Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

How "Woke" is the Average Canadian?

Are you "woke"? Do you describe people who think differently than you as "woke"? Would you characterize Canadian politics and society as "woke"? In this episode of Real Talk, we take a look at new research on the supercharged phrase that was once applied as a badge of honour - now, not so much - and where Canadians actually stand on so-called "culture war" issues.
4:25 | University of Buckingham politics professor Eric Kaufmann takes us into his research: "The Politics of Culture Wars in Contemporary Canada". 
READ MORE: https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/politics-of-culture-wars-canada/
37:38 | The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is taking the Alberta Energy Regulator to court, after the AER failed to notify the First Nation about a toxic tailings pond leak for nearly a year. Chief Allan Adam tells us what led to the Statement of Claim, how Imperial Oil and the Alberta government fits into the story, and what other legal action he's considering.
CHIEF ADAM on REAL TALK April 2021: https://rtrj.info/042821Adam
CHIEF ADAM on REAL TALK March 2023: https://rtrj.info/030623Adam
1:15:10 | Real Talker Gillian says Calgary Pride banning all political parties from their parade is a win for The Right. 
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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.

Does Alberta Need a National Pharmacare Plan?

Nobody will be surprised to learn Alberta and Ottawa are at odds again. This time, it's over the funding and management of Pharmacare. Alberta was the first province to publicly decline the federal government's proposal for a national program...but is that actually a good move for everyday Albertans? 
4:15 | Dr. Rupider Toor explains why she thinks Alberta should sign on to the national Pharmacare plan. 
DR. TOOR'S PREVIOUS REAL TALK INTERVIEW: rtrj.info/081723Toor 
PROJECT EMPOWHER: https://projectempowher.ca/
26:25 | Take Back Alberta founder David Parker says he's seen the light. He says, after speaking with Premier Danielle Smith, he's done with vicious online attacks against his political opponents. Do you buy it? Does it matter? 
37:15 | We had a big response to our March 6 episode about harm reduction with Euan Thomson and Anthony Furey. Ryan and Johnny discuss. 
42:00 | Real Talker Emily gives us the goods re: how she feels about a national Pharmacare plan. 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
44:30 | It's DUMPING snow in Jasper right now! We show off a few photos of the brand new Knob Quad Chair at Marmot Basin and tee up the spring social schedule on the mountain in #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper.
LEARN MORE: https://www.skimarmot.com/
47:30 | Johnny's been riding the bus to work for a while now, and says it's not the experience he was expecting. His comments lead to a bigger conversation about social supports, and a reference tto our interview with Guy Felicella and Dr. Andrea Sereda.
GUY FELICELLA ON REAL TALK: https://rtrj.info/051723Felicella
1:03:30 | We've got an update to the story of that tailings pond leak contaminating the land and water near the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. 
1:05:15 | We remember Kyle Dube.
WATCH OUR DUBE INTERVIEW: https://rtrj.info/040623Dube
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.

Investigating Alberta's Approach to the Opioid Crisis

What's wrong with rehab? After all, isn't getting people "clean" an obvious solution to Canada's opioid crisis? As the Alberta government heavily invests in drug treatment facilities (at the expense of Supervised Consumption Sites), we take a look at what's working and what's not in addressing a health crisis claiming 21 lives every day across the country. 
3:25 | Euan Thomson and Anthony Furey discuss Euan's feature in the March issue of Alberta Views and debate different approaches to the opioid crisis across Canada.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH REHAB: https://albertaviews.ca/whats-wrong-with-rehab/
SAVE 50% on a subscription to Alberta Views with the promo code AVRJ: https://albertaviews.ca/subscribe/
EACH AND EVERY: https://www.eachandevery.org/
35:00 | The Discourse co-hosts Erika Barootes and Cheryl Oates give us their take on Anthony and Euan's debate about the drug crisis. Plus, we get into Alberta Budget 2024, the national Pharmacare plan, the ArriveCAN debacle, and more. 
SUBSCRIBE TO THE DISCOURSE: https://www.youtube.com/@UC1WjKtBGH6U0S6HDePuLjkw 
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.

Is Charles Adler the next CEO of the CBC?

Have you seen the job posting on LinkedIn for president and CEO of the CBC? We can't help but wonder if it might be a perfect fit for our pal Charles Adler. We ask him about that - plus other, more serious subject matter - in this informative and elucidating episode of Real Talk. 
3:50 | Adler explains why he's wearing sunglasses inside, what he doesn't love about the Alberta budget, when he'll apply to be the next CEO of CBC, and what he'll be looking for in President Joe Biden's State of the Union address.
48:30 | Business owners: what does the Alberta budget mean for you? Shauna Feth, CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, digs into the details. 
SKILL UP: https://www.abchamber.ca/talent-development-task-force/
POLITICAL ACTION DAY: https://www.abchamber.ca/event/2024-political-action-day-mla-dinner/
1:13:55 | 
SEND US YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: 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.

WTF? "Ryan's Blind Support for Pierre Poilievre"?!?

Real Talkers are fired up about the Alberta budget, our Trudeau interview, our Black History Month Round Table, skilled labour shortages, and Ryan's "blind, biased support of Pierre Poilievre" (LOL). It's The Flamethrower presented by the Dairy Queens of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!

What Does the Alberta Budget Mean For You?

Everybody's got their own interpretation of a provincial budget. There's a long list of communities, projects, and organizations deserving of big investments. And, inevitably, there's a long list of communities, projects, and organizations that won't wind up with the cash they say they need. In this episode, we lay out the implications of the 2024 Alberta Budget and attempt to answer one Real Talker's astute question posted in our live chat: "I'm confused...is Alberta rich or poor?" 
2:30 | Edmonton Chamber of Commerce CEO Doug Griffiths and Edmonton Downtown Business Association CEO Puneeta McBryan dig into the budget, from the top headlines to the storylines flying under the radar. 
CHECK OUT THE CHAMBER: https://www.edmontonchamber.com/
CHECK OUT THE DBA: https://www.edmontondowntown.com/
16:29 | Alberta's Minister of Finance Nate Horner gives us the government's explanation for a delay in income tax cuts, minimal infrastructure funding for cities, a new EV tax, disparity in funding for Calgary vs. Edmonton, and public safety issues. 
56:50 | Real Talkers are fired up about the Alberta budget, our Trudeau interview, our Black History Month Round Table, skilled labour shortages, and Ryan's "blind, biased support of Pierre Poilievre" (LOL). It's The Flamethrower presented by the Dairy Queens of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! 
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
VISIT THE DQs in PALISADES, NAMAO, NEWCASTLE, WESTMOUNT, and BASELINE ROAD! 
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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.

The Truth About Ukraine

Sarah Lawrynuik's coverage of Russia's war in Ukraine is personal. Her family's from there. She's been there multiple times over the past two years, covering the conflict as a freelance journalist. She can't ignore what she's seen since she last joined us in March of 2023. The country is battered, its people demoralized. The death toll - children included - is unimaginable. How much longer can Ukraine defend itself? 
2:04 | Sarah joins us live from London, days after returning from Ukraine.
SARAH'S AUDIO DOC: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-63-the-current/clip/16045850-the-next-war-sexual-violence-ukraine
SARAH'S FIRST REAL TALK INTERVIEW: https://rtrj.info/030323Sarah
35:30 | Real Talkers Gabriel, Kristie, Ronnie, and Gerald have a lot to say about our recent shows featuring Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse, the Danger Cats comedy show cancellation, and oil sands innovator Kevin Krausert. 
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.

Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse: The Rookie MLA That Wants To Lead Her Party

Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse isn't your average politician. She says what she really thinks, she's not afraid to rattle a few cages, and her energy is off the charts. Despite her relative inexperience in the Legislature (she was elected in May 2023), Calahoo Stonehouse is vying for the leadership of the Alberta NDP. Does she have what it takes as an underdog to emerge victorious? 
2:10 | The MLA from Edmonton-Rutherford tells us all about her vision for Alberta. 
CHECK OUT JODI'S CAMPAIGN: https://voteforjodi.ca/
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
48:37 | Did you see Jasper featured on The Bachelor on February 26? We dedicate this week's #MyJasper Memories to the hit ABC series touching down in the Rocky Mountains, and look ahead to the upcoming Oilers 50/50 in support of Jasper charities.
54:10 | Ryan takes a look at new polling on a proposed Alberta Pension Plan.
57:10 | Everybody's talking about Jon Stewart's tribute to his dog. Have you seen Jimmy Stewart's similar appearance on The Tonight Show way back when? Ryan and Johnny talk pets.
1:04:00 | Premier Danielle Smith's responding to Take Back Alberta founder David Parker's social media attack on Pierre Poilievre. Ryan updates the story. 
1:12:10 | Have you heard about the Danger Cats comedy group's shows getting cancelled? Ryan and Johnny talk about free speech, good taste, comedic license, and capitalism. 
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.

"Insulting" - Alberta Oil Exec Claps Back at Justin Trudeau

Not everybody agrees with what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had to say about Canada's oil and gas sector during his February 21 interview on Real Talk. That includes former roughneck-turned-chief executive Kevin Krausert. Named a "Top 50 Global Changemaker Working in Canada" by the Globe & Mail in 2023, Krausert says traditional oil and gas companies do care about sustainability, and the environment, and a bright future for their workers.
6:05 | Kevin tells us what he thinks PMJT got wrong on Real Talk, and explains how his company is unlocking energy transition solutions in oil and gas for investment, commercialization, and scale. 
LEARN MORE: https://www.avatarinnovations.energy/
MINISTERS GUILBEAULT & BOISSONNAULT ON REAL TALK: https://rtrj.info/120723rewind
51:00 | Ryan and Johnny shout out Real Talkers Garth and Graham for their Super Chat contributions, and Ryan reads an email from Real Talker Carrie, who tells us why she signed up to support the show on Patreon (she makes a great point!). 
54:50 | Shameless name drop from Ryan, who tells a quick story about his dinner date with a national news personality. 
57:40 | Real Talkers Michael, Ken, and Randi tell us what the PMJT interview got them thinking about. 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:05:00 | Remember our episode about that Saskatchewan family that found the big, unopened box of hockey cards? Johnny has an update for us! 
HOCKEY CARDS WORTH MILLIONS: https://rtrj.info/013024rewins
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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.

Adler: Mean Tweets, Even Meaner Tweets, and Westlock's Pride Flag Vote

Did you see David Parker's Twitter attack targeting Pierre Poilievre, his wife Anaida, and his advisor Jenni Byrne? The Take Back Alberta founder got personal, all but declaring war against the federal Conservative leader. What's Parker's end game? Is this a fight he can possibly win, or does the attack mark the beginning of the end of his group's influence? We discuss in this episode of Real Talk. 
4:38 | Charles Adler tells us which part of our Trudeau interview most resonated with him, whether or not he thinks David Parker's days of influence are numbered, and what he makes of Westlock, Alberta residents voting to ban Pride flags in public spaces. 
49:10 | Ryan reads more of your emails about our Trudeau exclusive.
53:25 | Real Talker Elaine is a paramedic working exclusively with Edmonton's homeless population. Ryan reads her powerful email responding to our February 23 Real Talk Round Table. 
WATCH THAT EPISODE: rtrj.info/022324RTRT
1:06:35 | Ryan pens a love letter to Northern Chicken in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy. 
SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: 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.