Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Survivors: Spencer Beach and Kelly Falardeau's Remarkable Lives

Kelly Falardeau sustained life-altering injuries at just two years old when her dress caught on fire at a family gathering. Spencer Beach's life was dramatically and forever changed when he was caught in an explosion at work. Their stories will invoke a wide range of emotions, from tears to laughter, in this must-watch episode of Real Talk. 
3:55 | But first...it's another gut punch for Canada's beleaguered media industry. Nearly 5,000 employees laid off by Bell Media, and multiple local newscasts cancelled across the country. Ryan and Johnny open the show with their own thoughts on the state of the fourth estate. 
16:23 | Talk about a tough look. A company owned by Darryl Katz, owner of the Edmonton Oilers, is taking Boyle Street Community Services to court, claiming it shouldn't have to make good on a $5M promise it made to the non-profit outreach agency. Ryan gets into the details. 
25:57 | Spencer Beach and Kelly Falardeau are two of the most incredible people you'll ever met. The burn survivors have turned tragedy into triumph, making it their life's work to educate and inspire countless people. Spencer and Kelly join Ryan in studio for an interview you won't want to miss. 
SPENCER: https://spencerspeaks.ca/
KELLY: http://kellyfalardeau.com/
DONATE: https://www.efbts.ca/
1:16:55 | Leckie's fed up with the "immature crybabies" fighting single-use plastics bans, Kyle claps back at David after being called out in last week's Flamethrower, and David thinks we need to do better with uncomfortable conversations. It's another fiery edition of The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! 
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When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, make sure you tell 'em Real Talk sent you! 
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CARBON TAX: "Albertans have never been on board"

Talk about making a splash! Real Talk's got the exclusive as Rakhi Pancholi officially launches her campaign for the Alberta NDP leadership, and announces if elected Premier, she'll axe Alberta's consumer carbon tax. 
2:00 | The Edmonton-Whitemud MLA hits the ground running, laying out what the NDP will look like under her leadership. 
LEARN MORE: https://www.voterakhi.ca/
46:10 | Pancholi's plan to axe the carbon tax is a major critique of Rachel Notley's signature policy initiative. How will it land? We ask Max Fawcett, Leah Ward, and Sabrina Grover. 
1:22:50 | We had a couple pretty big deals visit the Real Talk studio after hours. Ryan can't help but name drop as we wrap the show. 
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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.

NDP Leadership Race: Kathleen Ganley's Vision for Alberta

The race is on to replace Rachel Notley. Kathleen Ganley - MLA for Calgary-Mountain View and former Minister of Justice - is the first to toss her hat in the ring. In this episode of Real Talk, she tells us why it was important to announce first, how she'll fix the NDP's reputation in rural areas, how she'll address Alberta's talent shortage, what she'd do about the housing crisis, and which industry she sees as having the most potential into the future. 
KATHLEEN'S CAMPAIGN: https://teamganley.ca/
30:25 | Looking for the perfect Valentine's Day idea? Look no further than #MyJasper Memories presented by  @JasperAlberta ! 
PLAN YOUR JASPER GETAWAY: https://www.jasper.travel/things-to-do/
36:15 | Ryan responds to Real Talkers' criticism of "softball questions" and a hypothetical interview with Adolf Hitler. 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:02:15 | For the first time ever, Ryan shares the story of the endorsement he HAD to drop. 
1:14:00 | Got plans for Super Bowl Sunday? Join Ryan and Johnny at The Cabin! 
GET YOUR TICKETS: https://thecabinyeg.com/product/cabin-bowl-big-game-party/
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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.

The Real Life Impacts of Alberta's Trans Policies

"Seek to understand." It's one of Stephen Covey's Seven Steps of Highly Effective People. It's also a solid life principle for anybody looking to make a positive impact in the world. It's what we try to do every episode of Real Talk. It's safe to say nobody will be more affected by Alberta's new Trans policies than Trans youth. In this episode, we talk to a Trans journalist born and raised in Red Deer, AB.
3:48 | Mel Woods is a senior editor at Xtra Magazine, Canada's largest LGBTQ2S+ publication. They share their personal and professional perspectives on the real life impacts of the UCP's new policies on parents and pronouns, Trans healthcare, Sex Ed, and Trans women in sport.
CHECK OUT MEL'S WORK: https://xtramagazine.com/
1:04:50 | Ryan responds to a live chat comment about Take Back Alberta's influence on Premier Smith's policy announcement, and reads a few of the best emails we've received after our February 2 Real Talk Round Table. 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:20:30 | It's pretty unusual to see a Chief of Police issue a public apology to the victim of an alleged sexual assault, but that's exactly what happened in London, Ontario. 
1:26:40 | A group of Calgarians is attempting to run Mayor Jyoti Gondek out of office. We take a look at what's required to reverse an election result in 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.

Is Naheed Nenshi the Alberta NDP's Next Leader?

Former Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi appeared at a rally over the weekend, calling out Premier Danielle Smith for her recently-announced policies on pronouns and parents rights, Sex Ed, and Trans women in sport. It's got people wondering if the winner of the 2014 World Mayor Prize might be gearing up for an Alberta NDP leadership run. If that is the case, it's safe to suggest Nenshi would immediately be seen as a formidable candidate. But is he a good fit? 
6:04 | Charles Adler tells us why he thinks a Nenshi leadership run would be the most interesting political story in Canada. (Plus, Ryan, Chuck, and Johnny recap the top stories from the 2024 Grammy Awards and pick their Super Bowl winners.)
50:27 | Shauna Feth has her eye on Alberta business. The president and CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce takes us into new Labour Market Information (LMI) research insights, tees up Alberta Budget 2024, explains why ACC is lobbying the province to drop the Insurance Premium Tax, and tells us about a couple upcoming events. 
TAKE THE ALBERTA PERSPECTIVES SURVEY: https://rtrj.info/ACCsurvey0224
CHECK OUT ACC: https://www.abchamber.ca/
1:16:30 | Our inbox is jammed after the past few episodes about Alberta's new Trans policies. Ryan reads a couple emails we received over the weekend, including a clap-back following our most recent edition of The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton & Sherwood Park.
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:27:50 | Congratulations to Team Kuby Energy - "Hat Trick Swayze" - champions of the 2024 Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic! We show off video highlights (courtesy Steve Ricketts) of our sold-out event in support of Uncles & Aunts at Large and KidSport St. Albert.
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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.

Alberta's Trans Policies: "F*ck Your Feelings!"

Real Talkers are allllllll fired up about Alberta's new policies on pronouns and parental rights, Sex Ed, and trans women's participation in sport. Not everybody sees the issues the same way, as you're about to find out in this week's edition of The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com
BE SURE TO VISIT THE DQs IN PALISADES, NAMAO, NEWCASTLE, WESTMOUNT, AND BASELINE ROAD!

Fact Check: The Truth About Alberta's Trans Policies

Are children really undergoing gender reassignment surgeries? Are kindergarten students really being taught "queer ideology"? Are teachers instructed to keep secrets from parents about their kids? 
2:25 | Prompted by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's January 31 policy announcement on trans youth, Sex Ed, and trans women in sport, our Real Talk Round Table features experts in their fields. Dr. Kate Greenaway, former federal Conservative staffer Hanna Hodson, and Alberta Teachers Association president Jason Schilling fact check much of what we're hearing from the Premier's office and online. 
1:03:02 | Real Talkers are allllllll fired up about Alberta's new policies on pronouns and parental rights, Sex Ed, and trans women's participation in sport. Not everybody sees the issues the same way, as you're about to find out in this week's edition of The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! 
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
BE SURE TO VISIT THE DQs IN PALISADES, NAMAO, NEWCASTLE, WESTMOUNT, AND BASELINE ROAD! 
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen  
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.

RESTRICTED: Alberta's New Policies on Surgery, Sex Ed, & Sport

Alberta will prohibit hormonal treatment, puberty blockers, and gender affirming surgery for children under 16 as part of a series of policies announced by Premier Danielle Smith. Also included: Sex Ed curriculum must now be approved by the Education Minister, and parents will now opt their kids in (not out) of those classes. The policies also prohibit the participation of trans women in women's sports, though the enforceability of such measures is debatable. We cover early impressions and public response to the premier's policy announcement in this episode of Real Talk, ahead of our February 2 Real Talk Round Table. 
3:30 | But first...isn't Alberta supposed to be Canada's most business-friendly province? What's with a new crackdown on BC winemakers? We talk to Miles Prodan, CEO of Wine Growers BC, and Mike Dowell, owner of Liber Estates Winery. 
WINE GROWERS BC: https://winebc.com/
LIBER ESTATES: https://www.liberestates.com/
25:15 | We run through Danielle Smith's policy announcement on surgery, sex ed, and sport. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:04:25 | Thousands of Alberta families have been left in the lurch due to "rolling childcare closures" relating to Ottawa's $10/day daycare program. Ryan reads emails from Heidi and Colton in response to our January 31 interview with Krystal Churcher.
WATCH THAT INTERVIEW: rtrj.info/013124daycare
1:10:45 | Our friends at The Discourse lined up one of the most polarizing voices in Canada for their newest episode. W. Brett Wilson tells Erika and Cheryl why he brought Tucker Carlson to Canada.
WATCH THE DISCOURSE: https://rtrj.info/020124Discourse
SUBSCRIBE TO THEIR PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-discourse/id1713385479
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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.

What's With Alberta's "Rolling Childcare Closures"?

Thousands of parents are being inconvenienced with finding alternative childcare arrangements, as daycares across Alberta invoke "rolling closures". The protest is intended to grab the attention of provincial and federal governments over the $10/day childcare program. In fact, operators in multiple provinces are threatening to pull out of the national child-care system or even close their doors. They say the federal-provincial agreements limit the fees they can charge while not providing enough support to cover all their costs. Who's responsible, and what's the solution? We get into it in this episode of Real Talk.
3:55 | But first...Edmonton City Hall remains closed to the public more than a week after an active shooter incident on January 23. What's been happening behind those closed doors? City manager Andre Corbould talks about staff supports, physical repairs, and the ongoing security review. 
49:50 | Marmot Basin's new Knob quad chair is officially open! It's a game changer for skiers and snowboarders looking to access the upper mountain. We've got details in #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper. 
LEARN MORE: https://www.skimarmot.com/
51:52 | Krystal Churcher is a childcare operator and chair of the Alberta Association of Childcare Entrepreneurs. She explains why many daycares are voluntarily closing their doors, leaving families in the lurch. 
CHECK OUT AACE: https://www.abchildcare.org/
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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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.

The Fight for Children's Rights

Do parents deserve to know if their child changes their pronouns at school? Should politicians be involved in trans people's personal healthcare decisions? Does the general public deserve a say in any of this? 
9:20 | Ryan opens the show with some of the best emails we received after our January 29 episode with Charles Adler about "parental rights" legislation soon to be unveiled by Danielle Smith's government.
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
36:45 | Collectors around the world are in a multi-million dollar bidding war for what will likely be the most rare and valuable find in hockey history: an unopened case of 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee hcokey cards. Wayne Wagner of Wayne's Sports Cards & Collectibles explains why the case could set a new memorabilia sales record, and tells us if he'd open it or leave it sealed.
CHECK OUT WAYNE'S SHOP: https://www.waynessportscards.com/
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen  
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.