Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

TRASH TALK: Politics Ain’t Sports!

Tania's got a strong message - delivered out of love (!) - for our Thursday Round Table guests (and Ryan), and Ned's sick of politics as sport. Both sound off in this week's Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! 
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

The Strategists: Alberta Election Debate Recap

Both the UCP and NDP are claiming a win at the only televised debate of the 2023 Alberta Election. Who's right? How do you gauge success? Did either leader - Danielle Smith or Rachel Notley - actually move the needle with undecided (or even "decided") voters?
2:10 | The Strategists produce and host one of Canada's favourite political podcasts. Stephen Carter, Corey Hogan, and Annalise Klingbeil join Ryan to recap the debate's most notable moments. Don't miss their takes on who scored better on image, messaging, and the intangibles! 
CHECK OUT THE STRATEGISTS: https://thestrategists.ca/
CHECK OUT ANNALISE'S SUBSTACK "GO OUTSIDE": https://gooutside.substack.com/
57:05 | What exactly was wrong with former Alberta Party leader Stephen Mandel's suit at the 2019 Alberta Election Debate? Johnny presses Ryan on a bold statement earlier in the episode. 
59:30 | Tania's got a strong message - delivered out of love (!) - for our Thursday Round Table guests (and Ryan), and Ned's sick of politics as sport. Both sound off in this week's Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! 
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

Fight Night: The Battle for the Soundbite

The only televised debate of the 2023 Alberta Election goes down tonight. What can we expect from Danielle Smith and Rachel Notley? Who has the upper hand? Does it even matter? Furthermore, does anybody even recognize the United Conservative Party anymore? 
2:00 | Our Group Chat Round Table reconvenes with Katherine O'Neill, Harman Kandola, and Jenny Adams, veterans of multiple conservative campaigns. We open with observations on what sets this debate apart from any other in Alberta history. Then, our panelists discuss the abhorrent comments from UCP candidate Jennifer Johnson about gender minority students, and what an appropriate response from Danielle Smith looks like. We look back at the PC/WRP merger (Katherine was PC Party president at the time), and how that set the table for today's version of the UCP. Our panel discusses Rob Anderson (Smith's top advisor) defending a far-right commentator, NDP candidate Kevin Van Tighem's comments about the oil and gas industry, and polling discrepancies out of Calgary. 
All in all, this is an hour of Alberta election coverage you won't want to miss! 
Let us know what you think: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

Unethical Oil: Alberta’s Secret Shame

It's a total disaster. For decades, Alberta has allowed oil and gas companies to ignore their legal obligation to clean up old wells, tailings ponds, and other environmental liabilities. It's obvious to anybody paying attention that the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) can't be trusted to look out for the public nor the planet. 
4:00 | Markham Hislop has been covering the oil and gas industry for years, as publisher of Energi Media. He takes us into his investigative series "Unethical Oil: Alberta's Secret Shame," and explains how we got to this point. How bad is this mess? What happens if it's not cleaned up? Who on earth is going to foot the bill? Every Albertan needs to watch this interview. 
READ MARKHAM'S REPORTING: https://energi.media/CHECK OUT MARKHAM'S PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/energi-talks/id1534771882
35:45 | Snow is disappearing from Jasper's hiking and biking trails, meaning May Long Weekend is a perfect time to head to the mountains! This week's #MyJasper Memories highlights some of the best early season options to explore Jasper National Park. 
CHECK OUT THE VENTURE BEYOND VIDEO SERIES: https://www.youtube.com/@JasperAlberta
39:50 | Our coverage of Canada's opioid crisis continues as Dr. Andrea Sereda and Guy Felicella join Ryan to talk harm reduction, safer supply, and political opportunism. Why are we so hesitant to accept evidence-based practices in this space? How do we hit stigma head on? What's the number one thing Guy, a survivor of six overdoses, wants you to remember about this issue? 
1:17:10 | We are nothing without you, our amazing audience. Since the very first episodes of Real Talk, Brenda Walmsley was the first to sign into the live stream and wish us a "Good morning" in the comments. Ryan takes a minute to pay tribute to a forever friend. 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

”Lightning Rod” Journalist Rachel Gilmore

Nobody will blame you for being confused about voter intention across the province. Duelling polls from Abacus Data and Janet Brown have the UCP either losing big or winning big in Calgary. So, what's a voter to think? Ryan opens the show with campaign developments over the past 24 hours, including both parties' tax plans, controversial comments about transgender students from a UCP candidate in central Alberta, and a proposed plan for forced drug rehab. 
10:40 | Ten years ago, Ben Perrin was Prime Minister Stephen Harper's advisor on justice and public safety. The UBC Law professor and best-selling author follows up on yesterday's interview with Adam Zivo about Canada's "safer supply" program. 
CHECK OUT PROF. PERRIN'S BOOK "OVERDOSE": https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/605163/overdose-by-benjamin-perrin/9780735237889
44:50 | Rachel Gilmore might be Canada's most-trolled journalist. The longtime major network correspondent on far right extremism, conspiracy theories, and misinformation was let go by Global News just two weeks after winning a national journalism award. In one of her first interviews since being laid off, Rachel talks to us about the personal toll of being threatened on an almost-daily basis, and her biggest worry re: the future of journalism, and women working in the field. 
FOLLOW RACHEL ON TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachel_gilmore?lang=enFOLLOW RACHEL ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/atRachelGilmore?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

Two Weeks To Go: NDP Leads, UCP Bleeds

Could the UCP really be blowing a big lead in Calgary? Will the NDP be able to hold on and win the election on May 29? Do you even believe what the polls are saying, or is your gut telling you something different? We take a look at some of the top headlines two weeks out from Election Day, and what they could mean outcome-wise. But first...
9:55 | Is the federal government's "safer supply" approach actually fuelling a new opioid crisis in Canada? Is additions research really "politicized and ideologically driven"? Journalist Adam Zivo joins Ryan (from Odesa, Ukraine) to get into his expose published in the National Post. 
NOTE: PM Stephen Harper's former policy advisor Ben Perrin joins us Tuesday, and harm reduction expert Guy Felicella joins us Wednesday, to respond to Adam's report. 
READ ADAM'S REPORT: https://nationalpost.com/feature/how-the-liberal-governments-safer-supply-is-fuelling-a-new-opioid-crisis
38:10 | Does UCP leader Danielle Smith seriously think police should be taking orders from the Premier? Did NDP candidate Kevin Van Tighem hurt his party with an essay comparing oil and gas workers to slaves? Charles Adler takes a look at the top political headlines in Alberta two weeks out from the election. 
1:22:30 | Every golfer who's played a course lined with houses can relate to the nightmare of a rogue shot smashing a big, expensive window. We LOVE the story of a homeowner who paid it forward, featured in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy! 
GET YOUR FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

TRASH TALK: UCP Leadership Losers ”Part of the Problem”

Jeff says people need to chill over the new Canadian passports, Laurie argues school buses are getting less safe in Alberta, and Monty's wondering what the hell happened to the candidates that lost the UCP leadership race. Buckle up for another fiery edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! 
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Alberta Mayors Reveal Election Wish Lists

What do Alberta's towns and cities most need right now? A solution to violent crime? Better access to healthcare? $30 billion to save essential infrastructure from collapse? This episode, four Alberta mayors tell us their top priorities two weeks out from the provincial election. 
3:35 | Violent crime is up in Edmonton almost 17% over last year. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi knows it's part of the reason why the downtown core's not nearly as vibrant as it once was. What's the solution? Sohi joins Ryan in studio to discuss his State of the City address earlier in the week, crime prevention, harm reduction, the baffling decision to spare an Edmonton cop from charges in the brutal beating of teen Pacey Dumas, and the new Indigenous name for the longest river valley pedestrian trail in North America.
34:15 | Experts say Alberta's got a $30 billion problem on its hands. You might not have heard about it because it's not sexy: it's an infrastructure deficit. And it's a big deal. Mayors Cathy Heron (St. Albert), Tyler Gandam (Wetaskiwin), and Angela Duncan (Alberta Beach) form our Real Talk Round Table, and tell us what they want to see from provincial party leaders through the election campaign. 
CHECK OUT AB MUNIS ONLINE: https://www.abmunis.ca/
1:05:25 | The Lebanese Burger Mafia premiered at Hot Docs in Toronto just a couple weeks ago, and this weekend, Omar Mouallem's feature film about the Burger Baron brand will close NorthwestFest. The filmmaker shares his personal connection to the story, and explains what it says about the immigrant journey in Canada. The interview wraps with Omar's thoughts on Ryan's controversial conversation with Mousa Qasqas the day before.
NORTHWESTFEST: https://www.northwestfest.ca/
1:28:30 | Jeff says people need to chill over the new Canadian passports, Laurie argues school buses are getting less safe in Alberta, and Monty's wondering what the hell happened to the candidates that lost the UCP leadership race. Buckle up for another fiery edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! 
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

Will There Ever Be Peace in the Middle East?

Violence is escalating again in the Gaza Strip, as Israel airstrikes target the militant Islamic Jihad group. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned civilian loss of life, saying the deaths of the women and children were “unacceptable and must stop immediately”.
7:30 | Mousa Qasqas has been advocating for peace in the Middle East his entire adult life. The Palestinian Canadian organizer shares his thoughts on why the fighting continues, and why it's not "anti-Semitic" to criticize Israel. 
CANADA PALESTINE CULTURAL ASSOCIATION: https://cpcayeg.ca/
MOUSA'S EVENT ON SUNDAY: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/palestinian-day-at-the-park-tickets-626747186707
36:15 | With wildfires burning across Alberta, violent crime on the rise in both rural and urban communities, and the opioid crisis continuing to claim lives, it's no wonder the average Canadian might tell you they don't feel safe. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair explains how Ottawa's helping the wildfire fight, and the best ways to cut down on crime. 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

Win or Lose, Is Danielle Smith Toast?

Sources inside the United Conservative Party say a faction's already organizing against Danielle Smith. Rumour has it if the UCP doesn't win big on May 29, she could be ousted as party leader. 
3:00 | Are the rumblings valid or not? Veteran political columnist Graham Thomson tells us what he's hearing and what his gut's telling him. What does Graham make of Take Back Alberta founder David Parker's claim he "controls the premier's office"? And, with all this talk about Danielle Smith, is the media doing its job in applying proper scrutiny to Rachel Notley and the NDP? Ryan and Graham get into it. 
40:52 | Thanks to the tireless work of firefighters across Yellowhead County, Jasper's power supply is stable, shelves are stocked, and the sky is clear. Ahead of May Long Weekend, we focus on some of the best spring openings in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper.
PLAN YOUR SPRING GETAWAY TO JASPER: https://www.jasper.travel/
43:43 | We hear a lot of talk about "diversification" from political parties eager to earn your vote. What are Alberta tech companies actually looking for in terms of political commitments? Council of Canadian Innovators president Benjamin Bergen explains where government can lead and where it should get out of the way. Plus, why is Alberta struggling more than any other province to recruit software engineers? Ben lays it out. 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.