Episodes

Saturday Sep 24, 2022
Trash Talk - September 23, 2022
Saturday Sep 24, 2022
Saturday Sep 24, 2022
Audience member Catalina's email about the "Mushy Middle" lit a fire under a whole bunch of Real Talkers, including a few featured in this week's edition of Trash Talk. We couldn't help ourselves - we had to include Flames coach Darryl Sutter, too.
Trash Talk is presented by Local Environmental Services.
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/
SUBMIT YOUR TRASH TALK: talk@ryanjespersen.com

Friday Sep 23, 2022
Friday Sep 23, 2022
0:24 | Does Dale Smith owe Garnett Genuis an apology? Ryan kicks off the show with a look at a tweet from the independent journalist that went viral after CPC leader Pierre Poilievre accused "Journo Dale" of threatening his MP.
8:27 | Supriya Dwivedi chimes in on the story, including thoughts on the role the Parliamentary Press Gallery plays (or should play) in this brouhaha. Is the relationship between politicians (Conservatives in particular) and the national media about to get even worse? This is one of the spiciest exchanges Supriya and Ryan have ever had - make sure you check it out!
36:01 | How is the UK winning the race against climate change? Science journalist Anne Shibata Casselman and Caroline Brouillette, national policy director at Climate Action Network Canada, form this week's Real Talk Round Table. Why has Canada failed to make meaningful progress on emissions reductions? What do the next few years look like - politically, economically, and otherwise?
CHECK OUT ANNE'S PIECE IN THE WALRUS: https://thewalrus.ca/uk-climate-change/
CHECK OUT CAROLINE'S PIECE IN POLICY OPTIONS: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/july-2022/canada-cop27-course-correct/
1:10:34 | Audience member Catalina's email about the "Mushy Middle" lit a fire under a whole bunch of Real Talkers, including a few featured in this week's edition of Trash Talk. We couldn't help ourselves - we had to include Flames coach Darryl Sutter, too. Trash Talk is presented by Local Environmental Services.
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/
SUBMIT 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/@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.

Thursday Sep 22, 2022
Thursday Sep 22, 2022
0:25 | How bad is the damage to Alberta's reputation when a cabinet minister praises the "Freedom" convoy? Today's show opens with a deep dive into Kaycee Madu's comments about COVID restrictions and those who fought them.
6:31 | Dr. Duane Bratt, political scientist out of Mount Royal University, explains why Minister Madu's comments may be bad for the province, but good for Kaycee's career. We analyze MP Michelle Rempel Garner's unignorable disdain for colleague Garnet Genius channeling Freddy Mercury (ish) in the House of Commons, and former President Donald Trump's claim he "thought about" declassifying documents, thus, declassified them.
DIG INTO DR. BRATT'S WORK: https://www.amazon.ca/Books-Duane-Bratt/s?rh=n%3A916520%2Cp_27%3ADuane+Bratt
45:18 | Daughters Day celebrates the achievements of women in Alberta. We check in with chair Dr. Vivian Abboud and award recipient Delmy Garcia-Hoyt to learn more about the challenges facing immigrants to Canada, women living in poverty, and more.
CHECK OUT DAUGHTERS DAY: https://daughters-day.com/
1:00:28 | An email from Real Talker "Catalina" got many of us thinking - including panelists Charles Adler, Erica Ifill, and Mo Amir - when she asked who else belonged to the political "mushy middle". Erica and Mo were particularly critical of the premise of Catalina's email during their September 21 panel on Real Talk, prompting a reply from the author...which Ryan reads in this episode. We're all about furthering the discussion on Real Talk. Thanks to Catalina for following up, and keeping us 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
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.

Wednesday Sep 21, 2022
Wednesday Sep 21, 2022
1:17 | Do you need to brace for World War III? Vladimir Putin says he's "not bluffing" about using nukes. We open with a look at this developing story on the Russian President's plan in Ukraine. Plus, what would you do with $1.34B? That's the conversation two anonymous Americans are having after the third-largest lottery windfall in US history.
15:53 | The Unofficial Opposition Real Talk Round Table is back! Erica Ifill and Mo Amir have a chemistry you can't manufacture. Don't miss their takes on the Prime Minister at the piano, the "Mushy Middle" of the political spectrum, married couples seeking elected office together, and Alberta cabinet minister Kaycee Madu's expressed support of the "Freedom" convoy.
READ ERICA'S PIECE ON THE QUEEN: https://www.hilltimes.com/2022/09/21/the-queen-is-gone-and-im-glad-her-reign-is-over/383458
CHECK OUT MO'S SHOW: https://www.cheknews.ca/shows/this-is-vancolour/
1:10:20 | It's a perfect time of year to visit beautiful Jasper, Alberta! This week's #MyJasper Memories lays out some wonderful options for seasonal experiences like (heated jacket) motorcycle/sidecar tours, Indigenous Fireside Storytelling, and Jasper Food Tours.
PLAN YOUR OWN #MYJASPER MEMORIES: https://www.jasper.travel/
1:13:30 | We get into the Real Talk mailbag to hear from Carolyn and Ron (in what we promise will be the last we discuss Justin Trudeau singing Queen...unless there are new developments).
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
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.

Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
0:40 | Canada's Prime Minister was singing karaoke at a hotel bar a couple nights before the Queen's funeral: do you care? Ryan and John review some of the more prominent criticism of PM Trudeau's "down time," and check on what Real Talkers have to say about it.
15:14 | Are you happy at your job? It's International Week of Happiness at Work. Talent recruiter David Bolton explains what Canadians care about most at their jobs, and how trends have changed over the years.
CHECK OUT WHAT DAVID'S TEAM DOES AT ROBERT HALF: https://www.roberthalf.ca/en
32:26 | Travis Toews wants to be Alberta's next premier. The former finance minister lays out his plan for party unity, Alberta's future in Canada, a provincial pension plan, re-indexing income tax and social supports (including AISH), and addressing the opioid crisis.
CHECK OUT THE TOEWS CAMPAIGN: https://www.toewsforalberta.ca/
58:54 | Researchers at the University of Alberta Telerobotic and Biorobotic Systems Group are literally changing lives. Combining AI, machine learning, and exoskeleton technology earns them the spotlight in this week's edition of The Leading Edge 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/@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.

Monday Sep 19, 2022
Monday Sep 19, 2022
0:25 | As millions tuned in to watch Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, Ryan opens the show with a look at what some Canadians did to observe the occasion.
6:34 | Nobody does Canadian Common Sense like Charles Adler. The RTDNA Lifetime Achievement Award winning talk host shares what led to his so-called "renaissance," and analyzes today's political landscape in plain language everybody should consume.
44:35 | Ryan hosted a "rev contest" over the weekend, won by a Ford Mustang Super Snake at a whopping 130.4 decibels. Gearheads won't want to miss this video!
47:03 | Are you a member of the "mushy middle"? Real Talk subscriber Catalina gets us all thinking with a thought-provoking email to talk@ryanjespersen.com.
57:50 | A woman with scientific superpowers (no, seriously!) headlines this week's edition of Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy. If somebody you know is living with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, you must check out the story of Joy Milne.
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
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.

Monday Sep 19, 2022
Trash Talk - September 16, 2022
Monday Sep 19, 2022
Monday Sep 19, 2022
Johnny winds up in the crosshairs of today's Trash Talk! Hilarious stuff, as always, submitted by Real Talkers to talk@ryanjespersen.com and presented by our friends at Local Environmental Services.
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Friday Sep 16, 2022
Friday Sep 16, 2022
0:28 | It's Julie Rohr Day in our home city of Edmonton. Ryan opens the show remembering the founding member of the Real Talk Editorial Board, who passed away a year ago today.
8:30 | Julie Rohr's legacy includes the Real Talk Julie Rohr Scholarship. The inaugural winner, Hani Bombaywala, shares her own story of loss, and explains the very personal reason why she's pursuing a career in nursing.
DONATE TO THE REAL TALK JULIE ROHR SCHOLARSHIP: https://www.ecfoundation.org/funds/the-real-talk-julie-rohr-scholarship-fund/
SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS: https://ryanjespersen.com/scholarship
34:00 | It's always a great conversation when Jody Vance and Lynda Steele join the Real Talk Round Table. Don't miss this raw, honest conversation about hate mail and threats, mental health therapy, today's media landscape, and Monday's federal holiday to remember Queen Elizabeth II.
CHECK OUT STEELE & VANCE ON CHEK: https://www.cheknews.ca/shows/steele-and-vance/
1:29:25 | Johnny winds up in the crosshairs of today's Trash Talk! Hilarious stuff, as always, submitted by Real Talkers to talk@ryanjespersen.com and presented by our friends at 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
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.

Thursday Sep 15, 2022
Thursday Sep 15, 2022
0:30 | Roger Federer is hanging up his tennis shoes. Ryan and John, who admittedly know very little about tennis, discuss the 20-time Grand Slam Champion's legacy. Plus, there's an update from our friends in Jasper: the mountain town is open for business and safe to visit! Great news for everybody who had their vacation plans altered due to the Chetamon Mountain wildfire.
FURTHER UPDATES ON JASPER: https://www.jasper.travel/
11:53 | Just days after their candidate was soundly defeated, senior Charest campaign staffers Chris Rougier and Michelle Coates Mather take us behind the scenes of the Conservative Party of Canada leadership race, including when they knew Pierre Poilievre was going to win, and what they with they'd done differently.
39:47 | Has Justin Trudeau met his match in the new Conservative leader? Globe and Mail columnist Gary Mason argues that could be the case. Plus, there are a ton of similarities between the CPC and UCP (Alberta) leadership races. Gary gets into it all.
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.

Wednesday Sep 14, 2022
Wednesday Sep 14, 2022
0:20 | It's Pierre Poilievre vs. the Mainstream Media...at least that's what the new Conservative leader wants you to believe. Ryan opens the show with a look at yesterday's dust-up between Poilievre and national political correspondent David Akin.
14:41 | Could the combative tone set by Poilievre through his campaign, and early in his tenure as leader, wind up biting the Conservative Party? Was David Akin out of line for speaking out at Poilievre's news conference on Tuesday? National Post columnist Tristin Hopper checks in.
38:46 | There are global forces at play, in analyzing the evolution of Conservative politics in the US, Canada, and elsewhere. Author, political analyst, and podcaster Jared Yates Sexton takes us into his new book The Midnight Kingdom: A History of Power, Paranoia, and the Coming Crisis. Don't miss this expose into how white supremacist lies, religious mythologies, and poisonous conspiracy theories built the modern world and threaten to plunge us into an authoritarian nightmare.
CHECK OUT JARED'S WORK: https://www.amazon.com/Jared-Yates-Sexton/e/B00B50IHYK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
1:09:47 | "Mark my words." Real Talker Ron says he's convinced Pierre Poilievre is the next Prime Minister of Canada...but he's not exactly thrilled about "the Conservatives as they currently stand". Ryan reads Ron's email to talk@ryanjespersen.com.
1:06:28 | The Chetamon Mountain wildfire isn't threatening any communities at this time, but authorities are still advising against travel to Jasper at this time. We have the latest update in this week's edition of #MyJasper Memories.
STAY ON TOP OF CHETAMON WILDFIRE NEWS: https://www.jasper.travel/realtalk/
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.