Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Danielle Smith CALLED OUT!

"TheSco" says Danielle Smith's Breitbart interview is a "nothing burger," Lindsay's sick of hearing so much about The Donald, "G" wants to know who wants out (of Canada), Todd in Grande Prairie has a challenge for Alberta's premier, and Charlene's hoping you'll join her April 11 at the Alberta Legislature.
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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.

Federal Election Platforms: Who's Promising What?

Has the average Canadian learned anything about the major parties' election platforms, with talk of Trump and tariffs taking up so much space? In this episode, our Real Talk Round Table panelists highlight the most significant policy announcements to date - including Conservative and Liberal housing plans. 
3:45 | Shannon Phillips and Ken Boessenkool dig into Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre's proposals for affordable housing and Jagmeet Singh's Canada Victory Bonds. Plus, what does Ken (co-author of the well-known Firewall Letter) think about Danielle Smith's "national unity crisis" comment, and does Shannon think former mayor Chris Spearman can win for the Liberals in Lethbridge?
CHECK OUT MBPolicy: https://mbpolicy.com/
52:35 | We LOVE this Edmonton success story! Born and raised in Iraq, Dr. Abdullah Saleh emigrates to Edmonton, graduates from medical school, and founds an international NGO changing lives around the world. We shine a spotlight on Innovative Canadians for Change ahead of their April 12 gala "Clear Waters, Clear Futures". 
JOIN US APRIL 12: https://www.icchange.ca/2025gala
1:27:50 | The results are in: we take a look at Ryan's unofficial, unscientific Twitter poll on how you handle door knockers. Grande Prairie councillor Dylan Bressey writes in with his on thoughts on "being on the doors". 
1:53:00 | Johnny's opening for DJ Pauly D this weekend. Woooooooot!
1:56:10 | "TheSco" says Danielle Smith's Breitbart interview is a "nothing burger," Lindsay's sick of hearing so much about The Donald, "G" wants to know who wants out (of Canada), Todd in Grande Prairie has a challenge for Alberta's premier, and Charlene's hoping you'll join her April 11 at the Alberta Legislature.
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.

Trump's Total Trade War // Rachel Gilmore Cancelled

Trump's costing the global economy trillions of dollars. What does this trade war mean for you? We get into it from a bunch of different angles in this episode. Plus, she's one of Canada's most prominent independent journalists. For a brief moment, she had a plum election gig with a mainstream outlet...until political opponents pounced. We talk to Rachel Gilmore about being cancelled as CTV's fact checker. 
3:15 | Right out of the gates, Jespo and Johnny recap Trump's announcement and fallout on both sides of the border, including dissenting Republican Senators.
13:30 | Political strategist Sharan Kaur lays out Canada's best response to Trump's trade policy. Plus, will Mark Carney ACTUALLY deliver a new pipeline east of Alberta? 
30:45 | What are business owners, investors, and everyday Canadians supposed to think right now? We check in with Edmonton Chamber of Commerce CEO Doug Griffiths. 
CHECK OUT THE CHAMBER: https://www.edmontonchamber.com/
40:30 | Rachel Gilmore talks to us about being targeted by trolls and cancelled by CTV. 
RACHEL'S BUBBLE POP: https://rachelgilmore.substack.com/
Subscribe to  @AtRachelGilmore  on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AtRachelGilmore
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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 Will Trump's Liberation Day Cost YOU?

Trump's trade war with Canada is about to level up. A popular political podcaster is throwing his hat in the ring this election. Another popular TikTok commentator just got dumped by CTV. We cover all of it (and more) in this episode. 
3:40 | It's not an April Fool's joke! The Strategists co-host and Real Talk Editorial Board member Corey Hogan is running for the Liberals in Calgary. He tells us why he made the eleventh hour decision to stick his neck out there.
19:40 | Nick Taylor-Vaisey, POLITICO's Ottawa bureau chief, talks Trump tariffs, Week Two election storylines, and nervous voters in Milton, ON. Real Talk is partnering with POLITICO through Election 2025 - catch their journalists every Wednesday on the show, and read Ryan's View From Alberta every Thursday in their Ottawa Playbook: https://www.politico.com/newsletters/ottawa-playbook
39:30 | We've got a wager! Ryan shares details of an election-related bet between Real Talker Michael and Group Chat Round Table panelist Jarrett Campbell.
47:50 | Spring has sprung in Jasper National Park! We've got details of the wildly-popular Taste of Spring festival (including the BURGER SMACKDOWN and The Beast Whisky Weekend) in #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
PLAN YOUR JASPER GETAWAY: https://www.jasper.travel/taste-of-spring/
59:50 | Overwhelmed by the "troll" response, CTV has cancelled Rachel Gilmore's weekly election fact check segment. We play a bit of the recorded phone call where Rachel learned the news, and explore how political pressure regularly influences mainstream media in Canada. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:07:35 | We LOVE this email from Real Talker AJ, who found serious value in our March 21 segment on Neurodiversity in the Workplace. 
CHECK OUT AU's COURSE: https://powered.athabascau.ca/product?catalog=Neurodiversity-in-the-Workplace
1:12:30 | U.S. Senators - Republicans and Democrats alike - are calling on the White House to abandon plans to exacerbate the trade war with Canada. We hear from a few of them. 
1:27:00 | Our brand new Real Talk Community Chat is live on Discord! Jespo and Johnny have details on this perk, exclusive to our Real Deal and Real VIP YouTube channel members and our Real Talk Patrons. 
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REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
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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.

Liberal Candidate Quits, Conservative Candidate Booted

Paul Chiang is out as the Liberal candidate in Markham-Unionville after suggesting a political opponent should be turned over to Chinese authorities. Mark McKenzie is out as the Conservative candidate in Windsor after a podcast interview surfaced wherein he calls for Justin Trudeau's, er, execution. 
3:15 | Was standing by Chiang (for a day or two, anyway) Mark Carney's biggest mistake to date? We talk to Vicky Mochama, host of the new political podcast Party All The Time. 
CHECK OUT PARTY ALL THE TIME: https://rtrj.info/PATTepisodeone
40:00 | The Full House Lottery Early Bird deadline is looming! Don't miss your shot at Alberta's biggest Early Bird value: 31 cars in 31 days! Lindsay Robertson, VP at the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, takes us into the $2.25M Legacy dream home (and Jespo's dream lake getaway - the Fritz Tiny Home), trips for life, and the life-saving services the Full House Lottery supports.
BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY: https://fullhouse.ca/
TOUR THE LEGACY DREAM HOME: https://youtu.be/HQ0ilISYo1g?si=aVeHRnkALlcbLBRZ
58:45 | Real Talker Sarah heard a rumour about the Mike Myers/Mark Carney ads, Janelle says there's no way Trump wrote that post about the call with Carney, Jim in B.C. says our Group Chat Round Table (March 31) missed the mark on a few things, and Sean's reminiscing about Conservative parties in past. 
WATCH SEAN'S FUTURE OF FOOD EPISODE: https://www.youtube.com/live/AMsK380FbLM?si=CX05Hg2ZQSHvfiS4&t=1
1:12:45 | Jespo and Johnny have details about our YouTube channel memberships, a new perk - the Real Talk Community Chat, and an exclusive event on April 17 for our Real Talk Patrons. 
SUPPORT REAL TALK on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/c/ryanjespersen
1:23:00 | It's our first Two Million View video! 
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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.

Is Carney Peaking Too Soon? Can Poilievre Recover?

Can Pierre Poilievre turn the Conservative campaign around in time? Are Mark Carney's Liberals peaking too soon? What does Donald Trump REALLY want? 
2:30 | Our Group Chat Round Table is back together, as Katherine O'Neill, Jenny Adams, Harman Kandola, and Jarrett Campbell give us their take on the top election stories across the country. Will Amarjeet Sohi win Edmonton Southeast? What will unfold in Edmonton Centre? And is Stephen Mandel really making a return to municipal politics? 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:15:00 | KO, Harman, Jarrett and Ryan share their Positive Reflections presented by Solar by Kuby.
YWCA WOMEN of DISTINCTION: https://ywcaofedmonton.org/women-of-distinction/
SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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.

"Danielle Smith would sell out Alberta in a second!"

Jenny and Nathan have no time for Premier Danielle Smith's trip to Florida, Ron doesn't like what he's hearing about Alberta separating from Canada, Michael calls out the Kool-Aid drinkers, and Brian has a question for "51st State" supporters. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.comWhen 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.

Are the Conservatives Crumbling?

Pollsters are starting to talk about a Mark Carney majority government. What a twist from just a few months ago, when it appeared Pierre Poilievre would cake walk his way to the PMO. Should Conservatives be hitting the panic button, or is there enough time to turn this trend around? 
2:30 | Every Friday through the campaign, we're working with the policy firm Meredith, Boseenkool, and Phillips to present conversations across the political specetrum. This week, it's Rahim Mohamed and Shannon Phillips summing up Week One of the campaign, debating Danielle Smith's appearance with Ben Shapiro at a fundraiser in Florida, and allegations Mark Carney cheated on his PhD dissertation at Oxford. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: leave a comment below! 
1:01:30 | Should Pierre Poilievre grow a beard? We ask AI to cook up a couple photos for your review in this very serious and undeniably insightful segment. 
1:12:45 | We're thrilled to be working with Vicky Mochama on the new podcast Party All The Time. Episode One is out - subscribe, check it out, and let us know what you think! 
PARTY ALL THE TIME ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://rtrj.info/PATTApplePodcasts
PARTY ALL THE TIME ON SPOTIFY: https://rtrj.info/PATTSpotify
PARTY ALL THE TIME TRAILER: https://rtrj.info/PATTTrailer
1:19:45 | Jenny and Nathan have no time for Premier Danielle Smith's trip to Florida, Ron doesn't like what he's hearing about Alberta separating from Canada, Michael calls out the Kool-Aid drinkers, and Brian has a question for "51st State" supporters. 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! 
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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.

Danielle Smith Might Want To Lay Low For A While

Just days after her Breitbart interview raised the ire of Pierre Poilievre's campaign team, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is headed to Florida to co-host a conservative fundraiser with podcaster Ben Shapiro. Smith says the appearance is a continuation of her efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy on trade in favour of Canada. Her critics say she's doing more harm than good.
2:50 | Rob Breakenridge says Danielle Smith should "lay low for a while". We talk to the longtime conservative commentator about his feature in The Line. 
READ ROB'S PIECE: https://www.readtheline.ca/p/rob-breakenridge-danielle-smith-might
47:15 | Jespo and Johnny roll out a cool new way to support the show on YouTube. Shout out to our newest channel members! 
JOIN JESPO AT THE ICCHANGE GALA on APRIL 12: https://www.icchange.ca/2025gala
1:07:00 | Did you see the Marjorie Taylor Greene blowup? Thoughts?
GET TICKETS for EDIFY'S BEST RESTAURANTS EVENT on APRIL 7: https://tickets.edifyedmonton.com/best-restaurants-2025/
1:28:30 | Are you sober or sober curious? 
1:34:00 | Alberta NDP MLA Rakhi Pancholi apologizes after reportedly calling UCP Minister Jason Nixon "a colossal piece of sh*t". We take a look at what Real Talkers are saying on our Live Chat powered by Park Power.
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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.

Amarjeet Sohi // Poilievre's Message to Blue Collar Canadians

Pierre Poilievre had a Hamilton crowd all riled up, talking about "unelected" Mark Carney "acting like he owns the world," the World Economic Forum, and defunding the CBC. The Conservative leader talked at length about steel and the carbon tax, but spent very little time addressing Donald Trump. POLITICO's Nick Taylor-Vaisey (33:20) was there, and tells us what we learned about Poilievre's strategy to mobilize blue collar voters.
But first...
2:40 | Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi is taking unpaid leave to seek a federal seat with the Liberals. His critics are calling him a political opportunist and saying he should resign. We ask him why he won't, and why he thinks he can better serve Edmontonians in Ottawa. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: leave a comment on this episode! 
SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO'S OTTAWA PLAYBOOK: https://www.politico.com/newsletters/ottawa-playbook
1:06:30 | It is DUMPING snow at Marmot Basin! We've got Alberta's most enthusiastic snow report and details on the upcoming Jasper Pride & Ski Festival (including an epic party at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge) in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
CHECK THE CONDITIONS: https://www.skimarmot.com/JASPER PRIDE: https://jasperpride.ca/TOURISM JASPER: https://www.jasper.travel/
JOIN RYAN at the ICCHANGE GALA on APRIL 12: https://www.icchange.ca/2025gala
1:32:15 | Real Talker Janelle, a lifelong Conservative supporter, says her work in the Alberta Public Sector will change the way she votes. 
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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.