Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

October 27, 2022 - Eye on Alberta Politics: Dr. Lisa Young and Former #ABLEG Journalist Tom Vernon

0:30 | We focus on the powder keg that is Alberta politics throughout today's Real Talk. With so many storylines to follow, political scientist Lisa Young and former legislature correspondent Tom Vernon have a lot to talk about. But, we kick off the show with an homage to the teachers that made a huge impression on us (or not). Who was your "difference maker" growing up? Shoot us an email and let us know! 
SEND US YOUR THOUGHTS: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
12:56 | Dr. Lisa Young publishes her political observations on her Substack "What Now?!? An Alberta Politics Newsletter". The University of Calgary political scientist lays out the political risks taken by Premier Danielle Smith in naming her (sort of) new look cabinet, including the gender dynamic. Lisa and Ryan also cover the premier's early support of a new arena in Calgary, and Leela Aheer's announcement she won't seek re-election as a UCP MLA. 
CHECK OUT DR. YOUNG'S SUBSTACK: https://lisayoung.substack.com/
39:17 | In his first interview since leaving Global News, longtime political journalist Tom Vernon outlines his early impressions of Smith-led UCP government, and some of the storylines he's following ahead of the provincial election on May 29, 2023. 
REAL TALK ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/real-talk-ryan-jespersen/id1540709742REAL TALK ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/03RyuWqhe4YBI7mS48VDBA
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrjPATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
SUPPORT 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.

October 26, 2022 - Another Interest Rate Hike: Todd Hirsch; Emergencies Act Inquiry: Luke LeBrun

6:50 | For the sixth time this year, Canada's central bank has raised interest rates. Aside from the obvious, what does this mean for the average Canadian? How close are we to getting back on track, with inflation under control? What might the next year look like? Economist Todd Hirsch takes us into the most important details. Plus, Todd talks provincial politics, including a report he's preparing for Rachel Notley, and his thoughts on the first few weeks under Premier Danielle Smith.
CONTACT TODD: https://toddhirsch.com/
36:27 | The Emergencies Act inquiry's been going for a couple weeks now. What have we learned about the Ottawa occupation, and how it was policed? How did the situation get so out of control? PressProgress editor Luke LeBrun's been covering the proceedings in depth. He lays out the key learnings to this point, and explains why they matter.
READ LUKE'S REPORTING: https://pressprogress.ca/ottawa-police-intelligence-unit-relied-on-dubious-and-politically-biased-information-about-convoy/
51:56 | Jasper is honouring Canada's veterans with the annual Jasper Veterans Appreciation Event from November 4-13. This week's edition of #MyJasper Memories highlights some of the upcoming moments you won't want to miss, including ceremonies to mark National Indigenous Veterans Day and the Women Veterans Appreciation Event. 
CHECK OUT FURTHER DETAILS AND DEALS: https://www.jaspervetfest.com/
54:56 | How do you feel about fireworks? Are they a nuisance? Are they a must-have at the biggest events? Ryan and John debate the future of fireworks, fighter jet fly-overs, and more prompted by a recent experience at a football game.
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/@realtalkrjPATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

October 25, 2022 - Stephen Punwasi on Housing & Taxes; Saskatchewan Storyteller Quick Dick McDick

0:20 | Today's show takes us to Ontario, then Saskatchewan, but we lead with Adidas dropping Kanye West, and scuttlebutt around Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's recent comments about public health measures through the pandemic. 
14:05 | He was unsuccessful in his bid to become Toronto's mayor, but Stephen Punwasi's campaign wasn't a failure. The co-founder of Better Dwelling joins us to talk about voter apathy, flawed polling, cost of living, Alberta stereotypes, and why he believes property taxes need to be raised across the country. 
CHECK OUT BETTER DWELLING: https://betterdwelling.com/
34:06 | Is Quick Dick McDick the unofficial voice of Saskatchewan? We check in with the YouTube phenom to learn the secret behind his hugely-popular videos, what drives his creative process, and what the future of energy and agriculture looks like through his eyes. 
CHECK OUT QDM'S YOUTUBE PAGE: https://www.youtube.com/quickdickmcdick
1:03:58 | At just eight years old, inventor Lily Born was already solving problems. Her Kangaroo cup was designed out of necessity; she's now sold thousands of them around the world. She's more than earned the spotlight in this week's edition of #TheLeadingEdge presented by Leading Edge Physiotherapy. 
LIFE SHOULDN'T HURT: https://leadingedgephysio.com/
1:07:03 | Have you ever missed a billion dollar boat? Did you have an amazing idea, only to sit on it too long and watch somebody else cash in? Ryan tells his story of the one that got away.
WHAT'S YOUR STORY? WE WANT TO HEAR IT! EMAIL talk@ryanjespersen.com 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrjPATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

October 24, 2022 - Charles Adler; the Opioid Crisis & Harm Reduction; PM’s Teaching Award Winner

0:41 | What a weekend for news. Britain's got a(nother) new PM, a(nother) masterpiece was vandalized by climate activists, and Premier Danielle Smith made waves at her first UCP AGM as party leader. Ryan kicks off the show with a quick synopsis.
8:35 | Should 16 year olds have voting rights? NDP members voted yes at their weekend convention; we ask talk radio legend Charles Adler what he thinks. Plus, we get Chuck's early thoughts on new British PM Rishi Sunak. And, of course, Adler cuts right to the heart of where conversation needs to focus after the UCP AGM over the weekend.
40:42 | Ophelia Cara's back, this time with her mom Marianna Balogh by her side. You may remember she made a huge impact on the Real Talk audience when she joined us on August 23, 2021 to discuss her drug use, and how Supervised Consumption Services saved her life. Turns out a controversial new policy in Alberta limiting access to prescriptions could negatively impact many people who use drugs. If you're looking for REAL TALK on the opioid crisis and harm reduction, you'll find it here.
CHECK OUT EACH & EVERY: https://www.eachandevery.org/CHECK OUT MOMS STOP THE HARM: https://www.momsstoptheharm.com/
1:21:21 | It's a special edition of Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy! We meet Principal Danielle Eriksen and teacher Robert Tymofichuk from New Myrnam School. "Mr. T" just won a Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Teaching (STEM). We learn about the science projects that led to his nomination, and the bigger-picture vision that defines this remarkable school.
CHECK OUT MR. T's CLASS PROJECTS: https://www.newmyrnamschool.ca/project-s-videos
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrjPATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

Trash Talk - October 21, 2022

We've got Real Talkers ripping Rush, calling out cops, and dialing in on Premier Danielle Smith in this week's edition of Trash Talk. Buckle up and press play! 
TRASH TALK IS PRESENTED BY LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: https://localenvironmental.ca/
SEND US YOUR TRASH TALK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 

October 21, 2022 - Our 500th Episode! Five Most Memorable Moments; Alberta Politics Round Table

0:22 | FIVE HUNDRED EPISODES. Hard to believe! We're so grateful for the Real Talk audience, sponsors, and guests that have made this independent talk show such a success story.
7:42 | Ryan kicks off the show with a look back at five of the most memorable moments through Real Talk's first five hundred episodes. We know your list may look different than his, and we'd love to hear what your most memorable Real Talk moment is! Shoot us an email to talk@ryanjespersen.com
23:12 | Alberta Premier Danielle Smith ruffled feathers at an Edmonton Chamber of Commerce luncheon yesterday, encouraging business leaders to "get on board" with her plan to increase human rights protections for unvaccinated workers. We take a look at how her message landed with entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
28:24 | Would you believe Rachel Notley's getting more credit for "economic leadership abilities" than Conservative Premier Danielle Smith? Team Navigator (Rosa Ellithorpe, Jason Hatcher, and Graham Fox) joins the Real Talk Round Table to dig into polling numbers that indicate an unpopular premier, dwindling support for Alberta "sovereignty," lack of public appetite for a fight with Ottawa, and a window of opportunity for Alberta's NDP.
CHECK OUT NAVIGATOR: https://navltd.com/
THE REAL TALK ROUND TABLE IS PRESENTED BY URBAN TIMBER: https://www.urbantimber.ca/
1:11:23 | We've got Real Talkers ripping Rush, calling out cops, and dialing in on Premier Danielle Smith in this week's edition of Trash Talk. Buckle up and press play! 
TRASH TALK IS PRESENTED BY LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: https://localenvironmental.ca/
SEND US YOUR TRASH TALK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrjPATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

October 20, 2022 - Dr. Jody Carrington; Basketball Battle of Alberta; Danielle Smith’s Block Party

0:22 | The lettuce wins! As British PM Liz Truss resigns after just 44 days in office, Real Talk leads with early takes on her short tenure, including a statement from Lizzy Lettuce. IYKYK.
11:00 | The Battle of Alberta is expanding to the hardcourt with the arrival of the Calgary Surge. Edmonton Stingers president Reed Clarke and Surge president Jason Ribeiro talk about the connection between pro sports and community, and how to build a loyal fanbase in 2022.
THE STINGERS: https://www.thestingers.ca/THE SURGE: https://www.calgarysurge.ca/
30:56 | Parents these days spend 70% less time looking into their kids' eyes than parents from two generations ago. Psychologist, author, and public speaker Dr. Jody Carrington checks in from Yellowknife, NWT with Real Talk on connection, community, and post-pandemic healing. Do yourself a favour and set aside a half-hour to watch this one in full.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. JODY: https://www.drjodycarrington.com/
1:07:25 | Just over a week ago, Premier Danielle Smith sat in our studio and said she'd stop the trend of blocking her critics on social media. Dozens of Albertans have been in touch with us since, wondering when the new policy goes into place...because they're still blocked. Ryan analyzes the optics of Smith's staffers doing what they're doing. 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrjPATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

October 19, 2022 - Award-Winning Journalist Brandi Morin; Understanding Art; #MyJasper Memories

5:35 | Why did journalist Brandi Morin have to go to international media outlets to find support for telling Indigenous stories in Canada? The Cree-Iroquois-French storyteller joins us just days after accepting the Edward R. Murrow Award in NYC. Brandi and Ryan talk about her years-long fight to bring Indigenous stories to the forefront. She also updates us on the Wet'Suwet'en/Coastal Gas Link story, and reflects on her time spent working for now-Premier Danielle Smith.
CHECK OUT BRANDI'S MINI-SERIES ON MMIWG: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/longform/2022/1/5/if-she-was-white-she-would-still-be-here-canadas-mmiwg
READ HER RECENT REPORTING ON WET'SUWET'EN: https://ricochet.media/en/3886/gut-wrenching-drilling-starts-under-wetsuweten-river
ORDER BRANDI'S BOOK: https://houseofanansi.com/products/our-voice-of-fire
51:19 | Why does Real Talk producer John Hicks hate art? Of course he doesn't...but a tweet from Real Talker "Laurel" got us thinking about how and why we value art the way we do. Have a listen, and let us know what you think: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:02:56 | The second weekend of the Jasper Dark Sky Festival is almost upon us! Ryan shares details of a few keynotes you won't want to miss. If you're out exploring Jasper, be sure to include #MyJasper and #RealTalkRJ on your Instagram or Twitter posts, and you could see your content featured on a future Wednesday edition of Real Talk!
CHECK OUT THE JASPER DARK SKY FESTIVAL: https://jasperdarksky.travel/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrjPATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

October 18, 2022 - Comedians Assaulted on Stage: Lisa Baker’s Story; Max Fawcett on #cdnpoli

0:20 | Will Liz Truss outlast a head of lettuce? We kick off the show with a look at a YouTube live feed capitalizing on the British PM's political woes. Plus, Ontario Premier Doug Ford goes on the record in support of PM Trudeau invoking the Emergencies Act. Ryan explores the early political implications.
CHECK OUT THE FEED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm-RE95lKJ0
9:02 | Last month, a patron at a comedy show in Sylvan Lake, AB flipped a table at comedian Lisa Baker mid-set. It's yet another example of a troubling trend: comedians being attacked on stage. Baker tells us the story, and talks about what needs to happen in the industry and beyond to keep performers safe. 
37:22 | In a new column, Max Fawcett argues Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's strategy should "scare" Albertans. We ask the National Observer's lead columnist exactly why, and dig into what appears to be a potential act of political suicide. Keep watching to find out why Premier Scott Moe's carbon tax "cost" claims are out of whack, and what Max thinks about Conservative Premier Doug Ford's support of a Liberal Prime Minister.
READ MAX'S COLUMN: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2022/10/18/opinion/danielle-smith-anti-urban-agenda-should-scare-albertans
1:12:21 | What a remarkable young talent! This week's edition of The Leading Edge features Meihuam Yu, a 16-year-old making computer technology more accessible for amputees. The Leading Edge is presented by Leading Edge Physiotherapy.
LIFE SHOULDN'T HURT: https://leadingedgephysio.com/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrjPATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.

October 17, 2022 - Misinformation Buster Tim Caulfield; Charles Adler; Positive Reflections

0:18 | Activists made international news on Friday when they splashed tomato soup on Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" at the National Gallery. Was the stunt effective in influencing public opinion on the climate and cost of living crises? Ryan and John hash it out. 
16:35 | Why does misinformation spread so quickly on TikTok in particular? Author, TV host, and professor Tim Caulfield gives us a sneak peek of a study his team's releasing tomorrow (after analyzing hundreds of hours of videos posted to the social media site). We talk COVID revisionist history too, including Caulfield's conviction around "intellectual humility". 
CHECK OUT TIM'S BOOK: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/51865405-relax-dammit
CHECK OUT TIM'S NETFLIX SERIES: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7532396/
47:26 | Nobody cuts to the heart of a story quite like Charles Adler. We get into Premier Danielle Smith's controversial comments about Ukraine, the tomato soup incident at the National Gallery, and Steve Bannon's upcoming sentencing. 
1:09:12 | Shout out to Real Talker "Anabel," who sent us a HILARIOUS video from the French TV show C'est Mon Choix. It was a no-brainer for this week's edition of Positive Reflections, presented by our good friends at Kuby Energy.
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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/@realtalkrjPATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
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.