Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Real Talk turns five! Our pal Supriya Dwivedi makes the trip from Toronto to hang out in our Edmonton studio for this special episode presented by our friends at RapidEx Financial. In our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West, Supriya and Ryan get into drama at Real Talk's Fifth Birthday Bash, Mark Carney and Danielle Smith's pipeline deal, the PM's dismissive comments about t...

Elizabeth May reversed course on Mark Carney's first budget, ultimately voting in favour of it (helping the Liberals' minority government survive). What went on behind the scenes? The Green Party leader and longtime MP tells us what changed her mind (6:30) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RAPIDEX FINANCIAL, a proud made in Alberta sol...

Elizabeth May reversed course on Mark Carney's first budget, ultimately voting in favour of it (helping the Liberals' minority government survive). What went on behind the scenes? The Green Party leader and longtime MP tells us what changed her mind (6:30) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RAPIDEX FINANCIAL, a proud made in Alberta sol...

Alberta's UCP government is going back to the notwithstanding clause for the second time in three weeks, in this case to protect three laws dealing specifically with transgender youth. Supporters of Premier Danielle Smith's strategy with Bill 9 say it ensures parents are involved in major decisions. Critics say it's an attack on rights and protections the LGBTQ2S+ rely on.  9:00 | Dr. Glynnis Lieb...

Your holiday plans won't be interrupted by another federal election, as Mark Carney's minority Liberal government survives its third confidence vote in as many weeks, passing the federal budget by a vote of 170-168. We talk to Canada's National Observer lead columnist Max Fawcett (6:20) about the factors at play (including promises made), and where everything goes from here. 38:30 | Max argues Alb...

Today's the day we'll find out if PM Mark Carney's minority government survives. Will the Liberals be able to find those two votes outside their caucus, or will enough Opposition MPs abstain from voting to allow Carney's minority government survive? Minister Eleanor Olszewski (4:00) tells us where her head's at heading into the vote.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY. Support the YWC...

Cam in a Pizzeria says public debates about minimum wage are missing major details, Coreen and Robert have thoughts on our Nov. 12 Brian Lilley interview, Jason has a theory about MP Matt Jeneroux's early retirement, Chris has a message for would-be homebuyers, and Laura says she's willing to go to jail to fight for workers' rights. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton...

Rural Alberta is not backing down. In recent town halls, long-time farmers and landowners jeered senior UCP political staffers pitching the government’s plan for cleaning up decades of oil and gas well problems. They see broken trust — and they’re demanding real accountability. In this episode, we’re joined by Drew Anderson of The Narwhal (3:00), who’s been in the thick of this coverage. He’ll hel...

Many Albertans expected more of a splash from Naheed Nenshi. The leader of Alberta's Official Opposition NDP - formerly the mayor of Calgary - hasn't secured as much of the spotlight as some expected. Look no further than the very first comments in our Real Talk Live Chat the minute this episode started streaming. That's exactly where we begin our conversation with Nenshi (12:15) in our feature in...

Bombshell emails released just moments before we started streaming this episode suggest Donald Trump hasn't exactly been truthful about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and his knowledge of what was going on. Jespo and Johnny open the show with what the emails (released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee) imply, and what remains to be seen.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RAPIDEX FINAN...

On this special Remembrance Day edition of Real Talk, we highlight the stories that shape who we are as Canadians. In our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West, Lt.-Col. (Ret.) and former MP Laurie Hawn joins us with a lifetime of service and perspective from the cockpit to Parliament Hill (3:00). Randall Purvis, co-founder of No Stone Left Alone, shares the mission that’s mob...

Prime Minister Mark Carney calls pipelines "boring" in front of a Toronto audience, triggering protests from Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre and conservative commentators. What are we to make of such candid speech (25:00)? And what about the Liberal fishing expedition targeting frustrated Conservative MPs (5:30)? We take on the top headlines with Supriya Dwivedi in our feature interview present...

Rick from the Sticks draws a line from NYC's new mayor to Alberta separation, Kara's looking for more from Pierre Poilievre, Michael's not so sincere in his "thank you" to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, and Anne's waiting for ballroom construction to begin at the Alberta Legislature. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: tal...

Another blow to Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives, as longtime Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux announces his resignation. What does this mean for PM Mark Carney's minority government (and the Official Opposition CPC) moving forward? We open this show with a follow up (1:30) on what the Real Talk Rumour Mill reported in our most recent episode. THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RAPIDEX FINANCIAL: https://rapide...

The Real Talk Rumour Mill reports multiple Conservative MPs are being approached by the Liberals to join MP Chris d'Entremont and cross the floor. Rumours include two prominent Alberta MPs - one of them Conservative, one of them not. What're the chances this strategy saves PM Mark Carney from a nail-biter of a budget vote that could trigger another election? We ask Politico's Mickey Djuric (4:00)...

Mark Carney’s first federal budget is out, and it’s a bold statement from a Prime Minister trying to prove he’s not just the banker-in-chief, but a nation-builder with a plan. Billions are flowing into housing, clean energy, and industry, but does any of this actually benefit Alberta? Is Budget 2025 economic vision — or political survival disguised as one? 4:30 | We set the table by hearing from o...

It's federal Budget Day - will PM Mark Carney secure enough support outside his Liberal caucus to maintain confidence in his minority government? We open this episode with a look at what's at stake. THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY: https://hansendistillery.com/ 14:00 | Ontario Premier Doug Ford says you "could put (him) in a stretching rack...he'd never apologize to Donald Trump." T...

It's possible Canadians could be headed BACK to the polls less than eight months after the most recent federal election. It all hinges on whether or not PM Mark Carney can garner enough support for his budget from Conservative, Bloc, or NDP MPs. So, what are the chances?  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RAPIDEX FINANCIAL: https://rapidexfinancial.com/ 6:00 | Former senior advisor to the PMO Supriya D...

Real Talkers are FIRED UP over teachers being ordered back to class. We've got hot takes from Tobias, Travis, Perry, KP, JP, Tavis, Rob, Brandon, Justin, Amy, Shawn, GreeceBall, and Robert in this episode of 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, Westmoun...

Is it possible to protect jobs and save the planet at the same time? Do Canadians have to choose between low emissions and affordable energy? Are we doing enough on energy and water security? How should we prepare communities for a future where extreme weather events are not the exception but the norm? 6:30 | Energy vs. Climate podcast co-hosts Ed Whittingham, Sara Hastings-Simon, and David Keith...

It's official: we've received more emails and YouTube comments about Alberta's teachers' strike (and the way the UCP ended it) than any other subject in Real Talk's five year history. This is YOUR show, and you've got the floor throughout this episode, including emails from Real Talkers Rodger, Megan, LG, Principal D, Jill, Kyle, Shelley, and Colin.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RAPIDEX FINANCIAL:...

740,000 students and 51,000 teachers are back in Alberta classrooms after an emotional three weeks away. In this episode, we hear from politicians, parents, teachers, and a high school student on the true impact of the teachers' strike and the government's use of the notwithstanding clause to end it.  6:20 | Alberta's Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides talks about the decision to invoke th...

Labour leaders are calling it an "act of war," as Premier Danielle Smith invokes the notwithstanding clause, orders teachers back to work, and imposes a four-year collective contract. What's the average Albertan to make of the UCP government's move? Will other unions across the province go on strike to support the teachers? We get into it with political scientist Dr. Duane Bratt (4:30) in our feat...

Donald Trump says he "doesn't want to talk to Mark Carney anytime soon" after Doug Ford ran World Series ads quoting Ronald Reagan on tariffs. Not only is the Canada-U.S. relationship not improving...it's getting worse, as POTUS announced additional tariffs in response to the ad campaign. So, what now? We ask former senior advisor to the PMO Supriya Dwivedi (4:45) in our feature interview presente...

Real Talkers Robb and AJ are choked at how Election Day played out; Mr. Dad and Mike are following the money Alberta spends on education; Vera and Marcus have strong opinions on the teachers' strike, and Tracey is just tiiiiiiiiired of it all. 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...