Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

September 8, 2021 - Abuse of Health Care Workers; Indigenous Issues & Election; Dr. Bryce Mailbox

14:28 | Registered nurse Dr. Jennifer Jackson and health researcher Jim Brophy explore how common violence against health care workers is and why it's escalating during the pandemic. 
58:30 | Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta's Grand Chief Arthur Noskey calls on federal parties to include Indigenous concerns in their election campaign platforms and beyond.
1:24:48 | #MyJasper Memories | Ryan shares about his family summer getaway to the national park and all the adventures, eats and entertainment they enjoyed.
1:30:40 | The national cemetery of Canada is inviting people to mail letters to residential school whistleblower Dr. Peter Bryce. The Beechwood Cemetery's Nick McCarthy explains how the mailbox at the grave site came to be and how it relates to reconciliation.

September 7, 2021 - Bumbles Bucks; Julie Rohr; Frog Lake Net Zero Project; Jaskaran Sandhu

1:03 | Ryan dissects the most recent UCP government plan to deal with the fourth wave of the pandemic, including $100 gift cards for eligible Albertans who haven't been vaccinated yet, exempting rodeos from health restrictions, plus leaving small businesses to make up and enforce their own rules. 
29:23 | End-stage cancer patient Julie Rohr shares how dangerous getting medical care continues to be amid COVID, due to Alberta's approach to the pandemic. 
56:22 | Frog Lake Nation Chief Greg Desjarlais and Kanata Clean Power's Erin Campbell explain the significance of developing an Indigenous-led net zero electricity project in east central Alberta and what it could mean Canada-wide.
1:39:06 | Political strategist Jaskaran Sandhu highlights how important the last two weeks before the federal election will be, what the political parties need to do yet, while he cautions against dismissing the People's Party of Canada (PPC).
2:08:47 | Plus, a dose of positivity and hope via #PositiveReflections presented by Kuby Energy

Trash Talk- August 26, 2021

Ryan rolls out the best rants of the week, as submitted to talk@ryanjespersen.com. Buckle up for another edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Waste.

August 26, 2021 - Terrorism Expert Jessica Davis; Real Talk Round Table Provincial Police Service

12:33 | Financial intelligence analyst Jessica Davis discusses who’s backing the Taliban in and outside Afghanistan, and how money is essential (little talked about) part of terrorism across the globe.
32:28 | #EatYourWords presented by Prairie CateringFederal Gender Equality Minister Maryam Monsef calls the Taliban ‘brothers’ and gets serious blowback for her choice of words. 
36:50 | #RealTalkRoundTable featuring leaders from across the province, Alberta Beach Deputy Mayor Angela Duncan, St. Albert Mayor Cathy Heron and Wetaskiwin Mayor Tyler Gandam. They weigh in on civility in politics including candidates in Alberta’s 2021 municipal elections signing onto The Pledge, the UCP government potentially walking back municipal governments’ codes of conduct, and establishing a provincial police service. 
1:35:07 | We tear the doors off with #TrashTalk, presented by Local Waste.

August 25, 2021 - Paul Wells; Aiding Afghan Sikhs; Public Spaces during Crisis; Linden MacIntyre

13:32 | Maclean’s Magazine senior writer Paul Wells on the progression of the federal election campaigns a week in and how he still gets surprised by the electoral process even after 25+ years of covering Canadian politics. 
47:57 | World Sikh Organization of Canada's Harman Singh Kandola details the plight of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus who are in ever-increasing danger amid the advance and takeover by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
1:10:25 | #MyJasper Memories | Maligne Canyon - Ryan takes us to the impressive natural formation containing waterfalls and underground streams plus vast plant and animal life. https://www.jasper.travel/realtalk
1:14:13 | Director of NYU's Institute for Public Knowledge Eric Klinenberg explains how the pandemic highlights the value of public spaces, including parks, libraries, transit and schools.
1:33:37 | Legendary Canadian broadcaster and journalist Linden Macintyre on the state of journalism in Canada, the need for an independent press, and what keeps him motivated.

August 24, 2021 - Living under The Taliban; NDP Heather McPherson; COVID + Pregnancy; Seth Klein

10:25 | McGill researcher Safia Amiry shares her lived experience growing up in Afghanistan under Taliban rule (attending a secret school), her loved ones' plight from inside the country now, and how it all motivates her studies.
32:04 | NDP candidate for the federal riding of Edmonton Strathcona Heather McPherson addresses how the party hopes to translate the popularity of their leader, Jagmeet Singh, into votes.
49:32 | Dr. Verena Kuret and Dr. Eliana Castillo outline the dire health implications for pregnant people who contract COVID-19 and how effective vaccines are. New mother María Castrellón opens up about her search for information and medical guidance on how vaccination could impact her and her child.
1:24:19 | We review Real Talkers' thoughts on the Tokyo Olympics via our Question of the Week. Presented alongside our strategic partner Y Station. 
1:42:08 | A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency author Seth Klein offers lessons from the Second World War that can now be applied to the climate crisis.

August 23, 2021 - David Herle; Supervised Consumption Service Client; Donna Kennedy-Glans

8:56 | Long-time political strategist and pollster David Herle offers his early impressions a week or so into the federal election campaigns. 
57:32 | A powerful conversation about harm reduction with a client of Alberta’s supervised consumption services, Ophelia Cara. She shares how the resources have impacted her life and how concerned she is with the Province's plans to close them down.
1:28:43 | Former PC MLA, associate minister, and leadership candidate Donna Kennedy-Glans unpacks how she lost her spot on the Banff Centre board after publicly criticizing Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s leadership.
2:05:44 | Plus, a boost for your Monday with #PositiveReflections courtesy of Kuby Energy.

Trash Talk - August 13, 2021

Ryan rolls out the best rants of the week, as submitted to talk@ryanjespersen.com. Buckle up for another edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Waste.

August 13, 2021 - Sport Climbing Olympian; Federal Election Round Table

12:23 | Elite athlete Sean McColl brings us into his Olympic debut experience in Sport Climbing at the Tokyo games.
37:48 | #RealTalkRoundTable on the anticipated snap federal election, with Washington Post columnist David Moscrop, political commentator Emma May and political strategist Jarrett Campbell. 
1:51:57 | #TrashTalk presented by Local Waste

August 12, 2021 - Metis Settlements sue AB gov't; Dr. James Talbot; China Relations; Tom Cochrane

52:40 | Metis Settlements General Council President Herb Lehr demands the provincial government stop imposing their views on Indigenous peoples with unilateral changes to the Metis Settlements Act. 
1:13:25 | Alberta's former Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. James Talbot explains why he felt compelled to sign a joint letter sent to Canada's Prime Minister requesting federal intervention in the province's COVID response.
1:37:37 | The University of Alberta's China Institute Director Dr. Gordon Houlden unpacks the "hostage diplomacy" using Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig as political bargaining chips by China during the extradition battle involving Meng Wanzhou, a senior executive at Chinese tech giant Huawei. 
1:56:41 | Legendary Canadian musician Tom Cochrane regales his 40+ years of touring and how COVID-19 is changing everything.  
2:39:33 | #EatYourWords presented by Prairie CateringA customer who lost his cool on wait staff at the Union Bluff Hotel in Maine, USA sends in an apology with $100 attached.