Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Have We Milked Supply Management for Too Long?

Canada's close to legally locking in supply management rules on egg, dairy, and chicken imports...but is it the right move? We've fiercely protected those sectors for decades, but critics (including some farmers) say it's hurting Canada's international bargaining position. Is it time to kill the sacred cow? 
3:45 | Pundit Rob Breakenridge and (Jespo's cousin) dairy farmer Graham Jespersen debate the merits of supply management. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
26:00 | Jespo and Rob get into the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Danielle Smith v. Naheed Nenshi (33:00), Calgary's population explosion and looming mayoral race (41:30). 
CHECK OUT ROB'S WORK: https://robbreakenridge.substack.com/
54:45 | Jespo and Johnny loop in the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power re: vaping, smoking, and your thoughts on supply management.
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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.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek: G7, the UCP, and Re-Election

Alberta welcomes the most powerful leaders on planet earth as the G7 summit touches down in Kananaskis Country. We talk to Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek (3:00) about G7 security and other preparations, and what she's hoping to see emerge from the summit. We talk housing affordability, zoning bylaws, a tumultuous 2024, dissipating (?) tensions with the province, and Gondek's bid for re-election. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
35:30 | Is there any cooler way to explore Jasper's trails than on horseback! We check out Jasper Riding Stables in this episode of #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
LEARN MORE: https://www.jasper.travel/experiences/pyramid-stables-trail-rides/BOOK YOUR JASPER TRAIL RIDE: https://jasperstables.com/
38:00 | More than a decade after they hung 'em up, Canadian rock band Ten Second Epic is back...for one night only! We welcome lead singer Andrew Usenik and bassist Sandy MacKinnon make the announcement exclusively on Real Talk, and share some wild stories from the glory days. 
GET YOUR TICKETS: https://www.ticketweb.ca/event/ten-second-epic-reunion-union-hall-tickets/13784494?pl=UnionHall
1:18:50 | Did you see the impassioned demonstrator calling out National Guard members in California? 
1:30:30 | Premier Danielle Smith's being roasted for saying Alberta has the "lowest living standards in the world" during an interview with Vassy Kapelos. Jespo and Johnny get into the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power. 
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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.

Donald Trump vs. California (and Democracy)

It's a dare/double-dare showdown, as California Governor Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump clash over a National Guard crackdown on immigration protests. How bad could this get? And what does it mean for the entire United States...and the rest of the world?
We talk to PM Stephen Harper's former federal Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Chris Alexander about Trump's attack on democracy in California (5:55), ramped-up Russian aggression in Ukraine (37:30), and a wild dynamic at the upcoming G7 in Kananaskis (48:50). 
CHRIS on X: https://x.com/calxandrCHRIS ONLINE: https://chrisalexander.ca/
1:06:00 | Jespo hints at a special guest tandem making an exclusive announcement on an upcoming show, and he and Johnny get mentally prepared for Game Three of the Stanley Cup Final.
WHERE'S YOUR HEAD AT? 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.

"Enough of this MAGA Stupidity!"

Rob's had enough of "MAGA stupidity," Dave and Ted have hot takes on the Alberta library book controversy, Nesen says it's time to rethink Canada's export strategy, and Touring Zebra takes on the Texas Ten Commandments story. 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!
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen
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.

Edmonton: The Next Dubai? (Hear Us Out.)

Alberta's capital city has the potential to boom just like Dubai. So says Dr. Murtaza Haider, the newly-installed Radhe Krishna Gupta Executive Chair in the Cities Institute at the University of Alberta. The new executive chair is made possible by a $5M gift from Rohit Gupta, president of the Rohit Group, who joins Dr. Haider and BILD Edmonton Metro CEO Kalen Anderson in a smart and inspiring edition of the Real Talk Round Table (2:40). 
BUILDING THE CITY of TOMORROW: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/folio/2025/06/building-the-city-of-tomorrow.html
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:01:00 | Donald Trump and Elon Musk are officially friends off. Jespo, Johnny and our Real Talk Live Chatters chime in on the implosion of the high-profile former friendship.
1:19:30 | It's the 81st anniversary of D-Day. Real Talk pays its respects. 
FOLLOW HISTORIAN CRAIG BAIRD: https://x.com/CraigBaird
1:23:00 | Rob's had enough of "MAGA stupidity," Dave and Ted have hot takes on the Alberta library book controversy, Nesen says it's time to rethink Canada's export strategy, and Touring Zebra takes on the Texas Ten Commandments story. 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! 
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
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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.

Alberta Ed Minister on Library Controversy & Looming Strike

Critics say the Alberta government is being heavy handed in flagging controversial books found in school libraries. They say teachers and librarians, not politicians and parents, should choose which books are on the shelf. In this episode, we talk to Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides (1:03:15) about the UCP's online survey, classroom funding, and a strike that seems more and more likely to happen. 
But first...Jespo and Johnny are all amped up after the Edmonton Oilers' big overtime win in Game One of the Stanley Cup Final. 
33:45 | The Ranch is looking amazing two weeks out from the Real Talk Golf Classic! Jespo shares a few stories and talks about the Real Talk Julie Rohr Scholarship. 
APPLY BEFORE AUGUST 1: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/scholarship
48:45 | Real Talker Jonny isn't happy about our June 3 interview 
1:03:15 | We talk to Alberta's Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides about the library book controversy and a looming teachers' strike.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY SURVEY: https://your.alberta.ca/school-library-materials/surveys/slme
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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.

Carney’s Promise, Pierre’s Empty Mug, and Canada Post

How is Alberta's demand for a better deal landing across the country? Why is Pierre Poilievre pretending to drink from an empty coffee mug? Will this Canada Post labour situation ever get sorted out? And could the Alberta separation movement ACTUALLY succeed? We get answers to these pressing questions in this rock solid episode of Real Talk. 
7:30 | This is VANCOLOUR host Mo Amir breaks down the premiers' meeting with PM Mark Carney, Pierre Poilievre's strange new video, angst over corporate Pride, and his opposition to Bitcoin. 
MORE FROM MO: https://www.thisisvancolour.com/
39:45 | Longtime labour lawyer Dwayne Chomyn, K.C. brings great insights on Canada Post/CUPW negotiations and the Alberta sovereignty movement. 
FOLLOW DWAYNE on X: https://x.com/Citizen004
1:17:15 | Did you know Jasper features one of North America's highest concentrations of fishable lakes and rivers? We highlight incredible angling opportunities at Maligne and Talbot Lakes in #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
BOOK YOUR FISHING TRIP in JASPER: https://www.jasper.travel/things-to-do/rafting-canoeing-water-sport/fishing/
1:26:15 | Real Talker Nathan takes issue with Jespo's comments about the Alberta government taking aim at graphic library books. 
HAVE YOUR SAY: 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.

Intellectual Freedom Under Attack in Alberta

Parents' rights groups are pressuring the Alberta government to pull what they deem to be "pornographic" books from school libraries. The government's putting it to public consultation before introducing new policy ahead of the next school year. Who's best equipped to decide which books are appropriate for which ages, and what literature belongs in libraries? In this episode, we get into it with Laura Winton from the Library Association and Jim Turk from the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University (4:00).
49:30 | Real Talkers have their say in the Live Chat powered by Park Power. "Touring Zebra" shares a theory (1:17:45) about the looming book ban.
TELL US 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.

Charles Adler: Mark Carney Meets with the Premiers

What's at stake as Mark Carney meets in person with Canada's premiers for the first time since becoming Prime Minister? What happens if the first ministers' meeting wraps without a deal to advance Canada's role as a "global energy superpower," or progress toward "free trade in Canada," as Carney promised on election night? 
Senator Charles Adler gets into it (13:00) with his trademark brand of Canadian common sense.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:00:00 | Would you travel to see the Oilers on the road in Florida, all things considered? Jespo and Johnny tee up the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, and highlight Real Talkers' feedback in our Live Chat powered by Park Power.
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
1:18:45 | "A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit." Jespo shares a personal story for this edition of Positive Reflections presented by Solar by Kuby.
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kuby.ca/
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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.

All Aboard the FREEDOM TRAIN

Alllllll aboard! 7th Pilot dares Jespo to board the Freedom Train, Alex is pissed at the province for pulling library books, Gerald has a message for ready-to-strike Canada Post workers, Rik calls out Citizens Against Virtually Everything (CAVEs), and Jenny wants YOU to join the resistance. It's The Flamethrower presented by our friends at 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!
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen