Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Alberta's been in the spotlight for much of COP28. The province sent the biggest provincial delegation in Canada's history at COP. It also received a "Fossil of the Day Award" by the Climate Action Network (not a good thing). We welcome three Albertans who attended the UN Climate Change Convention to find out why they went, what they said and saw there, and what they hope comes of it all.  2:10 |...

Ottawa's rolled out a "strict" framework to cap oil and gas emissions, and you'll never guess what: the prairie premiers hate it. The federal Environment Minister and Jobs Minister both join us (from Dubai and Ottawa, respectively) to talk COP28, Alberta vs. the feds, Cap and trade, carbon capture tech, and plastics bans. 1:30 | But first...make sure you don't miss the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classi...

Despite losing the election in May, the Alberta NDP has a lot of things going for it. The party won more seats in (typically conservative) Calgary than the UCP did. It earned more total votes across the province than when it formed government in 2015. While leader Rachel Notley hasn't yet resigned, it's widely expected she'll trigger the race to replace her in the new year. So...who will it be?  2...

Danielle Smith's critics say there's no way to justify Alberta sending a delegation to Dubai for the UN Climate Change Convention. Her supporters say that's where business is done, and Alberta would be foolish to miss out. In this episode of Real Talk, National Observer columnist Max Fawcett tells us where he lands, before getting into the Alberta NDP's upcoming leadership race and Pierre Poilievr...

Ottawa's increasing tax credits for journalism outlets. Alberta's got 100 representatives at COP-28. Everybody's got an opinion on what's a wise use of your tax dollars and what's a waste. We get into both stories - and talk about return on public investment - in this episode of Real Talk.   3:35 | The feds struck a deal with Google worth $100M/yr, but is it a win? Is the agreement a step in the r...

Real Talkers are all fired up about "natural stupidity," the Councillor Jennifer Rice controversy in Edmonton, political parties at the municipal level, the Alberta Pension Plan idea, and the town of Westlock voting on banning Pride flags and crosswalks.  The Flamethrower is presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park: Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road.

Nurse practitioners are being encouraged to open their own clinics, as part of Alberta's plan to address a growing shortage of family doctors. NPs are qualified registered nurses with additional education to take their skills to the next level. While the government's decision appears to be a no-brainer, not everybody loves it (most especially family docs).  2:55 | Athabasca U president Dr. Alex Cl...

Justin Trudeau's government is pushing heat pumps. Right around the time the Liberals paused the carbon price for home heating oil, they committed to working with provincial governments to subsidize heat pumps for lower-income Canadians. Premiers Scott Moe and Danielle Smith are the loudest critic of the plan, saying the technology isn't a serious counter to the cold of a Canadian winter.  4:12 |...

Danielle Smith is doubling down on her defiance of Ottawa's Clean Energy Regulations. Alberta's Premier invoked the Sovereignty Act, saying she'll fight the feds in court over a mandate to get Alberta's grid to Net-Zero by 2035. Meantime, Edmonton councillor Jennifer Rice is in the hot seat after burning through 19 (!) staffers in two years in what insiders call a "tyrannical" work environment. Bu...

Pollution and pensions plans are front and centre in this fiery edition of The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!  FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com

Midlife is an interesting place to be. You may be caring for kids while caring for your parents. You've likely experienced love, and heartbreak, and wins, and losses. Midlife No. 2 is a collection of essays sharing Canadian reflections on critical midlife topics like housing, home, birth, death, race, identity, gruelling courses of medical treatment, and the COVID and post-COVID eras. All authored...

It's our third birthday! Thanks to the millions of you who've watched or listened to Real Talk ever since we launched, and those that have discovered this community more recently. Ryan and Johnny kick off this episode with a special shout out to Real Talkers just like you.  6:25 | Planet Earth's on pace for a three degree rise in temperature, with catastrophic consequences. Meantime, the carbon ta...

We don't know much about what an Alberta Pension Plan would actually look like. Up for debate: the amount Alberta could pull out of the national plan, whether or not contributions and draws would actually be higher or lower than with the CPP, who would influence where the funds would be invested, and how long the province's demographics would sustain an Alberta pension advantage. So, basically, ev...

CSIS says foreign states are targeting Canadians through social media. The general public is losing trust in institutions. Vaccination rates are way down. Many people simply don't know who they can trust. 3:00 | This is Professor Timothy Caulfield's wheelhouse. The professor of health law and science policy, author, TV host, and speaker joins Ryan in studio for a fascinating conversation about the...

The University of Alberta fired the head of its campus sexual assault centre after she signed an open letter calling reports of sexual violence during Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel an “unverified accusation.” What the hell was she thinking? Whatever happened to believing survivors? And what's with union leaders and Pride Centre execs signing on, too? Is anybody actually thinking this through?  3...

Shots fired! Lance from The Pas has thoughts on the APP, Gerald's not sold on private healthcare, Kyle wants hands off his TFSAs, and Judy just wants a wave!   THE FLAMETHROWER is presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park: Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road. Tell 'em Real Talk sent you!

Who can even afford to live anymore? Groceries are up. Utilities are up. Insurance is up. Mortgages are up. Rents are up. Tuition's up. What's NOT up? Disposable incomes. This episode of Real Talk is dedicated to finding solutions for Canadians just barely getting by.  3:00 | Yasmin Abraham, Cherise Burda, and Dr. Brendan Haley are taking action on affordability. The members of the IRPP's new Affo...

There's no "quick fix" for the issues leading the headlines. Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia is on the rise, news outlets are dying on the vine, and politics are infiltrating your pension plan. Senator Paula Simons and Tasha Kheiriddin share potential solutions in this thought-provoking episode of Real Talk.  3:00 | Senator Paula Simons explains why the Liberals' Online News Act is such a disaster,...

It's a horrific story: hockey player Adam Johnson dies after an opposing player's skate slashes his neck. Two weeks after the tragedy, British police arrest a man on suspicion of manslaughter. The hockey world (and society at large) is split: was a crime committed on the ice that night?  2:45 | Toronto Star columnist Bruce Arthur tells us why he doesn't think Matt Petgrave should face charges in A...

This episode of Real Talk includes updates on two people we've featured in past. One international, one closer to home - both are tough pills to swallow, but are important stories to be told. 3:20 | Ryan opens the Charles Adler interview with an update on Vivian Silver, who was believed to be taken hostage by Hamas on October 7. Later, Charles tells us why he was so put off by Piers Morgan's inter...

Calgary Chris is convinced privatized healthcare is coming to Alberta, Lisa is dead set against an APP, and Darrell's wondering where all the poppies are. We fire up The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!  EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com

Remembrance Day has evolved over the years. Canada's role in international peacekeeping missions, along with Afghanistan, Kosovo, Latvia, and other parts of the world has reminded a new generation of the sacrifices our military members and their families make every day. You'll hear three very different and powerful perspectives during this special episode as Real Talk Remembers. 1:04 | Real Talk i...

It's happening: the Danielle Smith government is completely overhauling Alberta Health Services, starting from the top all the way down. While nobody can claim the current system is working flawlessly, there are a million different concerns around how the changes may affect frontline workers and the millions of patients that rely on the system every year.  2:28 | Minister of Health Adriana LaGrang...

Information leaked to the NDP put Albertans on notice: the province is overhauling Alberta Health Services in dramatic fashion. Hours later, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange confirmed the UCP is replacing executive leadership, redirecting oversight and accountability, and considering foundational changes across the board.  0:25 | Ryan opens the show with his own thoughts on the UCP plan to blow up...

ome voters love the fact there's no political party influence at the municipal level in Alberta. Other voters can't stand it - they'd prefer a bit more predictability. Amid rumblings the Alberta government's considering changing the rules to allow party influence at city halls, we investigate the pros and cons. 3:20 | Pollster Janet Brown and Alberta Municipalities president Tyler Gandam dig into...