Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

January 29, 2021 - Andrew Phung, Youth exodus round table

Andrew Phung, star of Kim's Convenience, takes us behind the curtain of TV production and parenting through a pandemic (and shows off his incredible shoe collection). Andrew talks politics, too, including how he approaches public commentary as a celebrity. Statistics show young people are leaving Alberta for greener pastures in other provinces. Kaelin Koufogiannakis, 22, Ahdithya Visweswaran, 20, and Haruun Ali, 17, explain what factors into their decision where they'll live, study, and start their adult lives. Ryan gets into the GameStop debacle with some pretty hilarious videos explaining the whole thing at a "ground level". And, it's Friday, which means another rowdy edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Waste!

January 28, 2021 - Tom Rachman, Agriculture round table

Where is intellectual courage in the age of Twitter? Best-selling author Tom Rachman joins us from London to get into his editorial for the Globe & Mail. Our first-ever Agriculture Real Talk Round Table features Sirius XM host Shaun Haney, crop scientist Brittany Hennig, and Lakeside Farmstead's Jeff Nonay. Ryan gets into the Real Talk inbox, and reads some of your emails sent to talk@ryanjespersen.com.

January 27, 2021- Max Fawcett, Kari Skelton, Mental health round table, Cameron Hughes

Who will Prime Minister Justin Trudeau select as Canada's next Governor General? Journalist Max Fawcett gets into his recent piece - naming former PM Joe Clark - for the National Observer. Ryan's wife, lifestylist Kari Skelton, chimes in with all the latest rumours around The Bachelorette touching down at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. We get into some Real Talk on mental health with addictions specialist Dr. Speranza Dolgetta, interventionist Dr. Ian Rabb, and advocate Chris Johnson. Professional crowd ignitor Cameron Hughes brings his pedal-to-the-metal energy to the show, and dives into his new book, "King of Cheer".

January 26, 2021 - Amarnath Amarasingam, Derek Brower, Geoff Dembicki, Dawn Harsch, Wendy King

With tens of thousands of social media accounts being deplatformed, Dr. Amarnath Amarasingam joins to explain if this is actually a good move, or if it could increase the risk of radicalization. For more than twenty years, Derek Brower has covered the international energy beat. The Financial Times US energy editor checks in from England with a look at the energy relationship between Canada and a Biden-led United States, including the future of pipeline projects key to Alberta's bottom line. Investigative climate journalist Geoff Dembicki shares his findings around a conspiracy-laden report commissioned by the Alberta government, targeting climate journalists. Dawn Harsch of ExquisiCare and Wendy King of Canterbury Foundation air their concerns around a perceived double standard in the vaccinations of seniors and staff in public and private long term care facilities.

January 25, 2021 - Tim Caulfield, Dr. Ross McKenzie, Rachel Notley, Amarjeet Sohi, Stephen Brogarth

As health officials attempt to educate the public around the COVID-19 vaccine, scientists including Prof. Tim Caulfield have launched @ScienceUpFirst. He takes us to the front lines of the war on misinformation. Dr. Ross McKenzie spent nearly 40 years studying soil and crops in Alberta. He tell us why he's so concerned about sweeping cuts to agricultural research on the prairies. Former Premier Rachel Notley evaluates Premier Jason Kenney's response to President Joe Biden cancelling the Keystone XL pipeline, and explains what she'd do differently. Amarjeet Sohi worked the KXL file for a couple years as Canada's Minister of Infrastructure, then Minister of Natural Resources. He takes us into Cabinet conversations around the project, and tells us whether or not it could ever be saved. Sohi also chimes in on the resignation of now-former Governor General Julie Payette and now-former Senator Lynn Beyak. With more attention being paid to the "muting" of voices like Donald Trump's on social media, the team at Podboard100 are monitoring the rise of right-wing podcasts. Managing director Stephen Brogarth explains how their system works, and what the numbers are telling them. Plus, it's Monday, and this week's edition of Positive Reflections showcases one of the newest puppies to join the Real Talk family!

Trash Talk -January 22, 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.

January 22, 2021 - Dr. Aerin Jacob, Quality in politics round table

With coal exploration already happening on the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains, Y2Y conservation scientist Dr. Aerin Jacob explains what's at stake, and what it means for Canadians and our water supply. Last week, our Question of the Week asked you about quality in politics. Today's Real Talk Round Table taps into your replies, as we check in with Conservative MP Mike Lake, former Ontario PC chief of staff Sarah Letersky, former Colorado Democratic strategist Conor Brown, CEO Julia Anderson, and CFL legend Adarius Bowman. And, of course, Ryan wraps up the show with another rousing edition of Trash Talk!

January 21, 2021 - Mark Warner, Jay Hill, Homelessness round tables

On the first full day of Joe Biden's Presidency, we discuss Alberta Premier Jason Kenney's suggestion Canada should impose trade sanctions on the USA, based on the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline. International trade lawyer Mark Warner gives us a sense of what the economic relationship between Canada and the US will look like moving forward, including the pipeline file. Jay Hill, leader of the Maverick Party, explains where the federal party stands on western sovereignty, the energy access debate, and other issues of concern to Canadians. And, we take a meaningful look at eradicating homelessness with experts Margo Long, Chris Beausoleil, Cynthia Puddu, Susan McGee, Cheryl Whiskeyjack, and Jordan Reiniger.

January 20, 2021 - Dr. Ted Widmer, Mikaela McQuade, Nevin deMilliano, Transplant stories

It's Inauguration Day south of the border! Former Clinton White House advisor and speechwriter Dr. Ted Widmer joins to discuss the change in tone from the 45th to the 46th President, and similarities between the Inaugurations of Abraham Lincoln and Joe Biden. Energy analyst Mikaela McQuade digs into the cancellation of Keystone XL, and what else Canadians can expect from the Biden Administration. Stormchaser Nevin deMilliano pops in on the heels of a wild, overnight snow squall across Alberta. Brothers Jonathan and Daniel Ferguson, and Edmonton teacher Christian Zyp share their powerful survival stories, and shine light on the importance of organ donation.

January 19, 2021 - David Khan, Katie Morrison, Craig Snodgrass, Eric Cedillo, Puneeta McBryan

Coal mining conversations continue in Alberta, as the government announced a pause on eleven recently-granted leases in the Rocky Mountains. We check in with environmental lawyer David Khan and CPAWS conservation director (and biologist) Katie Morrison for details on what that actually means. Craig Snodgrass may be Mayor of a small town (High River), but he brought heavy artillery to our conversation around the lack of government consultation on the environmental and industry fronts. It's a must-listen interview. Dallas attorney and Southern Methodist University Law professor Eric Cedillo joins to make sense of Donald Trump's expected stream of Presidential pardons, and explain how Trump can (or cannot) influence impeachment proceedings. Puneeta McBryan, new executive director for Edmonton's Downtown Business Association discusses post-pandemic work trends, and their impact on commercial leases and the overall health of a city's core.