Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

The Sunshine List: Do We Deserve To Know What You Make?

We're all about transparency...but are Sunshine Lists the right way to go about it? Alberta Health Services just released its annual list of employees earning over $140k/year. Ryan hashes it out with Charles Adler (46:40) in our first episode back from the Canada Day long weekend. 
6:45 | Happy 4th of July to our American audience members! We kick off this episode with a trip down memory lane - Johnny's early days in Dade County, Florida and Chuck's time down in Boston. Is Joe Biden "too old" to win another election? We tee up Biden v. Trump 2.0, and what that might mean for the US and the rest of the world. 
28:00 | Is the Conservative brand *always* going to be associated with being "Albertan"? Can the Alberta NDP do anything to change that? 
41:10 | Are plastic bag bans the right way to change behaviour and save the planet? The guys take a look at Edmonton's new law implemented over the weekend, and what it'll mean for businesses and consumers. 
46:40 | If you work for Alberta Health Services and make more than $141,183 per year, your salary details have just been released to the public. The annual disclosure allows everyday citizens to understand the bottom line implications of firing the AHS board, for example, but it comes at a cost. Should the practice continue? 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
CHECK OUT THE AHS SUNSHINE LIST: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/about/page13093.aspx
1:03:15 | Thousands of people are lucky to be alive after a big tornado ripped through central Alberta over the weekend, destroying multiple homes and killing livestock. We take a look at some of the remarkable video captured by local residents. 
1:05:30 | Charles has a big announcement, and he makes it on this episode of Real Talk! 
1:21:30 | We absolutely love this story of Alberta bison roaming free around Chief Mountain on Blackfeet Nation land near Glacier National Park in Montana. Thanks to Laurel, who submitted this week's edition of Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy! 
KUBY ENERGY IS HIRING: https://kubyenergy.ca/
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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

Pissed Off About Pride

Frosty and Garry are upset at our Pride talk, while Lauren and Kat have a lot to say about the Titan sub disaster. Brace yourself for Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! 
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Alberta Doctors Want An Apology

Alberta's former Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw was unceremoniously dismissed from a new position in Indigenous health, prompting the resignation of the program's medical director Dr. Esther Tailfeathers. The move prompted more than a hundred doctors to sign an open letter demanding a response from Premier Danielle Smith. 
2:35 | Dr. Neeja Bakshi is one of the physicians who signed the letter demanding an apology from Premier Smith and Alberta Health Services administrator Dr. John Cowell.She explains why she stuck her neck out, and what she hopes the action accomplishes. 
24:20 | Rest in Peace, Dr. Sue. Ryan and Johnny celebrate the life and legacy of legendary broadcaster and sex educator Dr. Sue Johanson. 
30:50 | Police investigating a stabbing spree at the University of Waterloo say they're treating the incident as a hate crime. Athabasca University's Dr. Alexa DeGagne and Dr. Kristin Rodier say the threat of violence is far too real in the Women's & Gender Studies space. Has anything changed since the horrific events of December 6, 1989 at École Polytechnique? How should Canadians respond? 
(Note: The trans theorist/activist Dr. DeGagne mentioned in the interview is Alok Vaid-Menon.)
CHECK OUT AU: https://www.athabascau.ca/
1:16:30 | Frosty and Garry are upset at our Pride talk, while Lauren and Kat have a lot to say about the Titan sub disaster. Brace yourself for Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! 
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/
SEND US YOUR TRASH TALK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US BY SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors
PATREON: 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
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

It’s Time To Talk: How Do We Fix Our Communities?

Canada's not "broken," but our communities are hurting. Crime rates are up, police are taking longer to respond to rural calls, many community supports are floundering, and important infrastructure is on the verge of collapse. It's time to talk. 
Mayor Cathy Heron (St. Albert), Mayor Trina Jones (Legal), and Councillor Krista Gardner (Calmar) join Ryan in studio for a look at how their municipalities are coping with serious challenges. While "quick fixes" may not be realistic, these Alberta politicians say they have a plan for improved public safety and policing, infrastructure, and more - they just need the province and the feds to play ball.
The conversation starts with a look at the bizarre interruption of a Leduc council meeting earlier this week. Our guests are no strangers to people spewing wild conspiracy theories. Will an increase in these incidents ultimately close communication channels between elected officials and the people they serve? 
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
CHECK OUT ALBERTA MUNICIPALITIES: https://www.abmunis.ca/advocacy-resources/its-time-talk
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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.

Triggered: Why Are People Losing Their Minds Over Pride?

Unruly people spewing hateful conspiracy theories about the Pride flag forced Leduc Mayor Bob Young to abruptly cancel a recent council meeting. This, as RCMP are investigating vandalism of a Pride-themed crosswalk in the Alberta city. Incidents like these are making news throughout June (Pride month) across North America...not to mention the boycott campaign targeting Bud Light for partnering with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
3:35 | So, what gives? What's driving this campaign against Pride? How are lawmakers and citizens alike to respond? Mayor Bob Young joins Ryan for a firsthand account of what went down Monday night, and what he's doing about it. 
18:15 | Did you see Jackie Goldberg's rant? The president of a Los Angeles School Board, who happens to be a lesbian, had a pointed message for protesters calling for a book ban outside an optional Pride assembly at Saticoy Elementary School.
20:00 | We're still shaking our heads at the NHL's decision to cancel future themed jersey nights. That means no more Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys, no more Military Appreciation jerseys, and yes, no more Pride jerseys (among many others). Rinks Around the League founder and former NHL production manager Jeff Nash joins Ryan in studio to talk it out. 
CHECK OUT RINKS AROUND THE LEAGUE: https://www.youtube.com/@_TheRinks
40:35 | Calling all adventurers: the seasonal access road to the base of Mount Edith Cavell in Jasper National Park is now open! We feature one of Canada's most iconic peaks in this edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
PLOT YOUR COURSE TO MT. EDITH CAVELL: https://www.jasper.travel/
43:15 | Can the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) be trusted? How bad is this orphan well problem? Many of you have asked us those questions, prompted by our continuing coverage of environmental and fiscal liabilities stemming from oil and gas activity in Alberta. Assistant Auditor General Eric Leonty takes us into the AG's recent report examining Alberta's orphan wells and the AER.
READ THE REPORT: https://www.oag.ab.ca/reports/oag-liability-management-of-non-oil-sands-oil-and-gas-infrastructure/ 
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WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
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.

$2 Billion Boondoggle: Edmonton’s Valley Line LRT

It's the most mind-boggling build in Edmonton's recent history. The Valley Line LRT, a $1.8 billion expansion to the city's light rail network, is now three years behind schedule after builder TransEd announced yet another delay. This time, it's because 140 km worth of corroded cables need to be replaced before trains can safely operate. 
00:10 | Are Tim Cartmell and Andrew Knack worried Edmontonians are losing faith in their city's ability to build anything properly? The city councillors join Ryan in studio for a frank discussion about the Valley Line, downtown crime rates, and the municipal implications of provincial election results. 
HERE'S THE INJURED LRT WORKER'S GO FUND ME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mark-mcquiad-and-family-support-campaign?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=sms&utm_source=customer
39:40 | Former NDP MP Olivia Chow will serve as Toronto's next Mayor after winning a hotly-contested election. How did she win, what does her victory say about Toronto's priorities, and what does it mean for the rest of the country? Longtime political strategist and commentator Andrew Tumilty gets into it. 
54:00 | Could Jack Layton have been Prime Minister? Ryan and Johnny discuss, inspired by the interview with Andrew. 
1:10:00 | Did you catch the NHL Awards last night? Were you as appalled by Dierks Bentley's attempt to drink from the Stanley Cup as Johnny was? 
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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.

What’s Next for Putin?

The world watched over the weekend as tension between several of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most loyal lieutenants spilled into the streets, and one of them turned his guns on targets in his own country. What does the short-lived rebellion in Russia mean for the war in Ukraine, and Putin himself? What's the main takeaway for the West? 
3:00 | Ian Bremmer is one of the world's foremost authorities on geopolitics. The political scientist and president of Eurasia Group joins Ryan off the top of the show to explain what led to this weekend's events, why Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin's uprising stopped so quickly, and what it all means moving forward. 
CHECK OUT IAN'S GZERO MEDIA: https://www.gzeromedia.com/
29:50 | The NHL says no more Pride, cancer, military, or other special edition jerseys in warmups. Ryan and Johnny touch on the story (with more to come later in the episode from Charles Adler). 
32:00 | Did you notice Dr. Deena Hinshaw was fired last week? Alberta's former Chief Medical Officer of Health was let go from an AHS position in Indigenous health, prompting the resignation of Indigenous Wellness Core medical lead Dr. Esther Tailfeathers. Ryan reads an email from Real Talker "Dr. Rick," who's got a message for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
35:40 | Talk radio legend Charles Adler wastes no words in assessing the NHL's jersey decision (and Bud Light boycotts), Vladimir Putin's near future, the fate of the Titan submersible, and Bell Media's plea to further suffocate local news coverage. 
1:14:15 | An Edmonton man is recovering from a near-fatal workplace accident on the West LRT project. Ryan reads an email from Real Talker "Hamid," who's rallying support for his co-worker Mark McQuaid. 
CONTRIBUTE TO THE GO FUND ME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mark-mcquiad-and-family-support-campaign?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=sms&utm_source=customer
1:17:00 | Real Talker "Chad" made our week with his love letter to Real Talk. Written from Jasper, Alberta, his note made such an impression we decided to make it this week's Positive Reflection presented by Kuby Renewable Energy. Thanks Chad!  
KUBY ENERGY IS HIRING: https://kubyenergy.ca/
PATREON: 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.

Crazy Wildfire Conspiracy

Anne's hot under the collar about the latest wildfire conspiracy theory, Tracey won't be muzzled over masks in senior's centres, and Jeff's got a message for Pride protestors. It's a loud and proud edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services!
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Canada’s Unremembered Terrorist Attack: Air India 182

Lost at sea, will the passengers aboard a small vessel bound for Titanic's wreckage survive? Why haven't the 280 Canadians killed in the Air India 182 bombing in 1985 been properly remembered? Today's episode tackles a developing story, and a tragedy nearly 40 years ago. 
1:00 | The outlook is grim for the five people aboard the lost Titan submarine. Ryan and Johnny have the latest details, and wonder why another story isn't seeing the same attention. 
12:30 | Dr. Meera Nair says Canada needs to do more to remember the bombing of Air India 182. As the anniversary of that horrible terrorist attack looms, Meera tells us why she thinks politicians have been too nervous to call this tragedy what it is. 
CHECK OUT DR. NAIR'S BLOG: https://june231985.wordpress.com/
46:30 | Anne's hot under the collar about the latest wildfire conspiracy theory, Tracey won't be muzzled over masks in senior's centres, and Jeff's got a message for Pride protestors. It's a loud and proud edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services!
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/
PATREON: 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.

Are You Future Ready?

Ten years after the southern Alberta floods, what have we learned from one of the costliest natural disasters in Canadian history? How did the disaster impact individuals, families, and the way we build (or rebuild) communities? 
Speaking of building relationships and communities, are we too reliant on technology? Are we asking the tough questions or riding blissfully down a road to ruin? This episode of Real Talk looks to the past, then the future, from a few different angles. 
3:00 | Paris Marx is a tech critic. The host of the Tech Can't Save Us podcast and author of Road to Nowhere: What Silicon Valley Gets Wrong About Transportation explains what WILL save us, and what we need to be saved from. We cover a lot of ground re: natural disasters, Apple's Vision Pro headset, autonomous vehicles, community planning, and Bitcoin. 
SEE PARIS MARX IN EDMONTON: https://www.michaeljanz.ca/parismarx
CHECK OUT TECH WON'T SAVE US: https://techwontsave.us/
39:00 | It's National Indigenous Peoples Day, and Real Talk audience member Sharon Morin's family is celebrating a huge honour. Ryan and Johnny shine a spotlight on the newest stamp from Canada Post. 
42:30 | This year, Jasper National Park is honoured to partner with Simpcw, People of the River, as hosts of the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration. Find details in this week's edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
DETAILS: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/autochtones-indigenous/JNPA-2023-NIPD
44:30 | Disaster researchers Dr. Caroline McDonald-Harker and (Hurricane Katrina survivor) Dr. Tim Haney take us into their extensive research on the 2013 southern Alberta floods. What follows is an important conversation about recognizing signs of PTSD, holding planners and developers accountable over where we build new homes, and the future of fire and flood insurance. 
1:18:00 | This lost submarine story is blowing our minds. Ryan and Johnny cover the details we know as the search continues. 
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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.