Episodes

Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Why Representation Matters
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
"I don't think it matters." Sports talk veteran Jason Gregor was trending across Canada last week after CBC host Mark Connolly asked him why there weren't any women on the roster of Gregor's upstart AM station Sports 1440.
3:00 | Claire Hanna is just back from covering the FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia. The Team Canada volleyball alum, now TSN's Ottawa bureau chief, tells us why she thinks it matters to have women behind the mic and in front of the camera.
34:23 | Jackie Rae Greening is Jason Gregor's boss. The hall of fame broadcaster, now program director at Sports 1440 (and other stations), tells us what she thinks about his comments and the bigger picture of representation in media.
50:10 | Music is coming to the mountains September 8 and 9! We feature the Jasper Folk Music Festival in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper.
TICKETS: https://www.jasperfolkmusicfestival.ca/
55:40 | We've been flooded with emails, tweets, and comments about our August 18 interview with Take Back Alberta founder David Parker. Ryan reads five that rose above the rest.
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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.

Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
The Argument FOR Alberta’s Wind & Solar Moratorium
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
Imagine what a boring world it'd be if we all agreed on everything all the time! In this episode of Real Talk, we read your takes on our August 21 interview with Take Back Alberta founder David Parker. Then, we find out why the Rural Municipalities of Alberta supports the province's seven-month moratorium on new wind and solar projects.
5:05 | Real Talkers have a lot to say about our David Parker interview. Some of you loved it, some of you hated it. Ryan reads a bunch of emails, and checks the tape after being called out by Real Talker Emily.
35:30 | The Rural Municipalities of Alberta are one of the only (if not THE only) advocacy groups to speak out in support of Alberta's moratorium on new wind and solar projects. President Paul McLauchlin explains why.
CHECK OUT RMA: https://rmalberta.com/
1:12:15 | Three people are in serious condition after a targeted shooting at West Edmonton Mall last night. Ryan and Johnny discuss the lockdown, and what may have led to the attack.
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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.

Monday Aug 21, 2023
Take Back Alberta Founder David Parker
Monday Aug 21, 2023
Monday Aug 21, 2023
If you follow Alberta politics, you've no doubt heard about Take Back Alberta. The group has taken over the United Conservative Party board, and claims responsibility for ousting former premier Jason Kenney. Critics of founder David Parker say he's a religious extremist, a misogynist, and worse. We ask him about all of it on this episode of Real Talk.
3:05 | Take Back Alberta...from whom? Founder David Parker talks to Ryan about his relationship with Premier Danielle Smith, his mission to control school boards across the province, his comments about women working outside the home, the so-called "climate cult," his support for the Coutts border blockaders, and more.
51:35 | Charles Adler has exactly zero time for David Parker, and he holds nothing back.
1:17:30 | Ryan and Johnny can't help but laugh at Kid Rock, caught on camera over the weekend.
1:24:00 | Mark Fuhrmann is an absolute legend. The Canadian, now living in Norway, just completed an 11,000km (!) journey in a kayak: nearly a full year alone at sea raising money for charity. We highlight his remarkable achievement in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy.
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kubyenergy.ca/
SUPPORT MARK'S FUNDRAISER: https://www.gofundme.com/f/7qgtz-paddle-for-life
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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.

Saturday Aug 19, 2023
Listener Lashes Out at Ryan!
Saturday Aug 19, 2023
Saturday Aug 19, 2023
Brad's pissed at Ryan's comment about incels, Kathy's pissed off at a bunch of politicians, and Michael's pissed off at the idea of moving the Grey Cup to Thanksgiving weekend. It's another rowdy edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services!
SEND US YOUR TRASH TALK: talk@ryanjespersen.com
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Friday Aug 18, 2023
Canada’s On Fire: Yellowknife & Kelowna Evacuated
Friday Aug 18, 2023
Friday Aug 18, 2023
Tens of thousands of Canadians have fled their homes as wildfires destroy Kelowna and threaten Yellowknife.
3:50 | Kelowna is burning as Ryan and Johnny record this episode. They begin with a couple personal angles on the Kelowna fire, including a friend who lost everything overnight.
21:15 | Real Talkers have responded in a BIG way to yesterday's feature on Alberta's skyrocketing electricity prices. Ryan reads a bunch of your Twitter comments and takes a look at the barbs being tossed between Premier Danielle Smith and federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
35:40 | Real Talkers Thesco and Brock chime in on our interview with Tristin Hopper about Jordan Peterson, Joe Rogan, and Pierre Poilievre.
41:50 | NWT Minister of Environment and Climate Change Shane Thompson, also the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, joins Ryan a couple hours before Yellowknife's mandatory evacuation deadline.
52:50 | Real Talker Christine responds to our August 17 interview with Dr. Toor by sharing a journal entry she wrote after asking her doctor for a birth control prescription in 1979.
56:20 | Brad's pissed at Ryan's comment about incels, Kathy's pissed off at a bunch of politicians, and Michael's pissed off at the idea of moving the Grey Cup to Thanksgiving weekend. It's another rowdy edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services!
SEND US YOUR TRASH TALK: talk@ryanjespersen.com
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/
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 Aug 17, 2023
Should Birth Control Be Free?
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
"This is where health care meets human rights." Dr. Rupinder Toor and her colleagues are lobbying the feds to make birth control free. She tells us why she founded Project EmpowHer in this episode of Real Talk.
3:10 | Polls show 83% of Canadians approve of free prescription birth control. 70% feel the issue is urgent. Dr. Toor takes us into the history, current reality, and potential future of contraception in Canada.
SIGN THE PETITION: https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-4516
CHECK OUT PROJECT EMPOWHER: https://projectempowher.ca/
48:30 | Thurman Brietzke, 29, is facing charges after targeting a Muslim family with a racist, Islamophobic, homophobic rant. Ryan and Johnny take a look at the troubling story.
54:30 | Canada's got a cost of living crisis. That includes housing, groceries, insurance, and utilities. We look at one number in particular in Alberta that demands a response from the provincial government.
1:13:45 | It's hard to imagine the stress Yellowknife residents are feeling, as more than 20,000 people are evacuating the northern city due to wildfire. What role should governments and companies like Air Canada play in emergency situations like this?
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com
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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.

Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
Why Are Jordan Peterson & Pierre Poilievre So Popular?
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
In just a few years, Jordan Peterson has amassed a following of millions of disciples. Pierre Poilievre dominated the Conservative Party's most recent leadership race, and doubled its membership in just a couple of months. How'd they do it, and what does it say about Canada? Tristin Hopper breaks it down in this episode of Real Talk.
4:10 | But first...this might be the most ironic back to work order we've seen yet.
5:15 | How'd Jordan Peterson go from a virtual unknown to an internationally-known author and speaker? Why is Pierre Poilievre polling so much higher than any other Conservative leader in recent memory? National Post columnist Tristin Hopper explains.
29:30 | Have you ever experienced Symphony Under the Stars in Jasper? It's a MUST for anybody looking to make life-long memories at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Get new details on this year's edition in today's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper.
SECURE YOUR SPOT AT SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS: https://jasperparklodge.ticketbud.com/symphony-under-the-stars-2023
31:40 | Mark Dorin loves oil and gas. Just ask him. But he says Alberta's industry simply isn't ethical. The founder of the Polluter Pay Federation joins Ryan in studio to talk renewables, remediation, R-Star, coal, and how the average Albertan can see through the smokescreens.
1:16:15 | You had a lot to say after our August 15 episode asked, "Is the CFL Dying?" Ryan reads your IG messages, tweets, emails, and we play our first-ever Real Talker video message from "Nasher," who's got a very interesting proposal for future Grey Cups.
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com
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WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.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 Aug 15, 2023
Is the CFL Dying?
Tuesday Aug 15, 2023
Tuesday Aug 15, 2023
Is it too late to save Canadian football? Attendance is down in almost every market, and there doesn't appear to be a "next generation" of fans. The worst situation might be in Edmonton, where team president Victor Cui just walked away from the winless team.
8:40 | Don't you dare tell Travis Currah the CFL's dying. The host of the 2 and Out CFL Podcast (and season ticket holder for two CFL teams!) tells us how his love for the league started, why he's optimistic for the future, and how the CFL can possibly justify expansion talk.
CHECK OUT THE 2 AND OUT PODCAST: https://cfl2andout.podbean.com/
1:11:00 | With all this talk about wind and solar, Real Talker Don's wondering why we're not talking more about about water. Marie hopes we never stop talking about the Calgary Stampede sexual abuse scandal.
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com
1:15:35 | Real Talk is proud to partner with art4good to raise funds for the Real Talk Julie Rohr Scholarship.
ORDER YOUR PRINT: https://art4good.ca/emerald-waters/
1:18:00 | Did you realize legendary TV personality and painter Bob Ross was taking us all on a journey over time? You'll see what we mean (and it'll blow your mind!) in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy.
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kubyenergy.ca/
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WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.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 Aug 14, 2023
Why Is Your Power Bill So High?
Monday Aug 14, 2023
Monday Aug 14, 2023
Everything costs more these days. Mortgages, gas, groceries...you name it, you're probably paying more for it. You've no doubt noticed your power bill is way higher than it used to be. Why is that, and what can you do about it? We find out in this episode of Real Talk.
7:30 | But first, what do you make of Pierre Poilievre's recent bump in the polls? New numbers suggest the Conservative leader would form a majority government if Canadians voted today. (Of course, Canadians aren't voting today - or anytime soon - but that doesn't mean it's not an interesting development) Charles Adler breaks down the story in a way only he can.
35:40 | David "DK" Gray is an energy economist with a thirty year career as a load forecaster, system planner, and analyst. The former executive director of the Utilities Consumer Advocate cuts through the political spin and explains what the NDP did wrong, what the UCP's doing wrong, and what needs to happen for Albertans to pay less for power.
1:09:15 | David unveils "Emerald Waters," a special edition print you can purchase via art4good in support of the Real Talk Julie Rohr Scholarship.
ORDER YOUR PRINT: https://art4good.ca/emerald-waters/
BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.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 Aug 12, 2023
Albertans All Fired Up About the Green Energy Ban
Saturday Aug 12, 2023
Saturday Aug 12, 2023
You've got a LOT to get off your chest when it comes to green energy. Mikey can't hold his tongue about the UCP moratorium on green energy. Garry says you best not forget about oil and gas. Alex says he knows interventionist bullsh*t when he sees it. All three take centre stage in this week's Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services.
SEND US YOUR TRASH TALK: talk@ryanjespersen.com