Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Why She Won: The Secret To Danielle Smith’s Success

The results are in: Danielle Smith and the UCP will form Alberta's next government. What can Albertans expect? What message does the election outcome send to the rest of Canada? What does the future look like for Rachel Notley and the NDP? 
2:20 | And what does the NDP sweeping Edmonton mean for Alberta's capital city? Councillor Sarah Hamilton joins Ryan in studio. 
15:30 | Will Danielle Smith's populist approach to campaigning continue into her first full term as premier? Calgary Sun scribe Rick Bell tells us what he's hearing. 
42:50 | Was this the NDP's last decent shot at winning an election in Alberta? Does the party need a rebrand? We check in with Athabasca University political science professor Dr. Mark Crawford. 
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
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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.

Election Day in AB: Which Ridings Will Determine the Outcome

By the time most of us fall asleep tonight, we'll know which party will form the next government in Alberta. Will it be Premier Danielle Smith or Premier Rachel Notley we're talking about tomorrow morning? It's looking like this could wind up as the closest election in Alberta history. This episode of Real Talk, we talk about the x-factors that could contribute to a UCP or NDP win. 
8:45 | Talk radio legend Charles Adler was one of the first high-profile Canadians to offer an endorsement, backing Rachel Notley's NDP on New Year's Eve. Since then, former PC cabinet ministers Thomas Lukaszuk and Doug Griffiths, and former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi have followed suit. Meantime, former PM Stephen Harper, current CPC leader Pierre Poilievre, and Rebel Media founder Ezra Levant have endorsed Danielle Smith's UCP. How much do endorsements actually matter? Can they hurt more than help? 
37:30 | Real Talker Scott supported the Reform Party growing up, campaigned for Ted Morton in 2006, and voted for Jason Kenney's UCP in 2019. He tells us why he "never thought (he'd) be here" as he prepares to vote in the 2023 Alberta election.
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
40:30 | Which ridings could come down the wire tonight? Which ones might swing? Will the NDP sweep Edmonton? Will the UCP hold onto their key Calgary ridings? What about Banff-Kananaskis, Red Deer, and Lethbridge? Political blogger and podcaster Dave Cournoyer tells us which races he's paying close attention to.
CHECK OUT DAVEBERTA: https://daveberta.substack.com/
1:18:30 | It's a special election edition of Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy, as Ryan shoots from the hip and speaks from the heart. 
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.

We Deserve A Voice

Lauren says it's gotta be people ahead of profits, and Catalina didn't love the tone of one of our interviews this week. Both Real Talkers sound off in this week's edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! 
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Inform Your Vote: UCP & NDP Plans for Alberta

The Alberta election is just days away. More than a half-million people have already voted in advance polls, suggesting this election could see record-setting turnout. It's a hotly contested race, with the UCP and NDP polling neck and neck. This episode is dedicated to those of you still making up your mind. 
3:25 | Economist Dr. Trevor Tombe, journalist Drew Anderson, and Alberta Chambers CEO Shauna Feth form our Real Talk Round Table intended to Inform Your Vote. Our panelists dig into the policy of both leading parties, evaluating their plans for Alberta's economic, environmental, and energy future. What impact will raising the corporate tax rate have on jobs? Is a rate cap the best way to navigate rising electricity costs? Is carbon capture smart policy or a scam? Our experts hash out these questions and more.
READ DREW'S PIECE IN THE NARWHAL: https://thenarwhal.ca/alberta-election-platforms/
CHECK OUT ALBERTA CHAMBERS' "VOTE PROSPERITY" CAMPAIGN: https://www.abchamber.ca/our-priorities/vote-prosperity-ab/
1:04:25 | Lauren says it's gotta be people ahead of profits, and Catalina didn't love the tone of one of our interviews this week. Both Real Talkers sound off in this week's edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! 
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.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.

Why PC Minister Doug Griffiths Is Backing the NDP

It's a helluva thing for a high-profile Progressive Conservative cabinet minister to go on the record endorsing the New Democrats. But that's exactly what former Minister of Municipal Affairs Doug Griffiths is doing. In an exclusive interview with Real Talk, Griffiths explains how he got here. 
4:00 | Doug Griffiths played a big role in Alberta's Progressive Conservative governments between 2002-2015. The veteran cabinet minister grabbed a whole bunch of attention a few days ago, when he endorsed Rachel Notley and several of her NDP candidates. He tells Ryan why he went public in such a significant way, and what he makes of today's United Conservative Party. 
41:00 | If political leaders and everyday Albertans aren't talking about climate policy during an election campaign running parallel to the worst wildfire season on record, when will we? Green Party of Alberta leader Jordan Wilkie talks about how the fires have affected the 2023 Alberta election, and what he wishes voters would consider.
HERE'S THE GO FUND ME FOR FRANKIE PAYOU: https://www.gofundme.com/f/family-heartbroken-alberta-wildfire-burns-home?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp%20share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR1GZjsbEMLbs3FRbv0kj6harq9jvkPwpjJHprc8P1uM0QojKtyoUJ8cHfI
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.

Worst Fire Season Ever: Why 2023 Is So Bad

Alberta's making national news on two fronts this month. With more than a million hectares already burned before June (that's 2.5 million football fields!), the province is trending toward its worst wildfire season on record. Meantime, candidates in 87 ridings are campaigning for votes as the May 29 election looms. 
2:40 | Why is this spring so bad for wildfires? What are the most significant contributing factors? How much of what we're seeing (and breathing) is the "new normal"? Weather expert and videojournalist Kyle Brittain shows us mind-blowing footage from the front lines, and explains what we can expect for the remainder of this summer and over the years to come. 
FOLLOW KYLE ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KyleBrittainWX
35:30 | Ian Donovan is best known in provincial political circles for crossing the floor from the Wildrose Party to the Progressive Conservatives in November of 2014. He compares the conservative movement from ten years ago to today, and explains how he's seen Danielle Smith and Rachel Notley evolve as leaders, too. 
FOLLOW IAN ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/IanDono99330524
1:04:30 | Calling all cyclists and runners! The Jasper Gran Fondo and Banff Jasper Relay are just a couple weeks away. We feature these super cool ways to explore Jasper National Park in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper. 
PLAN YOUR JASPER GETAWAY: https://www.jasper.travel/
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 Going To Win The Alberta Election?

Even the most experienced pollsters and pundits are having a hard time calling this one. As advance polls open today, with less than a week 'til Election Day, the UCP and NDP are neck and neck. Who's going to win the Alberta election, and how are they going to do it? 
3:55 | Charles Adler doesn't live in Alberta, but you'd never know it. The veteran talk radio host knows the province inside out. He tells us who he thinks won the televised debate (and why), and what impact he thinks it had on the overall race. How might the national political landscape shift with a Danielle Smith win next Monday? Chuck tells us, after riffing on the new Canadian passport design out of the gates. (Hilarious.)
33:35 | Talk to a Conservative insider, they'll tell you Calgary's going blue. Talk to an NDP insider, they'll tell you Calgary's going orange. Talk to them both at the same time? You've got another must-watch Real Talk panel. This time, it's New West Public Affairs partner Michael Solberg and Wellington Advocacy VP Leah Ward who bring experienced insight to the table. Who do you agree with more? Let us know! 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:09:15 | The world's first "bee therapy retreat" is set to open in June in Scotland. The resort, which gives whole new meaning to "Air Bee & Bee," uses the sounds and scents of honey bees to help people relax, de-stress, even navigate PTSD. We feature the innovative travel destination in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy. 
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.

Politics Ain’t Sports!

Tania's got a strong message - delivered out of love (!) - for our Thursday Round Table guests (and Ryan), and Ned's sick of politics as sport. Both sound off in this week's Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! 
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

The Strategists: Alberta Election Debate Recap

Both the UCP and NDP are claiming a win at the only televised debate of the 2023 Alberta Election. Who's right? How do you gauge success? Did either leader - Danielle Smith or Rachel Notley - actually move the needle with undecided (or even "decided") voters?
2:10 | The Strategists produce and host one of Canada's favourite political podcasts. Stephen Carter, Corey Hogan, and Annalise Klingbeil join Ryan to recap the debate's most notable moments. Don't miss their takes on who scored better on image, messaging, and the intangibles! 
CHECK OUT THE STRATEGISTS: https://thestrategists.ca/
CHECK OUT ANNALISE'S SUBSTACK "GO OUTSIDE": https://gooutside.substack.com/
57:05 | What exactly was wrong with former Alberta Party leader Stephen Mandel's suit at the 2019 Alberta Election Debate? Johnny presses Ryan on a bold statement earlier in the episode. 
59:30 | Tania's got a strong message - delivered out of love (!) - for our Thursday Round Table guests (and Ryan), and Ned's sick of politics as sport. Both sound off in this week's Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! 
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.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.

Fight Night: The Battle for the Soundbite

The only televised debate of the 2023 Alberta Election goes down tonight. What can we expect from Danielle Smith and Rachel Notley? Who has the upper hand? Does it even matter? Furthermore, does anybody even recognize the United Conservative Party anymore? 
2:00 | Our Group Chat Round Table reconvenes with Katherine O'Neill, Harman Kandola, and Jenny Adams, veterans of multiple conservative campaigns. We open with observations on what sets this debate apart from any other in Alberta history. Then, our panelists discuss the abhorrent comments from UCP candidate Jennifer Johnson about gender minority students, and what an appropriate response from Danielle Smith looks like. We look back at the PC/WRP merger (Katherine was PC Party president at the time), and how that set the table for today's version of the UCP. Our panel discusses Rob Anderson (Smith's top advisor) defending a far-right commentator, NDP candidate Kevin Van Tighem's comments about the oil and gas industry, and polling discrepancies out of Calgary. 
All in all, this is an hour of Alberta election coverage you won't want to miss! 
Let us know what you think: 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.