Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Alberta Ed Minister on Library Controversy & Looming Strike

Critics say the Alberta government is being heavy handed in flagging controversial books found in school libraries. They say teachers and librarians, not politicians and parents, should choose which books are on the shelf. In this episode, we talk to Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides (1:03:15) about the UCP's online survey, classroom funding, and a strike that seems more and more likely to happen. 
But first...Jespo and Johnny are all amped up after the Edmonton Oilers' big overtime win in Game One of the Stanley Cup Final. 
33:45 | The Ranch is looking amazing two weeks out from the Real Talk Golf Classic! Jespo shares a few stories and talks about the Real Talk Julie Rohr Scholarship. 
APPLY BEFORE AUGUST 1: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/scholarship
48:45 | Real Talker Jonny isn't happy about our June 3 interview 
1:03:15 | We talk to Alberta's Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides about the library book controversy and a looming teachers' strike.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY SURVEY: https://your.alberta.ca/school-library-materials/surveys/slme
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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Carney’s Promise, Pierre’s Empty Mug, and Canada Post

How is Alberta's demand for a better deal landing across the country? Why is Pierre Poilievre pretending to drink from an empty coffee mug? Will this Canada Post labour situation ever get sorted out? And could the Alberta separation movement ACTUALLY succeed? We get answers to these pressing questions in this rock solid episode of Real Talk. 
7:30 | This is VANCOLOUR host Mo Amir breaks down the premiers' meeting with PM Mark Carney, Pierre Poilievre's strange new video, angst over corporate Pride, and his opposition to Bitcoin. 
MORE FROM MO: https://www.thisisvancolour.com/
39:45 | Longtime labour lawyer Dwayne Chomyn, K.C. brings great insights on Canada Post/CUPW negotiations and the Alberta sovereignty movement. 
FOLLOW DWAYNE on X: https://x.com/Citizen004
1:17:15 | Did you know Jasper features one of North America's highest concentrations of fishable lakes and rivers? We highlight incredible angling opportunities at Maligne and Talbot Lakes in #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
BOOK YOUR FISHING TRIP in JASPER: https://www.jasper.travel/things-to-do/rafting-canoeing-water-sport/fishing/
1:26:15 | Real Talker Nathan takes issue with Jespo's comments about the Alberta government taking aim at graphic library books. 
HAVE YOUR SAY: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Intellectual Freedom Under Attack in Alberta

Parents' rights groups are pressuring the Alberta government to pull what they deem to be "pornographic" books from school libraries. The government's putting it to public consultation before introducing new policy ahead of the next school year. Who's best equipped to decide which books are appropriate for which ages, and what literature belongs in libraries? In this episode, we get into it with Laura Winton from the Library Association and Jim Turk from the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University (4:00).
49:30 | Real Talkers have their say in the Live Chat powered by Park Power. "Touring Zebra" shares a theory (1:17:45) about the looming book ban.
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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Charles Adler: Mark Carney Meets with the Premiers

What's at stake as Mark Carney meets in person with Canada's premiers for the first time since becoming Prime Minister? What happens if the first ministers' meeting wraps without a deal to advance Canada's role as a "global energy superpower," or progress toward "free trade in Canada," as Carney promised on election night? 
Senator Charles Adler gets into it (13:00) with his trademark brand of Canadian common sense.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:00:00 | Would you travel to see the Oilers on the road in Florida, all things considered? Jespo and Johnny tee up the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, and highlight Real Talkers' feedback in our Live Chat powered by Park Power.
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
1:18:45 | "A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit." Jespo shares a personal story for this edition of Positive Reflections presented by Solar by Kuby.
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kuby.ca/
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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

All Aboard the FREEDOM TRAIN

Alllllll aboard! 7th Pilot dares Jespo to board the Freedom Train, Alex is pissed at the province for pulling library books, Gerald has a message for ready-to-strike Canada Post workers, Rik calls out Citizens Against Virtually Everything (CAVEs), and Jenny wants YOU to join the resistance. It's The Flamethrower presented by our 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, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you!
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Oilers Advance // Mind-Blowing Innovations

For the second year in a row, the Edmonton Oilers will face off against the Florida Panthers for the Stanley Cup. Jespo and Johnny, who first worked together as the team's in-game host and DJ, set the table (2:00) for the Stanley Cup Final.
23:00 | It's Canadian Innovation Week! In partnership with Athabasca University, we learn about innovation in networking from James McInnes (Prompty), DNA genealogy and cold case files from Bradley Pierson (Trouvay), and micro business marketing from Dr. Raewyn Sleeman (Stratagease). 
PROMPTY: https://www.prompty.ca/
TROUVAY: https://www.trouvay.ca/
STRATAGEASE: https://www.stratagease.com/
ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY: https://www.athabascau.ca/
1:11:30 | Jespo and Johnny talk AI and national security, and get into the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power. 
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
1:38:15 | 7th Pilot has a hot take on Jespo's proposed Alberta referendum Bitcoin bet, Alex is pissed at the province for pulling library books, Gerald has a message for ready-to-strike Canada Post workers, Rik calls out Citizens Against Virtually Everything (CAVEs), and Jenny wants YOU to join the resistance. It's The Flamethrower presented by our 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, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you! 
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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

The Case for Canada Post

55,000 Canada Post employees are set to strike as labour negotiations continue to stall out. A looming second strike in less than a year has millions of Canadians questioning the future of the institution. In this episode, we sit down with CUPW Local 730 president James Ball (59:00) who presents the case for Canada Post. 
24:00 | But first...a couple thousand city and town councillors are in Ottawa for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities annual meeting. Ryan checks in with FCM president Rebecca Bligh to talk about the housing and opioid crises, and the future of rural Canada. 
FCM: https://fcm.ca/en
WATCH OUR SIX-MEMBER HOMELESSNESS REAL TALK ROUND TABLE: https://rtrj.info/012121housing
1:50:00 | Remember Sarah Bisbee, the mom who ditched her minivan to become a full-time cycle commuter? She has a challenge for Jespo and Johnny...
WATCH SARAH on REAL TALK: https://rtrj.info/011524cycling
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Throne Speech Takeaways

"The True North is indeed strong and free." Delivering his first Throne Speech in Canada, King Charles reiterates Canada's sovereignty in a dramatically changing world. It's also the first Throne Speech for PM Mark Carney, who won the election a month ago with a promise to kickstart the economy. What does it all mean for investors, entrepreneurs, and everyday Canadians? 
2:30 | Supriya Dwivedi digs into the throne speech, Canada's relationship with the Monarchy, Pierre Poilievre's upcoming byelection in Alberta, and viral video of PM Mark Carney "dismissing" Mélanie Joly. 
51:40 | The Maligne Lake Boat Cruise is now open! There's no better way to see one of Canada's most iconic attractions - Spirit Island. Ryan shares his family's personal experience in this edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
BOOK YOUR BOAT CRUISE: https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/maligne-lake-cruise/
54:10 | Doing business on the prairies? Shauna Feth has her Eye on Alberta Business, as we take a closer look at the throne speech, Premier Danielle Smith's cabinet shuffle, and Ottawa's plan to knock over inter-provincial trade barriers. 
TAKE THE ALBERTA PERSPECTIVES SURVEY: https://research.albertaperspectives.ca/jfe/form/SV_1Ceh0sP5z3sYyKq
ALBERTA BUSINESS AWARDS of DISTINCTION: https://www.abchamber.ca/event/alberta-business-awards-of-distinction-2025/
1:21:10 | Jespo and Johnny debrief after a decisive Oilers win in Game Four of the Western Conference Final, including tough news about Oilers star Zach Hyman. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors
The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Alberta Government Targets “Explicit” Library Books

Danielle Smith's UCP is targeting school library books it deems "graphic and age-inappropriate". The government is surveying the public before rolling out new standards ahead of the next school year. 
2:30 | Max Fawcett, lead columnist at Canada's National Observer, says there's more to this story than "banning books". What do YOU think?
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
READ CANADA'S NATIONAL OBSERVER: https://www.nationalobserver.com/
22:00 | Remember Mike Hanson and Dave Morin? They're back after completing TEN marathons in TEN days in TEN provinces, raising ONE MILLION DOLLARS along the way! 
READ MORE: https://www.10in10in10.ca/
35:40 | A complete stranger made Real Talker Sarah's day, prompting her to email the show. We love it! Positive Reflections is presented weekly on Real Talk by our friends at Solar by Kuby. 
SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

"What Would A Mass Exodus Do To Alberta's Economy?"

David's demanding an election NOW, Don's "outraged" at Real Talk guest Sharan Kaur, and Michael's dropping bombs on one of Jespo's loudest critics. 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, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you!
REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/real-talk-golf-classic
The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.