Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

June 17, 2022 - Supriya Dwivedi; Lynda Steele & Jody Vance

4:03 | More than a million people are waiting for surgery in Ontario, expert say the system's in crisis - so what gives? Waiting for eye surgery herself, pundit Supriya Dwivedi shares how this might get fixed (or not). Plus, is Michelle Rempel Garner the answer for Alberta's UCP government? Supriya muses on the Calgary MP's tweets hinting at a party leadership run.
40:48 | They're household names in Canadian media, and starting September 8th, Lynda Steele and Jody Vance will team up for a new show on (employee-owned) CHEK-TV. We talk FIFA World Cup and Olympic bids, BC Premier John Horgan's recent dip in the polls, and Donald Trump's popularity bump in this week's edition of the Real Talk Round Table. 
1:17:28 | We love when Real Talkers let us know how they feel about the show. Ryan reads Kristie's email to talk@ryanjespersen.com about supervised consumption services, and "white collar" vs "white trash" drug users.
1:20:40 | Buckle up, baby! Time for another edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Waste!

June 16, 2022 - The Klondike Papers: Justin Ling Reports. BIPoC Outside Podcast Host Kris Cromwell

8:42 | More Canadians believe conspiracy theories than you might think. Ryan and John start the show by taking a look at new stats from Abacus Data that show almost half of respondents believe wars, recessions, and elections are influenced by a small group of decision-makers. 
18:56 | More and more people are talking about the Klondike Papers, a complicated, confusing, and somewhat outrageous conspiracy theory involving provincial and federal politicians across Canada (and around the world). Freelance investigative journalist Justin Ling did the digging, and shares what's legit and what's not. 
READ JUSTIN'S WORK: https://www.bugeyedandshameless.com/
54:58 | Research shows nearly 90% of people participating in outdoor sport and recreation in Canada are white. What are the barriers standing in the way of BIPoC athletes (or would-be athletes) accessing outdoor recreation? BIPoC Outside host Kris Cromwell tells us why she started her podcast, and what she's learned through two seasons.
CHECK OUT BIPoC OUTSIDE: https://bipocoutside.com/
1:23:00 | Ryan and Johnny comment on the "over the phone from Toronto" firing of 55-year veteran sports columnist Terry Jones, including why Johnny's not his biggest fan. Things get personal in the Real Talk studio! 
REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC, COMING UP JUNE 23:

June 15, 2022 - Rajan Sawhney re: UCP Leadership Bid; Bryan Bauemler re: Men’s Mental Health

8:17 | Rajan Sawhney wants to be Premier of Alberta. The Calgary-NE MLA resigned as Transportation Minister this week to seek the leadership of the United Conservative Party. She tells us how government would function differently if she were in charge, sheds light on her endorsement from MLA Angela Pitt, and explains how she'd approach consultation with teachers, contentious environmental decisions, and supervised consumption services. 
36:33 | Ryan and John debrief after the Sawhney interview, prompted by her response to a question about harm reduction. 
45:52 | One of the more well-known TV personalities in North America, Bryan Baeumler kept his agoraphobia a secret for many years...until he couldn't. The "Island of Bryan" star opens up about his mental health journey, confronting stigma, and making a difference in a "tough guy" industry.
CHECK OUT FATHER'S DAY ON THE HILL: https://www.fathersdayonthehill.ca/
1:10:07 | Ryan and John review the final results of our unscientific, unofficial twitter poll re: whether or not you'd defect to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Tour for $200M. Of course, it turns to conversation on what you'd do with massive amounts of money. Who hasn't had that conversation?!
TELL US WHAT YOU'D DO WITH $200M: talk@ryanjespersen.com
1:24:08 | This week's #MyJasper Memories celebrates the 100 year anniversary (!!!) of the main building and cabins and the legendary Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. You definitely don't want to miss Symphony Under the Sun coming up on June 28! 
CHECK OUT SYMPHONY UNDER THE SUN: https://www.jasper.travel/realtalk/

June 14, 2022 - Counter-Terrorism Expert Mubin Shaikh; Bruce Arthur: LIV Tour & Politics of Bitcoin

Thank you for three million downloads! Last night, our Real Talk Ryan Jespersen podcast hit that mile marker, and we're so grateful for everybody who subscribes to, downloads, rates, reviews, and shares our shows. Here's to the next three million! 
14:11 | More than 30 white nationalists were detained in Idaho over the weekend, as plans to interrupt Pride celebrations were foiled by an astute citizen who called police. Former extremist and CSIS counter-terrorism operative Mubin Shaikh gets into what most concerns him about the Idaho story, then broadens the conversation to focus on how these groups form, and what the public needs to know. 
FOLLOW MUBIN ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MrMubinShaikh
44:45 | If you were a pro golfer, would you defect from the PGA Tour to the Saudi-backed LIV Tour if they offered you $200M? Toronto Star columnist and TSN contributor Bruce Arthur digs into one of the biggest stories in sports right now. Plus, how big of a liability is Pierre Poilievre's position on Bitcoin, and what does it mean in the bigger picture of Canadian politics?
CHECK OUR UNOFFICIAL, UNSCIENTIFIC TWITTER POLL re: LIV: https://twitter.com/ryanjespersen/status/1536557316580864000
FOLLOW BRUCE ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/bruce_arthur
1:27:08 | The Indigenous Peoples Experience at Fort Edmonton Park just won the international Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement - Heritage Centre, just one of the reasons why it's on The Leading Edge! Ryan shares a few key details about this fascinating new exhibit in Real Talk's home city.
LEARN MORE: https://www.fortedmontonpark.ca/plan-your-visit/attractions/indigenous-peoples-experience
The Leading Edge is presented by Leading Edge Physiotherapy: https://leadingedgephysio.com/

June 13, 2022 - Criminalizing Drug Use is Wrong: Ben Perrin’s Change of Tune; Charles Adler on Jan.6

8:42 | Ben Perrin admits he had drug policy all wrong. The former criminal justice advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper says current Conservative politicians like Pierre Poilievre and Jason Kenney are ignoring the evidence when it comes to addressing Canada's opioid crisis. Don't miss this extended-length conversation with the author of the best-seller "Overdose: Heartbreak and Hope in Canada's Opioid Crisis".
CHECK OUT BEN'S WORK: https://benjaminperrin.ca/
1:00:52 | Why are the January 6th Committee hearings so important? Charles Adler lays it out during his regular Monday appearance on the show. Chuck also touches on the "snail's pace" of addressing America's gun problem, and why he's so intrigued by Canada's recent job numbers.
1:23:04 | Fill your bucket with a couple good news stories headlining this week's edition of Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy! Find out why music festivals are actually good for humanity, and hear about the lonely Colorado boy who found new friends in an unlikely circumstance. 
GET YOUR FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/

Trash Talk - June 10, 2022

Buckle up for this week's (sleep deprived) version of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental!

June 10, 2022 - Kelley Keehn; Group Chat Round Table: Jenny Adams, Harman Kandola, Jarrett Campbell

12:11 | Gas prices are through the roof, along with the cost of most other things families spend money on. Ryan gets the Group Chat Round Table back together for some "real life" takes on inflation, family budgets, and changing habits. Jenny Adams, Jarrett Campbell, and Harman Kandola also chime in on downtown Edmonton's crime woes, and whose job it is to fix everything.
38:10 | Real Talkers are telling us they're taking more steps than ever before to adjust to rising household costs. What's the smartest way to do it? Where might you find savings without sacrificing too much? Personal finance educator Kelley Keehn has some great tips you can implement right now! 
CHECK OUT KELLEY'S BOOKS: https://kelleykeehn.com/
We love hearing from Real Talkers, especially when you let us know how moments on the show have resonated with you. Make sure you check out Bradley (7:04) and Kristie's (1:07:46) emails to talk@ryanjespersen.com after our powerful episode on Thursday (June 9th) re: men's mental health and the Sorry, I'm Sad podcast.
1:02:12 | We get into the results of our most recent Get Real: Question of the Week presented by Y Station. Find out how Real Talkers feel about gun violence in the US, and the best way to address it.
TAKE THIS WEEK's QotW: https://ryanjespersen.com/question-of-the-week
1:12:48 | Buckle up for this week's (sleep deprived) version of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental!

June 9, 2022 - Sorry, I’m Sad Podcaster Kelsie Snow; Men’s Mental Health: Matt Jeneroux & Gord Johns

4:44 | Dilly Bar shooters, pizza, perogies, and a shot at Oilers tickets, a new Jeep, and $60k cash: you don't want to miss the Real Talk Golf Classic on Thursday, June 23 at 2pm at The Ranch! Ryan and Johnny tee up our inaugural golf tournament, and share a few highlights they're especially looking forward to.
REGISTER YOUR FOURSOME FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC: https://ryanjespersen.com/real-talk-golf-classic
11:33 | Starting the conversation about men's mental health can be hard. MPs Matt Jeneroux (Conservative) and Gord Johns (NDP) share their personal connections to this important cause, and talk about the non-partisan work they're doing together to address rising rates of substance use, domestic violence, and suicide among Canadian men.
LEARN MORE: https://www.fathersdayonthehill.ca/
39:52 | When her husband was diagnosed with ALS and given 6-12 months to live, journalist Kelsie Snow avoided other people's sad stories as a rule. Now, she seeks them out. Ryan connects with the founder, producer, and host of the "Sorry, I'm Sad" podcast to better understand her personal grief journey, what keeps her family laughing amid heartbreak, and what she wants people to know through ALS Awareness Month (and beyond). Don't miss this moving conversation. 
CHECK OUT KELSIE'S PODCAST: https://www.sorryimsad.com/
SUPPORT #WEAKSIDESTRONG: https://www.weaksidestrong.org/
1:11:33 | It's 5:00 somewhere. Ryan and John crack a couple cold cans of Adam's Pale Ale in support of the #OneOnAdam campaign. Learn more at https://www.alsab.ca/seachange
1:15:46 | Ryan and John roll out our Question of the Week about summer movies, trips to the theatre, etc. As often happens on the show, talk evolves to the Jespersens' new baby Noah, and how tech is transforming overnight parenting! 
TAKE OUR QUESTION OF THE WEEK: https://ryanjespersen.com/question-of-the-week

June 8, 2022 - Kaetlyn Osmond: Age Minimums in Skating; Kevin Van Tighem: Parks; Dr. Bruce Jespersen

5:56 | How healthy is our Parks system? Kevin Van Tighem, former Superintendent of Banff National Park, brings us up to speed on some of the stories flying under the radar including coal exploration around Alberta's Eastern Slopes.
 
28:18 | Spirit Island is truly one of Canada's most spectacular spots. In this week's edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper, we highlight the best (and only!) way to explore this magical, off-the-beaten path island.
Learn more: https://www.jasper.travel/realtalk/
 
31:13 | What a treat to welcome Ryan's dad, Dr. Bruce Jespersen, to the Real Talk studio! Ahead of Father's Day, the two discuss the Parkinson's diagnosis that ended Bruce's medical career a few years ahead of schedule, his take on the future of family medicine, and what it's like welcoming another grandchild to the fold!
 
49:25 | Figure skating's governing body has introduced a minimum age (17) for international competitions. We check in with Olympic gold medalist and World Champion Kaetlyn Osmond to better understand the pressures young skaters face, and how this new policy might affect the sport in the short- and long-term.

June 7, 2022 - Leela Aheer Announces UCP Leadership Campaign; Kristin Raworth in France for #DDay78; Andrew Walker re: Oilers

2:20 | Leela Aheer wants to lead the United Conservative Party. The UCP MLA announces her leadership campaign on Real Talk, and lays out her vision for Alberta, including fixing the UCP's reputation problem.
 
32:23 | Kristin Raworth checks in live from France, where she visited Juno Beach on the 78th anniversary of D Day. Kristin shares some of the sights and experiences, including what the locals say about Canadians who landed there on June 6, 1944.
 
49:45 | This week's edition of The Leading Edge celebrates Outloud St. Albert, a safe inclusive space for LGBTQ2S+ youth.
 
Learn more: https://outloudstalbert.ca/ Check out Leading Edge Physiotherapy: https://leadingedgephysio.com/
 
51:55 | In just four games, the Edmonton Oilers dream of a trip to the Stanley Cup Final is done. The Hedge host Andrew Walker shares his top takeaways from the Oilers' run, and what the off-season might look like.
Check out The Hedge: https://www.thehedgepod.com/