Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Alberta’s Orphans & RStar

Alberta's got a big mess on its hands: a quarter-trillion dollars worth of "orphan" wells. Legal experts and energy economists are slamming a controversial new program - RStar - that would use billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded royalty breaks to subsidize energy companies to fulfil their legal duty and clean up old wells. 
3:35 | Researcher Regan Boychuk, energy critic with the Alberta Green Party, and Mark Dorin, director of the Polluter Pay Federation, dig into how Alberta got into this situation, and the bold moves it'll take to get out of it. 
CHECK OUT "THE BIG CLEANUP": https://www.aldpcoalition.com/thebigcleanup
57:20 | Have you snagged your bottle of Real Talk Cask #2 Maple Bourbon by Broken Barrel yet? Ryan tees up tonight's exclusive tasting event for Real Talk's Patreon supporters.
ORDER YOUR REAL TALK BOURBON: https://www.whiskydrop.ca/products/real-talk-cask-2-broken-barrel?_pos=1&_sid=ddbe97e3e&_ss=rSUPPORT REAL TALK ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
59:22 | A whole bunch of you have been emailing us about the "Just Transition". Ryan reads emails from Mike, who works in oil and gas, and Roger, chiming in from Calgary, about jobs, the environment, and Canada's economic future.
SHOOT US A NOTE: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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.

The NDP’s Plan to Win Alberta

Alberta's provincial election is less than four months away. The NDP will need to win in Calgary to form government. The UCP will need to win big outside Edmonton to keep government. In this episode of Real Talk, we ask NDP leader Rachel Notley about her party's plan. But first...
0:00 | Did you see Premier Danielle Smith's handshake with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau? Of course you did. What message did it send across the country? How much does a handshake matter? Ryan and Johnny discuss.
9:10 | Heart attacks and strokes are the leading cause of premature death for women in Canada, yet nearly 80% of women are initially misdiagnosed. Bobbi-Jo Green tells us why she found herself wishing for a heart attack for ten years, while Dr. Colleen Norris paints the bigger picture of why women face systemic barriers to health care in Canada.
LEARN ABOUT WEAR RED CANADA DAY ON FEB. 13: https://wearredcanada.ca/
32:10 | Rachel Notley wants to be Premier again. She tells Real Talk how she plans to make that happen, including her plan to "fix" health care, her thoughts on the "Just Transition," whether or not she'll reintroduce caps on tuition, insurance rates, and utilities, and how an NDP government would approach funding an arena build in Calgary.
52:50 | Looking to elevate your Valentine's Day plan this year? Why not head out to the mountains? This week's #MyJasper Memories highlights some of the amazing options waiting for you in Jasper National Park. 
PLAN YOUR PERFECT ROMANTIC WEEKEND: https://www.jasper.travel/
58:10 | What a heartbreaking situation in Syria and Turkey, where thousands have been killed in building collapses following a series of devastating earthquakes. Ryan takes a look at a few silver linings, including remarkable rescues and an infant born under rubble. 
SUPPORT THE WHITE HELMETS: https://www.whitehelmets.org/en/
1:05:40 | We return the rooftop of Station Two in Edmonton, where firefighter Wes Bauman set a Guinness World Record from an ice bath on Tuesday. Incredible! Wes is one of five firefighters camping out on the roof until they raise $80,000 for Muscular Dystrophy.
HELP THE FIREFIGHTERS HIT THEIR FUNDRAISING GOAL: https://muscle.akaraisin.com/ui/filltheboot2022/t/EdmontonFire
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.

Should Indigenous Education Be Mandatory For Lawyers?

Should lawyers be required to participate in Indigenous cultural training to avoid suspension? More than 850 lawyers said "no" in a vote conducted by the Law Society of Alberta, but more than 2600 voted "yes". 
5:50 | Koren Lightning-Earle and Brooks Arcand-Paul are Indigenous lawyers practicing in Alberta. They explain why they support the requirement, and respond to critics calling it "wokeness" and "political indoctrination". 
44:10 | Our Real Talk Cask #2 Maple Bourbon is now available! We're thrilled with how it turned out. If you like Old Fashioneds, you'll LOVE this bourbon. Order yours today (for pickup or shipment) here: https://www.whiskydrop.ca/products/real-talk-cask-2-broken-barrel?_pos=1&_sid=83f2d890c&_ss=r
46:30 | Firefighter Court Polson is up on the roof of a fire hall for the tenth year in a row. He and his colleagues are staying up there until they raise $80,000 for Muscular Dystrophy. Court lets us know why he's done this for a decade, and why Muscular Dystrophy is a cause embraced by firefighters across the country. 
DONATE TO THE ROOFTOP CAMPOUT: www.edmontonrooftopcampout.ca
54:10 | Imagine if your pets could talk to you? What would yours say? FluentPet Connect took the Consumer Electronics Show 2023 by storm, and it's on The Leading Edge this week, presented by Leading Edge Physiotherapy. 
LIFE SHOULDN'T HURT: https://leadingedgephysio.com/
58:20 | We love hearing from you! Ryan dives into the Real Talk email inbox for Sean's take on supervised consumption sites, Raelynn's thoughts on the future of journalism, and Kaila's response to "conditional compassion". 
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.

Living Well with Schizophrenia

1:50 | Like 1.5 million other Canadians, Lauren Kennedy West lives with Schizophrenia. What makes her especially unique is her YouTube channel, where literally millions of viewers learn about warning signs of psychosis, complicated relationships with prescription meds, tackling mental health stigma, and more. Lauren shares her personal journey toward diagnosis, therapy, and work still to be done.
SUBSCRIBE TO LAUREN'S CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWellwithSchizophreniaLEARN MORE ABOUT LAUREN'S WORK: https://www.laurenkennedywest.com/
45:00 | Once a legend, always a legend? Charles Adler wished Don Cherry a "happy birthday" on Twitter over the weekend, and (of course) it turned into a thing. During his regular Monday appearance, Chuck explains his thoughts on Cherry's legacy (legend vs. louse). Plus, is Canada truly "broken" like some politicians say it is? 
1:12:30 | Real Talk Cask #2 is here! Ryan introduces our new maple bourbon, distilled by Broken Barrel Whisky Co. Don't forget: Real Talk Patreon supporters have exclusive access to a special tasting event Thursday, February 9 at Whisky Drop! 
ORDER YOUR BOTTLE OF REAL TALK CASK #2 MAPLE BOURBON: https://www.whiskydrop.ca/products/real-talk-cask-2-broken-barrel
SUPPORT REAL TALK ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
1:16:50 | The Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic was a smashing success! Ryan and Johnny recap Saturday's event, including a video tour of the grounds and our fundraising total. Thank you to everybody who participated! 
1:25:45 | An elderly woman falls, and thousands of people step up to help. This week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy highlights everything good about humanity, as experienced by a Dominos delivery driver. 
GET A 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
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.

Cyclist to Cars: ”BACK OFF!”

Kris Cromwell is fed up with bike v. car confrontations. She becomes our first-ever first-person Trash Talker, presented by our friends at Local Environmental Services. Stick around for Colleen's clap back at critics of the beef industry! 
SHOOT US YOUR RANT: talk@ryanjespersen.com KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Can You Be You in The Boardroom?

A recent survey shows fewer than 5% of women feel comfortable expressing their ideas, perspectives, and opinions (IPOs), particularly in the workplace. Maggie is the world's first unlearning platform for women. We welcome founders Jen Von Berendt and Dani Strang, along with inclusion strategist Erin Davis, to the Real Talk Round Table presented by Urban Timber. What unfolds is a candid, enlightening hour examining how magazine journalism can be used as a catalyst for change, and an introduction to a powerful new docuseries.
MEET MAGGIE: https://www.joinmaggie.org/
CHECK OUT URBAN TIMBER'S BOXCAR COLLECTION: https://www.urbantimber.ca/
1:11:40 | Kris Cromwell is fed up with bike v. car confrontations. She becomes our first-ever first-person Trash Talker, presented by our friends at Local Environmental Services. Stick around for Colleen's clap back at critics of the beef industry! 
SHOOT US YOUR RANT: talk@ryanjespersen.com 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.

How To Get Crime Under Control

Edmonton's downtown is in trouble. Crime is up, businesses are shutting down, and an expected influx of new residents just hasn't materialized. What's the problem and how do we fix it? 
City councillors Aaron Paquette and Sarah Hamilton join Ryan for a fiery debate in the Real Talk studio. They spell out the reality right now (12:00), why Clr. Paquette doesn't support a new provincial task force (31:30), and how to address angry opposition to supervised consumption sites (37:30). 
If you've been wondering about the "15 Minute Cities" plan, you'll find the truth at 48:15. The councillors take us behind the curtain re: why the voted the way they did on the four-year budget (1:04:00), a failed regional transit plan (1:05:30), and bring us up to speed on Edmonton's anti-racism strategy (1:14:00). The round table wraps with ideas to inject energy back into Jasper Avenue (1:16:30). 
Take a look at the stunning pond hockey masterpiece Lewis Lavoie painted for the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic (1:21:00). It's up for auction right now, in support of KidSport St. Albert and Uncles & Aunts at Large! 
PLACE YOUR BID: https://twitter.com/ryanjespersen/status/1620468621511393281?s=20&t=bnZBXgAn7DeYvgZ6eL0jYg
SHOOT US A NOTE: 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.

What’s Happening to Journalism in Canada?

0:31 | More layoffs, more closures, more cutbacks...what's happening to journalism in Canada? There's always going to be a need for consistent, credible storytelling. We talk to two experts about what's going wrong right now, and how to fix it. But first...
5:00 | Have you seen Lewis Lavoie's pond hockey masterpiece? The renowned artist painted it specifically for the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic on February 4. The silent auction is open as we speak! 
PLACE YOUR BID: https://twitter.com/ryanjespersen/status/1620468621511393281?s=20&t=NezLvXJfuSsu8eYr0GtTDQ
8:50 | Nearly $100M worth of live horses have been shipped from Canada to international markets for slaughter. The federal government promised that would stop a couple years ago. So what's taking so long? Animal welfare journalist Jessica Scott-Reid brings us up to speed, including advocacy work she's doing with singer Jann Arden.
READ JESSICA & JANN'S PIECE IN THE GLOBE: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-horses-are-still-being-exported-for-slaughter-will-trudeau-take-action/
40:15 | Dozens of Canadian journalists have recently been laid off and newsrooms continue to shrink...but that doesn't mean the industry's dying. Indiegraf CEO Erin Millar and Press Progress publisher Jen Hassum explain how we got to this point, and how journalism is evolving toward a bright future.
CHECK OUT INDIEGRAF: https://indiegraf.com/CHECK OUT PRESS PROGRESS: https://pressprogress.ca/ 
1:17:28 | Feeling the "Dread-uary" vibes on this February 1st? There are some perfect solutions to the mid-winter blues in Jasper! This week's edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper highlights the hot tubs, spas, and other wellness options offered in this magical mountain town.
EXPLORE JASPER: https://www.jasper.travel/
1:21:15 | Our January 31 episode on "meeting in the middle" resonated with Real Talker "Cameron". Ryan reads his email about societal evolution and the importance of uncomfortable conversations with people that don't share our exact values. 
SHOOT US A NOTE: 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.

What’s the Right Way to Remember?

Bobby Hull was one of the greatest goal scorers in hockey history. His off-ice legacy is much less spectacular. What's the right way to remember a person like Bobby Hull? What does The Golden Jet have to do with Ivan Provorov (6:30), Jordan Peterson (9:30), the Alberta Law Society (12:00), or Sir John A. MacDonald (32:40)? 
"Real Talk" needs to include uncomfortable conversations in life's grey areas. That's where this episode goes, including emails from Real Talkers Mary Ann (16:30) and Garth (23:30). 
Plus, we learn about Johnny's coolest Christmas gift: a polar bear tracker (46:00), and check out what might be the world's first mass-production flying car (50:40) in this week's edition of The Leading Edge presented by Leading Edge Physiotherapy.
LIFE SHOULDN'T HURT: https://leadingedgephysio.com/
Make sure you check out artist Lewis Lavoie's pond hockey masterpiece (55:32), painted for and donated to the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic. Bidding's open now, and closes Saturday, February 4 at 3pm MT. All proceeds will benefit the Canadian Progress Club St. Albert's partner charities: Uncles & Aunts at Large and KidSport St. Albert.
PLACE YOUR BID: https://twitter.com/ryanjespersen/status/1620468621511393281REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK POND HOCKEY CLASSIC: https://ryanjespersen.com/pond-hockey
SHOOT US A NOTE: 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.

How Can You Help Ukraine?

0:40 | It's been nearly a year since Russia invaded Ukraine, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths (including civilians) and Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. Ukraine's resolve truly is remarkable. We go live to an undisclosed location amidst a blackout for an update on a group of Canadians training new police officers and firefighters how to provide life-saving medical care in a combat scenario. But first...
3:42 | It's always cool to see somebody's dream come true in real time. That happened Saturday night when Matt Berlin, goaltender for the University of Alberta Golden Bears, was tapped on the shoulder to finish out the Oilers/Blackhawks game. 
5:30 | Are you one of the Canadians who wouldn't pass a political purity test? Do your ideas and approaches to issues often fall outside rigid politics? Charles Adler spent the weekend thinking about his values, and how a chip on his shoulder steered him away from where he belongs.
36:35 | Ukrainian civilians are being called to the front lines of the war effort, many of them serving their country as new firefighters and police officers. A Canadian contingent is there right now, giving these recruits the tools to Tactical Combat Casualty Care. In the middle of a blackout, Nikki Booth and Vitalyi Gritsko explain what they're doing, and how it's saving lives. 
SUPPORT FIREFIGHTER AID UKRAINE: https://www.firefighteraidukraine.com/
56:16 | Joseph Cook is one of the good guys. The Florida resident recently manifested a $40,000 random act of kindness, which we highlight in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy. 
SEND US YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.comGET 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.