Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada’s deep ties to the U.S. are now a liability (and they need fixing) as Donald Trump’s tariffs keep workers in our auto, steel, and lumber sectors squarely in the crosshairs. Is this any different than the PM's message over the past year? We get into the strategy behind it with Supriya Dwivedi (3:45) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton...

Real Talkers KP, Chris, and Brenda are fired up over UCP gerrymandering allegations; Nathan's taking back a couple flags; and Roger calls Jespo to the carpet for his comment about adult autograph seekers. It's The Flamethrower presented by our amazing friends at the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com WHEN YOU VISIT THE DQs IN PALISADES, N...

We didn't see the "Daddy Carney" comments coming, but you never know what you're going to get around the Real Talk Round Table. Six months after their election wins, Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas and Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack (3:30) dig into infrastructure woes, electoral boundary changes, provincial relations, infill strategy, a potential Winter Olympics bid, high speed rail, Alberta separation,...

Is there any more successful provincial branding campaign in Canadian history than Alberta Beef? Distillers are hoping Alberta Whisky sees the same international uptick with the (pending) passage of the Alberta Whisky Act, which sets strict standards for anything branded Alberta Whisky. We get into it with Minister Dale Nally, Bryce Parsons from the Alberta Craft Distillers Association and True Wi...

Remember the Epstein files? Those documents tied to one of the most disturbing, high-profile abuse scandals in modern history? The ones that were supposed to bring accountability, transparency, maybe even a little justice? Funny how they seem to keep…slipping out of focus. The Trump administration has been accused of doing its best to keep those files buried (or at least conveniently out of reach)...

PM Mark Carney has his majority after the Liberals sweep three by-elections in Ontario and Quebec. What does this mean for the government, Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives, and everyday Canadians? We get into it with Shannon Phillips, Tyler Meredith, and Ken Boessenkool (4:45) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY OUR FRIENDS AT HANSEN DIS...

If the Liberals sweep the by-elections in Toronto and Terrebonne, QC - or even go two for three - there'll be no looking back for PM Mark Carney. Then, there's the possibility even more MPs could cross the floor to what would be a majority government. What's the likelihood it all plays out this way? We ask National Observer lead columnist Max Fawcett (4:15) in our feature interview presented by Me...

"Why Knott," Wayne and Greg in Calgary, and Robert react strongly to our April 8 interview with Alberta's Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides; Michael says "both sides" don't need to be better with online harrassment, Kyle's worried Iran will be rebuilt before his back alley, and Les says Jespo's off the mark with his Kraft Hockeyville comments. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of No...

Close to 40 Conservative MPs fear Pierre Poilievre will cost them their seats, party insiders tell the Toronto Star. What does this mean for Mr. Poilievre and the CPC? Journalist Raisa Patel joins from Ottawa (8:00) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RapidEX FINANCIAL. THE CRYPTO WORLD MOVES FAST, BUT YOUR TRUST IN AN EXCHANGE SHOULDN'T...

"The Liberal tent is so big you can drive a truck convoy right through it." MP Marilyn Gladu's floor crossing from the Conservatives to the Liberals is raising more than a few eyebrows. Does her past support for conversion therapy, the Freedom Convoy, and alternative COVID therapies inherently conflict with Liberal culture? Is PM Carney going too far in his quest for a majority government? Poll an...

Is it possible...or smart...to try to remove ideology from schools? What does it even mean? Whose responsibility is it to decide how and what students learn? We ask Alberta's Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides about the UCP's controversial Bill 25 in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RapidEX FINANCIAL. THE CRYPTO WORLD MOVES FAST,...

You ever notice how “going back to the Moon” somehow sounds kind of...small? Like, we already did it half a century ago. In the era of black-and-white TV, slide rules, and less computing power than your smartwatch. Apollo 8 sent humans around the Moon in 1968. So, what’s the big deal now? Except, this is a big deal. Because this isn’t nostalgia. It’s not a victory lap. Artemis II is the first time...

Yes, it’s real. President Donald Trump is out with a profanity-laced threat toward Iran, setting a firm deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and warning of devastating strikes on key infrastructure if that doesn’t happen. We’re talking about a rapidly intensifying conflict that’s already shaken global markets, disrupted supply chains, and driven up fuel prices — in just over five weeks. So wher...

Real solutions for Alberta workers from the Alberta Federation of Labour. Episode 3 of the Worker Agenda looks at WAGES. Omar Mouallem leads a compelling conversation with hosts Gil McGowan and Cori Longo, joined by special guest Linda Marinai, Northern Director of UFCW Local 401. Together, they dive into the state of wages in Alberta—exploring the growing wage gap, the impact of inflation on work...

Nicolaides and Smith in front of a school or something like that...or you could go with a big ghostbusters thing over a Pride flag or something like that.... FLAMETHROWER TITLE: "Alberta's Ban on Ideology in Schools is Laughable!" FLAMETHROWER DESCRIPT: Anne says the UCP's take on classroom ideology is "laughable and ridiculous," Tim claims Mark Carney's forcing him to leave Canada, Bruce has a th...

The Alberta NDP needs to change its name...right? Party leader Naheed Nenshi isn't so sure (3:30), and he explains why in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. Nenshi leads off with his Opposition to Danielle Smith's trip to Saudi Arabia, and Alberta banning "politics and ideology" from classrooms. Do you agree or disagree with Nenshi on the name change? Leave a comment b...

Danielle Smith's government is introducing sweeping new legislation “removing politics and ideology” from Alberta schools. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says the goal is simple: classrooms should teach kids how to think, not what to think. It's the latest chapter in continued tensions between the UCP and teachers, and it's where we lead off with strategist Sharan Kaur (4:00) in our featu...

April 1 is shaping up to be a consequential day for Canada’s energy and economic landscape. Carbon pricing is set to rise for large industrial emitters in several provinces, raising big questions about competitiveness, investment, and emissions targets. At the same time, a key deadline hits for major resource and infrastructure projects (including those tied to Alberta-Ottawa agreements) putting t...

Avi Lewis will lead Canada's NDP from here. On the heels of the filmmaker's big leadership win, we talk to Supriya Dwivedi (4:15) about immediate pushback from Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi and Saskatchewan NDP leader Carla Beck, Manitoba premier Wab Kinew's glowing endorsement, and political implications across the country. Feature interviews on Real Talk are presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonto...

KP gives PM Mark Carney a failing grade through year one; Meredith, BabyMac, Johanne, and Trucker Mike sound off on MAiD changes in Alberta, Ophelia calls out Jespo's comments on zoos, and Lauren says Don Cherry deserves the Hockey Hall of Fame...but not the Order of Canada. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjesp...

No recurring guest gets Real Talkers more fired up than Stephen Carter. The veteran political strategist sinks his teeth into Pierre Poilievre on Joe Rogan's podast, rumours of a snap election in Manitoba, Premier Danielle Smith's "golden cat" controversy, Alberta separatists efforts, PM Mark Carney's year one report card, and RCMP raiding former Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek's home in our feature in...

PM Mark Carney's Liberals are enjoying a healthy lead in the polls. Can Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives close the 14-point gap? And what about the NDP, who will elect a new leader over the next few days? Pollster David Valentin digs into the numbers - and brings valuable insights - in our feature interview (4:20) presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RapidEX FINA...

Heather Gilchrist spent $60k of her own money moving to Canada and getting certified to work. The 58-year-old came to British Columbia, recently widowed, looking to continue her career as an experienced midwife. But a glitch in her paperwork is triggering deportation on the grounds the British citizen can't speak English. We dig into the debacle with National Post correspondent Tristin Hopper (6:3...

The Edmonton Oilers are the third most profitable sports franchise on the planet. Team owner Daryl Katz is now worth an estimated $7.4 billion. And, as Connor McDavid and his teammates prepare for playoffs, season tickets holders have been hit with a 15-20% price increase on renewals. We get into it with legendary broadcaster Lynda Steele (6:00) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz...

Two pilots are dead after an Air Canada jet collides with a fire truck on a runway at New York's LaGuardia Airport. Pundits continue to chime in on Pierre Poilievre's interview with podcaster Joe Rogan. Alberta premier Danielle Smith wants security clearance to be privy to foreign interference briefings in Alberta. We get into it all with Supriya Dwivedi (4:00) in our feature interview presented b...