Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

February 28, 2022 - Ukraine/Russia Crisis Update; Fatal Police Shooting of Latjor Tuel in Calgary

3:59 | Ryan and editorial producer Sarah Hoyles get us up-to-date on the situation in Ukraine as Russia continues to violently invade the sovereign state and threaten the use of nuclear weapons, while half a million people flee the country, and the global community continues to respond with sanctions.
38:11 | A conversation about a former child soldier suffering from PTSD, Latjor Tuel, who was fatally shot by Calgary police on February 19, 2022. We're joined by Calgary African Community Collective's Dr. Charles Odame-Ankrah, plus the Dallaire Institute's executive director Dr. Shelly Whitman, and former child soldier John Kon Kelei from South Sudan.
1:24:56 | #PositiveReflections | Ryan shares hopeful sentiments from Real Talkers to help lighten your day and start your week on a positive note. Presented by Kuby Energy.

Trash Talk - February 25, 2022

Ryan reads what's ticking Real Talkers off this week. Presented by Local Environmental.

February 25, 2022 - Gerald Butts; Randy Boissonnault; Alberta Budget Analysis; Conspiracy Theories

1:33 | Vice chair and a senior advisor at Eurasia Group Gerald Butts, who served as the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, discusses Canadian politics, the Emergencies Act, and Russia invading Ukraine.
16:11 | Federal Minister of Tourism, Randy Boissonnault addresses Canada's response to Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine, the impact of COVID on tourism and the Canadian economy, plus the upcoming federal budget.
33:34 | The Globe & Mail journalist Kelly Cryderman and political columnist Graham Thomson analyze the new Alberta budget, the undeniable influence the price of oil has had on it, and what it could mean for Jason Kenney's upcoming leadership review.
1:24:33 | #RealTalkRoundTable on the power of conspiracy theories with the author of Republic of Lies Anna Merlan, investigative journalist Justin Ling, and Sue Muncaster whose brother is a conspiracy theorist. 
#TrashTalk | Ryan reads what's ticking Real Talkers off this week. Presented by Local Environmental

February 24, 2022 - Russia Invades Ukraine; Emergencies Act Ends; Ayla Brook; Mental Health

2:00 | With the unfolding crisis in Ukraine, Ryan reviews what's happening with the Russian invasion and how the world is responding to the unprovoked military attack.
15:03 | Schulich School of Law Dr. Wayne MacKay and University of Ottawa Dr. Nomi Claire Lazar discuss the Emergencies Act being invoked on February 14, the dropping of it 10 days later, and the precedents set. 
40:20 | Musician Ayla Brook on releasing an album just days before the pandemic, how he and his band, Ayla Brook & The Sound Men, have adapted, and the new mini-documentary film all about it.
49:52 | Mental health advocate Victoria Maxwell shares her personal journey through a bipolar disorder diagnosis, how humour and humility helped her comes to terms with her condition, and encouraging others do the same.

February 23, 2022 - Russia-Ukraine Crisis & West’s Involvement; First Male Doula in Western Canada

12:06 | University of Toronto Political Science professor Dr. Aurel Braun and director of the Contemporary Ukraine Studies Program at the University of Alberta, Dr. Volodymyr Kravchenko discuss Russia's aggression towards Ukraine and how the West, including Canada, is responding.
39:38 | #MyJasper Memories | Ryan gives everyone a two-month head start to train for the Jasper Half Marathon on April 23. Runners can register for the 10k or 5k race, or Family Fun Run, all through the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
42:38 | Alykhan Sumar shares why he left his job as a business analyst to become a doula—making him Western Canada’s first and only cisgendered male doula.

February 22, 2022 - Politics & Emergencies Act Passing discussed by Group Chat; Dr. Jodi Halpern

4:21 | YWCA of Edmonton's CEO Katherine O’Neill, lawyer Harman Kandola, and crisis management specialist Jenny Adams chat about Canadian politics, the recent passing of the Emergencies Act, and the Conservative leadership race.
34:16 | Ryan reviews the results from the most recent Question of the Week about the federal Conservative party and where it's headed after Erin O'Toole was booted. Presented by Y Station.
38:02 | UC Berkeley bioethicist Dr. Jodi Halpern explains how serious health issues and losses, including COVID, can impact a person and their loved ones, and how best to cope. 
1:15:41 | #PositiveReflections | Ryan shares a variety of Real Talker messages about the lighter side of life. Presented by Kuby Energy.

February 16, 2022 - Supriya Dwivedi & Tristin Hopper on Canadian Politics; Dry February

13:24 | Political analyst Supriya Dwivedi and National Post columnist Tristin Hopper on Canadian politics from the federal government invoking the Emergency Act, to the Conservative Party's leadership race, and beyond. 
47:52 | A roundtable on short and long-term sobriety from alcohol, including the benefits and challenges, with Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction's Dr. Bryce Barker, recovery coach Michael Walsh, and Mitzi Lyne who is five years sober.
1:22:23 | #MyJasper Memories | Ryan sinks his teeth into the Devour! The Food Film Fest (March 11-13, 2022)—a celebration of food & wine, and cinema! Presented by Tourism Jasper.

February 15, 2022 - Albertan in Ottawa during Convoy; Anti-Censorship; Last of Right Whales Film

8:17 | Born and raised Albertan Natasha Kornak currently living in Ottawa, shares how unsafe she's felt during the occupation of nation's capital by "Freedom" demonstrators over the last few weeks.
20:53 | Registered Provisional Psychologist Salvatore Durante on issues surrounding censorship and how the decision to censor or ban information can result in the loss of knowledge.
49:50 | Award-winning filmmaker Nadine Pequeneza talks about her new documentary film, Last of the Right Whales, telling the story of North Atlantic Right Whales who are nearing extinction thanks to humans.
1:09:52 | #QuestionoftheWeek | Ryan reviews Real Talkers input on Alberta removing COVID health protections recently. Presented by Y Station.

February 14, 2022 - Counter-protesters & Bill 1; Students Oppose Mask Mandate Removal; Tech & Love

2:20 | Emma Jackson on helping to organize the counter-demonstration to the "Freedom" convoy in Edmonton on Saturday (February 12) where she was told by police that she could be charged under Bill 1, the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act.
17:55 | Students Against Kenney organizers, Sam Clark, Toby Maltais, and Lauren Bayne on planning a province-wide school walk out this afternoon, to show their support for mask mandates in schools to keep students and teachers safe.
49:11 | Behavioural scientist Dr. Michelle Drouin on technology, relationships, couples, and sexuality. Her new book is OUT OF TOUCH: How to Survive an Intimacy Famine, is available now.
1:18:31 | #PositiveReflections | Ryan shares about the lighter side of life with an email from a Real Talker. Presented by Kuby Energy.

Trash Talk - February 11, 2022

Ryan let's 'er rip on emails from Real Talkers on what's ticking 'em off. Presented by Local Environmental