Episodes

7 hours ago
7 hours ago
Wayne has a word of warning for podcasters, Ross says Jimmy Kimmel deserves his fate, Robert has words of warning about a "both sides" approach, "29 Tilers," Edward, and Peter are pissed about Jespo's interview with the Prime Minister, and Kayne says it's time to put on your poppy.
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!
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersenREAL 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.

2 days ago
2 days ago
Are Temporary Foreign Workers standing in the way of Canadians finding work? As premiers of different political stripes call for an overhaul to Canada's TFW program, former Notley NDP cabinet minister Shannon Phillips and Pierre Poilievre's former communications director Ben Woodfinden (2:40) hash it out on Real Talk in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.
MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/
We analyze Liberal vs. Conservative approaches to immigration policy, and how effective "anger" can be in advancing political priorities (26:00). Stick around for healthy debate on Canada's new trade agreement with Mexico (32:00), Alberta's plan to invoke the Notwithstanding Clause on three transgender laws (38:30), and citizenship markers on driver's licenses (47:00).
MORE on SHANNON and BEN'S WORK: https://mbpolicy.com/
54:00 | Wayne has a word of warning for podcasters, Ross says Jimmy Kimmel deserves his fate, Robert has words of warning about a "both sides" approach, "29 Tilers," Edward, and Peter are pissed about Jespo's interview with the Prime Minister, and Kayne says it's time to put on your poppy. 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!
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.

3 days ago
MAGA Critic Jimmy Kimmel Suspended
3 days ago
3 days ago
Popular late night TV host Jimmy Kimmel is off the air after delivering a monologue on the Charlie Kirk murder suspect and MAGA. President Donald Trump is crowing, typical "cancel culture" critics are celebrating, and free speech defenders are sounding the alarm. Where is all this headed?
4:00 | Max Fawcett, lead columnist at Canada's National Observer, calls it how he sees it. We get into how Max thinks Canadians should respond to Charlie Kirk's assassination (42:00), and why he thinks Chrystia Freeland is the best Prime Minister Canada Never Had (45:00).
56:20 | Both PM Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith are talking "Grand Bargain". Max tells us whether or not an open letter from oil and gas CEOs to the PM will effectively influence Canada's emissions and project approval policies. We wrap with a quick chat about Alberta's plan to include citizenship data on drivers' licenses (1:01:30).
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com
1:09:00 | Interest rates are down a quarter-point. What does that say about the economy? Marshall McAlister of North Road Investment Counsel gives us his informed take. Stick around for story time as Jespo shares details of his nightmare self-advised investments, and Marshall brings us up to speed on the smartest way to set yourself up for retirement.
NORTH ROAD INVESTMENT COUNSEL: https://www.northroadic.com/
1:31:45 | Here's to all the volunteers! We celebrate the heartbeat of our home province in this week's edition of Alberta Wins presented by Play Alberta.
DOWNLOAD THE PLAY ALBERTA APP: https://playalberta.ca/
1:34:30 | The 25 highest-paid TV hosts in the US are making more than a half-billion dollars this year. Jespo and Johnny see what Real Talkers have to say about the Jimmy Kimmel story, as shared in our Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
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.

4 days ago
4 days ago
Polling tells part, but not all, of an election story. It's not entirely unusual for a perceived "underdog" to surprise on Election Day, having captured lightning in a bottle at exactly the right time and mobilized their supporters to get out and vote. In this episode, we connect with Edmonton mayoral candidate Dr. Omar Mohammed (1:30) and Brian Thiessen (41:45) to hear their visions for Alberta's two biggest cities.
OMAR'S YEG CAMPAIGN: https://www.omar4mayor.ca/
BRIAN'S YYC CAMPAIGN: https://www.vote4brian.ca/
36:15 | It's "shoulder season" in Jasper, which means it's a perfect time of year to visit the national park. Jespo shares some of his favourite fall activities in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper.
JASPER MOTORCYCLE TOURS: https://jaspermotorcycletours.com/
JASPER DARK SKY FESTIVAL: https://www.jasperdarksky.travel/
TOURISM JASPER: https://www.jasper.travel/
1:16:00 | Jespo and Johnny debrief after our special episode on September 16 featuring YOUCAN Youth Services.
WATCH THAT SHOW: https://rtrj.info/091625YOUCAN
YOUCAN: https://youcan.ca/
1:34:15 | Have you been paying attention to Alberta's plan to include citizenship information on drivers' licenses? We take a first look at the policy, including what Real Talkers have to say in our Live Chat powered by Park Power.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
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.

5 days ago
5 days ago
YOUCAN Youth Services is literally changing lives. In this special episode of Real Talk, we shine a light on this remarkable organization helping young people out of harm's way and onto a path of economic independence.
CONNECT WITH YOUCAN: https://youcan.ca/
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: 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.

6 days ago
6 days ago
With the consumer carbon tax gone and the EV mandate already paused, where will Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives hammer PM Mark Carney's Liberals as Parliament resumes? Supriya Dwivedi's got her eye on the top political storylines (2:00). Plus, we review new developments in the Charlie Kirk murder investigation, and discuss how the conservative organizer's assassination is influencing political discourse on both sides of the border. 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/
1:02:00 | Jespo and Johnny debrief on the Rachel Gilmore/Andrew Scheer dust-up and review Morgan Wallen's back-to-back Commonwealth Stadium shows.
The episode wraps with a fantastic message from Real Talker Joshua in Newfoundland about how Alberta changed his life. Positive Reflections is presented weekly on Real Talk by our friends at Solar by Kuby.
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE:
SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk @ryanjespersen
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.

Saturday Sep 13, 2025
"Is hate speech against minorities a political belief?"
Saturday Sep 13, 2025
Saturday Sep 13, 2025
Real Talkers Jake, "Tranquil Vibration," Cameron, KP, and Darren respond to the comments they've seen (including in our Live Chat) about Charlie Kirk's death. 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!
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.

Friday Sep 12, 2025
EXCLUSIVE: Premier Danielle Smith
Friday Sep 12, 2025
Friday Sep 12, 2025
Whaaaaat is going on. Alberta's (Conservative) Premier Danielle Smith says she and (Liberal) Prime Minister Mark Carney have found "unprecedented common ground," and that Ottawa is "finally listening to Alberta". In this episode, Premier Smith talks to Ryan about negotiations around a new pipeline, Charlie Kirk's murder, Ottawa's gun "confiscation scheme," international attention around Alberta's school library book ban, and a looming teachers' strike. Real Talk's feature interviews are presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com
26:00 | Jespo, Johnny, and Real Talkers in our Live Chat powered by Park Power talk about public auto insurance in Alberta, a potential teachers' strike, and the school library book controversy.
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
56:00 | We hear from President Donald Trump and Senator Bernie Sanders, as a suspect is in custody following the Kirk assassination.
1:17:30 | Real Talkers Jake, "Tranquil Vibration," Cameron, KP, and Darren respond to the comments they've seen (including in our Live Chat) about Charlie Kirk's death. 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!
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.

Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Charlie Kirk Killed // PM Carney & Pipelines
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
The political world was rocked on September 10th with the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. As his killing is being investigated as a politically motivated act of violence, the tragedy raises urgent questions about the rise of political extremism, the safety of public discourse, and the consequences of toxic polarization in America. On today’s show, we unpack what happened, why it matters, and what comes next.
3:45 | Politico's Ottawa bureau chief Nick Taylor-Vaisey joins Ryan in studio for a candid conversation about Kirk's assassination in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.
MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/
19:30 | Following his Real Talk appearance on September 10, Prime Minister Mark Carney announces the first wave of "Major Projects" to be built in the national interest. Nick has the scoop, and tells us how the absence of a pipeline on that list landed in Fort McMurray during his recent visit.
WATCH PM CARNEY on REAL TALK: https://rtrj.info/091025PMCarney
READ NICK'S WORK for POLITICO: https://www.politico.com/canada-politics-news-updates-analysis
36:30 | Jespo and Johnny share their personal thoughts on Charlie Kirk's murder, and read comments in the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
1:12:00 | What on earth was Andrew Scheer thinking? We look at the former Conservative leader's online squabble with political commentator Rachel Gilmore in the wake of Charlie Kirk's death. The conversation continues with further details at 1:20:35.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com
1:15:10 | The Battle of Alberta was back in FULL force when the Calgary Stampeders visited the Edmonton Elks for the Labour Day Classic Rematch! That's a big win for Alberta, so it's no surprise to see Jespo feature the game in this week's edition of Alberta Wins presented by Play Alberta.
DOWNLOAD THE PLAY ALBERTA APP: https://playalberta.ca/offers/play-alberta-app
1:34:00 | How has it already been 24 years? Jespo, Johnny, and Real Talkers reflect on the anniversary of 9/11.
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen
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

Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister Mark Carney
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Mark Carney's got his hands full. Canada's Prime Minister joins Ryan in the Real Talk studio to talk about pressing pause on the EV mandate (0:30), finding a balance between industry and environmental priorities (4:30), Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's list of nine demands (7:00), and negotiating a new deal with the U.S. (11:15). Carney tells us about "the coolest experience of (his) life" (13:15), his new Major Projects Office in Calgary (14:00), the new Liberal climate caucus (16:00), bail reforms (17:30), promised gun reform (19:30), the Alberta separation movement (21:00), and Israel bombing targets in Qatar (27:15). Real Talk's feature interviews are presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespesen.com
MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen
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.