Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

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. 
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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.

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 
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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.

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 
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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. 
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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.

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. 
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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. 
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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 

Is Airbnb To Blame for the Housing Crisis?

Canada's got an affordable housing crisis. Nobody can argue that. But is cracking down on short-term rentals like Airbnbs the right solution? The federal government is considering it as part of a bigger-picture plan. What ripple effects should homeowners and real estate investors expect? 
11:15 | Ryan's not sure it's the right move. We take a look at what Real Talkers are saying in the YouTube live chat.
36:00 | Half of 13,000 post-secondary students polled say they've experienced sexual or gender-based violence on campus. Student leaders are demanding action. Our Real Talk Round Table features Rachele Preston from the University of Lethbridge, Prabhjit Grewal from Mount Royal University, and Chris Beasley from the University of Alberta.
LEARN MORE: https://www.caus.net/news/2023/8/30/students-demand-action-on-sexual-violence-prevention
1:07:20 | Ryan revisits his mental health quiz from our October 5 episode, which revealed the potential for a "major depressive episode". 
COUNSELLING ALBERTA: https://www.counsellingalberta.com/
1:18:05 | 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 
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.

Alberta’s Ugly Addiction: How We Profit From People’s Pain

We're talk mental health and addiction today...DON'T SCROLL PAST! We get it...it's uncomfortable subject matter. But we guarantee you'll learn something (and maybe even save yourself) by checking out this extended-length episode of Real Talk. 
3:25 | But first...Ryan opens the show with a few thoughts about Wab Kinew and the NDP's big victory in Manitoba. How does it change the political dynamic across the Prairies, and how do the PCs begin their brand rehabilitation? 
11:10 | It's National Depression Screening Day. Sarah Rosenfeld from the Calgary Counselling Centre explains why screening is so important, even if you feel like everything's fine. Ryan takes a quick quiz live on the show, and is surprised by the result. 
TAKE THE QUIZ: https://areyoufeelingok.com/
37:20 | Why are we okay with funding schools and kids sports on the backs of gambling addicts? Recovering gambler Andree Busenius and Alberta Views Editor Evan Osenton dig into Alberta's ugly addiction. 
SUBSCRIBE TO ALBERTA VIEWS for 50% off with the promo code AVRJ: https://albertaviews.ca/
1:47:23 | The Jasper Dark Sky Festival is fast approaching! We shine a light on a few of the highlights through the first weekend of this amazing annual event in #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper. 
BOOK YOUR JASPER GETAWAY: https://www.jasperdarksky.travel/
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.