Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Holiday Hangout with Quick Dick McDick

He's a farmer, a stand-up comedian, and one of Canada's most-watched YouTube creators. We shoot the shit with Quick Dick McDick (live from his calving barn) on the Alberta-Ottawa Energy Agreement (17:15), Saskatchewan separation talks (is that a thing?), the real life impact of tariffs, and this year's harvest and hunting season in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 
THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RAPIDEX FINANCIAL, A PROUD MADE-IN-ALBERTA SOLUTION OFFERING CRYPTO YOUR WAY. FIRST-TIME USERS SAVE 50% WITH THE EXCLUSIVE PROMO CODE RYAN50 ON THE ONLINE PORTAL AT https://rapidexfinancial.com/
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com
MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/
CHECK OUT QDM ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@QuickDickMcDick
5:40 | Jespo starts the show with a recap of our December 9 exclusive with Premier Danielle Smith. What did you think? Leave a comment!
WATCH OUR SMITH INTERVIEW: https://rtrj.info/120925PDS
1:12:20 | Jespo surprises Johnny with a festive treat from our friends at The Maligne Range. We highlight what might be the two most beautiful skating ponds on planet earth. It's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper! 
THE MALIGNE RANGE: https://themalignerange.com/
PYRAMID LAKE RESORT: https://www.jasper.travel/accommodations/pyramid-lake-lodge/
FAIRMONT JASPER PARK LODGE: https://www.jasper.travel/accommodations/fairmont-jasper-park-lodge/
1:28:00 | We have some fun in the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power. 
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk
1:51:45 | Registration is open for the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic on January 31, 2026 in St. Albert! Register by December 31 to qualify for our early bird prize including six tickets to the January 31 Oilers/Wild game, Golden Bus transportation from Central Social Hall St. Albert to Rogers Place, and more: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/pond-hockey
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 
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.

Exclusive: Premier Danielle Smith

Booed at her party's AGM after signing an energy agreement with Ottawa, Premier Danielle Smith finds herself in a tough spot. Is the UCP now a "separatist party," like her political opponents say? Does she personally support Alberta remaining in Canada? That's where we begin our exclusive interview with Alberta's Premier (1:15) presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 
THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY. HANSEN IS PROUD TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT AS THE PROVINCE ROLLS OUT ITS MADE-IN-ALBERTA WHISKY MANDATE. HANSEN DISTILLERY IS WHERE ALBERTA'S SPIRIT IS MADE: https://hansendistillery.com/
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com
MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/
27:30 | Jespo and Johnny debrief after the Smith interview and see what Real Talkers have to say in our Live Chat powered by Park Power.
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
55:15 | Nurse Eliza Newton, Alberta's first formally-trained nurse, arrived in the late 1800s, bringing knowledge, compassion, and Nightingale principles to a frontier community desperately in need. Nurse Newton represents one of the first-ever Echoes of the Alex, proudly presented Tuesdays on Real Talk by the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation.
GIVE THE GIFT OF HISTORY: https://www.royalalex.org/125years
1:08:45 | Pop superstar Katy Perry and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are "Instagram official". We take a break from politics (for a brief moment) to evaluate the global impact of a couple photos posted to social media. 
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 
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.

Did Canada “Bow to the Bros” Or Not?

PM Mark Carney says he "wouldn't describe (Canada's) foreign policy as feminist foreign policy"...but what does that actually mean? Is it a move in the right direction, or not so much? 
3:20 | Supriya Dwivedi and Sharan Kaur debate the tone (and make-up) of PM Mark Carney's inner circle in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk @ryanjespersen  
MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/
57:30 | Is your employer ordering you back to the office? Supriya and Jespo talk pros and cons, including what Real Talkers are reporting in our Live Chat powered by Park Power.
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRCITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
1:14:30 | Ryan's wife's parents had a hilarious thing happen at their 50th anniversary celebration this weekend. Hilarious for Oilers fans, anyway. We hear the story (and Johnny's got a bold prediction for the rest of the NHL season)...
1:25:10 | Can. you beat Real Talker Lori's Spotify Wrapped? We shout out the top 0.5%'er in Positive Reflections presented by Solar by Kuby.
SHARE YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kuby.ca/
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 
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.

"Boot Quebec, Keep the Country, Thank Me Later!"

Trent and Erin have fightin' words for Quebec, Robert rips our interview with Minister Adriana LaGrange, and Kimm calls out journalists for backing down to Donald Trump. 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, or BASELINE ROAD, BE SURE TO TELL 'EM REAL TALK SENT YOU!
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen
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.

Is Party Loyalty Polluting Politics?

Political parties are managing members like never before. Elected representatives toe the party line or face consequences. Floor crossings swing vote results. Public abuse toward dissenting politicians is at an all-time high. In this episode, political scientists Alex Marland and Jared Wesley (4:30) take us on a deep dive into how party loyalty factors into Canadian politics. 
THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY'S NORTHERN EYES SEVEN YEAR WHISKY. ORDER YOUR LIMITED EDITION BOTTLE TODAY: https://hansendistillery.com/
FEATURE INTERVIEWS ON REAL TALK ARE PRESENTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ EDMONTON WEST: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/
BUY YOUR COPY OF "NO I IN TEAM": https://partyloyalty.ca/
READ DRS. MARLAND & WESLEY IN THE WALRUS: https://thewalrus.ca/political-defectors-face-mistrust-hostility-sexism-and-worse-why-do-they-do-it/
59:00 | Were you at Dave Chappelle's Edmonton show? Jespo, Johnny, and Real Talkers in our Live Chat powered by Park Power chime in on hecklers, standing at rock shows, and the most expensive ticket they've ever ponied up for. 
1:32:45 | Trent and Erin have fightin' words for Quebec, Robert rips our interview with Minister Adriana LaGrange, and Kimm calls out journalists for backing down to Donald Trump. 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, or BASELINE ROAD, BE SURE TO TELL 'EM REAL TALK SENT YOU! 
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 
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.

Results Are In: Best of Alberta Politics // Referendum Details

Who's the Best MLA in Alberta? How about the Best Cabinet Minister? Who's the Most Effective Opposition MLA or the Best Question Period Performer? We reveal the results of Daveberta's annual Best of Alberta Politics Survey (3:15) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 
THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RAPIDEX FINANCIAL, A PROUD MADE-IN-ALBERTA SOLUTION OFFERING CRYPTO YOUR WAY. FIRST-TIME USERS SAVE 50% WITH THE EXCLUSIVE PROMO CODE RYAN50 ON THE ONLINE PORTAL AT https://rapidexfinancial.com/
READ DAVEBERTA: https://daveberta.substack.com/
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/
39:00 | NDP Deputy Leader Rakhi Pancholi reveals the secret to effective Opposition and QP performance. 
56:00 | Real Talkers Oriana and Allison Jade shine a light on Brickhouse Smokery in this edition of Alberta Wins presented by Play Alberta. Bravo! 
SCORE A $50 CASINO BONUS WITH A MINIMUM $50 DEPOSIT WITH THE PROMO CODE RYAN50 ON THE PLAY ALBERTA APP OR AT https://playalberta.ca/. Must be 18+ to play. If you gamble, please use your GameSense.
1:00:00 | Will Albertans see an independence referendum as early as Spring 2026? Forever Canadian founder and former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk checks in. 
FOREVER CANADIAN: https://www.forever-canadian.ca/
1:29:30 | Johnny's pup Priscilla is an internet celebrity! 
CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRpUJb-Eenb/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
1:36:45 | Shout out to our friends at The Druid Irish Pub! We have an update on the iconic Irish pub's re-opening right below us in the historic Mercer Warehouse. 
1:38:30 | Real Talker Dr. Rick says the province's plan to improve healthcare delivery doesn't go nearly far enough. Jespo reads his email to talk@ryanjespersen.com. 
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 
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.

Dual-Delivery Health Care // MLAs Sued by UCP

Alberta is moving to a "dual-delivery" healthcare model, blending public and private delivery of select surgeries. Meantime, two former UCP MLAs are being sued by the party as they attempt to revive the "Progressive Conservative" brand. In this episode, we get the goods directly from Minister Adriana LaGrange (3:00) and MLAs Peter Guthrie and Scott Sinclair (45:30) in feature interviews presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 
THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY'S NORTHERN EYES SEVEN YEAR WHISKY. ORDER YOUR LIMITED EDITION BOTTLE TODAY: https://hansendistillery.com/
3:00 | Hon. Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, says a dual-delivery model won't negatively impact healthcare access for Albertans who can't afford to "jump the queue". She talks checks, balances, and transparency. We discuss the MHCare procurement controversy and concerns from Alberta's privacy commissioner around health care numbers on drivers' licenses. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com
28:30 | Jespo and Johnny debrief after the interview, and jump into the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
45:30 | Former UCP MLAs Peter Guthrie and Scott Sinclair talk to us about being sued by their former party. We hear more about their plan to revive the Progressive Conservative brand, the Alberta separation movement, and Alberta's pipeline MOU with Ottawa. 
1:14:00 | There's a new glacial plunge and sauna experience in Jasper National Park! We've got details in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper.
1:17:00 | MLAs Guthrie and Sinclair have more to say.
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 
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.

The Method to Mark Carney’s Madness

Did P.M. Mark Carney pull the wool over Premier Danielle Smith's eyes with the Ottawa-Alberta pipeline agreement? Max Fawcett thinks so. In this episode, the lead columnist for Canada's National Observer lays out the method to Mark Carney's madness (11:10). But first...
4:45 | It's Giving Tuesday. Jespo, Johnny, and Max share which charity they're proud to support on this day for "radical generosity". 
8:00 | Max comments on the federal Cabinet shuffle before moving on to the pipeline MOU, a proposed new pipeline route (27:40), Conservative attacks on Carney's  potential conflict of interest with Brookfield (55:00), new details on the UCP's alleged healthcare procurement scandal involving MHCare (1:01:30), and Quebec's shocking expansion of secularism laws (1:09:00). 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com
READ MAX'S COLUMN: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/opinion/method-mark-carney-madness
MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/
22:40 | Registration is open for the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Larry Olexiuk Field in St. Albert! 
REGISTER TO PLAY, VOLUNTEER, or SPONSOR: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/pond-hockey
1:15:00 | This Giving Tuesday, please consider the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation's Bridge Healing Campaign. We revisit our powerful November 28 Real Talk Round Table featuring ER Dr. Louis Francescutti, Jasper Place Wellness Centre's Taylor Soroka, advocate Glenda Sartore, and RAHF VP Lindsay Robertson.
SUPPORT BRIDGE HEALING: https://www.royalalex.org/causes/emergencycare/bridge-healing
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 
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.

Separatists Dividing the United Conservatives

We've seen this play before. The right-wing flank of a Conservative party, feeling underrepresented and dissatisfied, breaks away from the "mainstream" movement to form its own entity. Will that be the case with separatist members of Alberta's United Conservative Party? 
THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY'S NORTHERN EYES SEVEN YEAR WHISKY. ORDER YOUR LIMITED EDITION BOTTLE TODAY: https://hansendistillery.com/
2:45 | On the heels of the party's AGM in Edmonton, UCP founding president Erika Barootes joins Ryan and Supriya Dwivedi to talk about Premier Danielle Smith getting booed over her pipeline deal with PM Mark Carney and other notable moments through the weekend. Feature interviews on Real Talk are presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com
MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/
38:00 | Supriya and Ryan dig into the details of the pipeline MOU and discuss Steven Guilbeault's abrupt resignation from PM Carneys' Cabinet. Plus, did Pierre Poilievre start to turn the tide on public opinion by poking fun of himself at the Press Gallery dinner in Ottawa? 
1:15:00 | Jespo and Johnny jump into the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power for your takes on the UCP AGM, the future of the Alberta separatism movement, and Poilievre's Press Gallery Dinner speech. 
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk
2:02:00 | Remember that Real Talk contest a few years ago where we gave away a full solar system installation courtesy of Kuby Renewable Energy? Our friends at Kuby just released a wonderful feature on the winning organization - the Winnifred Stewart Society - perfect for this week's Positive Reflection. 
SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kuby.ca/
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 
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.

"A Pipeline is a Nation-Building Artery!"

Real Talkers Michael, Robert, Kurt, and Cal chime in on the pipeline deal, while Bryn has an important message about addiction. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!
WHEN YOU VISIT THE DQs IN PALISADES, NAMAO, NEWCASTLE, WESTMOUNT, AND BASELINE ROAD, BE SURE TO TELL 'EM REAL TALK SENT YOU!
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen
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.