Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

"Canada Must Cut Deeper, Tax Harder, Borrow More."

Canada's committed to increasing its military investment to 5% of GDP. That won't come without some tough decisions (that will undoubtedly affect everyday Canadians). Economist Todd Hirsch lays it out (8:30) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 
READ TODD'S OP/ED: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-to-up-defence-spending-canada-must-cut-deeper-tax-harder-and-borrow/
BOOK TODD: https://toddhirsch.com/
MERCEDES-BENZ EDMONTON WEST: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/
48:00 | "F*ck you, Jo-Anne Wright!" Everybody's talking about Edmonton councillor Sarah Hamilton's outburst at City Hall. Jespo shares some insights from Hamilton herself, and we look to our Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
1:11:00 | Real Talker Gillian shares her thoughts on transgender athletes competing in women's sport, prompted by the Lia Thomas story. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:20:00 | Real Talker Pilot One shares their Positive Reflection: Ten Things that are Important in Life. Positive Reflections is presented weekly on Real Talk by Solar by Kuby.
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kuby.ca/
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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.

"Happy Fourth of July to our Loud, Lovable, Slightly Unstable Neighbours!"

Chantal's pissed off about Airdrie's Canada Day parade, Wes has NO time for a Progressive Conservative revival (or EVs), Blahsheep's keen on Danielle Smith's Alberta Sheriffs - TSM feels differently, Les is less than subtle about the UCP, Patrick says we need to pay more attention to Quebec, and Krista has a (hilarious) Fourth of July message for our American neighbours. 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
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RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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

Fourth of July Special: Repairing the Canada/U.S. Relationship

This Fourth of July feels different, doesn't it? As President Donald Trump reignites his trade war with Canada, we check in with a special guest south of the border (3:45) who reminds us there's lots of goodwill yet to spend between the two nations. 
CHECK OUT PKJ ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING: https://www.pkjentertainment.com/
49:15 | Jespo and Johnny tell a few stories from the Glendale Ladies Member Guest tournament in support of Uncles & Aunts at Large. Real Talker Karen gives us a first hand report of what's slowing residential rebuilds in Jasper (56:00). We check out AOC's fiery rant about Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" (1:06:40), and we revisit Danielle Smith's response to the relaunch of the Progressive Conservative party in Alberta (1:18:00). 
1:27:00 | Chantal's pissed off about Airdrie's Canada Day parade, Wes has NO time for a Progressive Conservative revival (or EVs), Blahsheep's keen on Danielle Smith's Alberta Sheriffs - TSM feels differently, Les is less than subtle about the UCP, Patrick says we need to pay more attention to Quebec, and Krista has a (hilarious) Fourth of July message for our American neighbours. 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.

Alberta’s Conservative Showdown

Can the rising-from-the-ashes Progressive Conservatives interrupt Danielle Smith's tenure as Alberta's premier (11:00)? Will a new provincial police service outperform the RCMP (41:00)? And why did renowned economist Dr. Trevor Tombe agree to participate in Premier Smith's Alberta Next "propaganda stunt" (54:00)? We get answers to these questions from veteran political commentator Graham Thomson in this epiosde of Real Talk. 
READ GRAHAM in THE TYEE: https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025/07/03/Why-Join-Danielle-Smith-Alberta-Next/
1:00 | But first...Ryan recaps our July 2 exclusive with Pete Guthrie and Scott Sinclair, including your comments on YouTube and emails to talk@ryanjespersen.com. 
WATCH THAT EPISODE: https://rtrj.info/070225PC
1:06:00 | Johnny Infamous is in the spotlight! We take a look at the newest edition of Edify featuring Real Talk's very own intrepid producer. 
CHECK IT OUT: https://edifyedmonton.com/people/profiles/favourite-things-edmonton-2025-part-2/
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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: Alberta's Progressive Conservatives Are Back

Ousted (former) UCP MLAs Peter Guthrie and Scott Sinclair are reviving the PC Party of Alberta, saying they'll restore "balance and normalcy" to politics in the province. In a Real Talk exclusive, we find out why they're doing it, and how they intend to dethrone Danielle Smith's UCP (2:30). 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
May 22 LUKASZUK INTERVIEW: https://rtrj.info/052225CanadaForever
1:07:00 | Rest in Peace, Jodi Broadhead. Ryan remembers a friend of the show who died under tragic circumstances on June 21. 
1:10:40 | The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge's world-class golf course is officially open, celebrating 100 years! Plus, the (beautiful) Ursidae Lair Scotch tasting lounge has specials through the summer. We've got details in MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper.
BOOK JPL GOLF: https://www.jaspermountaingolf.com/RESERVE A TABLE at URSIDAE LAIR: https://ursidaelair.com/
1:15:30 | Jespo and Johnny debrief on PC 2.0, take a look at the University of Pennsylvania/Lia Thomas story (1:26:30), Paramount's settlement with Donald Trump (1:28:55), and the Diddy verdict (1:31:00). 
1:50:50 | We hope you had a fantastic Canada Day. Jespo highlights a fireworks capture on one of his favourite Instagram accounts for Positive Reflections presented by Solar by Kuby.
FOLLOW SAMEER on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sameer.pictures/
SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kuby.ca/
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.

"You've Become the SNOWFLAKES You Warned Us About!"

Real Talkers Rosie and Cactus Sheriff are fired up over the UCP's library book distraction, while Jennifer and AJ trade barbs after our Don Iveson interview. David, Eddie the Valiant, and Thera-P share their hot takes on residential infill. 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
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.

Indigenous History // Real Talkers Split on Infill

Elected Ontario school board councillor Catherine Kronas has been suspended for speaking out against land acknowledgements. She's mounting a legal challenge - does she have a case? We put that story (2:00) in front of our Real Talk Round Table panelists right out of the gates as we recognize National Indigenous History Month. Stick around to hear how Matricia Bauer (Warrior Women),  Keith Diakiw (Talking Rock Tours), and Kendra Dudzic (The Woods Experience) are preserving and amplifying Indigenous history through tourism. 
WARRIOR WOMEN: https://warriorwomen.ca/TALKING ROCK TOURS: https://www.talkingrocktours.com/THE WOODS EXPERIENCE: https://atthewoods.ca/
50:00 | Real Talkers are coming at the residential infill issue from a ton of different directions. Ryan reads a bunch of feedback from our email inbox (Kaila and Kyle), YouTube episode, and Instagram Reel (@RealTalkRJ). Stick around to hear why Jespo spoke to Edmonton city councillors at a public hearing on the Capital City Community Revitalization Levy (CRL). 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:29:00 | Real Talkers Rosie and Cactus Sheriff are fired up over the UCP's library book distraction, while Jennifer and AJ trade barbs after our Don Iveson interview. David, Eddie the Valiant, and Thera-P share their hot takes on residential infill. 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.

Supriya Dwivedi: Mark Carney’s “Rookie Mistake”

Supriya Dwivedi says PM Mark Carney made a "rookie mistake" on India, and lays out her argument (36:00) along with her thoughts on Carney's "nation-building" Bill C-5 in this episode. But first, we follow up on the Alberta library book controversy (including public survey results) with Education Minister Dimitrios Nicolaides (2:45) and Laura Winton of the Library Association of Alberta (14:30). 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
31:15 | THANK YOU, REAL TALKERS! Our fourth-annual Real Talk Golf Classic raised SIXTY-ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS for the Real Talk Julie Rohr Scholarship! Jespo shares memories and photos (by the incredible Karly Watson at kliquethis). 
FOLLOW KARLY on IG: https://www.instagram.com/karlywatson
1:04:45 | Jespo and Johnny debrief on the library book story, and hear from Real Talkers in our Live Chat powered by Park Power. 
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
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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

Mayoral Candidate Wants Moratorium on Infill Development

Tim Cartmell wants to press pause infill development. The Edmonton mayor candidate says council has lost the public's trust, and it's time to re-evaluate how mature neighbourhoods are evolving. But what would a moratorium mean, big picture? Jespo gets into it right off the top of the show, and checks in with Real Talker Travis Watt (8:40), who says he's living an infill nightmare. 
THOUGHTS? talk@ryanjespersen.com 
50:00 | Former Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer wants to be Edmonton's next mayor. Does he stand a chance? 
56:00 | The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge golf course opens July 1! We feature Canada's #1 golf resort in this edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
BOOK YOUR TEE TIME at the FAIRMONT JPL: https://www.fairmont.com/en/hotels/jasper/fairmont-jasper-park-lodge/golf.html
1:00:15 | What does it take to build a booming business these days? What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing business in Alberta? We welcome Alberta Business Awards of Distinction winners Annie Zaidi (Tiny Toes Castle - Red Deer) and Ashley Fedorchuk (World Guardian Security Services), and Alberta Chambers CEO Shauna Feth to the Real Talk Round Table. 
ALBERTA CHAMBERS of COMMERCE: https://www.abchamber.ca/
ALBERTA BUSINESS AWARDS of DISTINCTION: https://abbusinessawards.com/
1:36:30 | Jespo and Johnny take a look at the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power, and discuss key elements to a healthy, growing city. 
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.

Trump Irate at Iran & Israel // AB By-elections

Iran and Israel "don't know what the f*ck they're doing," says (an agitated) U.S. President Donald Trump, after the two nations violated what POTUS clearly believed to be a negotiated ceasefire. In this episode, political scientist Dr. Duane Bratt explains why the U.S. is stepping in (3:15), gauges the actual threat of Iranian nukes, and touches on economic implications for Canada.
24:30 | The Alberta NDP holds two ridings in Edmonton, the UCP holds a riding in central Alberta, and Naheed Nenshi finds his way into the Legislature. Duane gives us the takeaways from recent by-election results. 
THOUGHTS? talk@ryanjespersen.com 
36:30 | Turns out you don't have to be worth a billion dollars to own downtown real estate. Former Edmonton mayor Don Iveson, engineer Tegan Martin-Drysdale, and entrepreneur Kyla Kazeil tell us how they intend to reinvent downtown revitalization with Homestead Investment Co-operative. 
LEARN MORE: https://homesteadcowork.ca/
JUNE 25 OPEN HOUSE DETAILS: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/invest-in-downtown-edmontons-future-hic-open-house-networking-event-tickets-1424658555089
1:29:15 | Jespo and Johnny debrief. 
1:38:20 | Congratulations to Real Talker Justin and his growing family! Our faces hurt from smiling at this perfect Positive Reflection presented by Solar by Kuby. 
SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: 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.