Episodes

Saturday Oct 21, 2023
The Flamethrower: Real Talkers Respond to Sasa Interview
Saturday Oct 21, 2023
Saturday Oct 21, 2023
Real Talkers have a lot to say about Ryan's October 19 interview with Ghada Sasa from Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East. Adam, Clay, Garth, Pam, Cam, and Catalina fire up The Flamethrower presented by our friends at the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!
SEND US YOUR BEEF: talk@ryanjespersen.com

Friday Oct 20, 2023
Why Your City Needs More Bike Lanes
Friday Oct 20, 2023
Friday Oct 20, 2023
You wouldn't think bike lanes would be so divisive. Urban planners and cycling advocates make compelling arguments why every community should prioritize pedal-powered transportation. But still, we see outcry every time a Canadian city (like Edmonton or Calgary) invests in that type of infrastructure. What's missing from public debate? Is it possible to get everybody on the same page?
2:30 | No matter how you feel about bikes, bike lanes, public transit, or city planning, we guarantee you'll learn something from our Real Talk Round Table: Dutch Cycling Embassy's Chris Bruntlett, MADE's Danielle Soneff, and Paths for People's Stephen Raitz.
CHECK OUT DCE: https://dutchcycling.nl/
CHECK OUT MADE: https://joinmade.org/
CHECK OUT PATHS FOR PEOPLE: https://pathsforpeople.org/
1:00:56 | Real Talkers have a lot to say about Ryan's October 19 interview with Ghada Sasa from Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East. Adam, Clay, Garth, Pam, Cam, and Catalina fire up The Flamethrower presented by our friends at the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!
SEND US YOUR BEEF: talk@ryanjespersen.com
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FAIRMONT JPL FIRST RESPONDERS RATE: https://www.jasper-park-lodge.com/offers/first-responders-appreciation-rate/
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.

Thursday Oct 19, 2023
What Does ”Decolonize” Mean? A Palestinian Perspective.
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
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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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.

Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Build, Baby, Build? The Supreme Court’s Ruling on Pipelines.
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
“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.
EMAIL THE SHOW: 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.

Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Calgary’s New Arena Deal: Did the City Get Hosed?
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
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
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.

Monday Oct 16, 2023
Feeling Divided? How To Talk About the Israel/Hamas War.
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Monday Oct 16, 2023
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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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.

Saturday Oct 14, 2023
Listener Rips Ryan RE: Alberta Pension Plan Interview!
Saturday Oct 14, 2023
Saturday Oct 14, 2023
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

Friday Oct 13, 2023
Cheers to Alberta Beers!
Friday Oct 13, 2023
Friday Oct 13, 2023
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.

Thursday Oct 12, 2023
The Case For An Alberta Pension Plan
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
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.

Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
Indictment: Canada’s Criminal Justice System on Trial
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
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.