Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Is Danielle Smith in Trouble?

Conservative premiers may not lose many elections in Alberta, but more than a few have "met their maker" at party AGMs. Amid coordinated attacks from progressives and the right wing, will Danielle Smith emerge unscathed from the UCP's big bash in Red Deer? 
2:00 | Erika Barootes joins us in studio before hitting the highway for the UCP AGM. Cheryl Oates is just back from Saskatchewan, where she quarterbacked the NDP's election campaign. The co-hosts of The Discourse join us for a lively debate about Scott Moe's future in Saskatchewan, David Eby's future in B.C. (21:00), and after a brief break to showcase everybody's Halloween costumes (34:30),  the top political headlines in Alberta (37:00) including the UCP's controversial legislation around parental notification of pronoun changes and gender reassignment surgeries for youth. 
1:03:50 | Who'll it be on November 5: Donald or Kamala? Cheryl, Erika, Johnny, and Ryan go on the record. 
1:11:45 | Brendon and David have zero tolerance for Danielle Smith's "Jordan Peterson Law," Brent is sick and tired of "lazy Canadians and liberal media," and TheSco says Real Talk's pushing misinformation on Trump. Everybody's all fired up for The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! 
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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.

Controversial Trapping Contest Targets Wolves

How do you feel about trapping? Have you thought about it much at all? There's a long history of trapping across the country, including Indigenous traditions and traders. An apex predator conservation group is trying to stop a trapping contest targeting wolves in Alberta. We wrestle with a few important questions in this episode of Real Talk. 
4:30 | Kim Odlan, co-founder of Exposed Wildlife Conservancy, tells us why he opposes the Top Wolf Contest, while Real Talkers have their say in our YouTube Live Chat. (Talk about a diverse audience!)
47:00 | We've got our Eye on Alberta Business. Shauna Feth is just back from Halifax, where Alberta had a big showing at the Canadian Chambers of Commerce AGM. The president and CEO of the Alberta Chamber of Commerce gets into some national business headlines before taking a look at the business implications of Fall Session at the Alberta Legislature. 
ALBERTA CHAMBERS of COMMERCE: https://www.abchamber.ca/events/
1:11:11 | Tens of millions of Americans have already voted ahead of November 5. We get into some of the most interesting numbers, including how WRONG pollsters have been about Donald Trump in past. 
Who do you think is going to win? EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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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.

FIRED UP! Pierre Poilievre and Sean Fraser Lock Horns

The leader of Canada's Conservatives and the Liberal Housing Minister were at each other's throats in the House of Commons. Could it be a preview of party leader quarrels to come? In this episode, we dig into the Poilievre/Fraser slugfest, analyze growing dissent among Trudeau's team, and determine what it means for you. 
Plus, Johnny's had an epiphany about the U.S. election (after that "floating garbage" Puerto Rico joke at Trump's MSG rally), and Jespo has a tough update (and an important reminder) re: a fan favourite guest that joined us back in June. 
KATHLEEN McGEE ON REAL TALK: https://rtrj.info/062024KathleenMcGee
Make sure you check out #MyJasper Memories for a couple amazing events coming up in the National Park over the next month, too! 
"TOGETHER AGAIN" at the JPL: https://www.jasper-park-lodge.com/together-again/
REBUILD JASPER RUN: https://www.jasper.travel/events/runforjasper/
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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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.

Premiers Moe and Eby Survive. Higgs Doesn't. Will Danielle Smith?

Scott Moe loses...but wins in Saskatchewan. Same with David Eby in BC. Blaine Higgs loses in New Brunswick, period. What's in store for Danielle Smith in Alberta and Tim Houston in Nova Scotia? We zero in on the top political stories in Canada on this episode of Real Talk. 
3:15 | Max Fawcett, lead columnist at Canada's National Observer, breaks down the Saskatchewan election result, a wild week or two in B.C. (9:00), Nova Scotia's early election (15:45), the problem with election truthers (21:15), Danielle Smith's leadership review (32:45), Alberta's fight against Ottawa's proposed emissions cap (41:30), and the upcoming U.S. election (58:30). 
READ MAX'S WORK: https://www.nationalobserver.com/
MIN. JONATHAN WILKINSON ON REAL TALK: https://rtrj.info/101724Wilkinson
1:10:50 | Did you check out Donald Trump on The Joe Rogan Experience? Jespo and Johnny talk about the moments that jumped out at them. 
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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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.

What's the Deal with the UCP's "Jordan Peterson Law"?

It may not be among the Top 100 Most Important Issues Facing Albertans, but the UCP's so-called "Jordan Peterson Law" will steal more than its fair share of attention and analysis this fall, both in Alberta and across the country. 
2:45 | Ryan takes a look at the implications of Premier Danielle Smith's pledge to protect the rights of professionals who express controversial personal views. We lay out the issues (and legislation) likely to define Fall Session at the Alberta Legislature. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
22:45 | Ready or not, the global energy transition is happening. With it comes threats to Alberta's "bread and butter" oil and gas industry, along with significant opportunities for investment in renewables. We get into the International Energy Agency's World Energy Outlook for 2024 with Chris Severson-Baker, executive director at the Pembina Institute. 
MORE: https://www.pembina.org/
1:13:00 | First responders in Ukraine are working in a war zone every day, rescuing civilians in life-threatening scenarios following Russian attacks on hospitals and residential buildings. In this edition of Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy, we're proud to highlight amazing, life-saving work being done in Ukraine by volunteers from Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver. 
SUPPORT FIREFIGHTER AID UKRAINE: https://www.firefighteraidukraine.com/
SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/
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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.

"Time For Trudeau To Go!"

Real Talkers Colin, KP, and Michelle chime in on our Calgary arena debate, Tom says his MP is trying to cut his family's income, and Ron says Trudeau's time is up. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! 
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you! 
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Trump and Harris Deadlocked Down to the Wire

With less than two weeks to go 'til November 5, a New York Times poll has Donald Trump and Kamala Harris dead even. Who stands a better chance of a late surge? Which numbers actually matter? What does the outcome mean for Canada? We get into it in this episode of Real Talk. 
3:40 | Hillary Clinton compares a Trump rally to a Nazi rally during an appearance on CNN. Does she take a risk making the comparison? Real Talker Charlie invokes the 2016 "deplorables" incident in an email to the show. Do you agree or disagree with Charlie? Leave a comment! 
20:05 | Real Talker Brandt figures Trump will will the US election and Poilievre is the next PM of Canada...and he's bracing for the impact that'll have on the Canadian economy. 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
28:04 | Did you see Conservative MP Michael Chong come to life the other day? We take a look at his rant in the House of Commons about security clearance, and Liberal Minister Marc Miller's response. 
35:07 | Real Talker Gabriel had a lot to say about our interview with Reverend Michael Coren. What do you think about his take on "both sidesing" issues? 
51:10 | Jespo and Johnny take a look at a rally outside the Alberta Legislature that drew an estimated 4,000 people rallying around education support workers.
57:40 | Real Talkers Colin, KP, and Michelle chime in on our Calgary arena debate, Tom says his MP is trying to cut his family's income, and Ron says Trudeau's time is up. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! 
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you! 
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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.

The Politics of Natural Disasters

Jasper-based journalist Bob Covey fired up his Flamethrower after our October 16 episode with retired foresters Ken Hodges and Emil Begin. We figured an on-camera interview would be more enlightening than an email (no offence to your email, Bob), so here it is.
4:50 | Bob Covey tells us why he was pissed off after watching our October 16 episode. Plus, we get an up-to-the-minute account of Jasper's recovery, and hear more about that CN story some are saying could devastate the town's economy.
MORE: https://www.jasperlocal.com/2024/10/11/recipe-for-disaster-misinformation-and-wildfire/ 
53:00 | Did you notice support staffers are on strike? Real Talker Gillian, a junior high teacher, checks in from the front line... 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
57:35 | Tucker Carlson says "Dad's home, and he's pissed". Jespo and Johnny take a look at the right wing provocateur's rant at the Turning Point Action rally in Georgia. 
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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.

Should the Public Pay for New Arenas?

Should public dollars go toward new arena districts that'll benefit billionaires? 
2:35 | Calgary Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Deborah Yedlin and Project Calgary volunteer Peter Oliver debate public funding for Calgary's new arena (and what we can learn from the Edmonton deal). 
ALBERTA VIEWS DIALOGUE FEATURE: https://albertaviews.ca/should-the-public-pay-for-calgarys-new-arena/
Knock 50% off a one-year subscription to Alberta Views with the promo code AVRJ!
PROJECT CALGARY: https://www.projectcalgary.org/
CALGARY CHAMBER of COMMERCE: https://www.calgarychamber.com/
35:00 | Did you know #Jasper is the largest accessible Dark Sky Preserve IN THE WORLD? This weekend is the perfect time to head to the mountains for the Jasper Dark Sky Festival! #MyJasper Memories is presented weekly on Real Talk by Tourism Jasper. 
JASPER DARK SKY FESTIVAL: https://www.jasperdarksky.travel/events
38:00 | Jespo and Johnny check out what Real Talkers are saying about public arena funds (and other political headlines) in the YouTube live chat. 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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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.

The CBC's Reputation Problem // Rev. Michael Coren

Are the CBC's days numbered? Its outgoing CEO is arguing with MPs over millions of dollars in bonuses paid to more than a thousand staff, while its incoming CEO will be tasked with retaining (or restoring) public trust an in institution under attack by federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. 
2:10 | Jespo and Johnny dig into the argument to "defund" the CBC, and share their personal and professional experiences. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
23:50 | Rev. Michael Coren gives us the goods on the CBC story, Twitter's dramatic evolution, and his new book "Heaping Coals". 
CHECK OUT THE BOOK: https://www.dundurn.com/books_/t22117/a9781459752597-heaping-coals
1:09:00 | How significantly will the UCP's Bill 20 impact politics in Alberta? We discuss, less than a week ahead of fall session at the Legislature. 
SUSAN'S BLOG POST: https://susanonthesoapbox.com/2024/10/20/bill-20-another-bill-no-one-asked-for/
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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.