Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

March 5, 2021- COVID Zero with Dr. Gosia Gasperowicz, Women on the Move Round Table with Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Druh Farrell and Bridget Stirling

Between vaccines and new variants and businesses re-opening and health experts sounding alarms, it can be tough for the average person to know how to feel about proper COVID protocols. Dr. Gosia Gasperowicz, a developmental biologist, spells out what the numbers say, and describes a road to "COVID Zero". They're women who've held elected office, and decided to leave on their own terms. Our Real Talk Friday Round Table features a fantastic trio: author and former MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Calgary Councillor Druh Farrell, and Edmonton Public School Trustee Bridget Stirling. You'll want to watch every minute of why they decided to move on, where they're going, and what's driving their journey. Plus, buckle up for another rowdy edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Waste!
12:06 - Dr. Gosia Gasperowicz45:19 - Women Leaving Politics Round Table1:47:01 - Trash Talk

March 4, 2021 - Cancer Whistleblower Panel, Psychedelics Panel

For years, researchers have drawn a line from oil sands activity to recurring rare forms of cancer in Fort Chipewyan and Fort McKay. Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam, whistleblower Dr. John O'Connor, and James Turk from Ryerson University's Centre for Free Expression explain why they think provincial and federal governments haven't taken this health threat seriously. How much do you know about psychedelics? How could Psilocybin ("magic mushrooms"), Ayahuasca, and other approaches assist in effective treatments, including for mental health? Psychiatrist Dr. Peter Silverstone, Jazmin Pirozek of the Canadian Psychedelic Association, and journalist Ryan Hook explore what could be a game-changing approach.
6:11 - Cancer Whistleblower Panel37:52 - Psychedelics Panel

March 3, 2021 - NFTs with Elizabeth Howcroft, Pastor Greg Hochhalter, and "Becoming A Better Man" with Mike Cameron

What on earth are NFTs, and why are collectors paying millions of dollars for ten-second digital video clips? Reuters finance journalist Elizabeth Howcroft joins us from London to get into her recent feature on art collector Pablo Rodriguez-Fraile. Is the entire Christian community getting a bad rap as select churches continue to defy public health orders? Pastor Greg Hochhalter gets into how they've manage this pandemic year at Sherwood Park Alliance Church, and describes how his congregation has gathered in community without gathering in person. Mike Cameron experienced the worst kind of tragedy when his girlfriend was murdered by her ex-partner. The author of "Becoming a Better Man" takes on emotional vulnerability, "toxic masculinity," and choosing creativity over judgement, in what proved to be one of the most powerful interviews we've seen yet on the show.
41:01 - Elizabeth Howcroft1:00:39 - Pastor Greg Hochhalter1:42:57 - Mike Cameron

March 2, 2021 - Hilary McKeekin, Les Landry, Todd Babiak

Why are 18-30 year olds proving to be most susceptible to investment fraud? We talk to Hilary McKeekin from the Alberta Securities Commission about desperation, and how "get rich quick" schemes target young professionals. We heard from (literally) more than a hundred of you who reached out to talk@ryanjespersen.com and told us you wanted Real Talkers to hear Les Landry's story. We check in with the citizen organizer, founder of #PeopleFightingPoverty, and learn about why he's taking matters into his own hands. Todd Babiak is a master storyteller. The CEO of Brand Tasmania, co-founder of Story Engine, and author of several celebrated novels checks in (at 4am his time!) to lay out how Alberta needs to tell its story to the rest of the world. It's a live branding exercise you won't want to miss. Plus, plenty of your emails on various subjects throughout this "easy breathing" episode of Real Talk!
22:32 - Hilary McKeekin1:04:22 - Les Landry1:35:54 - Todd Babiak

March 1, 2021 - David Herle, University Cuts Panel, Riaz Maghji

Can the relationship between Ottawa and Alberta really be as positive and collaborative as Minister Seamus O'Regan portrayed it to be on Friday's show? We ask longtime pollster and political commentator David Herle, former top advisor to Prime Minister Paul Martin, to chime in. The host of The Herle Burly podcast tells us why he thinks CPC leader Erin O'Toole has problems brewing within his party, and if he believes the Liberals will call an election this spring. The Alberta budget released last week isn't bad news for everybody, but it's a tough one for post-secondary institutions. Hardest hit is the University of Alberta. Dr. Laurie Adkin and Ricardo Acuna tell us why they believe the cuts are "vindictive," and explore different options for the university moving forward. Closing in on the one year mark with this pandemic, more and more people are acknowledging its effects on their mental health and wellbeing. Riaz Meghji, a former colleague of Ryan's at the Breakfast Television, takes us into his new book about the five habits for meaningful human connection, Every Conversation Counts. Plus, it's Monday, so prepare to be inspired by another edition of Positive Reflections, presented by Kuby Energy!
9:02 - David Herle37:40 - University Cuts Panel (Dr. Laurie Adkin & Ricardo Acuna)1:38:11 - Riaz Meghji2:26:36 - Positive Reflections

Trash Talk - February 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.

February 26, 2021 - Hon. Seamus O’Regan, Alberta Budget Round Table

The Hon. Seamus O'Regan oversees one of the federal government's busiest portfolios. Canada's Minister of Natural Resources chimes in on what Ottawa's doing or has done on Keystone XL, Enbridge Line Five, abandoned and orphaned wells, wind and solar, and more (including questions submitted by Alberta Mayors Alanna Hnatiw and Barry Morishita on hydrogen and a national energy corridor). On the heels of the UCP's budget, released Thursday afternoon, we dig into the details with political scientist Dr. Chaldeans Mensah, conservative strategist Melissa Caouette, podcaster Kathleen Smith, and millwright-turned-teacher Stephen Anderson. Plus, it's Friday, so buckle up for another rowdy edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Waste!
8:15 - Hon. Seamus O’Regan45:16 - Alberta Budget Round Table Part 1 (Dr. Chaldeans Mensah & Melissa Caouette)1:12:52 - Alberta Budget Round Table Part 2 (Kathleen Smith & Stephen Anderson)2:20:22 - Trash Talk

February 25, 2021 - Shannon Phillips, Kory Mathewson, Beef Producers Panel, Julie Van Rosendaal

Albertans are bracing for a tough budget today. Official Opposition finance critic Shannon Phillips lays out what she's expecting to see from the UCP, and what the NDP would do differently. Tens of thousands of seniors (and their families) were unable to successfully schedule vaccinations online yesterday, as Alberta Health Services' website couldn't keep up to demand. Enter the brilliant Dr. Kory Mathewson. The DeepMind research scientist took it upon himself to fix the problem ("in six minutes"), and share his solution with the world via Twitter. He explains how and why he did it, and responds to an outpouring of gratitude from complete strangers. We've been talking about sustainable farming and ranching in past weeks, as well as food waste. What about when those world collide? Ranchers Ryan Kasko and Jill Burkhardt tell us how their beef operations benefit from thinking "outside the farm". Speaking of cows, what's up with butter lately? Why is the entire world talking about it, including Jimmy Fallon, the BBC, and the New York Times? Julie Van Rosendaal, the food columnist driving this international story, joins to tell us how it all came about (and sort out what it means for consumers).
12:13 - MLA Shannon Phillips42:11 - Dr. Kory Mathewson1:09:06 - Ryan Kasko & Jill Burkhardt1:37:04 - Julie Van Rosendaal

February 24, 2021 - Stephen Brogarth, Tad Milmine, Power Grid Panel, Elise Stolte, Conor Ruzycki

If you had a hard time finding Real Talk on your favourite podcast platform yesterday, you weren't alone. Podboard100 managing director Stephen Brogarth explains why some of the most prominent platforms have recently come under "DDoS" attack. Calgary Police Constable Tad Milmine's personal survival story is both troubling and remarkable. On Pink Shirt Day, he explains how he overcame child abuse and struggles around his sexuality to establish the international charity Bullying Ends Here. Blake Shaffer (University of Calgary) and Joshua Rhodes (University of Texas at Austin) have worked collaboratively to determine what we can learn from the Lone Star State's recent energy woes. The dynamic duo joins Ryan to talk wind, solar, nuclear, natural gas, coal, and other forms of power - and to respond to Monday's conversation about Alberta's energy future with former talk show host Danielle Smith. Journalist Elise Stolte is spearheading a new approach to "engagement journalism" with the Edmonton Journal's Groundwork initiative. She brings us up to speed on why it's such an effective method of storytelling, and provides the latest details impacting seniors around COVID-19. Conor Ruzycki has spent the past decade studying pharmaceutical aerosols. The PhD candidate in mechanical engineering explains what we've learned about how this virus spreads, and simple steps each of us can take to flatten the curve.
8:15 - Stephen Brogarth19:15 - Cst. Tad Milmine39:20 - Power Grid Panel (Blake Shaffer and Joshua Rhodes)1:10:10 - Elise Stolte1:40:13 - Conor Ruzycki

February 23, 2021 - Amarjeet Sohi & Paula Simons, Trevor Tombe & Ted Kouri, Laura Sherrer-Townsend

There's no question racist language, signage, and symbolism was on full display at an "anti-lockdown" rally in Edmonton over the weekend. Senator Paula Simons and former federal cabinet minister Amarjeet Sohi clearly agree it needs to be addressed, but have different thoughts on how. They join Ryan for a great back-and-forth out of the gates. Alberta's upcoming provincial budget promises to be a tough one. What goes into the difficult decisions government faces? Dr. Trevor Tombe and Ted Kouri roll out a new project at TheNext30.ca, aimed at educating the public on the budget process. (How would you save $10B?) She's a Real Talker - and an ultramarathoner. What's motivating Laura Sherrer-Townsend to complete 50 ultramarathons before her 50th birthday? We find out. Plus, after his high-profile interview with former talk radio host Danielle Smith, Ryan reads your emails, sent to talk@ryanjespersen.com.5:51 - Amarjeet Sohi & Senator Paula Simons38:10 - Dr. Trevor Tombe & Ted Kouri1:31:45 - Laura Sherrer-Townsend