Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Can "Nice Guy" Andrew Knack Finish First?

Andrew Knack wants to be Edmonton's next mayor. The longtime city councillor tells us (2:10) why he entered the race after initially announcing he wouldn't return to City Hall, and how he'll shake off the unflattering reputation the current council has earned.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
53:00 | Jespo and Johnny check in on the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
1:23:20 | David's demanding an election NOW, Don's "outraged" at Real Talk guest Sharan Kaur, and Michael's dropping bombs on one of Jespo's loudest critics. It's 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.

The Fight to Keep Alberta in Canada

A longtime Conservative cabinet minister is stepping back into the spotlight to save Alberta's place in Canada. Thomas Lukaszuk tells us why he's spearheading a petition to keep Alberta in Canada (5:30), and how he plans on collecting more than 600,000 signatures. The former Alberta deputy premier gives us his take on a Globe and Mail report on Danielle Smith's former chief of staff living in a mansion owned by the sister of Sam Mraiche, the entrepreneur at the centre of the alleged AHS procurement scandal.
REBOOT ALBERTA: https://reboootalberta.wordpress.com/
55:50 | If Canada Post workers go on strike, will you have their backs? Jespo and Johnny take a look at our latest unofficial, unscientific Twitter poll. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
JOIN THE RUN for H20 in SHERWOOD PARK on JUNE 14: https://secured.hope-international.com/ui/sherwoodpark
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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 Mark Carney’s Game Plan?

Canada's joining the UK and France in threatening Israel with sanctions if aid doesn't start flowing into Gaza. Israel says it's "taken aback" by the ultimatum. Meantime, Prime Minister Mark Carney's changed his mind on a budget - his finance minister will have one ready for fall, he says. What's the right call in these scenarios? 
Sharan Kaur, former deputy chief of staff to then-finance minister Bill Morneau, talks about Canada, Israel, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza (3:45), Mark Carney's budget critics (20:00), the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial (31:30), and the world's worst vegetable (46:30). 
FOLLOW SHARAN ON X: https://x.com/msSharanKaur
58:30 | If you've never stayed (and eaten) at Pyramid Lake Lodge, now's the perfect time! Ryan highlights one of his favourite spots in Jasper, and a perfect activity for weekend visitors regardless of age or ability. #MyJasper Memories is presented weekly on Real Talk by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
CHECK OUT PYRAMID LAKE LODGE and AALTO: https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/hotels/pyramid-lake-lodge/
TOURISM JASPER: https://www.jasper.travel/
1:03:30 | Jespo and Johnny share their predictions for the Oilers/Stars Western Conference Final, and debrief on the Hockey Canada trial (1:16:00). 
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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.

Sean Speer on Mark Carney's Missed Opportunity

Canada's ramping up pressure on Israel alongside France and the UK. Mark Carney's new cabinet is sworn in, and the PM's got less than six weeks to fulfill his promise of "free trade in Canada before Canada Day". And, the Toronto Maple Leafs will have to wait (yet) another year for a shot at Lord Stanley's Cup. We catch up on the top stories in Canada with The Hub's editor at large Sean Speer (3:00).
THE HUB: https://thehub.ca/2025/05/15/sean-speer-the-maple-leafs-playoff-woes-are-a-microcosm-of-a-bigger-set-of-canadian-problems/
JOIN SEAN & RYAN at the EDMONTON REAL ESTATE FORUM on MAY 27: https://informaconnect.com/edmonton-real-estate-forum/
31:30 | Jespo and Johnny catch up after the May Long weekend, including the heartbreaking *and* heartwarming story involving Jets' star Mark Scheifele, and the Oilers' date with Dallas. 
54:00 | Add another layer to the UCP/AHS story. We take a look at the Globe and Mail's report on Premier Danielle Smith's former chief of staff Marshall Smith living in a home owned by the sister of Sam Mraiche (the guy at the centre of the alleged procurement scandal). 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:19:00 | We're accepting applications for the Real Talk Julie Rohr Scholarship!
DETAILS: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/scholarship
1:22:00 | Real Talker Brenda makes our day with a firsthand report of an act of kindness at a dog park. It's a perfect Positive Reflection presented by Solar by Kuby! 
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kuby.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.

"The UCP is DICKING AROUND with our Traffic Laws!"

Les is choked at a Carney cabinet exclusion, Taylor wants an election NOW, Michael's losing it over the politics behind his traffic ticket, and Sunil's taking aim at recent guest Markham Hislop. 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!
REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/real-talk-golf-classic
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.

Doc Talk: Measles Outbreak, Menopause & Mental Health

Canada declared measles completely eliminated thirty years ago. Not anymore. Public health experts say the disease could become endemic once again, with hundreds of cases confirmed in Alberta and Ontario. What happened? 
2:15 | Drs. Shazma Mithani and Sheila Wijayasinghe talk vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, menopause (31:00), and mental health (41:30). 
THE DOC TALK PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-doc-talk-podcast/id1775772809
FOLLOW DOC TALK on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thedoctalkpod/
55:30 | Jespo and Johnny debrief, check out YouTube comments from our recent Alberta separation interviews, and read an email from Jim in Vernon about Canada's new foreign policy. 
1:10:15 | Les is choked at a Carney cabinet exclusion, Taylor wants an election NOW, Michael's losing it over the politics behind his traffic ticket, and Sunil's taking aim at recent guest Markham Hislop. 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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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.

Canada’s New Foreign Policy

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet is making waves—not just at home, but around the world. From military spending signals to the careful choreography with Washington, New Delhi, and Beijing, these picks aren’t just about portfolios—they’re about priorities. In this episode, we dig into what Carney's picks tell us about Canada’s place on the world stage.
3:45 | But first...we take a look at new polling on the "Wexit" movement with 338 Canada's Philippe Fournier, including shocking numbers from UCP supporters in Alberta. 
CHECK OUT PHILIPPE'S WORK: https://www.338canada.ca/
22:00 | It's the perfect time of year to take your kids to Jasper! Ryan shares some of his favourite memories (including a trip to Spirit Island), and lays out some of Jasper's family-friendly activity options. #MyJasper Memories is presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
MAKE JASPER MEMORIES: https://www.jasper.travel/
25:30 | What do Mark Carney's cabinet picks tell us about the PM's approach to foreign relations? Dr. Bob Murray gets into military spending and our relationships with the U.S., India, and China. 
FOLLOW DR. BOB: https://x.com/DrRWM
54:00 | Two Alberta boys are about to embark on a remarkable mission: ten marathons in ten consecutive days in ten different provinces. We meet Mike Hanson and Dave Morin. 
SUPPORT TEN in TEN in TEN: https://www.10in10in10.ca/
1:09:00 | Jespo and Johnny debate the "Nine/Nine/Nine" challenge, and read emails from Real Talkers Lisa (menopause), Mark (bitumen), and Tana (pipelines and Alberta separation). 
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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 Menopause Mission

This special episode peels back the curtain on a chapter of life that impacts every woman but still too often gets ignored or misunderstood. Menopause advocate Jesse Schewchuk joins us (2:50) to talk about the raw, real, and often isolating experience of perimenopause and menopause—and why breaking the silence could be life-changing. This conversation is about more than hot flashes and hormone shifts—it’s about dignity, identity, and the right to be heard. If you love someone going through it, or you're in it yourself, this one’s for you.
TELL US YOUR STORY: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
Use promo code RYAN15 to save on The Menopause Mission Summit in Calgary on Sunday, May 25: https://rtrj.info/051325MMevent
55:00 | Jespo and Johnny take a look at Mark Carney's new cabinet and do a vibe check following the Oilers' dominant 3-0 win over Vegas. 
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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.

How Alberta and Ottawa Can Be BFFs

For decades, the relationship between Alberta and Ottawa has been...adversarial. Can't we all just get along? Could both levels of government cooperate, with shared perspective and priorities, to benefit everybody? What might that look like?  
4:00 | Energy and climate journalist Markham Hislop maps out a path to partnership between the Alberta and federal governments. 
READ MORE: https://energi.media/
57:00 | It's official: Real Talk has preserved Alberta's place in Canada. Jespo and Johnny review the results of our latest unscientific, unofficial Twitter poll. 
1:10:00 | "Insurance Lawyer X" pushes back on our May 9 interview about changes to Alberta's auto insurance system.
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:25:00 | Shout out to all the nurses in a special edition of Positive Reflections presented by Solar by Kuby.
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kuby.ca/
SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: 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.

"Call An Election, Danielle!"

HOT TAKE ALERT. Patty's got a years-old axe to grind with Jespo. Real Talkers Blahsheep, Ontario James, Pedro, KP, Jake, Cactus Sheriff, and Darian sound off on Danielle Smith, separation talk, and Liberal voters. 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!
REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/real-talk-golf-classic
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.