Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Calgary Election Insights // 3 Pinters Round Table

Veteran news anchor Lynda Steele set off a firestorm when she called out Alberta conservatives in our September 4 episode. We lead with the loudest responses (3:10), before turning our attention to a wide-open mayoral race in Calgary. Later in the episode, crack a cold one with Jespo's basketball teammates who bring insights on craft beer, inter-provincial trade, and vibrant communities.
WATCH LYNDA on REAL TALK: https://rtrj.info/090425Lynda
15:00 | Jeremy Klaszus, founder and editor of The Sprawl, identifies Cowtown's number one election issue, and weighs in on the introduction of municipal political parties in Alberta. Real Talk's feature interviews are presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
READ THE SPRAWL: https://www.sprawlcalgary.com/
MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/
36:00 | Prepare to be entertained! Three of Jespo's beer league basketball teammates - Andrew Ironmonger, Adam Corsaut, and Ryan Huska - talk craft beer, inter-provincial trade, and half-billion dollar community investments. 
ALBERTA BEER GUIDE on IG: https://www.instagram.com/abbeerguide/?hl=en
DOG ISLAND BREWING: https://www.dogislandbrewing.com/
ANALOG BREWING: https://analogbrewing.ca/
1:42:15 | Rural Resident Ryan has a hot take on dealing with rural crime, (Urban) Robert says "woke" city people don't deserve the heat, Wendy calls Danielle Smith to the carpet, and Matthew wants Jespo to be better on the "Blatchford boondoggle". It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! 
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you! 
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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.

Lynda Steele: Epstein List, Cable Costs, Alberta Election

Could Donald Trump's history with Jeffrey Epstein ultimately cost him the presidency? Are you paying too much for cable? Are municipal parties polluting Alberta's political landscape? Veteran broadcaster Lynda Steele (2:00) gets Real in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 
CHECK OUT LYNDA'S NEW PROJECT: https://killeenandsteele.ca/
MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/
56:00 | On top of its prosperous past and present thanks to oil and gas, Alberta's established itself as Canada's renewable energy leader. We highlight the bright future of Alberta's energy sector in the inaugural edition of Alberta Wins presented by Play Alberta. 
DOWNLOAD THE PLAY ALBERTA APP: https://playalberta.ca/
SHARE YOUR "ALBERTA WINS" STORY: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:00:30 | The Alberta Chambers of Commerce are driving discussion on municipal red tape and business supports ahead of the election on October 20. President and CEO Shauna Feth outlines what members are telling them, with her Eye on Alberta Business. 
TAKE THE SURVEY: https://research.albertaperspectives.ca/jfe/form/SV_0MNEx5aZQcA3axU?Source=EOB
ALBERTA JOBS STRATEGY: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-jobs-strategy
ALBERTA CHAMBERS of COMMERCE: https://www.abchamber.ca/
1:27:15 | We hear how Real Talkers are cutting cable and telecom costs via the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
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REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

Alberta’s Book Ban Backfires

Premier Danielle Smith's UCP government presses pause on a Ministerial Order targeting school library books, as Edmonton Public Schools pull 200 titles from shelves, including works by Margaret Atwood, Maya Angelou, and Ayn Rand. Smith calls the move "vicious compliance," promising new, more specific rules to come. Is this anything but a losing battle for the UCP? 
7:30 | Political scientist Dr. Duane Bratt assesses the UCP's pivot, and potential longer-term impact on the government's popularity. 
36:15 | Jespo's gaggle of "nerds and geeks" made Jasper the number one stop on their annual hockey pool getaway. Check out the highlights (including a must-visit sandwich stop) in this edition of #MyJasper Memories proudly presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper.
BOOK YOUR NEXT JASPER ADVENTURE: https://www.jasper.travel/
42:15 | Pundit Rob Breakenridge tells us why he thinks the UCP's book ban is "disastrous". Stick around for Rob's take on Pierre Poilievre's "Stand on Guard" proposal and Alberta's ballooning spending. 
CHECK OUT ROB'S WORK: https://robbreakenridge.substack.com/
1:26:00 | Real Talker Marie's sick and tired of city slickers ripping on rural Albertans. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
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REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

Supriya Dwivedi: Book Ban, Trump v. Newsom, Poilievre

We're thrilled to welcome Supriya Dwivedi back to our regular rotation, starting with this episode (2:30), where the former senior advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes on Alberta's school library book ban, PM Mark Carney's negotiations with President Donald Trump, California Governor Gavin Newsom's Trumpian social media strategy, and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre's "Stand on Guard" proposal to address violent crime in Canada. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
57:00 | Jespo and Johnny catch up after the long weekend, and discuss an email from Real Talker Jeff, who doesn't think they should take any days off. 
1:34:00 | Real Talker Lynda talks "solidarity" in a Labour Day edition of Positive Reflections presented by Solar by Kuby. 
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kuby.ca/solar
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

"Carney has failed miserably!"

Trevour Bouds has words for Max Fawcett (and Mark Carney), Adam C. and Cole chime in on infill, Alberta Gengar's hardly a fan of Return To Work policies, Gillian's bracing for (looking forward to?) a teachers' strike, Lisa says no pay for work travel is nothing new, and Alex has a word of warning for vapers. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com
When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you!
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi // Rahim Jaffer

5:30 | Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi responds to criticism from business leaders during our August 27 episode, counters criticism around the $400M Fan Park deal with the province, and tells us why he despises the word "woke," in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 
42:45 | Rahim Jaffer tells us what lured him back into politics after 17 years out of the spotlight, explains how his troubles with the law shaped who he is today, and lays out his plan to trim the fat as Edmonton's next mayor.
CHECK OUT RAHIM'S CAMPAIGN: https://www.votejaffer.ca/
1:26:10 | Jespo and Johnny share two major announcements.
1:39:00 | Trevour Bouds has words for Max Fawcett (and Mark Carney), Adam C. and Cole chime in on infill, Alberta Gengar's hardly a fan of Return To Work policies, Gillian's bracing for (looking forward to?) a teachers' strike, Lisa says no pay for work travel is nothing new, and Alex has a word of warning for vapers. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! 
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you! 
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

Get Rich: Alberta Edition

Calgary's ten years ahead of Edmonton when it comes to economic development. Can Alberta's capital city catch up? What happens if it doesn't? Ahead of municipal elections on October 20, we check in with the City of Calgary's Thom Mahler, Edmonton Downtown Business Association's Puneeta McBryan, and Heather Thomson from the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce (1:00). 
CHECK OUT THE EDMONTON CHAMBER'S MUNICIPAL ACTION PLAN: https://www.edmontonchamber.com/municipal-action-plan-2025/
1:05:30 | Jespo and Johnny debrief, including Jespo's story of a nightmare real estate investment 20 years ago. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:32:43 | Jespo shares details of his family's recent Jasper getaway and the upcoming Jasper Folk Music Festival in #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
JASPER FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL: https://www.jasperfolkmusicfestival.ca/
BOOK YOUR JASPER GETAWAY: https://www.jasper.travel/
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

Infill Controversy // Elbows…Down?

Density and infill might be the most divisive issue in Canada's major urban centres right now...or at least it feels that way. After a heated exchange during our August 22 Group Chat Round Table, we check in with Athabasca University political scientist Dr. Alex Rivard, who lays out what national polling actually tells us about where Canadians stand on the issue (17:30). 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
47:30 | As the Prime Minister lowers his elbows by dropping reciprocal tariffs aimed at Americans, do Doug Ford, Mark Carney, and progressives across Canada owe Alberta Premier Danielle Smith an apology? Her supporters sure think so. Dr. Rivard tells us what he thinks before analyzing a new report on Canadian relations with China (57:45). 
1:34:30 | Real Talker Janine tells us why she's so grateful for that August 18 by-election in Battle River--Crowfoot that saw Pierre Poilievre secure his seat in the House of Commons. Positive Reflections is presented by our friends at Solar by Kuby.
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kuby.ca/solar
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

"These Wackos Can 'Fix Canada' by F*cking Off to the US!"

Real Talkers Robert, Travis, James, Touring Zebra, Gerry, and Jan have a LOT to say about the Alberta separation movement and its spokesperson Jeff Rath. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com
When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you!
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

Return of the Group Chat Round Table

Jespo's real life political Group Chat returns to the Real Talk studio for an entertaining and enlightening look at the top headlines, including our August 20 interview with Alberta separatist Jeff Rath, a looming teachers' strike, council races across the province, Edmonton's infill debate (this one gets heated), and Pierre Poilievre's by-election win in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 
7:00 | But first, Katherine O'Neill tells Jespo, Jenny Adams, and Harman Kandola all about her recent journey to Lake O'Hara. 
1:25:30 | Real Talkers Robert, Travis, James, Touring Zebra, Gerry, and Jan have a LOT to say about the Alberta separation movement and its spokesperson Jeff Rath. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! 
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you! 
SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.