Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Two Sides of the Hockey Canada Verdict

Karen and Les have strong words for Danielle Smith, while Anne and Clinton see the Hockey Canada verdict differently. 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!

Politics Round Table // Disability Pride Month

We tackle the Hockey Canada verdict, shenanigans in the Battle River--Crowfoot by-election, Edmonton's "low key, low energy" mayoral race, and rumours around the federal NDP leadership "race" with Dave Cournoyer and Omar Mouallem (1:30) out of the gates. 
DAVEBERTA: https://daveberta.substack.com/
EDIFY: https://edifyedmonton.com/
51:00 | It'd be impossible to find fiercer advocates than Bean Gill, Carrie Anton, and Brad Bartko. The three forces of nature give us a wake-up call or two for Disability Pride Month.
REYU: https://www.reyu.ca/
ACCESSIBILITY BY DESIGN: https://disabilityabd.com/
CARRIE ANTON: https://www.carrieanton.ca/
1:23:00 | Karen and Les have strong words for Danielle Smith, while Anne and Clinton see the Hockey Canada verdict differently. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: 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.

Jasper: One Year After the Fire

It's been a year since wildfire tore through Jasper, one of Canada's crown jewels. In this special episode, we connect with Mayor Richard Ireland (3:00), federal Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience Eleanor Olszewski (16:45), journalist Bob Covey (32:15), Tourism Jasper CEO Tyler Riopel (44:15), Fairmont JPL Director of Golf Operations Tahlon Sweenie (52:00), Evil Dave's Grill owner Mike Day (1:01:00), and Rockaboo Mountain Adventures' Lisa Darrah (1:09:00).
Don't miss a moving edition of #MyJasper Memories submitted by Real Talker Cait, including powerful photos of Jasper's recovery (40:50). MyJasper Memories is proudly presented by Tourism Jasper. 
BOOK YOUR JASPER ADVENTURE: https://www.jasper.travel/
READ the JASPER LOCAL: https://www.jasperlocal.com/
BOB'S MOUNTAIN LIFE FEATURE: https://rtrj.info/072425ML
BOOK A TEE TIME at the FAIRMONT JPL: https://www.jaspermountaingolf.com/
BOOK DINNER at EVIL DAVE'S: https://evildavesgrill.com/home
CHECK OUT ROCKABOO MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES: https://rockaboo.ca/
FIRESMART ALBERTA: https://firesmartalberta.ca/
1:23:10 | Jespo and Johnny share their own thoughts on the wildfire anniversary, and touch on other headlines including Ozzy Osbourne and Hulk Hogan's deaths and a verdict in the World Junior sexual assault trial. 
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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.

Extremists in the Canadian Forces

Is Canada's military compromised? As four men (including two active members) face terrorism charges in Quebec, we talk to an expert on extremism and white supremacy in the Canadian Armed Forces. But first, Ryan comments on troubling attempts to harass and intimidate Alberta-based investigative journalist Carrie Tait. 
12:00 | Dr. W. Andy Knight takes us into the findings of his report commissioned by the Canadian Armed Forces. 
READ MORE: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/folio/2025/02/report-finds-deep-rooted-white-supremacism-lurks-in-canadian-military.html
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
51:30 | Jespo comments on Edmonton's expanded mayor race with the inclusion of former councillor Michael Walters. We review our unofficial, unscientific Twitter poll, and take a look at some of the "underdog" campaigns. 
1:07:00 | The Longest Ballot Committee is at it again, this time in the Battle River--Crowfoot byelection. Do you think what they're doing (108 candidates and growing) is good for democracy? We dip into the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power. 
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
1:30:30 | Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland says he's not looking for a fight with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. We tee up Smith's demand for an apology, leading up to our special July 24 episode marking the one year anniversary of the Jasper fire.
1:38:30 | Real Talker Dr. Colin shares a few thoughts on the heels of our 1,000th episode.
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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.

EXCLUSIVE: Michael Walters Enters Mayoral Race

1,000 episodes! THANK YOU, Real Talkers. In another Alberta politics exclusive, former Edmonton councillor Michael Walters announces his campaign for mayor (2:00). Find out what he'd do about the city's infill debacle, a strained relationship with the police department and the provincial government, bike lanes, plastic bag bans, downtown crime, and skyrocketing property taxes. 
CHECK OUT MICHAEL'S CAMPAIGN: https://www.michaelwalters.ca
1:01:00 | It's Johnny's birthday! We raise a glass in honour of this show's intrepid technical director. 
1:13:00 | It's mind-blowing, really. One THOUSAND episodes of Real Talk. Jespo, Johnny, and Real Talkers in the Live Chat powered by Park Power reflect on some of the show's high water marks. 
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
PAY LESS for INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
1:47:00 | Our friends at YOUCAN Youth Services are about to double their service offerings thanks to a beautiful new location. We take you on a behind the scenes tour for this week's Positive Reflections presented by Solar by Kuby. 
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: 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.

"Stampede Ain't Just Cowboy Cosplay!"

Colleen in Calgary has fightin' words for critics of the Calgary Stampede. Garth calls Jespo to the carpet for "running interference for the Liberals". Barbara T. and Daryl are expecting big things in the federal byelection. "Blacklisted" says politicians need to step up. Justin V. calls out The Left for hypocrisy. And Harrison calls Tim Cartmell an "unserious" candidate. 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
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/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.

Real Talk Rumour Mill™

There's about to be a serious new entry into Edmonton's mayoral race (4:30). Is Danielle Smith's top advisor really returning to an MLA role (7:30)? Are Premier Smith and PM Mark Carney truly finding common ground (10:30)? What's the word around Stampede re: the PC Party's resurgence (15:15)? Could Pierre Poilevre actually blow the August 18 byelection (26:30)? 
In our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West, The Discourse co-hosts Cheryl Oates and Erika Barootes sink their teeth into the scuttlebutt at all the Stampede parties. 
CHECK OUT THE DISCOURSE: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDiscoursePod
36:00 | We can't help but take another look at the viral golf/fight video from Alberta Springs near Red Deer. Can you blame us? 
51:00 | It was a tough week for the Tim Cartmell for Mayor camp. Did the Edmonton councillor permanently damage his mayoral campaign? 
58:30 | Colleen in Calgary has fightin' words for critics of the Calgary Stampede. Garth calls Jespo to the carpet for "running interference for the Liberals". Barbara T. and Daryl are expecting big things in the federal byelection. "Blacklisted" says politicians need to step up. Justin V. calls out The Left for hypocrisy. And Harrison calls Tim Cartmell an "unserious" candidate. 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 
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

Stampede Politics and a “National Betrayal”

The Calgary Stampede has long been a must-attend event for industry and political movers and shakers, but the vibe's been different this year...in a good way. Longtime Alberta MLA and former Minister Leela Aheer gives us a first-hand report (3:00) on the what and why, in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 
27:00 | Did Alberta and Ontario just "betray" the rest of the country with their agreement to explore new energy expansion opportunities? Energi Media's Markham Hislop says yes. He explains why. 
SUBSCRIBE to ENERGI MEDIA on YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@EnergiMedia
CHECK OUT JESPO on MARKHAM'S SHOW: https://youtu.be/Ujv1LHFKBLY?si=bmXJXQQSV33wmo8O
49:30 | Friend of the show Wyatt Sharpe checks in from Tampa, FL in between interviews on his show with an update on Canada/U.S. negotiations. 
CHECK OUT WYATT'S SHOW: https://www.thenewsforum.ca/series/forumfocus
1:03:00 | Jespo and Johnny get into the top news headlines, including US lawmakers calling out Canada for wildfire smoke exports, and the devastating Texas floods. Real Talkers respond to our interview with Bonnie Critchley (1:39:00), the independent candidate looking to take down Pierre Poilievre in Battle River-Crowfoot. We dig into a scathing indictment of Edmonton mayoral candidate Tim Cartmell's handling of the zoning controversy (1:49:00). 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
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
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.

She’s Gunning for Pierre Poilievre…

Who the heck is Bonnie Critchley? In this episode, you'll meet the military trailblazer (2:00) who's aiming to take down Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in the Battle River-Crowfoot byelection on August 18. She may not be the odds-on favourite, but Critchley lays out a few reasons why voters in one of Canada's safest Conservative ridings should vote against their party. 
CONNECT WITH BONNIE'S CAMPAIGN: https://www.bonniecritchleyindependent.com/
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
39:00 | Jeff Davison's taking another shot. The former Calgary councillor tells us why he's running for Mayor again (after losing in 2021), and why he thinks "Calgary is in trouble". 
CONNECT WITH JEFF'S CAMPAIGN: https://www.jeffdavisonyyc.com/
1:03:00 | Don't let a little drizzle dampen your spirits next time you're in Jasper! We've got a list of our favourite rainy day activities for this edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
BOOK YOUR JASPER ADVENTURE: https://www.jasper.travel/
1:16:00 | Pierre Poilievre's gripping his saddle the wrong way. Mark Carney can't flip a pancake. Is any politician safe at the Calgary Stampede? Jespo and Johnny chat about a (gentle) attack on Twitter, and debate the pros and cons of Tim Cartmell's absence from a critical Edmonton Council vote. 
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
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RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

FUTURE WATCH: America Party, Poilievre, Pipelines, and EVs

Will Elon Musk actually move the US away from a two-party system with his America Party (26:30)? Is the Electric Vehicle market losing momentum (32:30)? Is Pierre Poilievre trending even further in the wrong direction (45:40)? We talk to National Observer lead columnist Max Fawcett about the stories leading the headlines. 
6:40 | But first...did you see the story about four men charged with terrorism offences in Quebec? Is there a bigger problem percolating in the Canadian Forces? 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
51:30 | By all reports, it's been a successful Calgary Stampede for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. What can we read into that re: the province working with Mark Carney's federal Liberal government? And what's most significant about Ottawa's $21.5M investment in carbon capture (1:07:30)? Max, former editor of Alberta Oil magazine, shares his thoughts. 
1:13:00 | Jespo and Johnny debate the future of EVs, with a ton of takes from the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power. 
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
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
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.