Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Natural disasters like wildfires impact us in many different ways. On top of the obvious physical devastation, communities typically experience increased rates of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. This Real Talk episode with Dr. Jody Carrington is dedicated to Jasper evacuees and the people helping them, first responders, and the countless Canadians impacted by the Jasper wildfire. Later in the show,...

We go behind the scenes of the Jasper wildfire: how did it start, why did it grow so quickly, and how did crews manage to save 60% of the town, including most of the Jasper Park Lodge? Plus, we fact check the role the mountain pine beetle played in the blaze, and learn what communities across the country need to do to prevent future disasters. 3:20 | His childhood home is gone. The church he was b...

How do you feel about Canada's Olympic women's soccer team's cheating scandal? Surprised? Embarrassed? Or, did the team get busted doing what every competitor does: whatever it takes to win? In this episode, we ask Charles Adler where he draws the line.  4:00 | But first...Chuck tells us what he thinks about Premier Danielle Smith's emotional news conference and subsequent comments to us about Jas...

Martin says it's time to politicize wildfires, while Brad says that's "incredibly poor taste". Two different takes responding to the Jasper wildfire in this week's edition of (sorry) The Flamethrower presented by our good friends at 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, an...

One of Canada's crown jewels sustained devastating damage on July 24, as wildfire tore though the beloved mountain town of Jasper. In this episode, with firefighters still battling the blaze, we speak with evacuees, an extreme weather expert, a veteran fire chief, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.  2:37 | Jasper town councillor Wendy Hall joins us from a cabin near Valemount just hours after los...

It's a whole new ball game now that Joe Biden's out. Does Kamala Harris have what it takes to knock off Donald Trump and keep the Democrats in charge? Closer to home, could Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's goose be cooked with this hockey ticket controversy?  4:30 | Charles Adler tells us how he thinks the presidential race changes with Biden pulling out, what a Harris candidacy means for the Demo...

The Sco's at odds with Adler, Paul cracks on our coverage, Kyle's angry at the liberals and "so-called centrists," and Merrick the Red Headed Prick says moral decay isn't limited to lefties. Real Talkers are alllllll fired up in this all-Trump edition of The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com When you beat th...

Before she became a Canadian Senator, Paula Simons was an investigative journalist and National Newspaper Award-winning columnist. It's clear she approaches accountability around her role in the Red Chamber differently than most of her colleagues. Right out of the gates in this must-watch episode, Senator Simons opens up her own expense reports, talks about her Senate salary, and confronts her cri...

Has someone close to you chosen a medically-assisted death? The total number of Canadians requesting MAID rises 30% or so every year, accounting for just over 4% of all deaths in Canada in 2022. While concerns remain - including implications for people living with mental health challenges, severe disabilities, or in extreme poverty - MAID appears to be accepted by the general public as a relativel...

Good luck finding a family doctor if you live in Alberta, let alone getting an MRI, surgery, or cancer care right when you need it. Health care professionals are leaving in droves, thousands of patients are stuck on waitlists, and some rural communities are declaring a state of local health care crisis. In this episode of Real Talk, we find out how Alberta wound up in this mess, and whether or not...

We get you up to speed on the FBI investigation into the attempt on Donald Trump's life, buzz from Republicans and Democrats days removed from the attack, and growing focus on "Project 2025".  4:40 | The Republican National Convention is underway, and Trump is front and centre (and trying to stay awake). We check out a compelling cross-aisle message from U.S. Representative Jeff Jackson (D), and c...

"I'm supposed to be dead." Not only did Donald Trump survive an attempt on his life at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania over the weekend...he appears to be more motivated than ever to retake the White House. In this episode of Real Talk, we explore the many different angles of the Trump assassination attempt, including what it means for the Republican National Convention, Joe Biden, and the Secret...

If you're going to publicly challenge healthcare delivery in Canada, approach with caution. Ryan's July 9 remarks about waitlists and other barriers to care enraged more than a few folks. Many took to Twitter to throw a grenade. In this edition of The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park, we get into a few of those tweets before Ryan responds. CHECK OUT RYAN'S...

Animals die every year at rodeos around the world. And, stands are packed every year at rodeos around the world. As protests against animal exploitation increase, many circuses and zoos have been shut down. Is it time to ban rodeo?  2:45 | Prompted by their Dialogue feature in the summer issue of Alberta Views, animal rights attorney Camille Labchuk and author Aritha van Herk debate the future of...

Should Joe Biden accept Donald Trump's challenge to play 18 holes of golf? Is it important for Justin Trudeau to attend the Calgary Stampede? What'll Naheed Nenshi's first big move be as leader of the Alberta NDP? 2:14 | We talk about the presidential race (2:40), Trudeau v. Poilievre (13:45), our "Naheed Nenshi: Fact Checked" episode (28:30), making sense of utility bills (48:00), Nenshi's plan f...

They're one of the most magnificent animals on the planet. For years, they've been a threatened species in Alberta. But grizzly bears will soon be hunted again after the UCP government quietly lifted a 20 year ban. In this episode, we investigate changes to the Wildlife Act allowing "problem" bears to be targeted by sport hunters, and learn what wildlife biologists and other experts think about Al...

Was Naheed Nenshi accurate and fair in his criticism of Danielle Smith's government when he joined us on June 24? In this episode, we task two UCP supporters with "fact checking" the Alberta NDP leader's comments and providing alternative perspectives.  2:25 | Former UCP president Cynthia Moore and Alberta Institute's Peter McCaffrey respond to Naheed Nenshi's comments on infrastructure, schools,...

Does a monument of the Ten Commandments belong in Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park? We tackle the developing story - and fifteen others - in this episode of Real Talk.  6:16 | Charles Adler wastes no time chiming in on Russia bombing a children's hospital in Ukraine, the UK's new Prime Minister (10:35), former minister Marc Garneau's scathing indictment of Justin Trudeau's tenure as PM (13:50), an upda...

Real Talkers are FIRED UP over Sophie Grégoire Trudeau's comments about ADHD on Real Talk (June 26). Robyn, Sara, and Travis sound off, then "Raging Grannie" Karen chimes in on our Spittin' Chiclets interview (June 13). 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 in Palisades, Namao, Ne...

For more than a century, Albertans have celebrated a collective entrepreneurial spirit. A bold, scrappy, "never say die" attitude. But does that hard-wired reputation actually translate into a better business environment? We talk to Alberta's best in class in this episode - a Real Talk Round Table featuring Alberta Business Award of Distinction winners.  2:15 | How does a good idea evolve into a p...

Canada's rate of workplace fatalities is among the worst in the developed world. More workers die in Alberta alone every year than the entire UK. Why is Canada's safety record so poor? Why haven't we learned from tragedy after tragedy? Where's the accountability? How do we turn this trend around?  2:55 | Nicole Gnazdowsky's brother Andrew was killed at a Nova Scotia power dam site where he was wor...

Coming up on a year since her separation from Canada's Prime Minister, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau talks to us about her own public and personal journey, and her new book Closer Together.  2:30 | Sophie tells us about her conversations with experts on ADHD, infertility, eating disorders, "mindful masculinity," and more.  LEARN MORE: https://sophiegregoiretrudeau.com/ 39:15 | We explore the myriad of w...

Ugggggh. Connor McDavid and the Oilers will have to wait another year for a shot at the team's first Stanley Cup in decades. We talk it out - and get an update on the water main mess in Calgary - in this episode of Real Talk.  1:17 | Jespo and Johnny debrief after a heartbreaking Game Seven.  6:55 | The Globe and Mail's Carrie Tait tells us about some of the amazing Oilers fans she met through the...

Naheed Nenshi just RAN AWAY with the Alberta NDP leadership. Connor McDavid's poised to hoist his first Stanley Cup. We've got the two biggest stories in Canada covered (plus a recap of the sold-out Real Talk Golf Classic!) in this episode of Real Talk.  0:30 | Jespo and Johnny tee up Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Final.  10:00 | Are they cheering for the Oilers in Winnipeg? Charles Adler talks ho...

Anne's sick of crybabies in Calgary, and Don schools Ryan on the Royal Canadian Navy 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, and Baseline Road, make sure you tell 'em Real Talk sent you!