Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

How To Get Crime Under Control

Edmonton's downtown is in trouble. Crime is up, businesses are shutting down, and an expected influx of new residents just hasn't materialized. What's the problem and how do we fix it? 
City councillors Aaron Paquette and Sarah Hamilton join Ryan for a fiery debate in the Real Talk studio. They spell out the reality right now (12:00), why Clr. Paquette doesn't support a new provincial task force (31:30), and how to address angry opposition to supervised consumption sites (37:30). 
If you've been wondering about the "15 Minute Cities" plan, you'll find the truth at 48:15. The councillors take us behind the curtain re: why the voted the way they did on the four-year budget (1:04:00), a failed regional transit plan (1:05:30), and bring us up to speed on Edmonton's anti-racism strategy (1:14:00). The round table wraps with ideas to inject energy back into Jasper Avenue (1:16:30). 
Take a look at the stunning pond hockey masterpiece Lewis Lavoie painted for the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic (1:21:00). It's up for auction right now, in support of KidSport St. Albert and Uncles & Aunts at Large! 
PLACE YOUR BID: https://twitter.com/ryanjespersen/status/1620468621511393281?s=20&t=bnZBXgAn7DeYvgZ6eL0jYg
SHOOT US A NOTE: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.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.

What’s Happening to Journalism in Canada?

0:31 | More layoffs, more closures, more cutbacks...what's happening to journalism in Canada? There's always going to be a need for consistent, credible storytelling. We talk to two experts about what's going wrong right now, and how to fix it. But first...
5:00 | Have you seen Lewis Lavoie's pond hockey masterpiece? The renowned artist painted it specifically for the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic on February 4. The silent auction is open as we speak! 
PLACE YOUR BID: https://twitter.com/ryanjespersen/status/1620468621511393281?s=20&t=NezLvXJfuSsu8eYr0GtTDQ
8:50 | Nearly $100M worth of live horses have been shipped from Canada to international markets for slaughter. The federal government promised that would stop a couple years ago. So what's taking so long? Animal welfare journalist Jessica Scott-Reid brings us up to speed, including advocacy work she's doing with singer Jann Arden.
READ JESSICA & JANN'S PIECE IN THE GLOBE: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-horses-are-still-being-exported-for-slaughter-will-trudeau-take-action/
40:15 | Dozens of Canadian journalists have recently been laid off and newsrooms continue to shrink...but that doesn't mean the industry's dying. Indiegraf CEO Erin Millar and Press Progress publisher Jen Hassum explain how we got to this point, and how journalism is evolving toward a bright future.
CHECK OUT INDIEGRAF: https://indiegraf.com/CHECK OUT PRESS PROGRESS: https://pressprogress.ca/ 
1:17:28 | Feeling the "Dread-uary" vibes on this February 1st? There are some perfect solutions to the mid-winter blues in Jasper! This week's edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper highlights the hot tubs, spas, and other wellness options offered in this magical mountain town.
EXPLORE JASPER: https://www.jasper.travel/
1:21:15 | Our January 31 episode on "meeting in the middle" resonated with Real Talker "Cameron". Ryan reads his email about societal evolution and the importance of uncomfortable conversations with people that don't share our exact values. 
SHOOT US A NOTE: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.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.

What’s the Right Way to Remember?

Bobby Hull was one of the greatest goal scorers in hockey history. His off-ice legacy is much less spectacular. What's the right way to remember a person like Bobby Hull? What does The Golden Jet have to do with Ivan Provorov (6:30), Jordan Peterson (9:30), the Alberta Law Society (12:00), or Sir John A. MacDonald (32:40)? 
"Real Talk" needs to include uncomfortable conversations in life's grey areas. That's where this episode goes, including emails from Real Talkers Mary Ann (16:30) and Garth (23:30). 
Plus, we learn about Johnny's coolest Christmas gift: a polar bear tracker (46:00), and check out what might be the world's first mass-production flying car (50:40) in this week's edition of The Leading Edge presented by Leading Edge Physiotherapy.
LIFE SHOULDN'T HURT: https://leadingedgephysio.com/
Make sure you check out artist Lewis Lavoie's pond hockey masterpiece (55:32), painted for and donated to the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic. Bidding's open now, and closes Saturday, February 4 at 3pm MT. All proceeds will benefit the Canadian Progress Club St. Albert's partner charities: Uncles & Aunts at Large and KidSport St. Albert.
PLACE YOUR BID: https://twitter.com/ryanjespersen/status/1620468621511393281REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK POND HOCKEY CLASSIC: https://ryanjespersen.com/pond-hockey
SHOOT US A NOTE: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.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.

How Can You Help Ukraine?

0:40 | It's been nearly a year since Russia invaded Ukraine, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths (including civilians) and Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. Ukraine's resolve truly is remarkable. We go live to an undisclosed location amidst a blackout for an update on a group of Canadians training new police officers and firefighters how to provide life-saving medical care in a combat scenario. But first...
3:42 | It's always cool to see somebody's dream come true in real time. That happened Saturday night when Matt Berlin, goaltender for the University of Alberta Golden Bears, was tapped on the shoulder to finish out the Oilers/Blackhawks game. 
5:30 | Are you one of the Canadians who wouldn't pass a political purity test? Do your ideas and approaches to issues often fall outside rigid politics? Charles Adler spent the weekend thinking about his values, and how a chip on his shoulder steered him away from where he belongs.
36:35 | Ukrainian civilians are being called to the front lines of the war effort, many of them serving their country as new firefighters and police officers. A Canadian contingent is there right now, giving these recruits the tools to Tactical Combat Casualty Care. In the middle of a blackout, Nikki Booth and Vitalyi Gritsko explain what they're doing, and how it's saving lives. 
SUPPORT FIREFIGHTER AID UKRAINE: https://www.firefighteraidukraine.com/
56:16 | Joseph Cook is one of the good guys. The Florida resident recently manifested a $40,000 random act of kindness, which we highlight in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy. 
SEND US YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.comGET YOUR FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.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.

Trash Talk - What’s With All The Swearing?

Verna's ticked off at Ryan's cussin', Caouette's had enough of the Royals, and Karen's got words for Charles Adler. Buckle up for another edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental! KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Can Progressives Win in Alberta?

0:45 | It's almost election season in Alberta. Do you already know who you'll vote for? Is there one issue that matters most to you? We look at the "two horse race" with Stephen Carter and Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean (who just started a new political action committee) during today's Real Talk Round Table. 
2:45 | But first...counsellors and advocates for survivors of sexual abuse say Alberta's at a crisis point. Assaults are up, while funding for support services is frozen. Neil Campbell and Mary Jane James join Ryan in studio for a powerful conversation you need to hear. 
CONNECT WITH SACE: https://www.sace.ca/
40:36 | Is there such thing as a "progressive conservative" in Alberta anymore? Has the UCP swung too far right? Are progressives de facto NDP voters now? Is there another option? This week's Real Talk Round Table presented by Urban Timber welcomes two founding members of the new Progressive PAC: Stephen Carter and Deirdre Mitchell MacLean. 
CHECK OUT STEPHEN'S PODCAST:CHECK OUT DEIRDRE'S PODCAST: 
1:11:23 | Verna's ticked off at Ryan's cussin', Caouette's had enough of the Royals, and Karen's got words for Charles Adler. Buckle up for another edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental!
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/
SUBMIT YOUR TRASH TALK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.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.

Who’s Lying?

3:43 | Who's lying? Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the CBC's "defamatory" story about her or her staff contacting prosecutors about Coutts charges is "baseless". The CBC is standing by its report. Ryan takes an unflinching look at the facts. 
23:05 | Interest rates are up...again. Financial Post journalist Stephanie Hughes tells us what prompted the Bank of Canada to raise the trend-setting policy rate to 4.5%, and highlights what might ease borrowing pressure over the next few months. 
CHECK OUT STEPHANIE'S WORK: https://stephaniehughesjournalism.com/
47:14 | A whopping 96% of workers are looking for a new job in 2023, according to a survey by Monster.com. Career strategist Julie Bauke explains what's different these days, and gives some great advice for job seekers (who want to avoid peeing on their shoes).  
CONNECT WITH JULIE: https://thebaukegroup.com/
1:11:30 | Real Talker "Kyle" feels like a key point was omitted in our recent discussion about harm reduction. Ryan reads his (excellent) email. 
SHOOT US A NOTE: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.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.

Are Safe Consumption Sites Worth the Money?

You'd think everybody would support evidence-based harm reduction. But, that's simply not the case in Canada when it comes to the opioid crisis. We speak with three experts who studied the closure of a supervised consumption site in Lethbridge, Alberta. What can we learn from the fallout? 
0:35 | But first...do you care about the Royal Family? Do you hang on Harry's every word, or could you do without any more updates about the recent drama? Ryan and John tee up our interview with royal correspondent Valentine Low. 
4:00 | The closure of North America’s most widely used safe consumption site has created safety concerns for people who use drugs. That, from a new study conducted by researchers at Athabasca University, the University of Alberta, and the University of Winnipeg. We hear from Drs. Carolyn Greene, Marta-Marika Urbanik, and Katharina Maier about the argument for government investment in harm reduction and public health.
REVIEW THE STUDY: https://news.athabascau.ca/research/safe-consumption-site-study/
32:36 | How are (Prince?) Harry's bombshells landing in London? Longtime royal correspondent Valentine Low of The Times joins us from NYC to discuss recent revelations, and what they mean in the short and long term.
1:05:00 | Are new revelations about asthma in kids influencing how you feel about gas stoves? Are you thinking of replacing yours? We hear from Real Talker "Lisa," who tells us what her family did.
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:13:08 | Don't miss the final weekend of Jasper in January! In this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper, Ryan details a couple amazing reasons to drop everything and head to the mountains on Friday (or before)! 
MAKE YOUR JASPER IN JANUARY PLANS: https://www.jasper.travel/january/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.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.

Jan. 24, 2023 - Prosecutors Find No Emails. Is an AB Pension Plan Worth It? Hidden Cams in Airbnbs?!

0:30 | Alberta Justice says there's no record of electronic communication between Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's office and prosecutors, in the context of charges stemming from the Coutts border crossing blockade. This contradicts what the premier herself told Rebel Media in December. Ryan opens the show with the latest developments in this story, including Real Talkers' comments via Twitter and email.
BE IN TOUCH: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
20:26 | Rick Peterson is a money guy. The former Conservative Party of Canada leadership candidate and co-founder of Centre Ice Canadians says all politics aside, it's a bad idea for Alberta to establish its own pension plan. Rick explains why, including some key differences between the Canada Pension Plan and the Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCO). 
READ RICK'S ARGUMENT RE: PENSION PLANS: https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2023/01/19/the-biggest-kid-on-the-block/#.Y8mr8j3MKUkCHECK OUT CENTRE ICE CANADIANS: https://www.centreicecanadians.ca/
44:10 | Have you ever found a hidden camera in a hotel room, Airbnb or VRBO? More than one in ten people surveyed say they have. Now that's creepy. "Security evangelist" Tony Anscombe tells us what he does when he checks into a new place, and teaches us how to do a quick sweep of a property. He's also got great insight into Apple AirTags and other devices that can be used for good or evil. 
CHECK OUT TONY'S TEAM'S BLOG ON HIDDEN CAMERAS: https://www.welivesecurity.com/2022/11/01/spy-who-rented-to-me-hidden-cameras-airbnbs/CHECK OUT THE HIDDEN CAMERA SURVEY RESULTS: https://www.ipx1031.com/airbnb-guests-trust-hosts/
1:00:20 | Most of us know we should leave service dogs alone while they're working. But would you know what to do if a service dog approached you, requiring assistance? NAIT students Michelle Gariepy, Brandon Lindsay, and Roseveer Salh developed Lassie 2.0, which could be a game changer. Find out why the innovation was nominated for the 2022 Capstone Project of the Year in this week's edition of The Leading Edge presented by our friends at Leading Edge Physiotherapy! 
LIFE SHOULDN'T HURT: https://leadingedgephysio.com/CHECK OUT DOGS WITH WINGS: https://dogswithwings.ca/
THE REAL TALK POND HOCKEY CLASSIC IS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4! REGISTER TO PLAY, VOLUNTEER, OR SPONSOR: https://ryanjespersen.com/pond-hockey
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.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.

Jan. 23, 2023 - Did Danielle Smith or Staffers Attempt to Influence Prosecutors re: Coutts Charges?

It's alleged Danielle Smith or members of her staff attempted to influence Crown prosecutors involved in cases stemming from the Coutts border blockade. Smith says independent investigators will sift through correspondence between the two parties to determine the truth. How bad could this be for Alberta's premier? We find out. But first...
0:40 | Could you limit your alcohol intake to two drinks per week? Health Canada is encouraging Canadians to do exactly that. Ryan and Johnny open the show with a few thoughts. 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
4:17 | How bad could this Coutts prosecution story be for Premier Danielle Smith? Political scientist Duane Bratt's been keeping an eye on developments over the weekend, and has a few key storylines to keep an eye on. Plus, we get his thoughts on Preston Manning's $250k gig to prepare a report on Alberta's COVID response. 
32:50 | What disgraceful treatment of a respected coach by the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan and Johnny talk about Bruce Boudreau's final game behind the Canucks bench (a loss to the Oilers). 
37:56 | Charles Adler wears his heart on his sleeve. So, nobody should be surprised to see him rocking a Winnipeg Jets cap to talk about the Canucks! We ask the Emmy Award-winning talk radio legend for his thoughts on Bruce Boudreau, Premier Danielle Smith, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, and Health Canada's recommendation of two or fewer alcoholic beverages per week. 
1:03:38 | Have you torn your gas stove out of the wall yet? On the flip side, have you chained yourself to your gas stove, daring the government to pry it from your cold, dead hands? Ryan and Johnny take a look at MP Roman Baber's not-so-subtle virtue signalling over the weekend. 
1:20:39 | This week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy has a bit of a different vibe. It's not particularly enlightening, encouraging, or edifying...but is it ever hilarious. Watch and enjoy! 
GET YOUR FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.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.