Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Is Andrew Knack Running for the Alberta NDP?

You have to assume Andrew Knack has his next move planned out...but what is it? We sit down with the long-time Edmonton councillor just hours after his announcement he won't run again in Ward Nakota Isga. 
4:00 | Is Knack considering running for Mayor? Is the rumour mill correct about him joining Naheed Nenshi's team with the Alberta NDP? We talk polarized politics, "left wing" councils, cancelled transit projects, and collapsing water mains. 
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK: talk @ryanjespersen  
50:15 | Have you signed up for our Real Talk newsletter? Stay in the loop re: recent highlights, upcoming interviews, and insights from behind the scenes: ryanjespersen.com 
51:30 | It's six and a half years in prison for two men convicted of mischief and weapons charges relating to the Coutts, AB border blockade. Does the punishment fit the crime? 
56:00 | Will you be watching the debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris? 
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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.

Russian Interference, Danielle Smith, and Justin Trudeau

Russia's paying Canadian influencers to sway public opinion. Danielle Smith's government just delivered a death blow to a multi-billion dollar transit project. Jagmeet Singh says he's ready for a fight...but is he? 
3:00 | We put today's top political stories in front of Max Fawcett, lead columnist for Canada's National Observer. We talk Russian interference in Canada, the upcoming debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris (7:15), Danielle Smith's strategy heading into her leadership review (14:10), Naheed Nenshi's plan (26:00), Jagmeet Singh's sabre rattle (29:00), Justin Trudeau's future (36:15), and the role the Bloc Quebecois may play (44:00).
READ MAX'S WORK: https://www.nationalobserver.com/opinion
52:40 | A big thank you to everybody who joined Jespo and Johnny at the Jasper Wildfire Benefit Concert! This week's Positive Reflections celebrates the quarter-million dollars raised for the Jasper Community Team Society. Positive Reflections is presented by our friends at Kuby Renewable Energy. 
SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kubyenergy.ca/
CHECK OUT THE JASPER COMMUNITY TEAM SOCIETY: https://www.jaspercommunityteamsociety.ca/
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 
REAL TALK MUGS, SNAPBACKS, and TEES: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

"We need Senate reform...NOW!"

KP hates Trudeau's Senate appointments, Lauren and Erin respond to our coverage of the Covid vaccine injury class action, Brenda's had it with horn honkers, and Travis wonders WTF is up with drivers crashing into trains. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com
When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, make sure you tell 'em Real Talk sent you!

What Are Trudeau, Singh, and Danielle Smith Doing?

Buckle up: Cheryl Oates and Erika Barootes are back to break down the top political stories across the country, including Justin Trudeau's Senate appointments (2:40), Jagmeet Singh's publicity stunt, Danielle Smith's war with AHS, the future of Calgary's Green Line LRT, and the upcoming Saskatchewan election. 
JOIN US SEPT. 7 at 5pm at the JASPER WILDFIRE BENEFIT CONCERT: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/jasper-wildfire-benefit-concert-tickets-1001580102047?aff=oddtdtcreator
DR. PAUL PARKS on AHS SHAKE-UP: https://rtrj.info/082924Parks
57:45 | Jespo and Johnny debrief. 
TALENT, TFWs, and INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: https://rtrj.info/090324ACC
1:05:45 | Real Talker Phyllis shares her family's experience with end of life care, after our interview with palliative care Nurse Practitioner Reanne Booker.
REANNE BOOKER on REAL TALK: https://rtrj.info/090524MAiD
1:12:45 | KP hates Trudeau's Senate appointments, Lauren and Erin respond to our coverage of the Covid vaccine injury class action, Brenda's had it with horn honkers, and Travis wonders WTF is up with drivers crashing into trains. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, make sure you tell 'em Real Talk sent you! 
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

MAiD in Canada

More than 13,000 Canadians chose Medical Assistance in Dying last year. That's up 30% from the year before. People don't tend to talk much about MAiD, and there's still a lot of misunderstanding around what it is, who is requesting and receiving it, and what the approval process looks like. We focus on the facts around MAiD on this episode (35:10). But first... 
4:12 | Jagmeet Singh says he's done with Justin Trudeau. The federal NDP leader pulled out of the agreement propping up Trudeau's minority government, saying he's the only one that can defeat Pierre Poilievre. What's Singh's playbook here, and could it work? Ryan and Johnny discuss. 
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
35:10 | Oncology and palliative care nurse practitioner Reanne Booker has more experience around MAiD than almost anybody else in Canada. She corrects common misconceptions, and confronts the problem with faith-based institutions (ie - Covenant Health in Alberta). 
 MAiD FAMILY SUPPORT SOCIETY: https://maidfamilysupport.ca/
HOW TO GRIEVE: rtrj.info/060624Loz
JOIN US OCTOBER 5: https://mentalhealthfoundation.ca/2024/08/21/highway-to-healing/
1:14:48 | Real Talker Lesley shares her family's experience. 
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 
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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.

Real Talk Exclusive: Senator Kristopher Wells

Is Dr. Kristopher Wells the most controversial Senate appointee in Canadian history? That's what his critics say. In fact, the loudest ones are calling him "atrocious," "radical," and "dangerous". We go one-on-one with the educator, Pride Tape founder, and longtime LGBTQ2S+ activist two weeks ahead of his swearing-in.
3:40 | Premier Danielle Smith calls him a "left wing partisan,", suggesting his appointment causes the Senate to "lose credibility". Ezra Levant calls him an "atrocious" appointee who "targets children for transgenderism". Dr. Kris Wells responds to his critics. 
57:30 | Real Talker Clay chimes in on our August 28 interview with the Covid vaccine injury class action lawyers and our follow-up September 3 interview with columnist Bruce Arthur. 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:03:45 | Real Talker Claudette takes our August 30 exploration of The Future of Food even further, with a nod to a group doing great work in Ag research. 
FARMING SMARTER: https://www.farmingsmarter.com/
1:23:30 | Ryan and Johnny talk about the present and future of 3D printing, prompted by the Real Talk YouTube Live Chat. 
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 
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RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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 Have REAL Talk About Vaccines?

Was our August 28 interview with Covid vaccine class action lawyers Eva Chipiuk and Jeff Rath a mistake? Toronto Star columnist Bruce Arthur explains why he thinks it was (19:50). But first, we talk about the outpouring of public sentiment around Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau's tragic deaths (3:10), and Leon Draisaitl's record-setting extension with the Edmonton Oilers (14:30).
FOLLOW BRUCE ON TWITTER: https://x.com/bruce_arthur
55:30 | The day after Labour Day, we talk talent recruitment, Temporary Foreign Workers, international students, and more with Shauna Feth, president and CEO of Alberta Chambers of Commerce. 
BUILDING BUSINESS RESILIENCY: https://www.abchamber.ca/business-resiliency/
TALENT DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM: https://www.abchamber.ca/event/alberta-talent-development-symposium/
1:21:50 | Talk about making an impression! Real Talker K'lyn shares the story of an Argentinian widower's expression of love that's visible from space. 
BE LIKE K'LYN - SHARE YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/
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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.

About That Covid Vaccine Class Action Interview...

Covid vaccine class action lawyer Jeff Rath lit a fire under a bunch of you during his August 28 appearance on the show, to say the least. Real Talkers Ron, Nat, Megan, Mike, MJ, and Gregory are all fired up in this week's edition of The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com
When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you!

The Future of Food

The future is now. The way we grow, purchase, and eat food could be drastically different in just a few years. Experts say the food-ag transition will be bigger than the global energy transition. What does that mean for you? For the environment? For the economy? 
2:20 | Isha Datar and Dr. Sean Yam join Ryan in studio for one of the most fascinating Real Talk Round Tables we've ever presented.
ISHA'S WORK: https://new-harvest.org/
SEAN'S WORK: https://gerber-rauth.com/
1:03:20 | Would you eat lab-grown meat? Ryan and Johnny debrief. 
1:07:20 | One of the NHL's most dynamic stars is dead, along with his brother, after the two were hit by a speeding vehicle while riding their bikes. The tragic passing of Johnny and Michael Gaudreau occurred just before their sister's wedding was to occur. Ryan, a big fan of "Johnny Hockey," shares a few thoughts.
1:18:30 | Covid vaccine class action lawyer Jeff Rath lit a fire under a bunch of you during his August 28 appearance on the show, to say the least. Real Talkers Ron, Nat, Megan, Mike, MJ, and Gregory are all fired up in this week's edition of The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! 
FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you! 
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

Danielle Smith Threatens AHS...Will It Work?

Alberta's got at least two disasters to manage, with the Jasper rebuild and an overburdened healthcare system dominating news headlines. We go straight to the source for updates from Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland and Alberta Medical Association president Dr. Paul Parks. 
4:30 | Mayor Ireland talks to us about losing his home to wildfire, and the early stages of Jasper's rebuild. When will tourists be able to return? Does he share Premier Danielle Smith's concern Parks Canada will "shrink" Jasper's footprint? 
JASPER INFO: https://jasper-alberta.ca/
21:20 | Danielle Smith says she expects competition and fear to go a long way in improving healthcare outcomes in Alberta. We ask Dr. Paul Parks how the AMA feels about the whole AHS/Covenant Health situation, and what he thinks about our Covid vaccine class action interview with lawyers Jeff Rath and Eva Chipiuk on August 28 (58:30). 
1:26:25 | Real Talker Lorne became disabled in 2023 by a yet-to-be diagnosed neurological condition. He delivers his prognosis on the healthcare system. (You may not like what you hear...and he's probably not wrong.)
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 
REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch
RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.