Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Life Savers & Game Changers

On International Women's Day, we feature back-to-back Real Talk Round Tables presented by Urban Timber: the heavy lifting emergency shelters are doing in Alberta, and game-changing opportunities for women in the male-dominated aviation industry. 
1:40 | It's an ugly reality: domestic violence is more of an issue now than ever before in Alberta, and thousands of women and children are being turned away from emergency shelters operating at capacity. Jan Reimer, Marla Poelzer, and survivor Candice Ryan join for a to-the-point talk about root causes, life-saving resources, and what needs to change.
ALBERTA COUNCIL OF WOMEN'S SHELTERS: https://acws.ca/JESSICA MARTEL MEMORIAL FOUNDATION: https://jessicamartelmemorialfoundation.com/
42:07 | Fewer than 10% of pilots are women. Fewer than 5% of aircraft maintenance technicians are women. Fewer than 20% of air traffic controllers are women. Kendra Kincaide wants to change that. The CEO of Elevate Aviation joins colleague Nova Andrews and graduate Cassara Nash to explain how they're introducing more women to careers in aviation, and which barriers still exist. 
CHECK OUT ELEVATE AVIATION'S FREE NINE-WEEK COURSE: https://elevateaviation.ca/
1:13:50 | Spring Break is nearly upon us! It's a perfect time of year to take the family to Jasper. This week's #MyJasper Memories highlights a few season-specific opportunities, including a dog sledding adventure back in time! 
BOOK YOUR JASPER SPRING BREAK GETAWAY: https://www.jasper.travel/
1:16:50 | Who's in the room? Are we living up to the promises we're making to our little girls by following through with actions? Women hold just 35% of leadership positions, despite being at least 50% of the workforce. We wrap this special episode of Real Talk with a video produced by Hoopla Media. 
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOOPLA'S "EVERY OPPORTUNITY" CAMPAIGN: https://hooplamedia.ca/iwd
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.

Canadian in a Crisis Zone

It's hard to imagine the devastation caused by the Turkey-Syria earthquake on February 6: more than 50,000 people killed, hundreds of thousands displaced, and at least $100B in damage to Turkey's infrastructure alone. Medair is one of the NGOs working to provide basic resources including water and shelter in and around Aleppo. Aid worker Raija-Liisa Schmidt-Teigen joins us live from Damascus. But first...
2:08 | It turns out a BC company will not be manufacturing and selling cocaine to the general public after all. Despite what Adastra Holdings announced late last week, Health Canada says the claims are inaccurate. Our fact check turns into a conversation about drug policy in Canada, including decriminalizing "hard" drugs and supporting safe supply.
HAVE YOUR SAY: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
21:05 | Raija-Liisa Schmidt-Teigen has been doing humanitarian work in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and Syria for more than 15 years. She tells us present-day Syria - "a crisis heaped on top of a crisis" - is the worst she's ever seen. Don't miss her first-hand report on what Canadian and other aid workers are doing to save lives in desperate circumstances. 
LEARN MORE/DONATE TO MEDAIR: https://www.medair.org/
53:10 | Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre says there will be no consequences for MPs who met with far-right German politician Christine Anderson during her recent visit to Canada. Poilievre, who called Anderson's views "vile and racist" just a few days ago, is attempting to drag Justin Trudeau's history of blackface back into the chat. Will it work for him politically? Ryan explores the story. 
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.

Toxic Tailings Pond Coverup

It's easy to understand why members of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation are "dismayed" to discover millions of litres of toxic oilsands tailings leaking into land and water where they harvest food. Chief Allan Adam has ordered his community to destroy any food (including game) collected since May. It's the latest chapter in an ongoing battle between industry and nearby Indigenous communities who've seen disproportionate cancer rates over many years. Chief Adam tells us what his community expects from the provincial government, the Alberta Energy Regulator, and Imperial Oil. But first... 
3:20 | Alberta and Ottawa have a new $24B health funding deal. Associate Finance Minister Randy Boissonnault brings the federal perspective on how the deal will impact healthcare delivery, and what changes re: accountability on how the money's spent. 
14:18 | Chief Allan Adam says there's "no trust" between the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and the Alberta Energy Regulator. Just a few days ago, the public learned a nine-month toxic leak from Imperial Oil's Kearl oilsands site had polluted muskeg and forest as well as a small lake and tributaries of the Firebag and Muskeg rivers. Chief Adam tells us how his community is responding, and what needs to happen now. 
38:15 | It's time to treat Alberta's most vulnerable citizens with dignity. That, from lawyer Andrew Green, who's advocated for hundreds of AISH recipients through his role with the Edmonton Community Legal Centre. He explains why the income support program is in desperate need of an overhaul, addresses the notion it's rife with fraud, and lays out what he's hoping to hear from political parties ahead of the May election. 
CONNECT WITH THE ECLC: https://www.eclc.ca/
1:04:12 | Have you checked out last week's interview with Johann Hari? The "Stolen Focus" author explains why we can't pay attention, and how we can think deeply again. His message resonated with Real Talker "Don," who shared a teacher's perspective on how tech is hurting young learners. 
WATCH OUR INTERVIEW WITH JOHANN HARI: https://www.youtube.com/live/hYF0HXFViMU?feature=share&t=2527
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:06:39 | We shine light on an incredible survival story in the Swiss Alps in this week's Positive Reflections presented by our friends at Kuby Energy. You've got to see this video to believe it! 
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.

TOXIC TAILINGS POND

Wade says Ryan needs to "grow a pair," and Rod's sick of seeing "bullshit corporate delay tactics" with toxic tailings ponds near Ft. McMurray. Both take centre stage in this week's Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services.
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

SMITH vs. NOTLEY

It was a big week in Alberta politics. A big-spending budget from Premier Danielle Smith's UCP says a lot about how the governing party intends to win the May election. So does the response from Rachel Notley's NDP. Pundits say it's too close to call right now. So, what'll it take for either party to win? Our Real Talk Round Table digs in. But first...
2:45 | Sarah Lawrynuik's been doing remarkable reporting from the front lines in Ukraine. She joins Ryan to reflect on the people she's met, the stories she's heard, and what she's learned about the true impact of this war on millions of Ukrainians. 
CHECK OUT SARAH'S WORK: https://www.sarahlawrynuik.com/HERE'S HER CAJ-NOMINATED CLIMATE FEATURE: https://www.canadaland.com/podcast/776-prairie-poop-bots-floods-and-water-shortages/
36:00 | To form government, Rachel Notley needs to flip about 20 ridings from UCP to NDP. Conversely, Danielle Smith could lose 18 seats and still win. How's it all going to play out? Our Real Talk Round Table presented by Urban Timber features Daveberta's Dave Cournoyer, Alberta Advantage podcaster Roberta Lexier, and CBC political columnist Jason Markusoff. 
CHECK OUT DAVEBERTA: https://daveberta.ca/CHECK OUT ALBERTA ADVANTAGE: https://albertaadvantagepod.com/READ JASON'S WORK: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/author/jason-markusoff-1.6448323
BROWSE URBAN TIMBER'S STUNNING TABLES: https://www.urbantimber.ca/
1:33:40 | Wade says Ryan needs to "grow a pair," and Rod's sick of seeing "bullshit corporate delay tactics" with toxic tailings ponds near Ft. McMurray. Both take centre stage 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.

Are You Addicted To Your Phone?

Society's on a road to ruin. We're slaves to our devices. Teenagers can only focus on one task for an average 65 seconds at a time. We're losing our ability to pay attention, let alone think deeply. Best-selling author Johann Hari joins us to talk about his new book "Stolen Focus". But first...
1:45 | A majority of Canadians believe China is interfering in our democracy, and Ottawa needs to do something about it. But what does that look like? How deeply seeded is Chinese influence in Canada? Former diplomat and federal cabinet minister Chris Alexander says it's up to the Prime Minister to take a stand. 
36:07 | Supriya Dwivedi's shocking interaction with a thoracic surgeon involved in her husband's cancer treatment prompted Real Talker "Martin" to reach out. He's also a thoracic surgeon. You'll want to catch his response to what he heard from Supriya on Friday's show. 
EMAIL US: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
42:15 | Are you addicted to your phone? Have you lost your ability to pay attention? Author Johann Hari takes us into his new book "Stolen Focus" to help us understand how troubling our tech dependency really is. Don't miss his take on the root cause of the opioid crisis, and the future of the four day work week. 
GET YOUR TICKETS TO SEE JOHANN IN EDMONTON: https://www.mentalhealthfoundation.ca/annual-fundraising-breakfast/CHECK OUT JOHANN'S WORK: https://johannhari.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.

Alberta’s Best Budget Breakdown

2:20 | The doctor is in the house! Does physician Shazma Mithani think the UCP's $68B budget has what it takes to heal healthcare? The ER doc and social media educator diagnoses what's leading to unprecedented burnout among health professionals, and explains why she's adamantly against private or "third way" options to ease surgical wait times. 
FOLLOW DR. MITHANI ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/shazmamithaniFOLLOW DR. MITHANI ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/drshazmamithani/CHECK OUT HER COLUMN IN THE STAR: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2023/01/27/doctors-face-significant-rates-of-burnout-if-our-system-is-not-fixed-soon.html
28:40 | We get it: numbers can be boring. Not everybody gets excited about Budget Day. We promised you Alberta's Best Budget Breakdown, and our panel delivers! Rick Bell, Kristin Raworth, and Michael Solberg bring "real life" perspectives to Alberta's $68B budget, and set the stage for the upcoming provincial election. 
1:11:40 | Ladies: the annual PJ Party is coming back to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and you and your girls are invited! March also brings the return of Devour! The Canadian Rockies Food Film Festival. We highlight both of these must-attend events in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper. 
BOOK YOUR JASPER GETAWAY: https://www.jasper.travel/events/ 
1:14:00 | Congratulations Jamie, winner of our Real Talk Email of the Month! Jamie's note "To Drink or Not To Drink..." prompted several on-air discussions, an interview with "Down and Back" author Justin Bourne, and a TON of emails and tweets from Real Talkers. Jamie wins an official Real Talk studio mug for getting us all thinking! 
EMAIL THE SHOW: 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.

FAR RIGHT F**KS

This might be our best Trash Talk to date. Tania's got a pointed message for Vladimir Putin, Dani the Disgruntled Oilfield Wife is sick of her political choices, and Michael uses his blowtorch to send a clear message to Ryan and other media personalities talking about the far right fringe. 
TRASH TALK IS PRESENTED BY LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Is Canada Broken?

2:47 | It's been a few weeks since Supriya Dwivedi's joined us on the show. She returns with a gut punch of an update on what her family's dealing with, and what she's learning firsthand about health care in Canada. 
28:35 | Our interview with Justin Bourne prompted so many of you to reach out to the show, telling us about you or your loved ones' battles with addiction. Ryan reads personal stories submitted by Real Talkers Paul and Anna. 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
35:10 | Are the politicians right? Is Canada really "broken"? Our Real Talk Round Table welcomes professors Nomi Claire Lazar, Vanessa MacDonell, and Michael Kempa, who dig into the recently-released Rouleau Report. What does the average Canadian need to focus on? What's partisan noise, and what represents a true threat to the rule of law in Canada? Our expert guests do a great job of focusing on what matters most. Don't miss this one! 
READ THE REPORT: https://publicorderemergencycommission.ca/READ NOMI'S PIECE ON THE RULE OF LAW: https://theconversation.com/emergencies-act-inquiry-final-report-is-a-reminder-that-we-all-have-a-role-in-upholding-the-rule-of-law-200230HERE'S NOMI'S PIECE ON THE RULE OF LAW AT RISK: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2023/02/22/rule-of-law-at-risk-under-current-emergency-legislation.htmlCHECK OUT MICHAEL'S OP/ED ON CANADA'S "BARELY FUNCTIONING" FEDERALISM: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/freedom-convoy-exposed-canadas-barely-functioning-federalism
REAL TALK ROUND TABLES ARE PRESENTED BY URBAN TIMBER: https://www.urbantimber.ca/
1:09:02 | This might be our best Trash Talk to date. Tania's got a pointed message for Vladimir Putin, Dani the Disgruntled Oilfield Wife is sick of her political choices, and Michael uses his blowtorch to send a clear message to Ryan and other media personalities talking about the far right fringe. 
TRASH TALK IS PRESENTED BY LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: 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.

The Truth About 15 Minute Cities

3:16 | Nobody's putting up electric fences to keep you in your "district". Nobody's going to take away your car, cut off your bank account, or arrest you for visiting friends across town. Despite what conspiracy theorists and fear mongers are saying, the urban design concept of "15 Minute Cities" makes perfect sense. But that doesn't necessarily mean people's concerns should be laughed off. Edmonton councillor Andrew Knack and communications strategist Justin Archer get into it.
READ JUSTIN'S OP/ED IN THE JOURNAL: https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-what-protesters-get-wrong-about-edmontons-15-minute-districtsHERE'S THE JEN GERSON PIECE RYAN MENTIONS: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-15-minute-city-controversy-is-based-on-bunk-the-fear-behind-it-is/
43:50 | Video of a heated parking lot confrontation in Edmonton has gone viral. What can we take from it? Ryan and Johnny discuss.
50:36 | It's tragedy heaped on tragedy in Florida, where a journalist and nine year old child were shot at a crime scene under investigation. Ryan reflects on the sad state of affairs. 
59:36 | Real Talker Kathy's had enough of the "Defund the police" movement. She lays it all out, getting personal with the story of her beloved son Jamie, in a remarkable email to the show. 
SEND US YOUR THOUGHTS: 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.