Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

April 7, 2021 - Dr. Kashif Pirzada, Mayor Kevin Zahara, blogger Susan Wright, Prof. Eric Strikwerda

With a third wave of the pandemic (and another lockdown) upon us, how do we ensure this is the last time it happens? Toronto ER Dr. Kashif Pirzada lays out what it'll take to eliminate COVID-19 completely. As Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health faces fire for withholding details relating to a "concerning outbreak," Edson Mayor Kevin Zahara explains why information sharing is so important. Susan Wright, the lawyer and blogger behind Susan on the Soapbox, makes her Real Talk debut to discuss her recent column on "cruel" UCP policies, resistance, and hope. Athabasca University history professor Dr. Eric Strikwerda argues Alberta's draft curriculum will make the province the "laughing stock" of Canada, and points out some glaring examples of inaccuracies and omissions. Plus, it's our first show of the week, so we focus on some good news stories with "Positive Reflections" presented by Kuby Energy!
19:33 - Dr. Kashif Pirzada52:44 - Mayor Kevin Zahara1:15:38 - Susan Wright1:42:45 - Dr. Eric Strikwerda2:17:17 - Positive Reflections

Trash Talk -April 2, 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.

April 2, 2021 - Scaachi Koul, Three Minute Thesis Winners' Round Table, MLA Rakhi Pancholi

Not every Real Talk guest can segue effortlessly between Ramona Quimby, QAnon, and history's greatest TV shows...but Scaachi Koul can. The senior culture writer for Buzzfeed News joins from NYC, kicking off Friday's show. Research and innovation at the University of Alberta is on display, as we feature the winners from the annual "Three Minute Thesis (3MT)" competition. Real Talk about affordable child care continues with MLA Rakhi Pancholi, who lays out what an NDP government would do on the file. Plus, it's Friday, so buckle up for an especially-rowdy edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Waste!
8:12 - Scaachi Koul39:39 - 3MT Round Table1:15:47 - MLA Rakhi Pancholi2:08:47 - Trash Talk

April 1, 2021 - Brad West, Drs. Lynora Saxinger & Gosia Gasperowicz, Dr. Sean Tucker, Audrey Poitras

April 1st means most of Alberta's $25/day child care subsidies are done. Glengarry Child Care executive director Brad West explains what that means for the families at his facility, his staff, and his business. With Alberta headed toward a "third wave" of variant-heavy cases of COVID-19, Dr. Lynora Saxinger and Dr. Gosia Gasperowicz guide us through the stats, trends, and headlines we need to understand. Why is University of Regina professor Sean Tucker calling for a public inquiry into the Alberta government's handling of COVID-19 outbreaks at meat packing plants? Dr. Tucker takes us into the 600+ pages of documents he reviewed through his lens as a occupational health and safety expert. The Metis Nation of Alberta is calling for the government to re-do its draft K-6 curriculum. President Audrey Poitras explains why she calls it "another example of Alberta's continued colonial practice over Metis peoples."
17:01 - Brad West38:01 - Dr. Lynora Saxinger & Dr. Gosia Gasperowicz1:19:00 - Dr. Sean Tucker1:34:39 - Audrey Poitras

March 31, 2021 - Chris Clearfield, Dr. Lorian Hardcastle, Children First Canada's Sara Austin

How do we thrive in a complex world, with disaster all around us? "Meltdown" author Chris Clearfield lays it out for leaders and everyday folks. Alberta's doctors vote "no" to a negotiated deal with the government - what does it mean? Health law/policy expert Dr. Lorian Hardcastle checks in from the University of Calgary. What are the short- and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on children, and how do we need to respond? Children First Canada CEO Sara Austin joins for a powerful conversation. Plus, a ton of your emails about Alberta's draft curriculum for K-6 Social Studies. Real Talkers are riled up!
17:16 - Chris Clearfield41:41 - Dr. Lorian Hardcastle1:05:12 - Sara Austin

March 30, 2021 - Drs. Carla Peck & Dwayne Donald; Amarjeet Sohi, Barry Morishita, & Jenelle Saskiw

Why are so many people - both parents and educators - so upset with Alberta's Draft Social Studies K-6 Curriculum? Dr. Carla Peck and Dr. Dwayne Donald explain where they believe the new roadmap falls short, and why it "sets Alberta Social Studies back decades". What does "anti-racism" advocacy actually look like, and how can people be leaders on this front in their own communities? Amarjeet Sohi, Brooks Mayor Barry Morishita, and Jenelle Saskiw discuss a recent "life-changing" course at MacEwan University, and dig into important equity issues facing Canadians today.
11:08 - Dr. Carla Peck and Dr. Dwayne Donald43:31 - Amarjeet Sohi, Mayor Barry Morishita, Jenelle Saskiw

March 29, 2021 - Min. Jonathan Wilkinson; Dr. Andrew Leach; Supriya Dwivedi re: SCoC, CarbonTax, CPC

We're back at it after a week away! Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, joins to discuss the Supreme Court of Canada's recent ruling against Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario's challenge of the federal Carbon Tax. Economist Dr. Andrew Leach, one of the architects of former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley's climate plan, explains why he supports the provinces' challenge of Justin Trudeau's levy. Lawyer, researcher, and pundit Supriya Dwivedi gives her take on the SCoC's ruling, Conservative Party of Canada members saying "no" to bolstering party policy re: climate change, vaccine roll-out across the country, and Canadaland's recent report on Brian Lilley and Ivana Yelich. Plus, it's Monday, so Ryan rolls out a unique edition of Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy!
9:48 - Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson39:37 - Dr. Andrew Leach1:07:25 - Supriya Dwivedi1:58:08 - Positive Reflections

Trash Talk - March 19, 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.

March 19, 2021 - UCal Berkeley's Dr. Lok Siu, former PC MLA Teresa Woo-Paw, ParityYEG's Rajah Maggay

Targeted, racist expressions and attacks have increased against Canadians and Americans of Asian descent through the COVID-19 pandemic. The world watched in horror this week as a gunman took the lives of eight people, predominantly Asian women, in Atlanta, GA. UCal Berkeley cultural anthropologist Dr. Lok Siu, former PC MLA Teresa Woo-Paw, founder of Act2endracism, and researcher Rajah Maggay of ParityYEG and Political D.I.V.A.S. join for a candid and moving Real Talk Round Table about anti-Asian racism. Plus, it's Friday, so buckle up for another fiery edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Waste!
32:00 - Real Talk Round Table 1:46:00 - Trash Talk

March 18, 2021 - Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Karen Gosbee; climatologist Dr. Michael E. Mann

Karen Gosbee's "glittering marriage" nearly ended her life. The author of "A Perfect Nightmare," now co-chair of Calgary's Mental Health and Addiction Community Strategy and Action Plan, joins Mayor Naheed Nenshi to explain how this new approach changes the landscape (and how it can work in cities around the world). Renowned climatologist and geophysicist Dr. Michael E. Mann, author of "The New Climate War," discusses what's new in The Fight to Take Back the Planet, and what it means for Canadians. Plus, Ryan gets into the Real Talk inbox, and reads your emails submitted to talk@ryanjespersen.com.
5:17 - Mayor Naheed Nenshi & Karen Gosbee38:08 - Dr. Michael E. Mann