Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

March 17, 2021 - David Knight Legg, Dr. Alex Wong, "Disruptor Conductor" Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser

As CEO of Invest Alberta, David Knight Legg's job is to attract investment to the province. Formerly Premier Jason Kenney's principal secretary, he's now tasked with finding ways to boost energy, agriculture, tourism, tech, and other sectors. He joins Ryan off the top of the show to explain what hasn't worked in past, and what he thinks will work now. Dr. Alexander Wong is an infectious disease specialist in one of Canada's hardest-hit COVID-19 regions: the province of Saskatchewan. He stays into overtime to discuss new variants, vaccine hesitancy, concerns around the Oxford AstraZeneca shot, social justice through a pandemic lens, and more. One of the first black, openly gay orchestral conductors in the world, Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser is used to being one of the "others". The star of the documentary Disruptor Conductor joins Ryan (his childhood friend!) for an entertaining, enlightening, powerful exploration of the power of music, and how he's ultimately changing lives.
6:37 - David Knight Legg44:14 - Dr. Alexander Wong1:39:58 - Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser

March 16, 2021 - Rev. Michael Coren, Jamie Manson on The Vatican's decree re: LGBTQ unions as "sin"

LGBTQ Catholics may not have been surprised by the Vatican's declaration that same-sex unions are a sin it cannot bless, but that doesn't mean the message didn't sting. Rev. Michael Coren, an Anglican cleric, columnist, and broadcaster, shares his response, including why he ultimately left the Catholicism. Jamie Manson, president of Catholics 4 Choice, and one of the few LGBTQ columnists in religious media through her time at the National Catholic Reporter, speaks to the advocacy work being done on this front. Ryan and Sam take on the story making headlines around the world — Alberta's "War Room" quarrelling with Netflix over the streaming giant's "Bigfoot Family" cartoon.
10:31 - Rev. Michael Coren 35:48 - Jamie Manson1:09:08 - War Room vs. Netflix

March 15, 2021 - Katie Way: Why Is Everyone Acting Like Assholes? UCP leadership with Erika Barootes

It's been a year since the WHO declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic, and people are tired. We've seen generosity and altrusm abound, but there are signs people are losing patience, too. VICE health and wellness journalist Katie Way joins from Brooklyn to reveal "Why Everyone Is Acting Like An Asshole Lately". With Premier Jason Kenney trailing Rachel Notley's NDP in several recent polls, Alberta's United Conservative Party will hold a leadership review at its 2022 AGM. So, why not 2021? Founding party president Erika Barootes shares her insight on the significance of the process, and her evaluation of Premier Kenney's leadership to this point. Plus, we review the results of our most recent (and super fun) Get Real: Question of the Week by Y Station, and bring you Positive Reflections, presented by Kuby Energy!
9:36 - Katie Way33:55 - Erika Barootes1:29:58 - Positive Reflections

Trash Talk - March 12, 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 12, 2021 - Bias at universities cont w/ Drs. Melanee Thomas & Lise Gotell; "Solar Panel" panel

After Thursday's "ornery" start, Ryan welcomes Dr. Melanee Thomas and Dr. Lise Gotell to respond, and expand the conversation around bias on university campuses. Our long-anticipated "Solar Panel" features Dr. Sara Hastings-Simon, Heather MacKenzie, and Jake Kubiski, who take your questions on battery storage, cost barriers, government incentives, climate justice, and more. Plus, it's Friday, so buckle up for another rowdy edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Waste!
6:07 - Dr. Melanee Thomas24:28 - Dr. Lise Gotell44:38 - Solar Panel1:51:53 - Trash Talk

March 11, 2021 - Dr. Jacob Held on Dr. Seuss going out of print, "Are universities biased?" panel

Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced six books deemed racist are going out of print, and their online asking price immediately jumped. What does this say? We talk to University of Central Arkansas philosophy professor Dr. Jacob Held, editor of "Dr. Seuss and Philosophy: Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!" Are universities in Canada inherently biased against conservatives? Trent University's Dr. Christopher Dummitt, University of Alberta's Dr. Jared Wesley, and investigative journalist Steven Zhou dig in.
16:30 - Dr. Jacob Held40:46 - Bias on campuses panel

March 10, 2021 - Family law panel, CEO Kelly Thompson on how the UCP is making AB a "bad investment"

Ryan and Sam have some fun out of the gates, completing a light-hearted edition of the Real Talk Question of the Week, presented by Y Station. Family lawyers Jo-Anne Stark and Marcus Sixta talk divorce, child custody, and steps to eliminate stress through family court proceedings. Osmundsen Holdings CEO Kelly Thompson digs into his recent Twitter thread, explaining why United Conservative government policy is actually chasing international investment away from Alberta.
35:19 - Family law panel1:41:31 - Kelly Thompson

March 9, 2021 - MLA Shannon Phillips on being surveilled by police, Women's Health panel

She was so convinced Lethbridge Police officers were monitoring her movements, she filed a Freedom of Information request. What former Environment Minister Shannon Phillips discovered was a chilling trend. The NDP MLA from Lethbridge West joins us for an exclusive interview on her first suspicions, the implications of the surveillance, and what she wants to see done about it. On the heels of International Women's Day, Drs. Sandra Davidge, Colleen Norris, and Jane Schultz explain why women are neglected under our current healthcare model (starting with research), and which specific issues demand more attention and action.
3:56 - MLA Shannon Phillips40:15 - Women's Health panel

March 8, 2021 - ESPN's Jen Lada, Women Investors Panel, Scarlet Bjornson of No Woman Without

Happy International Women's Day! Emmy Award-winning ESPN host/reporter Jen Lada joins us from Milwaukee to share insights on her double-duty job, covering college football and hosting a morning radio show. Entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors Shelley Kuipers, Rhiannon Davies, and Amanda Hall form a Real Talk Round Table you won't want to miss. We cover financial feminism, funding gaps for women, global trends in wealth allocation, and many other important focal points. Scarlet Bjornson, founder of No Woman Without, explains how "period poverty" got on her radar, and why she went beyond making a simple donation. Plus, it's Monday, so we start another week off on the right foot with Positive Reflections, presented by Kuby Energy!
7:25 - Jen Lada50:10 - Women Investors Panel1:29:55 - Scarlet Bjornson2:01:12 - Positive Reflections

Trash Talk - March 5, 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.