behind the scenes in our feature interview (4...

Arlene Dickinson is one of Canada's best-known entrepreneurs and investors, widely recognized from her 15-year run on Dragon's Den. Born in South Africa and raised in Calgary, Dickinson isn't shy about defending the country she loves. She brings her trademark candour on Alberta separation, Premier Danielle Smith, and U.S. President Donald Trump in our feature interview (3:45) presented by Mercedes...

Could Danielle Smith be the one to kill a new pipeline from Alberta to the West Coast? Max Fawcett says by jumping to appeal a court ruling against a separatist petition, Alberta's premier risks alienating key stakeholders - Coastal First Nations. We dig into key elements of the Alberta-Ottawa energy agreement, announced the Friday before May Long Weekend, in our feature interview (14:00) presente...