Episodes

Thursday Jan 05, 2023
Thursday Jan 05, 2023
We could all use a timeline cleanse once in a while. Today's is courtesy Slavo Cech, a renowned sculptor and founder of the Art Hunt. But first...
0:40 | Real Talk producer John Hicks is Twitter verified! But he's not sure he wants to be. We open the show with a look at the pros and cons of paying for Twitter Blue.
9:18 | Have you signed your team up for the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic on February 4? Ryan shares some video from last year's event that raised more than $50,000 for Uncles & Aunts at Large and KidSport St. Albert.
SIGN UP TO PLAY, VOLUNTEER, OR SPONSOR: https://ryanjespersen.com/pond-hockeyCHECK OUT THE VIDEO: https://youtu.be/QayHG7TTIbI
14:28 | Slavo Cech's art resonates with people in a remarkable way. The Edifier Award winner explains how nature influences his creative process, and why he started giving pieces away via scavenger hunt.
CHECK OUT THE NEW ISSUE OF EDIFY: https://edifyedmonton.com/
FOLLOW SLAVO ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/slav_metalurgesINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/slavocech/TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@slavocech
36:07 | Prince Harry's new book "Spare" contains bombshell after bombshell about the state of his family relationships, including with his brother William. Ryan gets into some of the details that have emerged ahead of the book's scheduled release on January 10.
41:25 | The US House of Representatives is handcuffed, as the House Freedom Caucus refuses to grant the votes needed for Kevin McCarthy to become House Speaker. Does this stateside story remind you of any political stories a bit closer to home? Ryan ruminates.
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.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 Jan 04, 2023
Wednesday Jan 04, 2023
0:20 | You don't have to be a football fan, or even a sports fan, to be following the Damar Hamlin story. We open the show with the latest update on the NFL star's condition, and a few thoughts on how COVID misinformation has entered the chat.
12:01 | Philippe Fournier went 82 for 87 in predicting the outcome of Alberta's provincial election in 2019. The founder of 338Canada tells us how he sees the 2023 Alberta election playing out, and what other political stories he's keeping an eye on across the country.
CHECK OUT 338CANADA: https://338canada.com/
30:21 | It's a perfect time of year to book your Jasper getaway! This week's edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper highlights some of the great options in store during the first weekend of Jasper in January.
MAKE YOUR PLANS TODAY: https://www.jasper.travel/january/
34:15 | Taylor Swift unleashed controversy this fall with her "Anti-Hero" video that critics swiftly labelled as fatphobic. Athabasca University professors Kristin Rodier and Heather McLean explain how the oppression of fat people continues to be a problem, and where they'd like to see the conversation go.
READ THEIR ARTICLE: https://theconversation.com/what-taylor-swifts-anti-hero-controversy-can-tell-us-about-fatphobia-in-feminist-politics-195287
LEARN MORE ABOUT ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY: https://www.athabascau.ca/
HEADS UP, HOCKEY PLAYERS! The puck drops February 4 at the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic. We'd love to see you there playing, volunteering, or sponsoring our annual fundraiser for KidSport and Uncles & Aunts at Large.
SIGN UP TODAY: https://ryanjespersen.com/pond-hockey
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.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.

Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
0:55 | It's great to be back in the Real Talk studio! Ryan and Johnny reveal their New Year's resolutions, including Ryan's plan to purge 496 items from his jam-packed storage room.
WHAT'S YOUR PLAN FOR 2023? talk@ryanjespersen.com
17:59 | Charles Adler's endorsement of Rachel Notley's NDP has 700,000 views on Twitter since New Year's Eve. The longtime conservative talk radio host tells us why he "flip flopped," including a pointed response to his loudest critics.
52:16 | Forbes says healthcare delivery will change in five major ways this year. This week's edition of The Leading Edge presented by Leading Edge Physiotherapy highlights innovation in health and wellness.
LIFE SHOULDN'T HURT: https://leadingedgephysio.com/
1:05:27 | A heartwarming story in the midst of a New York blizzard takes centre stage in Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy.
GET YOUR FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/
HEADS UP, HOCKEY PLAYERS! The puck drops February 4 at the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic. We'd love to see you there playing, volunteering, or sponsoring our annual fundraiser for KidSport and Uncles & Aunts at Large.
SIGN UP TODAY: https://ryanjespersen.com/pond-hockey
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.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 Dec 30, 2022
Trash Talk - December 22, 2022
Friday Dec 30, 2022
Friday Dec 30, 2022
With tomorrow's Patreon-exclusive Holiday Zoom Party, this week's Trash Talk falls on a Thursday. Stephen takes centre stage with his rebuttal to Nils beating up on bike lanes last week. Buckle up for Trash Talk, presented by our friends at Local Environmental Services!
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Thursday Dec 22, 2022
Thursday Dec 22, 2022
It's our final public show of 2022, featuring investigative journalist Robyn Doolittle and disruption strategist Shawn Kanungo!
1:10 | Friday, we present our annual Patreon Holiday Zoom Party, exclusively for our Real Talk Patrons. Ryan and Johnny open the show with a few details re: what Patreon supporters can expect on tomorrow's special edition of the show.
SUPPORT REAL TALK ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
3:57 | New details have surfaced in the Hockey Canada scandal, including potential charges against five individuals implicated in the alleged group sexual assault. Globe and Mail investigative journalist Robyn Doolittle brings us up to speed.
READ ROBYN'S WORK: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-court-filing-reveals-new-details-about-alleged-hockey-canada-group/
26:01 | Nobody brings more energy to the table than Shawn Kanungo. The disruption strategist and author of "The Bold Ones" makes his Real Talk debut, and jumps right into the deep end. It's impossible to not be challenged, inspired, or moved by this interview!
CHECK OUT SHAWN'S BOOK: https://www.shawnkanungo.com/
1:22:06 | Sign your team up to play in the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic by December 31 and qualify to win our $500 early bird prize! The annual fundraiser for KidSport and Uncles & Aunts at Large goes February 4...we'd love to see you there playing, volunteering, or sponsoring this wonderful event!
SIGN UP TODAY: https://ryanjespersen.com/pond-hockey
1:23:56 | Congratulations to our Email of the Month winner for December! Ryan reveals whose message rose above all others, winning the author an official Real Talk studio mug.
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com
1:26:10 | It's the final instalment of the John Hicks Holiday Movie Review, aka Hicks' Flick Picks!
1:28:05 | Our hearts are full after hearing an anonymous Real Talker donated $5,000 to Harvest Sky Animal Rescue after hearing Trevor Kerr (aka Cactus Sheriff) on the show earlier this week. Real Talkers are an incredible bunch!
1:32:28 | With tomorrow's Patreon-exclusive Holiday Zoom Party, this week's Trash Talk falls on a Thursday. Stephen takes centre stage with his rebuttal to Nils beating up on bike lanes last week. Buckle up for Trash Talk, presented by our friends at Local Environmental Services!
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.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 Dec 21, 2022
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
Could Hobbits be real? We speak with Oxford-educated anthropologist Dr. Gregory Forth about a remarkable discovery on an Indonesian island that is guaranteed to blow your mind. But first, you want REAL talk? Sixties Scoop survivors Lew Jobs and Sandra Relling join Ryan in the Real Talk studio.
1:03 | Have you registered to plan in, volunteer at, or sponsor the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic on February 4? Sign up your team by December 31 to qualify for more than $500 in prizes, all in support of the Canadian Progress Club - St. Albert, Uncles & Aunts at Large, and KidSport.
DETAILS: https://ryanjespersen.com/pond-hockey
5:20 | Lew Jobs was homeless for years. He grew up raised by a white family after being taken from his family in Tuktoyaktuk, and has struggled with his identity ever since. He and fellow Sixties Scoop survivor Sandra Relling join Ryan in studio for a powerful conversation about the past, present, and future.
SUPPORT THE SIXTIES SCOOP INDIGENOUS SOCIETY OF ALBERTA: https://www.ssisa.ca/
43:40 | Could Hobbits actually be real? The truth is, anthropologist Greg Forth doesn't prefer the term...but he doesn't deny the (potential CURRENT) existence of curious-looking creatures known to inhabit a remote Indonesian island tens of thousands of years ago. This interview is guaranteed to blow your mind!
CHECK OUT DR. FORTH'S BOOK: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Between-Ape-and-Human/Gregory-Forth/9781639361434
1:11:45 | Jasper in January is nearly upon us! This year's edition is full of exclusive menus, unique dishes, and irresistible specials. Don't miss the details highlighted in this week's edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper!
MAKE YOUR JASPER IN JANUARY PLANS: https://www.jasper.travel/january/
REGISTER TO PLAY IN, VOLUNTEER AT, OR SPONSOR THE REAL TALK POND HOCKEY CLASSIC ON FEB. 4: https://ryanjespersen.com/pond-hockey
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.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.

Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
0:38 | Fresh off contentious budget deliberations, Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi joins Ryan in the Real Talk studio. Sohi explains how this council is "building the city differently," including commitments to Reconciliation, social services, and addressing climate change. Ryan challenges the mayor on the decision to kill a regional transit collaboration, and reports the business community is at odds with this council. The conversation wraps with the mayor's thoughts on a provincial government task force on crime in Edmonton, which Sohi says was organized without his feedback.
42:20 | This week's edition of #TheLeadingEdge presented by Leading Edge Physiotherapy is a bit different: Leading Edge founder Grant Fedoruk joins us live from a therapeutic pool at their new Capilano location! Grant explains the innovation behind hydrotherapy, and demonstrates a few innovative techniques his team employs to get patients back to living their best lives.
LIFE SHOULDN'T HURT: https://leadingedgephysio.com/
REGISTER TO PLAY IN, VOLUNTEER AT, OR SPONSOR THE REAL TALK POND HOCKEY CLASSIC ON FEB. 4: https://ryanjespersen.com/pond-hockey
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.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.

Monday Dec 19, 2022
Monday Dec 19, 2022
0:41 | It's being called one of the greatest championship finals in sports history. Derek Van Diest joins live from Qatar, where he covered Argentina's incredible win over France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.
READ DEREK'S REPORTING: https://torontosun.com/sports/soccer/world-cup-fitting-end-to-fantastic-tournament
18:55 | A (nearly) clean-shaven Charles Adler tells us why he's eating less meat, swearing off fringe extremists, and growing back his beard in 2023.
55:52 | We love introducing you to your fellow Real Talkers! Trevor Kerr - "Cactus Sheriff" in our YouTube live chat - checks in from Hanna, Alberta, to tell us what it was like living with a domesticated bison in the house (!). This, in follow-up to our chat with Calgary Zoo CEO Dr. Clément Lanthier last week: https://youtu.be/21kcHZ8OI-s?t=2467
SUPPORT HARVEST SKY ANIMAL RESCUE: https://www.harvestskyrescue.ca/
1:07:17 | Ryan tells the story of his boxer Moses getting beat up by a cat named Cat. A ring a ding dong dandy!
1:12:15 | Are you a doomscroller? This week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy is dedicated to you!
GET YOUR FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK POND HOCKEY CLASSIC (FEB. 4): https://ryanjespersen.com/pond-hockey
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.

Sunday Dec 18, 2022
Trash Talk - December 16, 2022
Sunday Dec 18, 2022
Sunday Dec 18, 2022
Megan, Albert, Nils, and Erin all have scores to settle in a NSFW, "earmuffs, kids" edition of Trash Talk presented by our friends at Local Environmental Services!
KEEP IT LOCAL: localenvironmental.ca

Friday Dec 16, 2022
Friday Dec 16, 2022
2:03 | Edmonton's city council killed a regional transit plan by pulling its commitment late Wednesday night. Will the ripple effects extend beyond bus service? What does this mean for "bigger picture" regional cooperation? Councillor Sarah Hamilton, St. Albert Mayor Cathy Heron, and Strathcona County Councillor Robert Parks join our Real Talk Round Table presented by Urban Timber. LIKE OUR TABLE? CHECK OUT URBAN TIMBER: https://www.urbantimber.ca/ 40:51 | It seems like everybody in Canada had something to say about a Toronto Life piece featuring a woman who moved from Toronto (Mississauga) to Edmonton, and "hated it". We chat with Greig Smith, who moved from Toronto to Edmonton...and loves it! (This guy's bound to put a smile on your face.) 1:05:57 | Megan, Albert, Nils, and Erin all have scores to settle in a NSFW, "earmuffs, kids" edition of Trash Talk presented by our friends at Local Environmental Services! KEEP IT LOCAL: localenvironmental.ca WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK POND HOCKEY CLASSIC (FEB. 4): https://ryanjespersen.com/pond-hockey 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.