Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

What Does ”Decolonize” Mean? A Palestinian Perspective.

You've seen the signs at protests around the world: "Decolonize Palestine". What does that actually mean? What are the implications? What is the right way to pursue peace in the region? When can violence be justified, if ever, and what role should the international community play in the Israel-Hamas war? 
1:52 | Ghada Sasa is completing her PhD in Political Science at McMaster University, and sits on the board at Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East. The third-generation Palestinian refugee talks to us about decolonization, genocide, and what she thinks Canadians should be doing about the Israel-Hamas war. 
CHECK OUT CJPME: https://www.cjpme.org/
35:00 | Ryan debriefs with the audience after Ghada's interview. 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
55:26 | Law professor Martin Olszynski made waves calling for a public review of the Alberta Energy Regulator in his October 18 Real Talk interview. We take a look at what you have to say about it. 
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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.

Build, Baby, Build? The Supreme Court’s Ruling on Pipelines.

“If you believe in fairness, common sense and the sanctity of the Canadian Constitution, today is a great day,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, after the Supreme Court ruled 5-2 that the federal government's Impact Assessment Act was unconstitutional and intrusive. That's the angle you'd expect from a politician who's long argued the Feds overstep their boundaries into provincial jurisdictions. But what does the ruling actually mean for new pipelines, natural gas plants, and other energy infrastructure in Canada? 
2:15 | But first...as the IDF and Hamas blame each other for a deadly explosion at a hospital in Gaza, Real Talker Brendan pleads for humanity in the region. Ryan opens the show with Brendan's email to talk@ryanjespersen.com. 
8:30 | Law professor Martin Olszynski represented World Wildlife Fund Canada as an intervenor in front of the Supreme Court. He dumbs down the decision so we can understand what it means moving forward. Do provinces get a free pass to approve whatever they like? Martin says not exactly...
READ MARTIN'S BLOG: https://ablawg.ca/2023/10/16/wait-what-what-the-supreme-court-actually-said-in-the-iaa-reference/
41:00 | How will innovation and technology shape where we'll live, how we'll look, and who we'll be? Longtime science broadcaster and author Jay Ingram blows our minds ahead of his presentation on October 21 at the Jasper Dark Sky Festival. This interview is presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
CHECK OUT THE JASPER DARK SKY FESTIVAL: https://www.jasperdarksky.travel/
ORDER JAY'S BOOK: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Future-of-Us/Jay-Ingram/9781668003350
1:17:50 | Turns out the Holy Spirit told a Red Deer School Trustee to "go for it" and post a meme comparing Hitler Youth to students at Pride celebrations. At least, that's what Monica LaGrange claims. Ryan tells us what's new about this ridiculous story out of Central Alberta.  
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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.

Calgary’s New Arena Deal: Did the City Get Hosed?

For nearly a decade, Calgarians have seen arena talks gain momentum, then fall apart. Then, just a short time ago, a deal. Approved by council in a unanimous vote with no public debate, the city will front more than $830M - more than three times what it agreed to in 2019 - while the Flames will kick in $40M. 
2:40 | So, what changed? What prompted the about face from formerly-critical councillors like Courtney Walcott and Jasmine Mian? What does the agreement do to Calgary's bottom line? Jeremy Klaszus, founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Sprawl, takes us into the real costs of Calgary's new arena deal. 
SUPPORT THE SPRAWL: https://www.sprawlcalgary.com/
55:45 | Ryan and Johnny take a look at the top story in Alberta politics over the past 24 hours: the disappearance of MLA Janis Irwin's cat Oregano. Ryan asks an important question being ignored by the mainstream media. 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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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.

Feeling Divided? How To Talk About the Israel/Hamas War.

The death toll of Israelis and Palestinians - many of them innocent civilians - killed over the past ten days is staggering, and you get the sense this war is only just beginning. As everyday Canadians publicly declare their support for Palestine *or* Israel, it's easy to feel like society is painfully divided. Who really wants to pick a side when it comes to children and the elderly being killed by missile strikes? 
5:00 | Charles Adler tells us what prompted his newspaper column "Never Again. Again" over the weekend. Plus, we look at the Supreme Court's decision against the federal government's Impact Assessment Act (remember the "No More Pipelines" bill?), Premier Scott Moe invoking the notwithstanding clause in Saskatchewan, Heather Stefanson's apology to Manitobans, and Jagmeet Singh's dwindling popularity among NDP members. 
59:45 | We love the story of 72-year-old Sam Kaplan keeping his promise to his 99-year-old Mom. It's this week's Positive Reflection presented by Kuby Renewable Energy! 
SEND US YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kubyenergy.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.

Listener Rips Ryan RE: Alberta Pension Plan Interview!

Russ calls Ryan's interview with Alberta's finance minister "tepid tea" (buuuurn) in this week's edition of Trash Talk. Plus, Jon and Marie tell us how they're responding to the NHL's ban on Pride Tape. SEND US YOUR RANT: talk@ryanjespersen.com

Cheers to Alberta Beers!

Alberta's boom isn't limited to oil and gas. Its craft brewing scene is Canada's best. So, what's the secret? On this Real Talk Round Table, we crack a few cold ones with three of the province's most passionate beer evangelists. 
2:12 | Polyrhythm Brewing's Chelsea Tessier, Bent Stick Brewing's Cole Boyd, and the Alberta Craft Beer Guide's Andrew Ironmonger bring their favourite brews to the Real Talk studio, and tell us what makes Alberta's beer scene so special. 
1:00:02 | Russ calls Ryan's interview with Alberta's finance minister "tepid tea" (buuuurn) in this week's edition of Trash Talk. Plus, Jon and Marie tell us how they're responding to the NHL's ban on Pride Tape. 
SEND US YOUR RANT: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrjTWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/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 Case For An Alberta Pension Plan

Is Alberta really entitled to more than half the funds in the Canada Pension Plan? How serious is the government about trying to withdraw those funds and establish a provincial plan? What are the chances the whole thing could backfire? 
0:20 | Alberta's Minister of Finance Nate Horner makes the case for an Alberta Pension Plan. 
TAKE THE SURVEY: https://www.albertapensionplan.ca/
32:00 | Two former Quebec junior hockey players pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a minor in June 2021 as their team celebrated a championship win. We take a look at Nicolas Daigle and Massimo Siciliano's guilty plea, and the bigger implications on the sport. 
56:20 | You have a lot to say about the NHL banning Pride Tape. Ryan reads some of the responses to his tweet about the decision. 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrjTWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/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.

Indictment: Canada’s Criminal Justice System on Trial

A violent attack by someone out on bail. Cops accused of excessive force. Homeless encampments cleared by police. Missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Serious charges stayed for unreasonable delay. Deaths of imprisoned people from overdose or suicide. The headlines tell the story of a broken criminal justice system. In this episode of Real Talk, we find out if and how it can be fixed.
3:15 | But first...in one of the more cowardly and regressive moves in recent pro sports history, the NHL has banned Pride Tape from warmups. Ryan and Johnny take a look at what the biggest stars in the game are saying, and wonder who'll be first to take a fine to show some love to LGBTQ hockey fans. 
17:35 | Benjamin Perrin's putting Canada's criminal justice system on trial. The UBC Law professor and former justice advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper explains why our system is such a mess, and plots a course forward. 
CHECK OUT BEN'S BOOK "INDICTMENT": https://benjaminperrin.ca/
52:00 | The Jasper Dark Sky Festival is almost upon us! We take a look at some of the coolest options and activities for families...most of them free! 
LEARN MORE: https://www.jasperdarksky.travel/
57:17 | Real Talkers have a lot to say about the Israel-Hamas War, and our early coverage of it. Ryan reads some of the best emails sent to talk@ryanjespersen.com. 
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrjTWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/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.

Brutal Terror Attack Leads to Full-Blown War

The world watched in horror as Hamas fighters inflicted the deadliest attack in Israel's history over the weekend. An unimaginable assault on innocent civilians, including babies and the elderly, leading Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare that his country was “at a war”. 
1:30 | Ryan opens the show with a few observations about what's happening in Israel in Gaza as well as here in Canada and elsewhere around the world. 
4:10 | Kinneret Ozeri spent the weekend in and out of bomb shelters with her husband and their three daughters. She joins us live from their home in Harish, Israel, to try to explain the toll the terror attack has taken on their family and friends. 
24:15 | We revisit our May 11 interview with Mousa Qasqas, a Palestinian-Canadian activist from Edmonton. 
FULL INTERVIEW WITH MOUSA: https://www.youtube.com/live/h_uEsAc2SYg?si=YMuSzDi2YLAE5cRy&t=450
26:12 | We ask Charles Adler what he thinks about pro-Palestine rallies held in Canada as terror attacks were still being carried out in Israel. Ryan and Charles also touch on Premier-elect Wab Kinew's historic victory in Manitoba last week. 
1:00:00 | Helen Naslund is serving an 18-year sentence for killing her husband, after enduring horrific abuse for more than 30 years. Her story is the subject of a new podcast, In Her Defence, hosted by The Globe & Mail's Jana Pruden, who joins Ryan in studio. 
CHECK OUT THE PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/in-her-defence/id1707875517?i=1000628278975
LEARN MORE ABOUT AB COUNCIL OF WOMEN'S SHELTERS: https://acws.ca/
1:28:15 | Have you ever thought about your legacy one hundred years from now? This week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy is dedicated to all of us who might benefit from stepping away from the rat race from time to time. 
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kubyenergy.ca/
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrjTWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/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.

A Nazi Soldier Saluted in the House of Commons?!

Real Talkers sound off on Nazis in the House of Commons, political posturing, an Alberta Pension Plan, coal mining in the Rockies, and leaf blowers (!) in this week's edition of Trash Talk! 
SUBMIT YOUR RANT: talk@ryanjespersen.com