Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives are riding high. The party's out-polling Justin Trudeau's Liberals by a wide margin, and that was *before* this weekend's packed CPC Convention in Quebec City. Of course, there's still an eternity before the next federal election. But is the writing on the wall? 5:20 | Before we talk politics with David Herle, Ryan reads an email from Real Talker Garth about "the u...

Did Canada's Conservatives put positive polling momentum at risk at this weekend's convention in Quebec City? We take a look at some of the grassroots initiatives (restricting gender-affirming surgery) vs. issues where Poilievre's gaining ground (affordable housing), and discuss where and how the CPC needs to stay focused if it wants to govern again.  5:00 | But first...no matter how many years it...

Our "Bursting at the Seams" episode on September 6 has Kenneth, Dallas, and Stean all fired up. It's an all-education edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services!  EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com  KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Losing a parent to cancer at a young age would have an enormous impact on anybody. It's hard to imagine how a young person could pick up the pieces, let alone move forward in pursuit of an education and a career. In this episode, you'll meet Manuela Lopez Aldana and Tyler Gauchier, the 2023 recipients of the Real Talk Julie Rohr Scholarship. 2:00 | Manuela tells us about her family's move from Col...

The loudest voices don't always represent majority opinions. In this episode of Real Talk, we find out what Canadians actually think about a parent's right to be informed, the next Prime Minister of Canada, appropriate supports for wildfire evacuees, parole for convicted killers, and more. 6:15 | Our September 6 episode about class sizes in Alberta resonated with a bunch of you. Ryan shares a few...

Canada's richest province spends the least per student on education. Classrooms are packed, teachers are stretched, and kids aren't getting the supports they need. What's going on in Alberta? 2:30 | Karlee Hren has been teaching elementary school for more than a decade. Laurence Miall's a journalist whose eldest child just started kindergarten. They join Ryan in studio to talk about crowded classr...

Science says it's too late to avoid some of the inevitable impacts of climate change. Journalist Anne Shibata Casselman spent six months investigating what Canada's likely to look like in 2060. Her findings are shocking, to say the least. We get into her Macleans feature on this episode of Real Talk. But first... 5:18 | The trial of "Freedom Convoy" co-organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber begin...

For decades, officials at the Calgary Stampede knew a predator was working with the famed Young Canadians, but covered it up. Strategist Stephen Carter pulls no punches in telling us what needs to happen next. Advocate Danielle Aubry explains how scandals like this can continue undetected for years. MP George Chahal tells us why he thinks the Stampede needs to pay a price for being complicit. Enjo...

Of all the ways to blow $44 billion... Social media experts Kathleen Smith, Karly Watson, and Beverley Theresa give us the goods on the future of Twitter and TikTok. Branding experts Josh Dunford and Ashley Harrigan explain the science of branding, and what makes for a brilliant (or bone-headed) rebrand. Enjoy this episode of The Best of Real Talk!   ryanjespersen.com  #RealTalkRJ

Alberta's Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz tells us about her closed door meeting with federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault. NDP Energy Critic tells us why she thinks Alberta's government is out to lunch pressing pause on renewables. Andrew Leach cuts through the political noise and breaks down the current and future economics of Canada's energy industry. Rural Municipalities of Alber...

Mayor Bob Young wasn't tolerating any lunacy at a recent Leduc Council meeting. Randy Boissonnault lets us know what he thinks about the "Straight Pride Green Shirt Guy" at the Calgary Stampede. Our Pride Real Talk Round Table provides three fascinating perspectives. Enjoy this episode of The Best of Real Talk! ryanjespersen.com #RealTalkRJ

Aaron Jayjack's death-defying storm chasing blows our mind. Chris Gloninger tells us why he walked away from a big broadcasting job in the States. Enjoy this episode of The Best of Real Talk! ryanjespersen.com #RealTalkRJ

Real Talkers are riled up about a whole bunch of things - from our David Parker interview to gun control to the CFL to "platforming" - in a raucous edition of Trash Talk presented by our friends at Local Environmental Services!  SUBMIT YOUR TRASH TALK: talk@ryanjespersen.com

There's just something about a farm family recipe. Whether the food is inspired by a cultural or ethnic tradition, season, or region, nothing compares to an iconic dish passed down for generations. Pull your chair up to the table as we celebrate Western Canadian cuisine!  3:15 | Twyla Campbell and Dan Clapson are two of Canada's most-respected food writers. The dynamic duo joins Ryan around the Re...

"I don't think it matters." Sports talk veteran Jason Gregor was trending across Canada last week after CBC host Mark Connolly asked him why there weren't any women on the roster of Gregor's upstart AM station Sports 1440. 3:00 | Claire Hanna is just back from covering the FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia. The Team Canada volleyball alum, now TSN's Ottawa bureau chief, tells us why she thinks i...

Imagine what a boring world it'd be if we all agreed on everything all the time! In this episode of Real Talk, we read your takes on our August 21 interview with Take Back Alberta founder David Parker. Then, we find out why the Rural Municipalities of Alberta supports the province's seven-month moratorium on new wind and solar projects.  5:05 | Real Talkers have a lot to say about our David Parker...

If you follow Alberta politics, you've no doubt heard about Take Back Alberta. The group has taken over the United Conservative Party board, and claims responsibility for ousting former premier Jason Kenney. Critics of founder David Parker say he's a religious extremist, a misogynist, and worse. We ask him about all of it on this episode of Real Talk.  3:05 | Take Back Alberta...from whom? Founder...

Brad's pissed at Ryan's comment about incels, Kathy's pissed off at a bunch of politicians,  and Michael's pissed off at the idea of moving the Grey Cup to Thanksgiving weekend. It's another rowdy edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services!  SEND US YOUR TRASH TALK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Tens of thousands of Canadians have fled their homes as wildfires destroy Kelowna and threaten Yellowknife.  3:50 | Kelowna is burning as Ryan and Johnny record this episode. They begin with a couple personal angles on the Kelowna fire, including a friend who lost everything overnight.  21:15 | Real Talkers have responded in a BIG way to yesterday's feature on Alberta's skyrocketing electricity pr...

"This is where health care meets human rights." Dr. Rupinder Toor and her colleagues are lobbying the feds to make birth control free. She tells us why she founded Project EmpowHer in this episode of Real Talk.  3:10 | Polls show 83% of Canadians approve of free prescription birth control. 70% feel the issue is urgent. Dr. Toor takes us into the history, current reality, and potential future of co...

In just a few years, Jordan Peterson has amassed a following of millions of disciples. Pierre Poilievre dominated the Conservative Party's most recent leadership race, and doubled its membership in just a couple of months. How'd they do it, and what does it say about Canada? Tristin Hopper breaks it down in this episode of Real Talk. 4:10 | But first...this might be the most ironic back to work or...

Is it too late to save Canadian football? Attendance is down in almost every market, and there doesn't appear to be a "next generation" of fans. The worst situation might be in Edmonton, where team president Victor Cui just walked away from the winless team.  8:40 | Don't you dare tell Travis Currah the CFL's dying. The host of the 2 and Out CFL Podcast (and season ticket holder for two CFL teams!...

Everything costs more these days. Mortgages, gas, groceries...you name it, you're probably paying more for it. You've no doubt noticed your power bill is way higher than it used to be. Why is that, and what can you do about it? We find out in this episode of Real Talk.  7:30 | But first, what do you make of Pierre Poilievre's recent bump in the polls? New numbers suggest the Conservative leader wo...

You've got a LOT to get off your chest when it comes to green energy. Mikey can't hold his tongue about the UCP moratorium on green energy. Garry says you best not forget about oil and gas. Alex says he knows interventionist bullsh*t when he sees it. All three take centre stage in this week's Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services.  SEND US YOUR TRASH TALK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 

What an "electrifying" week it's been on Real Talk! Prompted by political and industry developments, we've spent a bunch of time talking about renewable energy and Alberta's future in that space. New Myrnam School, about two hours east of Edmonton, is currently shortlisted as one of the World's Best Schools for Environmental Action. This episode, we find out what makes this school so special.  2:4...