Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

TRENDWATCH: Jobs, Retail, & Real Estate in 2024

What does the future look like for workers, job seekers, employers, entrepreneurs, and property owners? Is it really a doomsday scenario for downtowns? When will we see restored confidence in new business ventures? Will employers ever expect a full "return to work" scenario? We explore the most relevant and interesting trends in this episode of Real Talk. 
1:45 | Heather Thomson, Puneeta McBryan, and Cory Wosnack look back at 2023, then ahead to 2024, through their expert lenses (and crystal balls). 
EDMONTON DBA: https://www.edmontondowntown.com/
CENTRE FOR CITIES & COMMUNITIES: https://www.ualberta.ca/business/centres/cities-communities/index.html
AVISON YOUNG: https://www.avisonyoung.ca/web/edmonton
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.

Should the Man who Caused the Humboldt Crash Be Deported?

Jaskirat Singh Sidhu is responsible for one of the most horrific collisions in Canadian history. He was handed an eight-year sentence in 2019 after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm in the April 6, 2018 crash that killed 16 members of the Humboldt Broncos hockey club and injured 13 others. Now, he faces deportation to India. Is that justice served? 
3:00 | But first, David Knight Legg, former principal advisor to Premier Jason Kenney, tells us why he thinks Canada blew a big opportunity at COP28. 
READ DKL'S PIECE IN THE POST: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/david-knight-legg-if-guilbeault-actually-cared-about-coal-burning-hed-back-natural-gas
42:15 | Charles Adler doesn't need more than a minute to tell us how he feels about Jaskirat Singh Sidhu being deported: it's black and white for Chuck. Not so for Ryan. 
TAKE OUR TWITTER POLL: https://twitter.com/ryanjespersen/status/1736786168170299434
1:26:30 | Ryan reads a feel-good email from Real Talker Stef, checking in from Nelson, BC. 
1:28:00 | We love the Fresh Nets initiative, highlighted in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy.
CHECK IT OUT: https://freshnets.ca/
SEND US YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/
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WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 
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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.

”Figure Out the F*@king Zipper Merge!”

Why can't people figure out how to zipper merge? When did conservatism become radicalism? And what the hell are we going to do about sick kids on mattresses in hospital hallways? Real Talkers fire up their Flamethrowers, courtesy the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park: Newcastle, Westmount, Palisades, Namao, and Baseline Road. 
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com 

The Alberta Disadvantage: Budget Surplus, Crumbling Communities

As long as oil rides high, Alberta's flush. But while the province is on pace for a $5B+ budget surplus, property taxes are on the rise in virtually every community, as everyday folks struggle to pay their basic monthly bills. As you'll see early in this episode, our Real Talk Round Table is sounding the alarm. 
3:20 | Mayor Tyler Gandam (Wetaskiwin), Councillor Andrew Knack (Edmonton), and Councillor Krista Gardner (Calmar) explain what Alberta municipalities will soon look like if the province doesn't pony up $1.75B in infrastructure funding. Our Alberta Municipalities panel gives us their top political storylines for 2023, including policing and public safety, healthcare shortages, and political parties infiltrating municipal elections. 
CHECK OUT ALBERTA MUNICIPALITIES ONLINE: https://www.abmunis.ca/
1:16:00 | Why can't people figure out how to zipper merge? When did conservatism become radicalism? And what the hell are we going to do about sick kids on mattresses in hospital hallways? Real Talkers fire up their Flamethrowers, courtesy the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park: Newcastle, Westmount, Palisades, Namao, and Baseline Road. 
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 
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.

Check-Up: Real Talk with Alberta Doctors & Dentists

Hospitals are bursting at the seams. Patients are waiting a year and a half for surgery. Doctors, nurses, and paramedics are walking away from careers they once dreamed of having. Meantime, Ottawa's spending billions on a new dental care plan - but Canadians have a ton of questions. We get the straight goods from Alberta doctors and dentists in this episode of Real Talk. 
0:30 | But first...today's a great day to sign up for the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic! You won't want to miss this amazing annual event on Saturday, February 3 in St. Albert, all in support of a great cause. 
REGISTER TO PLAY, SPONSOR, OR VOLUNTEER: https://ryanjespersen.com/pond-hockey
4:40 | Dr. Paul Parks, president of the Alberta Medical Association, tells us about the province-wide tour he just completed, his recent meeting with the Health Minister, concerns around public funding for naturopaths, pushback on nurse practitioner clinics, and questions around why the Chief Medical Officer of Health hasn't been seen in public for weeks. 
CHECK OUT THE AMA ONLINE: https://www.albertadoctors.org/services/media-publications/presidents-letter/pl-archive/acute-care-we-are-acting-for-you
31:45 | Are you looking for a different holiday gift this season? Real Talk is proud to support the work of HOPE International. Ryan talks about his personal experience with their giving catalogue. 
SUPPORT HOPE INTERNATIONAL: https://gifts.hope-international.com/
36:40 | Ottawa's spending billions of dollars on a new Canadian Dental Care Plan. Despite Monday's announcement, details are sparse regarding who's eligible and when, implications for existing dental insurance, etc. We talk to Dr. Jenny Doerksen from the Alberta Dental Association. 
MORE ON THE CANADIAN DENTAL CARE PLAN: https://www.albertadentalassociation.ca/2023/12/11/dentists-and-their-patients-still-have-questions-about-the-canadian-dental-care-plan/
56:35 | "Life comes at you fast...especially in dog years." Real Talker Jared sent us this amazing email just hours after losing his beloved dog Augie.
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 
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 Top Stories from Fall Session in Alberta

In just six weeks, Premier Danielle Smith's government hit the (nuclear) reset button on healthcare delivery, invoked the Sovereignty Act over federal clean electricity regulations, kinda sorta committed to a referendum on an Alberta Pension Plan, and took a record-setting delegation to COP28 in Dubai. 
5:50 | The Discourse hosts Cheryl Oates and Erika Barootes lay out the biggest stories to come out of Fall Session, and give their predictions for what to expect in Alberta politics in 2024.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE DISCOURSE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@UC1WjKtBGH6U0S6HDePuLjkw 
THE DISCOURSE PODCAST: https://thediscoursepod.podbean.com/
57:00 | There's a new dinner and theatre experience in Jasper...but don't delay, or you'll miss it! We take a look at a wonderful holiday offering from Jasper Theater Productions in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
GET YOUR TICKETS: https://jaspertheater.ca/
1:00:55 | Real Talker Riley's heartbroken after hearing our interview with Tristin Hopper on December 12. Real Talkers Brad and Jason have something to say about Charles Adler's comments about plastic straws on December 11. Ryan reads their emails to talk@ryanjespersen.com. 
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 
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.

OPTICS: Jyoti and Jagmeet’s Unforced Errors

This episode is all about optics. How bad is it when the federal NDP leader (the "working class" party) rocks a Versace tote bag in public? How about when the mayor of Calgary pulls out of a Hanukkah celebration? And why are everyday moderates leaving The Left? 
5:24 | National Post columnist Tristin Hopper takes on the politics of Hannukah in 2023, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh's expensive taste (25:00), and why moderates are fleeing The Left (38:00). 
READ HOPPER'S PIECE ON THE VERSACE BAG: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/satire-dear-diary-versace-bag
56:20 | Real Talker "Travis" is pissed about our climate change conversation with Charles Adler on December 11, and Real Talker "Lauren" expects more from our discussions about homelessness. Ryan reads their emails (cursing and all). 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
SUPPORT REAL TALK ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 
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.

Pulling Out of a Menorah Lighting? Tell a Little White Lie!

Should Mayor Jyoti Gondek have told a little white lie to get out of Calgary's annual menorah lighting at City Hall? How many more university presidents need to resign across the United States? Have climate change doomsday prophets lost the room? 
3:50 | Charles Adler gives us a healthy dose of Canadian Common Sense - the language around climate change (7:20), Mayor Gondek's menorah lighting snub (28:30), UPenn president's resignation (39:45), Indian interference in Canada (38:40), and carbon tax = inflation (49:40). 
1:07:40 | We love it when a lottery win goes to the person who needs it more than anybody else. That's the case in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy. 
TELL US YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/
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FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 
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.

Important Message from Mike the Conservative!

Tom's demanding an explanation around Alberta's attendance at COP. Cheryl's giving Ryan an award (not a compliment). Michael the Conservative says people need to vacate their echo chambers. Angela's clapping back at a recent email targeting Westlock town council. They've all fired up their Flamethrowers, presented Fridays on Real Talk by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! 
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com

Behind the Scenes at COP28

Alberta's been in the spotlight for much of COP28. The province sent the biggest provincial delegation in Canada's history at COP. It also received a "Fossil of the Day Award" by the Climate Action Network (not a good thing). We welcome three Albertans who attended the UN Climate Change Convention to find out why they went, what they said and saw there, and what they hope comes of it all. 
2:10 | Calgary Climate Hub co-founder Dr. Joe Vipond checks in from Dubai, while UN Knowledge Keeper Sharon Morin joins Ryan in studio. 
CALGARY CLIMATE HUB: https://www.calgaryclimatehub.ca/
24:05 | Varme Energy CEO Sean Collins joins the conversation from Norway. 
CHECK OUT VARME ENERGY: https://www.varme.ca/
55:50 | Tom's demanding an explanation around Alberta's attendance at COP. Cheryl's giving Ryan an award (not a compliment). Michael the Conservative says people need to vacate their echo chambers. Angela's clapping back at a recent email targeting Westlock town council. They've all fired up their Flamethrowers, presented Fridays on Real Talk by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! 
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 
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.