Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Canada’s New Foreign Policy

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet is making waves—not just at home, but around the world. From military spending signals to the careful choreography with Washington, New Delhi, and Beijing, these picks aren’t just about portfolios—they’re about priorities. In this episode, we dig into what Carney's picks tell us about Canada’s place on the world stage.
3:45 | But first...we take a look at new polling on the "Wexit" movement with 338 Canada's Philippe Fournier, including shocking numbers from UCP supporters in Alberta. 
CHECK OUT PHILIPPE'S WORK: https://www.338canada.ca/
22:00 | It's the perfect time of year to take your kids to Jasper! Ryan shares some of his favourite memories (including a trip to Spirit Island), and lays out some of Jasper's family-friendly activity options. #MyJasper Memories is presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
MAKE JASPER MEMORIES: https://www.jasper.travel/
25:30 | What do Mark Carney's cabinet picks tell us about the PM's approach to foreign relations? Dr. Bob Murray gets into military spending and our relationships with the U.S., India, and China. 
FOLLOW DR. BOB: https://x.com/DrRWM
54:00 | Two Alberta boys are about to embark on a remarkable mission: ten marathons in ten consecutive days in ten different provinces. We meet Mike Hanson and Dave Morin. 
SUPPORT TEN in TEN in TEN: https://www.10in10in10.ca/
1:09:00 | Jespo and Johnny debate the "Nine/Nine/Nine" challenge, and read emails from Real Talkers Lisa (menopause), Mark (bitumen), and Tana (pipelines and Alberta separation). 
EMAIL THE SHOW: 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.

The Menopause Mission

This special episode peels back the curtain on a chapter of life that impacts every woman but still too often gets ignored or misunderstood. Menopause advocate Jesse Schewchuk joins us (2:50) to talk about the raw, real, and often isolating experience of perimenopause and menopause—and why breaking the silence could be life-changing. This conversation is about more than hot flashes and hormone shifts—it’s about dignity, identity, and the right to be heard. If you love someone going through it, or you're in it yourself, this one’s for you.
TELL US YOUR STORY: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
Use promo code RYAN15 to save on The Menopause Mission Summit in Calgary on Sunday, May 25: https://rtrj.info/051325MMevent
55:00 | Jespo and Johnny take a look at Mark Carney's new cabinet and do a vibe check following the Oilers' dominant 3-0 win over Vegas. 
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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.

How Alberta and Ottawa Can Be BFFs

For decades, the relationship between Alberta and Ottawa has been...adversarial. Can't we all just get along? Could both levels of government cooperate, with shared perspective and priorities, to benefit everybody? What might that look like?  
4:00 | Energy and climate journalist Markham Hislop maps out a path to partnership between the Alberta and federal governments. 
READ MORE: https://energi.media/
57:00 | It's official: Real Talk has preserved Alberta's place in Canada. Jespo and Johnny review the results of our latest unscientific, unofficial Twitter poll. 
1:10:00 | "Insurance Lawyer X" pushes back on our May 9 interview about changes to Alberta's auto insurance system.
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:25:00 | Shout out to all the nurses in a special edition of Positive Reflections presented by Solar by Kuby.
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kuby.ca/
SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: 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.

"Call An Election, Danielle!"

HOT TAKE ALERT. Patty's got a years-old axe to grind with Jespo. Real Talkers Blahsheep, Ontario James, Pedro, KP, Jake, Cactus Sheriff, and Darian sound off on Danielle Smith, separation talk, and Liberal voters. 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.

Prepare to Pay More for Car Insurance

Your car insurance is about to get a whole lot more expensive. With no mandate to do so, Alberta's government plans to transition to a no-fault auto insurance system by January 2027. The change aims to shift the focus from litigation to providing care and support for those injured in vehicle collisions, with benefits payable regardless of who is at fault. But here's the thing...nobody believes that's going to happen. 
5:30 | We get into the numbers with Nik Nanos from Nanos Research and Jenny McCordie from the Canadian Bar Association. 
READ MORE: https://rtrj.info/050925Nanos
OUR INTERVIEW w/ PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER MARK McCOURT: https://rtrj.info/112024Insurance
37:00 | Did your car insurance go up this year? Jespo and Johnny's sure did (but Jespo deserved it). We dive into the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.
51:30 | Real Talkers have a lot to say about our May 8 interview with Premier Danielle Smith. 
WATCH THE INTERVIEW: https://rtrj.info/050825Smith
TAKE OUR TWITTER POLL on ALBERTA SEPARATION: https://x.com/ryanjespersen/status/1920884060311670853
1:17:20 | HOT TAKE ALERT. Patty's got a years-old axe to grind with Jespo. Real Talkers Blahsheep, Ontario James, Pedro, KP, Jake, Cactus Sheriff, and Darian sound off on Danielle Smith, separation talk, and Liberal voters. 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-ta...
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RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

Exclusive: Premier Danielle Smith on Alberta Separation

2:00 | Is toying with separation talk the biggest political risk Danielle Smith's ever taken? We ask her in an exclusive interview in the Real Talk studio.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
24:00 | Jespo and Johnny debrief, get into the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power, and check our email inbox.
SAVE on ELECTRICITY, NATURAL GAS, and INTERNET: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
47:00 | It's Opening Day at Northwest Film Fest! We sit down with directors Darrin Hagen, Scott Portingale, and Lowell Dean - finalists for the Edmonton Film Prize. (If you support Real Talk on Patreon, check your email for details on claiming your free tickets to the movies!)
CHECK OUT NWFF: https://www.northwestfest.ca/
1:27:00 | We get to more of your comments on the Danielle Smith interview (and Alberta separation talk)...oh, and there's a new Pope! 
EMAIL THE SHOW ANYTIME: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

Carney Torpedoes Trump's 51st State Idea

Is everything going to be okay after all? Donald Trump and Mark Carney play nice in their first Oval Office meeting following the Liberals' election victory, giving hope Canada-U.S. tensions will soon ease. In this episode, we present a cross-border conversation on our shared economic future.
9:00 | NAIOP CEO Marc Selvitelli and Eric Schmutz, both Washington, D.C. residents, join Edmonton's Alex Thomson in the Real Talk studio to talk trade, policy, and partnerships. 
LEARN MORE ABOUT NAIOP: https://www.naiop.org/
57:30 | Jespo and Johnny debrief.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:07:00 | May 8 marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Our friends at the Juno Beach Centre tell us about their powerful "He Lived Where You Live" campaign. 
SUPPORT THE JUNO BEACH CENTRE: https://www.junobeach.org/
1:26:45 | We LOVE hearing about the memories you've made in Jasper! Real Talker Chad shares about his family's recent trip, and Jespo has details for rafting enthusiasts, in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper. 
SHARE YOUR JASPER MEMORIES WITH US: talk@ryanjespersen.com
BOOK YOUR JASPER RAFTING ADVENTURE: https://www.jasper.travel/
EMAIL THE SHOW ANYTIME: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

Danielle Smith's "Reckless Referendum" // Disability Round Table

Premier Danielle Smith says her Canada includes Alberta...but she'll trigger a referendum question on separation if enough Albertans petition her to do so. This, just days after her UCP government made it (much) easier to do exactly that. Meantime, as Alberta sovereigntists grow louder after Mark Carney's election win, First Nations leaders are pushing back with a reminder about treaty agreements. Advocates fighting poverty, inequality, and inaction are crying foul over political stunts and distractions. Where is all of this headed? We approach from a couple different angles in this episode of Real Talk. 
3:30 | Jespo picks out a few key moments from Premier Smith's live TV address and shares his thoughts. 
WHAT DO YOU THINK? talk@ryanjespersen.com 
13:10 | Grand Chief Greg Desjarlais says Smith's referendum talk is "reckless" and the Confederation of Treaty Six First Nations is prepared to fight in court. 
41:50 | Jespo and Johnny get into the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power. 
SAVE on ELECTRICITY, NATURAL GAS, and INTERNET: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
45:50 | Albertans with disabilities are living with more challenges than ever due to funding cuts, dwindling supports, and lack of accessibility legislation. We connect with advocates Zachary Weeks and Michelle Kristinson ahead of a rally at the Alberta Legislature.
LEARN MORE: https://www.barrierfreeab.ca/
1:13:00 | Jespo and Johnny debrief, including a look at Real Talkers' lived experiences as shared in the Live Chat. (Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be part of the conversation!)
1:25:30 | Real Talkers Tom and Ron have thoughts - many thoughts - after Premier Smith's live address.
EMAIL THE SHOW ANYTIME: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/real-ta...
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RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

Naheed Nenshi // Billy Morin // Rachel Notley

It's been ten years to the day since Rachel Notley's NDP ended a 40+ year Conservative dynasty at the Alberta Legislature. In this episode, the province's 17th premier reflects on how that win changed politics on the prairies forever. 
3:30 | But first...does separating from the federal NDP help the Alberta NDP's chances next election? Could Alberta ever separate from Canada? How would an NDP provincial government address Alberta's unemployment issue? Current Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi joins us on the heels of the party's annual convention in Edmonton. 
22:00 | Chief Billy Morin, the first Indigenous Conservative MP in Edmonton's history, talks to us about Alberta sovereignty and treaty rights, First Nations' investment in energy projects, and Pierre Poilievre's plan to seek a Commons seat via byelection in the Battle River-Crowfoot riding.  
39:30 | Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley looks back ten years to one of the biggest upsets in Canadian political history, tells us how she feels about the death of the carbon tax and the return of union and corporate political donations, and tells us who she'd endorse as next leader of the federal NDP. 
1:19:00 | Real Talker Brandon thought the story of Randy the Guinea Pig would make for a perfect Positive Reflection...and we agree! Positive Reflections is presented weekly on Real Talk by Solar by Kuby. 
SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kuby.ca/
REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/real-ta...
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
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REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

"Here's to More Taxes, Light Sentences & Scandals!"

Kenny's not sold on Mark Carney, Other Ken feels differently, Darian's seeing doom and gloom on the horizon, David wants Danielle to call a by-election, Steve calls Jespo out re: a recent interview, and Jenny wants you to join the Alberta Resistance. 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!
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.